S.M.A.S.H iRacing Memorial Day Tradition: Honored & Unleashed

By S.M.A.S.H — May 20, 2026

Some race weekends are bigger than points.

Some nights mean more than finishing position, lap times, or where a driver sits in the standings.

Memorial Day weekend is one of those moments.

As S.M.A.S.H heads into a major Charlotte Motor Speedway weekend across the league, drivers are being encouraged to take the track with something deeper than speed on display. This weekend, S.M.A.S.H is calling on its drivers to bring out custom Memorial Day tribute paint schemes honoring the brave men and women who served, those who gave everything, and those who continue to stand on the front lines.

This is not about forcing anyone into a theme.

This is about giving drivers a chance to represent something bigger.

A Weekend Built on Honor

Memorial Day carries weight.

It is a time to remember the service members who never made it home. It is a time to recognize the families who carry that sacrifice every day. It is a time to thank those who served, those still serving, and everyone connected to the military community.

Inside S.M.A.S.H, that respect will carry onto the racetrack.

Drivers are encouraged to run custom tribute paint schemes dedicated to fallen heroes, veterans, active service members, military families, or anyone they want to honor through their car or truck.

The goal is simple.

Make the grid mean something.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Race Weekend Schedule

Charlotte Motor Speedway will host all four S.M.A.S.H series during Memorial Day weekend, giving every division a chance to take part in the tribute.

Friday, May 22, 2026

Challenger Truck Series

Practice: 6:30 PM ET

Qualifying: 6:55 PM ET

Race: 7:00 PM ET

East Coast Truck Series

Practice: 8:00 PM ET

Qualifying: 8:55 PM ET

Race: 9:00 PM ET

Saturday, May 23, 2026

O’Reilly Series

Practice: 6:00 PM ET

Qualifying: 6:55 PM ET

Race: 7:00 PM ET

S.M.A.S.H Cup Series

Practice: 8:30 PM ET

Qualifying: 9:25 PM ET

Race: 9:30 PM ET

Charlotte is already one of the biggest tracks on the schedule. Adding Memorial Day tribute paints across all four series gives the weekend a different kind of meaning.

The racing will still be intense.

The points will still matter.

But before the green flag drops, the field has a chance to show respect.

Tribute Paints Are Encouraged

S.M.A.S.H wants to see the field packed with Memorial Day paints.

Red, white, and blue. Military tribute designs. Names of heroes. Unit numbers. Service branches. Patriotic themes. Personal dedications. Anything done with respect and purpose.

This is a chance for drivers to be creative while also showing appreciation for something much larger than racing.

The leaderboard will still matter. The racing will still be intense. Charlotte will still demand focus, patience, and execution.

But before the green flag waves, the field has a chance to make a statement.

Honor first.

Race second.

Completely Optional, Strongly Encouraged

Running a Memorial Day tribute paint is not mandatory.

No driver will be required to create one. No one will be punished for not having one. This is completely optional.

But it is strongly encouraged.

If a driver has the time, the ability, or someone who can help put a tribute scheme together, S.M.A.S.H wants to see them bring it out this weekend. These are the kind of moments that make a league feel different. It is not just about showing up to race. It is about building something with identity, meaning, and respect.

A packed field of tribute paints at Charlotte would be one of the best visuals S.M.A.S.H has produced all season.

Series Banners Are Still Required

While Memorial Day paints are encouraged, one rule does not change.

Mandatory series banners are still required.

Any driver competing in the East Coast Truck Series or Challenger Series must still run the proper East Coast or Challenger banner. No exceptions.

The tribute paint can be creative. The design can be personal. The message can be meaningful.

But the required series identification must still be on the vehicle.

S.M.A.S.H wants the field to look incredible, but it also needs to remain organized, consistent, and properly represented.

Charlotte Gives It the Perfect Stage

Charlotte Motor Speedway is already a major weekend for S.M.A.S.H.

All four series are set to roll into one of the most recognizable tracks in racing, and Memorial Day weekend gives the entire event an even bigger atmosphere.

There are certain tracks that feel right for big moments.

Charlotte is one of them.

The lights, the speed, the history, and the pressure all fit the occasion. Add in a field full of Memorial Day tribute paints, and this weekend has the chance to become one of the most meaningful race weekends S.M.A.S.H has put together.

More Than a Paint Scheme

A tribute paint is more than colors on a vehicle.

It is a message.

It is a name remembered.

A sacrifice recognized.

A service member honored.

A family acknowledged.

A reminder that freedom has a cost.

That is why this matters.

S.M.A.S.H is built around competition, but competition does not erase perspective. Drivers can race hard, chase wins, fight for points, and still take a moment to honor the people who made weekends like this possible.

That is the heart of this Memorial Day tradition.

Final Word

This Memorial Day weekend, S.M.A.S.H is asking drivers to bring more than speed to Charlotte.

Bring respect.

Bring creativity.

Bring a tribute.

The custom Memorial Day paint schemes are optional, but the meaning behind them is not small. This is a chance for the league to honor military heroes, recognize sacrifice, and put together a field that represents something bigger than racing.

To everyone who has served, everyone still serving, and every family who has carried that sacrifice:

Thank you for your service.

S.M.A.S.H will not forget.

This weekend, we honor.

Then we race.