Points on the line at Thunderbird and Caney this weekend

By John Rittenoure - TULSA, Okla. (September 14, 2026) - The season is winding down and points racing is heating up for the Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation Sooner Late Model Series this weekend.

Two nights of racing are on tap starting Friday night at Thunderbird Speedway followed by a Saturday night visit to Caney Valley Speedway.

Seven different drivers have visited victory lane this season, but they are all chasing non-winner Eric Brill of Choctaw who is looking for his first career series title. Brill comes into the weekend with just a 125 point lead over Dakota Dellinger of Hutchinson.

College student Ashlee Buck or Roswell, New Mexico is sitting atop the Rookie of the Year standings with a slim 80 point margin over James Rini of Haysville.

Earlier this season Brandon Morton of Broken Arrow picked up his first ever Sooner Series victory at Thunderbird on May 29.

Race time Friday is 8 p.m.

Several top 10 spots are up for grabs when racing moves to Caney Valley Speedway on Saturday. Hometown driver Joseph Gorby outran the competition at the Caney quarter-mile just one year ago and is expected to be on hand with hopes of repeating his win.

B-Mods, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks and Interceptors will also be racing at Caney in regular points competition. Race time Saturday is 7 p.m.

2026 Winners: 4/4/2026 - Eli Ross, Enid Speedway; 5/2/2026 - Dakota Dellinger, Enid Speedway; 5/15/2026 - Eli Ross, Humboldt Speedway; 5/16/2026 -  Eli Ross, 81 Speedway; 5/29/2026 - Brandon Morton, Thunderbird Speedway; 5/30/2026 - Christopher Wilhite, Jr., Creek County Speedway; 7/3/2026 - Kip Hughes, Enid Speedway; 7/17/2026 - Kip Hughes, Beaver County Raceway; - 7/18/2026 - Kip Hughes, Route 66 Motor Speedway; 8/15/2026 - Callan Hill, Enid Speedway; 9/5/2026 - Nate Janz, Enid Speedway.      

2026 Top 10: 1. Eric Brill 5060; 2. Dakota Dellinger 4935; 3. Ashley Buck 4390; 4. James Rini 4310; 5. Randy Swett 2785; 6. Kevin Newell 2370; 7. Nate Janz 2260; 8. Denver Howard 2260; 9. Dustin Leatherman 2115; 10. Jaden Bolster 2110.

2026 Rookie Standings: 1. Ashlee Buck 4390; 2. James Rini 4310; 3. Randy Swett 3165; 4. Dustin Leatherman 2115. 5. Jaden Bolster 2110; 6. Brian Stinson 1490; 6. 7. Troy Martin, Jr. 1055.

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

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.