Tri-County Speedway, HMS to host races tonight

Mother Nature postponed the SMART Modified Tour’s annual stop at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson on Saturday, Oct. 3. The race will be made up tonight (Saturday, Oct. 10) as part of the track’s weekly series, and Tri-County will then complete its 2026 season with events on Oct. 24 and 31.

A 125-lap Limited Late Model race tonight at Hickory Motor Speedway will pay the winner $3,000. The night of action will also include the Super Truck season finale, the Carolina Pro Late Model tour, Baby Grands, and the Allison Legacy Touring Series.

And HorsePower Park in Morganton capped its season on Sept. 25, with the following drivers finishing first in the points standings in their respective divisions: Homer Cook (Crown Vic), Nathan Starnes (Thunder Bomber), John Fox (Renegade), Clay Ross (Pro 4), and the father-son duo of Kevin Saam (FWD) and Brayden Saam (Young Guns). Meanwhile, Crown Vic driver Zac Moore was named the rookie of the year for all divisions.

Locals headed to World Short Track Championship

Several local dirt track drivers are prepping for the World Short Track Championship at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 29-31.

Morganton native Damion Patton and his teammate, Brian “Meathead” Carswell of Valdese, are both making plans to compete in the Street Stock division.

“Charlotte is different,” Patton said. “You’re lining up against some of the best grassroots racers from all over the country. To me, the World Short Track Championship is what short track racing is supposed to be about. It gives a local team the opportunity to step onto a much bigger stage and prove what we can do.”

Morganton’s Tim Moretz will take part in the Thunder Bomber race, as will Benny Peeler of Connelly Springs.

“This is a race I have wanted to do for years,” Moretz said. “I’m back behind the wheel of my own car, and we have spent all year getting everything dialed in. I hope we can make the big race and have a chance for the win.”

“Charlotte is a once-a-year event that everyone wants to win,” Peeler added. “It is hard to make the main event. Usually, 60 drivers will show up for 20 spots. You have to be perfect all week just to make the show. It’s crazy what it costs to run that one race. Every year I swear I’m not going back, then by May I’m booking a hotel and getting ready.”

Morganton’s Tim Bristol is also expected to compete in Charlotte.

Goble, Beane race at Newport Speedway

The CARS Tour made its debut at Newport Speedway in Tennessee on Oct. 2, with Caldwell County drivers Josh Goble and Thomas Beane participating in the event.

Goble made his first start in the series, qualifying 25th but experiencing engine issues during the race as he was forced to exit early and settle for a 24th-place finish.

Beane had a better experience, qualifying sixth and racing in the top 10 for a large portion of the 125-lap race before ultimately coming in 12th.

Nineteen-year-old Mooresville native Caden Kvapil won the feature and captured the series championship.