DeCaire earns fast qualifier honors and leads every lap en route to victory in the Throwback Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway.
LAND O’ LAKES, FL (August 10th, 2026) – TJ DeCaire delivered a dominant performance at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, completing a clean sweep of the CARS Tour Pro Late Model portion of the Throwback Classic in just his second national event of the season.
Behind the wheel of the No. 1 Low Country Motorsports Pro Late Model honoring longtime racer Mike Garvey, DeCaire opened the weekend by earning fast qualifier honors and putting his Hamke racecar on the pole for the 100-lap feature.
From there, DeCaire never relinquished the top spot.
Despite multiple cautions and restarts throughout the race, DeCaire led all 100 laps, navigating lapped traffic and repeatedly controlling the field on restarts to secure his first CARS Tour victory of the season.
The win continues an impressive start to DeCaire’s limited 2026 CARS Tour schedule. In only two Pro Late Model starts this season — both with Low Country Motorsports — DeCaire has recorded a runner-up finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway and a victory at Hickory, giving him an average finish of 1.5.
The victory carried additional significance for DeCaire, whose No. 1 machine featured a throwback paint scheme honoring Mike Garvey. Garvey has become a personal mentor to DeCaire and assists the family with DeCaire’s Super Late Model program.
“It’s really impressive what we’ve been able to accomplish in only two starts together,” said DeCaire. “To qualify third at Wilkesboro and finish second, and then follow that up with the weekend we had at Hickory, really speaks to how well-prepared Low Country Motorsports brings these Hamke racecars to the track. I’m grateful to be in this position and to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m excited to continue building on the success we’ve had together as we look toward the future.”
DeCaire and Low Country Motorsports’ victory on Saturday also marked a significant milestone for team owner’s AJ Frank and Mikey Kile, who earned their first victory as car owners.
“I couldn’t be more proud of TJ and everyone who has had a hand in getting this team to Victory Lane,” said Frank. “We have all the pieces in place, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. I earned my first CARS Tour win as a driver at Hickory, and to come back nearly 15 years later and earn my first win as a car owner at the same track is pretty special.”
DeCaire and Low Country Motorsports will look to carry their momentum into the next CARS Tour Pro Late Model event on August 22, 2026, at Anderson Motor Speedway in Williamston, South Carolina. Following their victory at Hickory, Low Country Motorsports will head to Anderson as the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Owners Championship leader.
Weekend Honors
DeCaire and the Low Country Motorsports team collected several honors throughout the event:
- Pole Award: TJ DeCaire
- MAHLE Motorsports PLM Front Row: TJ DeCaire and Case James
- Strange Oval PLM Crew Chief of the Race: Cody Glick
- Heat Wave Visual Hot Lap Award: TJ DeCaire
About TJ DeCaire:
TJ DeCaire is an emerging stock car racing talent competing across the Pro Late Model and Super Late Model ranks. Building on more than 15 years of motorsports experience across karting, Legends cars and late models, DeCaire continues to establish himself on the national stage through select CARS Tour competition and his development with Low Country Motorsports. His 2026 CARS Tour Pro Late Model campaign has started with back-to-back podium performances, including a runner-up finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway followed by a pole and flag-to-flag victory at Hickory Motor Speedway.
About Low Country Motorsports:
Low Country Motorsports is a family-driven racing organization built on more than 40 years of motorsports experience and a shared passion for helping others pursue their racing ambitions. Currently fielding entries in the CARS Tour and World Racing League, Low Country Motorsports operates a first-class program that also provides testing, coaching and driver development opportunities for competitors at all experience levels. At the heart of the organization is a simple mission: to give racers the opportunity to “March Forth” — to move forward, develop their abilities and chase their racing dreams.
Media Contact:
Taylor Ferns
taylor@fernsandcompany.com
