2026 Summer Nationals Concludes in Region, Locals Hope to Succeed Among National Talent

Jonesville, MI - The 2026 edition of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour is coming to a close with traditional stops in Michigan and Ohio to wrap up the campaign. After starting the week in Indiana at Kankakee and Montpelier Speedway, the DIRTcar Late Models and Summitt Racing Equipment Modifieds are headed to I-96 Speedway on Wednesday, Butler Motor Speedway Thursday, Crystal Motor Speedway on Friday, Oakshade Raceway on Saturday, and Wayne County Speedway on Sunday.

Kicking off on Tuesday, June 9th, the Hell Tour has battled mother nature for the majority of the Tour, yet, some names continue to rise to the top throughout the monthlong series. Shannon Babb got the winning started for the DIRTcar Late Models at the Brownstown Bullring. Jason Feger took the honors at Coles County Speedway on Friday, June 12th, a race that kicked off a string of five straight races. Babb returned to victory lane at Fairbury Speedway, then Brian Shirley at Sycamore Speedway, Feger returned at Wilmot Raceway, then Chris Simpson got the job done on June 16th at West Liberty Raceway.

After a three-day break, the Tour was back in Illinois on Friday, June 19th at Farmer City Raceway, an invite for Feger to win again. Cade Dillard grabbed his first win of the Tour the next night at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park. Billy Moyer, Sr, Sam Seawright, and Jason Feger ended the month of June as winners at Benton Speedway, Camden Speedway, and Old No.1 Speedway.

Farmington Empire Speedway took Tanner English to victory lane to start July, with Feger getting yet another win in Illinois, this one coming at Lincoln Speedway. Frank Heckenast, Jr took control at Red Hill Raceway before English returned to victory lane at Highland Speedway. Brandon Sheppard grabbed the win on Sunday at Macon Speedway before English and Heckenast, Jr both got return trips to Victory Lane at Kankakee and Montpelier.

Last year's regional swing was controlled by Zack Mitchell. The Enoree, SC driver grabbed three wins in the final week of the Hell Tour, including Shadyhill Speedway, Crystal Motor Speedway, and the Birthday Race at Oakshade Raceway. Cody Overton grabbed the Montpelier Speedway win in 2025, and Mark Whitener handled business at Butler. Nick Hoffman ended the regular Hell Tour as a winner at Wayne County Speedway.

I-96 Speedway returns to the Hell Tour for the first time since 2021. Devon Moran held off a hard-charging Tanner English for the win ahead of Ashton Winger and Frank Heckenast, Jr. Dona Marcoullier, who was the highest finishing local driver, rounded out the top five that night. Rusty Schlenk set fast time that August night, and locals Travis Stemler and Ryan VanderVeen grabbed heat race wins.

In 2025 at Butler, Whitener controlled the field from the drop of the green flag. Cody Overton was second ahead of Trey Mills, Dillon McCowan, and Zack Mitchell. Chad Finley was the highest finishing regional driver that night, finishing 10th.

Crystal Motor Speedway was a dog fight between Mitchell and Tyler Erb in 2025. Michell got the win and Eric Spangler moved up six spots to finish fourth. Behind them, Jason Feger came from 19th to finish sixth.

Mitchell's win in the Birthday Race at Oakshade Raceway came from the pole position with Trey Mills finishing where he started, in second. Feger came from 10th to finish third.

MARC News will have regional coverage of the conclusion of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour Wednesday through Saturday.