Mod Lite Archives

2026 Winter Nationals Stage Set as Mod Lites Tackle Georgia and Florida

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 4, 2025) — The Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites will launch the 2026 season for many teams with one of the most demanding stretches of racing on the winter calendar, as the 2nd Annual Georgia–Florida Speedweek brings ten events in fourteen days to four tracks across two states. The early-season tour made a strong debut last year, and the 2026 edition promises an even deeper, tougher field as teams converge on the Southeast to chase big money, early momentum, and a Speedweek championship. Everything begins at Swainsboro Raceway in Georgia, where teams will gather for an open practice on Sunday, February 1. The first two nights of racing are set for Monday and Tuesday, February 2 and 3, with both features paying $1,000 to win. After the Georgia opener, the Speedweek caravan heads into Florida and stays there for the remainder of the journey. Hendry County Motorsports Park in Clewiston hosts the next leg of the schedule, beginning with a Thursday practice on February 5. Two lucrative nights follow, [Read More]

Thanksgiving Thunder Set for Nov. 22 at Smoky Mountain Speedway; $1,200 Awaits Mod Lite Winner

By Ben Deatherage MARYVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 10, 2025) — The Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association is set to light up the foothills of the Smokies as Thanksgiving Thunder returns to Smoky Mountain Speedway on Saturday, Nov. 22. This can’t-miss event in the scenic Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee will showcase the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, competing for $1,200 to win on one of the South’s premier clay ovals. The weekend opens with a Friday night practice on Nov. 21 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Pit passes are $20, offering teams valuable track time before race day. Saturday’s main event schedule features pit gates opening at 9:00 a.m., grandstands at 10:00 a.m., a drivers’ meeting at noon, and hot laps at 12:30 p.m., followed by a full program of high-speed Mod Lite competition. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults and $5 for kids 11 and under, while pit passes are $35 on race day. Adding to the prestige of the second annual event, the winning chassis will receive exclusive post-race recognition through a dedicated IMCA media spotlight [Read More]

Avila Outduels Carter in SportMods at Marshalltown’s Harvest Hustle

By Kaden Krebs MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (Oct. 25, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods produced another exciting showdown at the Fast Shafts Harvest Hustle on a seasonally chilly night at Marshalltown Speedway, highlighted by an early restart that changed everything. Matt Avila used the high side perfectly to surge around National champion Brayton Carter and take command of the race. Despite a late caution tightening the field, Avila stayed smooth and steady to the finish. Carter finished runner-up, followed by Brayden Shepherd, Dylan VanWyk, and Cam Reimers. Rookie Butt Steals Show in Hobby Stocks The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks delivered the most dramatic finish of the night, where a packed grandstand braved the cool air to see a first-time winner steal the spotlight. Veteran Bradley Graham, no stranger to leading laps on the High Banks, paced the early circuits until 14-year-old rookie Carson Butt mounted a stunning late-race charge. Butt slipped past Graham in the closing laps to capture a thrilling, crowd-pleasing victory — a breakout moment to close his rookie campaign. Graham settled for [Read More]

Allstar Performance to Reward 2025 IMCA Heat Race Standouts; Submissions Due Nov. 18

VINTON, Iowa (Nov. 4, 2025) — IMCA drivers who piled up heat race wins this season can cash in with Allstar Performance gift cards — but they must submit proof by Nov. 18. Any driver who wins more than 10 heat races in 2025 is eligible for a $100 Allstar Performance gift card. The single driver with the most heat-race wins nationwide will receive a $250 Allstar Performance gift card. Gift cards will be presented during the IMCA National Banquet on Nov. 29. To be eligible, drivers must email a photo of their car showing the official heat-win decal in place, as distributed by tracks, to IMCA Marketing Integration & Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at cbgramm@imca.com. Photos must be received no later than Nov. 18.

Robbie Throop Captures National IMCA STARS Mod Lite Rookie of the Year title

By Ben Deatherage WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2025) — Florida racer Robbie Throop capped a breakout 2025 campaign by claiming the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite Rookie of the Year title, the culmination of a season built on determination, family effort, and redemption. The 22-year-old from West Palm Beach opened the year with a devastating crash during a Georgia event that destroyed his race car before the season had even begun in earnest. But the setback only fueled the drive of the Tuff Solutions/Anthony Long Fence Contracting/Smokin Joe’s Race Engines no. 55 Joker Chassis team. Backed by his mother Wendy, father Steve, cousin Andrew, uncle Scott, and grandfather Ronnie, the Throop family rallied to rebuild the car in time for the Sugar Bowl Nationals at Hendry County Motorsports Park, Robbie’s home track. “This was a great season even though it started off rough,” Throop said. “We were able to bounce back, keep our heads up, and just keep working. The people around me never gave up, and that made all the difference.” Throop’s [Read More]

