By Ben Deatherage
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 31, 2026) — Brandon Beckendorf captured a dramatic victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the eighth and final night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway, edging out defending Winter Nationals champion Ethan Braaksma in a late race finish.
Braaksma jumped to the early lead in the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111 and set the pace through early cautions. Beckendorf, the 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion, stayed within striking distance and began closing in just past the halfway point as lapped traffic came into play.
A late-race duel unfolded when Beckendorf made his move under Braaksma on lap 23. The pair raced side-by-side to the white flag before Beckendorf surged ahead exiting turn two and held on for the victory. The Danube, Minnesota, driver earned his first career Winter Nationals series win and his first victory of the 2026 season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region after starting fourth.
Braaksma settled for second, two-time Sweetwater Speedway track champion Bryson Yeager finished third, reigning Marshalltown Speedway titlist Kollin Hibdon placed fourth, and three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton completed the top five. Thornton clinched the overall IMCA Modified Winter Nationals championship — the first of his career.
Hard charger honors resulted in a three-way tie, as two-time National champion Chaz Baca Jr., 2024 Night of 1,000 Stars winner Eddie Belec, and 2022 Thomas County Speedway track champion Greg Gustus each advanced 11 positions.
A total of 66 IMCA Modifieds were signed in.
Starry Storms to Stock Car Victory and Wins Winter Nationals Title
Cameron Starry rallied from deep in the field to score a decisive win in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, earning his fifth victory of the 2026 IMCA TV Winter Nationals and the sixth Winter Nationals triumph of his career.
Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen, a two-time Iowa State champion and last year’s Shelby County Speedway track champion, led the opening laps before Starry worked forward through traffic. Following a restart on lap 10, Starry powered to the lead out of turn four and never looked back.
Late cautions bunched the field, but the 2024 Dakota Classic Tour Stock Car champion executed strong restarts to maintain control. Starry’s victory marked his sixth EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region win of the season. Starting 11th, the Corpus Christi, Texas, driver clinched the overall Winter Nationals Stock Car championship, breaking a tie with Curt Lund on wins.
Blake Clark, a two-time EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region champion, finished second after charging from 16th. Mike Vondrak placed third, three-time IMCA Sprint Car Super Nationals winner Curt Lund finished fourth, and Jeremy Richey rounded out the top five.
Clark and 2023 Winter Nationals champion Chase Berkeley tied for hard charger honors, with Berkeley going from 20th to sixth.
A total of 36 IMCA Stock Cars competed.
Suckow Cruises to First Winter Nationals SportMod Victory, Noonan Takes Title
Cole Suckow dominated the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature, leading from the opening lap to secure his first career Winter Nationals series victory.
The 2024 Independence Motor Speedway track champion built a commanding advantage early and controlled the pace through multiple cautions. Ben Reierson moved into second following a restart, while 2024 Nebraska State champion Trevor Noonan worked his way forward into third.
A late caution reset the field just before lapped traffic became a factor, but Suckow quickly reasserted control and pulled away to the win. Reierson finished second, Noonan placed third, 2024 National Rookie of the Year Tyler Johnson finished fourth, and Bubba Stafford Jr. completed the top five.
Noonan secured the overall Winter Nationals championship — the first of his career.
Dakota Girard and Rich Denman tied for the most passes in the feature with 12 each.
A total of 58 Northern SportMods were on hand.
Jahnz Claims Third Hobby Stock Win, Magee Secures Overall Title
Austin Jahnz delivered a dominant performance in the non-stop Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock main event, leading from the outset and never relinquishing control.
Jahnz pulled away early as Zachary Bierman and reigning South Dakota State champion Joel Magee battled for second. The top five settled into position as Jahnz continued to stretch his advantage, navigating lapped traffic without issue in the closing laps.
The Lewisville, Minnesota, driver earned his third victory of the 2026 Winter Nationals and his third B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region win of the season. Magee finished second and clinched the overall Winter Nationals Hobby Stock championship — the first of his career. 2024 Tougher Than Dirt Tour champion Morgan Olmstead finished third, Bierman placed fourth, and Steve Bitting Jr. rounded out the top five.
2024 Lincoln County Raceway track champion Tyler Thompson earned hard charger honors after advancing from 17th to ninth.
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.
