Elliott Sadler’s 2010 Pocono crash remains one of the strangest mysteries in NASCAR history. To this day, there’s no actual footage of the impact. There’s only the shocking aftermath of his car, torn apart after slamming into an unprotected inside wall. TV cameras were busy following Kurt Busch’s wreck, leaving Sadler’s terrifying hit completely off-screen. And now? The man at the center of that unanswered moment is stepping back into the spotlight. For the first time since 2019, the former NASCAR star is getting behind the wheel again, sparking excitement, curiosity, and a whole lot of nostalgia across the racing world.

Elliott Sadler returns to his roots

“Preparing for this race has brought back some fond memories I have from the early days of my racing career. The competition I raced against every weekend at South Boston Speedway was the best in the country, and it prepared me as I moved up the ladder. I am looking forward to carrying my old number and colors at a place that means so much to me.” Elliott Sadler said, reflecting on his long-awaited return.

For the first time in years, former NASCAR star Elliott Sadler, inspired by Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2026 late model comeback, is strapping back into a race car. And this time, he is returning to where it all began. Next month, he’ll drive the No. 16VA Pace-O-Matic Modified for Sadler-Stanley Racing, making his SMART Modified Tour debut in the prestigious $20,000-to-win King of the Modifieds at South Boston Speedway on March 20–21. On X (formerly Twitter), Sadler posted, “Look @DaleJr… you made me feel like I can do it !!! So I’m doing it !! Back in the saddle again !! Bigger (literally) and better than ever!!!”

South Boston isn’t just another track for Sadler. It’s home! He won the 1995 South Boston Speedway Late Model championship, and the track even named a section of its grandstands after him. His dominance there helped launch a NASCAR career that included 17 national series wins and four Most Popular Driver awards. Sadler is also part of an elite club. He is one of only 36 drivers in history to win races in all three of NASCAR’s top national divisions.

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The event will serve as the third race of the 2026 SMART Modified Tour season. Race day kicks off on Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m., with practice and qualifying scheduled for Friday. Fans can find the full weekend schedule at southbostonspeedway.com as the date approaches.

New playoff format for 2026 season

The SMART Modified Tour is shaking things up in a major way for 2026, officially introducing a brand-new championship playoff system designed to heighten drama, reward consistency, and keep more teams in the hunt late into the season. The announcement came in early February following extensive off-season discussions with teams and fans, signaling a modernized direction for the historic short-track series.

Under the new structure, the “Highest Five” drivers in regular-season points will automatically advance into a three-race playoff to determine the champion. Points earned in these final events, including standard finish points and bonus points, will settle not only the title fight but the entire top five (or six) in the final standings.

But there’s an intriguing wrinkle: the possibility of a bonus driver. When the SMART Playoffs begin at the “Rumble at Rougemont” on September 19 at Orange County Speedway, any driver ranked sixth through tenth in points who wins that race will earn a surprise playoff berth. If triggered, the playoffs expand from five to six championship contenders, all competing for the SMARTY Championship Trophy crafted by Jostens.

Before the playoffs begin, the top five drivers will have their points reset and receive placement bonuses:
1st → 35 points
2nd → 30
3rd → 25
4th → 20
5th → 15

A potential bonus driver, however, enters with no bonus points, adding an underdog element to the format. The 2026 season is set to launch on February 28 with the Zach Brewer Memorial at Florence Motor Speedway, promising the start of a dramatic and re-energized championship campaign.