Modified Archives

Sanders Edges Ferrando by One Point for Wild West Speedweek Championship

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 24, 2026) — Eight races in eight days at six tracks across Oregon produced three hard-fought championship battles during the 2026 IMCA Wild West Speedweek. Matt Sanders captured his first career Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified Wild West Speedweek championship, edging Grey Ferrando by a single point to become the first driver to win Speedweek titles in two different divisions. The Brookings racer previously claimed the IMCA Northern SportMod crowns in 2024 and 2025. Sanders pieced together one of the most consistent weeks of any competitor, collecting three feature victories, seven podium finishes and a perfect eight top-five finishes. Sanders scored wins on the first of two nights at Cottage Grove Speedway, the second of two nights at Coos Bay Speedway, and in the Southern Oregon Speedway finale, while never finishing worse than fifth during the tour. Ferrando remained in championship contention until the final checkered flag. The Scio driver matched Sanders with three feature victories at River City Speedway, the second of two nights at Cottage Grove Speedway, and the [Read More]

Inaugural Cowboy Challenge Set for August 7-8 at Sheridan Speedway

By Ben Deatherage SHERIDAN, Wyo. (June 25, 2026) — Sheridan Speedway will debut a brand-new marquee event when the inaugural Cowboy Challenge takes center stage Friday and Saturday, August 7-8, featuring two nights of Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified competition highlighted by a $7,500-to-win championship finale. Practice will kick off the weekend on Thursday, August 6, before competitors battle in two complete racing programs on Friday and Saturday. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, Wyoming State, Sheridan Speedway track, and DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region points will be awarded both nights. Friday’s opening program pays $2,500 to win and $150 to start the feature, with a $100 entry fee and $50 tow money for competitors. Saturday’s championship finale raises the stakes considerably, paying $7,500 to win and $500 to start the feature. Entry for the second night is $275, and all competitors will receive $50 tow money. Both feature events will serve as Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifiers. The winner of each night’s feature will earn eligibility to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star [Read More]

Travis Hagen: Racing Through the Storm to 100 Wins

By Ben Deatherage MCGREGOR, N.D. (June 23, 2026) — The pressure had been building for weeks. Every race night seemed to bring the same question. When would win No. 100 finally come? Travis Hagen tried not to think about it, but as the milestone drew closer it became harder to ignore. Every near miss felt a little bigger. Every opportunity carried a little more weight. By the time he unloaded his No. 14T Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified at Nodak Speedway on June 14, 2026, the number was impossible to escape. A few hours later, fittingly on the 14th day of the month and behind the wheel of the No. 14T, Hagen celebrated his 100th career Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory. The weekend had already tested the team. Transmission trouble at McLean County Speedway two nights earlier left Hagen scrambling, forcing him to borrow a transmission just to stay on track. But when Sunday arrived in Minot, everything finally seemed to fall into place. “I won the heat, and in the feature we got the lead,” [Read More]

Joey Hergott Memorial Set to Make Nebraska IMCA History July 13 at Beatrice Speedway

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (June 24, 2026) — The third annual Joey Hergott Memorial is poised to become one of the richest one-night events in Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing history when it returns to Beatrice Speedway on Monday, July 13. Headlined by a massive $16,026-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, the event boasts the largest one-night IMCA payout ever offered in Nebraska and one of the most lucrative programs anywhere in the country during the 2026 season. The Joey Hergott Memorial continues to grow in stature, drawing top competitors from across the Midwest and beyond while honoring the memory of a beloved member of the racing community. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will race for a staggering $16,026 winner’s share and $1,026 to start the main event. The feature payout includes $8,000 for second, $5,000 for third, $3,000 for fourth, and $2,500 for fifth. Drivers failing to transfer into the main event will have another opportunity through the Schmidt Happens Last Chance Modified race, which features its own lucrative purse. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will [Read More]

Modified Nationals Returns to Grays Harbor Raceway July 17-18

By Ben Deatherage ELMA, Wash. (June 24, 2026) — One of the Pacific Northwest’s premier events for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds returns to Grays Harbor Raceway on July 17-18 as the Modified Nationals once again offers a lucrative purse and a unique two-day format. The Modified Nationals will also serve as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier. The winner of Saturday night’s championship feature will earn eligibility to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, held during the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, Washington State, Grays Harbor Raceway track, and DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region points will be awarded on Saturday only. The weekend culminates with Saturday night’s 40-lap main event paying $7,500 to win and $200 to start. The runner-up will earn $3,500, while third pays $2,000 and fourth receives $1,000. A total purse of more than $20,000 will be on the line for the championship feature. Friday’s action will determine the majority of the Saturday starting field through a format [Read More]

