AREA Announces Season 8 Shootout at Daytona Featuring Next Gen Debut, Fan Vote Entry, and Stacked Driver Field
March 1st, 2026 —
The countdown to Season 8 officially begins on Monday, March 9th, as AREA iRacing returns to the spotlight with the annual Season 8 Shootout at Daytona, live on Prime Time Racing TV.
Set under the lights at Daytona International Speedway, the Shootout brings one of the most iconic tracks in motorsports to center stage for the unofficial start of the AREA season.
This year’s event brings a new level of intensity and meaning, as drivers will take the track in the Next Gen Cup cars for the first time in Shootout history — the same cars that will be used throughout the AREA Cup Series presented by The Studio Temporary.
The Shootout has always served as a proving ground heading into a new season, but in 2026, it becomes something more: the first real look at how drivers and teams stack up in the new era of AREA competition.
A New Era Begins with the Next Gen
For the first time ever, the Shootout will be run using the Next Gen platform — and there may be no better place to debut it than Daytona.
Pack racing. Split-second decisions. No room for error.
With no prior Shootout data in these cars, the playing field is completely reset.
Veterans will be tested.
Newcomers will have a chance to make a name.
And everyone will be adapting in real time.
Fan Vote Entry Introduced for the First Time
In another major addition, AREA will introduce a fan vote entry into the Shootout field for the first time in event history.
One driver will earn their way into the race based entirely on community support.
Eligibility is limited to:
Drivers who are officially registered for Season 8
Drivers who do not already have a locked-in Shootout spot
Fans can submit their votes here:
👉 https://forms.gle/GqTBD2T4vq8ozEam7
Each fan may submit one ballot, voting for up to five drivers by entering their first and last names.
The fan vote winner will be announced on race day, Monday, March 9th, giving one more competitor the opportunity to compete at Daytona under the lights.
A Field Built on Proven Speed
The Season 8 Shootout lineup is stacked with talent from across all three series, featuring Season 7 pole winners, past champions, and some of the most recognizable names in AREA competition.
Season 7 Pole Winners
Cup Series:
Dylan Ault
Seth Noell
Jake Nichols
John Hall
James Scioly
Adam Cabot
Josh Caudle
Justin Anasogak
Truck Series:
Brian Mercurio
Garrett Konrath
Timmy Pacchioli
Jonathan Evans
Bryce Senesac
Jaylen Hankamp
Matthew Batby
Sebastian Marin
Jake Matheson
Pro Series:
Zack Nichols
Michael Venable
John Furnas
Justin Bolton
Dominik Lukomski
Legends of the Shootout and AREA 500 Return
Adding even more prestige to the field, multiple former winners and champions are set to be part of the event.
Former Shootout Winners:
Eric Wineland
Casey Lakatos
Drew Jewah
Former AREA 500 Winners:
Davie Hendricks
Travis Beckner
Bailey Turner
Former AREA Champions:
David Wiseheart
Michael Kurhan
Cameron Hearn
Brad Slaughter Jr.
Ryan Haartz
James Schanewolf
Event Format
Drivers will have limited time to get up to speed before qualifying, followed by heat races that will set the tone for the night at Daytona.
40-minute practice session
Single-car, 1-lap qualifying
Two 10-lap heat races
55-lap main event
Payout Structure
Heat Race Winners — $25 each
Main Event Winner — $100
2nd — $40
3rd — $25
4th — $15
5th — $10
The First Step Toward Season 8
The Season 8 Shootout is more than just an exhibition — it’s the first real indicator of who’s ready to contend this season.
And there’s no bigger stage to do it than Daytona.
With new cars, a fan-voted wildcard entry, and one of the deepest fields in event history, all eyes will be on March 9th.
The road to the AREA 500 starts here. 🏁🔥