Volk Dominates Hobby Stock Arlington Opener

Feature, Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Sport Compact, Sprint Car, Stock Car

Chad Volk of Lake Crystal, Minn., stands in victory lane at Arlington Raceway after winning the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature during the track’s 46th season opener on May 2. (Photo by Sarah Moriarty)

By Susan Allen

ARLINGTON, Minn. (May 2, 2026) — The 46th season at Arlington Raceway got underway with a standout Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Chad Volk of Lake Crystal, who started third, had his car dialed in early and led the entire distance to score his first win of the year in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Cory Probst, who started 10th, appeared to be a contender before a caution sent him to the back on a restart. Volk held steady out front while Taylor Manderfield tried to reel him in but settled for second. Austin Jahnz finished third, followed by Brad Becker, while Brad Jones made an impressive charge from 19th to complete the top five. Becker also won the best appearing car contest.

A strong field of 25 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars took the green, with only one early caution slowing the pace. Josh Larsen of Glencoe took command from the outset and led all 20 laps to earn his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season. Dan Mackenthun worked his way into second in the closing laps, followed by Trent Loverude in third. Broddy Enter and Matthew Looft rounded out the top five. Looft, driving the B&B Racing Chassis house car, also earned best appearing car honors.

Green-to-checkered racing highlighted the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature. Brandon Beckendorf of Danube took control early, moving into the lead on lap two after Chad Porter paced the opening circuit. Beckendorf went on to score his third win of the season and second in the Razor Chassis North Central Region in 2026—his first at Arlington this year. Clint Hatlestad charged into second, while Porter held on for third. Dan Menk finished fourth, followed by Matthew Looft in fifth. JJ Reimers earned best appearing car honors.

Two different leaders kept the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature interesting. Owen Graf led early before a caution slowed his momentum, opening the door for Matt Johnson of St. Peter to take over on the restart. Johnson maintained control over the final laps to secure the win. Graf finished second, Trevor Serbus was third, Bill Johnson fourth, and Brett Allen completed the top five. Bill Johnson also earned best appearing car honors.

The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts ran caution-free, with Gary Schumacher of Maplewood taking the lead on lap two from his third row starting spot and never looking back en route to his first win of the season. Brandon Hartmann finished second, followed by Alan Lahr, Dale Gatton, and David Marshall. Gatton earned best appearing car honors.

Pole-sitter Eric Larson of Medicine Lake controlled the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods feature from start to finish to claim the season-opening victory. Blake Luinenburg advanced from the third row to finish second, followed by Broddy Enter in third. Joey Reimers was fourth and Cole Hesse completed the top five. Reimers also earned best appearing car honors.

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

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