MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Salt City Racing will close out its 2026 season with two nights of racing at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, highlighted by the Super Dirt Showdown and the return of late models to the Hutchinson track.
Salt City Racing operator Phil Nightingale said Friday's program will feature IMCA stock cars, sport mods and modifieds along with super dirt late models. The late-model races will be co-sanctioned by the Heartland Late Model Tour and Revival Late Model Series.
The late models will bring considerably more horsepower to the fairgrounds track.
"These late models come in at 900 horsepower, 14-inch wide wheels, and RPM turning about 9,000 RPM," Nightingale said. He expects the cars to reach speeds of roughly 140 to 150 mph.
Crews have spent much of the week preparing the track for the larger and faster cars. Nightingale said Kyler Fetters and his crew from Dodge City Raceway Park have been working at the fairgrounds since Tuesday.
The track has been widened to give drivers more room through the corners and improve opportunities for side-by-side racing. Hot weather has also made maintaining moisture in the racing surface a challenge.
Nightingale said crews have been applying additional water to prevent the track from becoming too dry. A dry surface can begin taking rubber and develop into a one-groove track, making passing more difficult.
The weekend brings together two organizations that Nightingale said are helping rebuild interest in late-model racing. Heartland and Revival have developed schedules and purses aimed at attracting competitors in a class where the cost of cars and equipment can be substantial.
The Hutchinson event is expected to draw competitors from across the region.
"Tonight, we will have seven states represented at the fairgrounds," Nightingale said.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, with hot laps beginning at 6:30 p.m. and opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through Salt City Racing or at the gate.
An after-party is planned following Friday night's races, with the concession stand remaining open until midnight. Fans with tickets will be able to visit the pits, get a closer look at the cars and meet drivers.
Saturday's schedule will focus exclusively on the late models. Nightingale said Saturday will also include driver introductions, with the feature race increasing from 20 laps Friday to 25 laps Saturday. Gates again open at 5 p.m., followed by hot laps at 6:30 and opening ceremonies at 7.
While this weekend concludes the 2026 schedule in Hutchinson, Nightingale is already planning a larger event for next year.
He announced the Salt City Nationals will be held June 23-26, 2027. June 23 will serve as a practice night, followed by three nights of competition. Plans call for late models, stock cars and modifieds, with sprint cars also being considered.
Nightingale said he has been pleased with the 2026 season despite losing events to rain. He said Salt City Racing's most recent event in July produced its largest crowd since he began operating the track.
He hopes strong attendance this weekend will demonstrate continued community support for racing at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
"Let's pack these stands," Nightingale said. "Let's show this fair board that, hey, you know what? We need to keep this racetrack alive in Hutchinson."