Excitement is building at Clinton Raceway ahead of the 2026 National Driving Championship (NDC), which the half-mile oval will host on Sunday, July 26.
Eight drivers — two from each region of Canada — will battle for the national title and a 2027 World Driving Championship (WDC) berth during the Clinton, Ont. track’s annual Legends Day card.
Staff and management at Clinton are buzzing in the leadup to the major event, which will be held at the track for the first time.
“We’re looking forward to being shown on a national stage,” said Jessica Carnochan, Marketing Manager at Clinton Raceway, in an interview with CTV News published on Thursday. “This is something that’s never happened here in Clinton before, and we’re really excited to host this event.”
Presented by Standardbred Canada, the NDC is contested biennially by the top drivers from across Canada, as determined by Regional Driving Championships held in four zones — Ontario, Quebec/Eastern Ontario, Western and Atlantic. Drivers will compete across a set number of contest races, earning points based on finishing position, with the top point-getter claiming the title of national champion. The winner will also join reigning NDC and WDC champion James MacDonald in representing Canada at the 2027 WDC, which will be held on home soil. Competing in the NDC this year are Tyler Borth and Jody Jamieson (Ontario), Phil Giesbrecht and Kelly Hoerdt (Western), Nick Boyd and Stephane Brosseau (Quebec/Eastern Ontario) and Marc Campbell and Keith Legge (Atlantic).
Carnochan is eager for her track to take the national spotlight.
“It is a big deal, but we’re really looking forward to this,” she told CTV News. “We have such a great crew and team here at Clinton Raceway that I know that we can put on a great show and be shown across the national stage and be really proud of what we have to offer here in little Clinton.”
The team is hard at work preparing to host the NDC, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of Legends Day.
“We put in an application last year, and we were granted it early this spring. So it’s been non-stop planning since then, working really closely with Standardbred Canada in hosting it,” said Carnochan. “They come for the entire weekend, so they’re staying here Friday-Saturday-Sunday, with events happening all weekend long.”
Legends Day, Clinton’s signature event, is headlined by the Legends Day Invitational Trot, a race featuring iconic Canadian drivers of years past. The 2026 edition doubles as a fundraiser for the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation, with a 50/50 raffle and online auction in support of the organization. There will also be family activities, an autograph session with the legends and a meet-and-greet with the NDC drivers, among other festivities.
Stay tuned to the SC website over the upcoming week for any news and updates regarding the 2026 National Driving Championship.
(Standardbred Canada)