Hobby Stock Archives

McBirnie Cashes In with $5,000 Sibley County Stock Car Shootout Victory at Arlington

By Ben Deatherage ARLINGTON, Minn. (July 29, 2026) — Jake McBirnie led all 30 laps to win Wednesday night’s $5,000-to-win Sibley County Stock Car Shootout at Arlington Raceway for the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars before a packed grandstand on opening night of the Sibley County Fair. Driving the Mike Kennedy-owned No. 822, the Boone, Iowa, driver jumped out front at the drop of the green and established a comfortable advantage. An early caution was the race’s lone interruption before the remaining distance went caution-free. The reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s Stock Car champion expertly worked through lapped traffic on multiple occasions while the battle for second unfolded behind him. The victory was McBirnie’s first career Sibley County Stock Car Shootout triumph after finishing runner-up one year ago. It also marked his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. In addition to collecting substantial lap money by leading every circuit, McBirnie locked himself into the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational to be held during the IMCA Super Nationals, [Read More]

Feature

McBirnie Rallies Late for Boone Salute to Veterans Tour Victory

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (July 25, 2026) — Jake McBirnie battled past early leader Chaz Baca Jr. following a pair of late cautions to win Saturday night’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, closing out the three-night Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts at Boone Speedway. Baca controlled the opening 20 laps while fending off challenges from McBirnie and Cole Czarneski before trouble struck on lap 21 when Czarneski lost power and was collected by Trevor Fitz, bringing out the first caution of the race. A second yellow followed shortly after when Jeremy Mills spun following contact with Owen Barnhill. McBirnie capitalized on the ensuing restart, taking command and racing away to the victory. Joel Rust charged from 16th to finish second, Baca settled for third, Ronn Lauritzen advanced from 21st to fourth to earn hard charger honors, and Todd Shute completed the top five. The Boone driver earned his third Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season, including his second at Boone Speedway. The feature also served as a [Read More]

Elston Becomes Seventh Different Davenport Late Model Winner

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (July 24, 2026) — The streak continued Friday night at Davenport Speedway as Tommy Elston became the seventh different winner in seven Sunoco IMCA Late Model features this season, highlighting the final race before the Mississippi Valley Fair. Making his first Davenport start of the year, the Keokuk driver charged from 12th to capture his eighth victory of the season. Jesse Bodin led the opening 10 laps before surrendering the lead to Travis Denning. Denning’s time out front was brief, however, as Elston powered into the lead on lap 13 and drove away to the checkered flag. Blaise Lewis finished second while Denning settled for third. Logan Veloz crossed the stripe fourth, and Cruz Birkhofer advanced from 15th to complete the top five. Dave Wadsager, Doug Burkhead and Gary Webb won the heat races. Diercks Charges Through Field for Modified Victory Spencer Diercks sliced through traffic to score his fourth Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory of the season at Davenport. The Davenport driver started eighth and steadily worked his way toward [Read More]

Night of 1,000 Stars Returns to Hancock County Speedway With $6,250 Top Prize on Aug. 14

By Ben Deatherage BRITT, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — One of Iowa’s longest-running Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified specials returns to Hancock County Speedway on Friday, Aug. 14, as the Night of 1,000 Stars offers competitors the chance to race for a possible $6,250 payday. The feature purse exceeds $13,000, with the winner taking home as much as $6,250 and every starter guaranteed at least $250. The 50-lap feature will include a mandatory pit stop at lap 25, returning the event to its original Night of 1,000 Stars format. Designed to reward racers while keeping costs low, the event features free entry for all IMCA Modified competitors. The Night of 1,000 Stars also serves as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2026 invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be in action as Hancock County Speedway closes out its 2026 racing season. [Read More]

Nodak Speedway’s All-Stars of August Memorial Specials Return Aug. 9 and 16

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (July 27, 2026) — Four memorial races honoring individuals who helped shape racing at Nodak Speedway highlight the second annual All-Stars of August specials, returning to the Playground of Power at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds for two consecutive Sundays on Aug. 9 and 16. Each night of racing begins at 7 p.m., with the featured memorial events paying $2,000 to win. The opening program on Aug. 9 features the Ole Olson Memorial for Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and the John Gaule Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The following Aug. 16, the spotlight shifts to the Monte Lundy Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and the Bonnie Beeter Memorial for Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. Unlike last season, when the four memorial races were spread across four separate weekends, this year’s schedule brings all four events together over two consecutive Saturdays, creating a pair of marquee nights for racers and fans. The Monte Lundy Memorial is a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt [Read More]

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]

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]

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]