Northern SportMod Archives

Wehrs Machine Celebrates 15 Years of Innovation and Support with IMCA

By Ben Deatherage BANGOR, Wis. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Wehrs Machine & Racing Products continues its strong commitment to grassroots racing, entering its 15th year as a valued sponsor of IMCA competition. Led by founder Chad Wehrs, the Wisconsin-based company has become a familiar presence throughout Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing pit areas, supporting racers through product development, contingency programs, and event partnerships across the country. “It’s very cool to be a part of IMCA,” Wehrs said. “It’s probably one of the best decisions we’ve made as a company, coming onboard back in 2011. They’re a great group of people, a great group of racers, and it’s our core market.” Wehrs Machine continues to bolster that partnership through an extensive contingency awards program spanning multiple divisions and premier events. The company will award $50 gift certificates to top-five finishers at each of 80 designated special events for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods. Wehrs [Read More]

Baca Masters Restarts to Score IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Victory in Baker

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. delivered a poised and calculated performance to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the second night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway. The event served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — for which Baca was already eligible. On the initial start Baca wrestled the lead from opening-lap pacesetter Logan Anderson to command lap one. The two-time National champion quickly settled into rhythm while Anderson — last year’s Razor Chassis North Central Region Rookie of the Year — fought to maintain pace. Defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion Ethan Braaksma, winner of the previous night’s main event in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, soon emerged as Baca’s primary challenger. The pair separated from the field before lapped traffic came into play on lap nine, only for consecutive cautions to reset the tempo. Each restart saw Baca [Read More]

Braaksma Breaks Through for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph at Blackwater

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma powered to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the opening night of the 2026 IMCA Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway. The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September, for which Braaksma was already on the eligibility list. Tim Ward, the two-time reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, jumped to the early lead aboard the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car before Joseph Joiner wrestled the top spot away on lap two. Joiner, driving the Andrews Autosport no. 10J for car owner Spencer Andrews, withstood multiple early cautions while fending off challenges from Braaksma. The race turned on lap 10 when Joiner bobbled, allowing Braaksma — the two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion racing the Trent Guest and Danny Meier no. 111— to pounce and seize control. [Read More]

Martini and Winemiller Split Casa Grande SportMod Weekend

By Rowdy Briggs CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2026) — Avon, Minnesota’s Mark Martini captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on Sunday night at Central Arizona Raceway, scoring his second victory of the season — both coming at the Casa Grande 3/8-mile oval. Martini seized the early lead and established control of the main event before chaos erupted on lap two. Joseph Patterson, running second at the time, spun in turn one, triggering a multi-car pileup that collected several contenders including Eric Winemiller, pole sitter Austin Wiseman, Scott Francoeur, Ty Weidner, and others. Following the restart, Bubba Stafford mounted the strongest challenge to Martini. A late debris caution with five laps remaining set up a decisive run to the finish. Martini hugged the bottom groove while Stafford threw everything he had at the top side, but Martini maintained his advantage to secure the win. Stafford finished second, followed by Tyler Johnson, Anthony Madrid, and Winemiller, who rebounded from the earlier incident to complete the top five. Tyke Miles delivered an impressive hard charger performance, [Read More]

Pearce Prevails in Winter Clash Feature at Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (February 21, 2026) — Eighth-starting Andrew Pearce of Oakley won the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap season opener during the Winter Clash at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. 2025 champion Brad Pounds and 2024 champion Gavyn Manning collided while battling for the lead in turn one on lap 11, thrusting 2025 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod champion Tyler Bannister into the top spot. Pearce searched all over the speedway for a way to get around Bannister before the caution flew for Pounds with an apparent oil line fire underneath his machine on lap 18. Bannister restarted with a mechanical failure on his left front wheel, and Pearce took advantage of the wounded machine to make the decisive pass for the lead on lap 19. Markus Frazier of Santa Maria then flipped in turns one and two to bring out a red flag. Pearce led the final 10 laps for his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of 2026, while Race Liberante drove into second place. Bannister held on [Read More]