$10,111-to-Win Tanner Pelster Memorial Returns to Boone County Raceway July 12

By Ben Deatherage ALBION, Neb. (June 24, 2026) — One of Nebraska’s most meaningful special events returns to Boone County Raceway on Sunday, July 12, as the sixth annual Sudbeck Underground Tanner Pelster Memorial honors the life and legacy of a beloved racer, competitor, and friend. The event will feature Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds competing for some of the richest purses of the season. Headlining the program are the IMCA Stock Cars, which will race for a massive $10,111 winner’s share. Second place pays $5,111, third earns $3,111, and all starters in the 24-car main event will take home at least $311. A tow bonus of $211 is also available. The IMCA Stock Car feature winner will also be guaranteed a starting position in the 2026 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will each compete for $3,111 to win. Both divisions pay $1,111 for [Read More]

Frank Brewer Memorial Expands to Two Nights at Cottage Grove Speedway July 24-25

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (June 24, 2026) — One of Cottage Grove Speedway’s newest and most cherished traditions gets even bigger in 2026 as the Frank Brewer Memorial expands to a two-night format on July 24-25. The event honors longtime racer, car builder, sponsor, and tire distributor Frank Brewer, a fixture in the Cottage Grove racing community for decades. Brewer competed for more than 60 years, building and driving his own race cars. He began constructing race cars at age 14 and continued doing so until building his final car at age 90. In his later years, Brewer remained active as a car owner while sponsoring and assisting numerous competitors throughout the region. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will headline the weekend, with Friday’s opener utilizing a standard race format and purse structure before Saturday’s marquee program takes center stage. The Saturday portion of the event will serve as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational held during [Read More]

Dosch Breaks Through for First Dacotah Stock Car Victory

By Becca Pelkey MANDAN, N.D. (June 19, 2026) — Matt Dosch’s speed finally translated into a victory Friday night at Dacotah Speedway as the Bismarck driver earned his first Sunoco IMCA Stock Car win of the season. A thrilling three-wide battle between Sierra Davenport, Shawn Volk and Dosch highlighted the opening laps before Dosch emerged with the lead. Once out front, he and Jason Berg separated themselves from the rest of the field while points leader Geoff Hellman and Todd Carter charged forward. Hellman worked his way into third but could not close the gap on the front-runners as Dosch led 16 of the 20 circuits en route to his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season. Berg finished second, followed by Hellman, Carter and Brock Beeter. Pittenger Powers to Dominant Modified Triumph Crist Pittenger put together a commanding performance in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature to earn his first Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season. Pole sitter Jacoby Traut led the opening lap before Pittenger blasted into the [Read More]

Feature

Rust Returns to Harris Clash Victory Lane After 10-Year Wait

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (June 23, 2026) — Joel Rust returned to victory lane at the Harris Clash for the first time in a decade, winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the 35th annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine and Racing Products at Boone Speedway. A three-wide start brought the field to green, with 2015 Iowa State Sunoco IMCA Late Model champion Paul Nagle leading the opening lap. After an early caution, Nagle maintained command as 2016 Harris Clash winner Rust began applying pressure. Rust nearly completed a pass on lap six before a caution interrupted the battle. Two laps later, the two-time Benton County Speedway champion finally wrestled the lead away. A caution on lap eight erased Rust’s advantage, but the Grundy Center driver was flawless on the restart and gradually pulled away from the field. Reigning Marshalltown Speedway champion Kollin Hibdon used several bold moves to advance into second and closed on Rust by lap 20. The leaders entered lapped traffic one lap later, but a caution on lap 23 [Read More]

15th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial This Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 23, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway honors one of the facility’s most beloved supporters this Saturday with the 15th annual Richie McGowan Memorial on June 27. The event features Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,032 to win, while the IMCA Northern SportMods will compete for a $632 winner’s share. Both divisions will utilize a draw/redraw format. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m., with free on-track autographs beginning at 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. Race fans can save $2 on general admission tickets by purchasing in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. General admission is $18 online, including all fees, or $20 at the gate. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Parking is free of charge. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd. near Enos Lane and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield. McGowan was an important figure at [Read More]