Sexton Gatlin Racing Opens Busy 2026 Season Saturday at Mohave Valley
2026-02-28 00:40
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Lakeside, CA — February 26, 2026 — Lakeside, California's Sexton Gatlin Racing (SGR) will launch an extremely ambitious 2026 campaign this Saturday when Brent Sexton heads to Arizona's Mohave Valley Raceway to compete in the Avanti Windows and Doors USAC/CRA Sprint Car race. One week later, the team will roll three cars into Imperial Valley Raceway for the co-sanctioned California Lightning Sprints/SoCal Lightning Sprints season opener.
At age 53, Sexton will kick off the busiest season in the history of SGR. In addition to competition with USAC/CRA and the two lightning sprint car series, the team will also field entries in the Ultimate Sprint Car Series and Northern California's winged Sprint Car Challenge Tour.
Saturday's Arizona opener will take place on the racy 1/3-mile, banked oval located just five minutes from the Colorado River and only 25 minutes away from Laughlin, Nevada. It is a track that holds special meaning for Sexton, as it was the site of one of the most exciting victories of his career. In late 2022, the veteran charged to the lead on the final lap of a 20-lap main event to score a thrilling one-car-length win over San Diego's AJ Bender, who was driving another SGR entry. Third place went to Sexton's oldest son, Dalton, giving the San Diego County-based team a clean sweep of the podium.
"Mohave Valley is one of our favorite tracks," the native of Tennessee said. "Lightning sprint cars, 410 sprint cars, everything. I think they have done a phenomenal job since they bought the track in 2021. It fits our driving style. I qualify better there than I do anywhere else."
"I will be in a 410 this week in a new DRC we got from Braden Chiaramonte. We destroyed the Triple X at Turkey Night (Turkey Night Grand Prix at the Ventura Raceway in November). So, everything is fresh."
"From this week at Mohave, we go onto the lightning sprints at the Imperial Valley Raceway next week and then Las Vegas for the USCS race on March 13th and 14th."
At Imperial Valley Raceway, SGR will enter three cars for four drivers. Brent, a three-time lightning sprint car champion, will lead the effort. El Cajon's Brayden Collie, who finished second in the 2025 California Lightning Sprint Car Rookie of the Year standings and fifth in the overall season points, will pilot another entry. Brent's two sons, Dalton, who is coming out of retirement, and Grant, will split driving duties in the team's third car, with Dalton racing on Friday and Grant taking over on Saturday.
With a jam-packed schedule ahead, fans can expect to see Brent competing extensively in both 410 sprint cars and lightning sprints. Grant is also slated to race in both divisions, while additionally planning winged sprint car appearances with Northern California's Sprint Car Challenge Tour. Collie will once again represent Sexton Gatlin Racing in lightning events throughout the state.
For more updates, follow Sexton Gatlin Racing on social media and stay tuned for results throughout the 2026 season.
Sexton Gatlin Racing would like to thank the following companies for making the 2025 season possible. East County Electric Works, Antonelli's Deli, Keys Brothers, Geoff Dale, BR Motorsports, Maxima Oil, Automated Interiors, Valley Lubricant Services, Sexton Fire Protection, BK Wings, and Troy Dirt.
If you or your company are interested in becoming a marketing partner with Sexton Gatlin Racing in 2026, please call (619) 454-6945 or E-mail mailto:sextonfire@cox.net or mailto:sextonfire@gmail.com.
This release was produced by Scott Daloisio. Contact (909) 226-7768 mailto:sdaloisiosports@gmail.com