Bakersfield Speedway Season Opener Shifts to One-Day Winter Clash Saturday

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2026) — Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway will launch its 2026 campaign with the Winter Clash, now scheduled as a one-day event on Saturday, Feb. 21, following wet weather throughout the week. Originally planned as a two-day program, all Friday racing activities have been consolidated into Saturday, creating a full night of racing for one ticket price. Competition will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, with all divisions competing for championship points. Grandstand gates open at 2 p.m., with hot laps and qualifying set for 2:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for approximately 5 p.m., followed by heat races and main events for all classes. Race fans can save on general admission by purchasing tickets in advance at BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult tickets are $22 online, including fees, or $25 at the gate. Kids ages 6–12 are $10 in advance or $12 at the gate, while children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway is [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through February 14, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 2. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 3. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 4. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 5. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 7. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 247; 8. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 9. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 10. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 201; 11. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179; 12. Tate Johnson, Homestead, Montana, 170; 13. Bart Taylor, Sheridan, Wyoming, and Jeremy Richey, Gold Hill, Oregon, both 169; 15. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Washington, 163; 16. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, and Jesse Patterson, Marana, Ariz., both 153; 18. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 19. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 151; 20. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 147. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 478; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 418; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 341; 4. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 285; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 280; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 262; [Read More]

Hibdon Repeats, Makes Meyer Showdown History at Mohave Valley Raceway

By Ben Deatherage MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. (Feb. 14, 2026) — Kollin Hibdon etched his name deeper into Mohave Valley Raceway history, capturing the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature in the 6th Annual Bill and Shirley Meyer Showdown. The 25-lap, $1,500-to-win main event saw the 2025 Marshalltown Speedway track champion become the first repeat winner in event history while scoring his first DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the 2026 season. Originally from Pahrump, Nevada, and now calling Waterloo, Iowa home, Hibdon delivered a commanding performance from the outset. Hibdon rocketed to the lead on the initial start and never relinquished command, even through a string of cautions that repeatedly reset the field. Austin Kuehl and Adam Hommerding battled for second through multiple restarts while Jake Pike — the 2019 DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region Rookie of the Year — joined the fray in the early going. Dalton Houghton, a two-time Mohave Valley track champion, entered the picture after the halfway mark, working the bottom to climb into second on lap 15. Kuehl and Houghton exchanged [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through February 12, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 2. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 3. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 274; 4. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 5. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 7. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 8. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 225; 9. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 10. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 201; 11. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179; 12. Tate Johnson, Homestead, Montana, 170; 13. Bart Taylor, Sheridan, Wyoming, and Jeremy Richey, Gold Hill, Oregon, both 169; 15. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Washington, 163; 16. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, and Jesse Patterson, Marana, Ariz., both 153; 18. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 19. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 151; 20. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 147. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 478; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 418; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 341; 4. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 285; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 280; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 262; [Read More]

Racine Thompson Takes the Reins at Eagle Raceway

By Ben Deatherage EAGLE, Neb. (Feb. 12, 2026) — Eagle Raceway, long known as “America’s Home Track,” has officially been passed down to the next generation of the Hadan family, as Racine Thompson has been named the new promoter of the famed Nebraska 1/3-mile oval. Roger Hadan, who has owned Eagle Raceway since 2007 after leasing and promoting the facility in 2006, formally handed over day-to-day leadership to his daughter with the goal of continuing the track’s long-standing success and family legacy. Racetrack promotion runs deep in the Hadan family. Roger’s grandfather, Albert Hadan, built the historic Sunset Speedway in Omaha, embedding the sport into the family’s foundation. With a desire to ensure racing remains strong in Eagle for years to come, the transition to Racine represents both continuity and evolution. Thompson has spent her entire adult life at the raceway. Since her parents took over operations, she has worked in virtually every role imaginable at the facility. “When my parents purchased the track in 2007, I’ve worked there since then,” Thompson said. “I started off [Read More]