Sprint Car Archives

Jim ‘Cowboy’ Kennedy: A Life Remembered

By Ben Deatherage EVERETT, Pa. (Apr. 21, 2026) — RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racer Jim “Cowboy” Kennedy never needed much to go racing — just a car, a wrench, and a reason to keep going. For nearly seven decades, the Pennsylvania native carved out a place in sprint car racing that few could ever match, continuing to compete well into his 90s before his passing on April 2 at the age of 91. But long before the tributes, the Hall of Famer had already told his story — in conversations with reporters, at racetracks, and in the quiet, in-between moments that defined a life spent chasing the next green flag. A Life That Spanned Generations Kennedy was born on August 7, 1934, into a world far different than the one he would come to know behind the wheel of a Sprint Car. The United States was deep in the Great Depression, with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the early years of his first term, working to steady a nation searching for its footing as parts of [Read More]

The Midnight Rider Strikes Again as McLain Holds Off Miller in CST Thriller at Friendship

By Evan McCrory ELKIN, N.C. (Apr. 18, 2026) — A scorching April afternoon set the stage in the valleys of North Carolina as 16 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars rolled into Friendship Motor Speedway for the Carolina Sprint Tour’s first appearance at the facility since 2021. The night opened with Radical Race Gear hot laps, where Pennsylvania’s Trevor Gach continued his early-season speed streak. Piloting the Carber Racing entry, Gach topped the charts for the second consecutive event with a blistering lap of 15.186 seconds. Heat race action proved eventful. Matthew Wall went for a tumble in turn three, bringing a collective pause from the crowd—fortunately, he emerged unharmed. In another incident, Robert Tyler and Ben McCall made contact entering turn one, collecting Gach in the process. When the dust settled, George Loux and Greg Smyre claimed heat race victories. Following a redraw of the top eight, Jake McLain and Robert Tyler led the field to green for the 25-lap, $1,000-to-win main event. McLain wasted no time asserting control, charging to the lead through the opening corners [Read More]

Brown on Top of His Game at Delaware Int’l MASS Event

By Pete Wortman DELMAR, Del. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Dave Brown Jr. of Aston, Pennsylvania took top honors Saturday night at Delaware International Speedway by capturing his first MASS victory of the young season. Brown outlasted defending champion Troy Betts in the 25-lap feature with the DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade. It was Brown’s 13th career MASS victory, tying him for second on the all-time win list for the series. Brown drew the pole during the redraw and took full advantage, grabbing the early lead at the start while Betts wasted no time giving chase. Betts pressured Brown in the opening laps, with Brown slowly opening up a five-car-length advantage. Meanwhile, behind the leaders, heat winner Ryan Stillwaggon was on the move, battling with D.J. Tanner and last week’s winner Tim Iulg for third. The trio raced three-wide multiple times in a thrilling fight that lasted several laps. By halfway, Tanner secured the position, with Iulg in pursuit and Stillwaggon fending off a hard-charging Aiden Borden. At that point, Brown [Read More]

Humblet First on Dirt at Natural Bridge with VSS

By Jim Haines NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Chris Humblet has won a number of Virginia Sprint Series asphalt events, but on Saturday he picked up his first dirt track victory when the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car series rolled into Natural Bridge Speedway. Heat races on the warm, sunny spring evening kicked off the program with Jerald Harris and Humblet taking wins. In the feature, Daren Bolac and Matt Mullins led the field to green, with Bolac jumping out front and Mullins right with him. Jerald Harris and Humblet followed closely behind in the early laps. Mullins soon worked his way into the lead as Humblet advanced to third, while Harris held position just behind them. Mullins continued to pace the field as Humblet moved into second and began to close the gap. As the laps wound down, Humblet reeled in Mullins and made his move, taking the lead with just a few circuits remaining. Mullins adjusted his line in an attempt to fight back, but Humblet stayed strong to the waving checkered flag. [Read More]

