Practice Day Finally Launches 2026 Season At Land Of Legends Raceway
Over 50 racers turn laps as oval track racing continues for 63rd year at fabled fairgrounds
Canandaigua, NY – May 21, 2026 – Tom Skibinski, Land of Legends Raceway PR
On the brink of launching its 63rd season of auto racing, pit gates swung open under sunny skies Thursday afternoon as the first laps of 2026 were finally turned on the fast Land Of Legends Raceway historic half-mile clay oval.
After recent rain and ensuing wet grounds forced multiple postponements over the past month, more than 50 cars and drivers representing Land of Legends’ six weekly divisions pulled pitside for the late-May affair and were greeted by some truly hearty fans, all gearing up for the long-awaited LOLR lid-lifter in wine country.
The '26 DIRTcar season-opener is now just a couple days away as Regional Truck & Trailer is set to headline the first 'Saturday Spectacular' on May 23 showcasing a big six-star card of Pepsi Big-Block Modified, Stirling Lubricants Sportsman, Disbatch Brewing Company 305 Sprint Car, Proctor Enterprises Street Stock, Smith Brothers Drywall Hobby Stock and MighTea Boba New Legends Sportsman action. Pit access is gained at 3:30pm, spectator gates open at 5 o'clock, hot laps start at 5:30 and the lead-off qualifier goes green at 6:30.
Led by returning 305 chauffeur and ‘25 rookie of the year Dalton Martin, the first trackside activity of ‘26 began at 5:45pm in the annual 'test & tune' session while the final checkered flag flew near 8:30 to put the wraps on early season warm-ups as temperatures dropped and darkness closed in on the Ontario County Fairgrounds.
“This track has produced plenty of records over the years but this is one we never wanted to set,” remarked LOLR promoter Paul Cole, referring to Saturday’s highly anticipated opener that marks the latest ground-breaking date during the DIRTcar era in Canandaigua. “We can’t wait to finally get some racing under our belts and our loyal racers and fans feel the same way.”
While the inaugural dates for stock car racing at the fairgrounds go back to 1953, Saturday’s show marks the latest opening race day since DIRTcar founder Glenn Donnelly promoted his first full-season at the legendary Ontario County speedplant in 1978. Donnelly initially formed the DIRT organization in 1976 then gained control of Canandaigua in ‘77, staging just four events with Hall of Famer Will Cagle taking the initial Big-Block Modified checkered flag on July 14.
As Cole is on the verge of launching his ninth season spearheading motorsports activity at the legendary Routes 5 & 20 speedplant, 2026 kicks off the 50th consecutive season of DIRTcar competition in Canandaigua with arguably the best field of Big-Block racers in the entire Northeast ready to trade paint. Led by two-time reigning LOLR points king Mat Williamson and fellow Super DIRTcar Series stars Alex Payne, Matt Sheppard, Peter Britten, Erick Rudolph and Jimmy Phelps, along with three-time track champion Justin Haers, first-time regular Mike Trautschold and a host of Saturday standouts in their own quest for glory, summer shows are sure to create many more memorable moments to look back on for years to come.
Among those pilots taking advantage of the mid-week warm-up sessions were Gil Tegg Jr., Kasey Coffey and Derrick Podisaldo in the Big-Block ranks, defending Sportsman points champion Karl Comfort, the father/daughter 305 Sprint tandem of Darryl Ruggles and Alysha Bay, full-fender favorites Blane Smith and Justin Eldredge, and a host of fresh faces in the New Legends Sportsman class. Jon Preston was in attendance shaking down his 410 sprinter and Matt Rotz was buckled into his own 360 winged machine on Thursday evening.
The off-season has once again been a tough time for the Ruggles family as an electrical fire destroyed the Ruggles race shop in Hopewell in early March, losing their cars, parts, tools, trophies and numerous pieces of family history that had been collected over generations. In November of ‘24 the all-time LOLR sprint car winner lost the use of his right eye after a sand-blasting gun exploded while working at the same Ruggles World of Auto Body building.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Beyond the season-opening race date that marks the fairgrounds' 62nd year featuring the premier Big-Block Modified class, special shows for support divisions dot the 20-event Canandaigua calendar over the ensuing five months.
