WoO LM: Sunshine Nationals: Three Winners Kick Off 2026 World of Outlaws Season

By Jim Foose/Speedway Action Magazine

BARBERVILLE, FL — The 2026 World of Outlaws (WoO) Late Model Series season roared to life this past weekend at Volusia Speedway Park, turning the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” into a battleground for the sport’s heavyweights. The annual Sunshine Nationals provided three nights of high-speed action, crowning three different feature winners and setting a competitive tone for the year ahead.

While 17 drivers arrived in Florida with championship aspirations, the opening weekend belonged to veterans and rising stars alike, with Chris Madden, Hudson O’Neal, and Tim McCreadie splitting the glory in the Sunshine State.

Photo by: Devin Goodman/DGoody Photography

Thursday: Madden Strikes First

The season opener on Thursday night belonged to “Smokey” Chris Madden. The Gray Court, South Carolina native wasted no time signaling his intent for the 2026 title, parking his No. 44 machine in Victory Lane to claim the $12,000 check.

Madden’s victory was a masterclass in patience and precision. Starting from the front row, he battled with pole-sitter Nick Hoffman early in the 35-lap feature. Madden seized control using the high side and then deftly managed traffic and restarts to keep Hoffman and a charging Brandon Sheppard at bay. The win marked a perfect start to the season for Madden, who is looking to finally capture his elusive first World of Outlaws championship.

Friday: O’Neal Goes Wire-to-Wire

Friday night saw a new face in the winner’s circle as Hudson O’Neal dominated the field. The young star, piloting the No. 6, put on a clinic by leading every lap of the 35-lap feature event.

O’Neal’s path to the $12,000 victory wasn’t without pressure. He faced a stiff challenge from Tyler Erb, who threw multiple slide jobs at the leader in the closing stages. O’Neal, however, remained unflappable, countering every move Erb made to cross the finish line first. The win served as a statement performance for O’Neal, proving his team has the speed to contend with the series regulars on big, high-speed tracks like Volusia.

Saturday: McCreadie’s Masterful Charge

The weekend culminated in a 50-lap, $20,000-to-win finale on Saturday night that arguably stole the show. Tim McCreadie, the 2006 World of Outlaws champion, reminded the field why he is considered one of the best in the business.

Starting from the 10th position, “T-Mac” methodically worked his way through the pack, utilizing the bottom groove that many others had abandoned. By lap 36, McCreadie had hunted down race leader Ryan Gustin. He executed the winning pass and pulled away to secure his 40th career World of Outlaws victory.

“I love winning at Volusia,” McCreadie said in Victory Lane. “We worked on the car tonight and the track kind of came to us. I felt like a sitting duck at one point, but I moved back to the middle and didn’t hear anyone anymore, so I knew we were good.”

The Road Ahead: 2026 Season Underway

While Madden, O’Neal, and McCreadie took home the trophies, consistent performances throughout the weekend allowed four-time series champion Brandon Sheppard to leave Volusia as the Sunshine Nationals champion. His runner-up finish on Saturday, combined with strong runs on Thursday and Friday, placed him atop the early season points standings.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series now looks ahead to the rest of the 2026 campaign, having delivered a diverse and competitive opening act. If the action at Volusia is any indication, race fans are in for a historic chase for the championship.