What Are Dirt Track Cars Called?

They’re most commonly called sprint cars, late models, modifieds, midgets, and stock cars—names that reflect different chassis styles, engines, and rules across regions. The umbrella term “dirt track cars” covers a range of purpose-built racing machines that compete on clay or dirt ovals from local bullrings to national series, with class names varying by sanctioning body and country.

The Major Dirt Track Car Types in North America

In the United States and Canada, dirt oval racing divides cars into well-defined classes. These names are what you’ll hear at tracks and in series like World of Outlaws, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, USAC, DIRTcar, and IMCA.

• Sprint cars: Ultra-light open-wheel machines with big power; often “winged” (World of Outlaws) or “non-wing” (USAC).
• Dirt late models: Full-fendered, purpose-built chassis with high-downforce bodies; headliners in Lucas Oil and WoO Late Models.
• Modifieds: Open-wheel front with fenders over rear; includes IMCA Modifieds, UMP/DIRTcar Modifieds, and Northeast Big-Block/Small-Block Modifieds.
• Midgets: Short-wheelbase open-wheel cars with high power-to-weight; raced by USAC and POWRi.
• Micro sprints/Mini sprints: Smaller sprint-style cars (often 600cc), popular on short ovals.
• Street stocks/Pro stocks/Pure stocks: Production-based or limited-mod cars with safety and performance upgrades.
• Hornets/Compacts: Entry-level four-cylinder classes with minimal modifications.
• Dwarf cars/Mod Lites: Scaled-down, lightweight closed-wheel cars with motorcycle engines.

Together, these classes form the backbone of American dirt racing, from grassroots Friday nights to nationally televised tours.

Regional Names Around the World

Australia and New Zealand

Down Under, dirt oval racing is commonly called “speedway,” and class names shift slightly while mirroring North American styles.

• Sprintcars (AU/NZ): Winged or wingless sprint cars under Speedway Australia and Speedway NZ.
• Super Sedans/Saloons: The regional counterpart to late models with local rule sets.
• Modifieds and Super Modifieds: Open-wheel or hybrid classes depending on state/track.
• Stockcars and Superstocks (NZ): Heavy-contact, full-bodied cars unique to New Zealand speedway culture.
• Midgets and TQ Midgets: Popular open-wheel classes at iconic venues like Western Springs (NZ).
• Production Saloons/Street Stocks: Budget-friendly, production-based categories.

Despite different labels, the performance profiles track closely with North American counterparts, with sprintcars and midgets often headlining marquee events.

United Kingdom and Europe

On UK shale ovals, “stock car” has a distinct meaning tied to contact racing and governing bodies like BriSCA and ORCi; Europe also features mixed-surface series and autograss.

• BriSCA F1 and F2 Stock Cars: Armored single-seat machines built for contact on shale and tarmac.
• Saloon Stock Cars and V8 Hotstox: Full-bodied contact classes on shale ovals.
• Ministox/Junior classes: Youth development divisions on the same surfaces.
• Bangers: Contact-endurance events with budget cars on shale and tarmac.
• Autograss (NASA): Non-oval grass/dirt racing with classes for saloons and “specials.”

While sprint cars and late models are rarer in Europe, the stock car and autograss traditions serve a similar role in grassroots dirt competition.

How the Names Reflect Design

These class names aren’t arbitrary—they describe fundamental choices in engineering, safety, and spectacle. Here’s what’s behind the labels you’ll hear at the track.

• Winged vs. non-wing: Wings add downforce and stability (e.g., WoO Sprint Cars) while non-wing cars favor mechanical grip and slide more.
• Open-wheel vs. fendered: Open-wheel (sprint, midget) emphasizes agility; fendered (late models, stocks) enables rubbing and drafting.
• Engine size and type: Ranges from 600cc (micros) to 410ci V8s (sprints) and big cubic-inch late models.
• Purpose-built vs. production-based: Late models and sprints are tube-frame racecars; stocks adapt road-car shells to racing rules.
• Sanction rulesets: IMCA, DIRTcar, USAC, and others define tires, weight, aero, and safety, shaping how each class races.

Understanding these dimensions helps explain why a “sprint car” looks nothing like a “late model,” even though both excel on clay.

Common Misconceptions

Dirt racing jargon can be confusing. These quick clarifications help decode what fans and PA announcers mean.

• Not all dirt track cars are sprint cars—sprints are just one headline class among several.
• “Stock car” means different things: US street stocks are semi-production; UK/NZ stockcars are purpose-built and allow contact.
• Dirt late models are not road-going cars; they’re specialized race chassis with silhouette bodies.
• “Modified” varies by region: IMCA/UMP Modifieds differ significantly from Northeast Big-Block Modifieds.
• “Midget” is a long-standing class name in motorsport, used specifically to denote a small open-wheel category.

Clearing up these points makes it easier to follow race broadcasts and read entry lists without confusion.

Where You’ll Hear These Names

Series and sanctioning bodies use class names in schedules, entry sheets, and rulebooks. Following these organizations is the fastest way to learn the lingo.

• United States/Canada: World of Outlaws (Sprint Cars, Late Models), Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, USAC (Sprint, Midget), DIRTcar/Super DIRTcar Series, IMCA, POWRi, ASCS.
• Australia/New Zealand: Speedway Australia, Sprintcar Control Council of Australia (SCCA), Speedway New Zealand.
• United Kingdom/Europe: BriSCA, ORCi, National Autograss Sports Association (NASA).

Event posters and live streams typically list the headline class—look for those labels to know what’s on track that night.

Quick Glossary of Dirt Track Car Names

This at-a-glance glossary translates the most common class labels you’ll encounter at dirt ovals worldwide.

• Sprint car — Lightweight, high-power open-wheel oval racer; winged or non-wing.
• Dirt late model — Full-fendered, purpose-built oval car with advanced aero and big V8 power.
• Modified — Hybrid open/fendered oval car; rulesets include IMCA, UMP/DRTcar, and Northeast Big-Block.
• Midget — Short wheelbase open-wheel racer with high power-to-weight; USAC/POWRi mainstay.
• Micro sprint — Scaled-down sprint-style car, often 600cc motorcycle-based power.
• Street/Pro/Pure stock — Production-derived classes with safety cages and limited mods.
• Hornet/Compact — Entry-level four-cylinder sedans/hatchbacks for affordable racing.
• Dwarf/Mod Lite — Miniature closed-wheel racecars, typically motorcycle-powered.
• Stockcar (UK/NZ) — Contact-legal oval car; includes BriSCA F1/F2, Superstocks, and Saloons.

Names can overlap, but within a track or series they consistently map to specific technical rules and performance tiers.

Summary

Dirt track cars are generally called sprint cars, late models, modifieds, midgets, and stock cars, with regional variations like Super Sedans, Superstocks, and BriSCA Stock Cars. These names signal differences in body style, power, and rules—and they’re the shorthand you’ll see on schedules and hear over the PA from local bullrings to world-class series.