The Dale Earnhardt Jr CARS Tour heads to Tri-County Motor Speedway this Saturday for a pivotal doubleheader, just before the season’s champions are crowned. Energetic championship battles and the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Sun Drop sponsorship promise an exciting weekend in Hudson, North Carolina.
Championship Showdown Nears at Tri-County Motor Speedway
With only two weekends left in the season, the zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car and Pro Late Model Tour division drivers are set for a final push before their champions are decided. Tri-County Motor Speedway, nestled in North Carolina’s foothills, has a history of producing thrilling short track drama since joining the series in 2015. This Saturday’s SoundGear 225 will mark the 13th CARS Tour stop at the circuit, with SoundGear expanding its partnership as the official event sponsor and maintaining its status as the tour’s hearing protection partner.
The Late Model Stock Car title fight remains tight between Landen Lewis, who currently leads the standings, and Connor Hall. Lewis gained ground last time out at South Boston Speedway, but Tri-County’s unpredictable surface could quickly shake up the points order before the finale.
Facts about Tri-County and Track History
Tri-County Motor Speedway measures 0.4 miles in length, hosting 125 laps for the Late Model Stock Car feature and 100 laps for the Pro Late Model division. This oval has held 10 CARS LMSC Tour races and 7 PLM Tour races. Notable Late Model Stock winners include Josh Berry, Brenden Queen, Conner Jones, Brayton Haws, Bobby McCarty, Mini Tyrrell, and Landon Huffman. In Pro Late Model events, past victors feature Caden Kvapil, William Sawalich, Jake Garcia, Carson Kvapil, Jake Bollman, and Kaden Honeycutt. The track’s recent repaving adds both speed and a new layer of strategic depth, emphasizing qualifying performance and track position over the ability to pass deep into the pack.
Sun Drop Sponsors Dale Earnhardt Jr for Tri-County Return
Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer and co-owner of the CARS Tour, will make his fourth and final Late Model Stock Car Tour start of 2025 at Tri-County, driving the Sun Drop No. 8 Chevrolet. Sun Drop revived its partnership with Earnhardt Jr. for the event, recalling his memorable 2022 debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the same colors, where he staged a late-race surge to finish third. Although that remains his sole top-five finish in six CARS Tour LMSC outings since his debut, Earnhardt Jr. has consistently competed near the front, with two 10th place finishes at Florence and Anderson Motor Speedways.
This event marks his first time at Tri-County since the track’s major repaving, presenting new challenges and a chance to adapt quickly. Earnhardt Jr. hopes to leverage his years of experience and the buzz around his Sun Drop machine to make a statement on Saturday night.
Michael Bumgarner Teams with Greg Marlowe for LMSC Showdown
Michael Bumgarner, the reigning Hickory Motor Speedway champion, is set to make his return to the CARS LMSC Tour at Tri-County just two months after his last outing at Hickory’s Throwback Classic. For this event, Bumgarner partners with Greg Marlowe, a leading figure and successful car owner in late model racing across the Southeast. Optimism surrounds this new pairing, with Bumgarner expressing confidence in their combined effort:
We’re feeling really good about it,
Bumgarner said.
As we assessed our car getting ready for Martinsville, we were able to test for Greg Marlowe. Hopefully we can go have a good showing not only for me, but for Greg too.
Bumgarner is familiar with Tri-County’s challenges, having competed there before, yet victory lane remains elusive. He believes the fresh pavement changed the racing, making the track easier to drive but considerably harder for overtaking, underscoring the importance of qualifying well. Past Tri-County LMSC winners, including Brenden Queen who started on pole, highlight how essential starting position is to contending for the win.
Bumgarner understands just how significant a potential win would be for him and Marlowe, stating:
I’ve watched the last few Tri-County races with the CARS Tour and if you’re in the top 10 or top five, you’ll have a shot to win those things. [Winning] would put our program and me on the map and that’s what we’re trying to do by running these bigger races.
