Ken Schaffer Finishes Fourth in 2026 Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series Championship!
For Immediate Release: November 8, 2026
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – DuBois, Pennsylvania native Ken Schaffer capped off his rookie campaign with a fourth-place finish in the 2026 Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series Presented By M&T Appliances & Fueled By VP Racing Fuels Championship, finishing behind Dylan Lewis, runner-up Bryan Bernheisel, and newly crowned series champion Jon Lee.
A Rookie Season of Growth and Determination!
Schaffer completed his first full season traveling with the United Late Model Series as an Elite Driver and a contender in the Chew On This – Jerky Rookie of the Year program.
Throughout the 2026 campaign, Schaffer and his Ken Schaffer Racing (KSR) team faced the challenges of competing at several facilities where the DuBois, Pennsylvania driver had never previously turned a lap.
Despite entering the season with limited experience at many of the speedways on the schedule, Schaffer continued to show improvement as the year progressed, building a valuable notebook and gaining experience against some of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region’s top Super Late Model competitors.
Schaffer acknowledged that his team faced challenges throughout the season, particularly with an underpowered engine package and a lack of familiarity with several tracks. However, those obstacles did little to discourage the Pennsylvania racer, who continued qualifying for main events and battling for positions when feature time arrived.
Competing in all 11 United Late Model Series events, Schaffer recorded three top-ten finishes, one top-five finish, and a heat race victory while accumulating 1,725 championship points.
Unfortunately, Schaffer’s season ended on a difficult note during the Darryl Hills Memorial at Potomac Speedway on October 24. Following contact during the event, Schaffer’s #13X went upside down, bringing out the red flag and ending his championship campaign on a disappointing note.
Despite the setback, Schaffer has already turned his attention toward the future.
Following the season finale, Schaffer informed United Late Model Series Director Trevor Zuver of his intentions to return as an Elite Driver in 2027, with plans to bring a new race car, new engine package, and a full season’s worth of experience to his second championship campaign.
Armed with a growing notebook from his first year on tour, Schaffer hopes to return better prepared for the challenges of competing at each facility and take the next step toward becoming a championship contender.
In addition to his fourth-place overall championship finish, Schaffer also earned third in the Chew On This – Jerky Rookie of the Year standings, finishing behind runner-up Bryan Bernheisel and Rookie of the Year Jon Lee in the six-driver rookie class.
Schaffer concluded the 2026 season 530 points behind champion Jon Lee, establishing a solid foundation for his growing racing operation as the team prepares for another full season on tour.
2026 Ken Schaffer Racing Season Statistics
- Events Entered: 11 of 11 (100%)
- Top-Ten Finishes: 3
- Top-Five Finishes: 1
- Fast Time Awards: N/A
- Heat Race Victories: 1
- Feature Victories: 0
- Average Feature Finish: 13.91
- Championship Points: 1,725
- Race Earnings: $9,433.00
- Chew On This – Jerky Rookie of the Year: Third Place
- Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series Championship: Fourth Place
Championship Season Earnings & Elite Driver Benefits
In addition to his $9,433 in race earnings, Schaffer benefited from his participation in the United Late Model Series Elite Driver Program, saving an additional $2,250 throughout the season through complimentary pit passes and waived event fees.
These savings represent money kept directly in the team’s pocket, helping offset the substantial costs associated with traveling from one United Late Model Series event to another.
Combined, Schaffer’s race earnings and Elite Driver Program savings brought his total season value to:
$11,683.00 — Excluding Additional Nightly Contingency Awards!
The financial benefits highlight the United Late Model Series’ continued commitment to supporting its traveling competitors and rewarding teams that dedicate themselves to the full championship schedule.
Ken Schaffer Racing Sponsors
The United Late Model Series would like to recognize the sponsors and supporters who helped make Schaffer’s first full season on tour possible:
Dilullo Transport, People’s Auto Body, Clearfield-Jefferson Primary Care Associates, Ken Schaffer Excavating Inc., Henry Racing Engines, Holmes Performance & Machine, Lindemuth Laser Etching, and Afterburner Performance.
Their continued support played an important role in allowing the KSR team to travel throughout the region, gain valuable experience, and compete for the 2026 United Late Model Series Championship.
