This week, Kokomo Speedway becomes the center of the traditional sprint car world as the Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts Sprint Car Smackdown returns for its fourteenth edition.

Above: Justin Grant is a record-holding 4-time winner of Smackdown including triumphs in the past two events. (Photo: Mat Breiner)

For more than a decade, Smackdown has been one of the signature events on the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car calendar. Since 2012, its three-day format has set it apart — multiple nights of qualifying races, capped by a high-dollar finale, have made this a true crown jewel of non-wing sprint car racing. The roster of past winners reads like a who’s who of the sport: Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland, Brady Bacon, Robert Ballou, Tyler Courtney, C.J. Leary, Kyle Cummins, and the man who has owned Smackdown in recent years, Justin Grant, who has claimed the finale four times, including each of the last two seasons.

The track itself plays a starring role. Since opening in 1947, Kokomo Speedway has earned a reputation as one of the raciest quarter-miles in the country. The combination of its tight turns and wide surface produces constant action — sliders, crossovers, and nail-biting finishes are common here. Fans know that at Kokomo, no lead is ever safe, and every lap can deliver a highlight.

Smackdown XIV runs across three nights, beginning with Thursday’s opener, when drivers first hit the clay to battle through heats, semis, and the opening feature of the weekend. It’s the first chance to collect points that will prove critical when Saturday night arrives. And when the on-track action ends, the Smackdown tradition continues off the track, with fans gathering for post-race karaoke at the Turn Five Bar.

Friday night turns up the intensity. Drivers return to the track for another full slate of racing, all with one goal in mind — securing their place in Saturday’s King of the Hill Shootout. Fans can enjoy the trackside festival atmosphere all day, with a cornhole tournament in the afternoon and live music from The Flying Toasters once the racing concludes.

Everything builds to Saturday’s finale — forty laps with a $30,000 payday on the line. The night begins with qualifying races, the C-Main and Semi, and the dramatic King of the Hill Shootout, where the top eight drivers go head-to-head in three-lap duels to set the front rows of the feature. From there, the stage is set for one of the biggest races of the USAC season — the Smackdown championship main event. Before engines fire, fans can also take part in the Riley Kids Auction and Kickball Game, a Smackdown tradition that adds community and family fun to the weekend.

Ticket options remain fan-friendly — single-day admission is available for each night, with kids twelve and under free, and pit passes giving behind-the-scenes access. For the best deal, fans can secure a three-day reserved pass in advance at a discounted rate.

For those unable to attend in person, every lap of Smackdown XIV will stream live on FloRacing, with live audio available on the USAC app and Mixlr, and timing on Race Monitor.

Smackdown XIV is more than a race weekend — it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and some of the best sprint car racing anywhere in the country. Will Justin Grant extend his reign with a record fifth finale victory, or will a new name rise to claim Kokomo glory? This August, the answers will be written in the clay at the Elliott’s Custom Trailers and Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XIV.

Unofficial Fan Guide: Sprint Car Smackdown XIV – Kokomo Speedway (Aug 21–23, 2025)

The USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship thunders into Kokomo Speedway for the fourteenth edition of the Sprint Car Smackdown, a three-day showdown of non-wing 410 sprint cars on Indiana’s most famous quarter-mile bullring.

From Thursday’s opener through Saturday’s $30,000-to-win finale, here’s everything fans need to know.

📍 Event Details

• Event: Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown XIV

• Series: USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Cars (non-wing 410s)

• Venue: Kokomo Speedway – ¼-mile dirt oval, 2455 N Davis Rd, Kokomo, IN

• Dates: Thursday–Saturday, August 21–23, 2025

• Stream: All three nights live on FloRacing

• Radio: USAC app / Mixlr audio stream

• Live Timing: Race Monitor app

🎟️ Tickets

• 3-Day Reserved Seat Pass:

  • $90 advance (through August 16)

  • $100 after August 16

• Single-Day General Admission:

  • Thursday – $30 (kids 12 & under free)

  • Friday – $30 (kids 12 & under free)

  • Saturday – $40 (kids 12 & under free)

• Pit Passes:

  • Thurs/Fri – $40

  • Saturday – $45

Call 779-230-1310 or visit MyRacePass to reserve tickets.

