By Ben Deatherage
ABILENE, Texas (Feb. 21, 2026) — William Gould captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on the final night of the 32nd Annual Ice Breaker at Abilene Speedway, scoring the $1,000 victory in the 20-lap main event. The Calera, Oklahoma driver led from the outset aboard the Kenny Fryer Motorsports no. 60 to earn his first win of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region. The race also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, placing Gould on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify later this September.
The 2013 National champion and eight-time reigning regional titlist snatched the lead immediately at the drop of the green and proved dominant through multiple stoppages. Gould was flawless on restarts following several early cautions while 2021 South Central Region Rookie of the Year Steve Askew settled into second and worked to keep pace. Askew faced heavy pressure from New Mexico’s Rob Moseley as the pair battled intensely for the runner-up position, with Askew ultimately maintaining the spot through the middle stages.
Momentum shifted late when 2023 Ice Breaker winner Tyler Iverson of Nebraska began a methodical charge through the field. Iverson climbed to third on lap 13 and moved into second the following circuit, attempting to track down Gould but running out of laps. Gould remained composed to secure the win, while Iverson advanced from 12th to second to earn hard charger honors.
Jared Maupin, in the Rick Pollaro-owned no. 96, rallied late for third, Moseley finished fourth, and Askew completed the top five.
Starry Sweeps Weekend in Stock Cars
Cameron Starry added another major victory to his early-season résumé by winning the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. The 20-lap, $1,000-to-win contest saw the Corpus Christi driver lead from the outset and ultimately sweep the Ice Breaker weekend, collecting a $500 IMCA TV bonus in the process. It marked his eighth win of 2026, all in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. The event also served as a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, adding to Starry’s existing eligibility standing.
The 2026 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion and 2024 Dakota Classic Tour titleholder built a commanding lead despite multiple interruptions, including an early red flag and several cautions. Behind him, reigning All Star Shootout Stock Car title holder William Gould — pulling double duty in the Mark Patterson-owned no. 1 — held off three-time Southern Region champion Matt Guillaume for second for much of the race. Starry remained untouchable on each restart to seal the sweep.
Gould finished second, Guillaume third, 2002 IMCA Modified National Rookie of the Year G.W. Egbert IV charged from 14th to fourth, and two-time Southern Region champion Tom Earl III was fifth.
Egbert, 2017 Colorado State Hobby Stock champion Kolby Stegman, and Jeff Hefti each advanced 10 positions to share hard charger honors.
39 IMCA Stock Cars competed.
Spalding Charges to SportMod Victory
Cutter Spalding claimed the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod feature after a hard-fought 20-lap main event. Spalding, the 2023 National Rookie of the Year, started sixth and drove to his first victory of 2026.
Cory Williams, the 2017 National champion and two-time New Mexico State titlist, led the opening circuit before six-time track champion and multi-time Ice Breaker winner Bradley Poor surged to the front on lap three. Poor’s time out front was brief, however, as Spalding slipped underneath to take command at the line on lap four. Spalding navigated lapped traffic and multiple cautions while holding off challenges from night one winner Dustin Robinson and Poor.
Robinson secured second, Poor finished third, Williams was fourth, and Casey Carnes advanced from 17th to fifth to earn hard charger honors.
Haralson Doubles Up, Edges Martin in Sport Compacts
Keagan Haralson completed a weekend sweep of his own in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact division, winning the 15-lap finale one night after claiming the opener. The three-time Abilene Speedway track champion and two-time Ice Breaker winner surged from fourth to the lead on lap one and controlled the pace throughout.
The 2023 National champion Randy Martin closed the gap by lap seven and kept the leader within striking distance through several late cautions, while Bryson Broyles joined the battle to create a three-car fight at the front. Haralson maintained his composure and opened a small cushion in the closing laps. Martin made one final attempt in the last corner, but Haralson prevailed at the line by 0.080 seconds.
Martin finished second after starting ninth to earn hard charger honors, Broyles claimed third, Jeff Toler was fourth, and 2024 Texas State and track champion Kelly Van Driel completed the top five.
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, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
