Mod Lite Archives

Racing for Fun, Cox Collects National Rookie Award for Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites

By Bill Martin NORWALK, Iowa (Oct. 25, 2026) – A couple starts in the class was all it took for Brandon Cox to get hooked on the Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite division. Cox made 28 starts this season, racing and making new friends at eight different tracks in four states. Those travels paid off with the national rookie of the year award. “We started off at the IMCA TV Winter Nationals in Arizona racing just to have fun. When we left there, we were leading rookie national points. We kind of had that in the back of our mind all season, but we were really racing for fun,” he said. “We wanted to experience different tracks and track conditions, race against different competitors and get the most points as we could.” “Around Iowa, it’s arguably racing against many of the best of the best drivers. We wanted to race at some smaller tracks down south this year too, had a lot of fun and made some new life-long friends doing that.” The Norwalk hotshoe had [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]

Raffurty Makes It Six Straight Mod Lite Titles with Career-Best 36-Win Season

By Ben Deatherage KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Six seasons into the Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite division’s history under Speedway Motors IMCA sanctioning, Dillon Raffurty remains the only national champion the division has known. The 29-year-old Kansas City racer continued that streak in 2026, securing his sixth consecutive national title by 21 points following a career-best season that produced 36 feature victories in 47 starts. Raffurty’s latest championship came during a year that also included his third Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s victory, making him the only driver in 2026 to capture both a national championship and a Super Nationals Big Dance. He also earned his sixth consecutive Missouri State championship, the IMCA TV Winter Nationals title, and track championships at Valley Speedway and Electric City Speedway. “It’s been quite a run we’ve been on,” Raffurty said. Driving a new Raffurty Chassis, Raffurty faced the challenge of adjusting to a different car and engine combination during the season. The transition brought immediate success, although mechanical issues occasionally interrupted his momentum. [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.

McKinney Makes 1,000-Mile Trip Pay Off With MLA Nationals Victory

By Bryce Vowan WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (Sept. 26, 2026) — A roughly 1,000-mile trip from Magnolia, Del., paid off in a big way for Ryan McKinney Saturday night as he captured the $2,000 Mod Lites of Arkansas IMCA Nationals at Riverside International Speedway. McKinney started third and found himself in the right place at the right time late in the feature, taking advantage of trouble for the leaders before driving the No. 25M to victory. The trip to Arkansas was far from a certainty for McKinney, who suffered a spine injury in a racing accident two months earlier. “I came to Riverside on a whim,” McKinney said. “We were iffy on going due to a spine injury from a wreck two months ago, but decided to give it a shot and I’m glad we did!” McKinney said the Riverside surface provided plenty of options throughout the feature. “The track was awesome and racey,” he said. “The line changed a lot throughout the race, and could run anywhere!” McKinney admitted his car wasn’t quite good enough to [Read More]

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]

Racing Returns to Yuma as Cocopah Speedway Opens New Era in 2026

By Ben Deatherage SOMERTON, Ariz. (Sept. 21, 2026) — Racing returns to the Yuma area this fall as Cocopah Speedway begins a new chapter with a busy 2026-27 schedule featuring several major Speedway Motors IMCA events. The three-eighths-mile oval opens its 2026 season in October before hosting the Diamond in the Desert, Turkey Bowl, and Copper State Nationals. The schedule then carries into February with two weeks of Southwest Cactus Nationals competition. “We are so excited to get things up and running, and the whole community around here is super excited to have racing come back to the Yuma area,” promoter Travis Peery said. The season-opening weekend is Oct. 15-17, with practice Thursday followed by racing Friday and Saturday. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts are scheduled to compete both nights. Attention then turns to the Diamond in the Desert Nov. 4-7. Practice is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 4, before three consecutive nights of racing Nov. [Read More]