🏕️ Parking & Camping

• Parking is first come, first serve (no reserving spots).

• Main camping lot is sold out—waiting list available. Call 779-230-1310 to join.

• RVs only (no unattended cars in spots—violators will be towed).

• Camping opens Sunday, Aug 17 at 6pm (weather permitting).

• Tags required—pick up at front office.

• Overnight security on site.

• Rules: quiet hours by the grain elevator, no fireworks, pets leashed, campfires in fire rings only, golf carts allowed (must be 16+, max 10 mph).

🎤 Fan Entertainment

• Thursday, Aug 21: Kick It for Karaoke – post-race fun at Turn 5 Bar

• Friday, Aug 22:

  • Cornhole Tournament (12 pm outside Turn 4)

  • Live music: The Flying Toasters after the races

• Saturday, Aug 23: Riley Kids Auction & Kickball Game (12–2 pm, outside Turn 4)

📅 Night-by-Night Breakdown

Thursday, August 21 – Opening Night

• Gates Open: 3:00 pm

• Drivers Meeting: 6:00 pm

• Cars on Track: 6:30 pm – hot laps, qualifying, heat races, semis, features

• Tickets: $30 GA / $40 Pit; Kids 12 & under free

• Highlights: The first battles set the tone, with points collected toward Saturday’s finale and the coveted “King of the Hill” Shootout.

Fan Tip: Arrive early to claim prime GA seats. Thursday night ends with karaoke at Turn 5 Bar—stay for the fun!

Friday, August 22 – The Smackdown Builds

• Gates Open: 4:00 pm

• Drivers Meeting: 6:00 pm

• Cars on Track: 6:30 pm

• Tickets: $30 GA / $40 Pit; Kids 12 & under free

• Highlights: The second night of prelims sets the field—drivers race for points and positions that will decide Saturday’s shootout lineup.

Fan Tip: Join the Cornhole Tournament at noon outside Turn 4, and stick around after the races for a live show by The Flying Toasters.

Saturday, August 23 – The $30,000 Finale

• Gates Open: 4:00 pm

• Drivers Meeting: 5:30 pm

• Hot Laps: 6:00 pm

• Feature Format:

  • 4 x 10-lap qualifying races (top 2 transfer to Feature, others to semi or C-main)

  • 10-lap C-Main (top 4 transfer)

  • 15-lap Semi (top 6 transfer)

  • King of the Hill Shootout (top 8 in points, 2-car head-to-head battles decide starting order)

  • 40-lap Feature – $30,000 to win

• Tickets: $40 GA / $45 Pit; Kids 12 & under free

Fan Tip: Don’t miss the midday Riley Kids Auction & Kickball Game outside Turn 4 (12–2 pm). Arrive early—this night draws the biggest crowds.

🏆 Past Smackdown Finale Winners

• 2012 – Bryan Clauson

• 2013 – Dave Darland

• 2014 – Brady Bacon

• 2015 – Robert Ballou

• 2016 – Kevin Thomas Jr.

• 2017 – Tyler Courtney

• 2018 – Justin Grant

• 2019 – C.J. Leary

• 2020 – Brady Bacon

• 2021 – Justin Grant

• 2022 – Kyle Cummins

• 2023 – Justin Grant

• 2024 – Justin Grant

History Note: Justin Grant leads all drivers with 4 finale victories (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024) and enters 2025 chasing a record-breaking three-peat.

✨ Why Fans Can’t Miss Smackdown XIV

• Drama at Every Turn: Non-wing sprints on a ¼-mile bullring means sliders, crossovers, and wheel-to-wheel action.

• Festival Atmosphere: Karaoke, cornhole, live music, auctions, and kickball add to the party.

• Big Money on the Line: $30,000 to win Saturday’s finale ensures no one holds back.

• History in the Making: Will Justin Grant extend his reign, or will a new king of Kokomo rise?

ENDS ARTICLE