Northern SportMod Archives

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 Kenny 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]

Eckrich Earns Saturday Night Dirt Stars Modified Victory at Davenport

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Oct. 10, 2026) — Jace Eckrich’s $1,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory highlighted the second and final night of the Davenport Dirt Stars at Davenport Speedway. The two-night program featured plenty of action after Friday morning showers left the racing surface fast and challenging for competitors. Eckrich wasted little time getting to the front in Saturday’s feature, charging from third to lead the opening circuit. Jason Schueller moved ahead on lap two, but Eckrich answered the following time around and regained command. He controlled the remainder of the feature and crossed the finish line with a two-second advantage. Jace Whitt finished second for the second consecutive night, while Friday winner Brandon Durbin was third. Matt Werner finished fourth, and Shane Paris rounded out the top five. The victory was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Eckrich on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Friday’s 20-lap Modified feature took a toll on both drivers [Read More]

Kiefer Caps Bud Nationals With Modified Victory at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2026) — Austin Kiefer of Corona, Calif., led the way in the 40th annual Budweiser Nationals on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, winning the $1,500-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature to cap a weekend of dirt track action. Kiefer set fast time for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds before winning his heat race and the dash. Brad Pounds claimed the other heat race before joining Kiefer on the front row of the 25-lap feature. Kiefer controlled the main event from the pole and drove to the $1,500 victory, with Pounds finishing second. Robby Sawyer was third, followed by Friday night winner Gavyn Manning and Tyler Bannister. Kiefer also earned the commemorative trophy as the overall Bud Nationals Modified champion. Both nights served as qualifiers for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. Manning’s $1,000 Friday victory and Kiefer’s Saturday triumph put both drivers on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Wilson Rules [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]

Larson Lands $1,500 Gary Reinhart Memorial Modified Victory

By Jerry Mackey TIPTON, Iowa (Oct. 11, 2026) — The third time proved to be the charm as the twice-postponed Gary Reinhart Memorial was held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Cedar County Raceway. A total of 121 race teams took part in the special event honoring Gary Reinhart, one of the pioneers of the IMCA Modified division. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds headlined Sunday’s program with a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win feature that went flag-to-flag. Jeff “Bone” Larson of Freeport, Ill., prevailed over a talented field to capture the Gary Reinhart Memorial victory. Beaver Dam, Wis., driver Brandon Schmitt advanced six positions to finish second, while California native Cody Laney took third. Spencer Diercks finished fourth, with Troy Morris III of Bakersfield, Calif., completing the top five. The victory was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Larson on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Richards Rallies From Early Setback for Stock Car Victory Braden Richards appeared to have his [Read More]

Morris Holds Off Laney for Dirt Downs Classic Modified Victory

By Christine Rublack CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 10, 2026) — More than 120 cars filled the pits at Dirt on the Downs, with five Speedway Motors IMCA divisions producing an action-packed night of racing for the Dirt Downs Classic. Troy Morris III made the most of his pole starting position in the $2,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, taking command immediately while Cody Laney moved into second and Jed Freiburger worked his way into third. A restart put Laney and Freiburger directly on Morris’ bumper, but the Bakersfield, Calif. native withstood the pressure to secure the victory. Laney finished second, followed by Freiburger, Logan Anderson, and Mark Burgtorf. The race was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Morris on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Plummer Charges From Seventh for SportMod Victory Kyle Olson took command early in the $1,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature as Kaden Rice moved into second. Olson began working through lapped traffic [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]

Heavy Rains Force Cedar County Changes; Reinhart Memorial Reset for Oct. 11

By Jerry Mackey TIPTON, Iowa (Oct. 3, 2026) — Heavy rains throughout the week in the Tipton area forced Darkside Promotions officials Ryan Duhme and Tim Current to postpone racing scheduled at Cedar County Raceway. Both the Gary Reinhart Memorial and Fall Bash fell victim to the wet weather after heavy rainfall left the Cedar County Fairgrounds saturated without enough drying time for racing to be held over the weekend. The Gary Reinhart Memorial has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, at Cedar County Raceway. Gates will open at noon, with hot laps scheduled for 2 p.m. The program will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. With the Cedar County Fairgrounds unavailable for the remainder of October, the Fall Bash will move to Maquoketa Speedway. An open practice is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, followed by full racing programs Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31.

Natenstedt Rallies Late for Back-to-Back Pettit Shootout Triumph

By Ben Deatherage WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2026) — Shawn Natenstedt came from outside the top five at the lap 40 fuel break to capture Saturday night’s $3,006-to-win 16th annual Pettit Shootout for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds at Watsonville Speedway, becoming the first driver since Bobby Hogge in 2020-21 to win consecutive editions. Natenstedt, the three-time Nevada State champion from Fernley, remains the only non-California driver to win the event in the Modified division. Hogge put the Paul Guglielmoni-owned No. 2H out front on lap one before Gavyn Manning used a lap seven restart to make a double overtake around the high side and take command in the Don Clark-provided No. 51G. Manning remained out front through challenges from 2026 IMCA Wild West Speedweek champion Matt Sanders and 2026 Merced Speedway champion Paul Stone before Natenstedt worked his way into contention. Natenstedt, who started seventh, completed his charge to the lead on lap 51 and began pulling away after encountering traffic four laps later. A lap 67 caution erased his advantage, and Manning capitalized on [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.