By Ben Deatherage
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 28, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma from Newton, Iowa, captured his fourth career IMCA Modified Winter Nationals series victory with a hard-fought win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fifth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The defending Winter Nationals champion and two-time Dakota Classic Modified Tour titlist drove the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111 to victory, earning his first win of the 2026 campaign in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region.
Braaksma jumped to the early lead at the drop of the green and immediately began setting the pace, while three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton moved into second and methodically began closing the gap. A strong battle developed behind them as Jonathan Mawhinney and reigning Marshalltown Speedway track champion Kollin Hibdon fought for third, with Hibdon eventually securing the position.
Lapped traffic became a factor by lap 13, and Braaksma navigated the congestion cleanly, leaving no margin for error as Thornton continued to pressure from behind. A caution on lap 17 interrupted Thornton’s momentum just as he began setting up a potential pass. On the restart, a three-wide fight for second between Hibdon, 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion Brandon Beckendorf, and Thornton allowed Braaksma to pull away again.
Beckendorf surged late and overtook Thornton on lap 23, then nearly ran down Braaksma on the final circuit, but Braaksma held on at the line by just 0.036 seconds. Beckendorf charged from 14th to finish second and earned hard charger honors, while Thornton held off Hibdon for fourth. Mawhinney, the reigning Roland Kent Memorial winner, completed the top five.
A total of 65 IMCA Modifieds were signed in for the night.
Starry Outduels Field for Stock Car Win
Cameron Starry of Corpus Christi, Texas, continued his strong Winter Nationals run with a victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, earning his third win of the 2026 Winter Nationals, the fourth of his career with the series, and his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the 2026 season.
Starry and Jordan Zillmer battled door-to-door at the opening start, with Starry winning the race to the line. Zillmer later powered to the lead on lap seven, but Starry stayed glued to his back bumper and muscled his way back out front on lap 13. From there, Starry transitioned to the top groove and began to pull away.
A late-race battle for second between Zillmer and three-time IMCA Sprint Car Super Nationals winner Curt Lund provided the drama behind the leader, but Starry checked out to secure the win in a caution-free main event. Lund finished second, Kaden Woodie placed third, 2024 EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region champion Bo Partain took fourth, and Zillmer completed the top five.
Braden Richards earned hard charger honors after advancing from 21st to 14th.
A total of 42 IMCA Stock Cars were entered.
Noonan Charges from Ninth to SportMod Victory
Dorchester, Nebraska’s Trevor Noonan scored his first career Winter Nationals series win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature, driving the Trevor Laher-owned no. 66 to victory.
After early restarts and cautions slowed the opening laps, Noonan methodically worked forward from ninth and took control on lap 11, taking the lead from early pacesetter Tim Goodwin. Once out front, the 2024 Nebraska State champion pulled away to a convincing win.
Bud Martini, the previous Friday night winner, finished second, while Goodwin held on for third. 2024 National Rookie of the Year Tyler Johnson placed fourth, and 2024 Junior National champion Payce Herrera rounded out the top five.
Blake Luinenburg earned hard charger honors after advancing from 26th to 13th.
A total of 46 IMCA Northern SportMods competed.
Magee Capitalizes Late for First Hobby Stock Winter Nationals Win
Joel Magee earned his first career Winter Nationals series victory in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock main event, scoring his first B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region win of the 2026 season after a dramatic late-race shift in the running order.
Austin Jahnz led early and built separation, while Zach Bierman applied steady pressure. A mid-race caution regrouped the field, and on lap 13 Jahnz slowed with mechanical issues, handing the lead to Magee.
Bierman mounted a strong challenge over the final laps, working the bottom groove while Magee defended the top, but the Sioux City, Iowa, native — who winters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida — held on for the victory. Bierman finished second, Nick Biggs placed third, and Tyler Thompson won a late battle with 2024 Tougher Than Dirt Tour champion Morgan Olmstead for fourth. The 2024 Lincoln County Raceway titlist, Thompson, earned hard charger honors after advancing from 13th.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
