By: Jim Foose Speedway Action Magazine
In the high-octane world of winged pavement sprint car racing, the temptation is often to expand—more races, more tracks, more dates on the calendar. But for Must See Racing (MSR), the 2026 campaign is defined by a different philosophy. As the series gears up for its seventeenth consecutive season, President Jim Hanks and the MSR officials have unveiled a schedule and strategy that doubles down on a singular focus: Quality over Quantity.
The 2026 roadmap is not just a list of dates; it is a curated collection of marquee events designed to showcase the “World’s Fastest Short Track Cars” at the premier facilities in North America. By streamlining the schedule to focus on high-impact weekends, MSR aims to elevate the prestige of every green flag, ensuring that when the 410-winged warriors roll into town, it is a can’t-miss spectacle.
A Strategic Shift
The decision to refine the schedule speaks to the series’ maturity and its commitment to the teams. By avoiding an oversaturated calendar, MSR allows its competitors—many of whom run family-owned operations—the time to prepare elite equipment, ensuring that car counts remain high and mechanical failures remain low. The result is a better show for the fans and a more sustainable model for the racers.
“There is no doubt that winged pavement sprint car racing today is experiencing more dramatic change since 2008 when MSR was founded” said Must See Racing President Jim Hanks. “Over the years race team scheduling and commitment to specific series have continually evolved away from racing every weekend with one series to carefully picking and choosing far fewer events to best fit their available time to travel, sponsor obligations, budget, life style away from racing and racing opportunities.We are excited, optimistic and look forward to successfully navigating the changes, challenges and opportunities in 2026 continuing our long standing commitment to excellence providing record-setting racing entertainment with and for all the stakeholders, most importantly the fans” Hanks continued.
This strategic spacing of events also heightens the anticipation for each round. From the season opener in the Southeast to the championship battles in the fall, every race carries the weight of a major event.
North of the Border: The CANUSA Shootout
Perhaps the most buzzed-about addition to the 2026 calendar is the series’ historic expansion into international territory. For the first time in its history, Must See Racing is heading to Canada.
On Friday, August 7, 2026, the series will invade Delaware Speedway in Ontario for the inaugural CANUSA Shootout. This event is more than just a new track on the list; it represents a bridging of the open-wheel worlds. Delaware Speedway, a legendary half-mile paved oval known for its speed and passionate fanbase, offers the perfect stage for the blistering speeds of the MSR winged sprints.
The trip north is expected to draw a unique field, pitting the stars of the MSR National Series against top Canadian talent in a battle for border supremacy. For Canadian fans who have watched the series from afar, the August 7th date is circled in red ink—a rare opportunity to witness 410-winged pavement sprints roaring through Ontario.
Global Reach: The Racing America Partnership
While the in-person experience remains the heartbeat of the sport, MSR’s 2026 focus on quality extends to how the world watches the races. The series has solidified a powerhouse media package through a multi-year renewal with Racing America.
The comprehensive live streaming agreement ensures that fans worldwide won’t miss a lap of the 2026 action. RacingAmerica.TV will serve as the exclusive digital home for Must See Racing, broadcasting the events live to subscribers across the globe. This partnership is pivotal for the “quality over quantity” approach; by ensuring high-definition, professional broadcast production for every event, MSR delivers value to sponsors and visibility to drivers that far exceeds the reach of a typical regional tour.
This package doesn’t just broadcast races; it tells the story of the season, from the pit area drama to the victory lane celebrations, bringing the intensity of winged sprint car racing into living rooms and onto mobile devices everywhere.
The Road Ahead
With a schedule anchored by historic venues like Berlin Raceway, Five Flags Speedway, and the new Canadian frontier at Delaware Speedway, Must See Racing is poised for a landmark year. The 2026 season promises to be a masterclass in event execution, proving that in the world of motorsports, the biggest impact doesn’t come from racing every week—it comes from making every race matter.
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