By Joe Verdegan
SEYMOUR, Wis. (May 15, 2026) — Suamico’s Johnny Whitman snatched the lead on lap 10 and fended off a hard-charging Jayden Schmidt to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Friday night at Outagamie Speedway.
Whitman, who started eighth, picked up his third Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season and first triumph of 2026 at Outagamie Speedway after surviving a thrilling late-race duel with Schmidt.
Hometown driver Konnor Wilinski blasted into a big lead early from his pole position. The second-generation driver quickly built up a full straightaway advantage in the opening four circuits.
Wilinski had already begun slicing through lapped traffic by lap eight while Whitman carved his way through the field, grabbing second by lap seven. Following a lap nine caution, Whitman whisked past Wilinski to take the lead at the halfway mark.
Meanwhile, Schmidt, who started 19th, stormed through the field and reached second by lap 11 before powering past Whitman for the lead one lap later.
The duo raced door-to-door over the next several circuits, exchanging the lead multiple times. Whitman muscled back around Schmidt on the final lap and held on for the dramatic victory.
Schmidt settled for second at the pay window, followed by Dan Roedl, Wilinski and James Fletcher, who advanced from 12th.
Nolan Charges to Stock Car Victory
Shawano’s Trent Nolan emerged triumphant in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event following a see-saw battle where he and Pulaski pilot Jeff Kropp swapped the lead numerous times.
Nolan started sixth and collected his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and first at Outagamie Speedway in 2026.
Kropp jumped into the lead from the pole and held the position through an early caution period before surrendering the top spot to Travis Van Straten on lap four. The former IMCA national stock car champion used a three-wide move to take command.
By the halfway point, Kropp remained within striking distance while former track champion Brett Wenzel joined the battle, creating a furious three-car fight for the lead.
Kropp reclaimed the lead on lap 11, but Nolan used the bottom groove to drive into the lead on lap 14. Wenzel, who started 10th, continued pressuring Nolan in the closing laps, but the Shawano ace held on for the victory.
Wenzel finished second, followed by Kropp, Presley Harrington and Jerry Wilinski, who advanced from 11th. Tyler Schrimpf delivered a strong run from the 14th starting position.
Oreskovich Dominates SportMod Main
Clintonville’s Max Oreskovich passed Tanner Pari for the lead on lap three and went on to score his first Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season.
Oreskovich started third and grabbed the lead just before a lap five caution tightened the field.
On the restart, Tyler DeMars moved into second and attempted to keep Oreskovich within reach. However, Oreskovich steadily stretched his advantage and had built nearly a full straightaway lead by lap 10.
DeMars finished second ahead of Owen Wilcox, while Jordan Jahnke advanced from 10th to fourth and Mitchell Fairbanks charged from 11th to fifth.
Schulte Scores Sport Compact Victory
Kaukauna’s Thomas Schulte passed Al Cottrell with two laps remaining to capture the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.
Schulte, who started fourth, earned his first win of the season. Cottrell crossed the line second ahead of Brett Deprez, Cody Booth and Kyle Jorgenson.
