Mod Lite Archives

IMCA TV Winter Nationals Explode to Life with Action-Packed Opening Week

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 26, 2026) — The first week of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Dynamic Drivelines and Pitt Stop Motorsports at Central Arizona Raceway delivered an incredible start to the 2026 season in the Copper State, with more than 240 teams from across the United States and Canada making the journey to the 3/8-mile clay oval. The three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner from Belle Plaine, Iowa, Dylan Thornton, took care of business in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, winning the first three nights of competition. One of those victories came in dramatic fashion, as Thornton edged out Mesa native and two-time national champion Chaz Baca Jr. by just 0.021 seconds in the second night’s feature. Baca, the runner-up in that close finish and the 2024 Winter Nationals champion, rebounded to capture the final-night win of the opening week. Three-time IMCA Sprint Car Super Nationals winner Curt Lund of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, claimed the opening Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature before 2024 [Read More]

Aiken Powers to Second Straight IMCA Mod Lite Feature Win at Hendry County

By Justin Newman CLEWISTON, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2026) — Pierce Aiken continued his strong start to the season at Hendry County Motorsports Park in the Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite division, scoring his second feature win and capping off another impressive night at the speedway. The Lake Worth driver set the tone early by capturing his heat race victory before carrying that momentum into the main event. Early cautions slowed the pace of the feature, but once the race settled into extended green-flag conditions, Aiken went to work from mid-pack, methodically slicing through traffic. At the halfway mark, he powered around Tyler Garey to take command of the race, making a decisive move in his Joker Chassis. Once out front, Aiken was in complete control, pacing the field and stretching his advantage as the laps clicked off. Garey, who led the early stages, held on for a solid second-place finish. Ben Blalock crossed the line third, followed by Richard Houston in fourth, with James Vary rounding out the top five. The event was broadcast live on [Read More]

Baca Masters Traffic and Late Restart to Win at IMCA TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. scored his eighth career Winter Nationals series victory with a hard-fought win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fourth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The two-time IMCA National champion also earned his first win of the 2026 campaign in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. The Mesa motorist jumped to the early lead and quickly separated himself as the top three checked out from the field. Kevin Williamson, the reigning Western Region champion in the Superior Fuel Cells-fielded no. 42, and Joey Price, the 2018 Montana State titlist in the Shawn Zelenka-provided no. 11*, battled for position behind the leader as Baca began working lapped traffic on lap 12. Pressure mounted in the closing laps when reigning Winter Nationals champion Ethan Braaksma reeled Baca in as traffic tightened the racing groove. A caution on lap 18 set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Baca [Read More]

Thornton Extends IMCA TV Winter Nationals Streak with Third Straight Modified Win

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 23, 2026) — Dylan Thornton of Belle Plaine, Iowa, continued his dominant run at Central Arizona Raceway with a commanding victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the third night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. The former Santa Maria, California native earned his fifth career Winter Nationals series victory, his third win of the 2026 event, and his third straight triumph in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Thornton jumped to the lead immediately from the high side on the opening start and began pulling away as the green-flag run developed. Two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion and reigning Winter Nationals champion Ethan Braaksma gave chase from the bottom groove in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, while a spirited mid-race battle for fourth between reigning Marshalltown Speedway track champion Kollin Hibdon and Tate Johnson provided the best fight inside the top five. A caution on lap 14 reset the field just [Read More]

Thornton Wins Modified Thriller on Night Two of IMCA TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 22, 2026) — Dylan Thornton, calling Belle Plaine, Iowa home these days, continued his Winter Nationals dominance with a dramatic victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the second night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident scored his fourth career Modified Winter Nationals series win, his second straight of the 2026 event, and his second consecutive victory in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, took command on the opening start before an early caution regrouped the field. Two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. quickly emerged as his primary challenger, stalking Thornton through multiple restarts and long green-flag stretches. After a caution on lap 10, Thornton briefly brushed the wall on lap 13, allowing Baca to close the gap and set up a fierce side-by-side battle that featured multiple slider exchanges [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through January 21, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 153; 2. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 3. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 138; 4. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 134; 5. Chris Morris, Thorndale, Texas, and Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, both 132; 7. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 128; 8. Spencer Hartwick, Rose Bud, Arkansas, 126; 9. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 125; 10. William Gould, Calera, Okla., and Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, both 119; 12. Brenda Kirby, Thorndale, Texas, 113; 13. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 104; 14. Ryan Doyon, Castroville, Texas, 97; 15. Rick Green, Bertram, Texas, and Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, both 90; 17. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 86; 18. Robert Liese Jr., Schertz, Texas, 61; 19. Cody Tidwell, Georgetown, Texas, 52; 20. Rickey Talley, Adkins, Texas, 51. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 215; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 183; 3. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 140; 4. Mason Martin, Kaufman, Texas, 139; 5. Beau Collins, Savoy, Texas, and Doug Holzmeister, Colby, Kan., both 136; 7. Cody Leonard, Sinton, [Read More]

