Sanders Wins First World of Outlaws Victory
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 20, 2026
Sanders’ breakthrough
Justin Sanders grabbed the win of his career at Stockton Dirt Track, holding off a late challenge to win the Dennis Roth Classic finale and claim his first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory. He started the 40-lap feature from the lead, then finished the job with a late slide job in the closing corners against Emerson Axsom. The breakthrough gave Sanders $83,000. It also gave Mittry Racing its first series triumph.
Axsom’s challenge
Emerson Axsom chased Sanders down and took the lead away during the race. Sanders had to reset after losing the top spot, then found his opening late. That final slide job decided the race and left Axsom second. James McFadden followed in third, David Gravel ran fourth and Buddy Kofoid finished fifth. Sanders started with the lead, Axsom wrestled it away and Sanders took it back in the closing corners.
Outlaws history
Sanders’ victory carried weight beyond one race. He became the 161st different winner in World of Outlaws history and the sixth first-time winner of the 2026 season. Those numbers put his Stockton Dirt Track run into the series record book and added another new name to a year that has already produced multiple first-time winners. The win also marked a first for Mittry Racing, which earned its first series triumph after Sanders sealed the outcome in the final corners.
