Mack Leopard commits to full USAC and POWRi Midget schedules

16-year-old driver to tackle over 50 races across the two national touring series in 2026

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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After a standout performance at the Chili Bowl Nationals, 16-year-old Mack Leopard and Chase McDermand Racing have announced an ambitious 2026 schedule. Leopard will compete in the full USAC National Midget Series and POWRi National Midget League, totaling over 50 races across the two national touring series.

Why it matters

Leopard's record-breaking Chili Bowl showing, where he tied a record by making it into nine feature races and set new marks for most feature wins and positions passed, has boosted his confidence heading into the 2026 season. This full-season commitment gives Leopard and the Chase McDermand Racing team the best opportunity to contend for wins and championships in both series.

The details

Leopard will begin his 2026 campaign when the POWRi National Midget League season kicks off on March 12-14 with the annual Turnpike Challenge at Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The USAC National Midget Series will start a little over a month later with a doubleheader weekend at Indiana's Kokomo Speedway on April 24-25.

  • The POWRi National Midget League season begins on March 12-14, 2026 with the Turnpike Challenge at Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
  • The USAC National Midget Series season will start on April 24-25, 2026 with a doubleheader weekend at Kokomo Speedway in Indiana.

The players

Mack Leopard

A 16-year-old driver who recently had a standout performance at the Chili Bowl Nationals, tying a record by making it into nine feature races and setting new marks for most feature wins and positions passed.

Chase McDermand

The owner of Chase McDermand Racing, the team that Leopard will be driving for in the full USAC National Midget Series and POWRi National Midget League schedules in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very excited to be back with Chase McDermand Racing to race with USAC and POWRi this year. I need to thank my family, friends and partners for helping make this opportunity a reality for me. I'm looking forward to going out and chasing wins across the country with Chase and his entire team.”

— Mack Leopard (speedwaydigest.com)

“Running all the races we have planned for this season gives Mack the best chance for success and growth. I haven't seen anything from our short time together that would make me think we can't contend for National wins together. Having so many races together will help all of us to gel and I do believe there are lots of opportunities to win races throughout the season.”

— Chase McDermand, Team Owner (speedwaydigest.com)

“Coming off the Chili Bowl and setting all those records, I feel like that really boosted my confidence a little bit. I think a good year for me would be winning a few races and trying to be as consistent as I can. I know Chase and the team will give me the best cars they can, so I just need to go out and do my best and the results will come.”

— Mack Leopard (speedwaydigest.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This full-season commitment to the USAC and POWRi Midget series gives the 16-year-old Mack Leopard and his Chase McDermand Racing team the best opportunity to build on Leopard's impressive Chili Bowl performance and contend for wins and championships across both national touring series in 2026.