Northern SportMod News

By Ben Deatherage AVON, Minn. (June 10, 2026) — The grandstands at North Central Speedway had seen a lot over the years. Championships. Heartbreak. Future stars. Veteran racers. And thousands upon thousands of laps turned around the Brainerd-area clay. On May 23, 2026, the Brainerd-area track witnessed something it had never seen before. Mark “Bud” Martini parked his No. 4Q2 IMCA Northern SportMod in Victory Lane for the 100th time in his career, becoming the first Minnesota driver to reach the century mark in the division and just the 13th member of the SportMod Century Club. The moment carried extra significance. The victory came on the final night of Cliff Sasker’s tenure as promoter before retirement, ending an era at a racetrack Martini had called home for decades. “That was pretty special,” Martini said. “I’m probably one of the longest racing guys there at Brainerd. Cliff is a super, super guy. I don’t know anyone in the racing industry better than him. He is a good man, and it was an honor to race at his [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ALGONA, Iowa (June 9, 2026) — Kossuth County Speedway will honor the memory of Scott Cook with the Scott Cook Memorial One-Eye Nationals SportMod Special on Thursday, June 11. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods will headline the evening with a lucrative $1,000-to-win feature. An additional $100 bonus will be awarded to the winner if 24 SportMods are entered, pushing the top prize to $1,100. The special-event purse pays $800 for second, $700 for third, $500 for fourth, $400 for fifth, $300 for sixth, and $200 for seventh. Positions eighth through 24th will each receive $100. In addition to the featured SportMod special, Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be in action as part of a full night of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing competition. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6:50 p.m., with racing to follow. Fans unable to attend can watch every lap live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing. For additional event information and updates, follow Kossuth [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BRITT, Iowa (June 9, 2026) — A big night for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods at Hancock County Speedway is set for Friday, June 12, as the Spring Fling SportMod Nationals presented by Gold-Eagle Cooperative comes to the historic oval. The featured event will see SportMod competitors race for a $1,250 winner’s share, while a full slate of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing action is also scheduled. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will each compete for $1,000 to win, while Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will race for a $500 top prize. Both the Modified and Stock Car features will serve as qualifying events for the 2026 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, respectively, to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, Iowa State, track, and regional points will be awarded. Modified competitors will race for Razor Chassis North Central Region points, while Stock Car drivers will compete for [Read More]

By Jeremy Means VINTON, Iowa (June 9, 2026) — From the Columbia River on the Oregon–Washington border to the doorstep of California, the 2026 IMCA Wild West Speedweek will push drivers through eight consecutive nights of racing June 13–20. The tour opens at Sunset Speedway Park in Banks and heads south, testing teams across bullrings and bigger layouts before champions are crowned in the finale in Southern Oregon. Three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions—Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods—will be in action each night. Sunset Speedway Park opens the tour on Saturday, June 13, returning to its role as the “Banks Bullring.” Located just outside the Portland metro area, the quarter-mile oval sets the tone for the week with tight racing after weather impacted last year’s finale. Round two shifts to a new venue, River City Speedway in St. Helens, on Sunday, June 14. Situated near the Columbia River along the Oregon–Washington border, the tight and technical quarter-mile will host its first IMCA-sanctioned event, adding a fresh [Read More]

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (June 6, 2026) — A wild night of racing at Arlington Raceway produced plenty of thrills, spills and dramatic finishes, highlighted by Dan Mackenthun’s second straight Sunoco IMCA Stock Car victory at the Sibley County fairgrounds oval. The feature saw its share of carnage early. Ryan Grochow and Garett Uecker led the field during the opening laps before contact exiting turn four sent Uecker sideways, collecting Matt Schauer and Matt Speckman in a crash that eliminated all three drivers. On the restart, Grochow again showed the way, but Mackenthun quickly charged from his 12th starting position and worked his way to the front. The Hamburg driver and Trent Loverude traded positions repeatedly while slicing through lapped traffic. Loverude nosed ahead as the white flag waved, but Mackenthun answered immediately entering turn one and regained the advantage for good. He held off Loverude for his fifth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, second at Arlington and second straight at the track. Loverude finished second, while Daniel Eckblad turned in [Read More]

