4/9/2026
Five Flags Speedway
Santos, Swanson will be Ones to Watch at Race for the Million on Friday at 5 Flags
By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter
It’s a business trip to Pensacola for the top winged pavement sprint car drivers in motorsports.
While these 410 maestros would love some quality time on the beach, they’re on a mission toward a million.
The Race for the Million—a five-race, four-track unsanctioned national series—debuts at Friday night at Five Flags Speedway with a collection of more than 50 sprint cars ready to put on a high-octane show for the Five Flags faithful.
“We love coming to this place,” said Bobby Santos III, who won the Must See Racing feature last October in Pensacola. “Personally, I’m a big fan of half miles.”
Santos dominated the 30-lap feature last fall at the famed half-mile asphalt oval. That and his decorated sprint car career make him one of the drivers to watch Friday night.
The famed half-mile asphalt oval will open at 3 p.m. Friday. The Race for the Million will be live on FloRacing with qualifying set for approximately 6 p.m. The field, competing at well over 110 mph, will take their cracks at topping the track record of 13.046 seconds set a dozen years ago.
“If it can go down, it can this weekend,” the 40-year-old Santos said. “The weather conditions will be good. The quality of cars are top notch. Both of those factors are potential reasons to knock off a record like that.”
The first of six heat races get underway at 7. The top three from each heat go to the A Main; all others will continue to B and C Mains to determine the rest of the 24-car A field. A fireworks celebration will follow the main event Friday.
For ticket information, call the track office at 850.944.8400 or check online at tickethoss.com.
The A Main will award $30,000 to the winner, $15,000 to second, $9,000 to third and pay out the rest of the 24-car Main feature field. Even the drivers that don’t qualify for the Main get a check for fuel.
Kody Swanson will be another driver to keep an eye on Friday. Most notably, the USAC Silver Crown Series Director will be in the same sprint car, affectionately known as Seabiscuit, that set the track record back in 2014.
“This car has track records scattered around country, and I don’t have one of ’em yet,” Swanson said. “I’m excited to be in the seat this week. From racing up in the Midwest, I know it’s hard to get to some of those records.
“I do know, as far as winged pavement sprints, the stakes have never been higher to go faster. Everybody will be holding their breath, aiming for that record.”
Swanson has been among the USAC elite for more than a decade. He owns series bests in championships (8), victories (49) and poles (59).
Swanson was at Five Flags the year Brian Gerster set the current mark. His night ended early unfortunately after being collected in an accident. Kody Swanson watched his
“I had to watch my kid brother, Tanner (Swanson), win the darn thing,” the elder Swanson joked. “It’s gotta be in the family gene pool.
“The chance to come to an iconic place like Five Flags is a huge opportunity. I love the chance to run at tracks that have history.”
After debuting at Five Flags, the unsanctioned series heads to the Midwest in the summer. It races at Owosso (Mich.) Speedway in June and twice in July at Berlin (Mich.) Raceway where a $50,000 bonus will be on the line to any driver who can win both features. It closes at Colorado National Speedway in August.
Richard Fieler, 91, came up with the idea of the Race for the Million at the end of 2024. Fieler is a sprint car owner who’s done well in life and wanted to give back to a sport that has provided so many years of entertainment and achievements.
“When (Fieler) dreamed this up,” Santos said, “he wanted to be all about the racers, create quality races and reward the guys who put the true effort in to run well. Everyone will be rewarded for their efforts.”
Article Credit: Chuck Corder