Raffurty Reigns Again with Fifth Straight IMCA STARS Mod Lite National Title

By Ben Deatherage KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 21, 2025) — Dominance, determination and drive once again defined Dillon Raffurty’s season as the Missouri standout extended his record streak to five consecutive Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite national championships. Piloting the Raffurty Motorsports/Raffurty Excavating/Fritter Racing Engines No. 46 Raffurty Chassis, the Kansas City driver again set the benchmark for precision and perseverance. His 2025 campaign produced 30 feature victories across five tracks in three states, highlighted by 16 wins at Valley Speedway, eight at Electric City Speedway in Butler, two at Central Arizona Raceway’s IMCA TV Winter Nationals, and single triumphs at Marshalltown and Davenport Speedways. That total ties his previous best of 30 wins in a single season when he did so last year and in 2022. Across 45 starts, Raffurty posted 35 podiums, 38 top-five finishes and 44 top-tens, ultimately clinching the national crown by just three points. The season also included an especially emotional highlight — his third career victory in the David Raffurty Memorial, held each September at Valley Speedway in honor [Read More]

Reay Brings Modified Crown Back to Michigan; IMCA Names Six First Time National Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 9, 2025) — The 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season was one for the record books, filled with razor-thin finishes, breakout performances, and enduring dynasties. Six of the nine National titles were decided by three points or fewer, two required tiebreakers, and six drivers celebrated first-time championships. Portland, Michigan’s Jeff Reay earned his first National championship — and became the first Michigan driver since Rick Stout in 1995 to claim the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified crown — by just two points. He also won the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region, the Michigan State Championship, and track titles at Crystal Motor Speedway, where he’s now a two-time champion, and at I-96 Speedway, where he earned his first. Reay closed the season with 14 wins in 42 starts. Across the rest of the division, four additional Regional champions also added to the Modified season’s prestige. William Gould, of Oklahoma, topped the GRT Race Cars South Central Region for his eighth career Regional title, repeating his 2024 success. Jeremy Mills, from Iowa, [Read More]

2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Points became official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 13 Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 1,015; 2. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 1,013; 3. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,001; 4. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 1,000; 5. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 994; 6. Kevin Williamson, Eugene, Oregon, 978; 7. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 8. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 976; 9. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 10. Ethan Killingsworth, Yreka, Calif., 971; 11. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 970; 12. Kinzer McCord, Molt, Montana, and Kyle Anton, Gillette, Wyoming, both 967; 14. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 965; 15. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa, and Shawn Harker, Nebraska City, Neb., both 964; 17. Steven Pfeifer, Bowbells, N.D., 953; 18. Keith Lamphere, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, 950; 19. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 948; 20. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 947. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 1,023; 2. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,021; 3. Dan Mackenthun, [Read More]

Unofficial 2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings

UPDATED: 5 p.m., October 10, 2025 Points become official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 13 Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 1,015; 2. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 1,013; 3. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,001; 4. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 1,000; 5. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 994; 6. Kevin Williamson, Eugene, Oregon, 978; 7. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 8. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 976; 9. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 10. Ethan Killingsworth, Yreka, Calif., 971; 11. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 970; 12. Kinzer McCord, Molt, Montana, and Kyle Anton, Gillette, Wyoming, both 967; 14. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 965; 15. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa, and Shawn Harker, Nebraska City, Neb., both 964; 17. Steven Pfeifer, Bowbells, N.D., 953; 18. Keith Lamphere, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, 950; 19. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 948; 20. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 947. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 1,023; 2. John Oliver Jr., West [Read More]

Fast Shafts Harvest Hustle Closes 2025 Season on the High Banks October 23–25

By Kaden Crebs MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (Oct. 7, 2025) — October brings farmers to the field and race teams to America’s Bucket List Track for the final event of the 2025 season, the Fast Shafts Harvest Hustle on the High Banks at Marshalltown Speedway. Last year’s edition drew 239 race teams from 15 states, and another huge field is expected this year as more than $85,000 in purse money will be up for grabs for Speedway Motors IMCA competitors. The three-day event runs October 23–25 and features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Modifieds will race for $4,000 to win, Stock Cars for $3,000, Northern SportMods for $2,000, Hobby Stocks for $3,000, and both Mod Lites and Sport Compacts for $1,000 apiece. Thursday, Oct. 23, opens the weekend with an open practice session from 6–9 p.m. Pit gates open at 5:30 p.m., pit passes are $30, and grandstand admission is free. The popular Powder Puff Races will [Read More]