Key notes: Serving as a precursor to the Nov. 4-7 20th annual World Finals, The Dirt Track at Charlotte hosts the World Short Track Championship, featuring 12 divisions of racing action including an $8,000-to-win program for 604 Crate Late Models. … The three-day show kicks off with Thursday’s time trials preceding Friday’s heat races, followed by Saturday’s consolations and main events. … John Ruggiero Jr. of Lincolnton, N.C., is a five-time World Short Track Championship winner between 604 and 602 Crate Late Model action, combining to collect more than $15,000 since 2020 at Charlotte. … Dillon Brown of Gaffney, S.C., won 2021’s World Short Track Championship for a $4,000 payday in 604 Crates. … Wyatt Coffey of Waynesboro, Va., and Layton Sullivan of Gaffney, S.C., are both youngsters seeking their first career victory at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. … Limited Late Models ($8,000-to-win) and 602 Crates ($3,000-to-win) headline a nine-division undercard. … Pits open at 11 a.m. daily; grandstands open at 3:30 p.m. for the two preliminary nights then 11:30 a.m. for Saturday’s finale; on-track action begins at 5 p.m. for Thursday’s opener and Saturday’s finale, 4 p.m. for Friday’s preliminary night. … Watch live on DIRTVision.

Who to watch: John Ruggiero Jr. of Lincolnton, N.C., seeks his sixth career World Short Track Championship and third in 604 Crates.

Expected entrants: John Ruggiero Jr., Dillon Brown, Wyatt Coffey, Ross Bailes, Layton Sullivan, Jensen Ford, Koulten Herbert, Kale Green, Jake Jackson, Jody Knowles, Joey Leavell, Colby Quick, Dillon Daves, Chase Blackwell, Preston Dimsdale, Jason Altiers, Isaac Rountree and others.