Castrol FloRacing Night in America will be bringing many of dirt late model racing's biggest stars to Tri-County Race Track on Thursday night for the $22,022-to-win Tarheel 50. 

Thursday's race will be the first appearance for the popular mid-week series at Ray Cook's 1/4-mile dirt oval located in Brasstown, North Carolina. 

Through seven races this season, Brandon Sheppard leads the Castrol FloRacing Night in America championship standings by 91 points over Bobby Pierce. A $75,000 championship payout awaits this year's series champion if they have perfect attendance. 

Pierce enters Thursday's race as the hottest driver on the series after winning two straight races at Fairbury Speedway and Atomic Speedway. 

If Pierce is to make it three straight wins, he'll need to beat a stout field that includes many of this year's top earners in dirt late model racing. 

Defending Castrol FloRacing Night in America champion Jonathan Davenport, who has earned close to $2 million in 2022, is expected to enter the race in search of his second series win this year. In addition to wins in the Eldora Million, World 100, Knoxville Late Model Nationals, North-South 100 and more this year, Davenport won the second Castrol race of the year at Brownstown Speedway in April. 

Chris Madden, who has scored wins with the World of Outlaws Late Models, XR Super Series and Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series this year, is also expected to compete in Thursday's race. Madden will be seeking his first career Castrol FloRacing Night in America victory. 

2022 Dirt Late Model Dream winner Brandon Overton is also planning to compete in the Tarheel 50. The Georgia native has two Tarheel 50 victories on his resume prior to the event being a Castrol FloRacing Night in America event. 

Sitting third through fifth in the championship standings, Tyler Erb, Mike Marlar and Ricky Thornton, Jr. are all expected to be in attendance. 

One of the most polarizing figures in dirt late model racing history will also spice up the show, with 2018 Tarheel 50 winner Scott Bloomquist expected to be in attendance. 

The Tarheel State will also be well represented with David Payne and Carson Ferguson representing their home state. Payne has collected touring series wins with the Southern Nationals Series and Blue Ridge Outlaws this season. In his first full-time season behind the wheel of a super late model, Ferguson has collected wins during the Spring Nationals and Southern Nationals. 

Peyton Freeman, the winner of the Russell Thomas Memorial at Tri-County on September 22, is also expected to enter the race. 

South Carolina native Ross Bailes, Iowa driver Garrett Alberson and Georgia's WIll Roland will all be seeking their first Castrol FloRacing Night in America wins.

On-track action begins with hot laps at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday night. Street Stocks, Open Wheel Modifieds, 602 Late Models and Front Wheel Drives will join Super Late Models on the schedule. 

Fans unable to make it to Tri-County Race Track will be able to watch all of the action beginning with a pre-race show at 5:30 p.m. ET on FloRacing. If you're not already a FloRacing subscriber, click here to sign up today.