May 29, 2026

Barnhill Wins as Blackwater Speedway Beats the Rain

MOD Jason Barnhill OT PB 2 Fast 2 Photo — Jason Barnhill wheels his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified around Blackwater Speedway during Memorial Day weekend competition at the Baker, Florida oval. The Milton driver earned his second Close Racing Supply Eastern Region victory of the 2026 season on May 23. (Photo by 2 Fast 2 Photo)

By Cortni Potopowicz

BAKER, Fla. (May 23, 2026) — Despite rain showers wiping out racing programs across the region, Blackwater Speedway stayed determined to race Saturday night and delivered an exciting Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature won by Jason Barnhill.

William Bartlett led the opening lap before Barnhill charged forward from his fifth starting spot and took command on lap two. Once out front, the Milton, Florida driver maintained control to score his second Close Racing Supply Eastern Region victory of the season at two different tracks while continuing to strengthen his standing among the top IMCA Modified competitors in Florida and Alabama.

Clayton Redding made a strong first appearance at Blackwater Speedway, advancing from seventh to finish second for the Newton, Alabama racer. Jimmy Dunnaway, from Panama City, Florida, completed the podium in third.

Bartlett held on for fourth while defending track champion Zach Howard rounded out the top five.

Heat race victories earlier in the evening went to Howard and Barnhill.

blackwaterspeedway

Bartlett Goes Flag-to-Flag for Blackwater Modified Victory

By Cortni Potoapowicz BAKER, Fla. (May 2, 2026) — After nearly two inches of rain threatened Saturday’s program, officials at Blackwater Speedway worked tirelessly to bring both the racing surface and pit area back to top condition—delivering a track that was race-ready for the night’s “Show Up and Showdown” event. Despite the weather challenges, the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified division brought plenty of excitement. When the feature went green, the competition intensified as some of the division’s best went wheel-to-wheel behind the leader. William Bartlett of Panama City led the entire distance to capture the feature win in impressive fashion, earning his first victory of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. Jason Barnhill charged to a strong second-place finish, while Chris Smith fought his way back onto the podium in third. Greg Hopkins finished fourth, followed by Zach Howard in fifth.

Braaksma Breaks Through for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph at Blackwater

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma powered to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the opening night of the 2026 IMCA Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway. The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September, for which Braaksma was already on the eligibility list. Tim Ward, the two-time reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, jumped to the early lead aboard the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car before Joseph Joiner wrestled the top spot away on lap two. Joiner, driving the Andrews Autosport no. 10J for car owner Spencer Andrews, withstood multiple early cautions while fending off challenges from Braaksma. The race turned on lap 10 when Joiner bobbled, allowing Braaksma — the two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion racing the Trent Guest and Danny Meier no. 111— to pounce and seize control. [Read More]

Hopkins and Smith Shine in Blackwater Doubleheader

By Cortni Potapowicz BAKER, Fla. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds returned to action at Blackwater Speedway for a two-night spectacular of racing. On Saturday night, Greg Hopkins started from the pole in the 20-lap feature and led all but lap four en route to the victory. Hopkins, of Repton, Alabama, earned his first win of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. Chris Smith finished second, followed by Todd Neiheiser in third. J.C. Wilson placed fourth, with Erik White completing the top five. The night before, Brewton, Alabama’s Chris Smith charged from fifth to the lead in just four laps to score his second victory of the season in the Eastern Region, with both wins coming at Blackwater. J.C. Wilson was the hard charger, advancing from ninth to finish second. Defending track champion Zach Howard was third, while Jason Barnhill and Greg Hopkins rounded out the top five.

Feature

May Captures Corn Belt Clash Mini-Series Title with Strong Memorial Day Weekend Run

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2026) — Josh May put together a consistent and impressive Memorial Day weekend performance to claim the 2026 Corn Belt Clash mini-series championship for Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites, earning his second career series crown and first since the inaugural edition in 2021. The three-race swing visited Marshalltown Speedway, Boone Speedway, and Stuart Speedway, drawing an impressive 45 competitors from across the Midwest. Drivers battled not only for nightly honors but also for a $150 bonus awarded to the top 20 in the final standings. May opened the weekend with a statement performance on May 22 at Marshalltown Speedway. Starting 12th in the feature, he charged through the field to score the victory over Colby Oberembt. Joel Huggins advanced from eighth to finish third, while Jaxon Carr and Colin Anderson completed the top five. Randy Bryan, Garrett Barber, Bryan Zehm, and Oberembt each collected Weekend Performance $30 heat race bonuses. Tracen Glick earned the Stealth Racing Hard Charger Award after advancing 15 positions from 22nd to seventh. Hard Luck [Read More]

Modified

Barnhill Wins as Blackwater Speedway Beats the Rain

By Cortni Potopowicz BAKER, Fla. (May 23, 2026) — Despite rain showers wiping out racing programs across the region, Blackwater Speedway stayed determined to race Saturday night and delivered an exciting Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature won by Jason Barnhill. William Bartlett led the opening lap before Barnhill charged forward from his fifth starting spot and took command on lap two. Once out front, the Milton, Florida driver maintained control to score his second Close Racing Supply Eastern Region victory of the season at two different tracks while continuing to strengthen his standing among the top IMCA Modified competitors in Florida and Alabama. Clayton Redding made a strong first appearance at Blackwater Speedway, advancing from seventh to finish second for the Newton, Alabama racer. Jimmy Dunnaway, from Panama City, Florida, completed the podium in third. Bartlett held on for fourth while defending track champion Zach Howard rounded out the top five. Heat race victories earlier in the evening went to Howard and Barnhill.

News

May Qualifiers Expand B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational Eligibility List

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2026) — More drivers were added to the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car eligibility list for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational following May competition, while additional wins by already eligible drivers continued to strengthen an already deep field as tracks across the country settled into the 2026 season. Drivers become eligible by winning IMCA-sanctioned events paying $1,000 or more to win, earning the opportunity to attempt to qualify for the invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway. Winners of events paying $5,000 or more are guaranteed starting positions in the invitational. Already eligible drivers in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region continued to add to their totals in May, with Paul Stone capturing the Kris Mancebo Memorial at Thunderbowl Raceway on May 15. Drivers earning their first qualifying victories of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region included Braden Richards, who won April 28 at Independence Motor Speedway, Dillon Solum with his April 29 victory [Read More]

Related Articles