By Chance Riley
JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 16, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were the stars of the show Thursday night at Park Jefferson Speedway with a thrilling 20-lap main event.
For most of the race, it was a two-car battle for the lead between Shane DeMey and Brian Mahlstedt. But on the white flag lap, charging down the front stretch, R.J. Merchant of South Sioux City, Nebraska stormed from his 16th starting position to steal the win—despite a bent suspension.
It was Merchant’s first victory of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. DeMey finished second ahead of Duke Erickson, while Mahlstedt and Ricky Stephan completed the top five.
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered an exciting 18-lap feature. Braydon Ahlers controlled much of the race, but Willy Kirk, who restarted at the back following an early caution, made a last-lap pass on the front stretch during a green, white, checkered finish to take the win.
The Salix, Iowa driver earned his first victory of the season. Ahlers settled for second, followed by Jake Newsom. Rusty Montagne and Kirk Beatty rounded out the top five.
In Sunoco IMCA Stock Car action, Dan Mackenthun picked up back-to-back wins at Park Jefferson in a clean, fast-paced feature, scoring his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of 2026. The Hamburg, Minnesota driver was followed by Jason Ward and Travis Barker on the podium. Jim Horejsi finished fourth, with Mike Vondrak fifth.
Zach Zeitner led flag-to-flag in the Sunoco IMCA Late Model feature to earn his first win of the season. The Bellevue, Nebraska racer was followed by Jesse Sobbing and Jordan Krug, while Cody Thompson and Jody Krug completed the top five.
Johnny Thomas won the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature from the pole, marking his third victory at three different tracks this season. The Beatrice, Nebraska driver was followed by Levi Volkert and Gilbert Aldape. Kiegan Werner and Mike Vogt rounded out the top five.
Steven Taylor, racing three months to the day after his father’s passing, captured the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The Sioux City, Iowa driver started sixth and earned his first win of the year in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Anthony Bruhn finished second, followed by Joel Magee. Matt Rezac was fourth, and Wyatt Johnson completed the top five.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
