RPW Exclusive: 2026 Pre-Season Questions Lebanon Valley Speedway Big Block Modifieds: Brett Haas
Column By: Stephen Durham / RPW – WEST LEBANON, NY – Each spring, there comes a time, where all race-fans, drivers, team owners, and track owners are just about ready for the first green flag of the season. With Lebanon Valley’s annual banquet this coming weekend, what’s a better way then talking with the top 10 guys from the DIRTcar big block modified division.
It was yet another very strong season for Brett Haas in 2026, picking up a win in August, combined with five top 5s and 11 top 10s over the season. Haas would finish 4th in the championship fight, only 1 point behind Keith Flach in 3rd place, and overall 51 points behind eventual champion, Andy Bachetti.
Here is Brett Haas’s thoughts on the 2026 season ahead.
Q: How do you feel the 2025 Season was?
Brett Haas: “The 2025 season overall was a successful year. We controlled everything that was in our control and still managed four wins on the season with winning the big block and small block race in the same night which was a personal goal of mine since I was a kid in the grandstands. The year was not without challenges, but only makes our team more resilient for the following year and years to come.”
Q: What’s new for this upcoming season with your team?
Brett Haas: “Our plans remain the same for the most part with running our family owned big block and racing for Jim Winchell in the small block class which he is having a brand new motor built since we had motor troubles two weeks in a row last year which ended our season early. I am extremely grateful for Jim believing in our team again for this year.”
Q: What are your team’s expectations for 2026?
Brett Haas: “The expectations for the team is to drown out any unnecessary noise while having fun,control what is within our control, and enjoy being at the race track while having strong battles with our competitors and friends.”
Q: Thoughts on Fonda Speedway and Lebanon Valley working together in 2026?
Brett Haas: “I was shocked to hear the news, but overall I think it is a neat deal. Fonda is tricky but we have had some good runs there including the Underdog 33 win in 2021 so it would be neat to have a good run there again. I like the fact that we can branch out to another track without sacrificing our season at Lebanon.”
Thoughts on Lyle Devore and what he meant to the racing in the capital region?
Brett Haas: “Obviously Lyle was a racing staple in the racing community and losing him this year was a hit to the gut for many people. With that being said, Lyle devoted his life to what he loved . That always showed with how much racers/fans loved Albany Saratoga and because of that people will remember his legacy for a very long time.”
Q: What part of the 2026 season schedule are you most looking forward to?
Brett Haas: “There is quite a bit to look forward to this season in Lebanon. Obviously the Fonda race is a neat deal, same with the short track super series coming to town. Im looking forward to seeing how the 358 class races with the new dirt rules as well.”
Q: If you had to predict, who’d you think would be the 2026 champion?
Brett Haas: “Statistics would point to one person and you can’t bet against that. Many people have stepped up the past few years and can always pull the rabbit out of the hat and surprise everyone, but my childhood dream was to always be a big block champion. That would really be the cherry on top for my career but I would always be happy for whoever wins it because it is so hard to do and requires so much time, dedication and support from everyone.”
Lebanon Valley Speedway opens the gates for warm-ups April 4th, with opening night for the DIRTcar big block modifieds being April 25th.