Thornton Controls IMCA TV Winter Nationals Modified Opening Night Feature

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Dylan Thornton turned in a commanding performance Wednesday night at Central Arizona Raceway in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds during the opening night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. Zane DeVilbiss, a two-time IMCA Modified National champion, grabbed the lead on the opening lap before an early caution slowed the pace. On the restart, multi-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton mounted a strong challenge, but a yellow flew before the pass could be completed. Thornton officially took control during the ensuing restart on lap six and began to stretch his advantage, navigating traffic efficiently. Behind him, two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. and Brandon Beckendorf waged a hard-fought battle for fourth around the halfway mark. Thornton, who started third, checked out during the long green-flag run and never looked back on his way to his third career Winter Nationals victory in the Modified division and his first [Read More]

Aiken Charges From Eighth to Open 2026 With Mod Lite Victory at Hendry County

By Justin Newman CLEWISTON, Fla. (Jan. 17, 2026) — The Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites at Hendry County Motorsports Park opened their 2026 season with a strong showing and a statement performance from Superior Race Cars, led by a patient and calculated drive by Pierce Aiken in the feature. Aiken started eighth on the grid and methodically worked his way forward, advancing one position at a time as the race unfolded. Pole-sitter Dylan Permann controlled the early pace, leading the first 12 laps while keeping the field in check. The turning point came on a restart on lap 12, when Aiken powered past Permann to take command of the race. From there, the Lake Worth racer remained smooth and consistent, never relinquishing the top spot on his way to the opening Mod Lite victory of the 2026 season. Larry Hubbard mounted a strong charge to finish second after starting fourth and slipping back early in the event. Justin Thibodeau followed with a solid third-place run. Permann’s night took a turn shortly after losing the lead [Read More]

IMCA Outlines Contingency Form Requirement Ahead of 2026 Season

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 6, 2026) — With the 2026 racing season approaching, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is reminding competitors that completion of the official Contingency Form is required to qualify for contingency awards and manufacturer-supported benefits. IMCA’s contingency programs are built around long-standing partnerships with manufacturers and sponsors who support drivers throughout the season. Completing the Contingency Form ensures that this support is properly directed to eligible competitors based on their on-track performance. Available at www.imca.com/contingencies, the form allows IMCA to properly link drivers with participating sponsors and register competitors for reward programs offered throughout the season. Drivers who complete the form are eligible for contingency awards tied to on-track performance across all Speedway Motors IMCA-sanctioned divisions. Completing the Contingency Form is a simple process: IMCA’s contingency structure plays an important role in recognizing driver performance while reinforcing long-standing relationships with industry partners. Participation by competitors helps maintain and grow programs that provide meaningful benefits both during and beyond race night. Drivers with questions or needing assistance can contact Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com.

Vowan Earns Third Mod Lites of Arkansas Series Crown

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Dec. 20, 2025) — The Mod Lites of Arkansas presented by Beach Veterinary Service officially wrapped up the 2025 season with its year-end banquet at Corky’s BBQ just days before Christmas. An IMCA Special Series within the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites division, the Mod Lites of Arkansas completed its fifth sanctioned season, traveling to tracks throughout Arkansas and neighboring states while delivering exciting Speedway Motors IMCA competition. During that tour, Bryce Vowan captured his third IMCA Special Series championship in the past five years. The Marion–West Memphis driver opened the season with a podium finish at the series’ inaugural visit to Batesville Motor Speedway. Over the course of the year, the championship lead exchanged hands between Vowan, J.J. Borden, and Gage Raines before Vowan sealed the title with a strong late-season run. He recorded podium finishes in each of the final four events, including a runner-up result at the season finale at Crawford County Speedway in Van Buren. “There were some setbacks in the middle of the season, including having to [Read More]