7/23/2025
Wild West Shootout
Rio Grande Waste Services Bolsters 2026 Wild West Shootout
*Adds Lap Leader Loot to Super Late Model Opener and Finale *
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (July 23, 2025) — Rio Grande Waste Services is not only returning as the title sponsor of the Wild West Shootout in 2026, but the Larry Henk company is also increasing its involvement for the 20th edition of the event, which will be held on Jan. 10 – 18, 2026 at FK Rod Ends Central Arizona Raceway presented by Low Voltage Solutions.
The El Paso, Texas based company is excited to announce the Lap Leader Loot program for the Super Late Model division. In both the $25,000-to-win Penske Shocks 50 presented by Schaeffer Oil on Saturday, Jan. 10 and the $25,000-to-win Rio Grande Waste Services 50 presented by Shaw Trucking on Sunday, Jan. 18, each lap of the feature will pay $500 to the leader.
Meaning if a driver leads every lap of either feature and wins they would receive as much as $50,000 in both the opener and finale. Additionally, in another example a driver could lead 20 laps early in the feature and ultimately not win but still receive a $10,000 bonus (20 laps led x $500 lap).
"We are really excited to see the wild West Shootout move back to its home, and we wanted it to come back with a bang. So, we thought what the hell, lets add some big money to the opener and finale,” Henk shares. “It’s not too often a racer has a chance at racing for $50,000 to win on opening night and the final night, so it should be really cool!"
With four $10,000-to-win features in rounds 2 – 6 plus $3,000 for the miniseries champion, a Super Late Model competitor could win over $143,000 during the mega miniseries.
“Larry Henk is the best friend an event could ever hope to have. He loves racing and goes above and beyond to do anything-and-everything he can to help it survive and grow,” notes Wild West Shootout co-promoter, Chris Kearns. “We are so very thankful for not only the sponsorship he brings us but more importantly the relentless and unconditional friendship. He’s one helluva guy.”
In addition, to Rio Grande Waste Services new sponsorship, the company will also continue to sponsor the $500 nightly Super Late Model Hard Charger Award as well as the $1,000 Shock the Clock Bonus for the fastest Super Late Model time recording in qualifying during the six-race series.
Founded on the principles of being the premier service provider, Rio Grande Waste Services is in a league of its own. As the Ultimate in performance, we provide sound solutions far exceeding the expectations of our customers and their unique waste management needs.
For more information on the company and its wide variety of services, visit www.RioGrandeWaste.com.
For its 20th anniversary the Wild West Shootout returns to Arizona, where it all began. On Jan. 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18, 2026 Central Arizona Raceway hosts the miniseries. The facility is conveniently located less than an hour southeast of Phoenix.
The 20th running of the Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts features six complete programs for Super Late Models, Modifieds, and X-Mods on Jan. 10, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18 at FK Rod Ends Central Arizona Raceway presented by Low Voltage Solutions.
Additionally, open practice sessions are slated for Friday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 13.
Full event details will soon be available at www.WildWestShootout.net.
The Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts is made possible by Rio Grande Waste Services, O’Reilly Auto Parts, FK Rod Ends, Low Voltage Solutions, Malvern Bank, Black Diamond Race Cars, Sisbarro Buick GMC, Hoker Trucking, ShockerHitch.com, Penske Racing Shocks, Merry’s Home Furnishings, Shaw Trucking, Schaeffer Oil, AM-1 Roofing, Rancho Milagro Racing, Eagle Moon Hemp, Top of the World Ranch, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Border Tire, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, Swift Springs, Dirt Pro Grading & Padwork, Contractors & Developers (C&D) Bonding, Whisler Construction, Shocks by Hammer, Midwest Sheet Metal, Speedway Motors, Day Motor Sports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels, Pro Power Engines, Beaver Stripes, Arizona Differential, Gorsuch Performance Solutions, Don Frank Floors, Toste Construction, Winning Edge Carburetion, The Joie of Seating, Screven Motor Speedway, DirtDraft.com, Victory Fuel, and FloRacing.
Submitted By: Ben Shelton