The final weekend in May means it’s time for the final DIRTcar Sportsman Series Region to begin its 2026 season.

A three-race battle to determine a champion kicks off on Friday, May 29, with a stop at Ransomville Speedway in Ransomville, NY. Drivers will battle in a 30-lap Feature paying $1,000-to-win.

Then, the Series heads to Canada on Saturday, May 30, for a stop at Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, ON. A $1,300 (Canadian) prize awaits whoever reaches Victory Lane after 30 laps on Saturday.

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Here’s a look at what to watch for at Ransomville and Merrittville:

Cody’s Road: Ransomville and Merrittville have been staples on the DIRTcar Sportsman Series, and it’s also where the division’s most accomplished driver races every weekend.

Three-time Series champion Cody McPherson has 10 Series wins between Ransomville and Merrittville and already has wins at both tracks this season. He’s won two of the four Features at Ransomville and one of the two Features contested at Merrittville.

The St. Catharines, ON driver also leads Ransomville’s points standings entering this weekend.

A win by McPherson on either night would be his 28th career win, adding to his total at the top of the Series all-time wins list.

Ransomville Winners: While McPherson has had the advantage thus far at Ransomville, two other drivers have reached Victory Lane at the “Big R” this season.

Nigel Pendykoski earned his first career Sportsman win at Ransomville earlier this year and joins McPherson as the only two drivers who’ve finished in the top five in all four Feature events.

The Niagara Falls, ON driver is no stranger to the DIRTcar Sportsman Series, making eight starts during last year’s championship season. He’s looking for his first career Series win.

That’s also the case for Stephen Miller, who has a Feature win at Ransomville this season. Miller, from Olcott, NY, has a top five and three top 10s in weekly action.

Senek’s Chase: One of the drivers who’s knocked off McPherson in West Region competition over the past few seasons is Brett Senek. The Ransomville, NY driver, and defending West Region champion, outdueled the No. 7 last year at Ransomville, paving the way toward the title.

He’s won five Series Features in his career, all at Ransomville.  He’s also the other Feature winner at Merrittville this season, where he’s tied for the lead in the points standings with Matteo Panunte.

Senek hasn’t finished outside the top 10 at six starts between the two tracks.

This article was republished with the permission of DIRTcar. Original article can be found here: https://dirtcar.com/dirtcar-ne/sportsman-modifieds/dirtcar-sportsman-series/what-to-watch-for-dirtcar-sportsman-series-west-region-opens-with-ransomville-merrittville-double/.

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