I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series

09/23/2026

Great write up on Joey Tanner Racing by NASCAR Regional. Congrats to the #46 Tanner/Coffell Team for a phenomenal 2026 Season!

For Oregon.
For the Pacific Northwest.
For dirt racing.

Willamette Speedway's Joey Tanner is OFFICIALLY the 2026 NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts Division I national champion!

Press release: https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2026/09/23/joey-tanner-2026-local-racing-series-national-championship/

09/22/2026

🏆 2026 I-5 SILVER BULLET LATE MODELS AWARDS BANQUET 🏆

📍 Salem Convention Center
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026

The 2026 season may be in the books, but we’re not done celebrating yet! 🎉 Come join us for an evening of great food, good company, laughs, awards, and TONS of raffle prizes!

🕓 Doors Open: 4:00 PM
🍽️ Dinner: 5:30 PM
🏆 Awards to Follow

💰 $55 per person......Yes, dinner prices went up a few bucks… sorry, guys! 😬 But if you joined us last year, you already know you get your money’s worth with great food, entertainment, tons of awesome raffle items, and—most importantly—the BEST company! (KIDS 10 & Under are FREE)

🎉 EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

We’d love to see our drivers, families, fans, sponsors, friends, and anyone who wants to come celebrate the 2026 I-5 Silver Bullet season with us!

**Update to Drivers being awarded, we have historically always awarded the TOP 10, we had a driver who was registered, but didn't make 80%, he will be awarded but no year end points fund/contingency awards**

🏁 DRIVERS BEING AWARDED

🥇 1st – Joey Tanner
🥈 2nd – Ian Whisler
🥉 3rd – Eston Whisler
4th – John Gamell
5th – Trent Elliott
6th – Bricen James
7th – Keiron Cummings
8th – McLain Beaudoin
9th - Collen Winebarger
10th – Rob Campos Racing
11th – Craig Hanson
12th – Greg Walters
14th – Doug Mott

🍽️ DRIVERS — YOUR DINNER IS COVERED!

A HUGE THANK YOU to John Gamell with J & N Trucking.

John originally offered to cover dinner for the Top 10 drivers, but since we will be recognizing 13 drivers, he has generously extended the offer to all 13 drivers!

So, drivers, when you RSVP, you only need to pay for your guest(s)—your dinner is on John! We’ll bill Mr. Gamell for your plate. 😊

Thank you, John, for your continued support of the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Models!

🍻 PLANNING TO PARTY ALL NIGHT?

We’ve got you covered! 😎

The Grand Hotel Salem, which is attached to the Salem Convention Center, is offering a discounted room rate for banquet attendees.

📞 Give them a call and let them know you are attending the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Models Awards Banquet to receive the special rate.

Let’s celebrate an incredible 2026 season, recognize our drivers and sponsors, and enjoy one last night together before we start talking about 2027! 🏁🎉

We can’t wait to see everyone there!

09/22/2026

🏁 FINAL POINTS STANDINGS ARE IN! 🏁

The 2026 I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series points are officially FINAL! 🎉

Alexis had the standings wrapped up and ready to go at the end of Saturday Night… Nikki was just slow getting them posted! 😂 Sorry, guys!

Drivers shown in WHITE are the drivers who are eligible for year-end awards. To qualify for awards, points fund money, and year-end contingencies, drivers must have competed in 80% of the scheduled races. But we WANT Everyone to come join in the fun at the banquet next month! The more the merrier!

What an incredible 2026 season it has been! We are so proud of every driver, team, sponsor, and supporter who helped make this season one to remember.

And now… BANQUET TIME! 🥳

Stay tuned — banquet details are coming VERY soon, including all the information you need to celebrate our 2026 champions and award winners!

Congratulations to all of our drivers, and THANK YOU for an amazing season! 🏆🏁

09/22/2026

Tanner Repeats as I-5 Silver Bullet Series Champion

TROUTDALE, Ore. (Sept. 22, 2026) — Joey Tanner added another chapter to his I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series presented by Knuckle Buster Machine and All-In Property Investments career in 2026, capturing his second consecutive championship and tying Bricen James for the most series titles since the tour was revived in 2023.

The Troutdale driver capped the championship campaign Sept. 19 at Willamette Speedway, leading all 40 laps of the season finale in the Darren Coffell Racing No. 46. The victory was Tanner’s fifth of the season with the series.

The championship continued a successful partnership between Tanner and Darren Coffell, whose race team is based in the Central Oregon city of Bend. Despite being based on opposite sides of the Cascades, the two have developed into an effective driver-owner combination.

Tanner found Victory Lane five times across three different tracks during his championship run.

One of those victories added a new track to his I-5 Series résumé. Tanner won Aug. 15 at Southern Oregon Speedway, marking his first series victory at the Southern Oregon facility.

His season concluded with another milestone at Willamette. Tanner’s championship-night triumph was his 13th career I-5 Series victory, moving him to within one of Collen Winebarger for the most since the series began in 2023.

Tanner’s second championship also put him alongside James atop another category in the series record book. Both drivers now own two I-5 Silver Bullet Series championships.

Tanner’s championship haul in 2026 extended beyond the I-5 Silver Bullet Series. He also captured his sixth Willamette Speedway track championship and secured his first NASCAR Weekly Series Western Region and Division I national championships.

Congratulations to the entire #46 Team! Way to make history!

📹 OneLove Photography

09/21/2026

Tanner Dominates Willamette Finale and Repeats as I-5 Silver Bullet Series Champion

By Nikki Gamell

LEBANON, Ore. (Sept. 19, 2026) — Joey Tanner put the finishing touches on another championship season Saturday night at Willamette Speedway, leading all 40 laps to win the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series presented by Knuckle Buster Machine and All-In Property Investments season finale and secure his second consecutive series championship.

