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News

Cooper Cruises to First SportMod Win of Season at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods continued their resurgence in car count at Marysville Raceway, with 16 competitors signing in for championship point race number five. A familiar name dominated the 20-lap feature, as Yuba City’s Todd Cooper started on the front row and led every lap without issue. Cooper, teaming with the Shelby family, piloted the No. 86 to a commanding victory. Former track champion Jimmy Ford chased Cooper for much of the race but ultimately finished just over a second behind at the checkered flag. Mike Merritt completed the podium in third. Two early contenders encountered trouble. Buddy Olschowka stopped on lap three with a mechanical issue and was unable to continue, while Jason Clayton Jr., who had been running second, pulled off on lap five. Defending track champion Mark Garner charged from 10th to finish fourth, while newcomer Al Johnson impressed with a fifth-place run. Olschowka won the first eight-lap heat race, while Clayton Jr. dominated heat race two, building a lead of more [Read More]

Late Model

Merchant Storms from 16th to Capture Park Jefferson Modified Feature

By Chance Riley JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 16, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were the stars of the show Thursday night at Park Jefferson Speedway with a thrilling 20-lap main event. For most of the race, it was a two-car battle for the lead between Shane DeMey and Brian Mahlstedt. But on the white flag lap, charging down the front stretch, R.J. Merchant of South Sioux City, Nebraska stormed from his 16th starting position to steal the win—despite a bent suspension. It was Merchant’s first victory of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. DeMey finished second ahead of Duke Erickson, while Mahlstedt and Ricky Stephan completed the top five. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered an exciting 18-lap feature. Braydon Ahlers controlled much of the race, but Willy Kirk, who restarted at the back following an early caution, made a last-lap pass on the front stretch during a green, white, checkered finish to take the win. The Salix, Iowa driver earned his first victory of the season. Ahlers settled for [Read More]

Modified

Modifieds and SportMods Set to Get Rolling at Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2026) — Santa Maria Speedway is set to host an action-packed night of racing this Saturday, April 25, on the famed third-mile clay oval. The evening marks the season championship opener for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. IMCA Modifieds competed six times at Santa Maria Speedway in 2025 and produced six different winners, proving just how deep and competitive the division was all season long. Cody Burke opened the year in victory lane, and the Salinas native will look to repeat that performance as he heads south on US 101 for this season’s opener. Josh Combs, Larry Wise, Gavyn Manning, Rob Sanders, and Logan Drake also found victory lane last season, and several are expected back this weekend in pursuit of the first win at SMS in 2026. IMCA Northern SportMods were just as competitive in 2025, producing six different winners over seven nights of racing. The only two-time winner, Tyler Bannister, has moved to the IMCA Modified ranks and will make [Read More]