By Ben Deatherage
SHOW LOW, Ariz. (June 18, 2026) — One of the Southwest’s premier summer specials returns to Deuce of Clubs Thunder Raceway on June 26-27 as the Budweiser 150 Freedom Nationals brings two nights of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing action to the high-banked Arizona oval.
Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will headline the unique two-day format, with each division racing for a $1,500 top prize in Saturday night’s championship features.
The Freedom Nationals will also serve as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the Modified winner earning eligibility to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational held during the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Modifieds, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will compete for Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National and Arizona State points. Modified drivers will also race for DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region points, while Hobby Stock competitors will chase B&B Racing Chassis Western Region points. Track points will not be awarded in those three divisions due to the lock-in format being utilized for the event.
The event will utilize a special format designed to reward consistency while building toward Saturday’s main events. Drivers in those three divisions will pay a $50 weekend entry fee, which also applies to competitors entering on Saturday only. Non-qualifiers will receive $50.
Friday’s program will consist of two heat races for every competitor, with lineups determined by draw. The second set of heat races will utilize an inversion from the first round. Passing points accumulated during Friday’s heat races will determine which drivers advance into Saturday’s Pole Dash, with no feature events scheduled for the Modifieds, SportMods, or Hobby Stocks on opening night.
Saturday’s program will begin with additional heat races for drivers not locked into the Pole Dash, including competitors arriving for Saturday competition only. Passing points will not carry over from Friday, and those drivers will draw for starting positions in their respective heats.
An eight-to-10-car Pole Dash is expected for each division, with the final number to be determined once entries are received and heat race counts are established. Pole Dash finishing positions will determine the first rows of the championship features, while heat race transfers and B Main events will complete the starting fields.
Feature fields are expected to consist of 20 to 22 starters. The championship features for the Modifieds, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will be 50 laps in distance. Caution laps will count during the first 40 circuits, while the final 10 laps will be contested under green-flag conditions.
Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will compete under a traditional draw/redraw format and will award track, Arizona State, EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region, and national points both nights. Stock Cars will race for $400 to win on Friday and $750 to win on Saturday.
Additional payout details, including start money for the championship features, will be announced as they become available.
Fans unable to attend can watch every lap live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing.
For additional event information and updates, follow Deuce of Clubs Thunder Raceway on Facebook.
