By Rowdy Briggs
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (May 2, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods delivered one of Saturday’s wildest finishes at Central Arizona Raceway.
A chaotic opening two turns brought out a quick caution before Tyke Miles took the lead once racing resumed. Miles spun one lap later, handing the lead to Eric Winemiller. Winemiller looked to be on his way to the win, but trouble getting around a lapped car on the final lap allowed Bubba Stafford Jr. to close in and steal the victory coming off turn four.
Stafford, of Wittmann, charged from ninth to earn his third win of the year, all coming at Central Arizona Raceway. Winemiller was second, followed by Tyler Johnson, James Meile, who started 16th, and Miles.
Madrid and McDaniel Split Hobby Stock Wins
The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks produced two different winners on the weekend.
On Saturday, Joe Peterson led early before his hood began coming up with about five laps remaining. Peterson made it work until he bobbled off turn four, allowing Anthony Madrid to sneak by for the win. Madrid, of Phoenix, started eighth and scored his third B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region victory of the season. Steve Bitting Jr. charged from 10th to finish second, followed by Peterson, Joel Magee from 11th, and Charles McDaniel III from 12th.
On Friday, McDaniel III, of Phoenix, started ninth and grabbed the lead from Matt Rice on lap three. Magee led one lap, but McDaniel III took the lead back on lap eight and held off previous week winner Ty Warner for his first B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region win of the season. Warner was second after starting eighth, followed by Magee from 10th, Charles McDaniel Jr. from 15th, and Nick Biggs.
Silber Scores $1,000 Modified Win
Luke Silber added another big Central Arizona Raceway win in Saturday’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.
The Laveen driver started seventh, took the lead from Michael Egurola Jr. on lap six and raced to the $1,000 victory. It was Silber’s sixth win of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, all coming at Central Arizona Raceway.
The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, putting Silber 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.
Egurola Jr. finished second, followed by Justin Erickson, Jett Ayers, and Kenny Hatfield.
Murdoch Drives to Third Stock Car Win of Season
The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars ran Saturday, with Dennis Losing and Casey Murdoch leading the field to green.
Murdoch took command early while Speedy Madrid and new father Clay Erickson tried to reel him in. Both challengers had issues, and Murdoch, of Surprise, went on to score his third EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region win of 2026, all coming at the Casa Grande three-eighths-mile oval.
Mark Madrid Jr. finished second, followed by Losing, Jake Jurado, and Speedy Madrid.
Rice and Carter Split Sport Compact Victories
The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts had two different winners over the weekend.
On Saturday, Jalen Rice of Arizona City shot from the pole and led all 12 laps for his second win of 2026 at Central Arizona Raceway. Steve Carter was second, followed by Caleb Brady, Savannah Rice, and Josh Werkmeister.
On Friday, Carter, of Phoenix, claimed his fourth triumph at Central Arizona Raceway during the current campaign after Jalen Rice’s rear end broke on lap nine. Brady finished second, followed by Savannah Rice, and Rice.
Hinsley Holds Off Whisler in Mod Lite Main
The Mod Lites raced Friday, with a chaotic opening lap bringing out a red flag after Brian Rich flipped violently and Marvin Hart rolled as well.
Once racing resumed, Shane Hinsley of Queen Creek grabbed the lead and held off a hard-charging A.J. Whisler for the win. Hinsley started seventh and earned his fourth win of the season, all at Central Arizona Raceway. Whisler started eighth and finished second, followed by Michael Phay and the Lomasney trio of Kobe, Chris, and Kaleb.
