Heart Breaker at Volusia Speedway for Koulten Herbert
FEBRUARY 2026
What looked to be a statement win at Volusia Speedway Park turned into heartbreak for Koulten Herbert during 604 Late Model competition this past weekend.
Herbert showed speed from the moment he hit the track, stopping the clock second fastest in qualifying to earn an outside front row starting spot for the 20-lap feature. When the green flag dropped, the Locust Grove, Georgia standout powered into the lead on the opening circuit and quickly established himself as the driver to beat.
Once out front, Herbert set a commanding pace around the fast half-mile oval. He led the first 15 laps of the contest, navigating traffic smoothly and fending off challenges behind him as he looked poised to capture a major victory.
Unfortunately, disaster struck late in the event.
With just five laps remaining, Herbert’s machine began to show signs of trouble as temperatures climbed under the hood. Moments later, the engine let go, ending his dominant run in heartbreaking fashion. After leading three-quarters of the race, Herbert was forced to the pits and credited with a disappointing finish despite having the fastest car on the track.
The mechanical failure proved costly beyond just the race win. The DNF significantly impacted Herbert’s championship bid with Crate Racing USA, as he slipped from second to third in the series point standings following the event.
While the outcome was not what the team deserved, Herbert’s performance made one thing clear — he had the speed to win. With plenty of racing left on the schedule, the focus now turns to regrouping and clawing back valuable points in the championship chase.
Sometimes racing delivers triumph. Other nights, it delivers heartbreak. Volusia Speedway Park handed Herbert the latter — but the speed shown ensures he’ll be back in contention soon.