SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — With the stretch run of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season quickly approaching, veteran driver Jason Kitzmiller is determined to turn his topsy-turvy sophomore full-time campaign into a consistent string of strong performances, beginning with Sunday afternoon’s Calypso 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Kitzmiller returns to the one-mile dirt track in Springfield, Ill., following a frustrating outing earlier this month at Iowa Speedway, where a late-race accident derailed a potential top-10 finish and resulted in his fourth DNF (did not finish) of the season.
Despite the misfortune in the Midwest, Kitzmiller used the final off weekend of the season to put the setback behind him, rest, recharge and reset ahead of a six-week stretch that will carry the series through its late-September finale at Kansas Speedway.
With one top-five and seven top-10 finishes to his credit this season, Kitzmiller is determined to use the next month and a half to propel his A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team forward and finish the year stronger than it began.
For Kitzmiller, Springfield presents an opportunity to begin that push on one of the most distinctive tracks on the ARCA Menards Series schedule. The historic one-mile dirt oval requires patience, adaptability and precise communication between driver and crew as track conditions evolve throughout the afternoon.
“The Iowa finish was disappointing because we had put ourselves in position to earn another top-10 finish, but sometimes things happen that are beyond your control,” said Kitzmiller.
“The important thing is how you respond. We had the weekend off to regroup, clear our minds and make sure we are ready to give everything we have during this final stretch of the season.”
Kitzmiller and the A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team arrive in Springfield focused on executing a clean and complete race. With track conditions expected to evolve throughout the event, Kitzmiller understands that patience will be essential to securing the desired result while also gaining valuable experience for the season’s final dirt-track race at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in early September.
“Springfield is unlike most of the tracks we visit, and that is part of what makes it such a special event,” added Kitzmiller.
“You have to respect the track, stay disciplined and keep adjusting as the conditions change. Our goal is to stay out of trouble, take care of the race car and put ourselves in a position to contend for a strong finish when it matters most.”
While the 2026 season has delivered its share of challenges, Kitzmiller remains encouraged by the speed and potential his team has shown. He believes a strong performance in Springfield could provide valuable momentum as the championship schedule enters its demanding final stretch.
“We know we are capable of running well and competing inside the top 10,” Kitzmiller continued. “Now, it is about putting complete races together and turning that potential into results. Everyone at A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports continues to work incredibly hard, and I want to reward that effort by finishing this season on a high note.”
After earning a top-10 starting position and a 10th-place finish at the Illinois State Fairgrounds last summer, Kitzmiller has raised the bar for his return while applying lessons learned to help prevent the car from overheating — a common concern as the stock cars pace around the dirt oval.
“Last year gave us a solid foundation to build from, but we want more this time around,” added Kitzmiller.
“Keeping the car cool will be a major priority, especially with the amount of time we can spend pacing under caution. If we can manage that, stay patient and keep the car underneath us, I believe we can improve on last year’s finish and put together the kind of performance our team deserves.”
For the eighth time this season, Kitzmiller will compete alongside his son, reigning ARCA Menards Series East champion Isaac Kitzmiller, who will make his ARCA dirt-track debut following a strong fifth-place finish at Iowa Speedway nearly two weeks ago.
“It is always special to share the track with Isaac, and I’m proud of the progress he continues to make,” said Kitzmiller. “He had a strong run at Iowa, and now he will experience something completely different with his first ARCA race on dirt. Hopefully, we can both stay out of trouble, have competitive days and leave Springfield with finishes our entire family can be proud of.”
His teenage son Isaac will not be the only driver Kitzmiller is chasing Sunday afternoon. While the championship may be out of reach, the Petersburg, W.Va., native remains firmly in contention for third in the standings, separated from Isabella Robusto by just two points after 14 races.
“Finishing third in the championship would mean a lot to our team,” explained Kitzmiller. “It is a close battle, so we must stay consistent, minimize mistakes and make every race count.”
Returning for a second consecutive season, Carter Machinery will serve as the primary partner aboard Kitzmiller’s No. 97 Chevrolet, promoting the Caterpillar® (Cat®) brand in Sunday afternoon’s Calypso 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Carter Machinery’s humble beginnings date back to 1928, serving customers throughout Virginia and southeastern West Virginia. As customer needs evolved, the company expanded its offerings by adding new products, services and locations, with significant growth following its 2020 acquisition of Alban Tractor Company.
Today, Carter Machinery’s footprint spans the Mid-Atlantic, with more than 30 locations across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. The company sells, rents and supports the full line of Cat® equipment, engines and electric power generation systems, backed by strong parts availability, a diverse rental fleet and an expert service team committed to customer success.
Continued investment in people, infrastructure, technology and tooling has positioned Carter Machinery as one of Caterpillar’s premier dealers in North America and around the globe.
“We’re excited to welcome Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand back on board for the Illinois State Fairgrounds,” said Kitzmiller.
“The Midwest has a rich agricultural heritage, and it is always special to
compete in a region where hardworking farmers, contractors and businesses depend on equipment they can trust every day. Racing on the historic Springfield dirt mile is one of the most unique challenges on the ARCA Menards Series schedule and requires patience, preparation and adaptability from everyone on the team.
“Those same qualities are demonstrated every day by Carter Machinery and the Cat® brand. They are tremendous partners of our program and share our commitment to hard work, reliability and performance.
“We’re proud to represent Carter Machinery and Cat® on the No. 97 Chevrolet. We earned a top-10 finish at Springfield last year, and we’re looking to build on that experience with an even stronger performance on Sunday.”
In addition to Carter Machinery, A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment and Volt Battery Technology will all serve as associate marketing partners for his 62nd career ARCA Menards Series start.
Entering Springfield, Kitzmiller, 53, sits fourth in the ARCA Menards Series championship standings, 113 points behind championship leader Jake Bollman, but two points behind third-place runner Isabella Robusto with six races remaining.
The A.L.L. Construction Racing — CR7 Motorsports team also holds a respectable ninth place in the championship owner standings.
Since 2020, Kitzmiller has earned three top-five and 29 top-10 finishes in 61 ARCA Menards Series starts, including a career-best third-place effort at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025.
The Calypso 100 (100 laps | 100 miles) is the 15th of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Sunday, August 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Qualifying is slated to begin shortly thereafter at 11:15 a.m. The race is scheduled to take the green flag shortly after 1:00 p.m. CT (2:00 p.m. ET). The continuation of the 74th season of ARCA competition will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 (FS1). ARCARacing.com will also stream live timing and scoring throughout the entire day’s festivities. All times are local (CT).
