The American Modified Stock Series looks to debut in 2026. The premise behind it? Using old modified chassis with dirt late model bodies.
Series co-founder James Bartlett said there are many modifieds sitting in the area, which this series takes advantage of. The late model bodies certainly add appeal to the cars within its touring area, the South, where late models headline many tracks.
The American Modified Stock Series allows modified chassis legal in IMCA, UMP and WISSOTA competition. They will permit both three-link and four-bar cars when the series starts.
“We have a three-year plan on the chassis rule,” Bartlett, of Wytheville, Virginia, said. “We’ll allow four-bar cars for the first two years. There will be handicapping rules on the four-bar cars. On year three, every car will have to be a three-link chassis. This will keep costs down.”
The cars will run on spec shocks, but with a caveat.
“We will institute an exchange program,” said Bartlett. “The series will have spec shocks available at every race. Since all shocks have to be the same, we will reserve the right to exchange a shock on the top three cars — it could be could be a right front, or any other shock. That should keep racers from messing with the spec shocks we require.”
Engine-wise, cars must use steel OEM production engine blocks, with the series hoping to see racers use the traditional oval-track brands of Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge. As far as cylinder heads, they will allow 23-degree aluminum heads, but with 50 pounds of weight added to the engine compartment. The series will release a complete set of rules in August.
Bartlett said he has four cars committed to the American Modified Stock Series, with hopes of having 15 to 20 by the opening of the 2026 season. He and his partner Mike Stone are approaching promoters to host the series at tracks in Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. Bartlett, who is also a videographer, said the series will broadcast its races, too.
“We wanted to create something fresh for the fans,” Bartlett said. “I am a strong believer that a lot of racing has gotten old to the fans. We’re bringing them a new division, and reintroducing the old rivalry between Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. People can cheer for their favorite brands and their favorite drivers.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
