By Ben Deatherage
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (Oct. 20, 2026) — After years of competing in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car division, John Oliver Jr. finally reached the top of the national standings in 2026, capturing his first national championship by five points following a season that produced 20 feature victories in 54 starts.
The 51-year-old West Burlington driver became the 11th different Iowa racer to win the Stock Car national championship and extended the state’s streak of consecutive titles to seven, dating back to 2020. Iowa drivers have now accounted for 29 of the 39 national championships awarded since the division began crowning champions in 1988.
“Finally,” Oliver said with a laugh. “We went to a lot of new tracks and won at some of them. It was really nice. Everything I accomplished this year was fun.”
Driving the Oliver Heating and Air/Dustys Extractions/A & B Roofing No. 05JR B&B Racing Chassis, Oliver recorded 35 podium finishes, 38 top fives, and 44 top-10 finishes while collecting victories at seven different tracks. He also earned his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region championship and a third consecutive Iowa State crown, the fourth of his career.
Oliver also captured track championships at 34 Raceway, Benton County Speedway, and Lee County Speedway. The 34 Raceway title was his 13th overall and fourth consecutive, while he earned his fourth Benton County crown and fifth at Lee County.
Oliver’s greatest success came at 34 Raceway and Lee County Speedway, where he combined for 13 of his 20 victories. He won seven times at 34 Raceway and six at Lee County, while adding two victories each at Independence Motor Speedway and Davenport Speedway. Single wins at Benton County Speedway, Bloomfield Speedway, and Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway completed his season total.
“That track I have really good luck at,” Oliver said of 34 Raceway.
The addition of more sanctioned racing opportunities in southeastern Iowa also played a role in his championship pursuit. With Lee County Speedway joining the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly racing program and Davenport Speedway offering additional Stock Car events, Oliver had more opportunities to compete without traveling far from home.
Oliver’s success across seven different tracks, combined with his consistency throughout the season, proved instrumental in securing the national championship.
Beyond his championship pursuit, Oliver was selected to participate in the Salute to Veterans Tour, carrying a special wrap honoring the United States Marine Corps.
“Being selected for that was super cool,” Oliver said.
Racing has been part of Oliver’s family for generations, beginning with his grandfather, Jim, and continuing through his father, John Sr. Both men spent years competing before Oliver Jr. followed them into the sport.
“My grandpa and my dad got me started racing years ago,” Oliver said. “That’s what brought it all on was them.”
His father competed from approximately 1994 until 2005 or 2006, retiring around his 50th birthday. His grandfather began racing in the 1960s after developing an interest in the sport while stationed in Wisconsin with the United States Coast Guard. Jim continued competing into the 1980s, later returning to racing and remaining active into his 80s.
That three-generation racing tradition made Oliver’s championship particularly meaningful. At 28, he accomplished something neither his father nor grandfather had experienced, earning an IMCA national championship after years of competing throughout southeastern Iowa and beyond.
Feature Wins: 20
Total Top Fives: 38
Total Starts: 54
His Pit Crew: Wife Diane, daughter Delaney, Popeye
His Sponsors: Oliver Heating and Air, Dustys Extractions, A & B Roofing, Xtreme Impact Graphics, Cash 4 Junk Cars, Crew Chief Popeye, Precision Performance, Brown’s Hauling, Mid State Machine, LaVeine Sanitation