Key notes: The 40th annual DIRTcar Summer Nationals continues its fifth week of action with Saturday’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win 29th annual Birthday Race at Oakshade Raceway. … There are two races left in the 2026 Hell Tour season. … A $150,000 points fund will be paid out weekly with $10,000 to each week’s champ and the overall champion receiving $10,000. … Tanner English of Benton, Ky., has all but clinched the 2026 Summer Nationals title with two races remaining on the strength of four wins this season and 19 top-five finishes in 21 series starts. … Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., led all 40 laps Friday night at Crystal (Mich.) Motor Speedway for his first Hell Tour win in more than two years. … Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Mich., has 17 career Oakshade specials to his credit, including winning his seventh Barney Oldfield Memorial there on June 20th, combining for more than $64,000. … Devin Shiels of Britton, Mich., topped 2022’s Oldfield Memorial Race at Oakshade, worth $5,000 in DIRTcar Supers. … Dona Marcoullier of Houghton Lake, Mich., won three Oakshade specials in 2017, combining for more than $8,000. … Modifieds ($1,500-to-win) and super stocks are on the undercard. … Pits open at 10 a.m. and grandstands open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6. ... Watch live on DIRTVision.
Who to watch: Tanner English of Benton, Ky., seeks his fifth Summer Nationals win of the season as he wraps up the overall title.
Points chase: Week 5 before Oakshade: 1. Tanner English (278); 2. Luke Morey (228); 3. Chad Finley (226); 4. Frank Heckenast Jr. (219); 5. Travis Stemler (208).
Overall before Oakshade 1. Tanner English (1,467); 2. Jason Feger (1,185); 3. Mitch McGrath (912); 4. Clay Stuckey (837); 5. Frank Heckenast Jr. (821).
Expected entrants: Tanner English, Ryan Unzicker, Sam Seawright, Rusty Schlenk, Mitch McGrath, Frank Heckenast Jr., Luke Morey, Eric Spangler, Kyle Moore, Dona Marcoullier, Chad Finley, Travis Stemler, Casey Noonan, Rich Bell, Brandon Thirlby, Colin Shipley, Todd Brennan, Logan Nickerson, Rylee Knoll, Dusty Moore, Mike VanderMark Jr., Chad Roush, Mark Voigt and others.
Next series race: July 12, Wayne County Speedway (Orrville, OH) $5,000
From staff reports
WAUSEON, Ohio — Updates from Saturday’s 22nd round of the 40th annual DIRTcar Summer Nationals at Oakshade Raceway, an event highlighted by the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win 29th annual Birthday Race for DIRTcar Super Late Models (results unofficial):
Saturday’s schedule
(All times local)
10:00 a.m. - Pits open
3:30 p.m. - Tech and registration open
4 p.m. - Grandstands open
5 p.m. - Tech and registration close
5:30 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified group qualifying
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Super stock hot laps
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heats (8 laps)
- Modified heats (8 laps)
- Super stock heats (8 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Modified consolation (8 laps)
- Late Model consolation (10 laps)
Feature events
- Late Models (50 laps)
- Modifieds (25 laps)
- Super stocks (15 laps)
