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Winston-Salem, NC, March 2, 2026: Brandon Ward began his pursuit of the 2026 SMART Modified Tour championship in winning fashion, capturing the season-opening Zach Brewer Memorial at Florence Motor Speedway this past weekend.
The victory carried special meaning beyond the trophy, as Ward and Zach Brewer shared a lifelong friendship that began in childhood.
“Zach was the first friend in racing I ever had from eight years old,” said Ward. “We’ve all been friends for many years. We’ve raced everything together Late Models, Modifieds, Goody’s Dash Series, go-karts. My wife Cathylee is friends with Zach’s wife, and our daughters are really good friends too. This was definitely a race we wanted this year. It was disappointing to fall short last year, and the competition is tough on the SMART Modified Tour, but this one had a lot of special meaning with it being Zach’s race.”
Car owner Kevin Powell also shared a close personal connection with Brewer and emphasized the emotional significance of the win.
“To see that commitment pay off with a win in the Zach Brewer Memorial at Florence Motor Speedway makes this one incredibly special,” said Powell. “Watching Brandon honor his childhood best friend, that’s bigger than winning. Zach meant something to every one of us. This wasn’t just a win. It was for Zach.”
The team believes the strong start could set the tone for another championship-caliber season. Ward enters 2026 following a successful 2025 campaign that included a championship at Bowman Gray Stadium.
“As I’ve always said, the best way to win championships is to win and finish,” Ward said. “We hope to set the tone for the season. We went on to win the Bowman Gray opener last year and hope to do the same this year and win the SMART Modified Tour championship. I always feel confident in the car and this group at KPSM. After the runs we had last year, plus the testing and preparation we did in the offseason, it felt like we would unload fast.”
Team owner Kevin Powell echoed his driver’s confidence and highlighted the organization’s offseason commitment.
“At Kevin Powell Speed Motorsports, we don’t believe in an offseason,” Powell said. “From the moment the last checkered flag fell last year, this team went straight to work, building three brand-new cars. Lots of long days and nights, and absolutely no shortcuts. It’s just how these guys operate.”
The team returns to action this Saturday for the Pace-O-Matic 99 at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, South Carolina. Qualifying is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., followed by the Pace-O-Matic Pit Party at 4:00 p.m., with the SMART Modified Tour going green at 5:00 p.m. ET. Live coverage will be available on FloRacing.
