Entry forms and rules for all divisions competing in the 2026 Indoor Auto Racing Championship Series have now been posted.

Minimum rule changes were made, with the majority being made in the interest of safety. Of note for all competitors, a new Snell helmet rating goes into effect on October 1, 2025, only 2020 and 2025 rated helmets will now be legal.

In the TQ Midget division, the series is implementing several rule updates, following a review of the incident involving TQ Midget racers Anthony Sesely and Ryan Flores during the 2025 running of the Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, NJ.

During the event, the cars of Sesely and Flores made contact on the front stretch. As a result, Sesely’s car launched over the left front wheel of Flores’ car. The left front wheel of Flores made direct impact with the underside of Sesely’s seat, leaving rubber marks and visible damage.

Effective immediately, the Indoor Auto Racing Championship Series is mandating that all competitors in the TQ Midget and 600cc Micro Sprint divisions racing on concrete install a Bicknell Racing Products Seat Plate (Part #BRB49). At no point may any part of the seat or seat plate extend below the main frame rails.

In addition, the Indoor Auto Racing Championship strongly recommends the installation of a tubular bar beneath the seat, spanning between the two lower main frame rails, to further protect against under-seat intrusion during on-track incidents. It is highly recommended that the bottom of the seat is above the top of the lower main frame rail.

In the 600 Micro Sprint division, presently competing at the Atlantic City event only, rule changes have been made to further develop and enhance the competition in the division.

Notable changes include the mandating of Hoosier HIN Series tires on all four corners, replacing the previously mandated “dirt” tires on all four corners. This change will eliminate the need for multiple tires, compounds and configurations with excessive tire wear noted at the 2025 event.

The 600 Micro Sprints will follow the tire rules as TQ Midget division, providing competitors the opportunity to purchase used tires at discounted rate. For the 2026 event, 600 Micro Sprint competitors may utilize the HIN4 compound right rear tire, which has been phased out in TQ Midget competition.

Other changes include a minimum 2 inch ride height rule; mandating fuel tanks to be Sprint Car in appearance and located behind the driver’s seat and a single hoop front bumper. All cars in the 600 Micro Sprint division, are also required to have the newly mandated seat plate as well.

The series goal is for the continued growth of the division and feel these changes will enhance that goal. As an added bonus, the race winner in Atlantic City will once again be a guaranteed starter for the East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals in Trenton, NJ. Conversely, Pat Bealer the 2026 winner of that event, will also be guaranteed started in the 600 division in Atlantic City.

Neither the Slingshot or Champ Kart division, have any significant rule changes for the 2026 Season. The Champ Karts will see a procedural change in reference to how their monetary purse is structured. While points will be tabulated and series champion crowned in Atlantic City, no point fund will be distributed. In lieu of a point fund, additional money is being added to the divisions purse at each event, with additional money paid to win and distributed throughout the field, with a focus on the top 10 finishing spots.

In Allentown, each night’s feature will now pay a minimum of $750 To Win, while the winner’s share in Atlantic City will be $2,500, thanks to $1,000 bonus support from Kevin Nobley and paying the gambler’s bonus. Slingshots, are reminded that the three race entry form is posted, and those competitors will take prececent over any single race entry in the event we reach capacity for the opener in Allentown. At the time of this writing, over 10 three race entries have already been received.

Slingshot competitors are also reminded that a full containment seat is required at all Indoor Series events and the division follows Speedway Entertainment rules. Competitor safety remains our top priority, and we thank you for your cooperation in implementing these safety improvements.

Any questions on any rules, please reach out to the series office at 609-888-3618 or via e-mail at indoorracing@aarn.com.