Wake County Speedway CARS Tour Preview with Carson Loftin

Bassett, VA - March 23, 2026

The CARS Tour is back in action this Saturday with its second race of the year at Wake County Speedway. Known as the smallest track on the series’ schedule, this 1/4-mile bullring promises intense, close-quarters racing that tests drivers’ skill and patience.

Our driver to watch is Carson Loftin, who recently finished fifth in the season opener at Southern National and just two weeks ago claimed victory in a Tour Modified race at Caraway Speedway. Loftin’s momentum and experience make him a strong contender as the series heads to Wake County.

Carson Loftin beside his Nelson Motorsports #22 at Wake County Speedway

Wake County Speedway Offers a Unique Challenge

Wake County Speedway stands out on the CARS Tour calendar as the smallest track the series visits all year. Its quarter-mile length means drivers face tight turns and close racing, demanding 100% focus as things happen very quickly here. The track’s high grip surface allows racers to push their cars hard, but the limited space increases the risk of contact and accidents.

Carson Loftin described the track as a "blast to drive," highlighting the fun and challenge it presents. He said, “It’s a high grip bullring, so you can really hustle the car, which makes it a lot of fun behind the wheel.” The tight quarters create exciting racing but require a careful balance of aggression and patience to finish strong.

Loftin emphasized the importance of strategy at Wake County: “You have to be patiently aggressive so you can make it to the end. I’m looking forward to that challenge and hopefully putting down a strong lap in qualifying to start up front and avoid all of the carnage. The biggest thing is staying out of trouble and being there at the end.”

This approach reflects the nature of racing on short tracks like Wake County, where avoiding accidents and maintaining position often outweigh outright speed.

Momentum from Recent Success Fuels Confidence

Since the season opener at Southern National, Carson Loftin has stayed busy behind the wheel, competing in several modified races. His recent win at Caraway Speedway and pole position at South Boston for the King of the Modifieds have boosted his confidence heading into the Wake County race.

Loftin explained how this momentum carries over to his Late Model Stock Car racing: “As a racecar driver, any time you can be in a race car and getting seat time, it’s huge. Just staying sharp and continuing to learn every time I hit the track makes a big difference.”

He added, “Being able to win at Caraway and then qualify on the pole for the biggest southern modified race of the year at South Boston definitely gives me a lot of confidence. Hopefully we can carry that momentum over into the Late Model Stock side and keep building on it as we get into this spring stretch.”

This blend of experience and recent success positions Loftin as a top driver to watch at Wake County Speedway, where the CARS Tour recently announced will be the first race to receive a "lap boost," bumping the race distance up to 175 from its previously announced 125.

Nelson Motorsports is also in the running for the "Flodium Bonus" provided by FloRacing where the highest finishing team amongst 6 eligible cars will receive a $10,000 bonus check.

How to Watch This Weekend

Fans can watch Carson compete in the TowneBank #22 this weekend in person or online. The CARS Tour will be live on FloRacing all weekend long. Qualifying begins at 5:10pm ET for the Late Model Stock division, and the green flag is expected to fly at 7:00pm for 175 laps.

For more information on the zMAX CARS Tour, visit www.carsracingtour.com and follow the Nelson Motorsports social media channels throughout the season for immediate updates.