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Evans Mills (NY) – The Evans Mills Raceway Park is proud to introduce the newest division hitting the track in 2026, the thrilling Crown Vics! One of the fastest-growing grassroots classes in the country, Crown Vic racing brings full-sized cars, affordable competition, and nonstop side-by-side action that’s perfect for new drivers and guarantees a show fans won’t forget.
EMRP is projecting to race the class about every other week throughout the season.
For drivers interested in joining the new class, EMRP will have resources available to help build cars and install cage kits to make them race ready. EMRP will also be able to help facilitate the sale of pre-welded cage kits and more. The types of cars allowed in this class include Ford Crown Victorias, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Cars from 1995-2011 with a standard wheelbase, 4-door sedan, and rear-wheel drive only.
The Crown Vic class gained traction first in the Southeast. Racers found that the large pools of retired police cars would make a great cheap race car with rear-wheel drive and a V8 motor. Youtube celebrity and now NASCAR enthusiast Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) helped introduce the world to Crown Vic racing after he purchased former Desoto Speedway in Bradenton, Florida and renamed it the Freedom Factory. Here he would host Crown Vic races like the Freedom 500 that would draw NASCAR drivers and celebrities into the competition.
What makes the division affordable is its stock-based nature: racers can buy an older vehicle (1995–2011) for $1,000–$2,500, strip it down, install safety equipment, and go racing with minimal modifications. Parts are cheap and widely available, and many tracks enforce rules that keep engines, suspensions, and tires stock to eliminate costly setups. Compared to the 120–160 horsepower of typical 4-cylinder cars, Crown Vics pack a 4.6L V8 producing 235–250 horsepower with nearly double the torque. While they’re heavier, tipping the scales at nearly 3,800 lbs., the extra power and rear-wheel drive make them thrilling to drive, emphasizing throttle control and car control over momentum. This balance of affordability, availability, and big-car racing excitement has cemented Crown Vics as a favorite for both rookies and seasoned drivers alike.
Now a few years after the initial wave of Crown Vic divisions, the car is making its way into northeast race tracks including Star Speedway, Jennerstown Speedway, and now the Evans Mills Raceway Park.
Rules for the division will be made public shortly and will incorporate the rule book found on the Facebook page Crown Vics Northeast.
For more information contact the Evans Mills Raceway Park at (315) 323-6033 or emrpgm@yahoo.com. The Evans Mills Raceway Park is located at 28412 Steinhilber Rd. Evans Mills, NY 13637.
Story: http://evansmillsracewaypark.com/2025/10/10/drum-roll-please-crown-vics-in-2026/
