Dominion replaces Late Models with Virginia Racer as D1 class

Alongside its 2025 schedule reveal, Dominion Raceway in Virginia announced that Late Model Stock Cars would no longer be its Division I featured NASCAR division and that it would be replaced by the Virginia Racer class instead.

The Virginia Racer, which the track will now call an America Racer, is derivative of a Late Model Stock and features a crate engine, spec Koni shocks, no bump stops and a 8″ tire.

The track detailed its decision in a press release:

“Finding less expensive options for weekly racers as well as injecting more driver skill in car handling was always the most important part of this initiative. Dominion took the lead from its roots; Late Model racing was created and began at Old Dominion Speedway, Manassas, VA. under its former promoter/owner Dick Gore, who created a class that would become the premier form of short track racing nationally. Unfortunately, the costs of competition in this class as it evolved made it unaffordable to the race community it was originally designed for. The Virginia Racer class that Dominion created solved the cost issue and preserved the original speed, thrill and competition of Late Model racing.

“We are proud to stand behind this initiative today, accept the next step and declare that it will be our NASCAR Advance Auto Weekly Feature Class for 2025.”

There are still two Late Model Stock races on the schedule, the third annual Dickie Boswell Memorial 200 on April 19 and a Fall Shootout on October 11. That doesn’t even include the annual CARS Tour event on June 14.

Dominion is effectively banking on the Late Model Stock becoming more of a touring and specialized event car rather than a weekly series car in the same way that the Late Model Sportsman gave way to the Late Model Stock when it became the national touring Busch Grand National Series platform.

The Virginia Racer and Charger classes have become more commonplace at weekly tracks in recent years, especially as the CARS Tour became the most notable home for Late Model Stocks.

At present, Langley Speedway, South Boston Speedway, Hickory Motor Speedway, Tri-County Speedway and Florence Motor Speedway still have weekly Late Model Stock classes.