Morris Gets Winter Nationals Finale Victory at Southern Raceway

Feature, Modified, News

Troy Morris III celebrates in victory lane after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on the final 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. 21, 2026) — Troy Morris III was declared the winner of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on the final night of the Winter Nationals at Hunt The Front’s Southern Raceway following the post-race disqualification of Wesley Wise for a rev box infraction. The 20-lap, $1,000-to-win main event featured 40 IMCA Modifieds before a packed house. The decision completed a weekend sweep for Morris, who also won the previous night’s main event and is already on the eligibility list for the 2026 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. The sweep also earned Morris a $1,000 bonus for the achievement.

Tyler Allen led the opening lap before Cory Wray, a two-time Missouri State champion, powered around the outside to take command on lap two. A caution soon after reset the field, and on the restart Wray got sideways, handing the lead to Wise — last year’s track champion at Arkansas’ Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway. Chase Rosebrugh, the 2023 Close Racing Supply Eastern Region Rookie of the Year, moved into second while Dylan Thornton, a three-division winner at the IMCA Super Nationals, challenged on the top shelf. Multiple cautions kept the field tight as Wise maintained control on the bottom while others searched for speed up high.

The complexion of the race changed in the closing laps when Morris, the former IMCA Wild West Speedweek and Arizona IMCA Tour champion originally from California and now residing in Waterloo, Iowa, ripped the cushion and surged from fourth to second on lap 15. He tracked down Wise, and the pair staged a dramatic drag race to the checkers, with Wise narrowly crossing the stripe first. However, post-race inspection changed the final outcome, elevating Morris from an 18th-place starting position to the victory and hard charger honors for his second Close Racing Supply Eastern Region win of 2026.

Rosebrugh was scored second, Spencer Hughes placed the Chris Smith-owned no. 11 in third, Thornton moved to fourth, and Jed Freiburger, a four-time track champion at both Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway and Lafayette County Speedway over the past four consecutive seasons, rounded out the top five.

40 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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