Open Wheel Showdown Returns to Las Vegas with Record Purses for 2026
The fourth annual Davey Hamilton, Jr.’s Open Wheel Showdown will once again electrify the Bullring at las Vegas Motor Speedway from november 5-7, 2026, solidifying its position as a premier event for pavement open wheel racing. The event promises a substantial increase in competition and prize money, attracting racers from across the nation.
Largest Payouts in Asphalt Racing
the Open Wheel Showdown continues to raise the bar for prize money in asphalt racing. The Winged Sprint Cars will compete for a staggering $75,000 to win, while the Non-wing Sprint cars boast a $25,000 winner’s share. The Super Modifieds will race for $10,000, and both the Legends and Bandoleros divisions will have $5,000 purses. This represents a meaningful increase over previous years, making the Showdown one of the most lucrative events in asphalt sprint car racing.
Next Generation and Expanded Programming
The event isn’t solely focused on established stars. Legends and Bandoleros divisions will return in 2026, nurturing the next generation of pavement open wheel competitors.Organizers have announced exciting additions to the event format, including heat races for the Legends division and a pole shuffle for both the Legends and modifieds. The Friday lineup will be expanded to include Winged Sprint Cars, Modifieds, and legends, all participating in a unified event format, culminating in feature races for all five divisions on Saturday.
Swanson Dominates 2025 Showdown
Kody swanson of Kingsburg, California, demonstrated his prowess in 2025, securing his second consecutive victory in the 100-lap Winged Sprint Car feature against a competitive field of nearly 50 cars. Bobby Santos also continued his impressive streak, earning his third consecutive podium finish.
registration and Sponsorship Details
Driver registrations, hotel bookings, and RV reservations will open in January 2026 at www.OpenWheelShowdown.com. Details regarding division and event sponsorship opportunities will be released throughout the year.
Promoter Enthusiasm and LVMS Partnership
“I am excited to keep Open Wheel Showdown growing and staying at Las Vegas,” a senior official stated. “the LVMS team is really getting behind the event in a big way and I see a lot of grate years with them. We have some great partners returning along with a lot of upcoming news that I can’t wait to share with everyone.”
Growing Reach and Impact
The Open Wheel Showdown has rapidly gained traction, generating over three million social media impressions across its official channels. The event also benefited from significant coverage by Speed Sport and its broadcast platforms, Speed Sport 1 and Speed Sport 2. Sponsors, competitors, and fans actively contributed to the event’s visibility through their own social media engagement, resulting in the largest Saturday crowd in the event’s three-year history.
A Rising Tide for Pavement Sprint Car Racing
The success of the Open Wheel Showdown is contributing to a broader trend of increased financial investment in pavement Sprint Car racing. Organizers anticipate that 2026 will see approximately a dozen races offering five-figure payouts, a significant increase from the two events that offered such awards when the Showdown debuted in 2023.
LVMS Praises Event’s Growth
“We’re thrilled to partner with Davey Hamilton, Jr.,” said Patrick Lindsey, General Manager of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “He’s quickly become one of the most dynamic young race promoters in the country. In just three years, the open Wheel Showdown, powered by an impressive purse, has exploded into a must-see event for asphalt sprint car racers nationwide.The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has continued to be the perfect home for this showcase, and we’re excited to keep building on this momentum for years to come.”
Speed Sport will once again serve as the official media partner, providing live coverage of the entire weekend.
For complete facts and updates,visit www.openwheelshowdown.com.
