By Ben Deatherage
MINNEAPOLIS, Kan. (May 8, 2025) — Cody Williams always dreamed of being in the 100-win club. On Sunday, May 4th, that dream became reality with a $1,000 victory at Concordia Raceway, a track just 25 miles from his home. The triumph wasn’t just another checkered flag—it was his 100th career win in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, a milestone that places him among the elite.
“This is something I’ve always dreamed of,” Williams said. “To be in the 100-win group is awesome. And to do it so close to home with family, my engine builder, and a lot of good friends there—it made it really special.”
Williams is the 16th driver to join the century club in IMCA Hobby Stock competition, tying him with John Garrigan Jr. and Cody Nielsen. He also becomes just the third Kansan to achieve the feat, joining B.J. Dauer and Brady Bencken. At the top of the leaderboard is Shannon Anderson with an imposing 361 wins.
Climbing to 100 Wins
Williams started fourth in the feature at Concordia, battling his way to the lead on lap eight. Getting there, however, was no easy task.
“Nick Ronnebaum started on the pole, and I thought there was no way I was going to beat him,” Williams said. “He’s tough to beat wherever he goes and wins a lot of races. We were able to sneak by him, and that was special because he’s won a lot of races there, Beatrice, Salina, and just about everywhere he goes.”
Williams’ first career win came in 2009 at Prowers County Speedway in Lamar, Colorado, and it’s been a steady climb ever since. Last season, he notched a career-high 32 feature wins and finished third in a three-way tie for the National championship. Along the way, he’s claimed four Kansas State titles and four track championships at Sherman County Speedway in Goodland.
The 2024 campaign was especially fruitful. Williams not only added track championships at Salina Speedway and Dodge City Raceway Park—both for the first time—but he also secured the overall crown at the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals in Arizona, proving he could run up front on some of the toughest dirt in the country.
And his winning ways go back even further. In 2017, Williams captured the Kansas Thunder Series title, adding another line to his résumé and reinforcing his reputation as one of the state’s top Hobby Stock contenders.
A Racing Legacy and the Family No. 77
For Williams, racing is more than just a sport—it’s a family tradition. His grandfather Robert and father Roy both raced, and both carried the #77. Cody continues that legacy today, keeping the family number alive as he battles it out in the Hobby Stocks.
“I grew up watching my dad and grandpa race,” he said. “They always ran the #77, and that was the number I wanted. Now, every time I’m out there, it’s like they’re riding along with me.”
Williams cut his teeth on the go-kart tracks as a kid before making the leap to full-sized cars in 2009. Since then, he’s been a mainstay in the Hobby Stocks but has also competed in Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Not only has he found success in each division, but he’s also claimed feature wins in all three—a testament to his versatility behind the wheel.
The Hatchback Look and the “Meatloaf” Nickname
If you’re looking for Williams in the pit area, just keep an eye out for the hatchback look—a style he’s run since 2014.
“Eric Stanton had one for several years, and when I started racing, B.J. Dauer had one,” Williams said. “I always wanted one and ended up getting one of B.J.’s old cars in 2014. I’ve been running the hatchback look ever since.”
The “Meatloaf” nickname, however, was more of an accident.
“We were at a race in Iowa, and I had a roommate at the time,” Williams recalled. “Eric Cross went up to the announcer and told them to call me ‘Meatloaf,’ like from that ‘Ma! Where’s my meatloaf!’ bit. It literally stuck on IMCA TV, and it’s been over ever since. To tell you the truth, I’m not the biggest fan of eating meatloaf.”
For years, Williams had no idea there was a singer named Meat Loaf. When the singer passed away, he started receiving goodbye and “I’ll miss you” texts, leaving him momentarily confused.
Aiming for More
Williams has made three appearances in the Hobby Stock big dance at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, coming oh-so-close with a runner-up finish last year. With 100 wins now under his belt, he’s eager to keep pushing forward.
“I’m proud to have made it this far, but we’re not done yet,” Williams said. “We’ve still got a lot of racing left this year, and there are plenty more checkered flags to chase.”
Now with 100 wins in the books, Williams has plenty of laps ahead. And whether it’s on the dusty ovals of Kansas or the national stage, he’ll keep chasing those wins—one lap at a time.