J.D. sets independent schedule for '26
Ending run of three full-time seasons on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, three-time series champion Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., today announced plans to run an independent schedule of “chasing big money” at major events in 2026.
“It will be a little different for us not running a series full time or competing for a championship, but at the end of the day, we’re still trying to win every time we unload,” Davenport said in a Double L Motorsports press release. “I am looking forward to being at my son Blane’s fishing tournaments more often and supporting him whenever I possibly can. I’ve always enjoyed going to new racetracks and might even be open to trying a different genre of racing.”
Davenport has competed full time on the Lucas Oil Series over the last 11 seasons with the exception of 2017 and ’22. Third in points in 2025, he's never finished worse than fourth in the series standings.
The 42-year-old Davenport, the Lucas Oil champ in 2015, ’17-18, added the change "will be refreshing to show up at all of these tracks because we want to and not because we have to be there for points. Not saying I won’t ever run for points again in my career, but it is just not in the cards for this year.”
Davenport’s Lance Landers-owned team, which announced over the holidays that Cincinnati, Ohio-based Ace Doran Hauling and Rigging will be the new primary sponsor, plans to open the season this weekend during the six-race Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande. Davenport is a three-time miniseries champion. — Ryan Delph











































