May 28, 2026

Bannister Storms Through Field for Santa Maria Modified Score

Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results

MOD Tyler Bannister OT PB Turbow Photography — Tyler Bannister pilots his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified during competition at Santa Maria Speedway earlier this season. The Bakersfield driver owns five DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victories in 2026, including two triumphs at Santa Maria Speedway. (Photo by Turbow Photography)

By Stephanie Odom

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (May 23, 2026) — Tyler Bannister charged from eighth starting position to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway and score his fifth DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season.

Rob Sanders led the opening portion of the Modified main event while Bannister steadily worked his way through traffic. A caution on lap 17 tightened the field and opened the door for the Bakersfield driver, who took over the lead on the following circuit.

Once out front, Bannister never looked back and raced away for his second Santa Maria Speedway triumph of 2026.

Cole Szlauko finished second while Gavyn Manning advanced from 10th to third. Sanders held on for fourth while Markus Frazier rounded out the top five.

King Holds Off Johnson for SportMod Victory

Landon King led the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod field to green and quickly established himself as the driver to beat.

The Pismo Beach 15-year-old maintained control throughout the feature while fending off repeated challenges from Bakersfield youngster Ethan Johnson. King went on to secure his second victory of the season with both wins coming at Santa Maria Speedway.

Matthew Frazier crossed the stripe third while Jason Bannister advanced from 10th to fourth. Tate Loftis completed an 11th-to-fifth charge.

santamariaspeedway

Pombo Dominates California RaceSaver Sprint Series Return to Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Apr. 4, 2026) — The California RaceSaver Sprint Series action returned to Santa Maria Speedway for the first of several visits this season for the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car tour, with George Tristao Jr. and Davey Pombo leading the field to green for the 20-lap feature. Pombo took control at the drop of the green and never looked back, leading all 20 laps to secure his first win of 2026. Tristao finished second, followed by Jeremy Alves, Evan Dixon, and Kevin Barnes Sr. Tristao set quick time in qualifying, while heat race wins went to Tristao and Lance Jackson.

Combs Makes Late Race Pass to Win at Santa Maria

By Ben Deatherage SANTA MARIA, Calif. (May 23, 2025) — The second leg of the 2025 Central California Clash brought the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds to Santa Maria Speedway for the tour’s first-ever race at the Central California coastal facility, featuring a 30-lap showdown. Roseville’s Josh Combs seized the opportunity to claim his first career series victory and first win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Combs took the early lead and maintained it through multiple cautions, which prevented him from encountering heavy lapped traffic. Cody Burke, a four-time Ocean Speedway track champion, briefly overtook Combs before a red flag incident nullified the lap, returning Combs to the front. Burke reclaimed the lead on lap 26, but a left rear flat tire with a few circuits remaining allowed Combs to retake the top spot and secure the win. Katelynn Robertson, the 2023 Nevada State champion, charged into second late in the race, while reigning Arkansas State champion Keith Brown Jr. finished third. Bannister Battles to SportMod Victory In the 25-lap Karl Chevrolet [Read More]

Combs, Wilson, Johnson Crowned Central California Clash Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Josh Combs, Dylan Wilson, and Nicholas Johnson each made history with their first career Central California Clash championships in their respective Speedway Motors IMCA divisions, capping a competitive four-race tour across the Golden State. Roseville’s Josh Combs clinched the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified title with a strong and consistent week. After opening with a ninth-place finish at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway Park, he stormed to victory at Santa Maria. Combs followed that with a runner-up finish at Merced before closing the series with a fifth-place run at Petaluma. Bakersfield youngster Gavyn Manning was runner-up in points after finishing second on opening night, taking ninth at Santa Maria, winning at Merced, and wrapping up the week 10th at Petaluma. Third in points went to Keith Brown Jr., now based in Greenbrier, Ark. Brown’s week included a 10th at Bakersfield, third at Santa Maria, eighth at Merced, and 12th at Petaluma. Dylan Wilson of Bakersfield earned the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod championship with a [Read More]

Feature

Mills Masters Eagle Modified Main as Memorial Weekend Crowd Salutes Heroes

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (May 24, 2026) — Before Sunday evening’s racing program began at Eagle Raceway, fans and teams gathered under the glow of light sticks for an emotional Memorial Day weekend tribute honoring both fallen service members and loved ones lost too soon. Names submitted through donations were read aloud following a moment of silence in one of the night’s most touching moments. Jeremy Mills then delivered a memorable performance of his own in the $2,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, racing from third to score his first Jet Racing Central Region victory of the season and his third overall win of 2026. The Memorial Madness finale was also a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, placing Mills on the eligibility list for the event to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Chad Reid led the opening lap before Mills charged to the front on lap two. Several cautions throughout the event repeatedly tightened the field, including incidents involving Zack Olivia, Clint Homan, Josh Most, [Read More]

Modified

Bannister Storms Through Field for Santa Maria Modified Score

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (May 23, 2026) — Tyler Bannister charged from eighth starting position to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Santa Maria Speedway and score his fifth DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season. Rob Sanders led the opening portion of the Modified main event while Bannister steadily worked his way through traffic. A caution on lap 17 tightened the field and opened the door for the Bakersfield driver, who took over the lead on the following circuit. Once out front, Bannister never looked back and raced away for his second Santa Maria Speedway triumph of 2026. Cole Szlauko finished second while Gavyn Manning advanced from 10th to third. Sanders held on for fourth while Markus Frazier rounded out the top five. King Holds Off Johnson for SportMod Victory Landon King led the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod field to green and quickly established himself as the driver to beat. The Pismo Beach 15-year-old maintained control throughout the feature while fending off repeated challenges from Bakersfield youngster [Read More]

Events

Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway Set for 40th Season Opener May 30

By Suzan Allen CORTEZ, Colo. (May 27, 2026) — The engines are ready to roar and the dirt is set to fly as Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway prepares to open another exciting season of dirt track racing on Saturday, May 30. Race fans from across the Four Corners region will gather at the legendary Colorado oval for a one-night-only event beginning at 6:00 p.m. This year’s opener carries added significance as Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway celebrates its 40th season of dirt track competition, marking four decades of thrilling side-by-side racing, community tradition, and unforgettable moments under the lights. A full night of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing action is scheduled featuring Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. The 2026 campaign will include eight IMCA-sanctioned races as drivers battle for season championships. “We are excited to get this season kicked off,” said promoter Joe Bellm. “There are a ton of great drivers in the area, and we are going to give them an [Read More]

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