Late Model crown race set by four October events
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 24, 2026
Bayou Classic opener
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series heads into its closing stretch with four race nights that will help sort out the championship and send more than $1.1 million through the end-of-season points fund. The run starts at Boothill Speedway in Louisiana with the Bayou Classic, a race that has already become one of the clearest markers on the schedule for drivers chasing late-season momentum and points. Ryan Gustin enters that stop with a strong recent record in the event. He won both the 2024 and 2025 Bayou Classic races, then backed up that stretch by beating Bobby Pierce in last year’s two-night version. That kind of repeat success gives the opening stop extra weight. It also gives the field a familiar benchmark. The Bayou Classic has already shown it can reward a driver who can handle the pressure of a big payday and a multi-night format, and Gustin has done that better than anyone in the recent history of the event. With the points fund still in play and the title picture taking shape, the Louisiana stop opens a run where every lap carries more value.
Modoc Speedway return
The series then shifts to South Carolina for the Modoc 100 at Modoc Speedway, a stop that brings the World of Outlaws back to the track for the first time in more than four years. That return gives the event extra significance before the green flag even drops. The Modoc 100 also marks the track’s first national Late Model race since a $2 million renovation, which adds another layer to a race already tied to the late-season championship chase. For the series, it is more than a routine date on the calendar. It is a chance to put one of its biggest shows in front of a rebuilt venue and a track that has not seen this level of competition in years. For the drivers, it is another critical points night at a time when the championship picture is tightening. The combination of a long-awaited return, a renovated facility and national Late Model racing gives the Modoc stop a different feel from the rest of the schedule. It stands out as a fresh challenge in the middle of a decisive run of races, and it carries the kind of importance that can reshape a season.
Charlotte championship stretch
The schedule finishes in Charlotte with two final stops that keep the title fight front and center. First comes the World Short Track Championship at Charlotte, then the season closes with the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Together, those races form the final push of the series and leave little room for error. Drivers still chasing the championship will have one more chance to bank points in a high-pressure environment, and the payout structure adds another reason every finish matters. The closing stretch also gives the series a familiar stage for its biggest nights. By the time the World Finals arrive at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, the season will have moved through a Louisiana opener, a long-awaited South Carolina return and a final two-race stand in Charlotte. That path sets up a complete late-season test, with the championship, the money and the momentum all coming together in the final run to the finish.
