By Christine Rublack
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (June 2, 2026) — Joel Rust topped a stellar field of Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds Tuesday night at Independence Motor Speedway, scoring a $3,000 victory on opening night of the IMCA Summer Nationals and earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.
Jed Freiburger took command early while Brennen Chipp and Spencer Diercks battled for second. Rust, the Grundy Center driver, worked his way forward from the fourth starting position while engaged in a battle with Tripp Gaylord.
A caution bunched the field and gave Rust an opportunity to attack. Utilizing the high groove, he surged to the lead and never looked back.
The victory was Rust’s first Razor Chassis North Central Region win of the season.
Gaylord finished second ahead of Freiburger. Tim Ward charged from 11th to fourth, while Cole Czarneski advanced from 14th to complete the top five.
Kelsie Black turned in a notable run from 17th to eighth, while Brandon Beckendorf raced from 20th to ninth.
45 IMCA Modifieds signed in for the night.
Olson Outduels VanderBeek for Stock Car Score
Zack VanderBeek controlled the early stages of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main running the bottom groove while Tony Olson kept pace around the top side. Braden Richards settled into third as Kaden Reynolds followed close behind.
Olson eventually tracked down VanderBeek and used the high line to take over the lead. From there, the Cedar Rapids driver maintained the advantage to collect his third EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and second win of 2026 at Independence.
The triumph made Olson eligible to attempt to qualify for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational.
VanderBeek finished second, followed by Richards, Reynolds and Kodey Miles.
51 IMCA Stock Cars were on hand.
Reimers Cruises to SportMod Victory
Cam Reimers was untouchable in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature.
Starting from the pole, the Kelley driver immediately established control and steadily pulled away from the field. Keegan Nordquist and Zach Davis gave chase while Caleb Woodward advanced into contention near the halfway point.
Reimers continued to extend his lead as the laps wound down and cruised to his fifth victory of 2026 and first win of the season at Independence.
Nordquist finished second ahead of Davis and Woodward. Dylan Van Wyk rounded out the top five.
Miles Continues Hobby Stock Hot Streak
Karter Miles continued his strong season in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks.
The Bernard driver, who started outside the front row, battled Carson Butt for the lead during the opening laps before taking control. Multiple cautions kept the field close while Brett Vanous, Dalton Weepie and Braden Gifford raced intensely for position.
Miles held off a determined charge from Butt to earn his eighth B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season and second triumph of the year at Independence.
Vanous finished third while Gifford delivered one of the night’s best drives, charging from 21st to fourth. Weepie completed the top five.
Bielenberg Breaks Through for First Sport Compact Win of 2026
Mitch Bielenberg captured his first victory of the season in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact division.
The Charlotte driver started third and quickly found himself battling Jay Orr for the lead. As the race progressed, the front two separated themselves from the rest of the field while Brad Chandler and Devin Jones fought for third.
Bielenberg maintained the advantage to secure the win. Orr charged from seventh to finish second, followed by Chandler and Jones.
Michael Gardner turned in an impressive run from 15th to fifth, while Stephen Randall advanced from 18th to eighth.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Advantage Racing 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.
