The 2026 American Sprint Car Series National Tour championship will be settled Saturday, October 17, at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where Sam Hafertepe Jr. enters the Fuzzy’s Fall Fling finale just 21 points ahead of Matt Covington.
Friday’s program was canceled after forecasts of severe weather and cold conditions, concentrating the title fight into Saturday’s scheduled 30-lap, $10,000-to-win event. It is an unusually tight contest between a veteran chasing an unprecedented seventh national title and a challenger looking for his first.
Two different paths to the finale
Hafertepe has six National Tour feature victories this season to Covington’s two, and leads the series with 13 podium finishes. His average finish of 5.96 narrowly beats Covington’s 6.16, according to the series’ October 16 statistical release.
Covington’s strength has been consistency and position gained through early-race performance. He leads all drivers with 11 heat-race wins, against Hafertepe’s six. Both have qualified for 17 dashes and won four of them. Covington’s average starting position of 5.20 is the best among full-time competitors; Hafertepe’s is 5.73.
The difference is the margin for error: Hafertepe has recorded three feature DNFs this season, while Covington has avoided one. With the points lead down to 21, a single poor finish could decide the trophy.
What each driver needs
The ASCS says that if Covington wins Saturday’s feature, Hafertepe must finish fourth or better to secure the national championship. Covington has raced on the national tour since 2014 and previously won regional championships, but this would be his first Emmett Hahn national championship trophy.
Hafertepe is seeking a record seventh ASCS National Tour title. His six victories in 2026 came at Belleville High Banks (twice), Dodge City Raceway Park, Big Sky Speedway, Gallatin Speedway and Electric City Speedway.
A second championship at stake
The ASCS Sooner Region crown will also be decided at Creek County. Bradley Fezard arrived at the weekend leading Casey Wills by 74 points. The regional contest gives Oklahoma fans a second championship storyline alongside the national headliner.
Saturday’s finale is more than one last race. It is a test of outright speed against week-to-week reliability, with a season of work resting on the final 30 laps.
Source: American Sprint Car Series media releases dated October 14 and October 16, 2026. Information reflects the pre-race championship picture. Visit ASCS Racing for official event updates and results.
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