Ryan Clark

Eagle River Speedway to Host Pair of Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Qualifiers

By Joe Verdegan EAGLE RIVER, Wis. (June 17, 2026) — Eagle River Speedway will host a pair of Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying events on Tuesday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 21, at the third-mile clay oval. Both Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified specials will pay $1,000 to win and $125 to start. A draw/redraw format will be used for both programs. The winner of each event will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, which will be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway in September. “With all of the card-carrying IMCA Modified drivers just to the south of us, we’ve actually had a pretty good buzz about hosting two of these races,” said promoter Pat Zdroik. “We’re hoping for a decent turnout for both of those scheduled events.” There will be no draw fee for either event. Sponsors for the specials include Dustin White Construction, Mike Winter Seasonal Services, and Harry’s on the Lake. Racing begins at 7 p.m. on both [Read More]

Micah Lavrenz: Finding Home, Family, and Racing in Burt

By Ben Deatherage BURT, Iowa (June 12, 2026) — In a town the size of Burt, Iowa, people tend to know each other’s stories. They know who farms which ground. They know whose kids play ball together. And on warm summer evenings, they know which garage doors are open. One of those garage doors changed Micah Lavrenz’s life. Around 2000 or 2001, Lavrenz and his father Floyd were driving through town when they noticed activity at the shop of Del Reutzel, a family friend whose excavating business had long been part of the community. Inside, a go-kart was being prepared for a race for his son, Tad. Lavrenz was six or seven years old. “I vaguely remember that one summer night and seeing the garage door open and we stopped,” he said. The Reutzels showed him the kart, explained what they were doing, and not long afterward took him to a race. He was hooked. More than two decades later, the boy who stopped to look inside that garage has become one of the familiar faces [Read More]

Herrera and Raynard Capture 2026 Tougher Than Dirt Tour Titles

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (June 12, 2026) — Consistency proved just as valuable as race wins during the 2026 T&A Tong and Indicator Tougher Than Dirt Tour presented by Schatz Performance, as Payce Herrera and Diezel Raynard emerged with championships after five nights of competition across North Dakota and Saskatchewan. Payce Herrera of Price, Utah, claimed the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod title by just four points. Herrera opened the tour with a runner-up finish at McLean County Speedway, scored his first career tour victory at Williston Basin Speedway, finished second at Estevan Motor Speedway, third at Thunder Mountain Speedway, and capped the week with another runner-up effort at Nodak Speedway. Minot’s Chad Strachen finished second in the standings. His tour included a fourth-place finish at McLean County Speedway, runner-up efforts at Williston Basin Speedway and Thunder Mountain Speedway, a third-place run at Estevan Motor Speedway, and another podium finish with third at Nodak Speedway. Estevan, Saskatchewan’s Keenan Glasser ended the week third in points despite winning four of the five features. Glasser charged from [Read More]

Ulmer Wins Photo Finish in Dacotah Stock Car Feature

By Becca Pelkey MANDAN, N.D. (June 12, 2026) — Travis Ulmer charged from ninth starting position and edged Jason Berg by inches at the checkered flag to win the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature Friday night at Dacotah Speedway. Bismarck’s Brandon Honrud led the field to green before outside front-row starter Berg quickly assumed command. Berg and Matt Dosch spent much of the race battling for the lead while Ulmer steadily worked his way through traffic. A caution with four laps remaining erased Berg’s advantage and set up a dramatic finish. Ulmer moved past Dosch on the restart and immediately challenged Berg. Berg excelled in turns one and two while Ulmer found speed in turns three and four, setting the stage for a thrilling final lap. At the stripe, Ulmer narrowly defeated Berg to score his first Dacotah Speedway victory since June of 2013 and his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. Berg settled for second, followed by Dosch, Jason Meidinger and Casey Binstock. Kinzley Captures First Modified Win of Season Quentin [Read More]

Ferrando Wins at Cottage Grove to Become Third Different Modified Winner of ’26 Speedweek

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (June 16, 2026) — Grey Ferrando drove to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fourth round of the 2026 Wild West Speedweek at Cottage Grove Speedway on Tuesday night, earning his second series victory of the week after winning Sunday’s event at River City Speedway and the fourth Speedweek triumph of his career. Defending DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, Oregon State, and Cottage Grove Speedway champion Kevin Williamson paced the opening lap of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature before 2017 track champion Grey Ferrando charged to the lead on lap two. A caution on lap three briefly slowed Ferrando’s momentum, but the Scio driver quickly reestablished control on the restart and again after another yellow on lap seven. Ferrando remained untouchable through the middle stages of the race and worked lapped traffic beginning on lap 16. A caution on lap 21 erased his sizable advantage, and Matt Sanders, winner of the previous night’s feature and the last two Wild West Speedweek Northern SportMod championships, advanced [Read More]

