June 17, 2026

Central Arizona winners are Mecl, George

M-Tyler-Mecl-VL — Tyler Mecl scored the win in Saturday’s IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Speedway.

By Jeff McSpadden

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (May 12) – Persistent Tyler Mecl and a very fast Jason George were IMCA winners Saturday at Central Arizona Speedway.

Mecl used the outside of the speedway to surprise Jeremy Thornton and take over the lead coming to the stripe to complete the ninth lap of the IMCA Modified main.

From there, Mecl weathered one last caution on lap 12 to take the checkered flag by more than two seconds over Thornton and Trevor Mille.

Jason George shot from fifth to first, somehow going lower on the speedway than the three-wide trio of Gerry Glenn, Mark Farnes and Chris Tipton on the first lap of the Karl Chevrolet Northern Sport Mod feature.

George pulled away to a full straightaway lead by the halfway mark and simply checked out over the last 10 laps of the race. George crossed the finish line almost nine seconds ahead of Glenn.

centralarizonaspeedway

IMCA Stock Car, Modified wins give Madrid first sweep at Central Arizona

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 21) – Winning the first feature of the night helped Zachary Madrid win the last one. Madrid was a double winner in the 2022 lidlifter at Central Arizona Speedway, topping both the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event and the IMCA Modified headliner. While he’s won two IMCA features twice on the same night before at other venues, Friday marked the first time he accomplished the feat at Casa Grande. “The track was heavy. Running the Stock Car feature first helped me a ton figuring out where to run and what line I should follow in the Modified,” Madrid said. “I ran high in (turns) three and four, the middle to bottom in one and two, and wherever I could to get through traffic.” He crossed the stripe ahead of Scott Sluka and Eric Lloyd in the Stock Car feature. Jacob Pace and Kelsie Foley ran 2-3 in the Modified finale. “Everything worked out for us pretty good,” said Madrid, who earned Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility along with the [Read More]

Thornton stars at Central Arizona

By Jeff McSpadden CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (May 19) – Jeremy Thornton was the IMCA Modified star Saturday at Central Arizona Speedway. Starting seventh in the sixteen car IMCA Modified field, Thornton quickly made his way into the fourth spot diving low on the speedway entering turns one and two after the drop of the green flag, sixth starting Trevor Miller also made a bold move into the second spot behind pole starter and early leader, Mike Strobl. Trevor Miller drove by Mike Strobl for the lead on lap two while Thornton was working his way up from seventh starting to third. Thornton made quick work of Strobl for the runner up position and set out after Miller. Taking advantage of a lap five restart, Thornton pulled even with Miller and edged ahead as the sixth lap was scored. Thornton got a great jump on the next restart and began to put some distance between himself and Miller, with Tyler Mecl climbing into the third position. Thornton’s advantage of better than a second held up until the caution waved again with two laps left. [Read More]

Central Arizona hosts Nov. 22-24 Desert Thunder Nationals

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – A top check of $3,000 is at stake for IMCA Modifieds on the third and final night of Central Arizona Speedway’s Desert Thunder Nationals. Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23 features at Casa Grande both pay the Modified winner $1,000. The Sunday, Nov. 24 feature pays $1,500 to the runner-up and $1,000 for third. All three features are 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying events. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods race for $500 to win Friday and Saturday and for $1,000 to win on Sunday. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the front gate opens at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the pits open at 3 p.m., the grandstand opens at 4 p.m. and racing is at 6 p.m. And on Sunday, pits open at 10 a.m., the front gate opens at 11 a.m. and racing gets underway at 1 p.m. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults and free for kids ages 11 and under. Pit gate admission is $35 for adults, $20 [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Allstar Performance Continues Heat Race Winner Awards Program for IMCA Racers

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 16, 2026) — Winning heat races continues to pay dividends for IMCA competitors thanks to Allstar Performance and its popular Heat Race Winner Awards Program. Now in its 15th season as an IMCA sponsor, the Watervliet, Michigan-based company will once again reward drivers across the country for their success in preliminary competition throughout the 2026 season. Heat race winner decals were distributed to all IMCA-sanctioned tracks at the beginning of the 2026 season. Drivers who accumulate 10 or more heat race victories during the year become eligible for a drawing for a $100 Allstar Performance gift certificate. To be entered, drivers must submit a photo clearly showing the heat race winner decal displayed on their race car. Photos should be emailed to Carson Becker-Graham at cbgramm@imca.com no later than September 21, 2026. In addition to the heat race winner program, Allstar Performance will award a $200 product certificate to each champion crowned at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and the RaceSaver Nationals. For more information about Allstar Performance [Read More]

Modified

Manning Captures Fifth Western Region Victory at Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Gavyn Manning charged from seventh on the grid and used the high side to take the lead on lap 13 en route to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Santa Maria Speedway. Justin Crockett grabbed the early lead and paced the field through the opening half of the 25-lap contest after winning one of the evening’s heat races. Manning steadily worked forward before finding momentum on the cushion and racing into the lead. The Bakersfield driver held off a determined late challenge from Rob Sanders to score his fifth victory of the season in DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region competition. The win was also his second straight triumph and second overall victory of 2026 at Santa Maria Speedway. Sanders finished second, followed by Crockett, Markus Frazier and Cole Szlauko. Heat race victories went to Sanders and Crockett. Landon King earned his third Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season after a spirited late-race battle in the 20-lap feature. Jon McKinley led [Read More]

Modified

Bannister Leads Every Lap for Bakersfield Modified Win

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Points leader Bannister dominated the 25-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway, leading all the way from the pole position after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. The Bakersfield driver scored his seventh victory of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region and his second at Bakersfield in 2026. One of the night’s biggest storylines involved 2024 track champion Gavyn Manning, who was among four drivers attempting double-duty between Santa Maria Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway. After winning earlier in the evening at Santa Maria, Manning charged into second place before mechanical issues ended his bid for another victory. Race Liberante finished second, followed by Markus Frazier and Rob Sanders, who were also among the double-duty competitors. Pat Petrie completed the top five. Jason Bannister led all 25 laps of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature to secure his third victory of the season, with all three wins coming at Bakersfield Speedway. Dylan Wilson delivered [Read More]

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