Ryan Clark

Scholpp Captures Inaugural Prairie Modified Nationals at Estevan

By Brandon Beeter ESTEVAN, SK (July 25, 2026) — Hometown driver Kody Scholpp pocketed the $5,000 top prize Saturday night, rallying late to win the inaugural Prairie Modified Nationals at Estevan Motor Speedway after a thrilling 45-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature that featured multiple lead changes and a mandatory halfway inversion. Travis Hagen, Steven Pfeifer and Scholpp all spent time at the front during the opening 21 laps, with Scholpp leading the most circuits before the scheduled halfway break. The redraw produced a two, forcing Scholpp to exchange positions with Pfeifer, who inherited the lead to begin the second 24-lap segment. Hagen lined up alongside Scholpp on the second row for the Delaware double-file restart and immediately charged to the cushion, using the high side to wrestle the lead away from Pfeifer. Scholpp wasn’t finished. The Estevan driver slipped past Pfeifer for second before chasing down Hagen and reclaiming the lead with six laps remaining. A caution with four laps to go erased his advantage, but Scholpp was flawless on the restart to secure the [Read More]

Manning Tops Modified Feature During Summer Spectacular at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 25, 2026) — Gavyn Manning returned to victory lane Saturday night, holding off defending track champion Brad Pounds to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the Summer Spectacular at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Manning, the 2024 Bakersfield Speedway champion, used the high groove to edge ahead of polesitter Rob Sanders at the start before Sanders spun in turn two on lap three to bring out the race’s lone caution. Pounds methodically reeled in Manning and mounted his strongest challenge with 11 laps remaining, throwing a slide job entering turn one. Manning crossed back underneath in turn three and maintained the advantage the rest of the way despite continued pressure around the cushion. Austin Kiefer completed the podium while points leader Tyler Bannister advanced from seventh to fourth. Sanders recovered to round out the top five. The victory was Manning’s sixth of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region and his third at Bakersfield Speedway. Manning and Bannister won the heat races. Piker Capitalizes [Read More]

Merkes Edges Watters in Summer Showdown Thriller at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 25, 2026) — Reegan Merkes picked the perfect time to earn his first career Maquoketa Speedway victory, slipping past Blaise Watters coming to the checkers to win by just .067 seconds in a thrilling second round of the Summer Showdown for the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. Twenty-nine Hobby Stocks answered the call, and the feature delivered another classic with only one caution slowing the 15-lap contest. Several drivers spent time at the point before seventh-starting Watters, making his first appearance at Maquoketa Speedway, worked into the lead. Merkes remained glued to Watters’ rear bumper as the pair took the white flag virtually dead even. The two raced side-by-side around the final circuit before Merkes found just enough room entering turn four to edge Watters at the finish line by a scant .067 seconds. Richard Nelson completed the podium, Carson Butt finished fourth and Kile Vohringer rounded out the top five. The victory added Merkes’ name to the list of 2026 B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region winners. Diercks Cruises to Modified [Read More]

Kirk Sweeps SportMod Action on Salute to Veterans Night at Algona

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (July 23, 2026) — Willy Kirk enjoyed the biggest night of Thursday’s Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts, sweeping both the Race of Champions and the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature during the 10th annual Hunting With Heroes Salute to Veterans Night at Kossuth County Speedway. Kirk collected $2,500 for his efforts while earning his first career Salute to Veterans Tour victory and his 10th feature win of the season, but first at Algona in 2026. The evening opened with the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod Race of Champions, where Josh Appel and Tad Reutzel paced the nine-car field for the 12-lap special paying $1,000 to the winner. Pole sitter Appel grabbed the lead at the start and remained out front through the halfway point before Kirk slowly reeled him in. Kirk took command with four laps remaining and, once in clean air, was never challenged. Smith finished second ahead of Appel, Herrera, and Reutzel. The 24-car feature followed with Blake Luinenburg leading the opening five [Read More]

Kepner Returns to Victory Lane at Selinsgrove with PASS

By Frank Buhrman SELINSGROVE, Pa. (July 24, 2026) — Defending River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series champion Kruz Kepner isn’t chasing points in 2026, but he’s still chasing checkered flags, and Friday night he earned his first PASS victory of the season with a strong performance at his home track, Selinsgrove Speedway. The Kreamer driver hasn’t enjoyed much luck with pill draws this year, but after drawing the third starting spot for the feature, he emerged from a thrilling three-wide battle with front-row starters Dylan Shatzer of Hagerstown, Md., and Chris Dolan of York to claim the lead on the opening lap. Although Dolan mounted several strong challenges throughout the 20-lap feature, Kepner maintained command while navigating lapped traffic for much of the race to secure his 11th career PASS victory and fourth at Selinsgrove. Dolan held on for second despite a late charge from fifth-starting Timmy Bittner of Beech Creek, who settled for third. Tyler Erdley of Herndon finished fourth, followed by Mike Alleman of Port Royal. Dolan’s runner-up finish marked his fifth top-five in [Read More]

