Johnson Avenges Opening Night Flip with Round Two SportMod Victory in Bakersfield

Divisions, Feature, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Nicholas Johnson (1N) races alongside brother Ethan Johnson (11) during Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod action at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on March 7. Nicholas went on to win the feature. (Photo by Tom Macht)

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2026) — Following a prolific 2025 season at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway across various Stock Car classes, Nicholas Johnson took on the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods in 2026. His season opener in February ended on his lid, but he quickly regained his form at the one-third-mile dirt track on Saturday during March Madness with a coveted comeback victory.

Johnson dominated his heat race, then lined up third for the 25-lap feature alongside his brother Ethan. Ethan jumped ahead at the start with Nicholas sliding into second. Following a crash in turn one on the opening lap, Nicholas Johnson used the restart to take over the lead on the second lap.

Johnson dominated the rest of the feature to score his first Bakersfield SportMod win. Tate Lofts drove from eighth to second, with Chris McKellar, 2024 champion Jason Bannister, and Alyssa Smith rounding out the top five.

2023 and 2024 Bakersfield Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified champion Gavyn Manning returned to the top step of the podium, winning the 30-lap feature for his first victory of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. The hometown pilot started on the outside pole alongside Cole Szlauko and quickly took control of the lead, never relenting the rest of the way. He was never seriously challenged during any of the subsequent restarts.

2025 IMCA SportMod track champion Tyler Bannister continued his hot start in the IMCA Modified class with a second-place finish. Arizonan Luke Silber finished third, while Eric Hamilton and Austin Keifer rounded out the top five.

Visalia’s Jacob Van Essen scored the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car victory in a fast-paced affair, his second win of the season at Bakersfield and in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. Justin Villanueva led the early stages of the event with his left front tire hiked up in the air. Van Essen eventually overhauled him for the lead while Billy Simkins worked his way into second. Villanueva finished third, followed by Raymond Noland in fourth and Miranda Scott in fifth.

The night’s action aired live on IMCA.TV affiliate TrackVision TV powered by Low Budget TV. Catch every lap again with an IMCA.TV Replay Subscription for just $24.99/month. Plus, stream Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries exclusively on IMCA.TV.

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