Northern SportMod Archives

Armstrong Steals Win on Last Lap and Van Wyk Holds Off Sachau in SportMod Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) — Adam Armstrong capitalized on last-lap drama to capture a wild outside-lane qualifier Wednesday, while Dylan Van Wyk held off two-time defending champion Jake Sachau in the middle-lane qualifier as Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying continued at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The 25-lap middle-lane qualifier was completed Tuesday before weather halted the program. The outside-lane qualifier was pushed to Wednesday morning, with the top eight from each earning starting spots in Saturday’s Big Dance. Kansas’ Austin Carter, grabbed the early lead in the outside-lane qualifier while Hunter Poston and Armstrong fought for second. Armstrong, the 2019 Beatrice Speedway track champion and 2016 Harris Clash winner, secured the runner-up spot on lap six and quickly went after Carter. He worked his way ahead the following circuit, but a caution negated the pass and returned defending Kansas State champion Carter to the lead. Armstrong again challenged when racing resumed, but Carter kept him at bay. Cautions on laps 13 and 16 kept the field [Read More]

Kirk Charges From 15th and Smith Dominates SportMod Super Nationals Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Willy Kirk charged from 15th to take the lead late in the second qualifier, while Mike Smith dominated the opener Monday during the first night of Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Both 25-lap qualifiers set positions in the inside column for Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers in each locking themselves into the championship feature. Tony Johnson jumped to the front at the start of the second qualifier and paced the opening circuits before 2024 Independence Motor Speedway track champion Cole Suckow began applying pressure. Suckow completed the pass for the lead on lap four and started to check out while a spirited battle developed for second. Jacob Tacheny eventually secured the runner-up position before a caution slowed the field on lap nine. Suckow again pulled away following the restart, but cautions just before the halfway point repeatedly brought the field back to him. Once an extended green flag run developed, [Read More]

Super Nationals Tuesday Start Moved Up With Threatening Weather in Forecast

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Tuesday’s racing program at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will get an earlier start as officials take a proactive approach to anticipated weather later in the day. Registration and the pit gates will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Following opening ceremonies, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact hot laps will begin at 10 a.m., with racing to follow. Moving the schedule forward will give officials the best opportunity to complete Tuesday’s entire program with rain forecasted in the evening. The day will feature the second night of qualifying for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The IMCA Sport Compacts will take center stage for their championship program, culminating with the Big Dance to determine the 2026 Super Nationals champion. Tuesday’s program will also include the Stephenville Starter Hobby Stock Race of Champions and the Pulse Racing Innovations/Dirt Defender Racing Products SportMod Race of Champions. All the action can be watched exclusively on IMCA.TV, where America comes to [Read More]

Race of Champions eligible drivers register in large numbers for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – Qualifying fields for five Race of Champions events have been set for the 44th annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. All track champions (or current point leaders if their respective points battles resume after Super Nationals), along with past national champions, regional champions, Super Nationals champions, Race of Champions champions and 2025 state champions who pre-registered for Super Nationals are eligible to attempt to qualify for their respective RoC in 2026. The 53 RAGE Chassis IMCA Modified Race of Champions drivers eligible to qualify are Chris Abelson, Jeff Aikey, Bubba Alvarado, Chaz Baca, Tyler Bannister, Curtis Barnes, Jason Barnhill, Austen Becerra, Brandon Beckendorf, Tyler Belcher, Cole Bents, Tom Berry Jr., Kelsie Black, Ethan Braaksma, Troy Cordes, Zane DeVilbiss, Jerry Flippo, William Gould, Richie Gustin, Shawn Harker, Clint Hatlestad, Kollin Hibdon, Mitchell Hunt, Trey Kline, Cody Laney, Jeff Larson, Matthew Looft, Jared Maupin, Dan Menk, R.J. Merchant, Nick Meyer, Jeremy Mills, Jay Noteboom, Jason Pike, Don Proctor, Jeff Reay, Cory Sample, Todd Shute, Jared Siefert, Luke Silber, Casey [Read More]

