With rainfall expected Wednesday and Thursday and much cooler temperatures forecast for Friday, officials with Lincoln Speedway and the DIRTcar Fall Nationals have adjusted the schedule for this weekend’s event at the Logan County Fairgrounds.
The 2026 DIRTcar Fall Nationals will now take place Friday through Sunday, October 16-18, with open practice moving to Friday evening and the two complete nights of racing shifting to Saturday and Sunday.
The adjustment gives the facility additional time following the midweek rainfall while also moving the racing programs into what is currently forecast to be a much more favorable weather window. With sunshine and warmer temperatures expected Saturday and Sunday, officials have also moved both racing programs to an earlier afternoon/evening schedule.
Friday, October 16 — Open Practice
Friday will now serve as the official Fall Nationals practice night.
- Pits Open: 4:00 PM
- Open Practice / Hot Laps: 6:30-8:30 PM
The move from Thursday to Friday will give race teams the opportunity to get on track before two full days of competition while allowing Lincoln Speedway additional time to prepare the racing surface following the expected rainfall.
Saturday, October 17 — Fall Nationals Racing & Bennett Memorial
Saturday will feature the first complete racing program of the weekend with an earlier schedule designed to take advantage of the warmer daytime temperatures and sunshine.
- Pits Open: 1:00 PM
- Grandstands Open: 2:00 PM
- Hot Laps: 4:00 PM
- Racing: 5:00 PM
Saturday’s program will feature the DIRTcar Super Late Models, Taco Bell DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Late Models, and DIRTcar Pro Modifieds.
The program will also feature the Bennett Memorial for the Super Late Models and Modifieds. The special bonus program pays $50 to the leader of every feature lap in both divisions, along with additional bonus awards and prizes.
Sunday, October 18 — Fall Nationals Finale
The Fall Nationals will conclude Sunday with another full racing program and the same early schedule.
- Pits Open: 1:00 PM
- Grandstands Open: 2:00 PM
- Hot Laps: 4:00 PM
- Racing: 5:00 PM
The Sunday finale will feature the DIRTcar Super Late Models, Taco Bell DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Late Models, DIRTcar Pro Modifieds, and DIRTcar Stock Cars.
The weekend is expected to play an important role in deciding several DIRTcar National Championships, with tight point battles remaining in the Super Late Model, Modified, and Pro Modified divisions. Competitors in the four national point-paying classes will have two complete feature events available during the weekend.
Officials believe the move to Saturday and Sunday will provide the best opportunity to complete the entire Fall Nationals program while giving fans and competitors more favorable conditions.
Fans who have already made plans for the event are encouraged to note the new dates and earlier Saturday and Sunday start times.
UPDATED 2026 DIRTcar FALL NATIONALS SCHEDULE
Friday, October 16 — Open Practice
Pits Open — 4:00 PM
Hot Laps/Practice — 6:30-8:30 PM
Saturday, October 17 — Racing
Pits Open — 1:00 PM
Grandstands Open — 2:00 PM
Hot Laps — 4:00 PM
Racing — 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 18 — Racing
Pits Open — 1:00 PM
Grandstands Open — 2:00 PM
Hot Laps — 4:00 PM
Racing — 5:00 PM
The DIRTcar Fall Nationals take place at Lincoln Speedway, located at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln, Illinois.
Additional event information, competitor information, and updates are available at LincolnSpeedwayIL.com. Fans may also contact the Track Enterprises office at 217-764-3200.
