Josh Stade Prevails in Attrition-Filled APC United Late Model Series Opener

For the second year in a row, the APC United Late Model Series season begins with Josh Stade in victory lane.

Stade took the checkered flag in the Dayco 100 at Delaware Speedway on Saturday, a promising start to the year. In 2025, Stade won at Sunset Speedway to kick off what was eventually a championship season.

It is Stade's fourth career APC United Late Model Series win, but his first at Delaware Speedway, adding to the thrill of the win. He held off Jake Sheridan on a late restart to secure the win.

"I feel like this is the best chance of winning a race in Delaware that I've ever had," said Stade in victory lane. "Jake [Sheridan] and I got into one another. He's tough here. We raced good. I'm just speechless. I've always wanted to win here so bad here, a feature with a Ford in a Dayco-sponsored event, because Dayco's on my car. For Bob and the Dayco clan, I'm so glad I could get this done for everyone.

"These guys have been working really hard. This team, we're just a bunch of small-town pavers, and we got it done again. Winning opening night is cool, it takes a little bit of pressure off for getting that first feature event in the 2026 season."

Stade led just the final 16 laps of the event on a night where several front-runners ran into issues. The attrition started with a multi-car melee on the third lap that ended the night early for four drivers. Brandon Watson and Kyle Steckly both ran into issues while leading the race, with Steckly's problems giving the lead to Stade.

"I didn't know if I wanted to lead there, to be honest," said Stade. "Everyone that was leading was breaking. With 17 to go, I was like, oh my goodness, I hope this doesn't happen to me. She held strong, and I'm really happy, really proud of my team that's here and follows me everywhere."

Sheridan battled mechanical issues of his own for most of the weekend at Delaware, but his car came to life for the 100-lap feature. Ultimately, Sheridan finished second, a strong showing on the night considering the path it took to get there.

"Honestly, it's disappointing to show up like that, I guess. I hate that we had the issues we did, but, man, what a great recovery. Honestly, really, only thanks to other people's misfortunes, unfortunately. I really hate that for those guys in that lap-three deal. That was some really good cars. We fought all day. No lack of effort in practice, made the thing better. For a little engine issue and a major, major suspension issue, we did alright.

"There's not much to say. I feel like he walked away from me on the restart. I don't know what you're supposed to do there. He did everything he could. He pinched me in the fence, left me six inches, I guess that's all you're supposed to ask for. I just didn't have the car to be there. It was just so tight on the short run, it took me 10 or 12 laps to really get turning. I feel like, if I could have been there with them at the end of the last couple of laps, I could have held them off, but he just had a really good car, so hats off to those guys."

D.J. Kennington rounded out the podium, matching his best career finish in his 11th start with the APC United Late Model Series. The two-time NASCAR Canada Series champion was all smiles after the race, pleased with the long-run pace of his machine.

"We had a great car. The Castrol car was awesome all night, just too tight on the short runs. On the restarts there, it didn't matter if we were top or bottom, I just could not go for about six, seven laps ... get it, six-seven? I have a daughter, you know how that works. It would take a while for the thing to come in, and then after a long run, it was really good."

Brandon Watson finished fourth, with Marshal Schrenk rounding out the top five.

The next stop for the APC United Late Model Series is Flamboro Speedway on May 30. Fans can watch the APC United Late Model Series all season long on RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to become a RacingAmerica.TV subscriber today.

-Photo credit: APC United Late Model Series

Dayco 100 Unofficial Results