What Is Dirt Car Racing Called?

Dirt car racing is most commonly called “dirt track racing,” often shortened to “dirt racing” or specified as “dirt oval racing.” In Australia and New Zealand it’s widely referred to as “speedway,” while the United Kingdom uses terms like “stock car” or “banger” racing on “shale” ovals. It centers on cars competing on unpaved, usually clay-based oval tracks, spanning grassroots local shows to elite national tours.

Definition and Scope

Dirt track racing is a form of oval motorsport on unpaved surfaces—typically clay or a clay/dirt mix—where cars compete in short, intense heats and features. While some venues run temporary dirt road-course layouts, the discipline is overwhelmingly oval. It is distinct from off-road desert racing and rally/rallycross, which use longer, varied-terrain courses and different vehicle types.

Common Names and Regional Terms

Different countries and communities use a range of labels for the same core discipline. The terms below reflect the most common, contemporary usage across major regions.

• United States and Canada: “Dirt track racing,” “dirt racing,” or “dirt oval racing.”
• Australia and New Zealand: “Speedway” (encompassing cars such as Sprintcars, Late Models, and Super Sedans, as well as motorcycles at some venues).
• United Kingdom and Ireland: “Stock car racing” (e.g., BriSCA F1/F2) and “banger racing” on shale/dirt ovals; “speedway” commonly refers to motorcycle speedway.
• Europe (various): Local terms vary; oval dirt car racing exists but is more niche compared with motorcycle speedway and rally disciplines.

Regardless of the label, the core concept is the same: short-oval competition on unpaved surfaces with cars built for sliding, throttle control, and close-quarters racing.

Main Vehicle Categories on Dirt Ovals

Dirt track racing features specialized cars, each optimized for grip, power, and durability on loose surfaces. The following are the most recognized categories.

• Sprint Cars: Extremely powerful, lightweight open-wheel cars; “winged” versions use large top and nose wings for downforce (e.g., World of Outlaws), while “non-wing” cars (e.g., USAC) emphasize mechanical grip and car control.
• Late Models: Full-bodied purpose-built race cars; “Super Late Models” run high-horsepower engines (Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, WoO Late Models), while “Crate Late Models” use sealed, lower-cost spec engines.
• Modifieds: Open-wheel front with stock-appearing rear bodies; notable rulesets include DIRTcar/UMP and IMCA Modifieds, common in regional and weekly racing.
• Midgets (Speedcars in AUS/NZ): Small, high-power open-wheelers famed for indoor and small-track events, including the Chili Bowl Nationals.
• Street Stocks/Stock Cars: Production-based silhouettes with safety modifications, popular at local and regional levels for accessibility.
• Micro Sprints/600s and Mini Stocks: Entry-level and junior formulas that mirror top classes at smaller scale and lower cost.
• Regional Specials: Super Sedans and Super Saloons (AUS/NZ), BriSCA F1/F2 stock cars (UK) with contact-permitted rulesets on shale.

Together, these classes create a layered ecosystem from beginner-friendly divisions to top-tier, professional touring series.

Track Types and Surfaces

Dirt ovals vary widely by length, shape, and surface composition, each influencing driving style and setup.

• Lengths: Common sizes include 1/4-mile “bullrings,” 3/8-mile, and 1/2-mile tracks; rare “mile” dirt ovals host USAC Silver Crown races (e.g., Springfield and DuQuoin).
• Shapes: Traditional ovals, D-shaped ovals, and egg-shaped layouts produce different corner entries and speed profiles.
• Surfaces: Clay-heavy mixes hold moisture and provide grip; other soils include decomposed granite or local loam blends. Track prep—watering, packing, and grading—evolves through a race night.

These variables dictate tire choice, gearing, and line selection, making surface reading and adaptability core skills for drivers and crews.

Major Series and Marquee Events

Dirt track racing spans weekly short-track programs and internationally recognized tours and showpiece events.

