By Shaun Hurlbert
ELMA, Wash. (May 24, 2026) — Bricen James made a late Saturday night decision to tow north to Grays Harbor Raceway pay off in a big way, capturing the 7th annual West Coast Modified Clash finale and the $2,500 top prize in Sunday’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.
After one of the wildest B Main finishes of the weekend, 24 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds rolled onto the 3/8-mile clay oval for the Memorial Day weekend finale.
The initial start was called back after an incident deeper in the field. On the second attempt, Saturday winner and polesitter Grey Ferrando tangled with Collen Winebarger entering turn one, sending Ferrando spinning and forcing him to restart at the rear of the field.
On the third try, Ryan Peery and Winebarger charged into turn one with Winebarger emerging as the leader despite visible damage to the rear of his machine. Winebarger paced the opening 10 circuits before what appeared to be a flat tire sent him to the work area.
That handed the lead to Albany, Oregon’s Bricen James, who had methodically worked his way into second after starting fourth. Once out front, James maintained command while a furious battle erupted behind him between Peery, Matt Sanders, Tyson Blood and Ferrando, who had stormed back into the top five from the tail of the field.
Kevin Williamson soon joined the fight in sixth and worked past both Ferrando and Sanders before heavy lapped traffic created chaos. Ferrando rolled the outside while Williamson tried the bottom entering turn four, but contact between the two while navigating slower traffic sent Williamson spinning and ended Ferrando’s evening.
James was flawless on the ensuing restart and drove away to score his second career West Coast Modified Clash victory. The win was also his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region triumph of the 2026 season at two different tracks after previously winning the Cottage Grove Speedway opener on April 25.
Sanders finished second while Peery crossed the stripe third. Tyson Blood completed an impressive run from 12th to fourth while Craig Moore rounded out the top five.
The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, although James had already secured eligibility to attempt to qualify for the prestigious event at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s last Fall.
Heat race victories went to Bricen James, John Gaynor, Scott Miller, Zane Miner, James again, Gaynor again, Craig Moore and Rory Smith. Ferrando captured the dash while Jesse Williamson won the B Main.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Grays Harbor Raceway TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