Congratulations to Ken Schaffer and the entire KSR team on their fourth-place finish in the 2026 Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series Championship and third-place finish in the Chew On This – Jerky Rookie of the Year standings!
We look forward to seeing the #13X back on tour in 2027 as Schaffer sets his sights on his first United Late Model Series Championship!
2026 Chew On This – Jerky Rookie Final Point Standings
| Pos. | Car | Driver | Hometown | Points |
| 1 | 5L | Jon Lee | Summerville, PA | 2,255 |
| 2 | 119 | Bryan Bernheisel | Jonestown, PA | 1,950 |
| 3 | 13X | Ken Schaffer | DuBois, PA | 1,725 |
| 4 | 97 | Kevin Smith | Arkport, NY | 1,535 |
| 5 | 22 | Greg Oakes | Franklinville, NY | 845 |
| 6 | 1 | Matt Glanden | Denton, MD | 440 |
2026 United Late Model Series Elite Driver Final Point Standings
| Pos. | Car | Driver | Hometown | Points |
| 1 | 5L | Jon Lee | Summerville, PA | 2,255 |
| 2 | 119 | Bryan Bernheisel | Jonestown, PA | 1,950 |
| 3 | 44 | Dylan Lewis | Oakland, MD | 1,755 |
| 4 | 13X | Ken Schaffer | DuBois, PA | 1,725 |
| 5 | 97 | Kevin Smith | Arkport, NY | 1,535 |
| 6 | 10S | Dave Stamm | Milmont, PA | 1,130 |
| 7 | 25Z | Mason Zeigler | Chalk Hill, PA | 980 |
| 8 | 22 | Greg Oakes | Franklinville, NY | 845 |
| 9 | 1 | Matt Glanden | Denton, MD | 440 |
2026 Jay’s Automotive United Late Model Series Final Championship Point Standings (Top 10)
| Pos. | Car | Driver | Hometown | Points |
| 1 | 5L | Jon Lee | Summerville, PA | 2,255 |
| 2 | 119 | Bryan Bernheisel | Jonestown, PA | 1,950 |
| 3 | 44 | Dylan Lewis | Oakland, MD | 1,755 |
| 4 | 13X | Ken Schaffer | DuBois, PA | 1,725 |
| 5 | 97 | Kevin Smith | Arkport, NY | 1,535 |
| 6 | 10S | Dave Stamm | Milmont, PA | 1,130 |
| 7 | 555 | Brock Pinkerous | Ellenville, NY | 1,080 |
| 8 | 10* | Levi Yetter | Cabot, PA | 1,010 |
| 9 | 25Z | Mason Zeigler | Chalk Hill, PA | 980 |
| 10 | 91 | Chad Homan | Penfield, NY | 855 |
2026 United Late Model Series Marketing Partners
The United Late Model Series extends its appreciation to the businesses and organizations that supported the series throughout its 26th season of competition:
Jay’s Automotive, M&T Appliances, Close Racing Supply, Chew On This – Jerky, American Racer Tire, Lias Tire Racing Division, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Accelo Racewear, Keizer Racing Wheels, Beyea Headers, Siple Racing Edits (SRE), Cousins Designs, Zarin Truck & Automotive, The Garage Crawl, and B & T Milne Photography.
The continued support of these partners plays an essential role in providing competitive purses, championship incentives, contingency awards, and opportunities for Super Late Model teams throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the 2026 championship season officially complete, the United Late Model Series now turns its attention toward preparations for its 27th season of competition in 2027.
The series would like to thank its drivers, teams, officials, sponsors, participating speedways, and loyal race fans for their continued support throughout another season of Super Late Model racing.
Interested in becoming a United Late Model Series marketing partner for 2027?
Whether you’re a small local business or a larger regional organization, the United Late Model Series offers sponsorship and marketing opportunities designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes.
Join one of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region’s premier Super Late Model touring series and become part of the excitement in 2027!
We look forward to seeing everyone back at the track!
United Late Model Series Contact Information
Email: press@ulmsracing.com
Phone: (814) 596-8150
Website: www.ulmsracing.com