March 15, 2026

Whiteaker Scores STIMS Season Opener Victory at Texana Raceway Park

MOD Steven Whiteaker Jr. VL — Steven Whiteaker Jr. celebrates in victory lane after winning the Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series season opener at Texana Raceway Park on March 13. (Courtesy Photo)

By Tim Robbins

EDNA, Texas (Mar. 13, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts opened its 2026 campaign at Texana Raceway Park. A strong field of 23 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the $1,000-to-win 20-lap main event.

Twenty-one of the 23 cars made the call for the 20-lap main event and gave the crowd a great four-wide salute, complete with fireworks. Once the green dropped, Robstown driver Steven Whiteaker Jr. jumped out front from the outside of the first row with Rob Slott in tow. The field would run 15 green-flag laps before seeing its first yellow. That stretch allowed Jared Maupin and Johnny Torres to work toward the front in their pursuit of the Whiteaker machine.

The caution flew two more times, but ultimately Whiteaker came out on top to score his second win of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region, but his first in STIMS competition. The race was a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational to be run at this September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Whiteaker is already on the eligible list following a win in January at I-37 Speedway.

Torres and Maupin finished second and third. Ryan Slott and Cody Leonard completed the top five in fourth and fifth.

The evening started strong when 15-year-old Dylan Blackburn took advantage of a collision between Trent Beaver and Trevor Egbert to win the DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One. Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two saw Rob Slott take the win, while 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three went to Whiteaker.

Car counts, racing, even T-shirt sales good at start of South Texas IMCA Modified Series

HUFFMAN, Texas (April 19, 2024) – It’s four races into the inaugural South Texas IMCA Modified Series and Promoter Jacob Hortch has already seen a lot that he likes. The inaugural series is averaging better than 20 Modified entries, with competitive racing every night and just one repeat winner so far. Even the T-shirt sales have been pretty good. “We’re definitely proud of the car counts we’re bringing. These drivers are definitely putting on good shows,” Hortch said after watching Logan Dinsmore race from ninth to win the latest STIMS event, at Cotton Bowl Speedway. “We’ve seen a lot of different cars every night. I think drivers like the level of competition and the fans have been happy to see competitive IMCA Modified racing.” “I think the tracks are happy, too.” Logan Dinsmore tells all about his ninth to first run in the April 13 South Texas IMCA Modified Series main event at Cotton Bowl Speedway. (Photo by Rachel Plant) Chris Morris was the winner of features at I-37 Speedway and Jared Maupin topped the [Read More]

Morris Rockets to STIMS Season-Opening Win at Texana

By Ben Deatherage EDNA, Texas (Apr. 26, 2025) — Chris Morris launched the defense of his South Texas IMCA Modified Series title in dominant fashion Saturday night, picking up a $1,500 victory in the 20-lap season opener at Texana Raceway Park. Morris, the 2022 Cotton Bowl Speedway track champion from Thorndale, outdueled Cody Leonard at the drop of the green and took off like a rocket ship in clean air. A caution just past the midway point brought the field back together, but Morris executed a perfect restart and kept up the pace through multiple subsequent yellows. A final caution with four laps remaining couldn’t slow his momentum, and Morris powered away to secure his third career STIMS triumph—becoming the third different winner at Texana in as many tour events held at the ¼-mile oval. Morris also clocked the fastest lap of the race, earning an extra $750 bonus for his performance. Leonard finished second, with two-time I-37 Speedway champion Chad Doyon completing the podium in third.

South Texas IMCA Modified Series Ready for Sophomore Season

SAN ANTONIO (Mar. 14, 2025) — Race fans, get ready — the South Texas IMCA Modified Series is back for an action-packed second season in 2025! Ten races at five Lone Star State tracks are scheduled, starting March 28 at Heart O’ Texas Speedway near Waco, followed by I-37 Speedway in Pleasanton on March 29. Chris Morris is the defending champion. “Texas has a strong group of (Friesen Performance) IMCA Modified drivers,” said series director Kevin Rogers. “I look forward to showcasing their talent in the upcoming season at these awesome facilities we will travel to.” Each race will pay at least $1,000 to win and $100 to start, with increased payouts for higher car counts. If 25 to 39 cars enter, the purse rises to $1,500 to win and $125 to start. For over 40 entries, the winner gets $2,000, and starting pays $150. Drivers will compete not just for cash, but will also earn points for the National, South Central Region, and Texas State championships. A $10,000 point fund is available for drivers finishing [Read More]

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Whiteaker Scores STIMS Season Opener Victory at Texana Raceway Park

By Tim Robbins EDNA, Texas (Mar. 13, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts opened its 2026 campaign at Texana Raceway Park. A strong field of 23 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the $1,000-to-win 20-lap main event. Twenty-one of the 23 cars made the call for the 20-lap main event and gave the crowd a great four-wide salute, complete with fireworks. Once the green dropped, Robstown driver Steven Whiteaker Jr. jumped out front from the outside of the first row with Rob Slott in tow. The field would run 15 green-flag laps before seeing its first yellow. That stretch allowed Jared Maupin and Johnny Torres to work toward the front in their pursuit of the Whiteaker machine. The caution flew two more times, but ultimately Whiteaker came out on top to score his second win of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region, but his first in STIMS competition. The race was a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational to be run [Read More]

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Sobbing Surges Late to Capture Spring Nationals Stock Car Opener at Beatrice

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Mar. 13, 2026) — Jesse Sobbing powered to victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature on opening night of the 33rd annual Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway, earning a spot on the eligibility list for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational to be held during the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Malvern, Iowa driver and reigning Super Nationals Sunoco IMCA Late Model winner grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap, $1,000-to-win main event, but immediately had his hands full with Damon Murty. The 2005 National Stock Car champion and six-time Iowa State titlist repeatedly worked the bottom of the track trying to unseat Sobbing while 2019 National champion Jordan Grabouski soon entered the battle. Grabouski powered into second on lap seven as Sobbing stretched his advantage until a lap nine caution erased the gap. On the restart, Grabouski seized the lead on lap 10 and briefly appeared in command before another pair of cautions slowed the pace. Grabouski mastered the [Read More]

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Michigan IMCA Stock Car Scene Expands with Crystal and Mt. Pleasant in 2026

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 13, 2026) — Two Michigan race tracks will host Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars on a regular basis during the 2026 season, creating additional opportunities for drivers in the Great Lakes region. Crystal Motor Speedway and Mt. Pleasant Speedway will both sanction the division this year, with track, Michigan State, EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and national IMCA points awarded at both facilities. Crystal Motor Speedway first hosted IMCA Stock Cars during the 2024 Great Lakes Nationals and will expand the division significantly in 2026. Approximately 20 nights for the class are currently scheduled, beginning with the season opener on April 11. Promoter Brian Le Baron believes the division will be a great fit for the speedway moving forward. “I love the class and the racing is great,” Le Baron said. “Our local Stock Car class had gotten to the point where the motors were getting out of hand and expensive. IMCA has a great package to keep everything under control.” “We’re going to run them quite a few times this [Read More]

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