1/19/2026
Brian Shirley
Brian Shirley to Run Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2026
Illinois Driver Set to Open Season in Georgia
CHILTON, Wis. (Jan. 19, 2026) — Brian Shirley, the 2025 Prairie Dirt Classic winner, has announced his plans to follow the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing full-time in 2026.
The Chatham, Illinois, native will pilot the familiar Bob Cullen Racing No. 3s entry, based in Chilton, Wisconsin, as he pursues the Lucas Oil Series championship. The move coincides with the tour’s return to a traditional season-long points format.
“We’re really excited about the switch,” Shirley said. “We made a lot of great memories and won a lot of races with the Outlaws, but sometimes change is good. The Lucas Oil Series keeps evolving, offering new opportunities for drivers to compete for bigger purses, and it made sense for both Bob and me.”
Shirley’s championship campaign will officially begin Thursday, Feb. 19, at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Florida, with the Steve Whitener Memorial, featuring three consecutive nights of competition. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points fund has grown to $1.2 million in 2026, bolstered by the newly introduced Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP—a mini-series spanning the final five Saturdays of the season.
Team owner Bob Cullen echoed Shirley’s enthusiasm, citing the opportunity to visit new tracks and take on fresh challenges.
“The Outlaws were great to us, and Brian had tremendous success racing with them,” Cullen said. “But we were ready for something different. The Lucas Oil Series visits some of the best tracks in the country and continues to create new ways for teams to earn money. We’re looking forward to concentrating on the $250,000 title while still running a diverse schedule.”
Before transitioning full-time to Lucas Oil competition, Shirley will open his season in Georgia with the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series at Screven Motor Speedway for the Winter Freeze, followed by a stop at Volusia Speedway Park. His early-season schedule includes:
Feb. 5-7: Screven Motor Speedway – Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series
Feb. 12-14: Volusia Speedway Park – World of Outlaws Late Model Series
Feb. 19-21: All-Tech Raceway – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Feb. 24-28: Ocala Speedway – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Mar. 4-7: Golden Isles Speedway – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
The team’s full 2026 schedule will be posted at www.BobCullenRacing.com and www.BrianShirley.com.
Brian Shirley and Bob Cullen Racing would like to thank all of their marketing partners which include Bob Cullen Racing, Thomason Express LLC, Hoker Trucking LLC, J&J Ventures and Gaming, Bass Livestock Nutrition, Allgaier Performance, KBC Graphix, J&E Construction, East Central Coin, Cheers Chilton, Valvoline, Durham Racing Engines, Longhorn Chassis, Jayco Construction, Hope For a Cure, CHEAP Cars, VG Performance, Midwest Sheet Metal, Ted Brown's Quality Paint and Body Shop, Peterson Fluid Systems, VP Racing Fuels, Hooker Harness, Willy’s Carburetor, ShopAngryDuck.com, MatMan Designs, DirtcarLift, Fast Shafts, Keyser Manufacturing, Dyers Top Rods, Wehrs Machine, Swift Springs, Allstar Performance, The Joie of Seating, Hoosier Tire Midwest, Inc., Hoosier Tire Midwest, Inc., Quartermaster, Wilwood, KKM, ProFabrication, Inc., Multi-Fire High Performance Spark Plug Wires, Strange Oval, FK Rod Ends, Durham Racing Engines, AfterBurner Performance, and MyRacePass Marketing Services.
For the latest news and updates on Brian and the Bob Cullen Racing team, visit www.BobCullenRacing.com and www.BrianShirley.com. Fans can also subscribe to the team’s official mailing list at https://pages/BobCullenRacing.
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