The Dirt Track at Charlotte kicked off the first of four days of action-packed racing with qualifying for all three of dirt racing’s biggest series Wednesday at the Dave Smith Motors World of Outlaws World Finals, setting the stage for a weekend of white-knuckled racing at the four-tenths-mile clay oval. 

AT A GLANCE:

  • Rico Abreu took top honors and will lead the field in Thursday and Friday heat races in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. 
  • Nick Hoffman and Chris Madden set fast times for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTvision and will lead the field to green in their heat races on Thursday and Friday. 
  • Logan Watt and Mat Williamson laid down the fastest laps in Super DIRTcar Series qualifying to earn the pole position in Thursday and Friday’s heat races, respectively.
  • The starting lineups for Saturday’s heat races will be determined based on the finishing positions of Thursday and Friday’s races.

A DEEPER DIVE:

NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series

While the championship battle between David Gravel and Michael Kofoid is entering its final weekend of the 2026 season, Wednesday night belonged to Rico Abreu. The Tony Stewart Racing driver posted the fastest lap in both Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying sessions on Wednesday and will lead the field for both Thursday and Friday’s heat races. Abreu posted a 12.584-second lap, beating out the series’ top two in points to take the top spot in the first session, which set the heat race lineups for Thursday’s action. Kofoid posted a 12.671-second circuit – second fastest – just ahead of points leader and two-time defending series champion David Gravel. Bill Balog and Buddy Schweibinz tallied identical 12.706-second laps to finish tied for fourth quick.

In qualifying for Friday’s heat races, Abreu improved upon his earlier run with a 12.542-second lap around the fourth-tenths-mile clay oval. For the second consecutive session, the St. Helena, Califa. native led the field, besting Sheldon Haudenshild’s effort by 0.125 seconds. Schweibinz, Cameron Smith and Balog rounded out the top five in the qualifying session for Friday’s heat races. 

World of Outlaw Late Model Series presented by DIRTvision

Nick Hoffman kept his championship hopes alive Wednesday night with a qualifying run to remember. The Mooresville, N.C. native posted the fastest lap in World of Outlaws Late Model Mark Martin Automotive Qualifying with a 14.621-second circuit to earn the pole for Thursday's heat race. Kale Green followed with the second-fastest lap at 14.659 seconds after carrying momentum from last week's World Short Track Championship podium finish. Ryan Gustin (14.697), Trey Mills (14.707) and Chris Ferguson (14.718) completed the top five.

Setting the stage for Friday’s heat race, Chris Madden will lead the field to green after posting a quick time of 14.689 seconds during the second session of late model qualifying. Dallon Murty qualified second with a 14.721-second lap, followed by Chris Ferguson at 14.744 seconds and Jadon Frame at 14.748 seconds and Ryan Gustin capping off the top five with a 14.804-second lap.

SuperDIRT Car Series

Wednesday night's first SuperDIRT Car Series qualifying session belonged to Pennsylvania native Logan Watt, who turned the fastest lap of the night with a 16.009-second circuit, earning the top spot heading into Thursday's heat race. Tyler Dippel (16.038), Rex King Jr. (16.081), Ryan Godown (16.106) and Felix Roy (16.166) rounded out the top five, while current points leader Alex Yankowski qualified inside the top 10 as they head into Thursday’s heat races and redraw. 

Capping off Wednesday night’s qualifying action, “Money” Mat Williamson made his presence known, clocking the fastest Big Block Modifieds lap of the night with a 15.988-second time to secure the top spot heading into Friday’s heat races. Williamson, who sits just behind current points leader Yankowski in the season standings, is looking to close the gap as the championship battle heats up. Yankowski posted a top-three qualifying time of 16.156 seconds, setting the stage for a weekend showdown between two of the series’ top contenders. Tyler Dippel (16.136), Ryan Godown (16.171), Felix Roy (16.264) and Darren Smith (16.333) rounded out the top five.

THURSDAY SCHEDULE:

Due to the threat of inclement weather, Thursday’s schedule has been updated.

  • 12pm: Souvenir and Display Areas Open
  • 1:20pm: Race Day Live (DIRTvision Stage)
  • 2pm: Gates Open
  • 2:50pm: Opening Ceremonies
  • 3pm: Heat Racing Begins

Visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for the full weekend schedule. 

TICKETS: 

The action continues Thursday as all three premier divisions return to The Dirt Track for the first of three nights of racing leading to Saturday’s championship celebration. Tickets are available online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets or can be purchased at the on-site ticket office.

KEEP TRACK:

Follow all the World of Outlaws Final action through the hashtag #WorldFinals. Connect with The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.