February 21, 2026

Ritchie records first Shawano IMCA Modified win

By Scott Owen

SHAWANO, Wis. (Aug. 18) – Justin Ritchie has won a number of features at Shawano Speedway, but the former late model track champion scored his first IMCA Modified feature Saturday night.

Cautions plagued the start of the event, but once the race got going Tim Rothe took the lead. Ritchie pursued Rothe until lap three when he made an inside pass to take the lead.

As Ritchie led, the action was hot and heavy behind him as Jason Czarapata, Lance Arneson and Wyatt Block all came from deep in the field to battle for second and third. In the end it was Ritchie making his way to victory lane followed by Czarapata, Block, Arneson and Konnor Wilinski.

Mitch Stankowski returned to victory lane after some time away from the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car division. Lucas Lamberies raced to his seventh local Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod victory of the year ahead of Tyler Sobiesczyk, who finished a career-best second.

shawanospeedway

Block, Van Straten capture first Shawano features of season

By Dave Buss SHAWANO, Wis. (May 29) – The Memorial Weekend brought cool temperatures and hot action to the Shawano Speedway along with the unofficial start of summer. Wyatt Block, Travis Van Straten and Tyler Sobiescyk got their summers off to the best start of everyone with feature wins. Early action saw Jerry Wilinski jump to the lead in the IMCA Modified main and begin to build a big advantage. The caution would fly on lap four and bring the field to his bumper. On the restart, Wilinski scooted away only to have a debris bring out another yellow. Block and Andy Karl filled the second row on the lap six restart. Wilinski again extended his lead with Karl and Block fighting it out for the runner-up spot. Block took the second spot and begin to reel in the Wilinski machine at halfway. On lap 15, Block moved past Wilinski and into the lead. Block cruised to victory with Wilinski second. Jordan Bartz charged to third with Karl fourth. Josh Mroczkowski powered to the early lead in the [Read More]

Bartz survives, thrives, wins again at Shawano

By Scott Owen SHAWANO, Wis. (May 25) – Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod ace Jordan Bartz stole the show Saturday night with a last-lap pass for her second Shawano Speedway feature win of the year. Bartz, racing without a left-side door panel after surviving a multi-car pileup on lap one, came from the back of the pack after repairs were made to her car by her crew on pit lane. Most of the 24-car field was involved in that melee. Once the cars were removed from the track, a handful went to pit lane for repairs, including Bartz. When the race resumed it was Teagan Wudstrack grabbing the lead. Jason Jach went to the high line to take the lead on lap three. Bartz began working her way through traffic toward the front of the field. A late-race caution brought about a one-lap shootout to decide the race. Jach was committed the high side as he had been all race long while Bartz got to the inside entering turn three. The pair was even up exiting turn four, with [Read More]

First IMCA checkers for Van Straten fly at Shawano

SHAWANO, Wis. (Aug. 12, 2023) – On a beautiful August evening Saturday, Mother Nature allowed Shawano Speedway to host the first annual Retro Night. Several teams put together a few throwback schemes from yesteryear and oh did it bring back a lot of emotional memories of the cars and stars that once raced at the legendary half mile. In the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature, pole sitter and former limited late model champion Dave Lytie and Andrew Engels, who had his dad’s no. 33 on the side of his usual no. 29 machine, set the pace for what would become a caution-plagued feature. Taylor Sorenson used his fourth place starting spot to jump out to an early lead. Michael Springborn was on the move to contest for a bid for the win as well. The hot shoes of Tyler Sobiesczyk and Jeffery Teske found their way to the front. As Sobiesczyk grabbed the lead the top four of Sobiesczyk, Teske, J.J. Vanderloop and Bryce Clements started to break away from field. As the laps ticked away, [Read More]

Feature

Morris Strikes First on Opening Night of Winter Nationals at Southern Raceway

By Ben Deatherage MILTON, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2026) — Troy Morris III captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on opening night under new ownership at Hunt The Front’s Southern Raceway, scoring the $1,000 victory in the 20-lap main event. The race served as the first of two nights of Winter Nationals competition and doubled as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying event, placing Morris on the eligibility list for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Morris, the former Arizona IMCA Tour and IMCA Wild West Speedweek champion now based in Waterloo, Iowa, via California, set the tone early, battling two-time reigning Super Nationals winner Tim Ward for the lead on the initial start. Morris led lap one while Ward — piloting the no. 151 Performer Chassis house car owned by Doug and Amy Eckrich — gave chase. A lap-two restart sparked a three-wide battle for second involving two-time Florida State titlist Jason Barnhill, Ward, and two-time national champion Chaz Baca Jr., allowing 2024 Alabama State crown winner Ryan Fowler, aboard the [Read More]

Feature

Bakersfield Speedway Season Opener Shifts to One-Day Winter Clash Saturday

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway will launch its 2026 campaign with the Winter Clash, now scheduled as a one-day event on Saturday, Feb. 21, following wet weather throughout the week. Originally planned as a two-day program, all Friday racing activities have been consolidated into Saturday, creating a full night of racing for one ticket price. Competition will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, with all divisions competing for championship points. Grandstand gates open at 2 p.m., with hot laps and qualifying set for 2:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for approximately 5 p.m., followed by heat races and main events for all classes. Race fans can save on general admission by purchasing tickets in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult tickets are $22 online, including fees, or $25 at the gate. Kids ages 6–12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is [Read More]

Feature

Florida Bullring Recharged Under New Ownership Ahead of IMCA TV Clash On The Coast

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2026) — A new chapter is underway for Northwest Florida Speedway, as Ron Wolverton has officially taken ownership of the Baker, Florida ¼-mile facility, launching an ambitious revival effort aimed at preserving grassroots racing while positioning the venue for long-term growth. For Wolverton — a lifelong drag racer turned dirt track promoter — the journey into ownership has been nothing short of extraordinary. “The whole thing has been a miracle after miracle,” Wolverton said. “We pulled off a construction feat that even the big guys couldn’t pull off. We didn’t start until January 9 before we got to moving dirt, and I couldn’t have done it without all the volunteers and community members that came out to help.” Among the most notable upgrades has been the restoration of the racing surface itself. Wolverton and his team worked to bring the track back to its roots by reconditioning the oval with original dirt pulled directly from the property versus having it hauled in from elsewhere. Now entering his first season [Read More]

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