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (June 6, 2026) — Trevor Fitz tracked down race-long leader Izac Mallicoat and made the winning move with just two laps remaining to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during Saturday night’s Topless 30 program at Boone Speedway. Mallicoat appeared destined for victory after pacing the field for the first 28 laps of the 30-lap contest. The Arizona driver maintained command through several challenges before Fitz closed the gap in the waning stages. The Bondurant driver, originally from Camarillo, California, completed the decisive pass on lap 29 and held on to score his third victory of the season, with all three wins coming at Boone Speedway. The triumph also made Fitz eligible to attempt qualification for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the upcoming Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Mallicoat settled for second after his dominant performance. Jeremy Mills crossed the stripe third, Kyle Brown was fourth, and Arkansas racer Brint Hartwick completed a remarkable charge from 20th to fifth. Smith Scores First Career Stock Car [Read More]

By Don Hawkins HARLAN, Iowa (June 6, 2026) — Dylan Petersen’s transition from Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods to Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars paid off in a big way Saturday night as the Jacksonville driver captured his first career Stock Car feature victory at Shelby County Speedway. Twenty-seven Stock Cars filled the pit area and put on a show worthy of the division’s reputation. Petersen entered the night with just two previous starts in the class but showed veteran poise throughout the 20-lap feature. Starting second, Petersen quickly established himself among the frontrunners and never relinquished the lead despite constant pressure from behind. As the laps wound down, Miciah Hidlebaugh mounted a charge from his 16th starting position and closed the gap on the leader, but Petersen held his line and raced to the checkered flag. The victory was Petersen’s first career Stock Car triumph and came in EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region competition. Hidlebaugh’s impressive run netted a runner-up finish, while Mike Albertsen crossed the stripe third. Ryan Webb finished fourth and Dayton Ullrich rounded [Read More]

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (June 6, 2026) — The RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars kicked off the feature action during the Battle of the High Banks at Eagle Raceway and delivered one of the most eventful races of the evening. Cameron Thompson paced the early circuits before multiple cautions and red flags reshuffled the field. Brad Schreiner flipped on lap two after bicycling over the cushion, while Shayle Bade suffered a spectacular rollover on lap nine. Both drivers were uninjured. Billy Alley steadily worked forward from his eighth starting position and grabbed the lead from Thompson on lap 12. Cole Wayman followed Alley through the field after starting 11th and climbed into second with 11 laps remaining. A pair of late cautions kept the pressure on the leaders, but Alley remained composed and held off the challengers to earn his first victory of the season. The Bennett driver was followed by Wayman, Joey Danley, and Tyler Hendrickson. Adam Gullion completed the top five. Vanover Charges to Stock Car Win The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars produced another [Read More]

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (June 6, 2026) — Twenty-two Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods took the green flag Saturday night at Maquoketa Speedway, and the drivers used every inch of the well-prepared racing surface while putting on a thrilling display of three- and four-wide racing. Fifteen-year-old Bryson Eckrich of Oxford worked both the top and bottom grooves as he charged forward from the eighth starting position. Eckrich eventually overtook Josh Starr for the lead and drove away to score his second victory of the season and first at Maquoketa Speedway. Jarett Franzen turned in a strong run from 11th to finish second while Starr completed the podium in third. Ed Mills crossed the stripe fourth and Nathan Silaggi rounded out the top five. Garnhart Dominates Late Model Main Event Bryce Garnhart proved to be the class of the field in the Sunoco IMCA Late Model feature. The Lanark, Illinois, driver started third and quickly worked his way to the front before leading all 25 laps en route to his first victory of the season. Dalton [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (June 7, 2026) — Keenan Glasser capped off a remarkable week by winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on the final night of the 2026 T&A Tong and Indicator Tougher Than Dirt Tour presented by Schatz Storage at Nodak Speedway. Reigning track champion Chad Stratchen emerged from a three-wide battle on the opening lap with the lead and quickly settled into a duel with Glasser. The pair separated themselves from the field before a caution on lap seven erased their advantage. Lapped traffic came into play on lap 13, and Glasser stayed glued to Stratchen’s rear bumper while searching for an opening. The 2024 North Dakota State champion finally found one on lap 19, completing the pass for the lead just before a caution slowed the pace. The 18-year-old from Estevan, Saskatchewan was flawless on the restart and pulled away to earn his fourth victory of the week and eighth overall triumph of the season. Four of those wins have come at Nodak Speedway. The victory also tied Gabriel [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOTTINEAU, N.D. (June 6, 2026) — Defending series champion Diezel Raynard held off a late-race charge from Caden Appelt to capture the $2,000-to-win Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature and earn his second victory of the week on the fourth night of the 2026 T&A Tong and Indicator Tougher Than Dirt Tour presented by Schatz Storage. The Lampman, Saskatchewan driver took command on the opening lap and established himself as the driver to beat. Although several cautions slowed the pace throughout the 20-lap contest, Raynard flawlessly executed each restart to maintain control. Behind him, five-time reigning North Dakota State champion and former two-time track champion Kyler Satran found himself in a spirited battle with 2024 McLean County Speedway champion Caden Appelt for second. Appelt eventually secured the position and set his sights on the leader. The ninth-starting Appelt closed rapidly in the final laps and mounted a serious challenge coming to the checkered flag, but Raynard held on by a narrow margin. The victory was his second of the week, fourth career Tougher Than [Read More]

