By Ben Deatherage
VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 30, 2026) — A fast start to the 2026 season, combined with a strong finish to last year’s fall slate, has already produced 45 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified drivers eligible to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational.
All drivers who win IMCA Modified features paying $1,000 or more to win are added to the eligibility list, giving them the opportunity to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway.
Dylan Thornton led all drivers with four qualifier victories, winning all four features during the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway in January.
Chaz Baca Jr. has recorded three qualifier wins, capturing two IMCA TV Winter Nationals features at Central Arizona Raceway and adding an IMCA TV Clash On The Coast victory at Blackwater Speedway in February.
Jordan Grabouski, Ethan Braaksma, Jacob Pirkle, Troy Morris III, and Steven Whiteaker Jr. have each earned multiple qualifier victories. Grabouski scored during the third night of the Texas Showdown at I-37 Speedway in January and returned to victory lane on March 13 during the first night of the Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway. Braaksma earned wins at the IMCA TV Winter Nationals in January and again on February 23 during IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway.
Pirkle swept both of his qualifier wins at Kennedale Speedway Park in late February, while Morris picked up victories at Southern Raceway and during its Winter Nationals event in February. Whiteaker won the fourth night of the Texas Showdown at I-37 Speedway and added a Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series victory at Texana Raceway Park in March.
Other 2026 qualifiers include Izac Mallicoat, who claimed the second night of the Texas Showdown at I-37 Speedway. Brandon Beckendorf earned his berth with an IMCA TV Winter Nationals victory on the final night of the series at Central Arizona Raceway, while Kollin Hibdon won the Bill and Shirley Meyer Showdown at Mohave Valley Raceway in early February, adding to his qualifier victory last November at Central Arizona Raceway.
John Webb and William Gould split Ice Breaker victories at Abilene Speedway, with Webb winning the first night and Gould the second in late February. Tim Ward and Spencer Hartwick each captured IMCA TV Clash On The Coast wins at Deep South Speedway around that same time, while Jared Maupin picked up a Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series win at Texana Raceway Park in March.
Jaxon Saathoff won the final night of the Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway, Matthew Day scored at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in March, and Jesse Dennis and Tyler Inman went to victory lane during the first and second nights of the Battle at the Park at Park Jefferson Speedway also in March. Greg Gustus and Clay Money split Sunflower Classic wins at RPM Speedway, Jason Barnhill scored at Southern Raceway, and Wendell Wallace captured the Arkansas Spring Nationals at Batesville Motor Speedway to close out qualifier wins for the third month of the season.
Also eligible are drivers who earned qualifier wins during the 2025 fall stretch.
September winners included Brett Berry at Salina Speedway, Clint Hatlestad at the Jeff Rucks Memorial at Arlington Raceway, Jeff Aikey at Benton County Speedway, Nate Jones at the Great Lakes Nationals at Crystal Motor Speedway, and Rory Smith at Skagit Speedway.
Jeff Reay won at Mt. Pleasant Speedway, Tucker Hislop and Casey Delp both scored at Diamond Mountain Speedway, and Kyle Rohleder earned his win at WaKeeney Speedway. Brandon Beckendorf won the first night of the Iron Cup at Park Jefferson Speedway, Braxton Yeager captured the Castle County Clash at Desert Thunder Raceway, and Bricen James won the Survive the 55 at Skagit Speedway.
Jonathan Mawhinney claimed the Roland Kent Memorial at Mohave Valley Raceway, Justin Zeitner won the second night of the Iron Cup at Park Jefferson Speedway, and Travis Hagen captured Oktoberfest at Dacotah Speedway.
October winners included Curtis Cook, who won the second night of the Race for Hope 71 at Batesville Motor Speedway, Brandon Schmitt at Car Wars at 141 Speedway, and Zane DeVilbiss, who captured the third night of the Race for Hope 71. Jake McBirnie added a win at the Harvest Hustle at Marshalltown Speedway.
Charlie Fulton highlighted November by winning the Ed and Jan Billings Memorial at Thunder Mountain Speedway, while Austin Kuehl, Cole Czarneski, and Kollin Hibdon each scored during The Showdown at Central Arizona Raceway.
Drew Janssen capped the year with a dominant three-race sweep of the Sparkling City Classic at South Texas Race Ranch, winning the first, second, and third nights of the December event.
The April schedule offers another full slate of opportunities across all five IMCA Modified regions.
The Razor Chassis North Central Region opens the month with the Iowa Frost Buster series, beginning April 1 at Stuart Speedway, April 2 at Independence Motor Speedway, April 3 at Marshalltown Speedway, and April 4 at Boone Speedway.
141 Speedway hosts additional North Central Region qualifiers April 10 and April 11 for the Spring Stampede, with the first and second nights both paying $1,000 or more to win. The track also hosts another qualifier on April 18.
The Jet Racing Central Region features Eagle Raceway’s Icebreaker Challenge, with qualifier events scheduled for April 17 and April 18.
In the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region, Crystal Motor Speedway hosts qualifiers April 11, April 18, and April 25, while Penn Can Speedway hosts NY-Penn Series competition April 19.
The DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region includes an April 25 qualifier at Skagit Speedway.
Drivers in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region will have opportunities through the Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series, with qualifier events April 10 at Heart O’ Texas Speedway, April 11 at Cotton Bowl Speedway, and April 25 at 105 Motor Speedway.
Events must pay a minimum of $1,000 to win and be submitted to IMCA to be recognized as official qualifiers. Tracks or promoters who believe an event has been omitted can contact the IMCA Home Office at raceimca@imca.com.
