Southern Challenge Brings Two Nights of Racing to Abilene Oct. 16-17

Events, Feature, Modified, News, Southern SportMod, Stock Car

By Ben Deatherage

ABILENE, Texas (Sept. 28, 2026) — The Southern Challenge returns to Abilene Speedway for two nights of Speedway Motors IMCA racing Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17, with $3,000 awaiting the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod winner and $2,000 top prizes on the line for both Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.

The weekend begins with qualifying Friday night. Heat races and qualifying features will set the stage for Saturday’s last-chance races and championship features.

SportMods headline the IMCA purse in the second annual Brown Plumbing Southern SportMod Blowout, paying $3,000 to win and $200 to start. Non-transfers will receive $100. Bradley Poor returns as the defending race winner after capturing the inaugural event in 2025.

Modifieds race for $2,000 to win and $200 to start, with $100 going to non-transfers. Stock Cars will also compete for $2,000 to win and $200 to start, with $100 for non-transfers.

The Modified winner will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, while the Stock Car winner will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway.

Pre-registration for the Southern Challenge ends Oct. 1. Entry fees are $85 before the deadline. After Oct. 1, the entry fee increases to $100 for each of the three divisions.

Competitors can pre-register through MyRacePass.

Two opportunities will be available for competitors to get on the track before race weekend. The first practice is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1-4 p.m. A second practice is Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6-9 p.m.

A pit party featuring food, a band, and other activities will follow Thursday’s practice beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Gates open at 3 p.m. on race nights, with draw and redraw from 3-6 p.m. Racing begins at 7 p.m.

More information on the Southern Challenge can be found on the Abilene Speedway Dirt Track Facebook page.

Race fans unable to make it to Abilene Speedway can watch the Southern Challenge live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing.

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