Thunderbird, Creek County to host Sooner Late Models

By John Rittenoure - TULSA, Okla. (May 25, 2026) - Thunderbird Speedway and Creek County Speedway will host Hayden Ross Motorsports Foundation Sooner Late Model Series events this weekend.

After two rainouts in April, Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee will try again to get their season underway on Friday with the Sooner Late Model Series. Last year Thunderbird held four  Sooner events all of which were won by hometown favorite and 2024 champion Eli Ross.

Racing is slated to get underway at the historic half-mile at 8 p.m. Friday.

Saturday the Sooner Series will visit Creek County Speedway for the first time in three years. Joseph Gorby of Bartlesville won at Creek in September 2023. Brett Hansen of Fort Gibson finished second with Jason Redman of Sapulpa picking up third.

Dakota Dellinger of Hutchinson, Kansas currently leads the Sooner Series standings after four events. Eric Brill of Choctaw sits in second ahead of rookie Ashley Buck of Roswell, New Mexico.

Hot laps Saturday are scheduled for 6:30 with racing to follow.

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.

2026 Top 10: 1. Dakota Dellinger 1575; 2. Eric Brill 1440; 3. Ashley Buck 1420; 4. James Rini 1335; 5. Eli Ross 1325; 6. Denver Howard 1095; 7. Dustin Leatherman 1085; 8. Jaden Bolster 925; 9. Joseph Gorby, Zach Nickell 890.

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.