Laney Charges Late to $2,000 Eagle Icebreaker Modified Victory

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 18, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds closed out the final night of the Icebreaker Challenge at Eagle Raceway on Saturday with $2,000 on the line. Josh Most led early, followed by Jared Eckrich and Jace Whitt, while Cody Laney quickly moved into contention and climbed to second by lap four. A series of restarts shuffled the running order as Jaxon Saathoff and Jordan Grabouski entered the mix. Laney and Saathoff traded the runner-up position before Laney powered to the lead with eight laps remaining. Behind him, Grabouski and Shawn Harker battled for position as the laps wound down. Laney held strong over the closing circuits to secure the win, followed by Most, Saathoff, Grabouski, and Harker. It was Laney’s second victory of the season and his first in the Jet Racing Central Region. The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier to be ran at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Torrance, California native is already on the eligibility list to [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 16, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 585; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 481; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 399; 4. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 392; 5. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 381; 6. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 357; 7. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 343; 8. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 336; 9. Trevor Egbert, Belton, Texas, 333; 10. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 11. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 12. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 298; 13. Greg Hopkins, Repton, Alabama, 287; 14. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 282; 15. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 16. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 17. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 19. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 20. Mark Carrell, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 263. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 714; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 592; 3. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]

Bittner Opens Clinton County Season with Victory

MILL HALL, Pa. (Apr. 12, 2026) — Timmy Bittner of nearby Beech Creek thrilled the hometown crowd by claiming the season opener for the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at Clinton County Speedway. Polesitter John Braim of Turbotville took the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Jacob Gamola of Seneca moving into second. Sixth-place starter Timmy Bittner quickly worked his way into second by the completion of lap two. By lap 10, Braim was leading Bittner, Gamola, Josh Fox of State College, and Ryan Lynn of Hollidaysburg. As Braim encountered lapped traffic, he was able to stretch his advantage over Bittner by a few car lengths. In the laps that followed, Bittner reeled him back in, searching for an opportunity to make a move. On lap 19, that chance came when Braim bobbled in turn two, allowing Bittner to charge underneath and take the lead as the leaders worked through traffic. With a few laps remaining, a caution flag waved, giving Bittner a clear track but also setting up a restart for Braim to [Read More]

Iulg Stellar in MASS Opener at Bridgeport

By Pete Wortman SWEDESBORO, N.J. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Tim Iulg of Bridgeton, New Jersey, opened the 10th anniversary season of the DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade on a winning note by capturing the 25-lap A-Main on Saturday night at Bridgeport Speedway. Iulg withstood a late-race restart with just two laps remaining to defeat defending MASS champion Troy Betts by 0.568 seconds. Iulg and series rookie Tyler Grau brought the 20-car field to the start, with Iulg jumping out in front to pace the field. Eddie Wagner wasted no time getting by Grau and quickly took up the chase. While Iulg slowly expanded his lead, several battles were being waged behind the duo, including Troy Betts pressuring Grau for third. Betts finally bested Grau for the spot exiting turn two and set his sights on Wagner. Lapped traffic was now coming into play as the race neared the halfway point, and Iulg’s once comfortable advantage shrunk to just two car lengths. Betts successfully made another inside move work in turn [Read More]

Spahr On Rails at Hub City Oval to Win at Hagerstown

By Jim Haines HAGERSTOWN, Md. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Logan Spahr had his car like it was on rails at Hagerstown Speedway Saturday, showing speed all night long by sweeping his heat and staying strong through the feature to take his first win of the season. Thirty-nine RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars signed in for the event, co-sanctioned by the Virginia Sprint Series, Pennsylvania Sprint Series, and the Laurel Highlands Sprint Series. Logan Spahr and Ryan Lynn paced the field to green, with Spahr jumping out front as Jeff Miller and Mike Melair quickly closed in. Kenny Heffner, Ryan Lynn, and Ken Duke Jr. were all part of the lead pack early. Spahr continued to lead with Miller staying close while Melair worked his way into second as the field shuffled for position behind them. After a yellow for a spin and a stalled car, the action resumed with Donnie Hendershot showing speed as he moved into second and set his sights on Spahr. Hendershot closed the gap but ran out of laps as Spahr raced under [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 9, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 510; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 402; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 399; 4. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 357; 5. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 324; 6. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 7. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 306; 8. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 9. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 298; 10. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 287; 11. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 282; 12. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 13. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 14. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 16. Trevor Egbert, Belton, Texas, 267; 17. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 18. Mark Carrell, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 263; 19. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 262; 20. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 260. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 635; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 3. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 529; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]