By Ben Deatherage
BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 11, 2026) — Jeremy Mills saw a massive lead disappear with three laps remaining but held off a furious final-lap challenge to capture his first career Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway.
Thirty-one Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds took the green for the 30-lap Invitational.
Cole Czarneski outdueled Joel Rust for the lead on the opening circuit before Mills quickly entered the picture. The reigning Razor Chassis North Central Region champion beat Czarneski to the line on lap two and began to pull away.
Behind him, 2024 Wisconsin State and 141 Speedway track champion Czarneski had his hands full with two-time Harris Clash winner Rust. The pair fought hard for second on lap five, with Czarneski initially keeping Rust behind him. Rust patiently waited for another opportunity and finally worked his way into second on lap 12.
The battle behind Mills continued to intensify as 2021 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational winner Kyle Brown poured on the pressure. Czarneski joined the fight, but Rust managed to keep both challengers behind him.
Meanwhile, the Clear Lake, Iowa driver, Mills, had caught the tail end of the lead-lap traffic while maintaining a massive advantage over the battle for second.
Everything changed with a caution on lap 27.
The yellow eliminated Mills’ commanding lead and put his challengers directly on his back bumper for the restart.
Rust went after Mills when racing resumed, but the attempt opened the door for Brown and Chaz Baca Jr. to get around him and take over second and third.
Mills remained out front, but the victory was anything but secure.
Brown made a bid for the lead in turn two on the final lap before two-time National champion Baca, originally from Arizona and now residing in Iowa, delivered one final charge in the last corner.
Mills survived both challenges and reached the checkered flag first to secure his first career Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational victory.
Baca crossed the line second, with Brown finishing third.
Minnesota’s Brandon Beckendorf, the 2026 IMCA Summer Nationals winner and 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion, finished fourth. Defending Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational winner Kollin Hibdon, originally from Nevada and now residing in Iowa, completed the top five.
Troy Morris III turned in the biggest charge of the race. The California native, now residing in Iowa, and Winter Nationals winner at Southern Raceway in February raced from dead last in 31st to ninth.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 3 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.