By Ben Deatherage
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 18, 2026) — Curt Lund was victorious in the Prelude to the IMCA TV Winter Nationals on Sunday night at Central Arizona Raceway, leading all 20 laps of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature to claim the $1,000 win in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region.
The Redwood Falls, Minnesota driver took command immediately from the three-wide start after rolling off from the front row of the outside column, setting the pace in the 28-car feature. Bo Partain stayed close early and applied pressure through the opening circuits, but by lap two Lund had firmly established control out front.
2015 Kansas State Stock Car champion Jason Rogers worked his way into second a couple of laps later and began trying to reel in the three-time Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner in the Sprint Car division. The first caution flew on lap five, followed by another yellow on lap six and yet another on lap seven, but each time Lund executed clean restarts to remain out front.
Behind him, a spirited battle developed between Partain, Rogers, and two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. in the Mitchell Ferguson-owned no. 21MF entry. As the race finally settled into a long green-flag run, Lund checked out from the field.
In the closing laps, Baca and Partain waged a fierce fight for second, with Baca ultimately winning the duel at the stripe. Partain, the 2024 EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region champion, settled for third.
Chris Tuchscherer, the 2005 Williston Basin Speedway Stock Car champion, fought from 12th to claim fourth. Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen completed the top five, rallying from 17th and fending off a late charge from Minnesota’s Kaden Woodie, who advanced from 26th.
With the win, Lund earned his first Stock Car victory of the 2026 season and became eligible to attempt qualification for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, scheduled to be held during the 2026 IMCA Super Nationals in September.
