Relaxed and Ready: Tyler Roahrig Embraces Confidence Heading into 2026

As the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour continues to grow in both reach and competition, few drivers enter the 2026 season with the level of experience and calm confidence that Plymouth, Indiana driver Tyler Roahrig brings to the pits.

After a strong 2025 campaign that included five victories, Roahrig spent the offseason not chasing wholesale changes, but refining the details. For him, the focus has been on improving his program at the series’ most demanding venues, the high-banked tracks (Winchester Speedway & Salem Speedway) that often define championship runs.

“A lot of it is mental,” Roahrig said. “Just thinking about what I need out of the car and how to get there. Understanding the feeling I’m looking for, and what I can do to be better as a driver.”

That mindset extended beyond the driver’s seat. Roahrig and his team also evaluated their setup approach, in-race adjustments, and specifically their package at Anderson Speedway. While late-season progress was evident in 2025, Roahrig believes there is still more performance to unlock. Roahrig was victorious at the Tony Elliott Classic at Anderson Speedway in October. It was his first win at Anderson Speedway since 2022. From 2018 - 2022, Tyler won eight of fourteen races competed in that time period.

As winter turned to a new year, the anticipation for the upcoming season followed.

“Once you get past New Year’s, you’re looking forward instead of behind,” he said. “You start thinking about certain races and getting ready for the season to start.”

That excitement is amplified by a 2026 schedule and series landscape that reflects the continued growth of the yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour. Increased car counts, a new title sponsor, a new streaming partner, and the addition of a new racetrack all contribute to what Roahrig sees as a pivotal season for the series.

“The growth of the series is what excites me the most,” he said. “The reach it has now. More cars, more exposure leads to excitement."

That growth has also led to one of the tour’s defining characteristics: a deep and diverse field of competitors. Drivers from late models, dirt sprint cars, open-wheel pavement, and NASCAR Modified backgrounds all converge on the 500 Sprint Car Tour, creating what Roahrig describes as a “melting pot” of talent.

“You’ve got guys who were really good in other disciplines,” he said. “They bring different strengths, different perspectives. I think that’s one of the coolest things about this series.”

Combined with some of the most challenging tracks in pavement sprint car racing, that diversity creates a level of competition Roahrig believes is among the toughest he faces all year.

“When you look at races like the Unified Group Services Little 500, it’s not just hard to win, it’s hard to finish,” he said. “You’re racing great teams, but you’re also racing the track. Winchester and Salem are the same way. That’s what makes this series so demanding.”

Defining success in 2026 isn’t about a specific win total for Roahrig. While victories are always the goal and a Little 500 win remains at the top of the list. His focus remains on continued improvement, especially at tracks where gains are still to be made.

“If we won five races last year and won four this year, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad season,” he said. “It’s about being better where we need to be better.”

Asked to describe his mindset entering the season in one word, Roahrig didn’t hesitate.

“Relaxed.”

With years of experience in pavement sprint cars, fewer unknowns, and a deeper understanding of both the cars and the competition, Roahrig believes that a calm approach is key to making smart decisions when it matters most.

“Having confidence in what you’re doing and staying calm helps you make educated decisions,” he said.

As the 2026 yourBIGplans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour season approaches, Roahrig’s blend of experience, focus, and composure positions him as one of the drivers to watch. Not just for race wins, but for sustained success across one of pavement sprint car racing’s most competitive schedules.

YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour info & Schedule

Founded in 2022, the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour has quickly established itself as the premier pavement non-wing sprint car series in the nation. With a schedule that visits some of the most historic short tracks in the Midwest, the tour blends tradition with innovation while showcasing the best drivers and teams in open-wheel racing. Known for its thrilling wheel-to-wheel competition and passionate fan base, the 500 Sprint Car Tour has become a cornerstone event series for grassroots motorsports and continues to grow in prestige each season.For more information, visit 500sprintcartour.com or follow the YourBIGPlans.com 500 Sprint Car Tour on Facebook, X, and Instagram.All races, including the 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by ED Martin Automotive Group, will be streamed LIVE on Racing America.

April 18 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 26th Running of the Glen Niebel Classic presented by CB Fabricating

May 20-23 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 78th Annual Unified Group Services Little 500 presented by Ed Martin Automotive Group

June 14 - Toledo Speedway | Toledo, Ohio

June 28 - Winchester Speedway | Winchester, Indiana | Tom Bigelow Showdown

July 11 - Jennerstown Speedway | Jennerstown, Pennsylvania

August 1 - Owosso Speedway | Ovid, Michigan

August 15 - Salem Speedway | Salem, Indiana | 67th Running of the Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial

August 28 - Berlin Raceway | Marne, Michigan

September 26 - Anderson Speedway | Anderson, Indiana | 11th Annual Tony Elliott Classic presented by CB Fabricating

October 17 - Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park | Brownsburg, Indiana | Championship Night

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