Dellinger earns first Sooner Late Model career victory

Sooner Late Model winner Dakota Dellinger. Maxx Ramsey photo.

By John Rittenoure - ENID, Okla. (May 2, 2026) - It has been a long time coming, but Dakota Dellinger found his way to the Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation Sooner Late Model Series winners circle Saturday at Enid Speedway.

Dellinger started outside front row next to Eric Brill, who took the initial lead in the 20-lapper around the Enid 3/8’s mile oval. Dellinger gave chase and finally got around Brill after five laps.

Dellinger and Brill continued 1-2 until the yellow waved on lap 10. Brill was not able to restart and Dustin Leatherman took over the runner-up spot. Leatherman was not able to catch Dellinger over the final 10 laps and settled for second. It was the first Sooner Series career victory for Dellinger.  Denver Howard finished third ahead of rookie Ashlee Buck, who came from 7th to 4th and rookie James Rini right close behind in fifth.

A two-day weekend is up next for the Sooner Series with a stop at Humboldt Speedway on Friday, May 15 then on to 81 Speedway on May 16 for the Lonnie Smith Memorial.

Sooner Late Model Series Results

Enid Speedway - Enid, Oklahoma

May 2, 2026

A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[2]; 2. 9L-Dustin Leatherman[10]; 3. 11H-Denver Howard[5]; 4. 8B-Ashlee Buck[7]; 5. 66R-James Rini[4]; 6. 7L-Brian Stinson[8]; 7. 9*-Troy Martin Jr[9]; 8. 65-Eric Brill[1]; 9. 27D-Jared Dunkin[12]; 10. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[11]; 11. 95-Zach Nickell[3]; 12. (DNS) 96-Jon Herring Jr; 13. (DNS) 22N-Kevin Newell; 14. (DNS) 14S-Randy Swett; 15. (DNS) 3-Gerald Tackett

Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. 95-Zach Nickell[4]; 2. 65-Eric Brill[3]; 3. 11H-Denver Howard[6]; 4. 8B-Ashlee Buck[2]; 5. 9*-Troy Martin Jr[7]; 6. H1-Steve Hewitt Sr[5]; 7. (DNS) 14S-Randy Swett; 8. (DNS) 3-Gerald Tackett

Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. 9XX-Dakota Dellinger[1]; 2. 66R-James Rini[6]; 3. 22N-Kevin Newell[7]; 4. 7L-Brian Stinson[5]; 5. 9L-Dustin Leatherman[4]; 6. 27D-Jared Dunkin[2]; 7. (BF) 96-Jon Herring Jr[3]

Sooner Late Model Series

2026 Top 10: 1. Dakota Dellinger 905; 2. Ashley Buck 805; 3. James Rini 720; 4. Eric Brill 715; 5. Jon Herring, Jr. 530; 6. Eli Ross 475; 7. Jared Dunkin 470; 8. Charlie Olson 450; 9. Denver Howard 430; 10. Dustin Leatherman 425.

Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation

Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation goal is to help grow both high school, trade school and college programs to start and or develop a motorsports program, club, or organizations at their school as well as individual motorsports programs. HRMF will provide financial grants, equipment, expertise, scholarships, and educational opportunities for these organizations and individuals. This program will allow students to overcome the hurdle of entering motorsports due to the high costs and specialized experience needed to get started. This program will allow these students the opportunity to be part of a team with one overall goal of success on the track, including budgeting, marketing, mechanical skills, logistics, and team building efforts. All while honoring the life lost to early of Hayden Diesel Ross, #forever66.

Sooner Late Model Series

Sooner Late Model Series

The Sooner Late Model Series was formed in 2016 by Enid Speedway co-promoter Mark Brill. Brill felt there was not many opportunities for late model competitors to race in Oklahoma and the Sooner Late Model Series was formed. Now the series has grown beyond the borders of Oklahoma with events held in the neighboring states of Kansas, Texas and Missouri, and Arkansas.