Dakota Tour Set to Launch July 5 with Six Nights of Racing

Dakota Mod Tour, Feature, Modified, News, Series, Stock Car

By Ben Deatherage

VINTON, Iowa (June 26, 2026) — One of IMCA’s premier summer tours returns to the Northern Plains when the 2026 Dakota Tour roars to life with six consecutive nights of racing from July 5-10.

The popular swing features Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars competing at six tracks across North Dakota and Saskatchewan, testing competitors on a variety of bullrings and high-banked ovals in pursuit of tour championships.

The tour opens Sunday, July 5, at Nodak Speedway in Minot before crossing the border to Estevan Motor Speedway in Estevan, Saskatchewan, on Monday, July 6. Racing returns to North Dakota on Tuesday, July 7, at Williston Basin Speedway before continuing to Southwest Speedway in Dickinson on Wednesday, July 8, Dacotah Speedway in Mandan on Thursday, July 9, and concluding Friday, July 10, at Jamestown Speedway.

A strong contingent of former champions, state titlists, and touring standouts has already committed to compete.

The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified field is led by two-time defending Dakota Tour champion Ethan Braaksma, who also won the 2024 Harris Clash and Clash at the Creek. Joining him are 2020 national champion and 2022 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Tom Berry Jr.; 2017 national champion Jason Wolla; 2021 Super Nationals champion Cody Laney; 2024 Super Nationals runner-up Tanner Black; 2023 Minnesota State champion and seven-time Arlington Raceway champion Clint Hatlestad; 2022 Minnesota State champion Chad Porter; 2020 Wyoming State champion and three-time Sheridan Speedway champion Bart Taylor; 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region Rookie of the Year and defending Red River Valley Speedway champion Jesse Skalicky; 2016 DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region Rookie of the Year and 2019 Arizona State champion Kelsie Black; and former Williston Basin Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod champion Tate Johnson.

The Stock Car division features an equally impressive lineup. Dan Mackenthun enters as the 11-time defending Minnesota State champion and 14-time reigning Arlington Raceway champion. Other notable entries include 2026 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion Cameron Starry; 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion Shelby Williams; defending North Dakota State champion Brennor Grinstead; defending Central Arizona Raceway champion Trevor Hidalgo; defending Boone Speedway champion and three-time Super Nationals SportMod champion Johnathon Logue; defending Dacotah Speedway champion Geoff Hellman; defending Estevan Motor Speedway champion Kyle Scholpp; defending Stock Car series champion Angel Munoz; 2023 Red River Valley Speedway Stock Car champion Andrew Jochim; former IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion Rob VanMil; former Williston Basin Speedway Modified champion Troy Heupel; former BST Tour champion Bill Brack; four-time defending Southwest Speedway Stock Car champion Travis Ulmer; 2024 North Dakota SportMod champion Keenan Glasser; 2024 Estevan Motor Speedway Hobby Stock champion Connor Hanson; 2023 Tougher Than Dirt Tour Hobby Stock champion and 2022 Minnesota State Hobby Stock champion Brandon Bombardo; and three-time Tougher Than Dirt Tour champion Brock Beeter.

Several drivers are expected to pull double duty during the week. Cole Czarneski will compete in both divisions after winning the $10,000 Clash at the Creek in mid-June and capturing 2024 championships in both the Modified and Stock Car divisions at 141 Speedway. Gabriel Deschamp will race in both classes after winning the 2025 North Dakota SportMod championship and two Tougher Than Dirt Tour titles, while Scott Gartner will also run both divisions as the 2022 Jamestown Speedway Modified champion.

The Dakota Tour has long been one of the crown jewels of the IMCA summer schedule, annually attracting many of the nation’s best Modified and Stock Car competitors while producing memorable championship battles across the Northern Plains.

Fans unable to attend can watch every lap live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing.

For additional event information, including nightly schedules, payouts, and ticket information, visit the Dakota Tour and participating track social media pages.

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