CONCORD, N.C. – The DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model Hell Tour and DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will return to their familiar formats in 2022 with nearly 30 events, racing an average of six days per week from June 14 through July 23 in eight states.
Through the summer-long journey, a healthy mix of staple tracks, returning venues and new speedways line the 40-plus-day trek.
The chase for the late model championship is also restored to its previous format — all contested races will count toward the overall points standings and determine the $25,000 champion in the season finale on July 23 for the third consecutive year at Merritt Speedway. Weekly points bonuses will also be awarded to the driver with the highest point total at the conclusion of each week.
The Summit Modified championship finale will return to the iconic Fairbury Speedway bullring, racing alongside the World of Outlaws Late Models in the 32nd annual Prairie Dirt Classic, July 29-30.
For the sixth time in tour history and first since 2019, both tours will open on Tuesday, June 14 with a visit to Kankakee County Speedway – a Summer Nationals staple venue making its 34th appearance on the schedule, dating back to the tour’s inaugural running in 1986.
The newly re-opened Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Ill., formerly known as Quincy Raceways, will host the late models and modifieds for the first time in three years on Wednesday, June 22. Longtime track staff member Jimmy Lieurance has taken over promotional duties and has already begun work on restoring the third-mile oval, which has been closed since early 2020.
From 1996-2013, Kentucky’s Paducah International Raceway had a spot on the Summer Nationals slate every year consecutively. The track has been closed since operations ceased in late 2018, but will open again in ’22 under new owners, who will welcome both tours back to the Kentucky oval on Friday, July 1.
The Hell Tour has gone two full seasons since the last matchup with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series national touring stars.
2022 will break the hiatus, pitting the Summer Nationals regulars up against the Outlaws in a two-day spectacular at Missouri’s Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Friday and Saturday, June 24-25. The late models will chase a $10,000 top prize on Friday night, while a hefty $20,000 awaits the winner on Saturday night. Summit Modifieds are also on the card, racing for their standard $1,500 check.
Both tours will visit Fayette County Speedway twice in five days over Independence Day Weekend, starting with a Thursday night special on June 30 and capping the stretch on Monday, July 4. Late models will race for a $10,000 top prize on Thursday, then come back for a $5,000-to-win event on Monday. $1,500 is on the line for the modified winner both nights.
In the second of a two-race trek through Ohio, DIRTcar UMP Modified Ohio Region venue Wayne County Speedway will host both tours for the first time in track history on Sunday, July 17. The three-eighths-mile clay oval is local to several DIRTcar Late Model and modified standouts that will be out to challenge the Hell Tour regulars as the season winds down in the final race before heading to Michigan.
All late model events will offer a standard 40-lap feature for all events, unless otherwise specified. The 42nd annual Herald & Review 100 at Macon Speedway on July 7 will contest a traditional 100 laps around the fifth-mile, while the 24th annual Birthday Race at Oakshade Raceway on July 16 will go 60 laps in the $10,000-to-win main event.
For the full Hell Tour schedule, visit here.
For the full Summit Modified schedule, visit here.