With Utica-Rome Speedway returning to the DIRTcar banner in 2026, several major events were put on this year’s schedule.
The first is on Sunday, April 26, when the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series kicks off its 2026 season with the Jim Normoyle Memorial.
Drivers will battle in a 47-lap Feature paying $1,374-to-win, along with taking the first step toward a Series title on the road to Super DIRT Week 54.
Joining the Pro Stocks on Sunday are the DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds and Limited Sportsman divisions.
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Here’s a look at what to watch for at Utica-Rome:
The Chase for Seven: Entering this year’s DIRTcar Pro Stock Series campaign, no one has more Series titles than six-time defending champion Pete Stefanski.
Pete Stefanski begins his quest for a 7th DIRTcar Pro Stock Series title/Dylan Terry photo
The North Tonawanda, NY driver clinched the title last year with a runner-up finish in the I Love New York 50 at Oswego Speedway, beating out Tyler Bushey by 10 points.
Stefanski will open this year’s quest for the title at his home track, a place where he’s knocked on the door to Victory Lane. He’s finished second in two King of Dirt Pro Stock Series races and in four DIRTcar Pro Stock Series starts at the track; he’s never finished outside the top 10.
A win this weekend would be his record 29th career Series triumph.
The Home of Heroes: While it’s the first time the Series has raced at Utica-Rome since 2017, there will be some familiar faces to the Series who race at the track weekly.
That starts with reigning I Love New York 50 winner Devon Camenga, who finished fifth in last year’s track standings. The Troy, NY driver also added a win at Utica-Rome last season and finished seventh in last weekend’s track opener.
Devon Camenga celebrates his I Love NY 50 win at Super DIRT Week/Brent Smith
He’ll be joined by 2023 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series champion Luke Horning, who won the track title last season with four victories. “Cousin Luke,” from Gloversville, NY, is searching for his ninth career Series triumph.
The driver who’s had the most success in DIRTcar Pro Stock Series action at Utica-Rome is Brett Belden, who finished second to Horning in the battle for last year’s track title. The Clinton, NY driver is a two-time Series winner, with both coming at Utica-Rome in 2000 and 2001. Belden reached Utica-Rome’s Victory Lane twice in 2025.
Belden’s second-place finish came to AJ Walters, who scored his fourth victory at the track over the last two seasons. Walters, from Newport, NY, has never won a Series Feature, but enters the weekend with momentum.
Red-Hot 324: Another driver who enters Utica-Rome with momentum is Jason Casey. The Canaan, CT, competitor is off to a hot start after winning both of Lebanon Valley Speedway’s Pro Stock Features to start the season.
Casey has yet to win a DIRTcar Pro Stock Series event, but finished fifth in his lone Series start at the 1/2-mile dirt track. He also earned a third-place finish in a King of Dirt Series event in 2017. His best Series finish overall is a second, which he earned at Brewerton Speedway last season.
2026 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Schedule
Sunday, April 26/Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, NY
Friday, May 15/Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, NY
Saturday, May 30/Autodrome Drummond/Drummondville, QC
Sunday, May 31/Cornwall Motor Speedway/Long Sault, ON
Thursday, June 25/Airborne Park Speedway/Plattsburgh, NY
Wednesday, July 8/Mohawk International Raceway/Akwesasne, ON
Monday, Aug. 17/Brewerton Speedway/Central Square, NY
Saturday, Aug. 22/Lebanon Valley Speedway/West Lebanon, NY
Sunday, Aug. 23/Glen Ridge Motorsports Park/Fultonville, NY
Saturday, Sept. 19/Mohawk International Raceway/Akwesasne, NY
Saturday, Sept. 26/Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, NY
Friday, Oct. 2/Fulton Speedway/Fulton, NY
Friday, Oct. 9/Oswego Speedway/Oswego, NY
