For the fourth straight season, the DIRTcar Sportsman Series will make its traditional Western New York stop in August.
The top Sportsman drivers in the Northeast head to Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville, NY, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for the Flyin’ Brian and Ray Stevens Memorial, a 30-lap Feature paying $3,000 to win.
Joining the DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series is the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series.
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Here’s a look at what to watch for at Ransomville:
Ladouceur Leads: After two races in the battle to become DIRTcar Sportsman Series champion, Tristan Ladouceur has jumped out to the front of the Series standings.
The Alexandria, ON driver holds a 19-point lead over Taylor Wason, following a third at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park and a fifth at Utica-Rome Speedway last week. Ladouceur has only made one start at Ransomville in his career, crossing the line second in last year’s Championship Series stop.
He’s searching for his first career Series victory.
Tight Battle for Second: While Ladouceur leads, Wason holds an 11-point cushion over Richard Murtaugh and Bodie Marks, who are tied for third, 30 points behind Ladouceur.
Wason, from Middlegrove, NY, brings momentum to the “Big R” after earning his first official win of the season at Albany-Saratoga Speedway last Friday. He also earned a win there earlier this season in a substitute role.
However, Tuesday’s race will be Wason’s first start at the 3/8-mile oval.
Murtaugh, like Ladouceur, has only made one Series start at Ransomville in his career, finishing ninth in last year’s event. The Fulton, NY driver is trying to rebound after a 16th-place finish last week at Utica-Rome, and a sixth at Glen Ridge. He’s aiming for his 10th career Series victory.
Marks is expected to make his first start at Ransomville on Tuesday, after finishing 11th at Glen Ridge and second at Utica-Rome.
McPherson’s Playground: When the DIRTcar Sportsman Series heads to Ransomville, drivers know that one of the top competitors to beat is three-time Series champion Cody McPherson.
The St. Catharines, ON driver has won seven of the 14 Features at the track this season and has won the Championship Series stop in each of the last two seasons. McPherson is searching for his 27th Series victory, with six of those at Ransomville.
While McPherson has had the upper hand this season at the “Big R,” six other drivers have reached Victory Lane. Brett Senek, from Ransomville, NY, has one victory, and joins McPherson as the only two drivers to finish in the top 10 in all 14 of the track’s Features this season.
Nigel Pendykoski, from Niagara Falls, ON, is currently third in the track’s points standings, also has a victory this season, and is ninth in Series points – 58 points behind Ladouceur.
The four other Sportsman winners at Ransomville this season are Tyler Foster, Cameron Tuttle, Stephen Miller, and Brendan Zimmerman.
2026 Championship Season Schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 9/Glen Ridge Motorsports Park/Fultonville, NY- Derrick McGrew Jr.
Wednesday, Aug. 19/Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, NY- Tony Finch II
Tuesday, Aug. 25/Ransomville Speedway/Ransomville, NY
Sunday, Sept. 6/Weedsport Speedway/Weedsport, NY
Saturday, Sept. 12/Can-Am Speedway/LaFargeville, NY
Friday, Sept. 18/Mohawk International Raceway/Akwesasne, NY
Saturday, Sept. 19/Land of Legends Raceway/Canandaigua, NY
Friday, Sept. 25/Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, NY
Saturday, Oct. 10/Oswego Speedway/Oswego, NY (Super DIRT Week)
Saturday, Oct. 17/Brockville Ontario Speedway/Brockville, ON
DIRTCar Sportsman Championship Series Points Standings
- Tristan Ladouceur 784
- Taylor Wason -19
- Bodie Mark -30
- Richard Murtaugh -30
- Cody Manitta -41
- Derrick McGrew Jr. -41
- Nick Brundige -49
- David Hackett -58
- Nigel Pendykoski -39
- Chris Crane Jr. -60
Note: Home Track bonus points will be added after Labor Day weekend.
