James Captures Third Banks Mod Nationals Crown

Feature, Modified, News

Bricen James wheels the Schram Motorsports-owned No. 13 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified around Sunset Speedway Park during the 2026 Banks Mod Nationals. The Albany, Ore., driver led all 40 laps to capture his third career Banks Mod Nationals crown and second straight at the prestigious event. (Photo by Tom Egan Photography)

By Jack Mitchell

BANKS, Ore. (Aug. 8, 2026) — Bricen James added another chapter to his Whisler Construction Banks Modified Nationals legacy Saturday night at Sunset Speedway Park, leading all 40 laps of the $2,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature to earn his third career victory of the event and second straight.

The Albany driver also collected his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the 2026 season, with each of those wins coming at a different track.

The Banks Mod Nationals was also a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying event, but James was already on the eligibility list for the event, which will be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.

Seventeen cars took the green for the 40-lap feature, which was slowed by just one caution.

James wasted little time taking command and spent the evening fending off challenges from Craig Cassell, 2023 winner Grey Ferrando, and Zane Miner. Despite the pressure, James never surrendered the lead and methodically worked through traffic to secure another prestigious victory at the Banks bullring.

Ferrando finished second after advancing through the field, while Cassell completed the podium in third. Miner crossed the stripe fourth, followed by John Gaynor.

Ferrando held off Cassell in an exciting opening heat race, while Eston Whisler led every lap of the second heat. James completed the sweep by leading all 10 laps of the third heat race.

Related Articles

Modified

Matt Jenner wins Battle at the Border at Banks

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (May 11, 2024) – Sunset Speedway Park got its 2024 opening night in the books on Saturday with Friesen Performance IMCA Modified entries from Oregon and Washington duking it out at the Banks Bullring. Veteran Don Jenner took off on the initial start. The Vancouver, Wash., native maintained a significant lead during a 13-lap green flag run. However, the race took a dramatic turn on the 15th circuit. As he approached lapped traffic, a slower car collided with Jenner, sending both to the infield. Fortunately, Jenner was able to drive away, but the incident significantly altered the course of the race as Jenner was piloting a wounded chariot.   On the ensuing restart, he was eventually overtaken by another Jenner family member, Matt.  Also from Vancouver, Wash., Matt Jenner dealt with several cautions and challenges from potentially overtaking him. Jenner led the rest of the distance to win the Battle of the Border for his native state of Washington. Chaz Wilder made the trip from Elma, Wash., well worth it as he managed to [Read More]

Feature

IMCA Wild West Speedweek Set to Storm Oregon Border to Border June 13–20

By Jeremy Means VINTON, Iowa (June 9, 2026) — From the Columbia River on the Oregon–Washington border to the doorstep of California, the 2026 IMCA Wild West Speedweek will push drivers through eight consecutive nights of racing June 13–20. The tour opens at Sunset Speedway Park in Banks and heads south, testing teams across bullrings and bigger layouts before champions are crowned in the finale in Southern Oregon. Three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions—Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods—will be in action each night. Sunset Speedway Park opens the tour on Saturday, June 13, returning to its role as the “Banks Bullring.” Located just outside the Portland metro area, the quarter-mile oval sets the tone for the week with tight racing after weather impacted last year’s finale. Round two shifts to a new venue, River City Speedway in St. Helens, on Sunday, June 14. Situated near the Columbia River along the Oregon–Washington border, the tight and technical quarter-mile will host its first IMCA-sanctioned event, adding a fresh [Read More]

Feature

Jenner Leads Flag-to-Flag in Modified Season Opener at Sunset Speedway Park

By Jack Mitchell BANKS, Ore. (May 2, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds capped off opening night at Sunset Speedway Park—known as the “Banks Bullring” just outside the Portland metro area—with a 25-lap feature that kept teams busy from start to finish. Action picked up early on lap two when Lovell lost control in turn two, forcing Jake Walters up into the wall. The contact stripped away much of the bodywork on Walters’ machine and ended his race. The pace stayed demanding throughout the event, and late-race challenges continued as the field worked through traffic. On lap 19, contact between Lovell and Cassell in turn three created more damage, and one lap later Matt Jenner suffered a flat right rear tire, ending his night. Up front, Don Jenner of Vancouver, Washington stayed smooth and consistent, leading every lap to score his first win of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Trevor Labarge finished second, followed by Jeff Lovell, Craig Cassell, and Joey Tardio in the Greg Walters-provided No. 97 to complete the [Read More]