2026 Pre-Season release

For Immediate Release

As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, drivers are hard at work in their race shops preparing for an exhilarating 2026 season at Brighton Speedway.

Opening Night is set for Saturday, May 2, featuring the Vanderlaan Building Products Northeast Late Model Alliance Lid Lifter, paying an impressive $2,026.00 to win the Late Model season opener. Returning alongside the Late Models are the Bainer’s OilGARD Anti Rust Canadian Modifieds, Brighton Automotive Thunder Stocks, and the Bill’s Johns Portable Toilets Mini Stock Division as we proudly kick off the 59th thrilling season of racing at Brighton Speedway.

Fans who purchase their adult, youth or senior tickets at the gate will receive a $5.00 discount with a donation to the Brighton FareShare Food Bank. With hopes of packing the Vanderlaan Building Products trailer, the Food Bank is always in need of non-perishable goods, sanitary products, and cash donations. Join us in supporting this important community initiative while enjoying a spectacular night of racing.

If you’re eager for some pre-season excitement, Test and Tune will take place April 25, 26, and 29, with free grandstand admission. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch an early glimpse of the speed, skill, and determination that will define the 2026 season.

With 24 action-packed events scheduled, Promoter and Owner Mark Rinaldi has assembled a dynamic program that is sure to excite and thrill racers and fans alike.

The Empire Super Sprints return on May 30, joining the Lawns We Do 360 Sprint division for the first of five electrifying appearances. The Southern Ontario Sprints roar back to the 1/3-mile oval on August 15, while the Ontario Traditional Wingless Sprints are set for July 4 and August 1. The annual Rock 107 Labour Day Classic Sprint Car Weekend, September 5 and 6, will feature both 360 Sprint Cars and Crate 602 Sprint Cars in what promises to be a high-octane weekend of non-stop action. Sprint cars are always a fan favorite at Brighton Speedway and truly a must-see event!

While every night at the Speedway delivers edge-of-your-seat excitement, other standout highlights include the Hotch’s Auto Parts and QBT Excavating Monster Truck Madness featuring Overkill Evolution and Higher Education. This adrenaline-charged event, running alongside a full race program of Late Models, Canadian Modifieds, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks, requires advance online ticket purchases. This popular, family-friendly spectacle sells out quickly — fans are strongly encouraged to secure their tickets online early to avoid disappointment!

The Gord’s Water Vantastics join the race card for three dates: May 16, July 25, and August 29. The Dirt Modified Nostalgia Tour vintage cars will visit twice, on July 11 and September 6. The OSCAAR Pavement Hot Rods return on August 8 following the annual Wall of Fame Inductions.

Additional marquee events you won’t want to miss are the Brighton Recycling School Bus Races. Full-sized, decked-out school buses will thunder around the 1/3-mile clay oval twice in 2026 — June 13 and October 3 for the Eve of Destruction. These wildly entertaining events are always sell-outs, and tickets will soon be available for online purchase. Be sure to grab yours early!

The season would not be complete without the Cool 100 Applefest Shootout on September 25 and 26. Two spectacular nights of racing will feature DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, ROC Sportsman, the Northeast Late Model Alliance Great Crate Race, a UMP Modified/Canadian Modified showdown, plus Thunder Stocks and the Mini Stock ODCC Duel on the Dirt. Drivers travel from across Ontario and Upper New York to compete in this premier racing showcase. With live music, camping, and the Municipality of Brighton’s Applefest festival happening in town, it’s an unforgettable weekend of speed, celebration, and community spirit.

Racing at Brighton Speedway begins Saturday, May 2, and continues every Saturday through October. Fans can find the complete schedule and purchase tickets online by visiting brightonspeedway.ca or by following Brighton Speedway on social media. Buying tickets online is quick, easy, and the best way to guarantee your seat for the season’s most anticipated events.

Brighton Speedway is a 1/3-mile clay oval located in the Municipality of Brighton on the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1967, the Speedway hosts five weekly divisions from the first weekend in May through the first weekend in October. With two travelling series — the Lawns We Do 360 Sprint Cars and the Vanderlaan Building Products Northeast Late Model Alliance — calling Brighton home, along with many visiting tours throughout the season, fans can expect heart-pounding action and unforgettable memories all summer long.

The countdown is on — mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready for an incredible 59th season of racing at Brighton Speedway. We’ll see you at the track!