NORTHPORT, Wash. — As the 2026 racing season is set to start at Northport International Raceway there has been a drastic change in management as longtime promoter Cory Bell has stepped down and Trevor and Jason Warren are stepping in.
First race for 2026 is this Saturday with gates opening at 10 a.m. and racing at 1 p.m.
“It was a last second decision, I need more of my family time,” Bell wrote in Facebook Messenger.
Bell had operated the 3/8’s mile dirt track, located across the Columbia River from the town of Northport, for the past dozen so years. The track is owned by the town and leased to a person, people or a group. It has operated largely uninterrupted since the early 1950s.
Bell worked operation of the race track around a part-time job with Northport, and doing his own mechanical work.
“We have a new group of good people that have raced, helped,” Bell said of the Warrens in the post.
“We will make sure this track does not go away and (I) will help any way I can if needed,” Bell said.
Bell is looking forward he said, “To see some great racing from above the track,” referencing the view he plans to have from the spectator area that overlooks the racing
“Let’s see some dirt track racing and dirt sprinkles in my beer,” Bell said.
Maybe he’ll start racing again, Bell said, suggesting he could have a modified ready sometime this season.
Bell’s efforts to keep racing going were greatly appreciated according to posts on social media.
Bennita Warren, speaking on behalf of the family, said the 2026 schedule has some changes but four interlocking races with Republic’s Eagle Track remain intact.
“Eagle Track wishes them luck, it’s a hard thing to keep going with the cost of everything so high and making it more difficult to keep things up and running,” Eagle Track spokesperson Wendy Braun wrote in an email.