05/11/2026
Three Ontario Dirt Tracks Unite for Late Model Challenge
Dirt Late Model racing offers some of the most exciting action fans can experience, and in 2026, three Ontario dirt tracks have teamed up to elevate that excitement over an eight-day stretch in July.
Buxton Speedway, Ohsweken Speedway, and Brighton Speedway will host a three-race Crate vs. Open Late Model Challenge from July 18 through July 25, with each event paying $2,000 to win.
This mini-series will pit Ontario’s top 604 GM Crate Late Model drivers against Open Late Models, featuring engines producing 800+ horsepower, across three uniquely different race tracks. The field is expected to include a strong contingent of drivers from Brighton Speedway, which hosts weekly 604 Late Model competition, along with competitors from Buxton Speedway, home to weekly Open Late Model racing. Several Brighton teams are anticipated to convert their 604 cars to open specifications for the event. Add in entries from across Ontario and visiting teams from Upstate New York, and fans can expect an action-packed week of racing.
Event Schedule & Track Preview
Buxton Speedway – Saturday, July 18
The opening round takes place at Buxton Speedway, a fast 3/8-mile oval located just outside Chatham, Ontario. The larger track layout is expected to favor the high-horsepower open cars, though a strong showing from crate competitors—potentially even a top-five finish—would not come as a surprise.
Ohsweken Speedway – Tuesday, July 21
Round two heads to Ohsweken Speedway as part of a special midweek event alongside the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. While Ohsweken does not host weekly Late Model racing, it has featured several successful Open Late Model events in the past, with both crate and open cars finding victory lane. Most recently, track owner Glenn Styres captured a win in an open car, while Brighton’s Brandon Mowat impressed with a runner-up finish in his 604 crate machine.
Brighton Speedway – Saturday, July 25
The series wraps up at Brighton Speedway, a tight 1/3-mile oval where the 604 crate cars may have their best opportunity to shine on familiar ground on the shores of Lake Ontario. That said, if setup and track conditions align, the raw horsepower of an open car could still prove to be the difference in the race for victory.
