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“AL GERBER TROPHY RACE OF CHAMPIONS”
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026 Biggest Weekend in Shangri-La II Speedway History
The Greatest Tradition in Modified Racing Returns to New York
OWEGO, NY (October 7, 2026) – Race of Champions and Shangri-La II Speedway are ready for the “76th annual Al Gerber Trophy Race of Champions” at the Super Speedway of the Southern Tier”. The speedway is preparing to host the biggest weekend of racing in the history of the track on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026.
“Championship Saturday” will feature the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series in a thrilling 50-lap event that will crown the 2026 Series Champion. The Sportsman will be joined by the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series and the first-ever Hobby Stock / Street Stock challenge A unique event for the two divisions where participants are able to bring their cars and run them by their own set of rules to see where each division stacks up. Practice will begin at 11:00am with racing at 1:00pm.
On Sunday, October 18th it will be the 76th running of the Al Gerber Trophy Race of Champions 125. A 125-lap championship event paying $10,000 to win, with the winner earning a coveted place on the legendary Al Gerber Memorial Trophy for the Race of Champions Modified Series. This will continue the RoC legacy as the second-longest consecutively run auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500. Practice will begin at 11:00am and qualifying will begin at 1:00pm with features to follow.
The race format will remain true to the event’s tradition. Teams will be permitted three over-the-wall crew members, and one tire change will be allowed during the 125-lap event. The format is designed to reward strategy, preparation, and execution while preserving the unique character that has defined the Race of Champions for generations.
The event marks the return of the Race of Champions to New York after recent renditions were contested in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
In addition to the prestige of winning one of Modified racing’s most celebrated events, the Race of Champions will also serve as the championship finale for the 2026 Race of Champions Modified Series, culminating in the crowning of the Series champion.
The Race of Champions weekend will begin with an open practice on Friday, October 16, followed by the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series headline event on Saturday, October 17. The weekend will culminate with the 76th annual Race of Champions on Sunday, October 18.
There is an FAQ on the Race of Champions website under the rules section at www.rocmodifiedseries.com for those looking for more information. Camping and tickets are on sale by contacting Shangri-La II Speedway with more information on the Shangri-La II Speedway Facebook page. The entire weekend schedule is included below.
About the Race of Champions: The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
The RoC event will be broadcast live on FloRacing.
How to Watch on FloRacing:
• On Your TV: Download the FloSports app on Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Samsung, VIZIO, or LG • On The Go: Download the FloSports app on iOS or Android devices
Primary marketing partners include Hoosier Racing Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, FX Caprara, Airport Collision, Waddell Communications, Image X Design, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, and Speed Sport.
For more information, contact;
Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com
Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com
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Race of Champions Weekend
October 16-18, 2026
Race of Champions Weekend
Shangri-La II Speedway – Tioga Center, NY
All times and events subject to change
Thursday, October 15 – Paid Camping Opens at 12:00pm (NOON)
Friday, October 16 – Practice – Race of Champions Weekend @ Shangri-La II Speedway
- 12:00 PM (NOON) – Pre-Paid Pit Parking begins. Front Row Pre-Paid spots will be $40. Haulers will be parked in the order Paid.
- 1:00 PM – Gates open for campers & hauler parking (GENERAL, non-pre PAID)
- 3:00 PM – Practice by division
- DUSK – Conclusion of Practice
- 10:00 PM – Pit Area is Closed.
Saturday, October 17 – Race of Champions Weekend @ Shangri La II Speedway
Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series; Hobby Stock / Street Stock Challenge; Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series
- 9:00 AM – Pit Gates Open – Campers and Parking Opens
- 9:30 AM – Inspection & draw for all divisions (tire sheet sales open)
- 10:00 AM – Tire selection begins for RoC Sportmsan Modified Series by GROUP
- 10:45 AM – Driver’s meetings by division (posted schedule @ Series Trailer)
- 11:00 AM – Practice Begins by Division (TWO Rounds EACH) / GRANDSTANDS OPEN
- Practice Begins (Two Full Rounds);
- RoC Sportsman Modified Series
- Hobby Stock / Street Stock Challenge
Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series
- 12:30 PM – Kids RoC Activity (TBA)
- 1:00 PM – Opening Ceremonies (Invocation and Anthems)
- RoC Sportsman Modified Series Qualifying Races – 8 laps
- Hobby Stock / Street Stock Challenge Qualifying Races – 8 laps
- RoC FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series Qualifying Races – 8-laps
- B-Mains if Necessary – for any division – laps TBD
- Hobby Stock / Street Stock Challenge Feature – 20 laps
- RoC FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series Feature – 20 laps
- RoC Sportsman Modified Series Feature – 50 laps
- 6:00 PM – Show Concludes – Pits Closed
Sunday, October 18 – Race of Champions Modified Series “125” / Race of Champions Weekend
Race of Champions Modified Series; Race of Champions Super Stock Series; Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series
- 8:00 AM – Pit gates open
- 9:15 AM – Inspection & group draw (tire sheet sales open)
- 10:00 AM – Modified tire selection begins (by GROUP) – 5 tire race
- 10:45 AM – Modified Series Driver’s Meeting followed by other divisions
- 11:00 AM;
- Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series
Race of Champions Super Stock Series
- Race of Champions Modified Series (45 minutes)
- Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series
- Race of Champions Super Stock Series
12:30 PM Kid’s RoC Activity
- 1:00 PM – Qualifying Races Begin:
- Race of Champions GREEN-WHITE CHECKER QUALIFYING
- Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series Qualifying Races (8-laps)
- Race of Champions Super Stock Series Qualfiying Races (8-laps)Race of Champions Modified Series (10-laps)
Features (all followed by Victory Lane):
- RoC FOAR SCORE Four Cylinder Dash Series – 25 laps
- RoC Super Stock Series – 40 laps
- Race of Champions – PRE-RACE; Presentation of Al Gerber Trophy; Hall of Fame Induction; Pledge; Presentation of Colors; Invocation and Anthems
- RoC Modified Series – 125 -laps
Pit Area Closes: 7:00 PM
