By Jane Burd
SPENCER, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2026) — Kelly Shryock charged from 11th to capture the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature and highlight the Battle of the Blue Ribbon at Clay County Fair Speedway on Thursday night.
The Fertile driver had plenty of ground to make up before finding himself in a battle with Jake Masters for the victory.
Shryock ultimately prevailed to record his 12th EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and third win of 2026 at Clay County.
The Battle of the Blue Ribbon also served as a qualifying event for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. With the victory, Shryock earned eligibility to attempt to qualify for the Invitational during next year’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway.
Masters, who started second, settled for the runner-up position.
Elijah Zevenbergen also made a charge through the field, advancing 10 positions to finish third. Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen gained five spots and battled Zevenbergen before finishing fourth, while Randy Brands completed the top five.
Schettler Prevails in Three-Way Hobby Stock Fight
Evan Schettler came out on top of a multi-lap battle with Cory Probst and Will Smith to capture the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
The Luverne, Minn., driver earned his fifth B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the campaign and third win of the season at Clay County.
Smith advanced six positions on his way to the runner-up finish, while Probst crossed the line third.
Austin Jahnz made the biggest charge through the field, gaining 17 positions to finish fourth, with Drew Barglof rounding out the top five.
Kirk Goes Flag-to-Flag for 16th Victory
Willy Kirk controlled the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature from start to finish.
The Salix driver started second and led all 18 laps to secure his 16th victory of the season and third at Clay County in 2026.
Alec Fett finished second, while Justin Klynsma advanced four positions from seventh to finish third. Blake Andrews held on for fourth, and David Schwartz completed the top five.
Mahlberg Leads All 10 for Sport Compact Win
Caine Mahlberg was untouchable at the front of the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.
The Dunlap, Iowa, driver started second and led all 10 laps with little challenge to earn his seventh victory of the season and first at Clay County in 2026.
Levi Volkert finished second, while Kaytee DeVries charged from 10th to third. Carson Heyes was fourth, and Rece Heyes rounded out the top five.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch the replay with a monthly IMCA TV Replay Subscription for $24.99/month, and don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
