Janssen Completes Sparkling City Classic Sweep for $10,000 Weekend Haul

Feature, Modified, News, Stock Car

Drew Janssen of Pella, Iowa, celebrates in victory lane after completing a weekend sweep by winning the $3,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature on the final night of the Sparkling City Classic at South Texas Race Ranch in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Dec. 13. (Photo by Tim Aylwin Photography)

By Ben Deatherage

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Dec. 13, 2025) — Drew Janssen closed out the inaugural Sparkling City Classic in emphatic fashion, capturing the $3,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 25-lap main event on Saturday night at South Texas Race Ranch. The Pella, Iowa, racer led from the outset aboard the Kyle Wisdom-provided no. 91, completing a weekend sweep of the Modified division and earning the $4,000 Big O Screens Bonus for an overall $10,000 payday across the three-night event.

Janssen seized the lead at the initial green flag and quickly began stretching his advantage, continuing the form that saw him dominate the previous two nights. Behind him, fellow Iowan Izac Mallicoat battled Matt Mueller before securing second, but a debris caution on lap nine erased Janssen’s commanding lead. On the restart, Janssen again checked out, with Mallicoat breaking free from the field as the two distanced themselves from the rest of the pack.

Just as Mallicoat began closing the gap, another caution on lap 16 slowed the pace. Janssen again fired cleanly on the restart, and while Mallicoat briefly found momentum, Janssen rebuilt a sizable advantage in the final laps, pulling away decisively to seal the weekend sweep.

Mallicoat finished second, with three-time Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod National champion Dean Abbey completing the podium. 2025 All Star Shootout Modified champion Garrett Gregory placed fourth, followed by Jason Ingalls in fifth.

Fain Dominates Stock Car Finale at Sparkling City Classic

Tommy Fain delivered a commanding performance in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car finale, winning the $3,000-to-win, 25-lap feature on the final night. The Abilene racer advanced from sixth starting position to claim the victory and punch his ticket onto the eligibility list to try and qualify for the 2026 B&B Racing Chassis All Star Stock Car Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

Jett Hefti jumped to the early lead before 2021 All Star Shootout Stock Car champion Fain took control on lap three, following contact among front runners in turns three and four. A caution on lap seven and another on the ensuing restart slowed the race and ended the hopes of Cameron Starry, who was attempting to complete a weekend sweep bonus after winning the first two nights. Starry, who had transferred from a consolation feature and charged from 18th to sixth, was collected in the incident.

Once back under green, Fain was flawless, steadily pulling away as Cody Leonard and 2016 Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod National champion Jeffrey Abbey battled behind him. Leonard eventually secured second and chased Fain to the finish, while Abbey completed the podium. At the line, 2023 Lone Star Stock Car Tour champion Cody Smith edged Cameron Starry in a spirited battle for fourth, with Starry bouncing back from the earlier incident.

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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