Tyler Scores First Career Virginia Sprint Series Victory at Dixieland Speedway

By Jim Haines ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (June 12, 2026) — Robert Tyler raced to his first career RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car victory Friday night at Dixieland Speedway with the Virginia Sprint Series. On one of the hottest and most humid nights of the season, Tyler stayed cool under pressure as he worked his way into the lead and never looked back despite threatening weather around the coastal clay oval. Fifteen RaceSaver Sprint Cars signed in for the event, which was sponsored by Great Bridge Muffler and Brake and Bay Concrete. Tyler and Billy Hubbard earned heat race victories. Matt Mullins and Tyler led the field to green for the feature, with Mullins pacing the opening laps while Tyler, Ben McCall, Dylan Shatzer, and Hubbard settled into line behind him. Mullins held the bottom groove effectively until he drifted slightly off the preferred line, opening the door for Tyler to slip underneath and seize the lead. As Tyler stretched his advantage, McCall worked his way into second while Mullins began battling brake issues. Shatzer and Hubbard also [Read More]

Allstar Performance Continues Heat Race Winner Awards Program for IMCA Racers

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 16, 2026) — Winning heat races continues to pay dividends for IMCA competitors thanks to Allstar Performance and its popular Heat Race Winner Awards Program. Now in its 15th season as an IMCA sponsor, the Watervliet, Michigan-based company will once again reward drivers across the country for their success in preliminary competition throughout the 2026 season. Heat race winner decals were distributed to all IMCA-sanctioned tracks at the beginning of the 2026 season. Drivers who accumulate 10 or more heat race victories during the year become eligible for a drawing for a $100 Allstar Performance gift certificate. To be entered, drivers must submit a photo clearly showing the heat race winner decal displayed on their race car. Photos should be emailed to Carson Becker-Graham at cbgramm@imca.com no later than September 21, 2026. In addition to the heat race winner program, Allstar Performance will award a $200 product certificate to each champion crowned at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and the RaceSaver Nationals. For more information about Allstar Performance [Read More]

Manning Captures Fifth Western Region Victory at Santa Maria

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Gavyn Manning charged from seventh on the grid and used the high side to take the lead on lap 13 en route to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Santa Maria Speedway. Justin Crockett grabbed the early lead and paced the field through the opening half of the 25-lap contest after winning one of the evening’s heat races. Manning steadily worked forward before finding momentum on the cushion and racing into the lead. The Bakersfield driver held off a determined late challenge from Rob Sanders to score his fifth victory of the season in DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region competition. The win was also his second straight triumph and second overall victory of 2026 at Santa Maria Speedway. Sanders finished second, followed by Crockett, Markus Frazier and Cole Szlauko. Heat race victories went to Sanders and Crockett. Landon King earned his third Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod victory of the season after a spirited late-race battle in the 20-lap feature. Jon McKinley led [Read More]

Bannister Leads Every Lap for Bakersfield Modified Win

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — Points leader Bannister dominated the 25-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway, leading all the way from the pole position after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. The Bakersfield driver scored his seventh victory of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region and his second at Bakersfield in 2026. One of the night’s biggest storylines involved 2024 track champion Gavyn Manning, who was among four drivers attempting double-duty between Santa Maria Speedway and Bakersfield Speedway. After winning earlier in the evening at Santa Maria, Manning charged into second place before mechanical issues ended his bid for another victory. Race Liberante finished second, followed by Markus Frazier and Rob Sanders, who were also among the double-duty competitors. Pat Petrie completed the top five. Jason Bannister led all 25 laps of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature to secure his third victory of the season, with all three wins coming at Bakersfield Speedway. Dylan Wilson delivered [Read More]

Mikey Smith Tops Brother Johnny in $4,012 to win Joey Kay Memorial Thriller at Bridgeport

By Pete Wortman SWEDEBORO, N.J. (June 13, 2026) — Mikey Smith made the long trip from Scranton, Pennsylvania, worthwhile Saturday night, collecting the $4,012 top prize in the Joey Kay Memorial at Bridgeport Speedway and earning his first career DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade victory. The 30-lap feature went caution-free and showcased a thrilling battle between Smith and series point leader Troy Betts during the opening stages before Smith mastered lapped traffic and drove away to the victory. Betts and Smith started on the front row and immediately put on a show, trading sliders on the fast racing surface. The pair continued their spirited battle from an earlier match race, with Betts repeatedly fending off Smith’s advances. The complexion of the race changed when the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic. Smith continued to pressure Betts, at one point brushing the outside wall exiting turn four while searching for a way past. His winning move came while navigating slower cars, sliding underneath Betts in turn four to secure the lead. Once [Read More]