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Jacob Snyder: Open Trailer, Bright Colors, and a Young Driver on the Rise

By Ben Deatherage DUNKERTON, Iowa (Apr. 17, 2026) — At the Boone Speedway season opener on April 11, Jacob Snyder found himself exactly where every driver wants to be—up front, with laps winding down and everything on the line. He was in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, battling one of the toughest fields in the country. The adrenaline didn’t fade. If anything, it kept building—through the caution with three to go, through the restart, and into the final laps, with a seasoned veteran right behind him. At just 20 years old, Snyder was in the middle of one of the biggest moments of his young career. And at a place like Boone—known as Iowa’s Action Track and home of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s—moments like that carry a little more weight. For Snyder, it was a moment years in the making. His hometown of Dunkerton sits just outside Waterloo in northeast Iowa, where small towns are connected by county roads and farmland, and life follows a steady rhythm—a tight-knit community built [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 16, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 585; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 481; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 399; 4. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 392; 5. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 381; 6. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 357; 7. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 343; 8. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 336; 9. Trevor Egbert, Belton, Texas, 333; 10. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 11. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 12. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 298; 13. Greg Hopkins, Repton, Alabama, 287; 14. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 282; 15. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 16. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 17. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 19. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 20. Mark Carrell, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 263. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 714; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 592; 3. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]

Hopkins and Smith Shine in Blackwater Doubleheader

By Cortni Potapowicz BAKER, Fla. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds returned to action at Blackwater Speedway for a two-night spectacular of racing. On Saturday night, Greg Hopkins started from the pole in the 20-lap feature and led all but lap four en route to the victory. Hopkins, of Repton, Alabama, earned his first win of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. Chris Smith finished second, followed by Todd Neiheiser in third. J.C. Wilson placed fourth, with Erik White completing the top five. The night before, Brewton, Alabama’s Chris Smith charged from fifth to the lead in just four laps to score his second victory of the season in the Eastern Region, with both wins coming at Blackwater. J.C. Wilson was the hard charger, advancing from ninth to finish second. Defending track champion Zach Howard was third, while Jason Barnhill and Greg Hopkins rounded out the top five.

Ratzlaff Husband and Wife Duo Take Podium Spots in Phillips County Season Opener

By Suzan McCoy HOLYOKE, Colo. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Matthew Ratzlaff of Monte Vista led every lap to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature in front of the biggest crowd Phillips County Raceway has seen in over seven years during the season opener. It was his first win of 2026 in the Jet Racing Central Region. Ayden Steffens finished second, while Christina Ratzlaff made it a family double podium with a third-place finish. The couple traveled six hours to compete at PCR for the opening round of the Colorado Alliance Tour. Tom Quint placed fourth, followed by Bubba Alvarado. Bill Brack led from the pole and held off pressure from D.J. Banks and Layne Bellm to win the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. It marked the Mead motorist’s first triumph of the year in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Banks and Bellm finished second and third, respectively, while Frank Ogden and Kolton Vogel rounded out the top five. Douglas Beaman of Fort Morgan dominated the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature from the [Read More]

Maupin Masters Cotton Bowl to Become First STIMS Repeat Winner of ’26

By Nick Robbins PAIGE, Texas (Apr. 11, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts rolled into Cotton Bowl Speedway, marking the first visit for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds in 2026. Nineteen drivers signed in for the $1,000-to-win, 20-lap feature, and perseverance quickly became the theme of the night as pop-up showers gave the track an unexpected dose of last-minute moisture. The CBS crew remained undaunted, and drivers were quickly back on track to help pack the surface once the showers ended. Friday’s runner-up, Jared Maupin of San Antonio, struck first by taking the win in DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One. Johnny Torres, also of San Antonio, claimed Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two, while G.W. Egbert from Salado grabbed another victory in 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three. Maupin led the field to green in the 20-lap feature with Torres, Egbert, and Whiteaker Jr. in tow. The early laps saw the field begin to spread out as the top four attempted to break away. Racing throughout the field [Read More]

