Northern SportMod Archives

Aug. 14 Season Championship Night Set to Answer Remaining Questions at Davenport Speedway

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2026) — One night remains in the regular season at Davenport Speedway, and several intriguing storylines are set to be decided when Season Championship Night takes center stage on Friday, Aug. 14. Among the biggest questions heading into the evening: Will the Sunoco IMCA Late Models produce the season’s first repeat winner? Through the first seven Late Model features, Davenport Speedway has produced seven different winners. Since the modern Late Model era began at the facility in 1998, every season has featured at least one repeat winner. Will that trend continue, or will an eighth different driver visit victory lane? Who will claim first-time track championships? Three of Davenport’s weekly divisions are guaranteed to crown first-time track champions. Entering the final night of points racing, new champions will be crowned in the Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. Will the championship battles change the way drivers race? Several title fights remain too close to call. Three weekly divisions have single-digit margins separating [Read More]

NAPA Fan Zone Offers Full Week of Activities During Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2026) — The NAPA Fan Zone will once again serve as one of the busiest gathering places during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, offering activities throughout the week for drivers, crews, sponsors, and fans alike during America’s Racin’ Vacation. Located adjacent to the grandstands at Boone Speedway, the Fan Zone hosts everything from special recognition days and Race of Champions redraws to All-Star Invitational starting position draws, championship celebrations, and the annual engine auction. Activities begin during the NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude weekend. On Saturday, the Boone County Chamber will welcome visitors to the Fan Zone before Super Nationals officially gets underway. Monday’s activities spotlight the future of the sport during Young Guns Day, featuring Junior National competitors. Thursday celebrates Women in IMCA, highlighting Lady Eagle competitors and the women who help make IMCA racing successful. Friday honors military service members during Veterans Appreciation Day, featuring display vehicles from the Salute to Veterans Tour. Championship Saturday concludes with the engine auction and Big [Read More]

Casey’s Continues Longtime Super Nationals Partnership

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Aug. 6, 2026) — For more than a decade, Casey’s has been more than the presenting sponsor of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Iowa-based convenience store chain has become woven into the fabric of America’s Racin’ Vacation, supporting racers, fans, and meaningful charitable causes throughout race week at Boone Speedway. One of the company’s longest-running traditions is its partnership with Hope For The Warriors, a national nonprofit organization that provides assistance to combat-wounded service members, military families, and the families of those killed in action. Throughout Super Nationals, Casey’s and IMCA turn every heat race into a chance to give back, with this year’s contribution expected to total $5,000. The presentation will be made in front of the grandstand during Championship Saturday, bringing the partnership’s total contributions to nearly $75,000 over the past 14 years. “Being part of Super Nationals is incredibly special for Casey’s because it brings together two things that define who we are: being part of one of the biggest racing events in [Read More]

Albertsen Charges From 16th to Thrilling Stock Car Victory at Shelby County

By Don Hawkins HARLAN, Iowa (Aug. 1, 2026) — Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen sliced through the field from 16th starting to score a thrilling Sunoco IMCA Stock Car victory Saturday night at Shelby County Speedway, highlighting an action-packed program before a large Back-to-School Night crowd. The defending track champion from Audubon chased down Braden Richards in the closing laps after Richards had taken command following an early battle among Bob Walker and Miciah Hidlebaugh. Richards drifted high exiting turn two, allowing Albertsen to capitalize with the winning move. The victory was Albertsen’s third EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region triumph of the season and came at his third different track in 2026. Richards settled for second, Thor Anderson charged from 13th to third and earned hard charger honors, Hidlebaugh was fourth, and Larry Robinson Jr. completed the top five. Heat race wins went to Mike Stapleton, Walker, and Mike Vondrak. Zeitner Rallies to Late Model Victory Zach Zeitner rallied from 10th starting to capture the Sunoco IMCA Late Model feature after taking the lead following a restart. Jack [Read More]

Williamson Charges from Ninth to Win on Cottage Grove Historical Night

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (Aug. 1, 2026) — Jesse Williamson used the high side late to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday night during Historical Night at Cottage Grove Speedway. Brett Muth jumped into the early lead and built a comfortable advantage while Williamson, driving the SDMF Customs No. W5 house car, methodically worked his way through the field. By lap 11, the Coburg driver had caught Muth before a caution slowed the pace. Matt Sanders capitalized on the restart by moving into second and began pressuring Muth for the lead. Another caution on lap 16 erased Muth’s advantage, setting up a thrilling battle among the front three. While Sanders challenged on the bottom, Williamson found speed around the cushion and completed the winning pass in the closing laps. The victory was Williamson’s third of the season in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, with all three coming at Cottage Grove Speedway. Williamson started ninth, while 10th-starting Sanders finished second. Muth settled for third, defending Cottage Grove Speedway, Oregon State, and DeVilbiss [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Barnhill Storms to Boone Modified Victory

