Colin Grissom Sets Sights on Rookie of the Year Honors in 2026 500 Sprint Car Tour Season
Colin Grissom Sets Sights on Rookie of the Year Honors in 2026 500 Sprint Car Tour Season
Anderson, IN (January 14, 2026) — Rising pavement sprint car talent Colin Grissom has officially set his focus on competing for Rookie of the Year honors during the 2026 yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour season, bringing momentum, experience, and proven performance into his first full year on the national tour.
Grissom enters the 2026 campaign with a strong foundation built on success in some of pavement racing’s most demanding environments. Most notably, he earned Rookie of the Year honors at the prestigious Little 500, finishing an impressive 13th position in the grueling 500-lap event at Anderson Speedway. The Unified Group Services Little 500 is widely regarded as one of the most challenging sprint car races in the country, and Grissom’s steady, disciplined run solidified his reputation as a driver capable of managing the intense competition.
That momentum carried into the closing stages of the 2025 season, when Grissom made a strategic single start with the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour500 Sprint Car Tour to prepare for a full-time effort in 2026. Grissom and team purchased the same sprint car from Travis Welpott that he competed in the 2024 Little 500. Competing in the Tony Elliott Classic presented by CB Fabricating at Anderson Speedway, Grissom delivered a strong 8th-place finish against a stacked field of veteran Tour competitors. The performance served as a confidence boost and valuable experience ahead of the upcoming rookie campaign.
“Making that start at the end of 2025 was huge for us,” Grissom said. “It gave us a chance to shake it down after we got everything together. We learned a lot that night, and it confirmed that we’re ready for 2026.”
Grissom’s racing resume also includes success in open-wheel development ranks, highlighted by his status as a former Kenyon Midget Series winner. The Kenyon Midgets have long been recognized as a proving ground for pavement racing talent. Grissom’s success in the series reflects both his adaptability and racecraft that translate directly to the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour.
The yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour Rookie of the Year award has historically highlighted the next generation of elite pavement sprint car talent. Former Rookie of the Year recipients such as Jackson Macenko, Timmy Creech, and Brady Allum have gone on to become consistent front-runners and championship contenders within the series. Grissom now looks to join that list in 2026, using preparation, consistency, and race management as the foundation for his rookie campaign.
Rather than focusing solely on accolades, Grissom and his team are emphasizing race finishes, learning each track, and minimizing mistakes. With iconic venues on the schedule and a competitive field expected once again, the Rookie of the Year battle is anticipated to be one of the most compelling storylines of the season.
“I respect how tough this Tour is,” Grissom added. “Open Wheel racing is in my blood. I started out racing quarter midgets and transitioned to junior sprints, kenyon midgets, and then a dirt sprint car. I enjoy the horsepower and speed of a sprint car.”
As the green flag approaches for the 2026 season, Colin Grissom enters the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour not just as a rookie but as a prepared and motivated contender ready to chase Rookie of the Year honors.
YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour info & Schedule
Founded in 2022, the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour has quickly established itself as the premier pavement non-wing sprint car series in the nation. With a schedule that visits some of the most historic short tracks in the Midwest, the tour blends tradition with innovation while showcasing the best drivers and teams in open-wheel racing. Known for its thrilling wheel-to-wheel competition and passionate fan base, the 500 Sprint Car Tour has become a cornerstone event series for grassroots motorsports and continues to grow in prestige each season.For more information, visit 500sprintcartour.com or follow the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
April 18 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 26th Running of the Glen Niebel Classic presented by CB Fabricating
May 20-23 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by ED Martin Automotive Group
June 14 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio
June 28 - Winchester Speedway | Winchester, Indiana | Tom Bigelow Showdown
July 11 - Jennerstown Speedway | Jennerstown, Pennsylvania
August 1 - Owosso Speedway | Ovid, Michigan
August 15 - Salem Speedway | Salem, Indiana | 67th Running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial
August 28 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan
September 26 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 11th Annual Tony Elliott Classic presented by CB Fabricating
October 17 - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | Brownsburg, Indiana | Championship Night
