The ARCA Dirt USA International Championship heads back to USA International Speedway (Dirt) for Round 5, and the championship math is officially unforgiving. With a six-race season and only two races remaining, every point left on the table becomes a missed opportunity. The scoring format keeps it simple and brutal: 12 points to win, one less per position behind, plus 1 point for qualifying fast time. That extra qualifying point has already played a role in shaping the leaderboard—and with the finish line for the season in sight, it could be the difference between a championship and “what if.”
So far in 2026, the list of winners has been short and decisive. Jon Foskey opened the season with a dramatic Round 1 win, edging out Levi Fisher in a drag race to the stripe after a wild final-lap scramble. Since then, it’s been the Brayden E Carter show—Carter has ripped off three straight wins in Rounds 2, 3, and 4, including a perfect Round 3 where he paired the victory with the qualifying fast time bonus for a maximum points night. Through four races, the season has produced two different winners, and Carter has done the heavy lifting to put himself in control of the title.
The points outlook heading into Round 5 shows exactly why this next race matters. Carter leads the standings with 37, holding a 7-point advantage over Aidan Strawberry (30). In this format, seven points is significant—but not safe—because a single race can swing by double digits if one driver wins while another finishes deep in the order. Strawberry has been the model of season-long consistency with multiple podiums earlier in the year, but after a tougher Round 4, he needs a rebound run immediately to keep the pressure on Carter before the finale.
Behind them, the fight for the remaining payout spots—and the chance to still influence the championship—stays crowded. Levi Fisher (23) sits third and has shown race-winning speed this year, but he’ll be looking for a clean points day after Round 4 issues stopped a top-five run in its tracks. Dusty Fincher (21) remains a threat every time the field unloads, and his raw pace has been undeniable, including setting the fastest lap in Round 3. Carson Southern (17) has quietly kept himself within range of the top group, and Round 5 could be the type of “big move” night that changes his season.
Round 5 also brings a spotlight to the drivers trying to turn momentum into a breakthrough. Chandler Barker (12) is coming off a career-best result in Round 4, and that performance proved he can run at the front with the favorites. Foskey (12) still has only one start logged, but he’s the only driver besides Carter to win this season—meaning if he returns, he instantly becomes a factor in the points swing and the race-win conversation. Keep an eye on Everett Larson (11) as well, who has already shown front-running speed earlier this season, along with mid-pack climbers who can turn one strong night into a points leap when the standings are this tight.
When the green drops for Round 5 at USA International Speedway, the storyline is clear: Can anyone stop Carter’s streak—and can Strawberry cut the gap before the championship goes to the last race? Foskey is the early-season winner capable of shaking everything up if he returns, Fisher and Fincher are desperate for a clean, high-points run, and the battle for the top five is starting to look like a full-on brawl. With only two races left, this is the round where championship momentum either changes hands—or locks in for good.
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