2025 500 Sprint Car Tour Season Recap: A Year of Intensity, Growth, and Championship Drama
2025 500 Sprint Car Tour Season Recap: A Year of Intensity, Growth, and Championship Drama
The 2025 season for the 500 Sprint Car Tour delivered everything fans could hope for, thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles, breakout performances, and a championship fight that went down to the wire. With record-setting car counts, national-level talent, and unforgettable storylines, the tour continued to strengthen its position as the premier pavement sprint car series in America.
From the season opener at Anderson Speedway to the dramatic finale at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP), the stars of non-wing sprint car racing put on a show that reaffirmed the series’ growing reputation for competition and quality. Every lap mattered in 2025, and every track offered its own test, from the tight bullrings to the fast, sweeping ovals that define the 500 Sprint Car Tour Schedule.
Armstrong Clinches the Championship
When the dust settled, it was Dakoda Armstrong who stood atop the standings as the 2025 500 Sprint Car Tour Champion, capping off a season of consistency, control, and composure. Driving the No. 1 Meristem/Neal Metal & Recycling Machine, Armstrong set the tone early with a win at Anderson Speedway. He backed it up with standout performances at Winchester Speedway and winning the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial at Salem Speedway.
Dakoda Armstrong and team in victory lane after winning the 2025 Championship - Rick Kimball Photo
Armstrong’s title was built on reliability and precision, avoiding mistakes, staying in the hunt each week, and executing in high-pressure moments. The New Castle, Indiana team's worst finish was 6th at Berlin Raceway. While others grabbed headlines with wins, Armstrong’s ability to deliver solid results at every stop proved to be the difference-maker in a championship that rewarded consistency as much as outright speed.
Roahrig Dominates Victory Lane
Defending champion Tyler Roahrig once again proved why he’s among the most talented open-wheel drivers in the country. The 2025 season saw Roahrig capture an impressive five feature wins, including triumphs at Lucas Oil IRP, Kalamazoo, Owosso, Anderson, and Berlin. His combination of qualifying speed and race-day execution kept him near the top of the points battle all season long.
Tyler Roahrig in victory lane at IRP - Rick Kimball Photo
Since the tour’s inception in 2022, Roahrig has now tallied 16 career 500 Sprint Car Tour victories. A record that cements his legacy as one of the defining figures of modern pavement sprint car racing. Whether starting up front or charging from the mid-pack, Roahrig’s precision and pace were unmatched on multiple occasions throughout 2025.
Brady Allum Captures TTI Machine Rookie of the Year
Another highlight of the 2025 campaign was the emergence of Brady Allum, who earned the TTI Machine Rookie of the Year Award. Competing against one of the most competitive rookie classes the tour has seen. Allum impressed with steady improvement, poise under pressure, and a knack for adapting quickly to a wide range of tracks. In addition the team traveled to Taylorsville, North Carolina to the midwest for each and every race this past season.
Brady Allum with his parents Denise & Chad Allum after being awarded the TTI Machine Rookie of the Year - Rick Kimball Photo
Allum’s rookie season featured multiple Top 10 finishes and flashes of front-running speed that turned heads in the pit area. His commitment, professionalism, and growth throughout the season made him a standout among the next generation of non-wing pavement talent and a name to watch heading into 2026.
Perfect Attendance
Several drivers and teams were mainstays throughout the 2025 season, competing in every event. Among them were Kody Swanson, Dakoda Armstrong, Jackson Macenko, Tony Main, Justin Harper, Brady Allum, and Meyers Auto Research, all of whom brought consistency, speed, and competitive fire to each race. For Meyers Auto Research, Nathan Byrd participated in eight of the nine championship events, missing the Toledo Speedway race due to a scheduling conflict with a Truck Series event at Michigan International Speedway. Veteran Billy Wease stepped in to pilot the car for that weekend, keeping the team competitive and in contention.
A Season of Strength and Growth
Statistically, the 2025 campaign was one for the record books. The tour recorded its highest-ever average car count with 20.5 cars per event, a testament to the growing appeal of pavement sprint car racing across the country.
Across nine championship points races and one special event — the prestigious Little 500 at Anderson Speedway — competitors battled at eight different race tracks throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Each venue presented unique challenges, from Anderson’s tight confines to the high-speed layouts of IRP and Toledo, ensuring no two race weekends were alike.
Partnerships and Fan Engagement Flourish
Beyond the on-track action, the tour’s partnership with the Kenyon Midget Series continued to strengthen the open-wheel ladder system, offering younger drivers a clear path to the 500 Sprint Car Tour stage. Together, the two series provided fans with full evenings of competitive racing and a showcase of future talent.
Bobby Santos III signing autographs for fans after he won at Toledo Speedway - Rick Kimball Photo
Fan engagement also continued to grow in 2025, highlighted by major weekends such as the Auto Value Michigan Swing, Halloween Fest at IRP, and Unified Group Services Little 500.. Family-friendly attractions, driver autograph sessions, and trunk-or-treat activities brought fans closer to the sport than ever before, helping expand the next generation of open-wheel racing supporters.
Increased Media Attention Brings New Fans
Off the track, the tour made major strides in media, technology, and fan engagement. They set new standards for accessibility and storytelling in pavement sprint car racing. The launch of the official 500 Sprint Car Tour YouTube channel quickly became a hub for fans, delivering weekly race highlights, behind-the-scenes features, and exclusive interviews that captured the emotion and intensity of the series. 500 Sprint Car Tour YouTube Page: Click Here
500 Sprint Cast Logo
The debut of the “500 Sprint Cast” podcast, hosted by Zach Hiser and Ashton Smyth, gave fans an all-access audio experience that extended far beyond the track. Each episode offered race recaps, driver spotlights, and candid conversations about the highs and lows of life on the tour. It gave listeners a deeper connection to the people and stories that define the series.
Complementing these new media ventures, the tour’s continued partnership with DirtVision ensured every lap of the 2025 season was broadcast live to a global audience. Whether fans were tuning in from the grandstands or across the country, DirtVision’s high-quality coverage and expert commentary helped showcase the raw speed and talent that define the 500 Sprint Car Tour. Together, these efforts expanded the series’ reach, strengthened its fan base, and laid the groundwork for even greater digital growth in 2026.
Looking Ahead: The yourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour Era Begins
As the checkered flag waved on 2025, the 500 Sprint Car Tour closed another season of progress and prepared to open an exciting new chapter. The series has officially signed an entitlement sponsorship agreement with Byrd Insurance Group, rebranding the tour beginning in 2026 as the yourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour.
The new logo for the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour for 2026 and beyond
The multi-year partnership marks a significant milestone for the series, reinforcing its growth trajectory and ensuring continued investment in event promotion, media coverage, and fan experience. With competitive parity at an all-time high, record car counts, and a national spotlight on the rise, the future has never looked brighter.
The tour’s mission remains clear — to preserve the heritage of pavement sprint car racing while continuing to expand opportunities for drivers, teams, and fans alike. With momentum building and a new era on the horizon, the yourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour is set to make 2026 its most exciting season yet.
