May 4, 2026

Bartlett Goes Flag-to-Flag for Blackwater Modified Victory

MOD William Bartlett VL PB 2 Fast 2 Photo — William Bartlett of Panama City, Fla. celebrates in victory lane at Blackwater Speedway after leading every lap of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on May 2, earning his first Close Racing Supply Eastern Region win of the season. (Photo by 2 Fast 2 Photo)

By Cortni Potoapowicz

BAKER, Fla. (May 2, 2026) — After nearly two inches of rain threatened Saturday’s program, officials at Blackwater Speedway worked tirelessly to bring both the racing surface and pit area back to top condition—delivering a track that was race-ready for the night’s “Show Up and Showdown” event. Despite the weather challenges, the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified division brought plenty of excitement.

When the feature went green, the competition intensified as some of the division’s best went wheel-to-wheel behind the leader. William Bartlett of Panama City led the entire distance to capture the feature win in impressive fashion, earning his first victory of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region.

Jason Barnhill charged to a strong second-place finish, while Chris Smith fought his way back onto the podium in third. Greg Hopkins finished fourth, followed by Zach Howard in fifth.

blackwaterspeedway

Florida Bullring Recharged Under New Ownership Ahead of IMCA TV Clash On The Coast

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2026) — A new chapter is underway for Northwest Florida Speedway, as Ron Wolverton has officially taken ownership of the Baker, Florida ¼-mile facility, launching an ambitious revival effort aimed at preserving grassroots racing while positioning the venue for long-term growth. For Wolverton — a lifelong drag racer turned dirt track promoter — the journey into ownership has been nothing short of extraordinary. “The whole thing has been a miracle after miracle,” Wolverton said. “We pulled off a construction feat that even the big guys couldn’t pull off. We didn’t start until January 9 before we got to moving dirt, and I couldn’t have done it without all the volunteers and community members that came out to help.” Among the most notable upgrades has been the restoration of the racing surface itself. Wolverton and his team worked to bring the track back to its roots by reconditioning the oval with original dirt pulled directly from the property versus having it hauled in from elsewhere. Now entering his first season [Read More]

Baca Masters Restarts to Score IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Victory in Baker

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. delivered a poised and calculated performance to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the second night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway. The event served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — for which Baca was already eligible. On the initial start Baca wrestled the lead from opening-lap pacesetter Logan Anderson to command lap one. The two-time National champion quickly settled into rhythm while Anderson — last year’s Razor Chassis North Central Region Rookie of the Year — fought to maintain pace. Defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion Ethan Braaksma, winner of the previous night’s main event in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, soon emerged as Baca’s primary challenger. The pair separated from the field before lapped traffic came into play on lap nine, only for consecutive cautions to reset the tempo. Each restart saw Baca [Read More]

Braaksma Breaks Through for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph at Blackwater

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma powered to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the opening night of the 2026 IMCA Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway. The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September, for which Braaksma was already on the eligibility list. Tim Ward, the two-time reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, jumped to the early lead aboard the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car before Joseph Joiner wrestled the top spot away on lap two. Joiner, driving the Andrews Autosport no. 10J for car owner Spencer Andrews, withstood multiple early cautions while fending off challenges from Braaksma. The race turned on lap 10 when Joiner bobbled, allowing Braaksma — the two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion racing the Trent Guest and Danny Meier no. 111— to pounce and seize control. [Read More]

Modified

Logan Charges from Sixth to Skagit Modified Victory

By Kaleb Hart ALGER, Wash. (May 2, 2026) — Cole Logan of Burlington put together an impressive drive to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Skagit Speedway. Starting sixth, Logan worked his way to the front in short order, taking the lead from Jeff Hunt on lap seven. Once out front, he went virtually unchallenged the rest of the way to secure his first win of 2026 in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Adam Holtrop finished second, while Tyson Blood charged from ninth to third. Rory Smith advanced from eighth to fourth, with Hunt rounding out the top five. The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, putting Logan on the eligibility list to try and qualify for the event to be held in September during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Heat race wins went to Holtrop and Lane Zerbin.

Feature

Jenner Leads Flag-to-Flag in Modified Season Opener at Sunset Speedway Park

By Jack Mitchell BANKS, Ore. (May 2, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds capped off opening night at Sunset Speedway Park—known as the “Banks Bullring” just outside the Portland metro area—with a 25-lap feature that kept teams busy from start to finish. Action picked up early on lap two when Lovell lost control in turn two, forcing Jake Walters up into the wall. The contact stripped away much of the bodywork on Walters’ machine and ended his race. The pace stayed demanding throughout the event, and late-race challenges continued as the field worked through traffic. On lap 19, contact between Lovell and Cassell in turn three created more damage, and one lap later Matt Jenner suffered a flat right rear tire, ending his night. Up front, Don Jenner of Vancouver, Washington stayed smooth and consistent, leading every lap to score his first win of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Trevor Labarge finished second, followed by Jeff Lovell, Craig Cassell, and Joey Tardio in the Greg Walters-provided No. 97 to complete the [Read More]

Modified

Moore Charges from Ninth to Win at Grays Harbor

By Shaun Hulbert ELMA, Wash. (May 2, 2026) — Brenton Schnitzer led the field to green in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Grays Harbor Raceway, with Scott Miller running second and Zane Miner in third. Craig Moore, of Seabeck, who started ninth, quickly worked his way into the top four before a caution slowed the pace for second-running Miller. On the restart, Moore began to find his groove. Within a couple of laps, he worked past Miner and set his sights on Schnitzer. Utilizing a strong middle line, Moore steadily reeled in the leader and powered past him with eight laps remaining. Moore went on to secure his first win of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, extending his podium streak and maintaining his advantage in track standings just three weeks into the season. Schnitzer held on for second, fending off Miner, who finished third. Jake Sorenson won a hard-fought battle for fourth, with John Higgenbottom rounding out the top five. Heat race wins went to Miller and Schnitzer, while Moore [Read More]

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