By Jerry Mackey
COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (May 15, 2026) — The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks provided the most thrilling action of the night Friday at CJ Speedway, with Wapello’s Bill Stanford finally breaking through for his first victory of the season.
Known by fans as “Mr. Excitement,” Stanford found victory lane after a wild feature that saw competitors pushing the racing groove to the extreme high side, with several drivers hanging right-side tires over the levee.
The race was red flagged when Dalton Weepie exited the racing surface in turn one and slid over the top of the levee.
The closing laps featured a thrilling duel between Stanford and graduating high school senior Brayden Wood. Stanford held on at the line to earn his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region triumph of 2026. Wood settled for second while early leader Ryan Havel crossed the stripe third. Kyler Burmeister and Daniel Wauters rounded out the top five.
Laymon Captures Rain-Shortened SportMod Main
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods capped off their evening with a rain-shortened feature won by Muscatine’s Levi Laymon.
Laymon led early before briefly surrendering the top position, but he fought back to reclaim the lead before a caution on lap 10 tightened the field.
Before racing could resume, a brief rain shower forced officials to end the event early, giving Laymon his first victory of the season.
Cole VanDerWal finished second ahead of Colton Zaputil. Tyler Heckart advanced from ninth to fourth while Illinois racer Trey Rock completed the top five.
Kile Charges to Modified Victory
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds completed their 15-lap feature in quick fashion.
Nichols driver Kurt Kile started sixth and took the lead away from early pacesetter Adam Shelman with five laps completed. Kile went on to secure his first Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season.
Dakota Simmons crossed the line second while Shelman completed the podium in third after running near the front throughout the race. Kolton Osborn advanced from 10th to fourth, and Brandon Banks finished fifth.
Wood Stays Perfect in CJ Stock Car Action
The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars once again attracted a strong field of competitors, and Sigourney’s Nathan Wood continued his dominance at CJ Speedway.
Wood started fourth and inherited the lead after pole sitter Dustin Griffiths retired with a broken power steering belt. From there, Wood raced away to score his fourth straight EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory, with all four wins coming at CJ Speedway this season.
Corey Strothman finished second ahead of Norman Bean. Brock Haines and Kirk Kinsley completed the top five.
