The 2.4 Hours of LeMullets returned to the Freedom Factory short track in Bradenton, Fla., for its seventh edition. The 3/8-mile oval is fitted with a makeshift chicane on the backstretch, turning the event into a relentless, full-contact spectacle where two-driver teams battle in nitro-charged Crown Vics. 2026 marked the second straight triumph for the duo of Carson Hocevar and Cleetus McFarland, who defended their title against a field that featured multiple NASCAR Cup regulars.
Event format and the star-studded entry list
Each entry ran a 1000 HP, nitrous-equipped Police Interceptor Crown Vic fitted with a roll cage and fresh Nitto tires. Teams swapped drivers midway through the endurance-style contest, making strategy as crucial as raw speed. The roster included Denny Hamlin paired with Alex Presley, Ryan Preece sharing a backup car with Jimmy Blewett, and the Ty Dillon–Mike Dillon father-son combination. Other notable participants were Bug Strmiska, Vanilla Ice, and a roster of internet personalities, all vying for a share of the night’s chaos.
The battle for the lead in the final laps
As the race entered its closing stages, the lead swapped hands several times. Ty Dillon found himself in front when the white flag waved, but Hocevar seized the opportunity, nudging Dillon aside on the backstretch. Dillon retaliated into Turn 1, overshooting the apex and almost clipping a tractor-tire obstacle that marks the entrance to the chicane. The mis-run allowed Hocevar to slide back into the lead, the two cars making brief side-by-side contact before Hocevar reclaimed first place.
Preece’s backup-car drama
Earlier, Ryan Preece had crashed his primary vehicle and rejoined the fray in a backup car. While attempting a charge for the lead, he spun into the back-stretch tires, ending his contention but adding another layer of drama to the event.
Podium finishers and post-race commentary
Hocevar crossed the finish line ahead of Dillon, earning the top step of the podium to a roar from the crowd. The third spot went to the Hamlin-Presley pair, who surged forward in the closing laps despite a battered radiator and a shredded right-rear wheel. After the race, Hocevar quipped, “Yeah, I’m glad it was the front bumper – the back bumper was pretty expensive last time I used that,” a nod to a recent brake-check incident at Martinsville. He added, “So, that was a lot of fun. It was fun beating up with these guys.“
Cleetus McFarland hailed his teammate as a “cheat code,” joking that all he needed to do was “drive safely for 35 minutes.” Hamlin, reflecting on his battered No. 11, said, “I hit everything but the lottery, that’s for sure. The car knocked the radiator out, blew the right rear coming to the checkered.” He praised Hocevar’s aggressive move on Dillon, calling it “textbook.”
Unexpected incidents
The night also featured a spectacular rollover involving Bug Strmiska. After the car inverted, Strmiska climbed atop the hull and raised his fists, a moment that captured the event’s unrestrained energy.
Overall, the 2026 edition of the LeMullets delivered the high-octane, bumper-to-bumper action that fans have come to expect from the Freedom Factory. With Hocevar and McFarland securing back-to-back victories, the race solidified its reputation as one of the most unpredictable spectacles on the U.S. short-track calendar.
