Northern SportMod Archives

Ward Breaks Through at Deep South for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph

By Ben Deatherage LOXLEY, Ala. (Feb. 27, 2026) — Tim Ward, originally from Mesa, Arizona, and now residing in Harcourt, Iowa, added another milestone to his decorated résumé by capturing the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the third night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Deep South Speedway. The event served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — placing Ward on the eligibility list. After a caution halted the initial start, Ward — wheeling the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car — surged to the lead and paced lap one. Another early caution reset the field before Mississippi’s Spencer Hughes, in the Chris Smith-owned no. 11, and two-time Benton County Speedway champion Joel Rust began battling for second. Hughes secured the runner-up position on lap five as Ward, the two-time reigning Super Nationals winner, began to stretch his advantage. Hughes kept Ward within sight and made a bid underneath on [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through February 24, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 2. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 3. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 4. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 5. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 7. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 247; 8. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 9. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 10. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 212; 11. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 204; 12. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 201; 13. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 191; 14. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 190; 15. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179; 16. Tate Johnson, Homestead, Montana, 170; 17. Bart Taylor, Sheridan, Wyoming, and Jeremy Richey, Gold Hill, Oregon, both 169; 19. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Washington, 163; 20. Cole Szlauko, Shell Beach, Calif., 155. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 558; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 483; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 399; 4. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 351; 5. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 343; 6. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 316; [Read More]

Mitchell Machine Marks 20 Years of IMCA Support, Built on Grassroots Innovation

By Ben Deatherage WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (Feb. 26, 2026) — Mitchell Machine reaches a significant milestone in 2026, celebrating 20 years as an official sponsor of IMCA Racing while continuing to supply dependable drivetrain components to racers across the country and beyond. Founded and operated by Ted Mitchell, the Webster City, Iowa-based company was born from hands-on necessity rather than business ambition. Mitchell’s journey into transmission manufacturing began in 1996 when his brother Jim entered the racing scene. “My brother Jim started racing in ’96 and I made his transmission for him,” Mitchell recalled. “It worked really good and other drivers noticed a difference in his car. They started asking what he was running and he told them, ‘I don’t know — my brother makes it.’ That’s how it all got started.” Early production centered around two-speed transmissions, but durability challenges — particularly cracked cases — pushed Mitchell to innovate. Around 2002, he began developing aluminum replacement cases, creating patterns based on the Saginaw stock three-speed transmission widely used in Stock Car competition at the time. [Read More]

Wehrs Machine Celebrates 15 Years of Innovation and Support with IMCA

By Ben Deatherage BANGOR, Wis. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Wehrs Machine & Racing Products continues its strong commitment to grassroots racing, entering its 15th year as a valued sponsor of IMCA competition. Led by founder Chad Wehrs, the Wisconsin-based company has become a familiar presence throughout Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing pit areas, supporting racers through product development, contingency programs, and event partnerships across the country. “It’s very cool to be a part of IMCA,” Wehrs said. “It’s probably one of the best decisions we’ve made as a company, coming onboard back in 2011. They’re a great group of people, a great group of racers, and it’s our core market.” Wehrs Machine continues to bolster that partnership through an extensive contingency awards program spanning multiple divisions and premier events. The company will award $50 gift certificates to top-five finishers at each of 80 designated special events for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods. Wehrs [Read More]

Baca Masters Restarts to Score IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Victory in Baker

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. delivered a poised and calculated performance to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the second night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway. The event served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — for which Baca was already eligible. On the initial start Baca wrestled the lead from opening-lap pacesetter Logan Anderson to command lap one. The two-time National champion quickly settled into rhythm while Anderson — last year’s Razor Chassis North Central Region Rookie of the Year — fought to maintain pace. Defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion Ethan Braaksma, winner of the previous night’s main event in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, soon emerged as Baca’s primary challenger. The pair separated from the field before lapped traffic came into play on lap nine, only for consecutive cautions to reset the tempo. Each restart saw Baca [Read More]

Braaksma Breaks Through for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph at Blackwater

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma powered to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the opening night of the 2026 IMCA Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway. The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September, for which Braaksma was already on the eligibility list. Tim Ward, the two-time reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, jumped to the early lead aboard the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car before Joseph Joiner wrestled the top spot away on lap two. Joiner, driving the Andrews Autosport no. 10J for car owner Spencer Andrews, withstood multiple early cautions while fending off challenges from Braaksma. The race turned on lap 10 when Joiner bobbled, allowing Braaksma — the two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion racing the Trent Guest and Danny Meier no. 111— to pounce and seize control. [Read More]

Martini and Winemiller Split Casa Grande SportMod Weekend

By Rowdy Briggs CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2026) — Avon, Minnesota’s Mark Martini captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on Sunday night at Central Arizona Raceway, scoring his second victory of the season — both coming at the Casa Grande 3/8-mile oval. Martini seized the early lead and established control of the main event before chaos erupted on lap two. Joseph Patterson, running second at the time, spun in turn one, triggering a multi-car pileup that collected several contenders including Eric Winemiller, pole sitter Austin Wiseman, Scott Francoeur, Ty Weidner, and others. Following the restart, Bubba Stafford mounted the strongest challenge to Martini. A late debris caution with five laps remaining set up a decisive run to the finish. Martini hugged the bottom groove while Stafford threw everything he had at the top side, but Martini maintained his advantage to secure the win. Stafford finished second, followed by Tyler Johnson, Anthony Madrid, and Winemiller, who rebounded from the earlier incident to complete the top five. Tyke Miles delivered an impressive hard charger performance, [Read More]

Pearce Prevails in Winter Clash Feature at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (February 21, 2026) — Eighth-starting Andrew Pearce of Oakley won the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap season opener during the Winter Clash at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. 2025 champion Brad Pounds and 2024 champion Gavyn Manning collided while battling for the lead in turn one on lap 11, thrusting 2025 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod champion Tyler Bannister into the top spot. Pearce searched all over the speedway for a way to get around Bannister before the caution flew for Pounds with an apparent oil line fire underneath his machine on lap 18. Bannister restarted with a mechanical failure on his left front wheel, and Pearce took advantage of the wounded machine to make the decisive pass for the lead on lap 19. Markus Frazier of Santa Maria then flipped in turns one and two to bring out a red flag. Pearce led the final 10 laps for his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of 2026, while Race Liberante drove into second place. Bannister held on [Read More]

Bakersfield Speedway Season Opener Shifts to One-Day Winter Clash Saturday

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway will launch its 2026 campaign with the Winter Clash, now scheduled as a one-day event on Saturday, Feb. 21, following wet weather throughout the week. Originally planned as a two-day program, all Friday racing activities have been consolidated into Saturday, creating a full night of racing for one ticket price. Competition will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, with all divisions competing for championship points. Grandstand gates open at 2 p.m., with hot laps and qualifying set for 2:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for approximately 5 p.m., followed by heat races and main events for all classes. Race fans can save on general admission by purchasing tickets in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult tickets are $22 online, including fees, or $25 at the gate. Kids ages 6–12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through February 14, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 2. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 3. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 4. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 5. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 7. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 247; 8. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 9. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 10. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 201; 11. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179; 12. Tate Johnson, Homestead, Montana, 170; 13. Bart Taylor, Sheridan, Wyoming, and Jeremy Richey, Gold Hill, Oregon, both 169; 15. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Washington, 163; 16. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, and Jesse Patterson, Marana, Ariz., both 153; 18. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 19. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 151; 20. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 147. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 478; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 418; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 341; 4. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 285; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 280; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 262; [Read More]