Williamson Charges from Ninth to Win on Cottage Grove Historical Night

Feature, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Sport Compact

Jesse Williamson (left) celebrates his Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory with longtime Cottage Grove Speedway official Steve Wheeler during the track's Historical Night on Aug. 1. The Coburg, Ore. driver charged from ninth to score his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season, with all three wins coming at Cottage Grove Speedway. (Courtesy Photo)

By Ben Deatherage

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (Aug. 1, 2026) — Jesse Williamson used the high side late to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday night during Historical Night at Cottage Grove Speedway.

Brett Muth jumped into the early lead and built a comfortable advantage while Williamson, driving the SDMF Customs No. W5 house car, methodically worked his way through the field. By lap 11, the Coburg driver had caught Muth before a caution slowed the pace.

Matt Sanders capitalized on the restart by moving into second and began pressuring Muth for the lead. Another caution on lap 16 erased Muth’s advantage, setting up a thrilling battle among the front three.

While Sanders challenged on the bottom, Williamson found speed around the cushion and completed the winning pass in the closing laps.

The victory was Williamson’s third of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, with all three coming at Cottage Grove Speedway. Williamson started ninth, while 10th-starting Sanders finished second.

Muth settled for third, defending Cottage Grove Speedway, Oregon State, and DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region champion Kevin Williamson advanced from 11th to fourth in the Superior Fuel Cells No. 42, and Steven Sturdevant rounded out the top five after starting 12th.

Bloom Holds Off Late Charge for SportMod Victory

Aaron Bloom overcame an early caution and a late-race challenge to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature.

Justin Morgan led the opening laps before Bloom, from Creswell, closed to his rear bumper. A caution on lap three came just as Bloom was making his move, but he officially took command at the line on lap four after the restart.

The defending track champion pulled away from the field until a caution on lap 20 erased his sizable lead. Isaac Sanders quickly moved into second on the restart and reeled Bloom back in over the closing circuits, but Bloom maintained the advantage to earn his fourth victory of the season, with all four wins coming at Cottage Grove Speedway.

Sanders charged from 11th to finish second, narrowly holding off 10th-starting Jordan Henry at the checkers. Mason King advanced from ninth to fourth, while Ray Bloom completed the top five.

Lancaster Wins Second Straight Sport Compact Feature

Fourteen-year-old Rowen Lancaster continued his impressive season by winning his second consecutive Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.

Anna Hays emerged from a thrilling three-wide battle to lead the opening lap before an early caution reset the field. Shane Dowty grabbed the lead on the restart, but Lancaster steadily closed the gap before making the winning pass on lap six.

Lapped traffic came into play on lap 13, but the Eugene youngster quickly pulled away to secure his fourth Cottage Grove Speedway victory of the season.

Lancaster started 10th, while Dowty finished second. Charles Trissell advanced from ninth to third, Mark De Lange finished fourth, and Joshua Shaw completed the top five.

The entire event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Oval TV. Full replays are available with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription for $25.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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