VanDerWal Sweeps SportMods During Busy Night at CJ Speedway

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (July 24, 2026) — Cole VanDerWal turned in a flawless performance Friday night at CJ Speedway, sweeping both Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod features during the marathon program. In the makeup feature from July 3, VanDerWal charged from fifth to the front after starting from the third row. Defending track champion Dylan VanWyk sliced through the field from 16th and briefly led two laps during the middle stages before VanDerWal regained the top spot and drove away for the victory. VanWyk finished second after a 14-position charge, while Justin Schroeder advanced seven spots to third. Justin Heuer crossed the line fourth, Colton Zaputil was fifth, and Levi Gaunt earned hard charger honors by racing from 22nd to sixth with a 16-position advance. VanDerWal completed the sweep in the regularly scheduled feature, racing from ninth starting position to collect his fifth victory of the season at Columbus Junction. Todd Hansen turned in his best finish of 2026 by claiming second, while Colton Laymon also recorded his best finish of the campaign [Read More]

Laris Motorsports Insurance Debuts at IMCA Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 24, 2026) — Racers attending the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will have a new resource available throughout America’s Racing Vacation as Laris Motorsports Insurance makes its debut as an event partner. Located in South Louisiana, Laris Motorsports Insurance will serve as the title sponsor of the Super Nationals Studio Show while also presenting the daily Laris Motorsports Insurance Hard Luck Award, which will provide a $250 cash award to the first driver who suffers a rollover during competition each day. Representatives from Laris Motorsports Insurance will also be on-site throughout the week inside the registration tent, where racers and teams can learn more about the company’s specialized motorsports insurance programs. “We’re excited to be part of Super Nationals,” said Bailey Dufrene, Vice President of Laris Motorsports Insurance. “For us, this is about much more than having a booth. It’s an opportunity to educate racers about risks they may not realize exist until it’s too late. Over the past several years we’ve helped thousands of drag racers [Read More]

Black Dirt Nationals Return to Hancock County Speedway During Hancock County Fair on July 28

By Ben Deatherage BRITT, Iowa (July 24, 2026) — One of the signature events of the Hancock County Fair returns Tuesday, July 28, as the Black Dirt Nationals brings a full night of IMCA racing to Hancock County Speedway. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars each race for $1,000 to win, while Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods compete for $600 to win, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks battle for a $500 winner’s share. The Modified feature is a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifying event, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. The Stock Car feature is a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifying event, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the invitational, also held during Super Nationals in September. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, regional, and Iowa State points will be awarded in all IMCA divisions. Modifieds compete for Razor Chassis North Central Region points, Stock Cars [Read More]

Industry Leaders Fill Speedway Motors Manufacturer’s Row for 2026 Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 24, 2026) — Speedway Motors Manufacturer’s Row is once again sold out for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, as dozens of the racing industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers prepare to welcome racers and fans during America’s Racing Vacation at Boone Speedway. Manufacturer’s Row is scheduled to open Saturday, September 5, during the opening day of Super Nationals competition and will once again provide racers, teams and fans direct access to the latest products, technical support and the people behind many of the industry’s leading brands. The display area is located in the northeast corner of the Boone Speedway grounds just outside the pit entrance, with additional exhibitors inside the pit area adjacent to the tech shed. Along the south side of Manufacturer’s Row, next to Motorsports Warehouse, attendees will find Team Harris Auto Racing, Engine Pro, Velocita Premium Fire Suits, Zamp Racing Helmets, Close Racing Supply, Freedom Race Lifts, Wilwood Racing, Swift Springs, SCS Fabrication and Motorsports Warehouse, Eibach Springs, Sybesma Racing Graphics and Apparel, [Read More]

Tyler Easterday: Twenty-One Years of Perseverance Rewarded

By Ben Deatherage LEXINGTON, Neb. — Twenty-one years is a long time to chase a dream. For Tyler Easterday, that dream finally became reality on the evening of June 21 at Dawson County Raceway. After more than two decades of determination, heartbreak, rebuilding, and countless laps around dirt tracks across Nebraska, the Lexington racer finally earned his first Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature victory. As he crossed beneath the checkered flag, the celebration he’d imagined for years began. Then the rain started falling. For many, it would have simply been an approaching summer shower. For Easterday, it felt like something much more personal. His father, Allen, had introduced the Easterday family to racing before losing his life in a tractor accident when Tyler was just seven years old. Standing in victory lane, with rain falling moments after the checkered flag, Easterday couldn’t help but feel his dad had been there with him. In the victory lane photograph, the light from the racetrack lamps cut through the rain and shined directly on the spot where his father [Read More]