Record 1,193 pre-entries for 44th IMCA Super Nationals

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – For the fifth consecutive year, pre-entries for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s have reached quadruple digits and, like each of the four years before it, a new record-setting registration milestone was set in 2026. As of 4 p.m. CST today, 1,193 drivers have pre-registered for America’s Racin’ Vacation, eclipsing the previous pre-entry mark of 1,156, which was established last year. The divisional breakdown includes 265 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, 329 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, 195 Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, 192 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, 113 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts and 76 Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites. While they typically don’t pre-register, 23 Sunoco IMCA Late Models have already reserved their spots for the 44th annual event. Registration numbers for Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts are pre-entry records. The Sport Compact division eclipsed the 100 pre-entry mark for the first time in event history. The pre-entry number for Modifieds is the largest in 16 years. Racers from a record-breaking 34 states have entered, including [Read More]

Rucks Memorial Brings $1,000-to-Win Modified Showdown to Arlington on Sept. 19

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 4, 2026) — Arlington Raceway will host the Jeff Rucks Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds on Saturday, Sept. 19, with $1,000 awaiting the winner. The event will also give the winner eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Clint Hatlestad captured the Rucks Memorial victory in 2025, while Brandon Beckendorf won each of the previous three editions. The Modifieds will use a draw/redraw format. Also in action will be Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. and racing beginning at 6 p.m. For additional information, contact Levi at 507-380-6998.

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 3, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, and William Gould, Calera, Okla., both 993; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 973; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 970; 5. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 6. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 8. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 9. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 957; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 942; 13. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 939; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 937; 15. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 17. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 933; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, both 932; 20. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 930. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 4. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 5. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 6. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 973; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

Pessek Ends Three-Year Stock Car Drought at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Three- and four-wide racing, four different leaders and a first trip to victory lane in three years made the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature the highlight of Saturday night’s program at Arlington Raceway. Jed Trebelhorn led the field early before getting too high in turns three and four and slipping off the racing surface. Dave Moriarty inherited the lead, but Ryan Bjerkeset and Brent Uecker quickly joined the fight. For eight laps, Moriarty, Bjerkeset, and Uecker raced side-by-side and at times just inches apart. A caution eventually flew when Bjerkeset went off the track after spending several laps in second and headed to the pits. The restart only intensified the battle. Uecker and Moriarty were joined by Tim Pessek, while Trent Loverude, Dan Eckblad, Matt Speckman, and Dan Mackenthun were all within striking distance. Pessek emerged with the lead with three laps remaining and stayed there to the checkers for his first victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his first trip [Read More]

Ryland Sweeps Antioch SportMod and Stock Car Features and Championships

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Fred Ryland of Brentwood had a big night at Antioch Speedway as he won both the 20-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car features. In each division, it was his fifth win of the season and capped championship efforts for him in both classes. In the SportMod race, championship hopeful Danny Wagner of Bay Point had earlier won the eight-lap heat race. With a front-row start next to Ryland, Wagner bolted into the lead at the start as Trevor Clymens of Brentwood settled into third. Wagner seemed to have the race well in hand when he caught a slower car on lap 14. A lap later, Wagner and the slower car made contact in turn two, allowing Ryland to make a move underneath both to grab the lead. Ryland led the rest of the way for his fifth SportMod victory of the season, with all five coming at Antioch. Wagner settled for second ahead of Clymens, Al Johnson of Antioch, and Jason Ryan [Read More]

Hughes Breaks Through with Stock Car Win at Cortez

By Suzan McCoy CORTEZ, Colo. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway came alive Saturday night with a full slate of racing action as drivers from across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona battled for feature victories. Jeramy Hughes of Carlsbad, N.M., raced from fourth starting to capture the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. The victory was Hughes’ fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region win of the 2026 season and his first outside his native New Mexico. Race Fisher of Dove Creek was second, followed by Allen Bradley of Farmington, N.M., Sid Tenney, and Traci Bradley. Dove Creek’s Brody Spangler continued a strong season by racing the No. 91B to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature. The win was Spangler’s 12th of the 2026 campaign and fifth at Cortez. Bubba Jr. Stafford of Wittmann, Ariz., finished second, with Keelan Matthews of Camp Verde, Ariz., third. Cortez’s Jimmy Wilson and Grand Junction’s Rick Spangler completed the top five. Waylon Hale of Mancos put together a winning performance in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, [Read More]