September 14, 2026
First Community Bank will serve as presenting sponsor of the 10th Annual Race for Hope, set for September 30 through October 3, 2026, at Batesville Motor Speedway. The four-night racing event will bring drivers and fans together for one of the speedway’s premier events while raising funds to benefit Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.
The Race for Hope will feature IMCA Modified racing throughout the week, culminating Saturday night with a 71-lap feature paying $30,000 to win. The event offers a total purse of more than $150,000, with $1,500 guaranteed to start Saturday night’s feature.
“First Community Bank is proud to continue our partnership with the Race for Hope and support an event that combines a great tradition of racing with an even greater purpose,” said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer of First Community Bank. “The Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across our state, and we are honored to join Batesville Motor Speedway, the drivers, fans and fellow sponsors in helping support their mission.”
“The Race for Hope has become a special event for our racing community, and reaching our 10th year is something we’re extremely proud of,” said Mooney Starr, owner and promoter of Batesville Motor Speedway. “We’re expecting some great racing and a strong field of competitors, but what makes this event truly meaningful is knowing that we’re racing for something bigger than what happens on the track. We appreciate First Community Bank stepping up as presenting sponsor and helping us make this year’s Race for Hope one that benefits the kids at Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches.”
Racing begins Wednesday, September 30, with a full show featuring heat races, nightly B-features and an A-feature, with the top seven advancing to Saturday’s A-main. Thursday and Friday nights will also feature full shows, with the top seven from Thursday earning positions in the middle row of Saturday night’s A-feature and the top seven from Friday making up the outside row.
Drivers will accumulate points throughout the preliminary events to determine where they will start in Saturday night’s B-features. The week concludes Saturday, October 3, with the 71-lap Race for Hope feature and its $30,000 top prize. The event will pay through 30th place, including $12,500 for second, $11,500 for third and a minimum of $1,500 for positions 18 through 30.
Proceeds from the Race for Hope will benefit Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for children in need.
“We are incredibly grateful to Race for Hope, First Community Bank and everyone who is coming together to make this event possible,” said Matt Cleveland, chief development officer at Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches. “We are honored to be the beneficiary of this year’s race and to see the community rally around the children we serve. The funds raised will directly support our mission of providing a safe, stable and nurturing home for children who need it most. We cannot thank the drivers, fans, sponsors and organizers enough for investing in their futures.”
Admission is $20 per person Wednesday through Friday and $25 per person Saturday. Driver entry is $200 through September 25 and increases to $250 after that date.
Batesville Motor Speedway is a high-banked, 3/8-mile dirt track located in the Batesville area. For additional Race for Hope information or to register for the event, visit Batesville Motor Speedway’s website at
www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com.
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