Landon S. Huffman Returns to Tri-County in New Equipment
Landon S. Huffman, after a breakthrough fourth-place finish at last year’s fall Tri-County round, is back for another shot, this time racing the No. 11 for Doug and Dillon Houser instead of his usual Pinnacle Racing Group car. Riding momentum from a top-10 showing at Martinsville, Huffman looks to continue building his career alongside the Housers, who he’s known since his childhood.
His confidence in their partnership is high, supported by a productive test session and the Housers’ deep connection to Tri-County. Huffman said:
I think we’ll be pretty good,
and added:
We tested a few weeks ago. [The Housers] are from that area and the test went pretty well. That car has a lot of speed built into it already and we’ll take the baseline, adjust to the weather that we get and see how it goes.
Guided by his father, Shane Huffman—a 2003 national USAR Pro Cup Series champion—and with Mountain Dew among his sponsors, Huffman is intent on channeling patience and strategy to finish strong. He believes his team’s preparations and the car’s speed give him a shot at another top finish:
I think we can go for a top five with the speed we had,
Huffman said, explaining:
I was happy with how the car was handling when we tested a few weeks ago. I’ve always felt like I’ve been able to make speed [at Tri-County] but it always seems to be a fuel mileage race when we go there. We’ll see how it turns out.
Matthew Gould Ready for Pro Late Model Debut
Matthew Gould, son of veteran NASCAR crew chief Phil Gould, is preparing to debut in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour at Tri-County, following his first LMSC Tour start at Caraway Speedway in 2023. Racing for Matt Drake’s Fab Specialties—an experienced late model program that’s supported several top drivers like Corey Heim—Gould feels well-positioned thanks to his strong past performances at Tri-County.
Gould is excited about the leap into Pro Late Models, referencing his track knowledge and familiar crew:
Tri-County is a place I’ve done very well at,
Gould said.
I had the track record in a Late Model Stock a couple of years ago, but it got broke. I’ve never driven a Pro Late Model or a straight rail of any sort, but I feel really good about my chances. I have a lot of experience at Tri-County and a lot of great people behind me.
With extensive experience at Niece Motorsports and a busy schedule mixing Late Model Stocks and karting, Gould believes in thorough preparation. He is aiming for a strong qualifying run and a shot at victory in his debut:
It’s been a struggle over the past couple of years with me and dad trying to do our own thing,
Gould said.
Matt [Drake] has all the resources, all the notes and knows everything he needs to do. It’d be huge to win on the big stage with the CARS Tour and I know Matt is hungry for a win too.
Race Day Schedule and Event Details
The SoundGear 225 at Tri-County will feature both the CARS Tour’s premier divisions, with the Pro Late Model race commencing at 7 p.m. ET, immediately followed by the Late Model Stock Car main event. Participants and fans can follow all on-track action via FloRacing’s live stream. The competition’s intensity is sure to remain high as drivers battle for critical points and sought-after victories with only one more event to follow.
Official series information can be found through the CARS Tour website, social media outlets, and by contacting the series office in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Late Model Stock Car Competitors Lined Up for Tri-County
The field for the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour at Tri-County includes a deep mix of established and rising stars. Some of the top entries include:
Chase Burrow from King William’s, Virginia, running for Chase Burrow Motorsports.
Thomas Beane represents Hudson, North Carolina, with Jody Chandler Racing.
Lanie Buice (Jackson, Georgia) lines up with Lee Pulliam Performance.
Ronnie Bassett Jr. will compete for Bassett Racing out of Lexington, North Carolina.
Michael Bumgarner, from Taylorsville, returns with Levitt Marlowe Racing.
Brandon Pierce (Kernersville) drives for Carroll Speedshop.
Kade Brown (Fulford, Texas) is entered with R&S Race Cars.
Donovan Strauss hails from Marietta, Georgia, with Hettinger Racing.
