Kierstad Powers to Redemption Win in SportMods at North Central

Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Sport Compact, Stock Car

Jake Kierstad celebrates in victory lane after snapping a streak of bad luck with a dominant Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod win at North Central Speedway. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick)

By Chris Kolstad

BRAINERD, Minn. (May 10, 2025) — North Central Speedway witnessed a dominant performance in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods as Jake Kierstad of Sartell finally turned his luck around. After leading the most laps in each feature this year only to suffer mechanical DNFs, Kierstad led from the start and never looked back, cruising to his first win of the season. Devon Charpenter and Dave Siercks rounded out the podium.

An early caution for Corey Hill Jr.’s mechanical failure and another for a tangle between Anthony Sabinash and Jacob Jordan did little to slow Kierstad’s march to victory as he drove away to a commanding win.

Johnson Dominates Caution-Free Stock Car Main

Tim Johnson of Brainerd left no doubt in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, pulling away to a near half-lap advantage in a caution-free 20-lapper to earn his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. Fellow Brainerd drivers Tim Gonska and Aaron Johnson completed the top three.

Tim Johnson powered his way to a commanding Sunoco IMCA Stock Car victory at North Central Speedway. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick)

Fletcher Outlasts Field in Modifieds

Shawn Fletcher of Brainerd took control early and never let go in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. After a lap one caution for contact between Mark Pruesser and Mike Brenny, Fletcher cruised to his first North Central Speedway win of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Aaron Johnson, who had been undefeated so far this season, finished second with Erick Thiesse rounding out the podium.

Shawn Fletcher on his way to his first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win of the season at North Central Speedway. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick)

Kohl Finally Breaks Through in Hobby Stocks

Nathan Kohl of Fort Ripley ended a three-year drought at North Central Speedway by holding off heavy pressure from Mark Johnson to secure his first Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock win in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. The race’s lone caution came on lap nine for debris, but Kohl maintained his composure to take the win. Johnson settled for second, with Tom Anderson coming in third.

Nathan Kohl fended off late-race pressure to capture his first Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock win in three years at North Central Speedway. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick)

Ridlon Scores First Career Compact Victory

For the second straight week, the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts had a first-time winner as Gabe Ridlon of Crosby led every lap to score his maiden victory. Last week’s first-time winner Hunter Carlson pressured Ridlon in the caution-free event but had to settle for second. Russell Kiker Jr. finished third to complete the podium.

Gabe Ridlon (13) holds off Hunter Carlson (21) in a tight battle for the lead en route to his first career Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature win at North Central Speedway. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick)

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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