PIT BOX: First of two dirt races awaits ARCA Menards Series drivers this weekend at the Springfield Mile

One quality that separates the ARCA Menards Series from other major auto racing divisions in the United States is that it still features dirt-track venues on its schedule every year.

The first of those races for 2026 takes place Sunday afternoon at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, more commonly known as the Springfield Mile. Built in 1910, the Springfield Mile is one of the oldest active motorsports venues in the country, with names like A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Bobby Isaac and Curtis Turner all having won there.

In 1983, the ARCA Menards Series visited the historic Springfield Mile for the first time, with the late Dean Roper taking home the checkered flag that day. More than 40 years later, dirt racing remains alive and well with the ARCA Menards Series, with the Springfield Mile continuing to host races for the platform alongside the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.

With the Springfield Mile operating as a rare Sunday afternoon race, drivers will have to battle the elements while simultaneously finding a rhythm around the one-mile dirt surface. Nothing about Sunday’s race will be easy, but a perfect opportunity lies ahead for drivers to make their own mark on the Springfield Mile’s proud history of racing.

Tickets to the Calypso 100 can be purchased here. Below is everything to know ahead of the 15^th race on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series calendar.

Calypso 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds

A potential favorite for Sunday’s Calypso 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is Taylor Reimer, who will drive the No. 77 Buzzballs Chevrolet for Pinnacle Racing Group.

Known for her dirt-track background, Reimer made history in 2022 as the first woman to win a National Midget event at Millbridge Speedway. The Springfield Mile is where Reimer earned a career-best finish of third in the ARCA Menards Series two years ago, so she looks to continue blazing a trail as the first female winner in the platform’s national division Sunday.

Among those standing in the way of a history-making win for Reimer is the Nitro Motorsports brigade, which won at the Springfield Mile last year with Brent Crews. Nitro currently controls the ARCA Menards Series championship fight, with Jake Bollman holding a seven-point advantage over Thomas Annunziata.

Gavan Boschele possesses the most dirt experience of Nitro’s roster for the Springfield Mile that also comprises Bollman, Annunziata and Isabella Robusto. Boschele has won several times in dirt midgets and sprint cars during his young career and will seek to carry that success into his first ARCA Menards Series checkered flag.

No ARCA Menards Series dirt event is complete without veteran Kelly Kovski, who is back in his own No. 16 Brandt Chevrolet for the Calypso 100. Kovski has tallied 11 ARCA Menards Series top fives between the Springfield Mile and the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, but he seeks to finally break through as a winner this weekend.

Other drivers set to compete at the Springfield Mile this weekend include Max Reaves, Carson Brown, Sean Corr, Isaac Kitzmiller, Tim Monroe and Brayton Laster.

The complete entry list for the Calypso 100 will be released later this week.

RACING REFERENCE:

• Previous ARCA Menards Series races at Springfield
• ARCA Menards Series drivers at Springfield

RACE FACTS:

CREW CHIEF HANDOUT: Field limited to 28 starters, plus provisionals (EIRI). This event will be run under the 2026 ARCA Menards Series rules, procedures, regulations and specifications.

QUALIFYING: One lap, single car qualifying. No adjustments or repairs may be made on car after leaving pit road. All cars must make a qualifying attempt, and all drivers must practice before they can qualify (EIRI).

RACE PIT STOP: Break pit stop procedure. Break at or near the conclusion of lap 50. No adding or moving tires to or from pit box once race has started.

TIRE ALLOTMENT: Per ARCA Rulebook, the maximum tire use at track (total, maximum four (4) ‘from home’ plus purchased at track) for the event is 12.