The 'Stars & Stripes 76' brings to a climax the Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series showdown on July 2 with the touring BB SDS returning for the “SummerFast 60” on Aug. 18. Expanded to a two-day finale in ‘26, the 8th Annual Gerald Haers Memorial arrives on Sept. 19 boasting a $10,000 winner's share with thousands more in contingency prizes shared after the 100-lap Modified main. Full-fender teams help close out their own '26 Canandaigua campaign in a big 'Full Fender Frenzy' as part of GHM Weekend with Street Stockers contending in the 15th Les Whyte Top Gun Shootout while Hobby Stocks complete the Sept. 18 tripleheader that includes the final CRSA appearance.
Extra-distance Northeast DIRTcar Sportsman Series stops are slated for Wed. July 22 (regional event) with a $2,000 first-place check awaiting the 40-lap Haers Memorial titlist on Sept. 18. New Legends Sportsman accompany the tour stars in their own mid-week special during the 183rd Ontario Co. Fair in July.
While the DisBatch Brewing Company MighTea Boba 305 Sprints remain a weekly fixture at the fairgrounds, Stirling Lubricants joins DBC on center stage backing the CRSA Series invasion of LOLR on June 6, July 2 and Sept. 18.
The “Scoppo Special” track tribute adds to the holiday happenings on July 4 while Family Autograph Night (July 11) and Power Wheels Racing (Aug 1) remain annual speedway attractions during the summer months. Stay tuned to the track website as four more additions to the ever-growing Land of Legends “Wall of Fame” will be revealed as this year’s selections and induction dates are confirmed.
LAND OF LEGENDS LAGER
Just in time for the ‘26 opener is the first DisBatch Brewing Company 800 Horsepower release of the season. The newest limited edition of the popular LOLR lager features ‘T-Bone’ Justin Haers beside his red #3 Phelps Cement Products Special. Two more distinctive collector’s cans are expected to be produced during the ‘26 campaign, joining the Haers commemorative version along with the original generic LOLR prototype released in ‘24 and ‘Money Mat’ Williamson, ‘Super Matt’ Sheppard and ‘Batman’ Peter Britten variations sold last year.
LEGEND LEDGER
Guided by award-winning executive producer Art Rorick, the talented LOLR TV broadcast team boasting production assistant Teara LeGrett, graphics coordinator Mark Rose, camera operators Mike Yawney, Jim & Michelle Mullen, and veteran voice Steve Ovens (PA announcer) and Adam DelGrosso (pit reporter) is once again on-site to provide LIVE video coverage of every event through Land of Legends TV, with LIVE streaming continuing to be offered FREE in 2024. On-line registration at https://landoflegendstv.com for a free account is the only step to take.
Also available for download is the LOLR mobile app found at Google Play
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.landoflegends or
App Store
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/land-of-legends/id1508128970?uo=4 to secure your raceday pass today.
In addition to LOLR's weekly racing being simulcast on Land of Legends Raceway TV, each show will also be broadcast live on DIRTVision starting with the 5/2 season-opener and highlighted by the mighty DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. To watch, sign up for an annual Platinum FAST PASS with DIRTVision and experience every event either online or through the DIRTVision App.
2026 TICKET & PASS PACKAGES PROVIDE PRICE BREAK
General Admission Ticket and Pit Pass bundles continue to be offered to LOLR fans and race teams while providing a great opportunity to save money in the process. G.A. packs of 20 ($220) or 50 ($475) and Pit bundles of 20 ($700) or 50 ($1700) must be pre-ordered to be used during the upcoming season.
Regular weekly ticket prices remain set at $15 Adults, $13 Seniors, Kids 16 yrs. and under FREE. Pit passes are $40. For those youngsters needing pit access, Child Season Pit Passes are $50 for 2 yrs. & under and $150 for kids 3-13. Camping is FREE at all race events.
