By Nick Robbins
PLEASANTON, Texas (Sept. 26, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts wrapped up its 2026 points season at I-37 Speedway, where 17 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for the $1,000-to-win, 20-lap main event at the racy South Texas bullring.
Cody Leonard set the tone early, taking the win in the first heat over Steven Whiteaker Jr. Contact between Johnny Torres and Brandon Sanderson coming into turn one after the green ended the heat for both drivers. Once the field was restacked, Leonard and Whiteaker Jr. pulled away, while Shawn Sandegren, Cameron Dinsmore, and Chris Carroll fought hard throughout the race. Carroll ultimately held on for third, with Sandegren fourth and Dinsmore fifth.
The second heat started with the field three-wide into turn one after the green flag dropped, and again on lap two, before things sorted themselves out. When the checkered flag fell, points leader Jared Maupin had claimed the win over Ryan Doyon, with Logan Dinsmore third.
Leonard and Maupin brought the field to green for the feature, with Doyon and Whiteaker Jr. right behind. The caution flew on lap one when Cameron Dinsmore spun in turn one, and again on lap four when John Owens spun at the bottom of turn four.
On the lap four restart, Carroll went for a wild ride after hanging his right rear off the top of the track but was able to continue. He would bring out another caution and retire after 11 laps.
Maupin took control after the restart and began pulling away, leaving Leonard and Whiteaker Jr. to fight tooth and nail for the runner-up position.
Maupin cruised to victory in the Rick Pollaro-owned No. 96, earning his seventh STIMS victory of 2026 and eighth GRT Race Cars South Central Region win of the season.
Leonard crossed the line second, followed by Whiteaker Jr. and Doyon. Torres, who started 15th after his heat race trouble, charged through the field and battled Doyon for fourth before settling for fifth at the checkered flag.
The $1,000 victory also made Maupin eligible to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
The win put the finishing touch on a dominant 2026 campaign for Maupin, who closed the Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts season as champion. Whiteaker Jr. finished runner-up in the final standings, with Torres third.
