By Ben Deatherage
BEATRICE, Neb. (Jan. 20, 2026) — Beatrice Speedway will kick off the 2026 racing season with the 33rd annual Spring Nationals, a three-day Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing event scheduled for March 12–14 at the Gage County Fairgrounds. IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will all compete during the Spring Nationals weekend.
The event opens Thursday, March 12, with an open practice session. Pits will open at 5 p.m., with on-track practice scheduled from 6–9 p.m. Pit passes will be $25, and grandstand admission will be free.
Friday night’s program will feature a $2,000-to-win IMCA Modified main event paying $150 to start. IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods will each race for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, while IMCA Hobby Stocks will compete for $700 to win and $80 to start.
Saturday night raises the stakes with IMCA Modifieds racing for $2,500 to win and $200 to start. IMCA Stock Cars will pay $1,500 to win and $150 to start, IMCA Northern SportMods will race for $1,200 to win and $120 to start, and IMCA Hobby Stocks will pay $1,000 to win and $100 to start. IMCA Sport Compacts will race for $400 to win and $40 to start on both nights.
Nebraska State and National points will be awarded. Additional regional points will also be on the line, including Jet Racing Central Region points for IMCA Modifieds, EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points for IMCA Stock Cars, and B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region points for IMCA Hobby Stocks.
The race format will lock 16 drivers from heat race competition into each feature, including all heat race winners. The remaining starting positions will be filled through passing and finishing points. Each night will be contested as a separate event, with no lock-ins carrying over.
In the event of inclement weather, make-up dates are scheduled for March 19–21.
Pre-registration opens February 1 via MyRacePass and will close at noon on March 12. A $10 late fee will be assessed for entries received after the cutoff.
IMCA Modified entry fees are $65 on Friday and $75 on Saturday. IMCA Stock Car entry fees are $45 on Friday and $60 on Saturday, while IMCA Northern SportMod entry fees are $45 on Friday and $55 on Saturday. IMCA Hobby Stock entry fees are $40 on Friday and $50 on Saturday, and IMCA Sport Compact entry fees are $20 on both nights.
Winners of both Modified and Stock Car features on Friday and Saturday will be placed on the eligibility list for the FastShafts All-Star Modified Invitational and the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be contested at the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.
Following each night’s racing action, fans and teams are invited to keep the fun going at the Party Under the Grandstands. The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night gatherings will feature a DJ, beer specials, and a heated party area, creating a new post-race atmosphere for the event. Driver payouts for Friday and Saturday will also be distributed under the grandstands.
“We’ve changed things up this year by paying drivers after the races under the stands,” event promoter Jerry Vansickel said. “It adds to the post-race experience and ensures everyone leaves taken care of before they head home. We also want our fans and racers to be able to interact after the races and start a new tradition.”