To purchase ticket and pit pass bundles, discuss marketing opportunities available at the track in 2026 or make media credential inquiries and vendor requests, please e-mail manager@landoflegendsraceway.com. Be sure to check out www.landoflegendsraceway.com often as the latest news and season schedule information will be posted right up to raceday.
2026 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
8th Annual Gerald Haers Memorial Weekend
Fri Sep 18 ….15th Top Gun Street Stock Shootout' + Hobby Stock Hoedown + CRSA Sprints
Sat Sep 19 ... BB Modified $10,000-to-win (100L) + GHM Sportsman Classic (40L)
Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series ... Thr Jul 2 & Tue Aug 18
DIRTcar Sportsman Series ... Wed Jul 22 (Central/West reg.) & Sat Sep 19 (NE reg.)
DisBatch Brewing Company CRSA Series
Sat Jun 6 / Thr Jul 2 / Fri Sep 18
Empire Street Stock Series
Sat Aug 8
“Scoppo Memorial Nite” ... Sat Jul 4 “Power Wheels Race Nite” ... Sat Aug 1
“Family Autograph Nite” ... Sat Jul 11 “Wall of Fame Induction Nite” ... TBD
183rd Ontario County Fair
Wed Jul 22 …. DIRTcar Sportsman Series + New Legends Sportsman Special
*No Racing … Sat Jun 20 / Sat Jul 25 (fair) / Sat Aug 15 / Sat Sep 12.
Land of Legends Raceway is located on County Road 10 at the Ontario County Fairgrounds, just 1-1/2-miles north of Routes 5&20, and is easily accessible from the NYS Thruway (I-90), taking Exit 43 (Manchester, Route 21 South) traveling from the east or Exit 44 (Farmington, Route 332 South) coming from the west.
NEXT EVENT: Saturday, May 23 @ 6:30pm – Regional Truck & Trailer presents 63rd Season-Opener: Big-Block Modified/Sportsman/305 Sprint/Street Stock/Hobby Stock/New Legends Sportsman.
Track Instant Info
Website: www.LandOfLegendsRaceway.com
E-Mail: info@LandOfLegendsRaceway.com
Twitter: @LandofLegendsNY
Facebook: @LandofLegendsNY
Instagram: @LandofLegendsNY
Live Stream: https://landoflegendstv.com/
Along with recognizing select 50/50 raffle fund beneficiaries, Land of Legends Raceway is proud to salute several sponsors and corporate partners that continue to help bring its fans the best Saturday night racing show in the Northeast. Listed alphabetically are 2026 division sponsors
DisBatch Brewing Company (305), MighTea Boba (Leg), Pepsi Geneva Club Beverage (Mod), Proctor Enterprises (Sts), Smith Brothers Drywall (Hob), Stirling Lubricants (Spt); event sponsors Admar Construction Rentals, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Lake Beverage, Copart, *DisBatch Brewing Company, DC Rauscher Contractor, Ferris Mowers, Fulldraw Hunting Equipment, Honeoye Auto Parts, LSI Solutions, Marine Blue, *Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage, Phelps Cement Products, *Proctor Enterprises, Prouty's Bar & Grill, Regional Truck & Trailer, Rose City Drive In, Ryan Phelps Auto Sales, Seneca Meadows Landfill, *Smith Brothers Drywall, Superior Plus Propane, Tradition Automotive Group, Wilbert's U-Pull It; promotional partners Baker's Exterminating, Champion Power Equipment, Close Racing Supply(CRS), Comfort Windows, Elab Smokers Boutique, Emerson Oil Company, Fast Lane Rod & Customs, Hoosier Racing Tire, Mac's Dairy Bar & Mini Golf, Marine Blue, Meyer's Finger Lakes RV, *MighTea Boba, Mike Emhof Motorsports, NG Promotions, Ontario County Fairboard, Phelps Cement Products, Prouty's Bar & Grill, PumperJack Septic Services, The "Original" Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, Schultz Heating & Cooling, *Stirling Lubricants, Turn 5 Media, VP Racing Fuels, Weedsport Hall of Fame, Wicked Tees.