Northern SportMod Archives

Karl Kustoms Named National Title Sponsor of IMCA Modifieds and Northern SportMods

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 22, 2026) — IMCA is proud to announce Karl Kustoms as the new national title sponsor of IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Northern SportMods, strengthening a long-standing relationship between the company and IMCA racing. Since their introduction in 1979, IMCA Modifieds have grown into the largest division of race cars in the United States. Known for fierce competition and unmistakable open-wheel design, the class continues to showcase many of the nation’s top racers at dirt tracks before standing-room-only crowds from coast to coast and border to border. Originating in 2005, the IMCA Northern SportMods have seen steady growth as tracks across the country look for a class that allows budget-minded drivers to get on, and stay on, the racetrack. The division has become a staple at a growing number of weekly racing facilities, valued for its affordability and competitive racing. A longtime supporter of IMCA racing, Karl Kustoms has been actively involved in the sport through sponsorship of tracks, events, and racing programs across the Midwest and beyond. That continued commitment [Read More]

Thornton Wins Modified Thriller on Night Two of IMCA TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 22, 2026) — Dylan Thornton, calling Belle Plaine, Iowa home these days, continued his Winter Nationals dominance with a dramatic victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the second night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident scored his fourth career Modified Winter Nationals series win, his second straight of the 2026 event, and his second consecutive victory in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, took command on the opening start before an early caution regrouped the field. Two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. quickly emerged as his primary challenger, stalking Thornton through multiple restarts and long green-flag stretches. After a caution on lap 10, Thornton briefly brushed the wall on lap 13, allowing Baca to close the gap and set up a fierce side-by-side battle that featured multiple slider exchanges [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through January 21, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 153; 2. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 3. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 138; 4. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 134; 5. Chris Morris, Thorndale, Texas, and Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, both 132; 7. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 128; 8. Spencer Hartwick, Rose Bud, Arkansas, 126; 9. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 125; 10. William Gould, Calera, Okla., and Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, both 119; 12. Brenda Kirby, Thorndale, Texas, 113; 13. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 104; 14. Ryan Doyon, Castroville, Texas, 97; 15. Rick Green, Bertram, Texas, and Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, both 90; 17. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 86; 18. Robert Liese Jr., Schertz, Texas, 61; 19. Cody Tidwell, Georgetown, Texas, 52; 20. Rickey Talley, Adkins, Texas, 51. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 215; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 183; 3. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 140; 4. Mason Martin, Kaufman, Texas, 139; 5. Beau Collins, Savoy, Texas, and Doug Holzmeister, Colby, Kan., both 136; 7. Cody Leonard, Sinton, [Read More]

Thornton Controls IMCA TV Winter Nationals Modified Opening Night Feature

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Dylan Thornton turned in a commanding performance Wednesday night at Central Arizona Raceway in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds during the opening night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. Zane DeVilbiss, a two-time IMCA Modified National champion, grabbed the lead on the opening lap before an early caution slowed the pace. On the restart, multi-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton mounted a strong challenge, but a yellow flew before the pass could be completed. Thornton officially took control during the ensuing restart on lap six and began to stretch his advantage, navigating traffic efficiently. Behind him, two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. and Brandon Beckendorf waged a hard-fought battle for fourth around the halfway mark. Thornton, who started third, checked out during the long green-flag run and never looked back on his way to his third career Winter Nationals victory in the Modified division and his first [Read More]

Beatrice Spring Nationals Set for March 12–14

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Jan. 20, 2026) — Beatrice Speedway will kick off the 2026 racing season with the 33rd annual Spring Nationals, a three-day Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing event scheduled for March 12–14 at the Gage County Fairgrounds. IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will all compete during the Spring Nationals weekend. The event opens Thursday, March 12, with an open practice session. Pits will open at 5 p.m., with on-track practice scheduled from 6–9 p.m. Pit passes will be $25, and grandstand admission will be free. Friday night’s program will feature a $2,000-to-win IMCA Modified main event paying $150 to start. IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods will each race for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, while IMCA Hobby Stocks will compete for $700 to win and $80 to start. Saturday night raises the stakes with IMCA Modifieds racing for $2,500 to win and $200 to start. IMCA Stock Cars will pay $1,500 to win [Read More]