• World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Car Series: Premier winged sprint tour across North America.
• USAC National Series: Non-wing Sprint Car, Midget, and Silver Crown championships on dirt (and select pavement for Silver Crown).
• World of Outlaws Late Model Series and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series: Top-tier Super Late Model tours.
• DIRTcar/IMCA: Rule frameworks and regional tours underpinning vast weekly Modified and Stock Car fields.
• Signature Events: Knoxville Nationals (sprint), World 100 and Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora (late models), Chili Bowl Nationals (midgets, indoor clay), King’s Royal (sprint), Prairie Dirt Classic (late models), and Super DIRT Week for big-block Modifieds.
• International: Speedway Australia–sanctioned titles, Speedway New Zealand championships, and UK shale ovals featuring BriSCA stock cars.

Streaming platforms like DIRTVision and FloRacing now carry many of these events, expanding global audiences. Notably, NASCAR experimented with dirt events (Eldora for Trucks 2013–2019; Bristol Dirt 2021–2023) but dropped dirt from its national schedules by 2024.

How It Differs From Other Dirt Motorsports

Although all involve unpaved surfaces, dirt track racing is distinct from other disciplines in course design, vehicles, and race format.

• Rally/Rallycross: Multi-surface stages or short circuits with jumps and mixed tarmac/dirt; time-based or heat-race formats with production-derived cars.
• Off-Road Desert Racing: Long-distance point-to-point or loop races over natural terrain (e.g., Baja), using trucks/buggies built for endurance.
• Motocross/Flat Track: Two-wheeled disciplines with different safety gear, line dynamics, and track prep needs.
• Asphalt Oval Racing: Similar formats but on paved surfaces; setup, tire behavior, and driving technique differ substantially.

In essence, dirt track racing emphasizes short, spectator-friendly oval combat with cars engineered to slide while maintaining forward bite.

Safety, Culture, and Accessibility

Local accessibility and community culture are central to dirt track racing’s appeal, balanced by robust safety standards.

• Safety: Full roll cages, containment seats, head-and-neck restraints, fire suits, and fuel cell standards are widely mandated; tracks maintain layered barriers and emergency response teams.
• Community: Weekly shows feature multiple classes, youth divisions, and fan-accessible pits, fostering a family atmosphere.
• Cost and Pathways: A broad ladder—from mini stocks and micros to national tours—helps new racers enter and progress without the budgets typical of top-tier asphalt series.
• Media and Tech: Live timing, data tools, and streaming have modernized operations and broadened reach without losing grassroots character.

This combination of safety, community, and scalability keeps dirt track racing vibrant at the local level while supporting professional careers.

Summary

Dirt car racing is called dirt track racing—also known as dirt racing or dirt oval racing—and is often referred to as speedway in Australia and New Zealand. It centers on unpaved oval tracks with specialized cars such as Sprint Cars, Late Models, Modifieds, and Midgets, supported by robust regional scenes and national tours. Though distinct from rally and desert off-road racing, it shares the drama of loose-surface competition, offering accessible grassroots entry points alongside world-class spectacles.

What are dirt racing cars called?

Dirt track cars have a variety of names, but they are commonly called Sprint Cars (open-wheel, high-powered, winged cars) or Late Models (often with a wedge-shaped body for downforce), but they can also be called Midgets, Modifieds, or even Street/Pure Stocks depending on the specific class and level of racing. 
Here are some common types of dirt track cars:

• Sprint Cars: Opens in new tabThese are purpose-built, high-powered, open-wheel cars known for their large wings to create downforce and are the most popular type of dirt track car. 
• Late Models: Opens in new tabThese are often featured in dirt track racing and have a distinct “wedge” shape to their body panels to increase grip and downforce. 
• Modifieds: Opens in new tabThese are purpose-built open-wheel cars, distinct from the earlier “modified stock cars,” and are popular for their combination of power and handling on dirt tracks. 
• Midgets: Opens in new tabThese are smaller cars with short wheelbases and four-cylinder engines, often serving as a stepping stone for new drivers. 
• Street Stocks / Pure Stocks: Opens in new tabThese are generally simpler, more affordable classes of racing that use vehicles that look like modified versions of regular passenger cars. 
• Outlaw Karts: Opens in new tabA cheaper, smaller form of racing, these are go-karts with roll cages and wings for stability on dirt tracks. 

