Gruber Grabs Late SportMod Win as Walt Takes Title

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results

Kamren Gruber celebrated in victory lane at WaKeeney Speedway after powering to the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature win on Sept. 20, during the season finale program. (Track Photo)

By Sheldon Wickwar

WaKEENEY, Kan. (Sept. 20, 2025) — The 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at WaKeeney Speedway started with Trevin Frye and Blaine Walt on the front row. Walt quickly took command and began clicking off laps with confidence. A couple of cautions slowed the pace but didn’t shake the leader, as Kamren Gruber, Adam Weber, Josh Barnhart and Brianna Maughlin all chased hard.

With four laps to go, Walt looked poised to cruise to victory and lock up the championship when heartbreak struck — his car slowed down the frontstretch, bringing out a caution and ending his shot at the win. Walt and Gearhart tied in the final standings, but his earlier consistency secured him the track championship.

The restart put Gruber out front, and the LaCrosse driver fired off strong, holding off Weber and Barnhart to the checkered flag. He celebrated with dirt-flying donuts on the frontstretch, delighting the crowd. It was Gruber’s second win of the season, his first coming at the Rush County Fairgrounds Bullring. Weber finished second, with Barnhart third.

Rohleder Wins Modified Feature and Championship

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 20-lap main began with Dylan Sherfick and Robbie Thome on the front row. Thome took the early lead, but the battle behind him quickly heated up as Sherfick and Kyle Rohleder raced side-by-side for second. Rohleder eventually surged ahead, taking the top spot and never letting go.

A pair of cautions for spins and slow cars kept the field tight, but Rohleder hit every restart perfectly and managed the pressure. While Clay Money and Eddie Belec made strong charges through the pack, they ran out of time to join the battle for the win. In the end, it was Rohleder and Thome fighting it out up front, with Rohleder pulling away to secure the victory.

The WaKeeney triumph marked Rohleder’s second win of the season in the Jet Racing Central Region and his first at the speedway, following an earlier victory at RPM Speedway in May. Thome settled for second, Money claimed third, and Rohleder also celebrated the track title to cap off his season.

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