Sprint Car Archives

Room and Banquet Reservation Deadlines Approaching

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Nov. 10, 2026) — With the 2026 IMCA National Awards Banquet quickly approaching on Saturday, Nov. 28, attendees are reminded that the deadline to make hotel room reservations at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Neb., is Friday, Nov. 13. Rooms are filling quickly, and those planning to attend are encouraged to secure their accommodations before the deadline. Banquet tickets must also be purchased by noon CST on Friday, Nov. 20. Tickets are available through the National Banquet page at www.imca.com/banquet. The annual celebration will recognize IMCA National, Regional, State, track and Special Series champions, along with Rookie of the Year honorees from the 2026 racing season. The evening begins with cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Formal attire is required. The Champions Reception will take place Friday, Nov. 27, from 6-9 p.m. at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed in Lincoln.

Keen on Consistency, Highway 10 Traveler Taves Tops Rookie Points for Sprint Cars

By Bill Martin DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (Oct. 29, 2026) – When the race season started, Matthew Taves might have seemed like a longshot in the running for national IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car rookie of the year. His incredible on-track consistency, however, would make him a lock for the award. The 15-year-old from Detroit Lakes, Minn., won two features and finished in the top five in all but one of just 17 starts, while earning the track championship at Buffalo River Speedway. “It was pretty exciting to run up front, finish so consistently almost every night and to win a couple features,” said the Detroit Lakes High School sophomore. “We’d raced lightning sprints for four years before. RaceSaver Sprint Cars are a lot bigger, and it was nice going from no power steering to power steering, and we enjoyed racing against different people. There’s a lot of good competition that we got to race with weekly.” After starting the season on Memorial Day at Sheyenne Speedway, Taves started traveling west on Highway 10 to make seven starts [Read More]

Southwestern RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car Series Set to Expand Racing in 2027

VINTON, Iowa (Aug. 13, 2026) — RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racing continues to gain momentum in the West, and that growth will accelerate in 2027 with the formation of the new Southwestern RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car Series. The new series will feature a 15-race schedule from March through November at three tracks: Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif., Barona Speedway in Lakeside, Calif., and Mohave Valley Raceway in Mohave Valley, Ariz. The Southwestern series adds another exciting chapter to the continued expansion of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racing in the region. It follows the announcement of the California RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car Series, which will compete at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, Kings Speedway in Hanford, Merced Speedway, Santa Maria Speedway, Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare and Watsonville Speedway. Together, the two series will bring RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car competition to nine tracks, creating additional opportunities for drivers and strengthening the future of affordable Sprint Car racing throughout California and the Southwest. The idea for the Southwestern series developed following the enthusiastic response to the [Read More]

RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars announce new safety and age requirements for 2027

ELKHORN, Neb. — Driver safety will take center stage in 2027 as RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars introduce new safety equipment requirements and age restrictions designed to provide additional protection for younger competitors. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, all drivers under the age of 18 competing in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car division will be required to wear an SFI-approved head and neck restraint system. The new requirement strengthens the division’s commitment to driver safety and ensures that younger competitors have an additional level of protection whenever they take to the track. Along with the new safety equipment requirement, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars will implement an additional age restriction based on track size. While drivers must be at least 14 years old to purchase a RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car license and compete in sanctioned events, beginning in 2027, drivers must be at least 16 years old to compete on tracks measuring one-half mile or larger. The new age restriction is the result of insurance requirements affecting younger drivers competing on larger racing surfaces. The change was necessary to [Read More]

Goos Claims Third Straight RaceSaver Sprint Car National Championship

By Ben Deatherage HARTFORD, S.D. (Oct. 22, 2026) — Lee Goos Jr. continued his championship run in 2026, capturing his third consecutive RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car national championship after another season of success across the Midwest. The 47-year-old Hartford, S.D., driver finished 44 points ahead in the national standings while adding his second South Dakota State championship. He also collected track championships at Huset’s Speedway and I-90 Speedway in South Dakota and Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota. The Huset’s and Jackson titles were his second at each facility, while his I-90 championship was his fifth overall and fourth consecutive. “This definitely feels great. The first one is always the most exciting, but being able to back it up is really gratifying,” Goos said. “This year was great with Rapid Speedway getting sanctioned and Jackson adding some races on Thursdays this year, giving us more opportunities to gain points. It’s still never easy winning a national championship, especially with the high car counts around our area.” Goos became one of nine drivers in IMCA history to win at [Read More]

Rush County Speedway Closes Inaugural IMCA Season with Last Call Classic Oct. 23-24

By William Nusser LA CROSSE, Kan. (Oct. 13, 2026) — Rush County Speedway will close its first full Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season with the Last Call Classic, a two-night event scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, at The Bullring on the Rush County Fairgrounds. The event features United Rebel Sprint Series (URSS) competitors alongside Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The weekend offers $1,500 to win for both Modifieds and Stock Cars, $1,000 for the URSS, and $750 for Northern SportMods. The weekend will serve as qualifiers for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. Winners of the main events will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for their respective invitationals at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. “The season isn’t over yet,” promoter William Nusser said. “One more weekend. One last shot under the lights. This is last call at The Bullring for 2026 — and we see Last Call Classic becoming [Read More]

Gould Returns to Modified Throne; Five First-Time National Champions Crowned

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 14, 2026) — The 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season crowned five first-time National champions while a collection of familiar names added to already impressive championship resumes across the nine divisions. William Gould returned to the top of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified ranks for the first time in 13 years, Zach Zeitner captured his second straight Sunoco IMCA Late Model National championship, Lee Goos Jr. earned his third consecutive RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car crown, and Dillon Raffurty continued his unprecedented run with a sixth straight Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite title. John Oliver Jr., Coy Vlies, Nicholas Ronnebaum, Trevor Cogburn, and Johnny Thomas completed the championship lineup, with each earning his first career National championship in 2026. Gould, of Calera, Okla., captured his second career Modified National championship and first since 2013, winning the title by 14 points aboard the Kerry Fryer Motorsports No. 60. The veteran also captured his ninth GRT Race Cars South Central Region championship and third consecutive Regional crown. Gould continued his run of [Read More]

Official 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 1,002; 4. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 999; 5. Rod [Read More]

Harris Outruns the Rain for Virginia Sprint Series Victory at Shenandoah

By Jim Haines SHENANDOAH, Va. (Oct. 10, 2026) — With threatening weather approaching, Jerald Harris proved quickest of all Saturday afternoon, racing to victory in the Virginia Sprint Series RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature at Shenandoah Speedway. Promoter Chris Lilly moved the entire program to an 11:30 a.m. start in an effort to complete the event before the weather arrived. Following a brief warmup for all divisions, features got underway, with the Virginia Sprint Series fourth on the program as raindrops began falling around the speedway. Aaron Leach and Caleb Harris paced the field to green, with Leach taking the early advantage. Behind him, Jerald Harris and Chris Humblet quickly worked their way forward in pursuit of the leader, while Matthew Leach advanced to fourth. Aaron Leach remained in command until lap 10, when a right rear tire puncture forced him to the infield and handed the lead to Harris. Harris remained smooth out front as Humblet kept him in sight. Matthew Leach ran third, with Caleb Harris and Matt Mullins also battling among the top [Read More]

Unofficial 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Points become official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 12. Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, [Read More]