Northern SportMod Archives

Joey Hergott Memorial Set to Make Nebraska IMCA History July 13 at Beatrice Speedway

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (June 24, 2026) — The third annual Joey Hergott Memorial is poised to become one of the richest one-night events in Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing history when it returns to Beatrice Speedway on Monday, July 13. Headlined by a massive $16,026-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, the event boasts the largest one-night IMCA payout ever offered in Nebraska and one of the most lucrative programs anywhere in the country during the 2026 season. The Joey Hergott Memorial continues to grow in stature, drawing top competitors from across the Midwest and beyond while honoring the memory of a beloved member of the racing community. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will race for a staggering $16,026 winner’s share and $1,026 to start the main event. The feature payout includes $8,000 for second, $5,000 for third, $3,000 for fourth, and $2,500 for fifth. Drivers failing to transfer into the main event will have another opportunity through the Schmidt Happens Last Chance Modified race, which features its own lucrative purse. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will [Read More]

Feature

Rust Returns to Harris Clash Victory Lane After 10-Year Wait

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (June 23, 2026) — Joel Rust returned to victory lane at the Harris Clash for the first time in a decade, winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the 35th annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine and Racing Products at Boone Speedway. A three-wide start brought the field to green, with 2015 Iowa State Sunoco IMCA Late Model champion Paul Nagle leading the opening lap. After an early caution, Nagle maintained command as 2016 Harris Clash winner Rust began applying pressure. Rust nearly completed a pass on lap six before a caution interrupted the battle. Two laps later, the two-time Benton County Speedway champion finally wrestled the lead away. A caution on lap eight erased Rust’s advantage, but the Grundy Center driver was flawless on the restart and gradually pulled away from the field. Reigning Marshalltown Speedway champion Kollin Hibdon used several bold moves to advance into second and closed on Rust by lap 20. The leaders entered lapped traffic one lap later, but a caution on lap 23 [Read More]

15th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial This Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (June 23, 2026) – Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway honors one of the facility’s most beloved supporters this Saturday with the 15th annual Richie McGowan Memorial on June 27. The event features Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,032 to win, while the IMCA Northern SportMods will compete for a $632 winner’s share. Both divisions will utilize a draw/redraw format. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m., with free on-track autographs beginning at 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. Race fans can save $2 on general admission tickets by purchasing in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. General admission is $18 online, including all fees, or $20 at the gate. Tickets for children ages 6-12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Parking is free of charge. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is located at 13500 Raceway Blvd. near Enos Lane and Interstate 5 in Bakersfield. McGowan was an important figure at [Read More]

Yeager Sweeps Modified Weekend at Sweetwater Speedway

By Kara Beech ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (June 20, 2026) — Sweetwater Speedway lived up to its reputation for exciting racing during a thrilling two-night showcase at the Rock Springs 3/8-mile oval, where Bryson Yeager stole the spotlight by sweeping the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified features and increasing his DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win total to four. The Green River driver charged from eighth starting position on Friday and passed Michael Hale on the final lap of the 20-lap feature to earn the victory. Hale settled for second, followed by Braxton Yeager, Terrell Payne and Casey Delp. Yeager backed up that performance Saturday with another impressive drive, advancing from 10th starting position to score his second straight victory. Payne finished second, Joe Miller was third, Braxton Yeager fourth and Justen Yeager fifth. The weekend sweep gave Yeager his first two victories at Sweetwater Speedway in 2026. Vasquez and Pitt Split SportMod Honors The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods produced some of the weekend’s most entertaining racing as 21 entries packed the pits both nights and competitors [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Shepherd Survives Late Pressure for Boone SportMod Win

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (June 20, 2026) — Brayden Shepherd led all 18 laps but still had to withstand a furious late charge from Mike Smith to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature at Boone Speedway. The Altoona driver held command throughout the contest before Smith, who advanced nine positions, closed rapidly in the closing laps. Shepherd maintained a slim advantage and secured the victory at the checkered flag for his second win of the season at two different tracks. Smith settled for second, followed by Curtis Veber, Ryan King and defending track champion Dusty Masolini. Robey Rallies for First Modified Win of 2026 Ethan Robey charged to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature for his first Razor Chassis North Central Region win of the season. Brandon Leeman led the opening 14 laps before Robey, of Ames, took command and drove away for the triumph. Leeman faded to 11th by the finish. Ronn Lauritzen crossed the stripe second, while Jeremy Mills, Todd Shute and Trevor Fitz completed the top five. Smiths [Read More]

