Promoter Cody Sommer announced that he maintains a blacklist for drivers who trash talk and spread hate about the Gateway Dirt Nationals.
The Gateway Dirt Nationals recently released the first round of invitations for Modified drivers that includes Ricky Thornton Jr., Tyler Peterson, Mike Harrison, Trent Young, Tom Berry Jr., Ray Bollinger, and Gabe Hodges.
Along with the announcement event staff explained how it decides on who gets invitations and that it factors in a number of variables including “past history of the race, current point leaders and fan requests.”
📌 ROUND #1❗️
In the first round of Modified Invitations presented by @UCoatIt, the following competitors have been selected. These Drivers have been invited to compete in the 10th annual @GatewayDirt Nationals presented by @oreillyauto parts this December 3rd-5th. As a… pic.twitter.com/GMZFaK7Ach
— GatewayDirtNationals | #DirtInDecember (@GatewayDirt) September 18, 2026
However, Sommer also revealed he maintains a blacklist in a post to Facebook. He wrote, “It never fails… I always find it comical when a driver is publicly talking trash or spreading hate about the Gateway Dirt Nationals and/or the modified invitation process… yet is wanting an invite and does not understand how they cannot get in… Ummm Duh.”
He added, “We actually have a black list for this type of stuff, so ask yourself… over the last several years, have you said something that got you on that list ???? #accountability #bepositive.”
This year will be the 10th anniversary of the Gateway Dirt Nationals and promises to be the biggest one yet. Even before the main event gets started at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri the event has partnered with a couple of other events to earn a spot in the prestigious event.
This past weekend, Tyler Bare earned his spot by winning the 3rd Annual Race City Performance / Chevrolet Performance CT525 Nationals at Harris Speedway.
At the end of this month spots in both the Late Model and Modified divisions will be up for grabs at Coles County Speedway’s Rural King Road to the Dome event. The winners of the Super Late Model division and Modified division will earn an invitation to the Gateway Dirt Nationals. Not only do they get an invitation, but they are guaranteed a spot in the Prelim A-Main on their qualifying night.
The event will also have a number of big names competing in it as well. Sprint Car ace Aaron Reutzel announced at the Knoxville Nationals that he will compete in a Gordy Gundaker prepared car for the event. Additionally, Cleetus McFarland will compete in Sommer’s very own Race DRT prepared car. It is expected that Carson Hocevar will likely compete and Nick Hoffman plans to make his debut with Spire Motorsports at the race.
Tulsa Shootout Champion Jonathan Beason also revealed he was invited back in July, but still needed a car to compete. Current High Limit Racing points leader and defending champion Rico Abreu announced during last year’s event that he was interested in competing as well.
The Gateway Dirt Nationals take place between December 3-5, 2026.
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