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Lucama, NC (October 14, 2026) Over more than two decades, the North-South Shootout has brought together generations of Modified competitors, each with their own connection to the event. Few, however, have experienced the Shootout from as many different perspectives as Rick Kluth of Brockport, NY.
A former competitor, crew chief, and car owner, Kluth has seen the annual Modified tradition from behind the wheel, atop the pit box and from the owner’s side of the operation. This November, he’ll return to the North-South Shootout in his latest role, fielding a Tour-Type Modified for Harvard, Massachusetts, driver Matt Swanson.
Kluth’s history with the event dates to its early years at Concord Motorsports Park, where he competed in both the SK Modified and Tour-Type Modified divisions as an owner-driver. In Tour-Type Modified competition from 2006 through 2009, Kluth recorded his best finish of 10th in 2006. Those early experiences established a connection to an event that has remained part of his racing career, even as his responsibilities have changed.
“I didn’t go to the first Shootout,” said Kuth, who had several starts in Southern Modified competition in the early 2000s. “But Concord looked cool and that first event seemed really cool, too. It quickly turned into one of Modified’s great races. The OG was something special.”
Nearly two decades after his first Modified appearance, Kluth found himself back at the Shootout in 2025, this time serving as crew chief for Sean Verwys, who was making his event debut at Caraway Speedway. Their effort ended prematurely following an early-race incident, but Kluth’s involvement with the event continued.
Now, as the North-South Shootout prepares for its first appearance at Southern National Motorsports Park on November 6–7, Kluth will return exclusively as a car owner, with Swanson taking the wheel.
Kluth’s involvement in Modified racing extends well beyond the track. Through Spindles by Kluth Motorsports and 2Kwik Chassis, he also supplies components and chassis to competitors throughout the sport.
The pairing brings together Kluth’s experience and Swanson’s talent behind the wheel as they pursue success in one of Modified racing’s longstanding events. For Kluth, the opportunity also represents another chapter in a racing career that has taken him through several distinct roles.
“I’ll approach this year’s race the same way I always have,” added Kluth. “No matter what I’m doing the goal is the same — show up prepared and compete for the win.”
The 24th Annual North-South Shootout will mark a new chapter in the event’s history as it moves to Southern National Motorsports Park, a four-tenths-mile oval featuring 17-degree banking. The facility will present a new challenge for competitors, including Kluth and Swanson, as teams prepare for the 125-lap Tour-Type Modified feature on Saturday, November 7.
While the venues, cars and faces have changed over the years, the event’s tradition of bringing together Modified competitors from across the country remains a constant.
“I’ve got a lot of good memories from racing down South over the years, including those early Shootouts at Concord,” said Kluth. “To come to Southern National for the first time and have a strong run with Matt would be special. The Shootout has been around for 24 years, and it still means something to the racers. It’s a little old school, and I like that.”
The 24th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout in Memory of Charles Kepley takes place November 6–7, 2026, at Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, North Carolina. Friday’s activities are reserved for competitors, with practice, qualifying and feature racing scheduled for Saturday, culminating in the 125-lap Tour-Type Modified main event.
For tickets, registration, rules and additional event information, visit SNMPark.com/NSS. For more on the North-South Shootout’s history, past results, travel information and more, visit NorthSouthShootout.com.
