By Ben Deatherage
VINTON, Iowa (Nov. 2, 2026) — IMCA has released its 2027 rules package, featuring minor updates and clarifications across several divisions, along with changes to helmet requirements and head and neck restraint regulations for minor drivers.
In the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock divisions, frame ground clearance must measure a minimum of 6.5 inches and a maximum of nine inches beneath the oval frame holes, identified as letters D and K in the 1978-88 Monte Carlo frame drawing. Floating or removable bars are not permitted in either division.
Stock Cars will no longer be permitted to use Camaro nosepieces on anything other than the Camaro MD3 body, while Hobby Stocks will not be allowed to use lightweight pressure plate.
For Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Speedway Motors fabricated lower A-frames, part numbers 91035297-L and 91035297-R, have been added to the rules. The interior deck must also be level from left to right within a one-inch tolerance.
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod division will have the same interior deck requirement, while the left rear dynamic deck height cannot exceed 46 inches when measured six inches inboard of the left deck edge.
In the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact division, one-inch outside diameter steel lug nuts are required on aftermarket wheels only.
Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites will see several clarifications regarding suspension components, tires, and electronic devices. Front drop chains are permitted but must have slack during inspection. Take-up or helper springs must be flat in design and collapsed during inspection; while solid safety chains are permitted on the rear, they must also have slack during inspection. Chemical softening or conditioning of tires is prohibited, with automatic penalties outlined on pages 13-14 of the rulebook. Cell phones, unapproved cameras, transmitting or receiving devices, and GPS-enabled devices are prohibited, with the exception of one-way Race Receiver radios used by officials.
There are no rule changes for the Sunoco IMCA Late Models or the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods.
General safety regulations have also been updated for 2027. Snell-rated SA2020 or SA2025 helmets are required. SA2015 helmets are no longer allowed.
All minor drivers must also use an SFI-approved head and neck restraint.
Additionally, IMCA members competing in the RaceSaver Sprint Car division must be at least 14 years of age before purchasing a license or competing in any event. RaceSaver drivers must be at least 16 years old to compete on a half-mile or larger track.
Rules for all nine IMCA divisions have been updated on the IMCA website, with new language highlighted in red and underlined for easy reference.