Sachau Charges from 16th to SportMod Victory on Salute to Veterans Tour Opener

Jake Sachau races to the front during Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod action at Clay County Fair Speedway on July 22. The Manning, Iowa driver charged from 16th starting position to score the opening-night victory in the Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies and Parts. (Photo by Icon Images Photography)

By Jane Burd

SPENCER, Iowa (July 22, 2026) — Jake Sachau put together the drive of the night Wednesday at Clay County Fair Speedway, charging from 16th on the starting grid to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on opening night of the Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies and Parts.

Alec Fett appeared poised to score the victory after leading most of the feature, while Blake Andrews was credited with two laps led during a spirited battle at the front. Sachau steadily worked his way through the field before taking command late to collect his 11th victory of the season on his birthday, his first at Clay County Fair Speedway this year and his second career Salute to Veterans Tour triumph after winning last year’s Boone event.

Fett settled for second after his strong outing. Jared Boumeester finished third, Andrews crossed the stripe fourth, and Connor Vande Weerd completed the top five.

Sachau earned hard charger honors by advancing 15 positions.

Czarneski Leads Every Lap in Modified Feature

Cole Czarneski of Denmark, Wisconsin, was untouchable in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, leading all 25 laps to score a commanding victory by nearly nine seconds.

The win came in a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier. Czarneski was already on the eligibility list to try and qualify for the event to be held at the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

Czarneski earned his seventh Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of 2026, his first at Clay County Fair Speedway this season and his first career Salute to Veterans Tour victory.

Drew Janssen finished second, while Kyle Brown charged from 14th to third to earn hard charger honors with an 11-position advance. Jake Pike crossed the line fourth, and Brandon Beckendorf rounded out the top five after moving forward five positions.

Shryock Charges to Another Salute Tour Stock Car Victory

Kelly Shryock added another memorable chapter to his Salute to Veterans Tour résumé by racing from 11th to victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature.

Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen led much of the race after taking over from Justin Luinenburg, but Shryock methodically reeled in the leaders before making the winning pass late.

The feature served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. Shryock was already on the eligibility list to try and qualify.

The Fertile veteran collected his sixth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, his first Spencer win of 2026, his ninth career Salute to Veterans Tour Stock Car victory and his fourth career Salute triumph at Clay County Fair Speedway.

Albertsen finished second, while Colby Fett stormed from 15th to third to earn hard charger honors with a gain of 12 positions. Luinenburg held on for fourth, and Curt Lund completed the top five.

In the Stock Car Race of Champions, Elijah Zevenbergen stormed past John Oliver Jr. on lap eight to earn the victory. Jake Masters finished second ahead of Kelly Shryock, David Smith, and Oliver.

Barglof Reclaims Lead for Hobby Stock Victory

Drew Barglof of Sioux Rapids scored his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.

Barglof led the early laps before Brandon Nielsen took over on lap eight. The pair raced side-by-side before Barglof regained the lead on lap 12 and drove on to his first career Salute to Veterans Tour victory.

John Briggs produced one of the night’s strongest drives, advancing from 15th to second to earn hard charger honors with a gain of 13 positions. Nielsen finished third, Will Smith advanced six spots to fourth, and Jay DeVries completed the top five after moving up eight positions.

Corey Probst captured the Hobby Stock Race of Champions after taking the lead from Nathan DeRagon on lap four. Dylan Nelson finished second, followed by DeRagon, Brandon Nielsen, and Josh Sidles.

Volkert Wins Third Straight at Clay County

Levi Volkert of Correctionville continued his recent dominance at Clay County Fair Speedway by winning the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.

Volkert grabbed the lead on lap four and never looked back, earning his 12th victory of the season, fourth at Clay County Fair Speedway and third consecutive feature win at the Spencer oval.

Tyler Thompson finished second, while Ryan Bryant advanced from 10th to third to earn hard charger honors with a seven-position gain. Gilbert Aldape finished fourth, and Charles Prime completed the top five.

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.