April 20, 2026

Earven Triumphs in Wild Modified Feature at Casa Grande

MOD Don Earven VL PB Black Flagged Productions — Don Earven stands atop his car in victory lane at Central Arizona Raceway after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on Apr. 18, scoring an emotional DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory dedicated to his late father. (Photo by Black Flagged Productions)

By Rowdy Briggs

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Gerry Glenn got the jump at the start of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Raceway before a chaotic opening lap brought out a restart. Chad Ayers got loose in turn two, sending Jett Ayers up the track to avoid him. Jett’s move forced Terry Belcher Jr. into the wall, and in turn three, contact between Luke Silber and Ethan Stevens collected Bryan Gray, Todd Izzo, and Bill Slocum.

On the restart, Glenn again jumped to the lead, but it was short-lived as Don Earven worked his way to the front. Earven settled in out front and held off Justin Erickson over the closing laps to secure the victory.

Chad Ayers finished third, followed by Jesse Tellez and Sean Conyers to complete the top five. Silber had raced his way back into contention and up to third at one point before pulling in with two laps remaining.

It was Earven’s first win in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region since 2024, when his father Ray passed away. He dedicated the emotional victory to him.

centralarizonaraceway

Thornton Rallies Late for Fourth Modified Victory at ’26 IMCA TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Belle Plaine, Iowa’s Dylan Thornton added another chapter to his dominant Winter Nationals run with a hard-fought victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the sixth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident earned his fourth win of the 2026 event, his fourth victory of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, and his sixth career Winter Nationals Modified triumph. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, jumped to the early lead from the bottom groove before 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion Brandon Beckendorf began applying pressure. Beckendorf took control on lap five and briefly stretched the advantage as the leaders navigated lapped traffic. A caution on lap 18 reset the field, and Thornton went to work on the outside, pulling alongside Beckendorf and completing the winning pass on lap 22. Beckendorf [Read More]

Berry finds preferred line for Early Thaw IMCA win

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 19, 2024) – Tom Berry had to hustle to get a couple late post-season wins in Arizona last year. He found victory lane much sooner this year, winning Friday’s night two Ernie Mincy Early Thaw feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. “I fell back to fourth (from third starting) and was thinking that’s where I would finish,” said Berry, a DNF after running up front in the Thursday opener. “The high line was the preferred line and it took me three or four laps to get the lead once I found it.” The $1,000 checkers were the first of the season and career 72nd in the class for Berry, who piloted a Mike Wedelstadt owned car at Casa Grande. IMCA’s 2020 national champion was already eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. “We raced in Arizona in 2015 and won twice at Cocopah in the Turkey Classic Harvest Hustle last Thanksgiving,” he said. “We got started early this year, getting the win in our second start.” Opening night winner Chaz [Read More]

Bender Blazes to Victory at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 22, 2025) — Collin Bender delivered a dominant performance in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite main event at Central Arizona Raceway, charging from eighth to the lead in just two laps around the 3/8-mile oval to secure his first win of the 2025 season. Defending Arizona State champion Michael Phay led the early circuits, but Bender wasted no time carving his way to the front. On lap two, he executed a daring double pass in turn two and quickly closed in on Phay. By turn three, Bender completed the move to take over the top spot. Once in command, Bender faced two caution periods, but each time he proved unfazed. On the final restart, which came on lap 8, the Chandler native pulled away to a commanding lead and cruised to the checkered flag. Bryan McCauley finished second, with Braeden Ward rounding out the podium in third.

Late Model

Merchant Storms from 16th to Capture Park Jefferson Modified Feature

By Chance Riley JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 16, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were the stars of the show Thursday night at Park Jefferson Speedway with a thrilling 20-lap main event. For most of the race, it was a two-car battle for the lead between Shane DeMey and Brian Mahlstedt. But on the white flag lap, charging down the front stretch, R.J. Merchant of South Sioux City, Nebraska stormed from his 16th starting position to steal the win—despite a bent suspension. It was Merchant’s first victory of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. DeMey finished second ahead of Duke Erickson, while Mahlstedt and Ricky Stephan completed the top five. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered an exciting 18-lap feature. Braydon Ahlers controlled much of the race, but Willy Kirk, who restarted at the back following an early caution, made a last-lap pass on the front stretch during a green, white, checkered finish to take the win. The Salix, Iowa driver earned his first victory of the season. Ahlers settled for [Read More]

Modified

Modifieds and SportMods Set to Get Rolling at Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2026) — Santa Maria Speedway is set to host an action-packed night of racing this Saturday, April 25, on the famed third-mile clay oval. The evening marks the season championship opener for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. IMCA Modifieds competed six times at Santa Maria Speedway in 2025 and produced six different winners, proving just how deep and competitive the division was all season long. Cody Burke opened the year in victory lane, and the Salinas native will look to repeat that performance as he heads south on US 101 for this season’s opener. Josh Combs, Larry Wise, Gavyn Manning, Rob Sanders, and Logan Drake also found victory lane last season, and several are expected back this weekend in pursuit of the first win at SMS in 2026. IMCA Northern SportMods were just as competitive in 2025, producing six different winners over seven nights of racing. The only two-time winner, Tyler Bannister, has moved to the IMCA Modified ranks and will make [Read More]

News

Brown on Top of His Game at Delaware Int’l MASS Event

By Pete Wortman DELMAR, Del. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Dave Brown Jr. of Aston, Pennsylvania took top honors Saturday night at Delaware International Speedway by capturing his first MASS victory of the young season. Brown outlasted defending champion Troy Betts in the 25-lap feature with the DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade. It was Brown’s 13th career MASS victory, tying him for second on the all-time win list for the series. Brown drew the pole during the redraw and took full advantage, grabbing the early lead at the start while Betts wasted no time giving chase. Betts pressured Brown in the opening laps, with Brown slowly opening up a five-car-length advantage. Meanwhile, behind the leaders, heat winner Ryan Stillwaggon was on the move, battling with D.J. Tanner and last week’s winner Tim Iulg for third. The trio raced three-wide multiple times in a thrilling fight that lasted several laps. By halfway, Tanner secured the position, with Iulg in pursuit and Stillwaggon fending off a hard-charging Aiden Borden. At that point, Brown [Read More]

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