Key notes: The FloRacing Night in America Series kicks off 2026 Illinois Speedweek with Tuesday’s $20,000-to-win season opener at La Salle Speedway. … It’s the first of 11 scheduled FloRacing Series events this year where a $137,000 points fund is set to be paid, with $75,000 going to the champion if that driver has perfect attendance (1. $75,000; 2. $20,000; 3. $10,000; 4. $7,000; 5. $6,000) — a driver’s best eight finishes will count towards the series title ($50,000 is guaranteed if the champ does not attend all events). … Two-time and reigning FloRacing champ Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., won last year’s $20,000 season opener at La Salle before adding two MARS Series victories there, combining for more than $30,000. Pierce is also a two-time DIRTcar Summer Nationals winner at La Salle (2013, ’16), worth more than $10,000. … Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., earned a $5,000 Summer Nationals win there on June 23, 2021, which served as the last major Late Model event at La Salle until Tony Izzo Jr. partnered with Justin McCoy last year to bring the joint back for special events. Shirley was a three-time feature winner there in 2018, earning more than $14,000 after sweeping a MARS West weekend there in March of 2016, worth more than $20,000. … Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, has two feature wins there, including last year’s $5,000 MARS-sanctioned semifeature. … NASCAR star Carson Hocevar of Portage, Mich., is expected to compete in a Spire Motorsports-owned Longhorn entry. … Modifieds ($1,200-to-win) are on the undercard. … Pits open at noon and grandstands open at 4 p.m. with hot laps at 6. … Watch live on FloRacing.

Who to watch: Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., chases his second straight FloRacing season opener victory at La Salle.

Points chase: It’s the season opener.

Expected entrants: Bobby Pierce, Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, Brian Shirley, Nick Hoffman, Ryan Gustin, Ricky Thornton Jr., Max Blair, Garrett Alberson, Drake Troutman, Mike Marlar, Jason Feger, Shannon Babb, Dennis Erb Jr., Tanner English, Ryan Unzicker, Carson Hocevar, Frank Heckenast Jr., Bob Gardner, Caden McWhorter, Mike Spatola, Jake Little, Mike Mataragas and more.

Next series race: May 6, Spoon River Speedway (Banner, IL) $20,000