May 1, 2026 – The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour is back in action on Thursday, May 21 and Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Hickory and Tri-County Motor Speedways. The pair of 250-lap races, often brings together the stars of ASA and other national touring series, part of a major racing weekend in the area between Hickory, Tri-County, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Thursday night’s ASA STARS National Tour Tar Heel 250 at Hickory marks the fourth running of the event in the ASA modern era, and only the fifth race at ‘America’s Most Famous Short Track’ in ASA history. Scott Wimmer won the ASA race in 2000. The Series’ return in 2023 was a thriller with Gio Ruggiero making a last lap pass over NASCAR Cup Series star William Byron to claim victory. The following year, current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor and form ASA Champion, Cole Butcher nabbed the win. Last season, Colby Howard held off Chase Elliott and Gavan Boschele to claim the crown.
This year’s Tar Heel 250 Presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch goes green on Thursday, May 21, at 7:35 PM. Tickets are available, starting at $25 for adults, online at trackenterprises.com. The race will also be aired live on TrackTV. Early entries include Casey Roderick, Derek Thorn, Derek Kraus, Kyle Steckly, George Phillips, Jade Avedisian, Tristan McKee, Matt Craig, Carson Brown, Colby Howard, and Caden Kvapil. Also racing on Thursday evening are the Legend Cars and Bandoleros.
The Tour moves 30-minutes up the road to Granite Falls, North Carolina to the scenic Tri-County Motor Speedway for the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour’s first visit. Tri-Couty is the only new track on the ASA schedule this year. Legend Cars, Bandoleros, and the local favorite Limited Late Models are on the card with the Carolina 250. Advance tickets can be purchased online at trackenterprises.com. TrackTV will bring live coverage of the event.
Both ASA STARS National Tour races this year (New Smyrna Beach and Pensacola, Florida) have been won by last year’s Pepper Jack Kennels Rookie of the Year Champion, Carson Brown, in the number 81 Anthony Campi Racing, Chevrolet. Brown is the current series points leader, 60 markers ahead of Kyle Steckly and Tristan McKee.
Jake Garcia is the Championship points leader in the ASA Southern Super Series Presented by Sunoco Race Fuels. Both the Hickory and Tri-County Motor Speedway races are co-sanctioned by the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series. Tristan McKee and George Phillips are currently sitting second and third in ASA Southern Super Series standings and are looking to make gains on Garcia Thursday and Saturday, May 21 and 23.
To learn more about the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour visit starsnationaltour.com and follow the National Touring Series on Facebook, X, and other popular social media platforms. For track and ticket information, visit trackenterprises.com.
ASA STARS National Tour
The ASA STARS National Tour is one of the premier Super Late Model touring series in the United States, showcasing elite drivers and teams at some of the most iconic short tracks in the country. Owned and operated by MDM Promotions, the series continues the long-standing tradition of ASA-sanctioned racing while delivering a national platform for top-level competition. The ASA STARS National Tour is committed to competitive excellence, strong partnerships, and preserving the heritage of short track racing while building for the future.