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (June 5, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds showcased some of their best racing of the season Friday night at Watsonville Speedway, with multiple grooves in play and side-by-side battles throughout the 25-lap feature. Jonathan Hagio led the opening three circuits before Salinas driver Robert Marsh took command. Although Marsh built a sizable advantage out front, the action remained intense behind him as drivers traded positions lap after lap around the quarter-mile oval. Marsh stayed smooth and steady to secure his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season and first Watsonville Speedway triumph of 2026. Bobby Hogge Jr. finished second, followed by Markus Frazier, Logan Drake, and Fred Lind. Wagner Charges from Tenth for SportMod Victory The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered plenty of excitement despite several caution periods slowing the pace. Chris Smith led the opening stages before mechanical issues on lap 13 forced him to the pit area, handing the lead to reigning Watsonville Speedway champion Danny Wagner. The Bay Point driver, who [Read More]

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (June 5, 2026) — Jordan Miles continued his impressive rookie campaign Friday night at CJ Speedway, charging from eighth to win the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. The Bernard driver made his third appearance of the season at the southeast Iowa oval and collected his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the year, with both wins coming at CJ. Miles quickly worked his way to the front and overtook Austin O’Donnell for the lead before driving away for the victory. Nathan Wood, a five-time winner at the track this season, rallied from ninth to finish second while Norman Bean closed strong in the late stages to take third. Dustin Griffiths and Brock Haines completed the top five. Mohr Prevails in Modified Slider Fest Charlie Mohr of Bettendorf captured his first CJ Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory after surviving a thrilling battle with Kyle Brown. Mohr launched from the front row and quickly found speed on the high side of the racetrack. Brown, meanwhile, sliced through the [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, SK (June 5, 2026) — Defending tour and Estevan Motor Speedway track champion Diezel Raynard returned to victory lane in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, surviving a furious late-race challenge to score his first win of the week on the third night of the 2026 T&A Tong and Indicator Tougher Than Dirt Tour presented by Schatz Storage. The Lampman driver grabbed the lead at the drop of the green and maintained command through a pair of early cautions. Behind him, Nathan DeRagon, winner of the tour’s first two nights, and 16-year-old Cash Saxon battled intensely for second, allowing Raynard to build a comfortable advantage. As the race progressed, Manitoba’s Pat Smith methodically worked the low groove and eventually moved into second. Several restarts kept the field bunched together, but Raynard consistently executed strong launches and remained out front. Smith closed rapidly in the closing laps and pulled alongside the leader, but Raynard was slightly better off the corners. The battle intensified in the final turns as DeRagon joined the fight, creating a [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 914; 2. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 682; 3. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 675; 4. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 658; 5. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 655; 6. Trevor Fitz, Bondurant, Iowa, 634; 7. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 615; 8. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 610; 9. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 560; 10. Jace Whitt, Hamilton, Mo., 551; 11. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 549; 12. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 539; 13. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 528; 14. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 522; 15. Chase Weimer, Eldora, Iowa, 521; 16. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 510; 17. Greg Hopkins, Repton, Alabama, 508; 18. Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, 507; 19. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 506; 20. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 502. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 940; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 848; 3. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 739; 4. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 712; 5. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 625; 6. Jordan Miles, Bernard, Iowa, 605; 7. Hunter Smith, Lynnville, [Read More]