June 16, 2026

Manning Captures Fifth Western Region Victory at Santa Maria

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results

MOD Gavyn Manning OT PB Turbow Photography — Gavyn Manning wheels his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified around Santa Maria Speedway during DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region competition. The Bakersfield, Calif. driver has been among the division's top performers throughout the 2026 season. (Photo by Turbow Photography)

By Stephanie Odom

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Gavyn Manning charged from seventh on the grid and used the high side to take the lead on lap 13 en route to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Santa Maria Speedway.

Justin Crockett grabbed the early lead and paced the field through the opening half of the 25-lap contest after winning one of the evening’s heat races. Manning steadily worked forward before finding momentum on the cushion and racing into the lead.

The Bakersfield driver held off a determined late challenge from Rob Sanders to score his fifth victory of the season in DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region competition. The win was also his second straight triumph and second overall victory of 2026 at Santa Maria Speedway.

Sanders finished second, followed by Crockett, Markus Frazier and Cole Szlauko. Heat race victories went to Sanders and Crockett.

Landon King earned his third Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season after a spirited late-race battle in the 20-lap feature.

Jon McKinley led the opening laps before King raced to the front on lap eight. Rich Denman briefly claimed the lead in the closing stages, but King battled back to regain the top spot and secure the victory.

The Pismo Beach driver crossed the stripe ahead of Denman, Tate Loftis, McKinley and Willy Oathout. The win was King’s third of the season and his second at Santa Maria Speedway in 2026. Heat race wins went to Denman and points leader Matthew Frazier.

The California RaceSaver Sprint Car Series closed out the evening with Davey Pombo collecting the feature victory.

After setting fast time with a lap of 14.338 seconds, Pombo advanced from fourth starting position and took command on lap 12 of the caution-free main event. Once in front, the Kerman driver pulled away to score the win.

Pombo’s triumph was his third California RaceSaver Sprint Car Series victory of 2026 and his second earned at Santa Maria Speedway this season. Jeremy Alves finished second, followed by Rino Felicioni, Connor Danell and George Tristao Jr. Danell and Tristao Jr. won the evening’s heat races.

santamariaspeedway

Bannister Storms Through Field for Santa Maria Modified Score

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (May 23, 2026) — Tyler Bannister charged from eighth starting position to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway and score his fifth DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season. Rob Sanders led the opening portion of the Modified main event while Bannister steadily worked his way through traffic. A caution on lap 17 tightened the field and opened the door for the Bakersfield driver, who took over the lead on the following circuit. Once out front, Bannister never looked back and raced away for his second Santa Maria Speedway triumph of 2026. Cole Szlauko finished second while Gavyn Manning advanced from 10th to third. Sanders held on for fourth while Markus Frazier rounded out the top five. King Holds Off Johnson for SportMod Victory Landon King led the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod field to green and quickly established himself as the driver to beat. The Pismo Beach 15-year-old maintained control throughout the feature while fending off repeated challenges from Bakersfield youngster [Read More]

Combs Makes Late Race Pass to Win at Santa Maria

By Ben Deatherage SANTA MARIA, Calif. (May 23, 2025) — The second leg of the 2025 Central California Clash brought the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds to Santa Maria Speedway for the tour’s first-ever race at the Central California coastal facility, featuring a 30-lap showdown. Roseville’s Josh Combs seized the opportunity to claim his first career series victory and first win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Combs took the early lead and maintained it through multiple cautions, which prevented him from encountering heavy lapped traffic. Cody Burke, a four-time Ocean Speedway track champion, briefly overtook Combs before a red flag incident nullified the lap, returning Combs to the front. Burke reclaimed the lead on lap 26, but a left rear flat tire with a few circuits remaining allowed Combs to retake the top spot and secure the win. Katelynn Robertson, the 2023 Nevada State champion, charged into second late in the race, while reigning Arkansas State champion Keith Brown Jr. finished third. Bannister Battles to SportMod Victory In the 25-lap Karl Chevrolet [Read More]

Combs, Wilson, Johnson Crowned Central California Clash Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Josh Combs, Dylan Wilson, and Nicholas Johnson each made history with their first career Central California Clash championships in their respective Speedway Motors IMCA divisions, capping a competitive four-race tour across the Golden State. Roseville’s Josh Combs clinched the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified title with a strong and consistent week. After opening with a ninth-place finish at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway Park, he stormed to victory at Santa Maria. Combs followed that with a runner-up finish at Merced before closing the series with a fifth-place run at Petaluma. Bakersfield youngster Gavyn Manning was runner-up in points after finishing second on opening night, taking ninth at Santa Maria, winning at Merced, and wrapping up the week 10th at Petaluma. Third in points went to Keith Brown Jr., now based in Greenbrier, Ark. Brown’s week included a 10th at Bakersfield, third at Santa Maria, eighth at Merced, and 12th at Petaluma. Dylan Wilson of Bakersfield earned the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod championship with a [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Allstar Performance Continues Heat Race Winner Awards Program for IMCA Racers

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 16, 2026) — Winning heat races continues to pay dividends for IMCA competitors thanks to Allstar Performance and its popular Heat Race Winner Awards Program. Now in its 15th season as an IMCA sponsor, the Watervliet, Michigan-based company will once again reward drivers across the country for their success in preliminary competition throughout the 2026 season. Heat race winner decals were distributed to all IMCA-sanctioned tracks at the beginning of the 2026 season. Drivers who accumulate 10 or more heat race victories during the year become eligible for a drawing for a $100 Allstar Performance gift certificate. To be entered, drivers must submit a photo clearly showing the heat race winner decal displayed on their race car. Photos should be emailed to Carson Becker-Graham at cbgramm@imca.com no later than September 21, 2026. In addition to the heat race winner program, Allstar Performance will award a $200 product certificate to each champion crowned at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and the RaceSaver Nationals. For more information about Allstar Performance [Read More]

Modified

Manning Captures Fifth Western Region Victory at Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Gavyn Manning charged from seventh on the grid and used the high side to take the lead on lap 13 en route to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Santa Maria Speedway. Justin Crockett grabbed the early lead and paced the field through the opening half of the 25-lap contest after winning one of the evening’s heat races. Manning steadily worked forward before finding momentum on the cushion and racing into the lead. The Bakersfield driver held off a determined late challenge from Rob Sanders to score his fifth victory of the season in DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region competition. The win was also his second straight triumph and second overall victory of 2026 at Santa Maria Speedway. Sanders finished second, followed by Crockett, Markus Frazier and Cole Szlauko. Heat race victories went to Sanders and Crockett. Landon King earned his third Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season after a spirited late-race battle in the 20-lap feature. Jon McKinley led [Read More]

Modified

Bannister Leads Every Lap for Bakersfield Modified Win

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Points leader Bannister dominated the 25-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway, leading all the way from the pole position after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. The Bakersfield driver scored his seventh victory of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region and his second at Bakersfield in 2026. One of the night’s biggest storylines involved 2024 track champion Gavyn Manning, who was among four drivers attempting double-duty between Santa Maria Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway. After winning earlier in the evening at Santa Maria, Manning charged into second place before mechanical issues ended his bid for another victory. Race Liberante finished second, followed by Markus Frazier and Rob Sanders, who were also among the double-duty competitors. Pat Petrie completed the top five. Jason Bannister led all 25 laps of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature to secure his third victory of the season, with all three wins coming at Bakersfield Speedway. Dylan Wilson delivered [Read More]

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