Kiefer Caps Bud Nationals With Modified Victory at Bakersfield

Feature, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Austin Kiefer wheels his No. 3AC during the 40th annual Budweiser Nationals on Oct. 10, at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Kiefer swept Saturday’s qualifying, heat, dash, and $1,500 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature and earned eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. (Photo by Tom Macht)

By Steven Blakesley

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2026) — Austin Kiefer of Corona, Calif., led the way in the 40th annual Budweiser Nationals on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, winning the $1,500-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature to cap a weekend of dirt track action.

Kiefer set fast time for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds before winning his heat race and the dash. Brad Pounds claimed the other heat race before joining Kiefer on the front row of the 25-lap feature.

Kiefer controlled the main event from the pole and drove to the $1,500 victory, with Pounds finishing second. Robby Sawyer was third, followed by Friday night winner Gavyn Manning and Tyler Bannister. Kiefer also earned the commemorative trophy as the overall Bud Nationals Modified champion.

Both nights served as qualifiers for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. Manning’s $1,000 Friday victory and Kiefer’s Saturday triumph put both drivers on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.

Wilson Rules SportMod Finale as Bannister Takes Weekend Crown

Dylan Wilson completed a strong Saturday night with a $1,000 victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Ryan Smith of Coalinga was the fastest qualifier, while John Piker, Friday winner Chris McKellar, and Wilson collected heat race victories. Wilson added a dash win before starting the feature from the pole.

Wilson led the 25-lapper to the checkers, with 2026 Bakersfield track champion Jason Bannister finishing second. Nicholas Johnson advanced from eighth to third, Tate Loftis charged from seventh to fourth, and Matthew Frazier came from 10th to fifth.

Bannister’s runner-up performance secured the overall Bud Nationals SportMod championship.

Johnson Completes Bud Nationals Stock Car Sweep

Nicholas Johnson completed a sweep of the weekend’s Sunoco IMCA Stock Car action, collecting a total of $1,200 across the two nights.

Johnson won Saturday’s dash and opening heat before starting the 20-lap feature from the pole. He remained out front to complete the weekend sweep, while 2026 Bakersfield track champion Jacob Van Essen finished second after winning the other heat race.

Terry DeCarlo Jr. finished third, Justin Villanueva was fourth, and Mike Villanueva completed the top five. Rick Diaz set fast time before finishing sixth.

The night’s action aired live on IMCA TV affiliate TrackVision TV powered by Low Budget TV. Catch every lap again with an IMCA TV Replay Subscription for just $25.99/month. Plus, stream Season 3 of the Boone Docuseries, now exclusively on IMCA TV.

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