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MILTON, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2026) — This Labor Day weekend Southern Raceway will honor one of its founders with a huge two-day celebration of racing, remembrance, and family fun during the inaugural Barney Barnhill Memorial Race & Fireworks Show on Saturday, Sept. 5 and Sunday, Sept. 6.
Barney Barnhill led the team that built Southern Raceway and opened the track on Labor Day weekend in 1988. He went on to promote the track throughout the 1990s, helping Southern Raceway become an integral part of the local community while earning a reputation as one of the premier dirt tracks in the Southeast.
Now, 38 years later, we will use Labor Day weekend to celebrate the man whose vision and hard work created a place where generations of racers, fans, and families have gathered to share their love of dirt track racing.
The special weekend will feature some of the biggest racing of the year with the Rogers-Dabbs Performance Parts Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series racing for $10,000 and extra money for local divisions. Plus a Fireworks Show during Sunday's program!
We will also use the occasion to establish the Southern Raceway Hall of Fame and induct Barney as its first member. In recognition of his place in the track's history, he will be the Hall of Fame's first and only inductee during its inaugural year. A Hall of Fame committee will be established to select inductees for future classes.
The Labor Day Weekend event will be more than just a race. It will be a celebration of Barney's legacy and the lasting impact he made on Southern Raceway.
Crate Racin' USA Dirt Late Model Series Format
Saturday, Sept. 5 - Twin 25-lap preliminary features - Each feature will pay $1,500 to win - The top three finishers from each feature will lock into Sunday's main event
Sunday, Sept. 6 - $10,000-to-win main event - A Top Six Dash will determine the feature starting positions for Saturday's six locked-in drivers - All remaining drivers will compete in heat races lined up according to Saturday's finishes - B-Mains will be held as needed to determine the final starters
Local Divisions — All local divisions except Slingshots will race for $1,000 to win!
Saturday: IMCA Modifieds, Vintage, Bombers, Crown Vics, Slingshots
Sunday: CRUSA Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks, SCDRA Stingers, Plus round two of the Stock Car Smackdown Enduro Series
Sunday Fireworks Show
Fittingly, Sunday's program will include a huge fireworks show presented by The Cutting Board. Barney loved fireworks and worked hard to ensure Southern Raceway's shows were among the best in the region, making this an especially meaningful way to celebrate his life and legacy.
Make your plans to spend Labor Day weekend with us as we honor Barney Barnhill, celebrate Southern Raceway's history, and begin a new tradition at the track he built!