Revival of Jerry Moody Memorial to kick off Southern National Speed Week schedule

Southern National Motorsports Park will once again honor longtime car owner Jerry Moody during Speed Week 2026 with the return of the Jerry Moody Memorial, scheduled for Wednesday, March 4.

Moody, who died in 2013, was a fixture at the Lucama short track for decades and his No. 50 “I Dig Pigs” Late Model Stock entry frequented Southern National’s victory lane scoring wins and championships with drivers including Scott Riggs, Jamey Caudill, and Matt McCall.

Track owner Michael Diaz said the event’s return comes with the support of the Moody family. The race was first held in 2015, two years after Moody’s passing, fittingly won by Matt McCall.

“Jerry Moody was a great man and a great ambassador for our sport and the track,” Diaz said.  “He did a lot for the racers here at Southern National and set a benchmark for excellence.  We first ran a race in his memory in 2015, and I’m honored that we are bringing it back with the blessing from the Moody family.”

Moody’s daughter, Haley Moody, said she hopes to compete in the event if sponsorship falls into place. She previously won a Limited Late Model track championship at Southern National in 2014 and earlier raced in the Charger division in cars prepared by her father.

“It really means a lot to me and my family for them to run this race in honor of my daddy,” Moody said. “I really appreciate Michael Diaz for putting this race together.  The plan right now is I will be running this race if all the sponsorship comes through and that’s going to be awesome to honor my dad and getting to get back behind the wheel of a racecar.”

The 125-lap memorial event will kick off the first of four $5,000-to-win Late Model Stock races during Speed Week and serve as the second round of the 2026 I-95 Showdown.

Southern National’s Speed Week begins February 28 with a CARS Tour event and continues with racing programs on March 1, March 5, March 6, and March 7. The Moody Memorial is scheduled to be broadcast by Ultra Broadcasting.