4/6/2026
Salina Highbanks Speedway
ASCS Sprint Cars Opens 2026 Racing Season Saturday
With last Saturday’s scheduled 2026 season opener for the Salina Highbanks Speedway postponed due to a weather system that blew through the area, the marquee opening act for the new racing year is now the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS). This is a National series points paying event and in addition,the Sooner Region leg of the sanctioning body will also be part of the act as well.
The same combination was set up at the Highbanks this very time last year and it produced a strong 36- car field. Defending series champion Sam Hafertepe Jr. from Sunnyvale Texas notched the win on that night with Oklahoma transplant, by way of Snohomish Washington, Seth Bergman, taking the runner up spot. The local hot shoe from Tulsa and 2025 Sooner Region king Sean McClelland laid claim to the final podium placement.
From a shear pound to weight ratio, these are the fastest machines scheduled to make an appearance on the Highbanks for 2026. The World Racing Group (WRG) who also owns the World of Outlaw sprint car and late model series, acquired the ASCS series from Emmett Hahn in the early portion of 2024. Hahn started ASCS in 1992 and in doing so, laid a foundation for the fastest sprint car series utilizing a 360ci engine package. This will be the only visit to the Highbanks by ASCS this season so make plans to be here! The program will also feature some of the regular weekly classes that compete at the
speedway for a night filled of action.
Pricing for the event is as follows: General Admission: $20 Kids 6-12: $10 with 5 & under free Pit passes are $40 Pit passes for ages 6-12 $20 with 5 and under free Main gates open at 5pm Hot laps @ 6:30pm Racing starts @ 7pm
Parking is free and there is a roving trolley on site to take you to the main gates. Also, the Finishline Restaurant is located on the upper level of the concourse where you can order everything from grilled steaks to seafood dishes to sandwiches and hamburgers. The Finishline will open at 5pm and remain open until one hour after the final checkered flag of the program. Track phone: 918.434.7223 Finishline Restaurant: 918.434.8720
Submitted By: Elizabeth Davis
