Morris Strikes First on Opening Night of Winter Nationals at Southern Raceway

Feature, Modified, News

Troy Morris III celebrates in victory lane after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on opening night of the Winter Nationals at Hunt The Front’s Southern Raceway, joined by his father, Troy Morris Jr., and younger brother Cohen. (Photo by Sure Visuals)

By Ben Deatherage

MILTON, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2026) — Troy Morris III captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on opening night under new ownership at Hunt The Front’s Southern Raceway, scoring the $1,000 victory in the 20-lap main event. The race served as the first of two nights of Winter Nationals competition and doubled as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying event, placing Morris on the eligibility list for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

Morris, the former Arizona IMCA Tour and IMCA Wild West Speedweek champion now based in Waterloo, Iowa, via California, set the tone early, battling two-time reigning Super Nationals winner Tim Ward for the lead on the initial start. Morris led lap one while Ward — piloting the no. 151 Performer Chassis house car owned by Doug and Amy Eckrich — gave chase. A lap-two restart sparked a three-wide battle for second involving two-time Florida State titlist Jason Barnhill, Ward, and two-time national champion Chaz Baca Jr., allowing 2024 Alabama State crown winner Ryan Fowler, aboard the Sean Pierce-provided no. 6, to briefly move into the runner-up position before Ward reclaimed the spot as Morris began to pull away.

As green-flag action continued, 2014 Arkansas State champion Brint Hartwick worked forward, eventually climbing to third. Hartwick momentarily lost momentum with a bobble on lap nine, drawing pressure from Fowler and Joseph Joiner in the Andrews Autosport-owned no. 10, but regrouped and maintained position. A caution on lap 12 erased Morris’ four-and-a-half-second lead and set up a dramatic finish.

Hartwick surged to second on the restart and briefly slipped past Morris on lap 14 when the leader drifted high in turn two, but Morris countered entering turn three to reclaim command. Hartwick remained within striking distance to the checkers, yet Morris held strong to secure his first Close Racing Supply Eastern Region win of 2026.

Hartwick charged from eighth to finish second, followed by Ward in third. Spencer Hughes rallied from 15th to fourth, while Joiner completed the top five. The night’s hard charger honors went to the reigning Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway track champion, who advanced from 25th to ninth with 16 successful passes.

42 IMCA Modifieds signed in for the night.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Hunt The Front 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, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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