Late Model Archives

Racing Journey Takes Griffin to National Late Model Rookie of the Year

By Bill Martin QUINCY, Ill. (Oct. 29, 2026) – Jake Griffin brewed up something special during the latest season of his racing journey. The Quincy, Ill., driver earned national Sunoco IMCA Late Model rookie of the year honors, after getting an unexpected ride just weeks before the season started. He made the most of his opportunity, with three feature wins and 16 top five finishes, and an eighth place finish in national points. “I didn’t have any expectations. I thought we’d start off better than we did but when everything came together it was great,” said Griffin, owner of the Roost Coffee Co., the online coffee company with the slogan Fuel For The Driven in Quincy. “We’ve been together as a team for a while and knew we could do it, we just had to stick it out.” Behind the wheel of the Warner Racing-owned 2023 Barry Wright Chassis, he was third in standings at Quincy Raceway, fourth at Lee County Speedway and eighth at 34 Raceway. “Late Models are just so racy. I’ve run just about everything [Read More]

IMCA Releases 2027 Rules with Minor Changes

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, [Read More]

Zeitner Defends IMCA Late Model National Championship

By Ben Deatherage BELLEVUE, Neb. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Zach Zeitner followed his first Sunoco IMCA Late Model national championship in 2025 with another successful season in 2026, collecting 16 feature victories in 38 starts while maintaining the consistency that helped establish him as one of the division’s leading competitors. The Bellevue, Neb., driver recorded 26 podium finishes, 33 top fives, and 38 top-10 finishes during the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly racing season. He finished sixth or better in 37 of his 38 appearances, with a ninth-place result accounting for his only finish outside the top six. “The consistency was still there from last year,” Zeitner said. “Last year we had a stretch of DNFs, and this year my goal was to maintain momentum and just try to win as many races as possible. We had around six seconds this year, and we never finished out of the top 10.” Driving the Zeitner & Sons Refrigerated Transport/Select Auto/Factory CS No. 76 Infinity Chassis, Zeitner collected victories at four different facilities. Shelby County Speedway led the way [Read More]

Gould Returns to Modified Throne; Five First-Time National Champions Crowned

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 14, 2026) — The 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season crowned five first-time National champions while a collection of familiar names added to already impressive championship resumes across the nine divisions. William Gould returned to the top of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified ranks for the first time in 13 years, Zach Zeitner captured his second straight Sunoco IMCA Late Model National championship, Lee Goos Jr. earned his third consecutive RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car crown, and Dillon Raffurty continued his unprecedented run with a sixth straight Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite title. John Oliver Jr., Coy Vlies, Nicholas Ronnebaum, Trevor Cogburn, and Johnny Thomas completed the championship lineup, with each earning his first career National championship in 2026. Gould, of Calera, Okla., captured his second career Modified National championship and first since 2013, winning the title by 14 points aboard the Kerry Fryer Motorsports No. 60. The veteran also captured his ninth GRT Race Cars South Central Region championship and third consecutive Regional crown. Gould continued his run of [Read More]

Official 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 1,002; 4. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 999; 5. Rod [Read More]

Unofficial 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Points become official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 12. Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, [Read More]

Allstar Performance Heat Race Winner Program Deadline Set for Oct. 30

BOONE, Iowa — Drivers participating in the Allstar Performance Heat Race Winner Program are reminded to submit photo verification of their heat race win decals by Oct. 30 to be eligible for awards. Drivers must submit a clear photo showing their heat race win decals displayed on their race car. Any driver who records 10 or more heat race wins and submits the required photo verification will receive a $100 certificate from Allstar Performance. The driver with the most verified heat race wins will receive a $250 Allstar Performance certificate. Photo submissions must be received by Oct. 30 and can be emailed to cbgramm@imca.com.

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 24, 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, 972; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 969; 6. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 965; 7. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 964; 8. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 953; 12. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 951; 13. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 946; 14. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 15. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 943; 16. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 940; 17. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 937; 18. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 934; 19. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Michigan, both 932. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 984; 3. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 5. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 975; 6. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 17, 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, 972; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 969; 6. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 7. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 953; 12. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 945; 13. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 943; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 940; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 937; 17. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 19. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Michigan, both 932. 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. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 975; 6. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

Glover Grabs First Nationals Crown in Late Model Big Dance

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Runnells, Iowa’s Curtis Glover mastered traffic, restarts, and a stout field of challengers Monday night to capture his first career Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship in the 50-lap Sunoco IMCA Late Model Big Dance at Boone Speedway. The defending Iowa State and 34 Raceway track champion drew the Eibach Springs Pole Award during the Casey’s Redraw at the NAPA Fan Zone, putting the Cooney Motorsports No. 30 at the front of the field. Glover shot to the early lead, but a caution before the opening lap could be completed brought the field back together. Defending National champion Zach Zeitner of Nebraska went on the offensive on the restart and briefly got ahead of Glover, but Glover reclaimed the advantage before Zeitner could secure the position. While the two battled, Illinois racer Darin Weisinger Jr. capitalized and slipped into the lead on lap three. His stay out front was brief, however, as Glover charged back ahead the next time past the flag stand. Once [Read More]