Rohleder Rolls to Dominant Thomas County Modified Victory

By Sheldon Wickwar COLBY, Kan. (June 19, 2026) — Kyle Rohleder put together a flawless night in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified division at Thomas County Speedway, leading every lap of the feature after winning his heat race earlier in the evening. Starting alongside Tanner Clough on the front row, the WaKeeney driver immediately surged to the lead and never looked back. Rohleder quickly built a comfortable advantage over Eddie Belec and fellow WaKeeney racer Dylan Sherfick, stretching his lead to nearly half a straightaway during the caution-free contest. In complete control from start to finish, Rohleder scored his second Jet Racing Central Region victory of the season, with both wins coming at Thomas County Speedway. Belec finished second, followed by Sherfick, Clay Money and Brandon Clough. Belec earned hard charger honors after advancing two positions. Walt Captures Another One in SportMods Blaine Walt collected his third victory of the season in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and his second straight at Thomas County Speedway. Jasen Gray appeared poised for victory after leading much of [Read More]

Looft Breaks Through for First Career Modified Victory at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (June 20, 2026) — Matt Looft put together a memorable night at Arlington Raceway, earning his first career Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature victory and later adding a runner-up finish in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event. Looft started fourth in the 15-lap Modified feature and quickly tracked down early leader Dan Menk. After shadowing Menk through the opening two circuits, the Swea City, Iowa driver made his move on the inside down the backstretch to grab the lead and never looked back. Menk made several attempts to reclaim the top spot, but Looft held firm to score his first career Arlington Raceway Modified victory and add his name to the list of 2026 Razor Chassis North Central Region winners. Menk finished second, followed by Chad Porter, Clint Hatlestad, and Curt Lund. Daniel Eckblad earned his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. Andrea McCain paced the opening laps before a first-lap caution slowed the action. Following the restart, McCain [Read More]

Feature

Krug Snatches Hobby Stock Victory on Final Corner at Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (June 18, 2026) — Chris Krug made a dramatic last-corner pass to win a wild Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature Thursday night at Kossuth County Speedway. Derrick Barglof paced the opening laps before a caution on lap five tightened the field. Following the restart, James Burns, Corbin White, Jade Lange, Brandon Nielsen and Krug traded positions in a furious battle for the lead. Burns used the high side to take command on lap seven before Nielsen grabbed the point one lap later. Another caution with two laps remaining set up a thrilling finish. White surged to the lead on the restart and appeared headed for victory until Krug found an opening exiting the final corner and slipped past to score the win. The Emmetsburg driver started 10th and earned his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season. White settled for second while Arizona transplant Nathan DeRagon charged from 14th starting position to finish third. Lange was fourth and Bryce Sommerfeld completed the top five. Shryock Outduels Opheim for [Read More]

Sanders Secures First Modified Speedweek Crown with Southern Oregon Victory

By Ben Deatherage WHITE CITY, Ore. (June 20, 2026) — Matt Sanders capped off a breakthrough week by winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature and securing his first career IMCA Wild West Speedweek championship during the eighth and final round of the 2026 tour at Southern Oregon Speedway. Sanders, winner of the previous two Wild West Speedweek IMCA Northern SportMod titles, jumped to the lead at the start and quickly established himself as the driver to beat. The Brookings racer and 2022 Southern Oregon Speedway SportMod champion Ryan Peery separated themselves from the field early and began encountering lapped traffic on lap 10. Although Sanders was briefly boxed in by slower cars, he expertly sliced through traffic and rebuilt his advantage. Behind him, a spirited battle for second developed on lap 16 between Peery and two-time defending Speedweek champion Bricen James. While they battled, Sanders remained firmly in command and cruised to his third victory of the week and fifth DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region triumph of the season. The race served as a Fast [Read More]

Williamson Rallies From Flat Tire for Last-Lap Douglas County Speedweek Victory

By Ben Deatherage ROSEBURG, Ore. (June 19, 2026) — Kevin Williamson completed a remarkable comeback to capture his first career Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified Wild West Speedweek victory during the seventh round of the 2026 tour at Douglas County Dirtrack. Washington’s Devon Reed led the opening lap before two-time defending Wild West Speedweek champion and 2024 track champion Bricen James made a daring move exiting turn four to seize the lead. James entered the night having won the previous three Speedweek Modified events at the 3/10-mile oval dating back to 2023. Following a lap four caution, Matt Sanders, winner of the previous night’s feature at Coos Bay Speedway and the last two Wild West Speedweek IMCA Northern SportMod championships, began applying pressure. Sanders eventually took command and looked poised for a second straight victory. He encountered lapped traffic on lap 14 before cautions for debris on lap 26 and another stoppage on lap 31 set up a four-lap sprint to the finish. On the final restart, Sanders found himself under attack from reigning National Rookie of [Read More]