A thrilling race at Volusia Speedway Park kicked off the 2026 USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship, and it was Logan Seavey who emerged victorious, just as he had ended the previous season.
In a nail-biting finish, Seavey battled it out with Brady Bacon, who made a last-ditch effort to take the lead on the final lap. But Seavey, driving the Abacus Racing/Mountain Mechanical car, proved to be the master of Volusia's half-mile dirt oval. He passed Bacon at the exit of turn two and maintained his lead to secure his third consecutive USAC National Sprint Car feature win.
Seavey's performance was nothing short of impressive. He set a new USAC track record for the 25-lap race, completing it in a blistering 8:10.705. This win marked his fourth victory at Volusia in the past five USAC National Sprint Car events, solidifying his dominance at this track.
Starting from pole position, Seavey spent most of the race chasing Bacon, who had taken an early lead. But Seavey's persistence paid off as he closed the gap and applied pressure on Bacon. With lapped traffic adding to the challenge, Seavey executed a brilliant slide job in turn one on lap 15, momentarily taking the lead. However, Bacon fought back, maintaining his advantage for a few more laps.
As the race progressed, Seavey's strategy became clear. He patiently stalked Bacon, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. On lap 20, Bacon's momentum was disrupted by a lapped car, and Seavey seized the moment, shifting his focus to the middle of the track and taking the lead with just six laps remaining.
"I just kept following him, waiting for my chance," Seavey said. "When he got held up by a lapped car, I knew I had to make my move. I squeezed in there, and it was close, but I managed to get ahead.
"I felt more comfortable in turns two and three, and that's where I gained an edge. I could carry more speed and close the gap. I didn't expect to run the top line in turns one and two, but there was just enough dirt against the wall to give me the grip I needed."
But the battle wasn't over yet. Seavey faced a late challenge from Bacon, who attempted to retake the lead with less than a lap remaining. However, a lapped car in Bacon's path and the grip on the bottom of the track worked in Seavey's favor, allowing him to hold on and secure the win.
"I knew he was going to try and slide me in turns one and two, but I was already turning down off turn two, so I felt confident. He had some momentum, but the grip on the bottom and the lapped car in his way set me up perfectly."
Seavey's latest victory moves him closer to Rich Vogler and Jon Stanbrough on the all-time list, with 34 USAC National Sprint Car career wins. He now sits in 14th place, just one win away from tying their record.
The race also saw Justin Grant finish third, with C.J. Leary and Briggs Danner rounding out the top five. The qualifying heats and semi-final races were just as intense, with drivers battling it out for their spots on the starting grid.
This thrilling opener sets the stage for an exciting 2026 season, and with Seavey's dominance at Volusia, it's clear he's a force to be reckoned with. But will he continue his winning streak throughout the season? Only time will tell.
And there you have it, folks! A thrilling race, a dominant performance, and a new track record. What more could you ask for to kick off a championship season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Are you a Seavey fan, or do you think someone else will challenge his reign this season?
