Jones Rules Crystal, Scores $5,000 Great Lakes Nationals Victory

Feature, Modified, News

Nate Jones raised his arms in triumph after winning the $5,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Great Lakes Nationals 40-lap main event at Crystal Motor Speedway on Sept. 13. (Photo by Chris Johnston)

By Ben Deatherage

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Nate Jones of Alma cashed in big Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway, topping the $5,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Great Lakes Nationals. The 40-lap feature was Jones’ fourth victory of 2025 in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region and his third of the season at Crystal.

Aaron Raby paced the opening circuit before a caution slowed the action. On the restart, Jones worked the bottom groove to perfection, taking command and building a massive lead as he reached lapped traffic by lap 15.

The advantage disappeared on a lap-29 yellow, but Jones was flawless when the race went back to green, then rebuilt his lead after another slowdown on lap 31. Veteran Jerry Hunt, the 2002 Crystal Lions Club Series champion, powered into second during that stretch, while defending race winner and Merritt Speedway champion Austin Harnick charged into third in the T.J. Barton no. 28 during the late stages.

Jones dominated the final distance to secure the crown jewel triumph, with Hunt second and Harnick third at the line.

The entire night of racing was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Replay every lap with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available now for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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