Wide Open Throttle: Previewing the 2026 Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series

Jim Foose – Speedway Action Magazine

The Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series heads to Toledo Speedway on Saturday, April 18th to kickstart the 2026 season!

The smell of methanol, the deafening roar of high-horsepower engines, and the thrill of short-track racing are back. As the green flag prepares to drop on the 2026 Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series, the anticipation is at an all-time high. With an expanding schedule, a crop of hungry rookies, and a target planted squarely on the back of the series favorite, this season is shaping up to be one for the history books.

Here is everything you need to watch for as the Outlaw 350s hit the asphalt in 2026.

The King and the Contenders

If you want the championship in 2026, you are going to have to go through Danny Shirey. Shirey is entering the season as the undeniable favorite, bringing a combination of raw speed and veteran racecraft that will make him incredibly hard to beat.

However, a dynasty is never guaranteed, and the wolves are circling. Chief among them is Sawyer Stout, a two-time championship bridesmaid who is absolutely relentless in his pursuit of the crown. Adding to the pressure cooker at the top of the standings are returning champions Todd Buchanan and Frank Neill. Both drivers know exactly what it takes to weather a long season and hoist the ultimate trophy, guaranteeing that Shirey will have to fight for every single point.

Breakthroughs Bound to Happen

Mark it down now: we will see a new face atop the podium in 2026. The talent pool in the Outlaw 350 series is simply too deep for the veterans to hoard all the hardware.

JJ Henes has been knocking on the door of victory lane for a while now, and this feels like the year he finally kicks it down. Keep an eye out for Rich Dewitt and Hunter Young, as well. Both drivers showed flashes of brilliance and came agonizingly close to tasting victory during their 2025 rookie campaigns. Now, armed with a year of notebook data and sophomore confidence, they are primed to break through.

A Brutal, Expanding Grind

The road to the championship will not be for the faint of heart. The 2026 traveling schedule promises to be grueling, testing the endurance, budgets, and mechanical fortitude of every team in the paddock.

But the grind comes with a massive upside: the geographic footprint of the tour is growing significantly this year. The series will be making exciting new stops across the Midwest and Northeast, including visits to Anderson Speedway and Plymouth Motor Speedway in Indiana. The tour will also feature a heavy Michigan swing with dates at Owosso Speedway, Birch Run, and Whittemore Speedway, before pushing further east to take on Lancaster Speedway in New York.

This expansion means bringing the breathtaking speed of the Outlaw 350s to new markets and new fans, making the late-night hauls and thrash sessions in the shop incredibly worthwhile for the teams looking to build their brands.

The Dive Bar Rookie of the Year Sizzler

The battle for the Dive Bar Rookie of the Year is already generating massive hype, shaping up to be a compelling two-horse race right out of the gate.

• Keegan Weese: Strapping into the formidable Neubauer #7, Weese has the equipment and the backing to make an immediate impact.
• Ayden Thacker: Fielding his own #44 machine, Thacker is bringing a gritty, hands-on approach to his rookie campaign that makes him a dangerous dark horse.

Watching these two navigate the learning curve while fighting for rookie supremacy will be a fantastic subplot all season long.

The Northern Invaders

The Outlaw 350 regulars can’t just worry about each other; they have to protect their home turf. With the series’ prestige growing, the target on the tour’s back gets bigger. Expect an invader to swoop in and steal a checkered flag in 2026.

A handful of heavy-hitting part-time teams from the rich supermodified hotbeds of New York and New England are eyeing the schedule. You can bet money that at least one of these northern invaders will spoil the party, outrun the regulars, and take a victory trophy back up the interstate.

The Bottom Line: From the championship heavyweights to the hungry rookies, the 2026 Outlaw 350 Supermodified Sprint Series has all the ingredients of a classic season. Buckle up.

As the official 2026 health and wellness partner of Speedway Action Magazine, Recrea Health & Wellness is dedicated to helping the Northeast Ohio racing community achieve peak performance on and off the track. From advanced recovery therapies to hormone optimization and weight loss programs, their Medina clinic provides the care you need to stay energized for those long hours in the garage. Discover your optimal health at recreahealth.com.