Deer Creek cancels Gopher 50, eyes 2027 return
NXTbets Pro | Published On: July 1, 2026
Deer Creek cancellation
Persistent thunderstorms and rain forced the World of Outlaws Late Model Series and Deer Creek Speedway to cancel the NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 at Spring Valley, Minnesota. Officials said the weather made travel unsafe for drivers and fans during the holiday weekend, and no reschedule date was identified. The cancellation wiped out the final stop of the series’ Minnesota swing and ended a weekend that had been built around one of the sport’s key late-summer events. World of Outlaws also said it still expects to return to Deer Creek for the Gopher 50 in 2027. That gives the track a target for the event’s comeback, but for now the series moves on without the Minnesota finale it had planned.
Gopher 50 schedule
The Gopher 50 had been set up as a three-night stop with a clear payoff structure. Drivers were scheduled to race for $10,000 on each of the first two nights before chasing a $40,000 winner’s check in the finale. The event was part of a northern swing that also included Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minnesota, where the week was supposed to begin. That gave the trip a strong regional feel, with one race designed to open the run and another set to cap it. The field also carried a few storylines into the weekend. Bobby Pierce arrived on a five-race win streak and had piled up 15 World of Outlaws victories in 2026, putting him within reach of the series single-season record of 18 wins. Nick Hoffman had already shown strength at Norman County Raceway, winning both previous World of Outlaws races there. Minnesota native Dustin Sorensen also had a clear goal in front of him. He was chasing his first World of Outlaws win at Deer Creek after turning in a career-best third there in 2023.
Tickets and next races
The cancellation also sets off the practical side of the turnaround for fans who bought in advance. World of Outlaws said those ticket buyers will receive a face-value credit in their MyDirtTickets.com accounts, and the credit remains valid for two years. The series also said refund requests are available for tickets, with camping refund requests available as well. With no replacement date on the calendar, the focus now shifts away from Deer Creek and toward the next events on the schedule. World of Outlaws said its next races are set for Stateline Speedway and Sharon Speedway later in the week. That keeps the series moving even after the Minnesota stop fell off the schedule, and it leaves Deer Creek looking ahead to its planned return with the Gopher 50 in 2027.
