Key notes: The Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series kicks off its 2026 season with Saturday’s 39th annual Earl Hill Memorial Topless 50 at Tyler County Speedway. … The event honors Hill, arguably the most successful Dirt Late Model racer in Tyler County’s history. Hill amassed more than 300 feature victories en route to earning the first track championship at Tyler County and likely holds all track records from his era. … Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, W.Va., chases his second straight Hill Memorial Topless 50 after earning last year’s $5,080 prize in ULMS action. Montgomery also topped last fall’s $2,000 Country Roads opener in DIRTcar Super Late Models. … Luke Morey of Zeeland, Mich., won last fall’s $3,000 Country Roads second round at Tyler County. … Tyler Carpenter of Parkersburg, W.Va., is a two-time Hill Memorial winner (2023-’24) before adding a $5,000 Topless 50 victory there in the fall of 2024, in ULMS competition. … Colten Burdette of Parkersburg, W.Va., grabbed a $3,000 unsanctioned victory there in the fall of 2020. … Crate Late Models, modifieds, sport mods, 4-cylinders and hot mods are on the undercard. … With cold weather expected, times were moved ahead for Saturday’s program; gates now open at 1 p.m. with on-track action at 3:30. … Tyler County is slated to host the United Late Model Series twice more this year, a $5,000-to-win prelim on Aug. 29 before Aug. 30’s $20,000-to-win County Roads event.

Who to watch: Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, W.Va., eyes his second straight Earl Hill Memorial Topless 50 victory.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Ryan Montgomery, Tyler Carpenter, Mason Zeigler, Zack Dohm, Colten Burdette, Bryan Bernheisel, K.C. Burdette, Brock Pinkerous, Luke Morey, Michael Lake, Brandon Weigle, Kyle Lukon, Levi Yetter, Matt Sponaugle, Dylan Lewis, Daniel Hill, Dave Stamm, Ken Schaffer and others.

Next series race: May 8, Outlaw Speedway (Dundee, NY) $10,000