By Jason Allen
WHITE CITY, Ore. (May 2, 2026) — Fresh off a heat race victory earlier in the night, Vinny Debenedetti led the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods to green in the 2026 season-opening main event at Southern Oregon Speedway.
The field completed just one lap before trouble erupted on lap two. Logan McKnight and Ryder Boswell tangled on the front stretch while battling for position, collecting Cory Biggs in turn one. McKnight suffered heavy damage, and all three drivers were done for the night.
On the restart, more issues followed as John Wilson spun exiting turn two, collecting Blake Peery and Connor Franklin. Peery and Wilson became locked together and had to be separated by the safety crew, ending the night for both. Another caution came on lap six when Lyle Yaeger spun.
When racing resumed, Debenedetti took control and began to distance himself during a long green-flag run. Lapped traffic became a factor with 10 laps remaining as Jorddon Braaten closed in. After several laps working the bottom, the 17-year-old from Rogue River moved to the high side, placing lapped cars between himself and Braaten with four laps to go and pulling away for the victory—his first win of the season.
Braaten finished second, followed by Lane McCoy, who earned hard charger honors after advancing 11 positions. Isaac Sanders and Rusty Azevedo completed the top five.
A total of 23 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods were on hand.
Ferrando Fends Off Competition to Claim $2,000 Modified Win
Eighteen Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds took the green for their $2,000-to-win feature, with Stayton’s Grey Ferrando wasting no time taking command from his outside front row starting position.
Ferrando and Ryan Peery battled closely for the first five laps before Ferrando began to pull away. A caution flew with 15 laps remaining when Kenny Boardman Jr. experienced engine trouble, leaving oil on the racing surface.
On the restart, an intense battle for second developed. With 13 laps to go, Patterson attempted a slider on Peery in turns three and four but made contact, damaging his right rear. Patterson continued and impressively worked his way back to finish sixth.
With nine laps remaining, Joby Shields suffered a mechanical issue when his ignition box came loose, sending him into the K-rails and ending his night. The final stretch featured a strong battle among Peery, Sanders, Killingsworth, and Petray for second position.
Out front, Ferrando remained steady and secured the victory—his first win of the season and first in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region in 2026. Peery finished second, followed by Killingsworth in third. Austin Petray was fourth, and Matt Sanders, who started 13th, rounded out the top five.
The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, putting Ferrando 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.
Nineteen Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds filled the pit area.
