Ryan Clark

Water Restrictions Bring Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway Season to Early End

By Suzan McCoy CORTEZ, Colo. (Sept. 16, 2026) — The remainder of the 2026 racing season at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway has been canceled due to ongoing water restrictions affecting Montezuma County and surrounding areas. Track officials said the decision was made after irrigation restrictions and the shutdown of area wellheads left the facility without enough available water to properly prepare and maintain the racing surface. Continuing to race under those conditions would not allow the speedway to provide a properly prepared or safe racing surface. “We are very disappointed that we had to make this decision, but we have to comply with the water restrictions that are in place throughout the county and surrounding areas,” co-promoter Joe Bellm said. “We sincerely apologize to our racers, crews and fans, and we are extremely grateful and thankful that we were able to complete six of our scheduled eight races this season.” The six completed events will stand as the official 2026 racing season at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway. Points accumulated during those events will determine the track and IMCA [Read More]

$10,000 Awaits Stock Car Winner at Batesville’s Mid-America Championship

By Ben Deatherage LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Sept. 16, 2026) — A $10,000 payday and an automatic berth in the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational are on the line when Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars headline the 31st annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship at Batesville Motor Speedway. The three-day event runs Sept. 17-19 at the Locust Grove oval, with Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds also on the program all three nights. The Mid-America Championship culminates with a 50-lap Stock Car finale Saturday night, paying $10,000 to win and $800 to start the 25-car field. The runner-up earns $5,000, third pays $2,500, fourth $1,250 and fifth $1,000. In addition to the winner’s share of the purse, Saturday night’s Stock Car champion will automatically qualify for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. The entry fee is $150 per class. Fans unable to attend can watch all three nights live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing. Additional [Read More]

Keslie Richards: Four Generations of Racers and One Historic First

By Ben Deatherage MONTELLO, Wis. (Sept. 16, 2026) — By the time the lights came on at Eagle River Speedway, 14-year-old Keslie Richards had already spent most of her life preparing for a moment she didn’t know was coming. She had grown up in race shops and race cars. At six, she learned to drive on a makeshift track built from tires at home while her father raced with her on a four-wheeler. At eight came Junior Sprints. At 12, she climbed into a full-sized race car. Now, in her first season behind the wheel of a Sunoco IMCA Stock Car, Richards found herself competing regularly against some of Wisconsin’s toughest Stock Car drivers. On July 28, everything came together. Richards finished second in her heat race and knew she had a fast car. In the feature, she saw the leader make a mistake. When another opportunity presented itself, the 14-year-old was ready. She capitalized, drove to her first career IMCA Stock Car feature victory and became the first female driver to win an IMCA Stock [Read More]

Super Nationals Tuesday Start Moved Up With Threatening Weather in Forecast

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Tuesday’s racing program at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will get an earlier start as officials take a proactive approach to anticipated weather later in the day. Registration and the pit gates will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Following opening ceremonies, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact hot laps will begin at 10 a.m., with racing to follow. Moving the schedule forward will give officials the best opportunity to complete Tuesday’s entire program with rain forecasted in the evening. The day will feature the second night of qualifying for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The IMCA Sport Compacts will take center stage for their championship program, culminating with the Big Dance to determine the 2026 Super Nationals champion. Tuesday’s program will also include the Stephenville Starter Hobby Stock Race of Champions and the Pulse Racing Innovations/Dirt Defender Racing Products SportMod Race of Champions. All the action can be watched exclusively on IMCA.TV, where America comes to [Read More]

Race of Champions eligible drivers register in large numbers for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – Qualifying fields for five Race of Champions events have been set for the 44th annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. All track champions (or current point leaders if their respective points battles resume after Super Nationals), along with past national champions, regional champions, Super Nationals champions, Race of Champions champions and 2025 state champions who pre-registered for Super Nationals are eligible to attempt to qualify for their respective RoC in 2026. The 53 RAGE Chassis IMCA Modified Race of Champions drivers eligible to qualify are Chris Abelson, Jeff Aikey, Bubba Alvarado, Chaz Baca, Tyler Bannister, Curtis Barnes, Jason Barnhill, Austen Becerra, Brandon Beckendorf, Tyler Belcher, Cole Bents, Tom Berry Jr., Kelsie Black, Ethan Braaksma, Troy Cordes, Zane DeVilbiss, Jerry Flippo, William Gould, Richie Gustin, Shawn Harker, Clint Hatlestad, Kollin Hibdon, Mitchell Hunt, Trey Kline, Cody Laney, Jeff Larson, Matthew Looft, Jared Maupin, Dan Menk, R.J. Merchant, Nick Meyer, Jeremy Mills, Jay Noteboom, Jason Pike, Don Proctor, Jeff Reay, Cory Sample, Todd Shute, Jared Siefert, Luke Silber, Casey [Read More]

