Outlaw Speedway opens 2026 with Lucas Oil Nationals; Alex Payne takes home winners share of the 35 lap Modified Feature.
Column By: Kenny Shupp Jr. / OUTLAW SPEEDWAY – DUNDEE, NY – For the first time in three years, Outlaw Speedway was able to get their season lid lifter into the record books, however like previous years Mother Nature tried with everything she had to put a damper into track owner, Tyler Siri’s plans including record rain fall in the week leading up to the April 3-4, 2026 kick-off.
“We had close to 7” of rain in Dundee this past week. 4” of that coming just on Wednesday alone when severe weather passed through. Fortunately, I have plenty of the right equipment to take care of the problem. I was not worried about the racing surface; however, the pit and grandstand parking was a challenge. We got things where they needed to be to get the show in the books.” That is according to 11th year Owner/Promoter, Tyler Siri.
Friday night, April 3 was earmarked for open practice and Front Row Dashes to set things up for Saturday’s Lucas Nationals where 5 of Outlaw Speedway’s regular classes were in action.
Front Row Dash Winners and runner-up finishers in each class secured a spot in Saturday’s program.
Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Modified top two included Matt Sheppard and Jeff Daugherty.
Knapp and Schlappi 602 Crate Sportsman two were Brent Ayers and Tyler Peet.
Swarthout Recycling Street Stocks found CJ Guererri and Jimmy Grant claiming the top two positions.
Danny Kerrick and Jerry Lobdell took spots one and two locking them into Saturday’s Addison, Corning, Hornell, Wellsville NAPA Hobby Stock feature.
Finally in the MR Grafix 4 Cylinder Mini Stocks it was Nick Brown holding off Gavin Hall to claim the pole spot for Saturday’s Lucas Nationals.
In Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram 35 lap Modified feature action Matt Sheppard and Jeffery Daugherty brought the field to the opening green with Daugherty getting the early jump and led the first twelve circuits as he was able to keep Sheppard at bay.
Alex Payne, piloting one of Dundee, NY car owner, Tim Gibson’s potent machines, is also a teammate to The Doctor of Modified Racing Danny Johnson at Outlaw Speedway, and the duo was making their way to the front from positions six and five respectively.
It was a lap thirteen outside move by Payne around both Sheppard and Daugherty to take the lead had the capacity crowd on its feet and once out in front Payne was able to maintain a comfortable margin over Sheppard who had finally passed Daugherty for the second spot.
By the halfway mark, the top five included Payne, Sheppard, Johnson, Daugherty and 2025 Outlaw Speedway Modified Track Champion, Michael Maresca who drew poorly and started the thirty-five-lap grind in eleventh.
Mat Williamson was making an exceedingly rare appearance at Outlaw Speedway and for the veteran St. Catherines, Ontario driver he started ninth on the opening green and methodically made his way thru a stacked field and into the top five by the lap 25 mark. With the laps winding down and with Payne and Sheppard comfortably in front of the rest of the pack all eyes shifted to a spirited battle between Danny Johnson, Maresca and Williamson.
Williamson was able to dispose of Johnson in the closing laps and when the double checkered rags waved it was Payne picking up the big check for $4011.00 with Sheppard finishing in the runner-up slot. Williamson capped off a brilliant effort to round the podium in what was his best run at Outlaw.
“It just seems like whenever we come here with the Short Track Super Series I have problems. Last time it was a flat tire while in the top three, so it feels good getting out of here with a nice finish. It was our first outing since Florida in February, so we needed to shake off some rust.” That is according to third place finisher, Mat Williamson.
Doc Johnson had to settle for fourth after starting in that same position with Maresca rounding the top five finishers.
FRIENELY CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM, MODIFIEDS.
35 LAP FEATURE. 1) ALEX PAYNE 2) Matt Sheppard, 3) Mat Williamson,4) Danny Johnson, 5) Michael Maresca, 6) Jeffery Daugherty. 7) Pat Ward, 8) Stacy Jakson, 9) AJ Potrzebowski Jr., 10) John Michael Phillips, 11) Karl Comfort, 12) Rusty Smith, 13) Bobby Varin, 14) Tommy Collins, 15) Ray Bliss, 16) Ron Cartwright Jr. DNS. Tyler Siri.