Aiden King of Troutman will compete with Matt Piercy Racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a highlight entry from Mooresville, North Carolina, drives for JR Motorsports.
Landon S. Huffman (Connelly Springs), representing Houser Brothers Racing & Sons.
Trevor Ward brings Nelson Motorsports from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Hudson Bulger (Fort Valley, Georgia) enters with KP Speed Motorsports.
Jared Fryar (Trinity) is part of JM Racing.
Mitch Walker (Granite Falls) races with ML Racing.
Chad McCumbee (Shallotte) for McCumbee Elliott Racing.
Carson Loftin (Winston-Salem) drives for Nelson Motorsports.
Graham Hollar (Claremont, North Carolina) for Graham Hollar Racing.
Landen Lewis, the current points leader from Ocean Isles Beach, races under KHI Racing.
Conner Jones (Fredericksburg, Virginia) represents Mike Darne Racing.
Landon Huffman (Claremont) competes via Carroll Speedshop.
Parker Eatmon (Wilson, North Carolina) for Hettinger Racing.
Jake Bollman (Huntington Beach, California) joins Mike Darne Racing.
Mini Tyrrell (Manassas, Virginia) races with Timmy Tyrrell Racing.
Connor Hall (Hampton, Virginia), the close title contender, drives with JR Motorsports.
Doug Barnes Jr. (Wellington, Florida) for Lee Pulliam Performance.
Gary Greenwood Jr. (Anderson, South Carolina) for Greenwood Racing.
Brad Means (Forest City) will drive for Dwight Huffman Racing.
Austin Somero (Greer, South Carolina) appears with Somero Motorsports.
Pro Late Model Tour Drivers Set for Action
For the Pro Late Model Tour, the entry list is equally stacked, featuring drivers from across the country and top teams:
Trey Burke (Alvin, Texas) joins Hettinger Racing.
Ben Maier (Chester, Maryland) with Setzer Racing.
Brandon Lopez (Woodstock, Georgia) competes for Bryson Lopez Racing.
Luke Baldwin (Mooresville, North Carolina) is also with Bryson Lopez Racing.
Ashton Higgins (Weaverville, North Carolina) for LowCountry Motorsports.
Case James (Newton) enters with Case James Racing.
Matt Gould (Mooresville, North Carolina) will run for Fab Specialties.
Darren Shaw (Mooresville) for Shaw Racing.
Jade Avedisian (Clovis, California) represents Wilson Motorsports.
Isaac Kitzmiller (Petersburg, West Virginia) for Rackley/WAR.
Mia Lovell (Phoenix, Arizona) races for SPS Racing.
Bailey Currey (Driftwood, Texas) with Conner Jones Racing.
TJ DeCaire (Land O’Lakes, Florida) in Bryson Lopez Racing.
Carson Ware (Jamestown, North Carolina) runs with Rick Ware Racing.
Mason Walters (Catawba, North Carolina) joins Setzer Racing And Development.
Rodney Dowless (Dix Hills, New York) with Ty King Motorsports.
Taylor Hull (Dallas, Texas) for Asphalt Anarchy.
Dylan Garner (Yorba Linda, California) drives for Dylan Garner Racing.
Vito Cancilla (Martinez, California) with RackleyWAR.
What This Means for Fans and the Title Race
This weekend at Tri-County Motor Speedway is a major highlight of the Dale Earnhardt Jr CARS Tour season. All eyes will be on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s return with his Sun Drop Chevy, as well as key figures such as Landen Lewis, Connor Hall, Michael Bumgarner, Landon S. Huffman, and Matthew Gould as they chase crucial points and the glory of a short-track win. The dynamic field and competition, the involvement of high-profile sponsors, and the impact of the track’s recent updates guarantee dramatic, hard-fought racing. Fans can expect the unexpected as the tour’s best make one final push before champions are crowned, making Tri-County the center of late model racing excitement in North Carolina this weekend.
