By Sheldon Wickwar
HAYS, Kan. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts delivered one of the races of the night on the final night of the 14th Annual Sunflower Classic at RPM Speedway, with their 15-lap feature kicking off with Kiowa Higdon and Makennon Sanders on the front row. Early trouble for both drivers opened the door for Johnny Thomas and Connor Schwien to charge forward.
A thrilling three-car battle developed between Schwien, J.D. Renfro, and Thomas, with the trio swapping positions in the closing laps. Schwien made a bold move in the final corner to steal the win and secure his first victory of 2026.
Russell’s Schwien took the win, followed by Cheyenne, Wyoming’s J.D. Renfro in second and Beatrice, Nebraska’s Johnny Thomas in third. Kyle Mortensen finished fourth, with Gage Porter rounding out the top five.
Schwien also earned hard charger honors, gaining 14 spots on his way to victory lane.
Kiowa Higdon, Johnny Thomas, and Kaishen Brack each picked up heat race wins. Friday night’s feature was won by Johnny Thomas, who dedicated the emotional victory to his late mother.
Suckow Seals Redemption Run with SportMod Victory
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods produced another strong showing in their 20-lap main event, with Jack Kirchoff and Cole Suckow leading the field to green. Suckow quickly worked his way to the front as he looked to rebound from Friday night.
While Suckow led most of the way, he had his hands full with Tyler Watts and Adam Armstrong applying pressure throughout the race. He stayed composed and went on to score the victory.
Watts finished second, followed by Dwight’s Cody Gearhart, Jamestown’s Austin Carter, and Collyer’s Blaine Walt. Cody Williams earned hard charger honors, gaining 13 spots.
Adam Armstrong, Riley Osantowski, Trevin Frye, and Dylan Jacobson won heat races, while Nick Hankins and Blaine Walt captured B-Main victories.
Money Masters Modified Main in Saturday Showdown
The 20-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature rolled off with Friday night winner Greg Gustus and Tanner Black on the front row. Black jumped to the early lead, but Clay “MoneyMan” Money was soon in pursuit.
Money, Black, and Brett Berry battled throughout the race, trading momentum at the front before Money ultimately took control to score his first win of the year in the Jet Racing Central Region.
Berry finished second, followed by Tanner Black, Hudson, Colorado’s Greg Gustus, and Kelsie Black. Dalton Murphy earned hard charger honors with a nine-position gain.
Kelsie Black and Dakota Sproul each picked up heat race wins.
Olmstead in Control from the Start in Hobby Stock Win
Morgan Olmstead and Bingston Rogers led the field to green for the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Olmstead jumped out front early and never relinquished control.
Despite pressure from drivers working through the field, Olmstead stayed smooth and in command to pick up his second win of the 2026 season and his first in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region.
Friday winner Nick Ronnebaum finished second, followed by Juniata, Nebraska’s Tyler Thompson, Oakley’s Brady Bencken, and McCook, Nebraska’s Mitchell Fischer.
Ted Trumbo was the hard charger, gaining 11 spots after advancing through a b-main.
Nick Ronnebaum, Bingston Rogers, Brady Bencken, and Tyler Thompson won heat races, while Brayden Hurley and Aiden Miller claimed B-Main victories.
Holzmeister Checks Out Early, Cruises to Stock Car Victory
Doug Holzmeister and Eric Cross brought the field to green for the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event. Holzmeister wasted no time taking control and pulling away from the field.
As battles continued behind him and late-race attrition shuffled positions, Holzmeister remained untouchable, cruising to his first win of 2026 in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his first in his new B&B Racing Chassis.
Tanner Thiel finished second, with Eric Cross third, Quinton Yutterman fourth, and Troy Burkhart rounding out the top five after starting 17th.
Jason Rogers earned hard charger honors with a 13-position gain.
Tathan Burkhart, Bo Egge, and Dillon Richards won heat races, while Tim Watts captured the B-Feature.
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.
