April 20, 2026

Modifieds and SportMods Set to Get Rolling at Santa Maria

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Weekly

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 his first Modified start at Santa Maria Speedway. His father, Jason Bannister, will look to keep the Bannister name in victory lane in SportMod competition on the Coast. Meanwhile, local standouts Rich Denman and Landon King, both winners in 2025, will look to defend their home turf against a strong field of challengers.

Santa Maria Speedway is also proud to welcome local baseball and softball players this Saturday. All athletes ages 17 and under who wear their team uniform will receive free admission to the night’s racing action. Once the games are done, dust off the jerseys and bring family and friends for a fun night at the races.

For complete information, visit www.SantaMariaSpeedway.net. Pit gates open at 1:00 p.m., grandstands at 4:00 p.m., hot laps are scheduled for 4:30 p.m., and racing begins at 6:00 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are available now on the track website.

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Combs Makes Late Race Pass to Win at Santa Maria

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News

Cooper Cruises to First SportMod Win of Season at Marysville

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Late Model

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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]

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