10 Drivers To Watch At The 2026 Wild West Shootout
The Wild West Shootout is a chance to see which drivers are ready to set the tone for the new dirt late model season. With six features across nine nights at Central Arizona Raceway, it offers big money and serious bragging rights.
Every name on this list has something to prove, and how they perform could significantly shape the year ahead.
Bobby Pierce Owns the Stat Sheet
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No driver has been more productive at this event. Pierce has won 16 features, including four last year, and hasn’t finished worse than second in his last 14 starts. He’s the defending series champion and has now surpassed Billy Moyer’s previous record of 14 wins at the Shootout.
Garrett Alberson’s Results Speak for Themselves
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Alberson has never been the most standout driver in the field, but his numbers from 2025 turned heads. With a 3.8 average finish and a win at Vado, he climbed to second in the standings. This kind of week-to-week consistency makes him a problem for faster cars that don’t stay clean.
Jonathan Davenport Delivers When He Enters
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Davenport doesn’t run this miniseries every year, but when he does, he wins it. His three entries (2016, 2021, 2023) all ended in Shootout titles, and he’s only finished outside the top five once in 18 races. It’s a small sample, but one of the most efficient runs of anyone here.
Drake Troutman Is Closing the Gap
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Troutman moved from 11th to fifth in the standings year-over-year and ran top-10 in all five features in 2025. He also picked up three podiums at November’s World Finals. At 21, he enters this year with more track time and a stronger baseline.
Tyler Erb Is a Lock for the Top 10
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Erb doesn’t need to win to be relevant here. He hasn’t stood on the top step since 2022, but his results remain steady. Last year, he never placed outside the top five and landed third in points. His dependability often places him at an advantage when other favorites run into trouble.
Hudson O’Neal Rejoins With a Strong Ride
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O’Neal last raced the Wild West Shootout in 2019, where he came third twice. Now paired with Kevin Rumley, he comes off a 2025 season that included three wins and six podiums in 12 events. The momentum could carry over quickly. This year’s Shootout will be a test of whether that new combination travels well.
Brandon Sheppard Has the Raw Speed
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Sheppard’s biggest issue last year was track position. Across five races, he advanced a combined 30 spots and still secured three podiums. He’s a six-time Shootout winner, and if his qualifying performance catches up to his race pace, he’ll be back in contention immediately.
Mike Marlar Looks to Regain Form
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Marlar enters after a difficult 2025 showing that included a DNF and just two top-10s. Still, he’s won four Wild West Shootout features and has rejoined car owner Ronnie Delk. Past results suggest he’s capable of rebounding with the right equipment.
Brandon Overton Starts a New Phase
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Overton’s recent history at this event includes multiple runner-up finishes and a tidy 5.6 average finish over nine starts. He missed 2025 and is now back, having parted ways with the Longhorn Factory Team. His new setup will be under scrutiny as he attempts to regain his footing with a solo operation.
Ryan Gustin Returns After a Long Break
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The last time Gustin ran this event was in 2020, and it didn’t go great. His best finish in six races was 10th. But earlier stints in 2016 and 2018 saw him finish third in the overall standings. Now in his third season with Cooney Motorsports, he returns with more experience and upgraded equipment.