What is dirtbike racing called?

It’s no surprise that motocross is the most popular form of motorcycle racing in the United States today. Sky-high jumps, wheelies, whoops, ruts and more, modern motocross has it all.

What is offroad racing?

Off-road racing is a motorsport category where modified motorized vehicles compete on natural, unpaved terrains like deserts, mountains, and dunes, as opposed to paved circuits. Events can range from endurance-focused, point-to-point desert races to shorter, obstacle-filled courses and even stadium-based competitions. Vehicles used include trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs, with categories and formats varying based on the specific type of vehicle and the race’s unique challenges. 
Types of Off-Road Racing

• Desert Racing: Opens in new tabLong-distance races across vast desert landscapes, testing the endurance of both the drivers and their high-performance vehicles. Famous examples include the Baja 1000 and events organized by Best In The Desert. 
• Short Course Racing: Opens in new tabCompetitions held on short, purpose-built tracks featuring jumps, turns, and varied surfaces. 
• Rally Racing: Opens in new tabTimed events over stages, often on public roads, where drivers and navigators work together to overcome challenges against the clock. 
• Stadium Racing: Opens in new tabA format that brings off-road racing into a stadium environment, using specially constructed tracks. 
• Rock Crawling: Opens in new tabCompetitions focused on precision driving, where vehicles navigate through extreme natural terrain and obstacles, such as steep hills and rocky paths. 

Vehicles & Equipment

• Competitors use heavily modified vehicles, including specialized trucks, buggies, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. 
• These vehicles are equipped with features like long-travel suspension, wide tires, and robust chassis to withstand the harsh conditions. 
• Durable communication systems and a skilled pit crew are essential for success in long-distance events. 

Skills & Physicality

• Off-road racing demands significant physical fitness and endurance from the drivers. 
• It requires a high level of driving skill and strategic thinking to navigate challenging terrain, avoid obstacles, and maintain speed without compromising the vehicle. 

What is dirt car racing?

Dirt track racing is a form of motorsport where competitors, in cars or motorcycles, race on a banked oval track surfaced with dirt or clay, rather than asphalt. It is a historically popular and adrenaline-fueled sport known for its dynamic and changing surface, which requires significant skill from drivers to maintain control as the track drifts and changes throughout the event.
 
This video explains the basics of dirt track racing, including the types of cars and tracks involved: 37sTanner HolmesYouTube · Dec 14, 2019
Key characteristics

• Surface: The track is made of dirt or clay, which is a dynamic and ever-changing surface. 
• Track Shape: Most dirt tracks are banked ovals, though they vary in size and shape, often resembling a “D”. 
• Vehicles: Both cars and motorcycles compete on dirt tracks, with various classes for each. 
• Skills required: Drivers need exceptional skill and bravery to control their vehicles as they drift on the slippery surface at high speeds. 
• History: The sport originated in the United States in the early 20th century, often using existing horse racing tracks. 

Vehicle types

• Cars: Opens in new tabCommon classes include stock cars, which have fenders, and open-wheel cars like sprint cars and modifieds, which have exposed engines. 
• Motorcycles: Opens in new tabSpecialized machines are used, and riders “slide” their bikes around the corners. 

This video shows a motorcycle dirt track race with riders sliding around the corners: 1mDirt Track ChroniclesYouTube · Apr 3, 2025
Why it’s exciting

• Adrenaline rush: The high speeds and close competition provide an exhilarating experience. 
• Dynamic racing: The changing surface adds an unpredictable element, making each race unique. 
• Spectacle: The drifting, sliding, and close-quarters racing create a thrilling spectacle for fans.