Initial Entry List for 78th Little 500 Released

Anderson Speedway and yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour Officials have released the initial entry list for the 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group. This edition of the entry list reflects those who are currently entered into the event, and will be updated as new drivers and teams join the event. The entry list currently sits at 34 competitors.

This year’s Little 500 will feature a mix of former champions, rookies, hero drivers, and seasoned veterans looking to capture glory. The field will boast four winners including the two-time, and defending, champion Jake Trainor. Also entered into the event will be three-time champion, Kody Swanson, two-time champion, Tyler Roahrig, and the 2020 Little 500 Champion, Bobby Santos III.

There are currently three drivers entered into the Little 500 that will classify as Little 500 rookies. Cord Ehrhart, Chris Schmelzle, and Mario Clouser will all be making their first Little 500, should they qualify for the event. Ehrhart has made multiple starts with the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour over the past couple of seasons, and will now look for his first Little 500 attempt. Schmelzle and Clouser will both be making their first 500 Sprint Car Tour starts as well as attempting their first Little 500. Clouser will be driving the Ted Slinkard owned car, formally driven by Scott Hampton, which is sponsored by Unified Group Services, the entitlement sponsor of the Little 500.

The Little 500 field in 2026 will be littered with top talent, and seasoned veterans, looking to etch their name in history as a Little 500 Champion. Names like Dakoda Armstrong, Donnie Adams Jr, Justin Grant, Davey Hamilton Jr., Shane Hollingsworth, Logan Seavey, Taylor Ferns, Kyle O’Gara, Billy Wease, CJ Leary, and so many more, will all be looking to claim their first Little 500 victory. NASCAR veteran and Daytona 500 champion, Ryan Newman, will also look to make his fourth start in the prestigious event in his quest for another bucket list championship.

As announced during the offseason, the entirety of the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour will be streamed LIVE on Racing America. This includes the 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group on Saturday, May 23rd. The streaming partner will also broadcast both CB Fabricating Pole Day Qualifying on Thursday, May 21st, as well as Bump Day Qualifying on Friday, May 22nd. Fans can subscribe to Racing America by clicking the link HERE.

The 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group will be on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. The event will feature 33 non-wing pavement spring cars in a 500 lap event around the ¼ mile oval of Anderson Speedway. Currently, with 34 entries and more expected, the event will feature a qualifying bump day where competitors will be sent home if they do not qualify for the 33 car field. Tickets for the event are currently on sale and can be purchased online HERE, or by calling/visiting the Anderson Speedway ticket office Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.

-yourBIGplans 500 Sprint Car Tour Release
-Photo credit: Rick Kimball

Entry List - 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by ED Martin

(R) - Rookie
(W) - Former Winner