Record 1,193 pre-entries for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – For the fifth consecutive year, pre-entries for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s have reached quadruple digits and, like each of the four years before it, a new record-setting registration milestone was set in 2026. As of 4 p.m. CST today, 1,193 drivers have pre-registered for America’s Racin’ Vacation, eclipsing the previous pre-entry mark of 1,156, which was established last year. The divisional breakdown includes 265 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, 329 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, 195 Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, 192 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, 113 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts and 76 Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites. While they typically don’t pre-register, 23 Sunoco IMCA Late Models have already reserved their spots for the 44th annual event. Registration numbers for Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts are pre-entry records. The Sport Compact division eclipsed the 100 pre-entry mark for the first time in event history. The pre-entry number for Modifieds is the largest in 16 years. Racers from a record-breaking 34 states have entered, including [Read More]

369 Days Later, Bolden Captures RaceSaver Nationals Crown

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 3, 2026) — Last year’s RaceSaver Nationals was plagued by threats of poor weather. With the forecast worsening as the weekend drew closer, officials decided to run both the Friday and Saturday programs on Friday, leaving the finale for Saturday. Sadly, as the 27 Sprint Cars were on the track Saturday, a light drizzle began to fall. As the liquid sunshine became actual rain, the cars were pushed off in an attempt to save the racing surface. Mother Nature’s wrath eventually won out, and the call was made to postpone the 2025 finale until the Thursday festivities of the 2026 RaceSaver Nationals. Well, just 369 days later, the race finally took place Thursday at Eagle Raceway. Carson Bolden took advantage of his pole starting position to lead lap one, with Joey Danley second, Kevin Ramey third, and 2026 Eagle Raceway track champion Adam Gullion fourth. Ramey got past Danley on lap two to take second, while Gullion moved into third on lap six. Ethan Barrow slowed on lap 11, bringing [Read More]

Rucks Memorial Brings $1,000-to-Win Modified Showdown to Arlington on Sept. 19

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 4, 2026) — Arlington Raceway will host the Jeff Rucks Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds on Saturday, Sept. 19, with $1,000 awaiting the winner. The event will also give the winner eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Clint Hatlestad captured the Rucks Memorial victory in 2025, while Brandon Beckendorf won each of the previous three editions. The Modifieds will use a draw/redraw format. Also in action will be Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. and racing beginning at 6 p.m. For additional information, contact Levi at 507-380-6998.

Four Late Model Drivers Collect Sunoco Bonus Bucks in August

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) — Four Sunoco IMCA Late Model competitors collected Sunoco Bonus Bucks awards during August, while additional contingency prizes were awarded at sanctioned events in Iowa, Illinois, and South Dakota. The month’s Bonus Bucks action began Aug. 8 at 34 Raceway, where Andy Nezworski of Blue Grass, Iowa, captured the feature victory and the $300 Sunoco Bonus Bucks award. Tommy Elston finished second, Jake Griffin was third, Travis Denning came home fourth, and Logan Veloz completed the top five. Elston received the Wehrs Machine & Racing Products award, Griffin collected the Kevko Racing Oil Pan certificate, Denning earned the Stakt Products quarter panel award, and Curtis Glover claimed the Penske Racing Shocks certificate. Jesse Bodin received the PEM Racing gear set certificate, while Boles Motorsports earned the Justice Brothers Hard Charger Award. Denning, of Sterling, Illinois, collected the Sunoco Bonus Bucks award Aug. 23. Starting eighth, Denning raced to the feature victory ahead of Jesse Bodin, while Logan Veloz advanced from ninth to third. Mitch Morris finished fourth, and [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 3, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, and William Gould, Calera, Okla., both 993; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 973; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 970; 5. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 6. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 8. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 9. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 957; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 942; 13. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 939; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 937; 15. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 17. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 933; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, both 932; 20. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 930. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 4. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 5. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 6. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 973; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]