Rust Returns to Harris Clash Victory Lane After 10-Year Wait

Feature, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Joel Rust celebrates after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at the 35th Annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr's Machine and Racing Products on June 23 at Boone Speedway. Rust, of Grundy Center, Iowa, earned his second career Harris Clash victory and first since 2016. Pictured with Rust are Harris Clash founder and promoter Bob Harris (right of Rust) and Chad Wehr of Wehr's Machine and Racing Products (left of Rust). (Photo by Icon Images Photography)

By Ben Deatherage

BOONE, Iowa (June 23, 2026) — Joel Rust returned to victory lane at the Harris Clash for the first time in a decade, winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the 35th annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine and Racing Products at Boone Speedway.

A three-wide start brought the field to green, with 2015 Iowa State Sunoco IMCA Late Model champion Paul Nagle leading the opening lap.

After an early caution, Nagle maintained command as 2016 Harris Clash winner Rust began applying pressure. Rust nearly completed a pass on lap six before a caution interrupted the battle. Two laps later, the two-time Benton County Speedway champion finally wrestled the lead away.

A caution on lap eight erased Rust’s advantage, but the Grundy Center driver was flawless on the restart and gradually pulled away from the field.

Reigning Marshalltown Speedway champion Kollin Hibdon used several bold moves to advance into second and closed on Rust by lap 20. The leaders entered lapped traffic one lap later, but a caution on lap 23 cleared the track and gave Rust open air for the closing laps.

Rust responded by driving away from the field to score his second Harris Clash victory, his first since 2016. The win was his second Razor Chassis North Central Region triumph of 2026 at two different tracks.

The feature served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Rust was already on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify.

Hibdon finished second, followed by 2021IMCA Super Nationals champion Cody Laney of California. Chase Weimer was fourth, while Nagle completed the top five.

Two-time Boone Speedway track champion Jake McBirnie earned hard charger honors, racing from 29th to ninth.

Gaylord Goes Wire-to-Wire in Stock Cars

Former Marshalltown Speedway Modified champion Tripp Gaylord led all 25 laps of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature to earn his first career Harris Clash victory.

The Sully driver, originally from Lakewood, Colorado, put the Zach VanderBeek-owned VanderBuilt Race Cars No. ZB1 house car out front at the start and never surrendered the top spot despite challenges from 2019 National Stock Car champion Jordan Grabouski, two-time National Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock champion Devin Smith, and five-time defending Beatrice Speedway track champion Kyle Vanover.

Vanover advanced into second on lap 14 and gradually reeled in Gaylord but could not close the gap enough to overtake him for the lead.

The non-stop feature earned Gaylord his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and placed him on the eligibility list for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational at the IMCA Super Nationals.

Vanover finished second, while defending Harris Clash winner Kaden Reynolds slipped past Smith in the closing laps to take third. Smith was fourth and Grabouski fifth.

Jake McBirnie earned hard charger honors by advancing from 22nd to 11th in the Mike Kennedy-owned No. 82.

Carter Captures Second Harris Clash SportMod Crown

Defending national champion Brayton Carter added another Harris Clash trophy to his collection by winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature.

The 2019 Harris Clash winner immediately took command and quickly established himself as the driver to beat.

Two-time Harris Clash winner Cam Reimers settled into second while two-time reigning CJ Speedway champion and defending 34 Raceway titleholder Dylan Van Wyk battled three-time defending South Dakota State champion Willy Kirk for position behind him.

Despite multiple cautions, Carter was perfect on every restart and steadily rebuilt his advantage.

The Oskaloosa driver earned his second career Harris Clash victory and seventh overall win of the 2026 season. It was also his second triumph at Boone Speedway this year.

Van Wyk, Carter’s cousin, finished second ahead of Reimers. Caleb Woodard was fourth and Kirk completed the top five.

Four-time Hancock County Speedway title winner Alec Fett earned hard charger honors by advancing from 25th to 12th.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA 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.

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