By Ben Deatherage
HARTFORD, S.D. (Oct. 22, 2026) — Lee Goos Jr. continued his championship run in 2026, capturing his third consecutive RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car national championship after another season of success across the Midwest.
The 47-year-old Hartford, S.D., driver finished 44 points ahead in the national standings while adding his second South Dakota State championship. He also collected track championships at Huset’s Speedway and I-90 Speedway in South Dakota and Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota.
The Huset’s and Jackson titles were his second at each facility, while his I-90 championship was his fifth overall and fourth consecutive.
“This definitely feels great. The first one is always the most exciting, but being able to back it up is really gratifying,” Goos said. “This year was great with Rapid Speedway getting sanctioned and Jackson adding some races on Thursdays this year, giving us more opportunities to gain points. It’s still never easy winning a national championship, especially with the high car counts around our area.”
Goos became one of nine drivers in IMCA history to win at least three consecutive national championships, joining Sig Haugdahl, Gus Schrader, Emory Collins, Frank Luptow, Bob Grim, Pete Folse, Jerry Richert, and Johnny Miller.
His third title came during a season that began with adjustments to his race car.
“The year didn’t start as strong as I was hoping,” Goos said. “I was trying some different shocks and some other stuff the first two months and just couldn’t get the feel I was looking for. Then I went back to some shocks we had, along with some other little changes, and felt a little better.”
Goos finished the season with eight feature victories, 24 podium finishes, 28 top-five results, and 35 top-10 finishes in 36 starts.
Four of his victories came at I-90 Speedway, with two more at Huset’s Speedway and one each at Rapid Speedway and Jackson Motorplex.
His strongest stretch began in June, when he won four times, including consecutive victories June 6 and June 13 at I-90 Speedway. He also assembled two separate seven-race top-five streaks during the season.
Goos finished the year with 21 consecutive top-10 finishes, a stretch that included five victories and 15 podium results. His only finish outside the top 10 all season came June 17 at Boone County Raceway, when a crash in the feature resulted in a DNF.
The championship also came during a difficult period for his team.
Crew and family member Brad Wiskur, who helped Goos during his previous two championship seasons, was diagnosed with cancer less than a year ago. Wiskur was able to attend only a handful of races during the 2026 season before his passing in September.
Goos credited the people and businesses supporting his racing program, particularly Sid Gulbranson and Myers Racing Engines.
“I owe a huge thanks to our good friend Sid, who rearranged his schedule for racing all season and really made this possible,” Goos said. “He’s a big part of our small team.”
“I also have to give a shout-out to Myers Racing Engines,” he added. “We started using them in 2023 without a single failure, and the feel and power is great.”
Feature Wins: 8
Total Top Fives: 28
Total Starts: 36
His Pit Crew: Sid Gulbranson, Colby Klaassen, Sam Moser, and partner Jamy Waxdahl
His Sponsors: Goos RV, Hoogie’s Garage Podcast, Great Plains Electric, Creekside Meats, JJ Designs, Circle Performance, and Complete Living Solutions