Northern SportMod Archives

$10,000-To-Win Captain of the Creek Returns to 141 Speedway Aug. 14-15

By Ben Deatherage FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (July 23, 2026) — One of the richest Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod events of the season returns to 141 Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15, as the eighth annual Captain of the Creek VIII takes center stage. Since its debut in 2019, the Captain of the Creek has become one of the Midwest’s premier IMCA SportMod specials. Matt Avila enters this year’s event looking to become the first three-time winner after capturing back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. Previous champions include Brandon Schmitt, Kenny Richards, Cam Reimers, Jacob Zellner and Tyler Sobiesczyk. The successful format introduced in recent years returns, highlighted by Saturday night’s $10,000-to-win championship feature. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National and Wisconsin State points will be awarded to competitors. The opening night on Friday features heat races followed by split qualifying features, each limited to 24 starters. Heat race lineups will be determined by draw, with the top five finishers from each qualifier advancing directly to Saturday night’s championship feature. Drivers who do not transfer [Read More]

Midstate Machine Championship Engines Return for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 23, 2026) — One of the most anticipated traditions of America’s Racin’ Vacation returns this September as Midstate Machine will once again provide four brand-new championship engines for the winners of Saturday night’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified, Sunoco IMCA Stock Car, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock features at the 44th Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Built by Midstate Machine of Des Moines, Iowa, the engines are assembled using donated components from many of the racing industry’s premier manufacturers and will be presented to each of the four champions following Championship Saturday on Sept. 12 at Boone Speedway. The presentation of the new engines allows another unique Super Nationals tradition to continue. The race-winning engines from each of the four champions’ cars will be removed and auctioned following the conclusion of Saturday night’s racing in the NAPA Auto Parts Fan Zone. The auction is open to drivers, crew members and race fans, giving attendees the opportunity to own a genuine piece of Super [Read More]

Feature

Sachau Charges from 16th to SportMod Victory on Salute to Veterans Tour Opener

By Jane Burd SPENCER, Iowa (July 22, 2026) — Jake Sachau put together the drive of the night Wednesday at Clay County Fair Speedway, charging from 16th on the starting grid to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on opening night of the Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies and Parts. Alec Fett appeared poised to score the victory after leading most of the feature, while Blake Andrews was credited with two laps led during a spirited battle at the front. Sachau steadily worked his way through the field before taking command late to collect his 11th victory of the season on his birthday, his first at Clay County Fair Speedway this year and his second career Salute to Veterans Tour triumph after winning last year’s Boone event. Fett settled for second after his strong outing. Jared Boumeester finished third, Andrews crossed the stripe fourth, and Connor Vande Weerd completed the top five. Sachau earned hard charger honors by advancing 15 positions. Czarneski Leads Every Lap in Modified Feature Cole Czarneski of [Read More]

MPI Named Presenting Sponsor of Boone Bound Promotion for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (July 22, 2026) — Are you Boone Bound for the 44th annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s? Drivers can once again let the IMCA Racing Nation know they’re headed to Boone by participating in the annual Boone Bound promotion, now presented by Max Papis Innovations (MPI). Drivers who have pre-registered for the Sept. 5-12 Super Nationals at Boone Speedway are invited to email a high-quality, on-track photo of their race car to boonebound@imca.com. Be sure to include your name, hometown, division and the photographer’s name. Photos will be posted in the order they are received on the official IMCA Facebook page, giving fans a chance to follow the ever-growing list of competitors making the trip to Boone for IMCA’s biggest event of the year. The Boone Bound promotion has become a popular tradition leading up to Super Nationals, giving competitors an opportunity to showcase their race cars while building excitement for America’s Racin’ Vacation and the biggest event on the IMCA calendar. As a reminder, drivers should submit clear, [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Mills Survives Wild Modified Feature at Boone

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (July 18, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on Saturday night at Boone Speedway was shaping up to be a showdown between Jesse Patterson and Jeremy Mills before the race took a dramatic turn. Patterson led the opening 11 laps until contact while battling for the lead left his car too damaged to continue. A multi-car incident eliminated nearly half the field and set up the race’s final stretch. Clear Lake’s Jeremy Mills, who started fifth, inherited the lead and held off Jake McBirnie to score his eighth victory of the season. Seven of those wins have come in the Razor Chassis North Central Region, including three at Boone Speedway. McBirnie finished second after starting eighth, while Todd Shute produced one of the night’s strongest charges, advancing 12 positions from 15th to third. Brian Mahlstedt crossed the stripe fourth ahead of Cory Sauerman, who climbed from 11th. Meinecke Scores First Stock Car Win of Season Matthew Meinecke of Jamaica chased the checkered flag all 20 laps of the Sunoco [Read More]

