Feature Archives

Anthony Davis: Signals, Service, and a Return to Racing

By Ben Deatherage ESSEX, Iowa (Apr. 3, 2026) — Before the racetrack, before the roar of engines and the rhythm of laps, Anthony Davis was a 19-year-old soldier deployed to Afghanistan, surrounded by steep mountain ranges, dust-covered valleys, and isolated outposts in a world few ever truly understand. One week in, and he was in the middle of nowhere with an explosive ordnance disposal unit, watching controlled detonations rip through the silence. The next, he was inside a forward operating base taking mortar fire. Then, just as quickly, he was sitting down with members of the Afghan National Army, sharing a meal and planning the next mission. “It was unreal,” Davis said. “I had no idea what I was doing at first. It was a culture shock, but at the same time, it was an amazing experience.” As a satellite communications specialist, Davis had a role that placed him at the center of everything. “I had the coolest job,” he said. “I got to go on every mission, be part of everything that was happening.” Those [Read More]

All-Star Shootout Returns for 2026 With Increased Payouts and All-Star Qualifiers Each Night

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 2, 2026) — Bigger paydays and a full slate of All-Star qualifying opportunities headline the return of the All-Star Shootout, which brings four consecutive nights of racing across Oklahoma and Texas from May 21 through May 24. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will again anchor the tour, with increased payouts across all three divisions. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win and $125 to start each night, while Stock Cars and Southern SportMods will compete for $1,000 to win and $100 to start. All four nights of the tour will serve as Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifiers, giving drivers multiple opportunities to add their names to the eligibility lists ahead of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. The 2026 tour opens Thursday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Friday, May 22 at Grayson County Speedway in Bells. The series then heads to [Read More]

Smith Scores First Career Carolina Sprint Tour Victory at Lavonia Speedway

By Evan McCrory LAVONIA, Ga. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Carolina Sprint Tour presented by GSR Chassis made its lone appearance in the Peach State Saturday night, bringing 18 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars to Lavonia Speedway for an action-packed program. Ontario, Canada’s Josh Shantz and Floridan Robbie Smith—making just his second weekend start with the series—led the field to green. Smith wasted no time asserting himself, grabbing the lead in the opening corners and quickly establishing control out front. A lap three incident involving George Loux and Dillan Baldwin brought out the first caution, though both drivers were able to continue. On the restart, Smith once again pulled away from Shantz and the rest of the field. The race’s second caution came on lap 20 when Ben McCall spun in front of the leaders. Another stoppage with two laps remaining, involving Chris Humblet, set up a dramatic finish. On the ensuing restart, Trevor Gach went over the wheel of another car and flipped in turn four. Gach was uninjured. On the final restart, Smith remained composed [Read More]

Schwien Stuns Field with Last-Corner Pass in Sport Compact Thriller at RPM’s Sunflower Classic

By Sheldon Wickwar HAYS, Kan. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts delivered one of the races of the night on the final night of the 14th Annual Sunflower Classic at RPM Speedway, with their 15-lap feature kicking off with Kiowa Higdon and Makennon Sanders on the front row. Early trouble for both drivers opened the door for Johnny Thomas and Connor Schwien to charge forward. A thrilling three-car battle developed between Schwien, J.D. Renfro, and Thomas, with the trio swapping positions in the closing laps. Schwien made a bold move in the final corner to steal the win and secure his first victory of 2026. Russell’s Schwien took the win, followed by Cheyenne, Wyoming’s J.D. Renfro in second and Beatrice, Nebraska’s Johnny Thomas in third. Kyle Mortensen finished fourth, with Gage Porter rounding out the top five. Schwien also earned hard charger honors, gaining 14 spots on his way to victory lane. Kiowa Higdon, Johnny Thomas, and Kaishen Brack each picked up heat race wins. Friday night’s feature was won by Johnny Thomas, [Read More]

Taylor Takes Batesville Stock Car Victory at Wimp Reed Memorial Arkansas Spring Nationals

By Ben Deatherage LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Mar. 28, 2026) — Peyton Taylor capitalized on early misfortune and never looked back in winning the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature at the Wimp Reed Memorial Arkansas Spring Nationals. The 25-lap, $1,500-to-win main event served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, placing Taylor on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify. Taylor assumed command just a few laps into the race after early leader Curtis Cook, who had grabbed the point on the opening circuit from the bottom, suffered mechanical issues and was forced to retire. Once out front, Taylor — wheeling the Cadillac Chassis house car no. 11T for car owner Jack Sullivan — quickly built a sizeable advantage. Behind him, a spirited battle for second developed between 2024 Natural State Nationals winner Hayden Linn and T.J. Herndon, the winner of the final night of the 2024 Arkansas Spring Nationals. Herndon initially secured the runner-up spot before a caution [Read More]

