Mod Lite Archives

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]

IMCA TV Revenue Share Program Pays Back Big to Racers in 2025

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 17, 2025) — The IMCA TV revenue sharing program continued to put money back into racers’ pockets in 2025, matching last season’s payout levels while expanding to more tracks and rewarding strong weekly support across the country. Fueled by IMCA TV Replay Subscription viewership of weekly and special events, the program once again turned digital exposure into direct financial benefits for drivers. More than 600 drivers qualified for IMCA TV bonus checks during the 2025 season. Revenue was generated from replays of weekly and special events at 54 tracks broadcast by IMCA TV or its affiliates, then distributed to drivers finishing in the top three in point standings in each sanctioned division at qualifying facilities. Drivers in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified, Sunoco IMCA Late Model, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car divisions receive checks of $255, $205 and $150. Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod competitors earn $155, $120 and $115, while Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS [Read More]

IMCA Champions Take Center Stage at 2025 National Awards Banquet

By Ben Deatherage LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 10, 2025) — The best of the best in IMCA were honored Saturday night as national champions, rookies, track and state crown winners, special series titlists, and crew chiefs shared the spotlight at the 2025 IMCA national awards banquet. More than 600 drivers, crew members, sponsors, track officials, and family packed the ballroom at the Cornhusker Marriott. Despite blizzard-like conditions in the area, a near-capacity crowd was on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of IMCA’s 2025 champions. National champions recognized during the evening were Jeff Reay, Friesen Performance IMCA Modified; Zach Zeitner, Sunoco IMCA Late Model; Lee Goos Jr., RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car; Kelly Shryock, Sunoco IMCA Stock Car; Cory Probst, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock; Landon Capps, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod; Brayton Carter, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod; Dillon Raffurty, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite; and John Martinez, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact. The Junior National Champion was Hunter Ferrell, and the Lady Eagle champion was Mylee JoAnn Goldwich-Rhames. Modified Regional championships went to Kevin Williamson in the [Read More]

DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Named Title Sponsor of 2026 Winter Nationals; Mod Lites Added To First Week

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Dec. 11, 2025) — DeVilbiss Racing Chassis has been announced as the new title sponsor of the IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines, expanding its long-time support of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly racers and bringing a major West Coast influence to one of Arizona’s biggest January traditions. The 2026 edition of Winter Nationals will once again be held at Central Arizona Raceway from Jan. 20 to Jan. 31. In addition to the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites will be a part of the card for the opening week only, running Jan. 21–24. Mod Lites will race for $500 to win each night and $100 to start. The title sponsor for the Eastern Region for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, the DeVilbiss name takes an even larger step forward with the title partnership. For owner and chassis builder Zane DeVilbiss, the decision was driven by [Read More]

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]