Bakersfield Summer Spectacular Set for Saturday Night

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (July 22, 2026) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway returns to action on the dirt this Saturday night with the Summer Spectacular, featuring Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars competing under Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing sanction on the one-third-mile oval. Pit gates open at 3 p.m., with grandstands opening at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. Drivers making their first start of the 2026 season will receive one complimentary pit pass. Fans can save $2 by purchasing tickets in advance through the speedway’s website. General admission is $18 online or $20 at the gate. Admission for children ages 6-12 is $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will battle in a 25-lap feature paying $750 to win. Rookie Tyler Bannister enters the night atop the standings with three feature victories and top-five finishes in all eight starts this season. Gavyn [Read More]

Archibald Breaks Through for First Antioch Stock Car Victory

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (July 18, 2026) — Jake Archibald of Oakley collected his first career Antioch Speedway Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature victory Saturday night, leading all 20 laps. Archibald, who also won his eight-lap heat race, led Blaze Hill across the opening lap before the first of only two cautions waved for Scott Foster, who spun in turn four. Archibald maintained the lead on the restart as Jason Robles of Rio Vista moved into second ahead of Clarence Holbrook III of Galt. Dave Hill of San Francisco used the low groove in turn four on lap four to take third. By lap 10, Archibald had stretched his advantage to nearly half a straightaway over Jason Robles before the final caution waved on lap 12 for Blaze Hill. Dave Hill headed to the pits during the stoppage, leaving Archibald to lead Jason Robles and Kenneth Robles back to green. Archibald was never challenged over the closing laps, collecting his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the season. Jason Robles finished second, Kenneth [Read More]

Probst Charges From 10th for Arlington Hobby Stock Victory

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (July 18, 2026) — By the time feature racing began Saturday night at Arlington Raceway, the track had slickened off through the middle while still allowing plenty of side-by-side racing. The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature showcased those conditions, with Dan Scharpe leading the opening lap before a thrilling three-wide battle over the closing laps saw Cory Probst charge from 10th starting to score the victory. On lap two, Taylor Manderfield spun entering turn four and collected Patrick Schauer to bring out the caution. Jordan Robinson grabbed the lead on the restart while Cory Probst and Austin Jahnz quickly joined the battle. Jahnz briefly led at the halfway point before Robinson regained the advantage the following lap. With three laps remaining, the leaders raced three-wide down the backstretch as Probst powered to the outside of Robinson while Jahnz challenged on the inside. Probst completed the winning move and held on for the victory. The Brewster driver earned his seventh B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season, with four coming [Read More]

Harker Steals Modified Thriller on Final Corner at Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (July 18, 2026) — Oppressive heat pushed the start of Saturday’s Duel in the Dirt at Eagle Raceway back one hour, but the wait proved worthwhile as Shawn Harker used a last-corner slider to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature by just 0.04 seconds. Brandon Verbeek led the opening six laps before Nate Thompson moved past him for the top spot on lap seven. Adam Wasserman continued his march toward the front, taking third on lap 10 and then moving around Verbeek for second. Wasserman wrestled the lead away from Thompson with five laps remaining while 12th-starting Harker continued working forward. Harker moved into fourth with three to go before a pair of late cautions set up a green-white-checkered finish. Harker passed Thompson on the first restart before another caution restacked the field. Bob Zoubek moved into third when racing resumed, but all eyes were on the battle for the win. Coming through turn four for the final time, Harker threw a slider on Wasserman and beat him to the [Read More]

Smith Scores Dramatic Late Model Victory at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 18, 2026) —The Sunoco IMCA Late Models capped another outstanding night of racing Saturday at Maquoketa Speedway with a thrilling finish. The perfectly prepared racing surface at the Jackson County Fairgrounds quarter-mile allowed competitors to race two and three-wide throughout the evening, producing an exciting 25-lap feature that wasn’t decided until the final few feet. Steve Johnson paced the field early before Dalton Simonsen took over the top spot. Tenth-starting Blaise Lewis worked the extreme low groove to take the lead with 10 laps remaining and appeared headed to victory. A late caution, however, erased Lewis’ advantage and set up a dramatic four-lap sprint to the finish. Lewis hugged the bottom while Dustin Smith powered around the top and Ron Klein repeatedly threw sliders at the leaders. Smith completed the winning pass less than 50 feet before the checkered flag, edging Lewis by only a couple of feet for his third victory of the season, with his wins coming at three different tracks. Lewis finished second, Klein crossed the stripe [Read More]