Carter Nilson Best of the Big 8 at Madison
2026-08-10
Carter Nilson Best of the Big 8 at Madison
Story by John Wells
Photo by Roy Ophime Photography
Carter Nilson has been so close at Madison this year. But now that’s all in the past as he not only won the 48 lap Big 8 feature event tonight, but he fought off Zack Riddle and Michael Bilderback in doing so. This was the 29th race at Madison for the Big 8 dating back to 2005. Nilson is now the 16th different driver to win at Madison.
Jon Reynolds Jr. and Jerry Mueller paced the field to the green flag with Mueller getting a slight advantage after the first lap. Mueller was able to open up a three car length advantage while Reynolds Jr. was battling with Carter Nilson for second. Nilson took the second spot on lap 3 while Bilderback took third from Reynolds Jr. on lap 4. Riddle moved into fourth on lap 5. A spin at the rear of the field brought out the yellow flag on lap 6.
Mueller led the field back to the green flag followed by Nilson and Bilderback. On lap 8 Riddle moved up to third ahead of Bilderback.
On lap 10 Nilson moved to the inside of Mueller to take the lead. A spin brought out the second caution of the race.
It was Nilson’s turn to pace the field back to green while Riddle wasted no time getting by Mueller for second. Nilson and Riddle broke away from the pack while Mueller, Bilderback, and Bobby Wilberg were fighting it out for third. A caution for a spin on lap 16 negated the sizable lead for Nilson and Riddle.
Once again It was a great restart for both Nilson and Riddle who jumped back out front with Bilderback getting by Mueller for third and Ryan Goldade cracking the top five. On lap 18 Wilberg returned to the top five. This time it was Nilson, Riddle, and Bilderback breaking away from the field. At the half way point Nilson’s lead over Riddle was 0.472 seconds.
With twelve laps to go, a lapped car slowed Nilson allowing Riddle to close the gap, but Nilson calmly kept his focus straight ahead as he was able to keep Riddle at bay. With five laps to go Nilson’s lead was 0.6 seconds.
Nobody was going to take this one away from Nilson as he held off Riddle the rest of the way to pick up the checkered flag. Following Nilson in the top five were Riddle, Bilderback, Wilberg, and Landry Potter.
“It feels great. The car was on rails, I’ve got to thank my mom and dad,” said a jubilant Nilson who was joined by family and friends in victory lane.
In weekly Late Model racing this year he has had three podium finishes and has been in the top five eight out of twelve times.
The next race for the Big 8 Late Model Series will take place on Friday, September 18th at Grundy County Speedway.
