By Ben Deatherage
SHERIDAN, Wyo. (Aug. 8, 2026) — Tripp Gaylord completed a perfect weekend at Sheridan Speedway, winning both features of the inaugural Cowboy Challenge presented by Taco John’s, C&K Equipment, and Shipton’s Big R. The Sully, Iowa, driver, via Lakewood, Colo., capped the weekend by collecting the $7,500 top prize in Saturday’s 40-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified finale after also capturing Friday’s opener.
Saturday’s main event began with 2009 DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region champion and six-time reigning Sweetwater Speedway track champion Justen Yeager taking command. An early caution on lap three brought the field back together, and Yeager soon found himself under pressure from three-time Sheridan Speedway champion Bart Taylor and Jason Ingalls.
Ingalls, from Texas, was driving the Brian Ungaro-owned No. 94U for the weekend and slipped past Yeager for the lead on lap eight. Taylor quickly reeled in Ingalls before mechanical problems forced him to retire on lap 12.
That promoted Gaylord, driving the Bart Taylor-owned No. 77T, into second. The pair encountered lapped traffic on lap 13 before another caution on lap 17 gave both drivers a clear track. Gaylord mounted several challenges following the restart, but Ingalls held him off while 2022 Sweetwater Speedway champion Braxton Yeager advanced into third on lap 21.
The race took a dramatic turn on lap 29 when Ingalls made contact with the outside wall, ending his bid for victory and handing the lead to Gaylord.
Gaylord was flawless through a series of late restarts and drove away to secure the inaugural Cowboy Challenge title after starting fifth. The victory was his third of the season in an IMCA Modified and second in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region.
Gaylord was followed by eighth-starting Braxton Yeager in second. Montana’s Mario Berger finished third, Justen Yeager crossed the stripe fourth, and two-time Sweetwater Speedway champion Bryson Yeager completed the top five.
Three-time reigning Wyoming State champion and defending Sheridan Speedway track champion Kyle Anton tied for Hard Charger honors after advancing from 21st to seventh, matching hometown veteran Bernie Fischer’s 14-position charge from 25th to 11th.
Gaylord’s weekend sweep began Friday in a caution-free 30-lap feature paying $2,500 to win.
He grabbed the lead early and built a comfortable advantage before reaching lapped traffic on lap 13. Braxton Yeager worked his way into second after an entertaining battle with younger brother Bryson and steadily closed the gap over the final circuits. Despite a strong last-lap charge, Braxton was unable to complete the pass as Gaylord edged him to the checkered flag.
Mario Berger finished third, followed by three-time Black Hills Speedway champion Eric Mass of South Dakota. Justen Yeager rounded out the top five.
Kyle Anton and seven-time Electric City Speedway champion Joey Price shared Hard Charger honors Friday after each gained six positions. Anton advanced from 20th to 14th, while Price climbed from 17th to 11th.
Both Cowboy Challenge features served as qualifying events for the 2026 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Gaylord had already secured his place on the list of drivers eligible to attempt to qualify earlier this season.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Race Central. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of The Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA.TV.