King Holds Strong at Watsonville for First SportMod Triumph

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 27, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods brought a fantastic 24-car field to Watsonville Speedway on Friday. Pismo Beach driver Landon King rocketed out to the early lead in the 20-lap finale. Bakersfield’s Nicholas Johnson was on the move right from the get-go and assumed the runner-up spot on lap eight. Johnson applied pressure to King and seemed to have the speed to win, but got into a spin seven circuits shy of the finish to draw a caution. King, who cut his teeth in Outlaw Karts, went on to tally his first Watsonville Speedway IMCA Northern SportMod triumph. Following King across the stripe were Ethan Johnson, Jason Bannister, Danny Wagner, and Buddy Kniss. The Watsonville Speedway debut of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars saw the main event go right down to the wire. A solid field of 16 IMCA Stock Cars came out and provided some excellent action in their finale. Atwater racer Mike Villanueva ended up leading all 20 laps, but he certainly had to work [Read More]

19 Drivers on B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational Eligibility List Ahead of April Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 30, 2026) — A strong run of early season events and a productive finish to the 2025 campaign have already produced 19 Sunoco IMCA Stock Car drivers eligible to attempt to qualify for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. Drivers become eligible by winning sanctioned events paying $1,000 or more to win, earning the opportunity to attempt to qualify for the invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway. Winners of IMCA-sanctioned events paying $5,000 or more are guaranteed starting positions. Cameron Starry leads all drivers with nine qualifier victories, highlighted by five wins during the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway in January, as well as a sweep of Ice Breaker events at Abilene Speedway in February. He also won the first two nights of the Sparkling City Classic at the South Texas Race Ranch in December. Shelby Williams has also put together a strong resume, winning the final three nights of the Texas Showdown at [Read More]

45 Drivers on Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational Eligibility List Ahead of April Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 30, 2026) — A fast start to the 2026 season, combined with a strong finish to last year’s fall slate, has already produced 45 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified drivers eligible to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. All drivers who win IMCA Modified features paying $1,000 or more to win are added to the eligibility list, giving them the opportunity to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway. Dylan Thornton led all drivers with four qualifier victories, winning all four features during the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway in January. Chaz Baca Jr. has recorded three qualifier wins, capturing two IMCA TV Winter Nationals features at Central Arizona Raceway and adding an IMCA TV Clash On The Coast victory at Blackwater Speedway in February. Jordan Grabouski, Ethan Braaksma, Jacob Pirkle, Troy Morris III, and Steven Whiteaker Jr. have each earned multiple qualifier [Read More]

Sunoco IMCA Late Model Bonus Money Nights Return for 2026 Season

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 30, 2026) — Sunoco IMCA Late Model drivers will once again have added incentive to chase checkered flags this season, as the 2026 Bonus Money Nights program returns with a 15-race slate across Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The program rewards the highest eligible finisher at each event with a $300 bonus, along with a Sunoco fuel jug, a Sunoco hat, and a Sunoco IMCA door panel trophy. To ensure a wide range of competitors share in the rewards, drivers can only earn the bonus once per season, guaranteeing 15 different recipients over the course of the schedule. In addition to the bonus payout, several contingency certificates will be distributed each night from IMCA sponsors, recognizing performances such as top-five finishes, hard charger efforts, and hard luck recipients. These include a certificate from Penske Racing Shocks and a right rear quarter panel from STAKT Products. The 2026 schedule opens May 1 at Highway 39 Speedway in Denison, Iowa, and continues May 2 at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan. Lee [Read More]

Baby Blue Harcrow Memorial Returns April 24 with $3,000-to-Win Stock Car Showdown at HOT

By Ben Deatherage WACO, Texas (Mar. 25, 2026) — A cherished Central Texas tradition returns in a big way as the 7th Annual Baby Blue Harcrow Memorial roars back to life on April 24 at Heart O’ Texas Speedway, bringing with it one of the richest Sunoco IMCA Stock Car paydays in the Lone Star State. The special event comes during a milestone season for the Waco oval, which celebrates 60 years of racing in 2026, and once again honors the life and legacy of “Baby Blue” Harcrow. A $3,000 payday awaits the winner of the 25-car, $300-to-start feature, with additional bonuses including a $315 Brazos Roofing Hard Luck Award in tribute to Baby Blue’s iconic numbers 3 and 15, a $250 Hard Charger award, and a Fastest Lap bonus. The Baby Blue Harcrow Memorial will also serve as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. More than just a race, the event carries deep personal meaning [Read More]