Richards Charges from Sixth to Win Shelby County Stock Car Opener

Hobby Stock, Late Model, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Sport Compact, Stock Car

Braden Richards celebrates his Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature win at Shelby County Speedway on Apr. 24, surrounded by family and crew in victory lane after charging from sixth to capture his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season. (Photo by Madeby.owen)

By Don Hawkins

HARLAN, Iowa (Apr. 25, 2026) — Shelby County Speedway kicked off the 2026 season in grand style with opening night, overcoming threatening skies to deliver a full and exciting program, and the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars delivered one of the night’s most competitive features.

Austin Meiners took the early lead but had plenty of company in pursuit. When it all settled, Braden Richards of Madrid charged from sixth to score his second win of 2026 in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, following an earlier victory at Boone Speedway on April 11. Miciah Hidlebaugh, who started seventh, finished second, followed by Meiners in third. Defending track champion Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen was fourth, with Bob Daniels rounding out the top five.

Heat race wins went to Meiners, Richards, and Daniels, while Mike Stapelton won the B Main. 27 IMCA Stock Cars were checked in.

The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks also put on an entertaining feature. Harlan’s own Gage Neese powered from a fifth-place starting spot to take the win, his first of the season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Briar Kriegel advanced from 11th to finish second, followed by Kael Koch, who started 10th, and Colby Christensen, who came from 12th. Defending track champion Jeff Fink completed the top five.

Heat race wins went to Eric Stanton, Tyler Ramsey, and Kriegel, with Kris Chadwick winning the B Feature. There were 27 IMCA Hobby Stocks in attendance.

The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods featured a strong showing, with Altoona’s Chris Burke leading the way to his first win of the season after looking strong throughout the night. Cody Olsen finished second, with Joe Feyen third, Chase Monson fourth, and Dylan Petersen fifth. Heat race wins went to Olsen, Burke, and Jake Newsom. A total of 23 IMCA Northern SportMods were checked in.

The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts once again showcased one of the speedway’s deepest divisions. Stuart’s Tyler Fiebelkorn worked his way to the front and held on for his first win of 2026. Johnny Thomas finished second, followed by Dave Coenen in third and Curtis Masterson in fourth. Caine Mahlberg, who started 16th, rounded out the top five.

Heat race wins went to Thomas, Dalton Woodle, and Coenen, while Mahlberg claimed the B Feature. A strong field of 30 IMCA Sport Compacts filled the pit area.

The Sunoco IMCA Late Models capped off the evening with Jody Krug of Plattsmouth, Nebraska taking command early and never looking back in a convincing performance. The win was his first of the 2026 season. Jordan Krug was second, followed by defending track and national champion Zach Zeitner in third, Drew Baker in fourth, and Jon Plowman in fifth. Heat race wins went to Zeitner and Jody Krug.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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