The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds headline the opening nights at Volusia Speedway Park for the 21st consecutive year as part of the nine-night Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals, which run Jan. 29–Feb. 7. The first three nights (Jan. 29–31) run alongside the American Sprint Car Series, award the golden gator trophy and count toward Florida Speedweeks but not the Big Gator Championship.

The Big Gator Championship begins Feb. 2 with six split 20-lap Features Monday–Friday that set Friday’s Feature lineups. The top three finishers from each weekday split advance directly to Saturday’s 30-lap, $5,000-to-win Championship final on Feb. 7. Last Chance Showdowns fill the remainder of the Saturday field. The Modifieds will be paired with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars Feb. 4–7.

Reigning Big Gator champion Curt Spalding returns to defend his title; his son Tyler will make his UMP Modified debut. Other named contenders include Jason Garver, Zane Oedewaldt and veteran Todd Neiheiser. Teams arrive after testing Volusia’s newly reworked gumbo surface at the Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial (won by Drake Troutman in Nov. 2025), and promoters expect more than 100 Modified entries with a points fund for the top 10. The overall Speedweeks Modified champion collects a $3,000 bonus in addition to the points payout, and early Speedweeks Modified winners include Ray Bollinger and Zeke McKenzie.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series remains in Florida to open the season, with DIRTcar Late Model shows at Volusia Feb. 9–11, World of Outlaws headlining Feb. 12–14 and a six-night Big Gator chase wrapping the festival. The series then moves to Hendry County Motorsports Park for the Swamp Cabbage 100 on Feb. 20–21, with practice Feb. 19 and two paying features—$12,000 on Feb. 20 and $20,000 on Feb. 21—alongside partner events such as a fishing tournament Feb. 18, the Swamp Cabbage Festival, a downtown parade and other community tie-ins.

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