Montpelier hosts for first time, Benton returns, Red Hill to reopen
Less than 100 days until its 37th consecutive season begins, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals schedule is getting a boost.
Four new dates have been added, along with two date changes, to the 2022 schedule, creating a 32-race stretch from mid-June to late-July for the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models and DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals.
New Races
Red Hill Raceway (Sumner, IL) – Dirt track racing in Sumner is back. So too are the Late Models and UMP Modifieds in the leadoff day of Week #3 on Tuesday, June 28.
Midwest racing promoter Jeremy Sneed has purchased the 3/8-mile oval and will reopen the facility for racing for the first time since it was closed in 2005. Sneed has plans to make renovations to the facility including track surface work, lighting upgrades and improvements to the guardrails and fencing, among others. A working schedule, which consists of multiple race days and practice sessions, is in the plans for the 2022 regular season.
The Hell Tour has two visits to Red Hill in its history – the first in 1998, won by Rick Aukland, and another in 2000, won by two-time tour champion Bob Pierce.
Benton Speedway (Benton, MO) – For the first time since 1997, the Summer Nationals stars return to Benton Speedway for a Wednesday night showdown on June 29 to kickoff Week #3. Closed in 2014, owner Rob Russell reopened the 3/8-mile oval last fall and will host both the Late Model and Modified tours in the third and final visit to the Show-Me State.
The Hell Tour has three prior visits to Benton – formerly known as Missouri International Racepark – in 1991 (Bob Pierce), 1992 (Scott Bloomquist) and 1997 (Randy Sellars).
Montpelier Motor Speedway (Montpelier, IN) – A weekly hotspot for Indiana UMP Modified racing, this 3/8-mile oval gets its first chance to host both divisions in the kickoff to Week #5 on Wednesday, July 13. This will coincide with the track’s return to a full-season schedule this year under new promoter Larry Boos, who reopened the track in mid-2021 for owner Harold Hunter.
Shadyhill Speedway (Medaryville, IN) – In 2018, the Late Models returned to Shadyhill for the first time in 18 years, taking the Modifieds along for their debut. Both tours will visit the banked quarter-mile oval once again on Thursday, July 14. Bob Pierce won the Hell Tour’s inaugural visit in 2000 and Frank Heckenast Jr. won the return in 2018.
While the track hosts weekly DIRTcar Pro Late Model, UMP Modified, Factory Stock and Sport Compact racing, the Summer Nationals event is one of only two DIRTcar Late Model events on the track’s 2022 schedule.
Date Changes
Knox County Fair Raceway (Knoxville, IL) – Originally slated for a July 12 race date, the Summer Nationals and Summit Modifieds’ second appearance at the Knox County Fairgrounds has been moved forward one week to Tuesday, July 5, to begin Week #4.
Fayette County Speedway (Brownstown, IL) – The tours’ second visit of the season to Fayette County has been pushed back two days to Wednesday, July 6. While it was originally scheduled for July 4, the Late Models will still race for a $5,000 grand prize alongside the Modifieds, going for a $1,500 check.
Updated Tour Schedules
| Date | Day | Track | City, State | To-Win (LM/Mod) |
| June 14 | Tuesday | Kankakee Co. Speedway | Kankakee, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 15 | Wednesday | Peoria Speedway | Peoria, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 16 | Thursday | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA | $5,000 (LM only) |
| June 17 | Friday | Tri-City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, IL | $10,000/$1,500 |
| June 18 | Saturday | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL | $10,000/$2,000 |
| June 19 | Sunday | Sycamore Speedway | Maple Park, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 20 | Monday | Off | ||
| June 21 | Tuesday | Springfield Raceway | Springfield, MO | $5,000 (LM only) |
| June 22 | Wednesday | Adams Co. (IL) Speedway | Quincy, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 23 | Thursday | Spoon River Speedway | Canton, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 24 | Friday | I-55 Raceway | Pevely, MO | $10,000/$1,500 |
| June 25 | Saturday | I-55 Raceway | Pevely, MO | $20,000/$1,500 |
| June 26 | Sunday | Off | ||
| June 27 | Monday | Off | ||
| June 28 | Tuesday | Red Hill Raceway | Sumner, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 29 | Wednesday | Benton Speedway | Benton, MO | $5,000/$1,500 |
| June 30 | Thursday | Fayette Co. Speedway | Brownstown, IL | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 1 | Friday | Paducah Int’l Raceway | Paducah, KY | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 2 | Saturday | Clarksville Speedway | Clarksville, TN | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 3 | Sunday | Lincoln Speedway | Lincoln, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 4 | Monday | Off | ||
| July 5 | Tuesday | Knox Co. Fair Raceway | Knoxville, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 6 | Wednesday | Fayette Co. Speedway | Brownstown, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 7 | Thursday | Macon Speedway | Macon, IL | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 8 | Friday | Farmer City Speedway | Farmer City, IL | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 9 | Saturday | Highland Speedway | Highland, IL | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 10 | Sunday | Tri-State Speedway | Haubstadt, IN | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 11 | Monday | Off | ||
| July 12 | Tuesday | Off | ||
| July 13 | Wednesday | Montpelier Motor Spdwy | Montpelier, IN | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 14 | Thursday | Shadyhill Speedway | Medaryville, IN | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 15 | Friday | I-96 Speedway | Lake Odessa, MI | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 16 | Saturday | Oakshade Raceway | Wauseon, OH | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 17 | Sunday | Wayne Co. Speedway | Orrville, OH | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 18 | Monday | Off | ||
| July 19 | Tuesday | Off | ||
| July 20 | Wednesday | Thunderbird Raceway | Muskegon, MI | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 21 | Thursday | Butler Motor Speedway | Quincy, MI | $5,000/$1,500 |
| July 22 | Friday | Tri-City Motor Speedway | Auburn, MI | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 23 | Saturday | Merritt Speedway | Lake City, MI | $10,000/$1,500 |
| July 29 | Friday | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL | $500 (Mods only) |
| July 30 | Saturday | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL | $5,000 (Mods only) |
