Reay Prevails in Thrilling Duel With Smith at I-96

By Justin Sharp LAKE ODESSA, Mich. (May 8, 2026) — Casey Smith captured a lucrative $3,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory Friday night at I-96 Speedway, earning Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility in the process. The Portland driver started seventh and methodically worked his way into contention in a feature that quickly became a battle of survival and late-race positioning. Mark Anderson and Bree Wonch led the field to the green flag, but Myron DeYoung soon raced into the lead and controlled much of the event. Disaster struck for DeYoung late in the race, however, when mechanical trouble knocked him from contention and handed the top spot to Smith, who had been applying steady pressure. A late caution ultimately shortened the race due to time limitations, allowing Smith to secure his first victory of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. The win also placed him on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational eligibility list for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Smith completed a sweep of the evening after [Read More]

LAKE ODESSA, Mich. – The lucky winner of I-96 Speedway’s Friday the 13th July special goes home with $1,500. The Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying event pays $1,000 to the runner-up and a minimum of $165 to start. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Dirt Works Eastern Region and Michigan State, but not track points will be awarded. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m., the front gate opens at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 8 p.m. on July 13. Spectator admission is $25 for adults, $ for kids ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Pit passes are $35. The track website is www.I96speedway.com. More information is also available by calling 616 642-0555.

IONIA, Mich. – The track where A.J. Ward started his racing career became the track where he won his career 100th and 101st IMCA Modified features. Ward, from Ionia, Mich., became the 54th driver in division history, and just the second IMCA Modified driver this season to reach the 100-win mark, topping both scheduled and make-up features on Aug. 26 at I-96 Speedway. “I started racing here in a street stock. It’s good to be able to get my 100th win at my home track,” he said. “With the rainouts we’ve had it looked like I might not have a chance to get it here but everything worked out.” Ward’s 19th and 20th wins of the season came in his 36th and 37th starts, after back-to-back runner-up finishes at Tri-City Motor Speedway and Crystal Motor Speedway. It was the third time he’d won two features on the same night. His checkers in the opener came after a back-and-forth battle with Brenten DeYoung. Myron DeYoung, another Michigan member of the 100-win club, challenged in the nightcap [Read More]