Dirt Late Model Drivers Compete in Halloween Doubleheaders
Top racers face off at Portsmouth and East Alabama tracks in high-stakes events.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Motorsports
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Drivers are hitting the tracks at Portsmouth Raceway Park and East Alabama Motor Speedway over Halloween weekend to compete for significant prize purses. These multi-day events serve as a final proving ground for competitors before next week's World Finals.
Why it matters
The races offer a final chance for drivers to gain momentum and test their setups in competitive fields before the season-concluding World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Participants are vying for lucrative payouts while fine-tuning their performance ahead of the premier championship event.
Portsmouth Raceway Park features a $50,000 winner purse, while the National 100 at East Alabama Motor Speedway offers $10,000 for the opener and $25,000 for the finale. Promoters at East Alabama added 180 truckloads of clay to the 3/8-mile track surface.
The players
Ricky Thornton Jr.
He is a prominent Dirt Late Model driver who currently leads a group of top-ranked competitors at Portsmouth Raceway Park.
Brandon Sheppard
He enters the upcoming World Finals as the reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion.
Chris Madden
He is an accomplished veteran driver who may join the field for the National 100 event.
Brandon Overton
He is a highly ranked dirt racing competitor who is a potential entrant for the upcoming weekend races.
Jimmy Owens
He is an experienced driver and regular contender who could appear in the National 100 field.
The details
Ricky Thornton Jr. leads a contingent of five DirtonDirt Top 25 drivers at the Ohio-based Portsmouth event, where previous success has seen notable earnings. Meanwhile, East Alabama Motor Speedway has undergone significant changes, including a revised track layout designed to facilitate better side-by-side racing.
Timeline
Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2026: Racing events take place at Portsmouth and East Alabama tracks.
Next week: The World of Outlaws Late Model Series concludes its season at the World Finals.
Season Trajectory
These events serve as the final crucible for drivers to refine their performance before the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Success this weekend could provide a psychological and mechanical advantage for teams entering the season-ending championship showdown.
The prize money awarded this weekend directly influences the financial standing of teams heading into the high-stakes World Finals. Drivers securing wins at Portsmouth or East Alabama will enter the final championship meet with significant momentum and potential hardware upgrades.
The takeaway
These events highlight the intensity of the late-season racing calendar as teams prepare for the championship finale. Fans should note that momentum gained at these tracks can often shift the competitive landscape for the final races of the season.
Further reading
For more news from the track, visit the Motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Floracing.
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