By Christine Rublack
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (June 3, 2026) — Tyler Wilson emerged victorious in one of the closest finishes of the week, edging Brandon Schmitt by just .025 seconds to win the $5,000-to-win Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature on the final night of the 2026 IMCA Summer Nationals at Independence Motor Speedway on Wednesday night.
Schmitt, aboard the Stephanie and Josh Sorce-owned No. 20 entry, established himself as the early leader and quickly pulled away from the field. Behind him, Wilson, Nick Buckarma, and Damon Murty engaged in a spirited battle for position while Kelly Shryock steadily worked his way forward.
Shryock, in the Mike Hauan-owned Lake Mills Motorsports No. 3, cracked the top three as the laps wound down, but the battle for the lead belonged to Wilson and Schmitt. Wilson finally edged ahead in the closing laps and narrowly held off Schmitt at the checkered flag for the $5,000 payday.
The Little Suamico, Wisconsin, driver earned his third EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and automatically qualified for the 2026 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational to be held at this year’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Schmitt finished second while Shryock completed the podium in third. Buckarma crossed the stripe fourth, and Cayden Carter delivered the night’s best charge, advancing from 18th to fifth in the Michael Peterson-owned No. 1X.
A total of 49 IMCA Stock Cars were on tap for the night.
Beckendorf Banks $5,000 in Modified Main Event
Brandon Beckendorf added another major victory to his 2026 campaign in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.
Kollin Hibdon led the early circuits while Ethan Braaksma and Cody Laney battled behind him. Beckendorf, the Danube, Minnesota, driver, started fourth and steadily worked his way forward as Braaksma eventually took over the lead.
Beckendorf tracked down the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned No. 111 of Braaksma and made the winning pass to secure the $5,000 triumph.
The victory was Beckendorf’s seventh of the season and sixth in Razor Chassis North Central Region competition. Beckendorf was already on the eligible to qualify list for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational after winning during the IMCA TV Winter Nationals in January.
Braaksma finished second while Hibdon completed the podium in third. Laney crossed the stripe fourth and opening-night winner Joel Rust rounded out the top five.
Tim Ward charged from 15th to sixth, while Spencer Diercks, Cody Schroeder, and Cole Czarneski each advanced 10 positions. The trio finished 12th, 13th, and 14th, respectively.
Forty-two IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the night.
Carter Repeats Summer Nationals Success in SportMods
Brayton Carter found victory lane on the final night of IMCA Summer Nationals for the second straight year, capturing the $3,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature.
The Oskaloosa driver started third and took command at the drop of the green in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Kyle Olson and Cam Reimers battled for second early before Caleb Woodard emerged as a contender.
A series of cautions kept the field close, allowing Devyn Peterson and Reimers opportunities to challenge. Despite the pressure, Carter remained in control and secured his sixth IMCA victory of the season at five different tracks.
Woodard delivered an impressive run from 10th to finish second while Peterson charged from 14th to third. Reimers settled for fourth after winning the previous night’s feature, and Tony Olson completed the top five.
Cory Kemkes earned hard charger honors after advancing from 24th to ninth.
Wayne Gifford Breaks Through in Hobby Stocks
Wayne Gifford captured the $2,000-to-win Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature and his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season.
The Boone driver started third and found himself in a family battle for the lead as Braden Gifford paced the early laps. Leah Wroten remained in contention as the lead trio raced nose-to-tail throughout much of the event.
Gifford eventually took command and held on for the victory.
Braden Gifford finished second while Wroten crossed the stripe third. Dalton Weepie came home fourth and Joren Fisher rounded out the top five.
Jacob Floyd turned in one of the night’s strongest drives, advancing from 22nd to eighth.
Chandler Charges to First Sport Compact Win
Brad Chandler raced from ninth to victory in the $1,000-to-win Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.
The Cedar Rapids driver tracked down early leader Lukas Rick and used the high groove to take control before several cautions slowed the pace.
Each restart provided opportunities for challengers, but Chandler consistently pulled away and raced to his first win of the season.
Night-one winner Mitch Bielenberg rallied from 11th to finish second. Rick completed the podium in third while Brooke Osler crossed the stripe fourth.
Michael Gardner continued his strong week with a run from 15th to fifth, while Aaron Swearingen earned hard charger honors after advancing from 24th to 12th.
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.
