May 13, 2026

Another long tow to New York ends with another IMCA Modified win for A.J. Ward

AJ-WARD-Victory-Lane-Outlaw-Speedway-4-21-18 — A.J. Ward’s 1,100-mile round trip to Outlaw Speedway paid off with the $1,000 IMCA Modified feature Spring Nationals feature win. (Photo by Greg Mesler)

By Paul Szmal and Kenny Shupp

DUNDEE, N.Y. (April 21) – Another long trip to New York ended with another IMCA Modified feature win for Michigan speedster A.J. Ward.

The two-time defending Dirt Works Eastern Region champion chalked up his sixth victory in seven New York State starts, and career 82^nd win in the division, by passing Will Ward on the last of 20 laps at Outlaw Speedway’s Spring Nationals on Saturday.

A late restart helped open the door for A.J. Ward, who’d taken the initial green flag from fifth starting. He ran side-by-side with Will Ward before eking ahead to take the checkers by close to a couple car lengths.

Already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, A.J. Ward earned $1,000 for the win. Will Ward, the defending state champion, was second and third went to Brandon Smith.

Feature results – 1. A.J. Ward; 2. Will Ward; 3. Brandon Smith; 4. Tyler Stoddard; 5. Kody Johnson; 6. Mark Griffin; 7. Gary Lamphere; 8. Keith Jack Lamphere; 9. Keith Lamphere; 10. Rodney Morgan; 11. Billy Ward; 12. Jake Maynard; 13. Phil Yaw; 14. Sparky Hills; 15. Todd Stone; 16. Gary Roberts.

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Feature

Matt Rezac: The Charging Czech from Tabor

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Feature

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Feature

Smith Scores $3,000 I-96 Modified Triumph

By Justin Sharp LAKE ODESSA, Mich. (May 8, 2026) — Casey Smith captured a lucrative $3,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory Friday night at I-96 Speedway, earning Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility in the process. The Portland driver started seventh and methodically worked his way into contention in a feature that quickly became a battle of survival and late-race positioning. Mark Anderson and Bree Wonch led the field to the green flag, but Myron DeYoung soon raced into the lead and controlled much of the event. Disaster struck for DeYoung late in the race, however, when mechanical trouble knocked him from contention and handed the top spot to Smith, who had been applying steady pressure. A late caution ultimately shortened the race due to time limitations, allowing Smith to secure his first victory of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. The win also placed him on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational eligibility list for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Smith completed a sweep of the evening after [Read More]

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