An enhanced purse put $5,000 on the line for the winner of the Product 41 and Zamp Racing-presented feature, with additional feature money provided by Michael Richardson.

The feature saw Tanner take command on the opening circuit in the Darren Coffell Racing No. 46. The defending series champion quickly began building an advantage before reaching lapped traffic on lap seven.

Tanner efficiently worked through traffic while two-time series champion Bricen James moved forward in the Schram Motorsports-owned No. 13. James worked past Ian Whisler on lap 11 and eventually emerged as Tanner’s closest challenger.

The complexion of the race changed with a caution on lap 18. Tanner was placed on an open track for the restart, while five lapped cars separated him from second place. Tanner took advantage and quickly rebuilt a sizeable lead.
James cleared the traffic about four laps after the restart, but by then Tanner held an advantage of approximately two seconds. James began cutting into the deficit as Tanner again encountered traffic on lap 26.

With fewer than 10 laps remaining, James continued closing and searched the lower groove for a way around the leader. Tanner remained strong enough to keep the No. 13 behind him.

Tanner cleared another lapped car on lap 38, leaving one car between himself and James, and carried the advantage to the checkered flag to complete his championship season.

The victory was Tanner’s fifth series triumph of 2026, his ninth series win at Willamette Speedway, and the 13th I-5 Silver Bullet victory of his career.

James finished second, while Eston Whisler charged from eighth to third. Collen Winebarger turned in the biggest charge of the night, racing from 17th to fourth in the Jimmy Schram-provided No. 14S. Nineteen-year-old Ian Whisler completed the top five.

Winebarger’s run came after a race against the clock before he ever arrived at the speedway. He had been attending his baby shower and was unable to leave until 6:30 p.m., making it to Willamette just in time for the heat races. He transferred through the B main before advancing 13 positions in the feature.

A series-record of 30 entries were on hand for the championship finale.

Left Coast Motorsports heat race victories went to Greg Walters in the Schram Motorsports-owned No. 97, James in the No. 13, Randy Boyd in the No. 94, and Ian Whisler in the No. 28. Each received a $25 Left Coast Motorsports gift certificate.

Tanner added several contingency awards to his victory. He collected the $100 Bio-Med Testing Service Halfway Leader bonus, the $100 Driving Force Graphics Fastest Feature Lap award with a 14.981-second lap on lap two, and a $100 Penske Racing Shocks certificate.

Winebarger earned the $150 James Gang Pizza Hard Charger bonus and the $100 J & N Trucking King of the B bonus as the highest-finishing B-main transfer. James received the Swift Springs Lucky 5 award and a $75 Penske Racing Shocks certificate, while Eston Whisler earned a $50 Penske certificate and Ian Whisler received the $50 Ho**er Harness Hooked in 5th certificate.

Michael Richardson added $5,000 to the championship feature program, then in addition to the increased feature payout, Michael, Dave and Jacque Walters with Knuckle Buster Machine, contributed another $800 that helped bolster the B-main payout and add money to positions 10th through 17th in the feature.

Tanner also set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 15.026 seconds, earning the $100 Discount Race Car Parts Fast Time bonus.

Thank you to all the 2026 Drivers, Staff, Fans and Sponsors, without all of your support our series would not be able to keep running full steam ahead! We appreciate each and every one of you! Thank you for your ongoing love and support!! Stay Tuned for additional year end information!

📸 OneLove Photography

09/20/2026

A few more Contingency recipients to announce..... last night's Ho**er Harness Hooked in 5th $50 off cert went to #28 of Ian Whisler who left the party early. 😀 But Eston Whisler took the photo op for him. Eston also won the $50 off Penske Racing Shocks

The Swift Springs Lucky 5 Swift Spring winner was the #13 of Bricen James , also winning the $75 off Penske Racing Shocks.

And in addition to the #46 of Joey Tanner's win,he eas also the Bio-Med Testing Service Inc Halfway Leader $100 bonus winner and the Driving Force Graphics Fastest Feature Lap $100 winner clocking a 14.981 on lap 2! Also winning the $100 off Penske Racing Shocks.

Huge Thank you to Ho**er Harness, Swift Springs, Driving Force Graphics and Penske Racing Shocks for your partnership this season with the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series . We appreciate you all!!!

09/20/2026

The #88 of John Gamell was the recipient of the Pratum Co-op Never Quit $100 Bonus. Huge Thank you to Pratum Co-op for joining the 2026 sponsor family!!!! We appreciate you guys greatly!!

09/20/2026

Last night's James Gang Pizza Hard Charger $150 bonus was the Schram Motorsports of Collen Winebarger transferring from the B main, starting 17th in the feature moving up 13 spots and finishing 4th! Way to move Collen!!!! Awesome job!

In addition to the Hard Charger, he was also the J & N trucking King of the B $100 Bonus winner for being the highest finishing b main transfer car!

Huge Thank you to James Gang Pizza for your sponsorship and continued support of the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series , we greatly appreciate you guys!!!!

09/20/2026

Last night's Lucky Hoosier Tire winners were the #77 of Preston Luckman and the #71 of Cory Yeack! Nice job guys!!!!

Huge Thank you to Hoosier Tire for your continued support of the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series. We are so thankful for you guys!!!!

09/20/2026

Congratulations to the podium drivers last night! Coming in first was the Darren Coffell Owned #46 of Joey Tanner, the Schram Motorsports #13 Of Bricen James coming in second followed by the Whisler Motorsports #82 of Eston Whisler!

Only one minor caution in 40 lap feature for a flat tire! Way to send out the 2026 season with a heck of a race drivers!!!!