By Candice Martin
ANTIOCH, Calif. (June 27, 2026) — Ryan McDaniel led all 20 laps to capture Saturday night’s 11th Annual Soares Memorial race at Antioch Speedway, earning the $1,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory.
The Olivehurst driver jumped into the lead at the drop of the green after winning his heat race and never relinquished the top spot despite three late cautions.
Andrew Pearce stayed within striking distance throughout the feature, while Jonathan Hagio, Jim Pettit II, and Cody Burke battled intensely for third. Pettit claimed the position on lap 13 before Burke slipped by exiting the final corner after the last restart.
A caution with two laps remaining, followed by another that set up a one-lap dash to the finish, gave Pearce one final opportunity, but McDaniel executed a flawless restart and drove away to score his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season.
The feature also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, making McDaniel eligible to attempt to qualify for the invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.
Pearce settled for second, Burke edged Pettit for third, and Hagio completed the top five.
Ryland Awarded SportMod Victory
Fred Ryland was credited with the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory following post-race technical inspection after apparent winner Jason Ryan Jr. was disqualified for a rev-box infraction.
Ryan took command on lap five after passing early leader Mark Garner and appeared headed for victory before failing post-race inspection.
Ryland, who started ninth, steadily worked forward and climbed to second on lap 10. The Brentwood driver earned his second victory of the season in the class.
Danny Wagner finished second, while Jason Clayton Jr. advanced from 10th to third. Garner and Al Johnson rounded out the top five.
Ryland Strengthens Stock Car Points Lead With Victory
Fred Ryland also claimed the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, taking the lead at the start and never looking back in the 15-lap contest.
Starting fourth, he built a comfortable advantage while Anthony Giuliani and Jason Robles battled for second. Robles eventually secured the runner-up position on lap nine but was unable to close the gap to Ryland.
The victory was Ryland’s second of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region and allowed him to extend his championship lead.
Robles finished second, followed by Dave Hill.
