Crashing, Candy & Chaos: Night of Destruction Opens 2026 This Saturday at Perris
2026-02-21 13:11
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Perris, California — February 17, 2026 — After nearly four long months of waiting, Southern California racing fans can finally rejoice. This Saturday night, February 21, Perris Auto Speedway roars back to life as it hosts the first Night of Destruction of the 2026 season—aptly billed as the "Craziest Show on Dirt."
Spectator gates will open at 5:00 p.m., setting the stage for a night of motorized mayhem and clean, family-friendly fun. The first wild crash of the evening is slated to erupt just after 7:05 p.m., and the chaos won't let up until the final checkered flag flies.
As has become a beloved tradition, fans are encouraged to bring all the kids in the neighborhood for the free on-track candy giveaway and autograph session with all of the drivers from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.
"What was a late Halloween suggestion by Shelley Wooldridge several years ago, the pre-race autograph and candy giveaway session has turned into a night of destruction tradition," Perris Auto Speedway promoter Don Kazarian said. "It gives kids in the grandstands the chance to meet the drivers. That means a lot when it comes to race time. Kids can put a face to a car and cheer them on like newfound friends. That is pretty big as there are a lot of children at every Night of Destruction."
Fans in attendance on Saturday night will see all five of the outrageous Night of Destruction classes battling it out. The evening's program includes daring Figure 8 racing, the always-unpredictable Figure 8 Trailer Race, rough-and-tumble Demo Cross, the Mighty Mini Stocks tackling the twisty road course, and—of course—the fan-favorite, zany Double Deckers.
All six of last season's champions are expected to be on hand to defend their turf. The lineup includes four-time Figure 8 champion Jesse Gordon of Beaumont; Lane Hofarth of Hemet in the Figure 8 Trailers; Brett Wayland of Corona in Demo Cross; Lake Elsinore's Steven Green Jr. in the Mini Stocks; the father-and-son duo of Lonnie and Cale Skillman of Riverside in the Double Deckers; and Rob Multhaupt Jr. of Orange, the reigning Overall Iron Man Champion.
"Last season's Night of Destruction finale was rained out on November 15th," Kazarian said. "In light of the rainout and waiting nearly four months, the drivers should be chomping at the bit to get out there and tear some stuff up. It should be very exciting."
The only potential spoiler for Saturday's opener is the weather. Monday's rain, along with additional precipitation in the forecast in the next couple of days, may present a challenge for the track crew.
"We have our fingers crossed," Kazarian said. "We will do everything we can to get the track in shape and get the show in. We are hoping that there will be less rain than what is predicted."
Adult tickets for Saturday's "Crash Fest" are $25.00. Students ages 13-17 with a school ID are $15.00. Kids 6-10 are $10.00, and children 5 and under are free. Active military personnel with proper ID are admitted for $5.00. Fairgrounds parking is $20.00 (parking is payable by card only).
Advance tickets are available at tix.com, and for fans who prefer to buy on race day, there will be plenty of tickets available at the ticket windows on Saturday night.
The Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Cars, PASSCAR Super Stocks, Street Stocks, and American Factory Stocks return to the famous Riverside County half mile clay oval on March 21.
Perris Auto Speedway 30th Diamond Anniversary 2026 Event Schedule
February 21st NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
March 14th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05. Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
March 21st AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
April 11th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORYSTOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
April 25th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
May 16th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
May 23rd 73rd Running of the "SALUTE TO INDY" AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER AND STREET STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
June 6th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
June 20th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
June 27th "FIREWORKS SPECTACULARY AND SKY CONCERT" NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
July 11th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
July 18th PAS 600CC Winged Restricted and Winged A-Class Micro Sprints (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05)
Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
July 25th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05). Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com.
August 15th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
August 22nd NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
August 29th PAS 600CC Winged Restricted, Winged A-Class Micro Sprints, and CLS & SCLS Sprint Cars
(Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
September 12th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
September 19th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER AND STREET STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
September 26th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
October 3rd AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
October 24th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
November 7th AVANTI USAC/CRA SPRINT CARS, "JERRY DODD CHAMPIONS NIGHT" PASSCAR SUPER, STREET AND FACTORY STOCKS (Front Gates open at 5:00 Racing at 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
November 14th NIGHT OF DESTRUCTION
DEMO CROSS, FIGURE 8'S, TRIALER FIGURE 8'S, MINI STOCKS AND DOUBLE DECKERS (Front Gates open at 5:00 - CRASHING AT 7:05) Advance tickets available at tix.com January 1st at tix.com
Note; Schedule subject to change.
For more information, visit perrisautospeedway.com or call (951) 940-0134.
Perris Auto Speedway is located on the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, 18700 Lake Perris Drive, Perris, California. For more information, visit perrisautospeedway.com or call (951) 940-0134.
To keep up with everything happening at The PAS, please visit the track's social media efforts on Facebook and Instagram and visit the website at perrisautospeedway.com.
The PAS would like to thank all of its 2026 marketing partners.
Budweiser- https://us.budweiser.com/
Chick-Fil-A Perris - Hwy 215 & Nuevo Road Location | Chick-fil-A
Chris's Hauling
Ed Pink Racing Engines - edpink.com
Heimark Distributors - https://heimark.com/
Hoosier Tire - https://www.hoosiertire.com/
Living Waters Hospice - https://livingwatershospice.com/
Marjon RV's - https://marjonrvs.com/
Performance Online - https://www.performanceonline.com/
Perris Valley Auto Center - https://www.perrisvalleyautocenter.com/
Premier Medical Transportation - https://pmtpremier.com/
Rapid Tire and Automotive - https://rapidtireauto.com/
Rapid Wraps - https://www.rapidwrapsandtint.com/
Sunoco Race Fuels - https://www.sunocoracefuels.com/
Symbiosis - https://symbiosiscare.com/
Trench Shoring - https://www.trenchshoring.com/
Team Stites - https://teamstites.com/
Vista Paint - https://www.vistapaint.com/
Weathertight Roofing - https://weathertightroofing.com/
Wind N Sea Towing - https://windnseatowing.com/
For information on 2026 billboard advertising at The PAS, please call 951-940-0134.
Fans can stay up to date on track and driver news on The PAS social media efforts at the links below.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl
Twitter: Perris Auto Speedway on Twitter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perrisautospeedway/
Website: http://perrisautospeedway.com/
The PAS has a segment on Dave Stall's Racer Radio Show every Sunday afternoon. The show airs from 3:00-5:00 p.m. PST and The PAS segment comes on at 3:30. Fans can listen live online at kcbq.com or 1170 AM on the radio if they are in the San Diego area. Replays are available at http://www.perrisautospeedway.com/radioshow.html.
mailto:perrisautospeedway1@gmail.com is the only authorized Internet address to issue official media news released from The Perris Auto Speedway or Oval Entertainment