The NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts announced Joey Tanner as its 2026 national champion on Saturday night at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Oregon. The 46-car, a dirt Super Late Model fielded by Darren Coffell, surged to the top of the standings after a dominant weekend that also delivered the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model title. Tanner’s triumph marks the first time a dirt-track driver has captured the national crown since Gary Webb did so in 2000, ending a 26-year stretch of pavement-only champions.
Season-long grind and the decisive Willamette showdown
Throughout the year, Tanner logged an astonishing twelve victories in fifteen starts at his home circuit, Willamette Speedway. Those wins produced a two-point margin over his nearest rival, enough to seal the championship when the final 40-lap feature concluded. The race itself began from pole position, and Tanner led a clean-swept run to the checkered flag, simultaneously locking up the I-5 Silver Bullet championship and cementing his national title claim. “We knew the points were tight, so every lap mattered,” Tanner said, emphasizing how the team’s strategy hinged on flawless execution during the season’s climax.
Team effort and the role of crew chief Chris FitzJohn
Behind the scenes, crew chief Chris FitzJohn and owner Darren Coffell orchestrated a campaign that blended aggressive tire management with meticulous car preparation. “When we saw the points gap widen, we stocked more tires than we ever had before and kept the equipment pristine,” Coffell explained. The No. 46 squad’s commitment to a “win-or-nothing” mindset allowed them to convert raw speed into a consistent points haul, illustrating how a tightly knit crew can outpace larger operations.
Joey Tanner’s personal journey from go-karts to the top of NASCAR local racing
Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Tanner first touched a wheel at age ten in indoor go-kart competitions. He progressed through street stocks and pavement late models before committing to dirt racing in 2005, a move he describes as the turning point of his career. “There’s nothing like the feeling of piloting a 900-horsepower late model on a dirt surface, sliding on the edge of the wall every lap,” Tanner said. Outside the pit lane, he works as a sales professional for Maletis Beverage and balances family life with his wife, two children, and a stepson, continuing a racing tradition started by his father, who once held the Portland Speedway track championship.
Regional impact and the diverse makeup of the national leaderboard
Tanner’s victory shines a spotlight on the Pacific Northwest racing scene, underscoring the growing competitiveness of West Coast teams. The top five in the final standings featured a mix of car types and surfaces: Tanner’s dirt Super Late Model, Connor Hall’s pavement Late Model Stock from the Southeast, Mike Lichtfeld’s pavement Late Model from the Midwest, Burt Myers’s pavement Modified also from the Southeast, and Midwest dirt Modified champion Mitch Keeter. Defending champion Jacob Goede rounded out the top six, illustrating the series’ national breadth.
“Joey Tanner’s championship represents everything that makes NASCAR local racing special – talented competitors, dedicated teams and families, and communities that support their hometown racers week after week,” said NASCAR vice president of Industry Development Joey Dennewitz. O’Reilly Auto Parts marketing manager Diane Heatherly added that Tanner’s twelve wins in fifteen starts exemplify the preparation, commitment, and competitive spirit that define grassroots racing.
With the national title securely in hand, Tanner looks ahead to building on the program’s momentum. “We’re proud of what we achieved with a small team, and now the whole country knows about our effort,” he remarked. The historic season not only validates the No. 46 team’s work ethic but also paves the way for future Oregon racers to aim for national honors.
