By Ben Deatherage
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Dec. 12, 2025) — Drew Janssen doubled down at the inaugural Sparkling City Classic, capturing the $2,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 25-lap main event on Friday night at South Texas Race Ranch. The Pella, Iowa, racer piloted the Kyle Wisdom-owned no. 91 to his second straight victory, backing up Thursday’s win with another commanding performance in the event’s richest Modified feature.
Janssen and Johnny Torres traded shots for the lead on the opening lap before Janssen secured the top spot and immediately began stretching the field. Early cautions on laps five and 12 slowed momentum, but each time Janssen was flawless on the restart. Three-time Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod National champion Dean Abbey worked steadily forward, climbing to third on a long green-flag run before advancing to second on a restart. Another yellow on lap 18 again tested the leader, but Janssen continued to answer every challenge.
Torres regained second during the late stages as Steven Whiteaker Jr. charged from deep in the field, vaulting into the top five and eventually reaching third before a caution on lap 21 bunched the field one final time. Whiteaker took a look for second when racing resumed, but Torres held firm. Janssen pulled away to seal the win, with Torres second. Whiteaker was then swarmed by challengers over the final laps, allowing Dean Abbey to move into third as 2025 All Star Shootout Modified champion Garrett Gregory and 2008 IMCA Modified National champion P.J. Egbert capitalized to finish fourth and fifth.
Starry Stays Perfect in Stock Cars
Cameron Starry earned his second straight Sunoco IMCA Stock Car victory at the Sparkling City Classic, winning the $2,000-to-win, 25-lap feature on Friday night. The 20-year-old Corpus Christi native took control late in a hard-fought battle that showcased some of the division’s best.
Three-time EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region and Texas State champion Matt Guillaume jumped to the early lead before 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion Shelby Williams wrestled away the top spot at the completion of the first lap. Starry quickly moved into second and began pressuring Williams, with the two pulling away from the field. A lone caution on lap nine erased Williams’ advantage and set the stage for a dramatic duel, as Starry and Williams drag raced for several laps before Starry gained a slight edge and tried to break free.
Williams countered by rolling the high side, while Starry proved strong on the bottom, with the lead swinging back and forth as they fought hard. The battle allowed 14th-starting Cody Leonard to surge into contention, forcing both leaders to adjust lines. Starry ultimately found extra speed up top and edged clear to seal the win. Williams finished second, Leonard crossed in third, Boone Evans placed fourth, and Guillaume completed the top five.
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.
