THE KING IS COMING!

The Southern Modified world needed a crown jewel event and they got one with the inaugural running of the Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds in 2024 at South Boston Speedway.  Three years later, this big-money race has delivered, bringing  together the best asphalt Modified talent in America to race at one of the south's great venues of speed, the South Boston Speedway.

The 2025 race was the highest-paying Tour-Type Modified race in America. 

The SMART Modified Tour and CEO Chris WIlliams created the race to stimulate growth in Modified racing and its future, while celebrating the great heritage of Modified racing, north and south, in a never-seen-before way. 

From vintage Modified cars in the midway highlighting careers like SoBo legends Ted Hairfield and Ray Hendrick, to Richie Evans' famed 61 pacing the field before the green, the 2025 edition was a true celebration on Modified racing. 

Each year the event aims to please the Modified traditionalist, educate the new fans, and put on the best show on both sides of the catch fence.  Along the way, the race will naturally create its own memories and birth new legends in the 600-horsepower machines that we love.

"We want to raise the bar for Modified racing," says Williams. "We don't want to do the same thing each year too! We want to grow the event and bring it to the next level. South Boston's rich history in Modified racing and their forward-thinking style of promotion makes this the best home for a crown jewel race. It creates an event our partners and competitors are proud to compete in."

The 2026 editiion of the King of the Modifieds promises to elevate the game.  A star studded field will descend on South Boston Speedway for a two-day event.  

Practice and Qualifying are free to race fans on King's Friday.

  On Saturday, bring the family to see the car up close and meet the stars at the Pace-O-Matic Pit Party on the frontstretch of the famed South Boston Speedway.  Then settle into your seats for some great action..  South Boston's NASCAR Hitachi Late Model Stocks, with stars like Lee Pulliam and Peyton Sellers compete for 100-laps. Vintage Modified "Groundpounders" showcase their horsepower and Nostalgia.  The main event, the 3rd Annual Pace-O-Matic King of the Modifieds powered by Dominion Energy.

Luke Baldwin was the first King. Can he get his crown back in 2026?  "Big Money" Matt Hirschman, one of this generations most successful Mod racers, wore the crown in 2025. Modified racers from up and down the east coast will contend for the treasure of a record-Modified purse and the chance to be called "King." 

If you can't be at South Boston, you can watch it broadcast live on FloRacing.