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 1, 2026) — Milton, Florida native Owen Barnhill completed a thrilling late-race charge to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday night at Boone Speedway, racing from third to the lead in the closing laps to earn his first Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season. Matthew Meinecke paced the opening 13 laps before rear-end problems ended his bid for victory on lap 14, handing the lead to Mike Jergens. Barnhill quickly closed the gap and surged past both Jeremy Mills and Jergens on lap 18 before driving away over the final two circuits. Mills advanced six positions to finish second, Jergens settled for third, Jake McBirnie gained five spots to fourth, and Trevor Fitz completed the top five. Gustin and Lehman Split Stock Car Wins A field of 41 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars required split feature events. Jimmy Gustin inherited the lead in the opening feature when Sheldon Oberle retired with an overheating engine following a caution on lap seven. The race was later red-flagged on [Read More]

Pearce Earns $1,000 Antioch Modified Victory

By Ben Deatherage ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2026) — Andrew Pearce of Oakley captured the $1,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature Saturday night at Antioch Speedway, earning his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season. After winning his heat race, Pearce drew the outside front row starting position and led all 20 laps. Tyler Browne settled into second early before Bobby Hogge worked past him on lap 18. A late caution for Troy Foulger’s flat tire set up a two-lap dash to the finish, but Pearce maintained his advantage on the restart to secure the victory. Hogge finished second, Foulger held on for third, Browne crossed the stripe fourth, and Jim Pettit II completed the top five. The race served as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, and Pearce is now eligible to attempt to qualify for the invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Ryland Rallies for Third SportMod Victory of 2026 Fred Ryland, of Brentwood, charged from fourth on the starting grid [Read More]

August Specials Bring Big Purses and All-Star Qualifiers to Maquoketa Speedway

By Ben Deatherage MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 3, 2026) — Two major August specials are on tap at Maquoketa Speedway, with Dynamic Tube Season Championship Night on Aug. 15 and a two-night special on Aug. 21-22 offering increased purses and All-Star qualifying opportunities. The action begins Saturday, Aug. 15, with Dynamic Tube Season Championship Night. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods will each race for $1,000 to win, while Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks and Legends compete for $500 to win. Sunoco IMCA Late Models round out the program with Sunoco Bonus Bucks on the line. Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, Iowa State, and track points will be awarded. Modifieds will also compete for Razor Chassis North Central Region points, Stock Cars for EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points, and Hobby Stocks for B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region points. The following weekend, Maquoketa Speedway hosts a two-night special on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22. Friday’s program features $1,000-to-win Modifieds and Stock Cars, with SportMods joining the racing card. Saturday’s [Read More]

Abelson Scores First Win of Season at Park Jefferson

By Ben Deatherage JEFFERSON, S.D. (July 31, 2026) — Chris Abelson took advantage of a mid-race break to collect his first Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season Friday night in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Park Jefferson Speedway. Jesse Patterson led the opening laps before Jimmy Cole charged around the outside to take command. Cole appeared headed for victory until he jumped the cushion exiting turn two midway through the 20-lap main event, bringing out the caution. That handed the lead to Abelson, who had worked his way forward from eighth on the starting grid. The Sioux City, Iowa, driver took full advantage, driving away over the closing laps for the win. Duke Erickson advanced from 10th to finish second and earn hard charger honors, while Greg Taylor climbed from 11th to third. Patterson held on for fourth, and R.J. Merchant completed the top five. Cole and Abelson won the heat races. Ward Earns Second Stock Car Victory of ‘26 Jason Ward raced to his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region [Read More]

Mackenthun’s Milestone Headlines Arlington Fair Night

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 1, 2026) — Dan Mackenthun reached a milestone Saturday night at Arlington Raceway, charging from 11th to score his 200th career feature victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event during the Sibley County Fair. Three different drivers occupied the top spot in the 20-lap feature. A.J. Zimmerman led the early laps before a series of cautions forced him to the pit area. David Moriarty inherited the lead, but Mackenthun and Matt Looft quickly worked their way to the front and battled over the closing laps. Mackenthun held off Looft to secure the historic victory. The Hamburg driver earned his ninth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and fourth at Arlington Raceway in 2026. Looft crossed the stripe second, Moriarty finished third, Tim Pessek was fourth, and Brent Uecker completed the top five. Allen Sweeps Sprint Cars for First Career Win A first-lap red flag delayed the start of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature after Kinzlee Giessinger flipped in turn two. She was uninjured. When [Read More]