The crown jewel of Western Pennsylvania dirt Super Late Model racing has arrived.

The annual Firecracker 100 returns to Lernerville Speedway Thursday through Saturday, bringing some of the biggest names in dirt late model racing to Butler County for one of the nation's premier Super Dirt Late Model events. Local favorites Alex Ferree, Kenny Schaltenbrand, Levi Yetter, Tyler Dietz, Colton Flinner, Jared Miley and Mike Norris will be taking on the nation's best.

This year marks the 20th season the Firecracker Late Model Dirt Series has competed at Lernerville.

The Firecracker 100 winner will earn $50,000, while the Bill Emig Memorial Crate Late Model 50-lap feature will award $20,000 to the victor.

The three-day event annually attracts thousands of fans and competitors, generating a significant economic impact for local businesses throughout Butler County.

Racing action begins Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm with Lucas Oil Super Late Model preliminary programs featuring 25-lap main events and double features each night. Two drivers will collect $5,000 feature victories on both nights, providing more racers an opportunity to earn valuable prize money and gain track experience before Saturday's Firecracker 100 finale.

The RUSH Crate Late Models will hold practice and qualifying Thursday, heat races and a dash Friday, and conclude with B-Main and A-Main competition Saturday.

Entering the weekend, Hudson O'Neal leads the Lucas Oil standings with 3,920 points. Brandon Sheppard sits close behind at 3,900, followed by Devin Moran (3,740), Brandon Overton (3,555), Ricky Thornton Jr. (3,495) and local rookie contender Max Blair (3,485).

O'Neal, Sheppard and Moran have each recorded five Lucas Oil victories in 2026.

Jonathan Davenport captured last year's Firecracker 100, while Thornton won the event in both 2023 and 2024. Overton and Tim McCreadie have each earned two Firecracker victories. The late Scott Bloomquist remains the only driver to win three Firecracker 100 main events.

Beyond the racing, fans can enjoy five days of entertainment, including concerts, family-friendly activities and camping. Complete event information, including schedules, ticket prices and competitor details, is available at Lernerville's website.

Locally, six-time Lernerville Late Model champion Alex Ferree narrowly missed his third feature victory last Friday when five-time champion Mike Norris passed him on the final lap. Despite the heartbreak, Ferree continues to lead the track points standings and currently holds the track provisional position for the Firecracker 100.

Ferree drives the No. 1C owned by Lynn Geisler, who has won 109 Lernerville Late Model features.

"While I was racing, the biggest payoff I ran for was $10,000," Geisler said. "Times have changed, and $50,000 is great for the guys. We could use a little bit of luck, though."

Ferree added: "How about a whole lot of luck competing with about 40 of the best drivers around?"

Two-time Lernerville champion Kenny Schaltenbrand sits second in track points with 151, just one point ahead of his nephew, Levi Yetter. Schaltenbrand likes the preliminary format, believing the extra track time benefits drivers before Saturday's marquee event while also giving them a chance to earn additional money.

Yetter, a freshman at Slippery Rock University, drives for owner Joe Corrado and recently scored his first Lernerville feature victory after six years of racing. While he has won feature events at other tracks, the Lernerville triumph was especially meaningful.

"At Lernerville, there are about 10 drivers who can win on any given night," Yetter said. "I've been going to the Firecracker race since I was a little kid. I just want to enjoy the week."

Another local racer looking forward to the weekend is Cabot's Tyler Dietz, who recently earned his first Super Late Model victory after seven years of competition. Dietz also races in both the Pro Stock and Modified divisions.

"With doubling down, the track changes from the beginning to the end of the night, and I get to experience both," Dietz said. "I like the slicker track better. I'm looking forward to racing 100 laps because I like the extremes."

It will be exciting to see how Butler County's local stars fare against the nation's best when the green flag drops on the 2026 Firecracker 100.

Finally, thoughts and prayers are with contributing photographer Rick Rarer, who was seriously injured along with two other photographers in an infield area accident involving a Sprint Car at Wayne County Speedway. Rarer was flown from the scene and has undergone several surgeries on his leg during the past week. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Carol Gamble is a racing columnist for the Butler Eagle.