By Nick Robbins
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (June 14, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts returned to action for an exciting doubleheader weekend at Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Friday and Cotton Bowl Speedway on Saturday. Although the tracks are vastly different, both provided strong fields and exciting racing.
A season-best 34 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for action at the historic Elm Mott speed plant on Friday night, making the winner’s share $1,500. The stout field meant only two drivers from each of the evening’s five heat races would transfer directly to the feature.
DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One belonged to Raymond McSpadden, who took the win over Steven Whiteaker Jr. Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two went to Jared Maupin with Matthew Day second. Calera, Oklahoma’s William Gould won 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three followed by “Big Brother” Paul White. Heat Four saw 2025 series champion Logan Dinsmore pick up the win with Trent Beaver second. Brenda Kirby-Morris collected her first STIMS heat race victory of 2026 with Jake Upchurch finishing second. The preliminary program concluded with two B Features, each transferring seven cars to complete the 24-car starting field.
Gould and Maupin brought the field to green, with Maupin leading exiting turn two. Maupin held off repeated attacks from Gould until the Rick Pollaro-owned No. 96 machine suffered a broken driveshaft on lap nine.
Gould maintained the lead until lap 16 when Steven Whiteaker Jr. powered into the top spot. A late-race restart on lap 18 had fans on their feet for a three-lap dash to the finish. Gould threw a huge slider after taking the white flag, but Whiteaker answered with a crossover move down the backstretch to regain the lead and secure the victory.
The win was Whiteaker’s fourth STIMS triumph of 2026 and fifth victory of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region. Gould, Chris Morris, Jake Upchurch, and Johnny Torres rounded out the top five.
The series then headed south to Cotton Bowl Speedway the next night, where 21 cars signed in for the $1,000-to-win main event.
Drama started early for two teams in particular. Steven Whiteaker III discovered a timing cover leak that sidelined his usual ride for the evening, forcing him to pilot the car normally driven by his father. Meanwhile, 2025 series champion Logan Dinsmore also swapped rides after hurting a motor at Heart O’ Texas the night before, with younger brother Cameron Dinsmore providing the backup car.
DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One went to “The Handyman” Chris Morris, with Jared Maupin, Ryan Slott, and Cody Leonard also earning redraw positions. Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two saw G.W. Egbert defeat Trent Beaver, Raymond McSpadden, and J.T. Dewitt. The Egbert family completed the sweep when Trevor Egbert won 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three over Brenda Kirby-Morris, Logan Dinsmore, and Bobby Smith.
G.W. Egbert and Chris Morris led the field to green and, after several early cautions, raced side-by-side through the opening stages. Fans had their pick of battles throughout the front half of the field as Maupin fought with Trevor Egbert while Cody Leonard and Brenda Kirby-Morris traded positions.
The field slowed again on lap 14, placing Morris and Maupin side-by-side for the restart. Maupin used the high side to claim second and then set his sights on Egbert. Egbert drove six smooth laps and crossed the finish line first, but a post-race inspection resulted in a two-position penalty, elevating Maupin to the victory.
Morris inherited second, G.W. Egbert was scored third, and Trevor Egbert finished fourth. The victory was Maupin’s third STIMS triumph of 2026 and fourth win of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region.
Jared Maupin celebrates in victory lane after capturing a Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series feature win at Cotton Bowl Speedway. The San Antonio, Texas racer added another STIMS triumph to his 2026 campaign with the victory. (Courtesy Photo)
Both races were Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying events for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Whiteaker and Maupin had previously secured eligibility earlier this season.
