Caden Kvapil secured the 2026 zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour championship during the series' first stop at Newport Speedway. Driving the No. 88 Jerky Boys Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, Kvapil claimed his fourth victory of the season, officially clinching the LMSC Tour title with one race remaining.
Kvapil's achievement is historic, making him the first driver to win the LMSC Tour championship, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, and the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown in the same season. Meanwhile, Mason Walters, the CARS Pro Late Model Tour points leader, also earned a victory at Newport, significantly increasing his cushion against competitors Conner Jones and Brody Monahan.
The competition was intense across both divisions. Kvapil capitalized on an opening created by a heated battle between Ronnie Bassett Jr. and Carson Brown during the Spears Manufacturing 225. Bassett, who had started the season with mixed results, managed a strong performance, though he finished just shy of a win.
Both tours will conclude their 2026 campaigns on October 17th at South Boston Speedway, where the zMAX CARS Tour will crown its final champions for the Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model divisions.
Source: Short Track Scene