Lee County Speedway Under New Leadership; To Crown Five IMCA Champions in ’26

By Ben Deatherage DONNELLSON, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2026) — Lee County Speedway will return to Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing on Friday nights in 2026 under new promoter Darin Weisinger, featuring five sanctioned divisions that will crown track champions. The weekly lineup will include IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. A 15-race schedule is currently planned at the historic 3/8-mile oval beginning April 24, with the first point-paying event set for May 1 and the final night for points on August 21. Drivers will earn track, Iowa State, and national points in all divisions. In addition, Razor Chassis North Central Region points will be awarded to IMCA Modifieds, while EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points will be on the line for Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Weisinger enters his first season promoting Lee County Speedway after spending several years in Illinois as a track manager. “This is a new venture for me at Lee County, and I’m excited,” said Weisinger. “I’ve been around [Read More]

XS Power Batteries returns its support to IMCA for 2026

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – XS Power Batteries returns to IMCA with contingencies and product for the IMCA points season and the IMCA Super Nationals. The XS Power Batteries team has partnered with IMCA to provide free shipping on all orders when using the promo code “IMCA” at check out. Top 10 finishers in national point standings for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods all receive $100 product certificates from the Knoxville, Tenn., company. Rookies of the year in the same divisions, plus the Junior National Champion and Lady Eagle winner all receive S3400 12V racing batteries. Those awards will be presented during the IMCA national banquet this fall. First non-qualifiers for Modified, Stock Car, Hobby Stock and Northern SportMod main events at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s also receive S3400 12V racing batteries. Information about XS-branded batteries is available by calling 865 688-5953, on Facebook and at 4xspower.com.

Moser Makes Most of 2025 Opportunities with Four IMCA Track and Tour Championships

By Bill Martin THORNTON, Colo. (Jan. 19, 2026) – By making the most of his opportunities, Ryan Moser made his way into the IMCA history book. Winner of three of just 13 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod starts close to home in 2025, the Thornton, Colorado, hotshoe finished no worse than fifth in any of those outings. That consistency translated into a quartet of championships, track crowns at I-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan and Phillips County Raceway in Holyoke, and in both the Colorado Alliance Tour and the Great Plains IMCA Tour. Two-division star and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car National champion Kelly Shryock, and fellow Northern SportMod speedster Colton Blankenship were the only other drivers with four local crowns to their credit in 2025. “We usually get around 20 nights in, but it seemed like we had a lot of rainouts. Still, everything kind of just worked out,” said Moser, agreeing that the stars and all the circumstances aligned in his favor. Ryan Moser raced to a rare accomplishment, winning four local championships – two track [Read More]

SR Promotions to Host Six Races at West Liberty in ’26; Add Stock Cars to Davenport

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 13, 2026) — SR Promotions will bring Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing back to West Liberty Raceway in 2026 with six race dates, while also expanding the weekly lineup at Davenport Speedway with the addition of Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. West Liberty will host IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods on a roughly once-a-month schedule. All events will be sanctioned and will pay Iowa State and National points, along with Razor Chassis North Central Region points for Modifieds and EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points for Stock Cars. Race dates at West Liberty Raceway are scheduled for Saturday, April 11; Wednesday, June 16; Wednesday, July 15; Saturday, September 5; and a two-day finale on Friday and Saturday, October 23-24. “Usually it’s just a fair race that we have sanctioned, but this year we’re able to do quite a bit more,” said promoter Jeff Struck, who enters his third year promoting at Davenport. “The West Liberty fair race on July 15 will have extra money [Read More]

IMCA Outlines Contingency Form Requirement Ahead of 2026 Season

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 6, 2026) — With the 2026 racing season approaching, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is reminding competitors that completion of the official Contingency Form is required to qualify for contingency awards and manufacturer-supported benefits. IMCA’s contingency programs are built around long-standing partnerships with manufacturers and sponsors who support drivers throughout the season. Completing the Contingency Form ensures that this support is properly directed to eligible competitors based on their on-track performance. Available at www.imca.com/contingencies, the form allows IMCA to properly link drivers with participating sponsors and register competitors for reward programs offered throughout the season. Drivers who complete the form are eligible for contingency awards tied to on-track performance across all Speedway Motors IMCA-sanctioned divisions. Completing the Contingency Form is a simple process: IMCA’s contingency structure plays an important role in recognizing driver performance while reinforcing long-standing relationships with industry partners. Participation by competitors helps maintain and grow programs that provide meaningful benefits both during and beyond race night. Drivers with questions or needing assistance can contact Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com.