(Eastaboga, AL – February 6, 2026) — A brand-new tradition is set to begin in South Mississippi as Pike County Speedway hosts the Inaugural Mardi Gras Nationals, February 20–21, headlined by the Mississippi Crate Late Racing Series. The weekend will mark one of the most anticipated dirt racing events of the early season and a major milestone in the revival of the historic facility.
The action begins with open practice on Thursday, February 19, setting the stage for two full nights of racing featuring multiple divisions, highlighted by $2,000-to-win Mississippi Crate Late Model main events on both Friday and Saturday nights. Both nights will also see CRUSA Street Stocks, CRUSA Modifieds, Factory Stocks, Limited Modifieds, SCDRA, and Mini Wedges in action with Krushers joining the program on Saturday night.
The weekend will also serve as the opening weekend for the MS Crate Late Racing series 2026 season, it will be the third season of operations for the Magnolia state-based series. Chris McElhenney claimed his second straight series championship in 2025 and will look for a record setting third in 2026. The quest for the championship starts February 20-21 at Pike County.
The Mardi Gras Nationals will be hosted by first-time dirt track owner Kye Kelley, the popular drag racer and co-star of Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws programming. Kelley purchased his hometown track in July of 2025 and is eager to restore Pike County Speedway to its former glory.
“When I was a kid, I could stand outside on my back porch and hear the cars,” Kelley said in a recent YouTube video. “I spent a lot of nights out here. It’s my childhood dream to own it, and now I do.”
Kelley added that his vision goes beyond racing alone, stating, “We plan to make this facility badass. We want to make it fun for families and a place where kids can go have fun, like I did.”
Originally opened in 1992, Pike County Speedway was closed from 2012–2019 and has operated sporadically since 2022. The Mardi Gras Nationals represents a major step toward a full-scale revival of the venue.
Event Schedule & Details
Thursday – February 19
Open Practice – All Classes
Spectator gates will not be open
Pit Passes:
Single Day: Adults $30 | Kids (6–12) $15
3-Day: Adults $100 | Kids (6–12) $50
Friday – February 20
MS Crate Late Models – Qualifying, B-Mains, Dash, $2,000-to-win Main Event
CRUSA Street Stocks – Hot Lap Qualifying & Heats
Factory Stocks – Hot Lap Qualifying & Heats
Limited Modifieds – Hot Lap Qualifying & Heats
SCDRA – Hot Lap Qualifying & Heats
CRUSA Modifieds – Hot Lap Qualifying, Heats, $500-to-win Main Event
Mini Wedges – $30-to-win Beginner | $50-to-win Advanced
Pit Passes:
Single Day: Adults $40 | Kids (6–12) $20
Two Day: Adults $70 | Kids (6–12) $35
Grandstands:
Adults $20 | Kids (6–12) $10
Saturday – February 21
MS Crate Late Models – Qualifying, B-Mains, Dash, $2,000-to-win Main Event
CRUSA Street Stocks – B-Mains, $2,000-to-win Main Event
Factory Stocks – B-Mains, $1,500-to-win Main Event
Limited Modifieds – B-Mains, $1,500-to-win Main Event
SCDRA – B-Mains, $1,200-to-win Main Event
Krushers – Hot Lap Qualifying, Heats, $500-to-win Main Event
Mini Wedges – $30-to-win Beginner | $50-to-win Advanced
Pit Passes:
Adults $40 | Kids (6–12) $20
Grandstands:
Adults $25 | Kids (6–12) $15
ATVs, Side-by-Sides, Pit Bikes, etc.: $30
Fans unable to attend in person can catch every lap of action live both nights on Crate Racin' USA TV.
For more information make sure to check out Pike County Speedway on Facebook.
Article Credit: Cody Earley