By Susan Allen
ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Three- and four-wide racing, four different leaders and a first trip to victory lane in three years made the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature the highlight of Saturday night’s program at Arlington Raceway.
Jed Trebelhorn led the field early before getting too high in turns three and four and slipping off the racing surface. Dave Moriarty inherited the lead, but Ryan Bjerkeset and Brent Uecker quickly joined the fight.
For eight laps, Moriarty, Bjerkeset, and Uecker raced side-by-side and at times just inches apart. A caution eventually flew when Bjerkeset went off the track after spending several laps in second and headed to the pits.
The restart only intensified the battle. Uecker and Moriarty were joined by Tim Pessek, while Trent Loverude, Dan Eckblad, Matt Speckman, and Dan Mackenthun were all within striking distance.
Pessek emerged with the lead with three laps remaining and stayed there to the checkers for his first victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his first trip to victory lane in three years.
Loverude finished second, while Mackenthun charged from 11th to third. Moriarty went to the pits on the final lap, while Uecker slipped to fifth.
Hatlestad Charges to Modified Victory
Zachary Schultz set the early pace in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature before a pair of cautions slowed the action.
Following the second restart, Schultz got too high and lost several positions, opening the door for seventh-starting Clint Hatlestad to move to the front.
Hatlestad had plenty of company as Matt Looft and Trent Loverude remained in contention, with the trio battling through the remaining laps.
Hatlestad was still out front when the white flag flew and stayed there to earn his eighth Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season, with seven of those wins coming at Arlington.
Looft finished second, while Dan Menk made a last-lap pass of Loverude to capture third.
Probst Outduels Volk for Hobby Stock Triumph
Three different drivers took turns at the front of the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Wes Jahnz established the early lead before Chad Volk worked his way into contention and took over on lap five.
Cory Probst soon arrived to challenge Volk and eventually made his way past for the top spot. Volk refused to let Probst escape, however, and the two continued to battle through the closing laps.
Probst held off Volk in the close finish for his 12th B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of 2026 and ninth at Arlington.
Brett Allen Survives Wild Sprint Car Feature
Brandon Allen led the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature before a caution for a car spinning in turn four bunched the field.
Brett Allen capitalized on the restart and took command, but another series of yellow flags followed.
The most serious incident occurred on the backstretch when the right rear of the No. 66 made contact with the No. 30, sending the latter into a rollover. Both drivers were OK but unable to continue.
Brett Allen maintained the lead when racing resumed and began putting distance between himself and Brandon Allen.
He stayed there to the checkers for his fifth victory of the season, with all five coming at Arlington.
Brandon Allen finished second, while Mike Stien charged from ninth to third.
Gavin Allen Hunts Down Coopman for First Compact Win of 2026
A chaotic opening lap sent cars scattering in the night’s Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature, with rookie Mason Berger getting close to the infield pond after contact at the start. Berger was unable to continue.
Jerry Coopman took command on the restart with Gavin Allen running second.
Allen steadily reeled in Coopman lap after lap before making his move for the lead on lap seven. Once in front, Allen successfully worked through lapped traffic and began putting distance on the field.
Allen went on to add his name to the 2026 winner’s list, with Coopman finishing second and Alan Lahr third.
Hesse Goes Flag-to-Flag for First SportMod Win of Season
Cole Hesse was untouchable in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature, leading from start to finish in the caution-free contest.
While Hesse checked out at the front, the battle for second provided the action behind him.
Jessie Johnson held the position through the first six laps before Ben Reierson and Eric Larson began racing side-by-side for the spot.
Their battle continued until the white flag lap, when Larson finally gained enough of an advantage to secure second ahead of Reierson.
Hesse took the checkers for his first victory of the season.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Race Central. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of The Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA.TV.
