Key notes: The Northern Allstars Late Model Series kicks off its 2026 season with Saturday’s $10,000-to-win 50th annual Spring 50 at Florence Speedway. … The original season opener scheduled March 14 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway rained out. … Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., enters as a three-time and defending Spring 50 winner at Florence (2022-’23, ’25). Rice has 13 feature wins there since 2021, worth more than $90,000 over that span. … Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., topped a $3,000 Super Late Model race there last summer in the No. 6 Hatcher Motorsports Longhorn. … Adam Stricker of Batavia, Ohio, had two major victories there in 2024, worth more than $8,000 in unsanctioned action. … Each heat race winner will participate in the night’s $2,000-to-win John Weber dash, setting the starting lineup for the first couple of rows. … 604 Crates ($1,200-to-win) and modifieds are on the undercard. … Pits open at 3 p.m. and grandstands open at 5 with hot laps at 6. … Watch live on Hunt the Front TV.

Who to watch: Josh Rice of Crittenden, Ky., chases his fourth career Spring 50 victory and 14th overall win since 2021 at Florence.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Josh Rice, Michael Chilton, Jason Jameson, Devin Gilpin, Rod Conley, Adam Stricker, Tyler Collins, R.J. Conley, Cody Mahoney, Seth Daniels, Billy Green, Trevor Landrum, Justin Rattliff, Ryan Markham, Rob Anderzack, Dustin Nobbe, Kirk Phillips, David Webb, Derek Groomer, Tyler Neal, Austin Lay, Brandon Hardgrove and others.

Next series race: April 3, Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) $10,000