Combs, Wilson, Johnson Crowned Central California Clash Champions

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Josh Combs used a win and three top-five finishes across four nights of racing to secure the 2025 Central California Clash crown in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. (Photo by Elliott Digital Design)

By Ben Deatherage

VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Josh Combs, Dylan Wilson, and Nicholas Johnson each made history with their first career Central California Clash championships in their respective Speedway Motors IMCA divisions, capping a competitive four-race tour across the Golden State.

Roseville’s Josh Combs clinched the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified title with a strong and consistent week. After opening with a ninth-place finish at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway Park, he stormed to victory at Santa Maria. Combs followed that with a runner-up finish at Merced before closing the series with a fifth-place run at Petaluma.

Bakersfield youngster Gavyn Manning was runner-up in points after finishing second on opening night, taking ninth at Santa Maria, winning at Merced, and wrapping up the week 10th at Petaluma. Third in points went to Keith Brown Jr., now based in Greenbrier, Ark. Brown’s week included a 10th at Bakersfield, third at Santa Maria, eighth at Merced, and 12th at Petaluma.

Dylan Wilson of Bakersfield earned the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod championship with a pair of feature wins. He kicked things off with a win at Bakersfield, placed seventh at Santa Maria, returned to victory lane at Merced, and came home second at Petaluma to seal the deal.

Paso Robles driver Rich Denman took second in the final standings. His results included a sixth at Bakersfield, 10th at Santa Maria, 11th at Merced, and sixth at Petaluma. Third in points went to Buddy Kniss of Oakley, who overcame a rough start (16th at Bakersfield) to record finishes of fourth, eighth, and 10th in the remaining three events.

Dylan Wilson claimed the 2025 Central California Clash title in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods with two wins and a runner-up finish during the series. (Photo by Elliott Digital Design)

Nicholas Johnson was untouchable in one of the most dominant runs in series history, sweeping all four features to claim the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car title in emphatic fashion.

Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista finished second in the standings with finishes of sixth, fifth, and back-to-back fourths at Merced and Petaluma. Third went to Kevin Roberts of Radersburg, Mont., whose week included a third at Bakersfield, and three straight sixth-place finishes at Santa Maria, Merced, and Petaluma.

Nicholas Johnson dominated the 2025 Central California Clash, sweeping all four races to earn the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car tour championship. (Photo by Elliott Digital Design)

Race fans who missed the action can catch every lap on-demand with an IMCA.TV Replay subscription for just $24.99 per month.

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