The chase for the 2026 championships continues on Thursday, July 9th, as week three of Thursday Night Thunder rolls into Laird Raceway. Following two exciting weeks of action, the tight battles atop the point standings have already set the stage for another thrilling night of short track racing on the fast ⅓-mile D-shaped oval.
Every point will be crucial as drivers look to strengthen their championship hopes while fans can expect another full evening of side-by-side racing across all five divisions.
In the Super Late Model Division, Dustin Jackson and the No. 61 team hold a slim five-point advantage with 58 points. Jordan Rocchetta sits second with 53 points, while Jeremy Van Hoek rounds out the top three with 46 points. Another strong run could tighten the championship battle even further as the season continues.
The Modified Division has quickly become one of the closest title races at Laird Raceway. Mark Laakso leads the standings with 75 points, but only a single point separates him from J.P. Delpaggio at 74. Just one more point back is Dustin Jackson with 73, meaning all three drivers enter week three with a legitimate chance to leave the night atop the standings.
The Factory Stock Division features a new points leader after week two. Xavier Carter sits first with 76 points following his first career feature victory on July 2nd. Brad Bibeau remains within striking distance in second with 70 points, while Daniel Bibeau is just one point behind in third with 69. With only seven points separating the top three, the championship race remains wide open.
The battle in the Factory Four Division is just as competitive. Lucas Crosato leads with 70 points, but rookie sensation Will Siddall continues to impress in his first season at just 14 years old, sitting only two points back with 68. Seth Ralph holds third place with 62 points and will be looking for a strong finish to gain ground on the leaders.
The Enduro Division has its own close championship fight brewing. Eric Sylvestre and rookie Lucas Fabbricino are tied atop the standings with 11 points each, while Dayne Lorenzo sits just three points behind with eight. With the season still young, every lap and every finish will be important in determining this year’s champion.
Fans will also be treated to the return of the popular Spectator Drags for the first time this season. Taking place just before intermission, the event gives everyday drivers the opportunity to compete on the Laird Raceway 1/3 oval. Participants will receive $50 just to start, while the winner will take home $100. Anyone interested in participating can find registration details through the Spectator Drag Registration page.
Admission continues to offer one of the best entertainment values in Northern Ontario. Grandstand admission is $25 for adults, while children and youth 17 and under receive free admission, along with seniors aged 75 and older. Pit admission is $35 for all ages.
The green flag for week three of Thursday Night Thunder drops at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9th, as another exciting night of championship racing takes over the ⅓-mile D-shaped oval at Laird Raceway. With several divisions separated by only a handful of points and the return of the Spectator Drags, fans won’t want to miss what promises to be one of the most exciting nights of the 2026 racing season.
