Trent Ivey revealed he was primed to make a “big late season return” in his family-owned No. 88 car likely going to compete with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Modoc Speedway and then with the Southern All Stars at Cherokee, but his engine had other plans.

Ivey, a regional favorite in the Southeast, shared an update to Facebook, “Was gearing up for a big late season return of the family owned #88 but our power plant had other plans.”

“Not sure where we go from here, will definitely be in the Shurling motorsports G4 and the Jeff Queen owned 525 for world short track championship weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte,” he added. 

Ivey has had an up-and-down 2026 season. It started off very strong in Florida in a crate car. He pocketed two wins at Volusia for the DIRTcar Sunshine Nationals in January. However, in a Super Late Model he struggled. He finished fifth place at Screven with the Southern All Stars to start off the month of February, but in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competition at Golden Isles, he finished 26th twice. 

At Cherokee with the Southern All Stars, he finished 24th. His best finish in Super competition came in April during a Southern All Stars race at Hartwell Motor Speedway. He finished second behind Tucker Anderson.

During the Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway, he finished 26th in his first preliminary night. He suffered motor issues around lap 15 and was unable to continue. He failed to start his heat race and thus did not make the race.

He got back on track with a couple of Top 5 finishes at Lavonia and Cherokee in July. He finished 5th at Lavonia and 4th at Cherokee with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series. That success was short-lived, he made a mistake with his tires at Harris Speedway during Southern Nationals competition and was sent to the rear of the field and eventually ended his night early as he failed to move forward. Two nights later at Modoc he finished 16th.

At Fairbury for the Prairie Dirt Classic, he failed to make the race finishing 9th in his Last Chance Qualifier on Saturday.

In August, he got a top 10 at Cherokee with the Carolina Clash. To begin September, he podiumed with the Southern All Stars at Lavonia finishing 3rd. He concluded the month at Modoc with a 23rd place finish.

Hopefully, Ivey can get the engine issues sorted so fans can see the regional standout back in the No. 88 in time for the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to kick off November.

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