Tafoya Captures Modified Victory at J.D. Minor Memorial in Cortez

Hobby Stock, Mod Lite, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Sport Compact, Stock Car

Regan Tafoya celebrates his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway during the JD Minor Memorial on May 30. The Farmington, N.M., driver earned his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of the season and first triumph of 2026 at the Colorado oval. (Photo by Shandra Minor)

By Suzan McCoy

CORTEZ, Colo. (May 30, 2026) — The season-opening J.D. Minor Memorial at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway featured six Speedway Motors IMCA divisions, and in the night’s premier division, the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Farmington, New Mexico’s Regan Tafoya drove to victory in the 20-lap feature.

Tafoya started second and outran a strong field to secure his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway win of 2026.

Dove Creek’s Camron Spangler finished second while Ryder Green advanced from seventh to complete the podium in third. Brian Carey crossed the stripe fourth and Tyrone Yazzie charged from 11th to fifth.

Fisher Scores First Stock Car Win of Season

The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars saw Dove Creek’s Race Fisher work his way to the front from a fourth-place starting position to claim the feature victory.

The win was Fisher’s first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region triumph of the season.

Jeramy Hughes advanced from sixth to finish second while Ron Brewer turned in one of the division’s strongest runs, charging from 10th to third. Dakota Kibel crossed the line fourth and Robert Reed rallied from 12th to complete the top five.

Spangler Earns First Colorado Win of Year

Brody Spangler gave the hometown fans plenty to cheer about in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods.

The Dove Creek driver started fourth and worked his way to victory lane for his second win of the season and first triumph of the year in his home state of Colorado.

Polesitter Keelan Matthews of Camp Verde, Arizona, finished second while Bayfield’s Anthony Ludwig completed the podium in third. Jimmy Wilson and Jesse Minor rounded out the top five.

Ferrell Goes Wire-to-Wire in Hobby Stocks

Bayfield’s Hunter Ferrell started on the pole and never looked back in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.

The victory was Ferrell’s second B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region win of the season and his first triumph in his native Colorado in 2026.

Chad Nelson finished second while Farmington’s Kyler Duggins crossed the stripe third. Jason Duggins and Ryan Greenwood completed the top five.

Shim Leads Mod Lite Charge

The Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite feature belonged to Gabe Shim of Farmington, New Mexico.

Shim started third and captured the 20-lap main event ahead of fellow Farmington racer Shane DeVilbiss. Kirtland’s Leon Shim completed a strong family showing in third. Cortez driver Rafe O’Brien and Dolores racer Derrick Pyeatt rounded out the top five.

Tillia Continues Winning Ways in Sport Compacts

The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature saw Dolores driver Clay Tillia race to victory from the front row.

The win was Tillia’s third victory of the season at three different tracks.

Cortez’s John Patterson finished second while Mancos racer Ted Neergaard advanced from eighth to third. John Frans finished fourth and Jayden Small completed the top five.

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