Sobbing Holds Off Late Charge for Thrilling IMCA Late Model Win at Park Jefferson

By Chance Riley JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 10, 2026) — The Sunoco IMCA Late Models set the tone for the night at Park Jefferson Speedway, with Jesse Sobbing of Malvern, Iowa taking the early lead from Jordan Krug. Sobbing paced the field but had to withstand a last-lap slider attempt from Zach Zeitner, holding on at the line for his first Late Model win of the year and his second Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly victory of 2026, following a Sunoco IMCA Stock Car score during the Beatrice Spring Nationals. Zeitner finished second, followed by Krug, Landen Rojewski, and Cody Thompson. The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars delivered a strong run as Mike Vondrak led much of the feature before Dan Mackenthun went to work. Charging from 11th, Mackenthun methodically worked the bottom groove to take over and drive away to his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. The Hamburg, Minnesota driver piloted the Jared Fasching-owned no. 7X to victory. Travis Barker was second, Ryan Harris third, with Greg Peck and Jordan Rogotzke completing the [Read More]

Pirkle Powers to First STIMS Win in Dominant Performance at HOT

By Nick Robbins WACO, Texas (Apr. 10, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts roared into the historic Heart O’ Texas Speedway for its first appearance of the 2026 season. A strong field of 30 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for action, pushing the winner’s share to $1,500 for the 20-lap main event. Series regulars from South Texas were eager to show what they could do against some of the best local racers from the northern half of the Lone Star State. DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One went to Salado, Texas racer G.W. Egbert, who crossed the line four seconds ahead of the nearest transfer. Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two was a bit closer, with Wyatt Bruce of Montgomery, Texas taking the win over current point leader Jared Maupin. 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three went to the no. 6R of Jacob Pirkle from Midlothian. Heat Four was won by 2025 STIMS champion Logan Dinsmore. Steven Whiteaker Jr. claimed the B-Main, leading the top eight transfers to [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 9, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 510; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 402; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 399; 4. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 357; 5. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 324; 6. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 7. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 306; 8. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 9. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 298; 10. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 287; 11. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 282; 12. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 13. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 14. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 16. Trevor Egbert, Belton, Texas, 267; 17. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 18. Mark Carrell, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 263; 19. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 262; 20. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 260. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 635; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 3. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 529; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]

STIMS Rebrands and Expands Points Fund for 2026 Campaign

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 10, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series enters a new era in 2026, rebranded as STIMS and presented by On Demand Shirts, with a 16-race schedule, a boosted points fund, and every feature paying at least $1,000 to win. The series, formerly known as the South Texas IMCA Modified Series, continues to spotlight Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and has already completed its first two races of the season at Texana Raceway Park in March, where strong car counts and a pair of different winners helped set the tone for the year ahead. Each race serves as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational to be held during September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. All races from March through September also award National, GRT Race Cars South Central Region, and Texas State points. James Cole now steps into the spotlight as series director after working behind the scenes last season, helping shape the direction of the tour as it continues to grow. “I love [Read More]

Chris Carroll: Second Lap of Racing for a Purpose Bigger Than Himself

By Ben Deatherage SPRING BRANCH, Texas (Apr. 9, 2026) — On Christmas Day 2020 in Cozumel, with the ocean still and the world quiet, Chris Carroll made a decision that didn’t make sense to anyone but him. He was done racing. Everything tied to it—cars, equipment, years of work—was going up for sale. Just like that. For three decades, racing had been the rhythm of his life. The noise, the grind, the long nights in the shop, the chase from one track to the next—it was all he knew. And now, in a single moment, he was ready to walk away from it. His wife, Melanie, didn’t understand it either — especially when she woke up to find everything had already been sold online. “Now we are going to have to buy it all back again,” she told him. But something in him said it was time. So he stepped away. And for a while, the silence held. No race nights. No engines firing. No next event on the calendar. Just the kind of quiet that [Read More]