Key notes: The Ultimate Southeast Series makes its debut at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway, in this weekend’s Blackwater Classic. … The two-day show officially begins with Friday’s 30-lap, $4,000-to-win prelim preceding Saturday’s 50-lap, $7,000-to-win finale. … Practice is 6-9 p.m. Thursday night. … Former drag racer Ron Wolverton purchased the third-mile facility at the end of 2025 and has completed several upgrades, including a new clay surface, renovated concessions and pit area. … It’s the first major Late Model event of any kind there since July 30, 2016, when Taylor Jarvis of Pensacola, Fla., won an $800 Panhandle Crate Series stop. … Chad Thrash of Meridian, Miss., topped two Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series visits there in 2009, combining for more than $6,000. … Joseph Joiner of Milton, Fla., is expected to use the two-day event as a warmup for Sunday’s Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series points-paying opener at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. … Tanner English of Benton, Ky., won March 14’s series-opening Winterfest event at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn., worth $6,000. … Vintage, factory stocks and pure stocks are on the undercard nightly; bombers also race Friday while modifieds, street stocks, stingers and slingshots share the spotlight in Saturday’s finale. ... Watch live on Pit Row TV.

Who to watch: Joseph Joiner of Milton, Fla., hunts his first feature victory of the 2026 season.

Points chase: Before Blackwater Friday: 1. Dillon Tidmore (53); 2. David Yandle (52); 3. Tanner English (35); 4. Dillard Hatchett (34); 5. Jadon Frame (33).

Expected entrants: Joseph Joiner, Rusty Schlenk, Mark Whitener, Bo Slay, Carter Schlenk, Tanner English, Dillon Tidmore, Ryan Crane, David Yandle and others.

Next series race: March 21, Blackwater Speedway (Baker, FL) $7,000