Night of 1,000 Stars Returns to Hancock County Speedway With $6,250 Top Prize on Aug. 14

Feature, Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

By Ben Deatherage

BRITT, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — One of Iowa’s longest-running Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified specials returns to Hancock County Speedway on Friday, Aug. 14, as the Night of 1,000 Stars offers competitors the chance to race for a possible $6,250 payday.

The feature purse exceeds $13,000, with the winner taking home as much as $6,250 and every starter guaranteed at least $250. The 50-lap feature will include a mandatory pit stop at lap 25, returning the event to its original Night of 1,000 Stars format. Designed to reward racers while keeping costs low, the event features free entry for all IMCA Modified competitors.

The Night of 1,000 Stars also serves as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2026 invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.

Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be in action as Hancock County Speedway closes out its 2026 racing season.

Since its debut in 1995, the Night of 1,000 Stars has produced an impressive list of champions. John Logue captured four victories (1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000), while Al Hejna (2003, 2004, and 2005), Mark Elliott (2006, 2009, and 2014), and several national standouts have also etched their names into the event’s history.

Recent winners include Tripp Gaylord (2021), Kollin Hibdon (2022), Brandon Beckendorf (2023), and Eddie Belec (2024). The 2025 edition was rained out, setting the stage for the event’s anticipated return this season.

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, regional, and Iowa State points will be awarded in all divisions. Modifieds compete for Razor Chassis North Central Region points, Stock Cars race for EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points, and Hobby Stocks compete for B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region points.

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

For additional event information, including purse updates and contingency announcements, visit the Hancock County Speedway Facebook page.

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Marriott shines at Hancock County’s Night of 1,000 Stars

BRITT, Iowa (Aug. 9) – Hunter Marriott starred on a different night Thursday at Hancock County Speedway. Marriott battled Cayden Carter and Kyle Strickler before taking charge late in Thursday’s 24th annual Night of 1,000 Stars main event at Britt, earning $3,500 for the 50-lap IMCA Modified victory. “I was patient and when I had opportunities I took advantage of them,” Marriott said following his latest Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot-qualifying win. “I got to second right away after the break and passed for the lead with about eight laps to go.” Last year’s event runner-up as well as the two-time defending Night of 10,000 Stars winner, Marriott had worked his way toward the front from the 12th starting spot as early leader Strickler gave way to Carter following a restart. Carter was dominant to the mandatory pit stop on lap 25, pocketing $1,000 for leading at halfway. Marriott was up to third at that point and soon in pursuit of Strickler after the race went back to green. The last 25 laps ran caution-free [Read More]

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After checking out tires at halfway, Hibdon checks out for IMCA Modified win at Hancock Co. Night of 10,000 Stars

BRITT, Iowa (Aug. 7) – After checking out his tires, Kollin Hibdon checked out for a $4,000 Saturday afternoon payday at Hancock County Speedway.  Hibdon led all 40 laps of the Night of 10,000 Stars IMCA Modified main event at Britt in the finale for IMCA Speedweek.  “I got a good jump on the start and kept the car straight the first 20 laps to conserve my tires,” said Hibdon, who promptly checker out his Hoosiers during the mandatory pitstop at midway. “After looking at my tires I knew we’d be pretty good. I just made sure to keep the car straight and cruised.”  The young Nevada driver now owns seven Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying victories, six of them coming this season. Mentor Jeff Aikey was promoted to second following the post-race disqualification of Richie Gustin for an illegal battery. Jeremy Mills, Jake Pike and Kelly Shryock completed the top five. Mills had started 11th, Shryock 15th.  “It means a lot for me to be able to win this race,” said Hibdon, the Friday [Read More]

Events

IMCA Modified stars shine at Hancock County specials

BRITT, Iowa – Three very rich nights of racing give the stars of the IMCA Modified division the opportunity to shine at Hancock County Speedway. The Thursday, Aug. 9 Night of 1,000 Stars at Britt pays a guaranteed $3,500 to win and $300 to start, plus a bonus of $1,000 to the leader at halfway and another $1,000 if the winner has perfect attendance at Britt this season. The Night of 10,000 Stars on Friday, Aug. 10 sports a $7,000 top check, plus $1,000 bonuses to the halfway leader, for perfect attendance and for having won on Thursday as well. A minimum of $400 will be paid to start that main event. And the Saturday, Aug. 11 Bob Shryock Memorial All Stars pays $3,000 to win and a minimum of $500 to start. The evening’s Kody King Motorsports All Star Dash features 16 cars in a 10-lap $500 to win, $100 to start race. Thirty cars start three-wide in 50-lappers on Thursday and Friday. Twenty-four cars take the green in Saturday’s 40-lapper. All three events [Read More]