News Archives

$30,000 Awaits Race for Hope 71 Winner at Batesville

By Ben Deatherage BATESVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 17, 2026) — One of the richest Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified events of the entire season returns to Batesville Motor Speedway Sept. 30-Oct. 3 with First Community Bank’s 10th annual Race for Hope 71 presented by IMCA TV. The four-day event culminates with a 71-lap championship feature paying $30,000 to win, while a deep purse will reward competitors throughout the field. The runner-up will earn $12,500, with $11,500 going to third, $11,250 to fourth, and $11,000 to fifth. Sixth through ninth pay $10,800, $10,600, $10,400, and $10,200, respectively, while the 10th-place finisher will still collect $10,000. The payout continues with $6,000 for 11th and $3,000 for 12th. Positions 13th through 17th pay $2,000, $1,900, $1,800, $1,700, and $1,600, respectively, with every starter finishing 18th through 30th earning $1,500. In addition to the $30,000 payday, the Race for Hope 71 will serve as a qualifying event for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt [Read More]

Jordan Page Memorial Winter Nationals Brings IMCA Action to Southern Oklahoma Oct. 1-3

By Ben Deatherage ARDMORE, Okla. (Sept. 16, 2026) — Three IMCA divisions will converge on Southern Oklahoma Speedway Oct. 1-3 for the 22nd annual Jordan Page Memorial Winter Nationals. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will be on tap during the three-day event, which begins with practice Thursday before two nights of racing Friday and Saturday. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified finale pays $2,500 to win and $250 to start, while Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods race for $1,500 to win and $200 to start. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will compete for $1,000 to win and $150 to start. There will also be added incentives for the Modified and Stock Car winners. The Modified winner will be added to the eligibility list for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the event during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Stock Car winner will likewise be added to the eligibility list for the 2027 B&B Racing [Read More]

Water Restrictions Bring Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway Season to Early End

By Suzan McCoy CORTEZ, Colo. (Sept. 16, 2026) — The remainder of the 2026 racing season at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway has been canceled due to ongoing water restrictions affecting Montezuma County and surrounding areas. Track officials said the decision was made after irrigation restrictions and the shutdown of area wellheads left the facility without enough available water to properly prepare and maintain the racing surface. Continuing to race under those conditions would not allow the speedway to provide a properly prepared or safe racing surface. “We are very disappointed that we had to make this decision, but we have to comply with the water restrictions that are in place throughout the county and surrounding areas,” co-promoter Joe Bellm said. “We sincerely apologize to our racers, crews and fans, and we are extremely grateful and thankful that we were able to complete six of our scheduled eight races this season.” The six completed events will stand as the official 2026 racing season at Cortez Fairgrounds Speedway. Points accumulated during those events will determine the track and IMCA [Read More]

$10,000 Awaits Stock Car Winner at Batesville’s Mid-America Championship

By Ben Deatherage LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Sept. 16, 2026) — A $10,000 payday and an automatic berth in the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational are on the line when Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars headline the 31st annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship at Batesville Motor Speedway. The three-day event runs Sept. 17-19 at the Locust Grove oval, with Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds also on the program all three nights. The Mid-America Championship culminates with a 50-lap Stock Car finale Saturday night, paying $10,000 to win and $800 to start the 25-car field. The runner-up earns $5,000, third pays $2,500, fourth $1,250 and fifth $1,000. In addition to the winner’s share of the purse, Saturday night’s Stock Car champion will automatically qualify for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. The entry fee is $150 per class. Fans unable to attend can watch all three nights live on IMCA TV, where America comes to watch racing. Additional [Read More]

Keslie Richards: Four Generations of Racers and One Historic First

By Ben Deatherage MONTELLO, Wis. (Sept. 16, 2026) — By the time the lights came on at Eagle River Speedway, 14-year-old Keslie Richards had already spent most of her life preparing for a moment she didn’t know was coming. She had grown up in race shops and race cars. At six, she learned to drive on a makeshift track built from tires at home while her father raced with her on a four-wheeler. At eight came Junior Sprints. At 12, she climbed into a full-sized race car. Now, in her first season behind the wheel of a Sunoco IMCA Stock Car, Richards found herself competing regularly against some of Wisconsin’s toughest Stock Car drivers. On July 28, everything came together. Richards finished second in her heat race and knew she had a fast car. In the feature, she saw the leader make a mistake. When another opportunity presented itself, the 14-year-old was ready. She capitalized, drove to her first career IMCA Stock Car feature victory and became the first female driver to win an IMCA Stock [Read More]

Hibdon Holds Off Laney for First Modified Super Nationals Title

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 12, 2026) — Kollin Hibdon controlled the early stages, withstood a serious challenge from Cody Laney, and pulled away late to capture his first Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified championship during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway, collecting $10,000 for the victory. The 40-lap Big Dance began three-wide, with Hibdon jumping to the lead on the opening circuit. Last year’s Harris Clash winner and the 2026 IMCA TV Clash on the Coast champion Ethan Braaksma stayed close in second, but Hibdon, the defending Marshalltown Speedway track champion, kept him at bay before the first caution came out on lap five. Hibdon rocketed away on the restart as Izac Mallicoat began stalking the leader along the bottom. Hibdon was able to create some separation before another caution on lap eight. Mallicoat again found speed on the bottom following the restart, but Hibdon was just a little better up top and maintained control. Cody Laney moved into second on lap 12 aboard the Janssen Fabrication-owned No. 5L. [Read More]

McBirnie Makes History With Back-to-Back Stock Car Super Nationals Crowns

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 12, 2026) — Boone, Iowa’s Jake McBirnie made his move with six laps remaining and drove away to become just the third driver in Sunoco IMCA Stock Car history to win back-to-back championships during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway, collecting $8,000 for the victory. The 30-lap Big Dance began three-wide, with 2024 141 Speedway track champion Cole Czarneski and two-time defending Benton County Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod track champion Kyle Olson battling for the early advantage. Olson won the race to the line to lead the opening circuit before a caution came out. Texan Cameron Starry bolted into the lead out of turn two on the restart. The 2026 IMCA TV Winter Nationals and 2024 Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion began to pull away with Czarneski in tow as the pair separated themselves from the rest of the field. A caution on lap 15 erased their advantage and gave the field another opportunity. Defending National champion and 2024 Super Nationals winner [Read More]

Van Wyk Outduels Armstrong and Sachau for First SportMod Super Nationals Crown

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 12, 2026) — Dylan Van Wyk battled Adam Armstrong and two-time defending champion Jake Sachau before pulling away late to capture his first Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship Saturday at Boone Speedway. The Oskaloosa, Iowa, driver collected $5,000 for winning the 30-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod Big Dance. Van Wyk grabbed the lead from the three-wide start and paced the opening circuit before Armstrong moved to the front on lap two. The Nebraska driver, a 2016 Harris Clash and 2023 Spring Nationals winner, began to pull away with Van Wyk as the pair separated themselves from the field. Sachau entered the fight, first challenging for second before turning his attention toward Armstrong. Van Wyk responded in a big way. The two-time defending CJ Speedway track champion and 2025 34 Raceway track champion rocketed past Sachau and Armstrong in turn four to reclaim the lead on lap six. Armstrong stayed after Van Wyk and appeared to regain the top spot just before a caution came out [Read More]

Smith Strikes for First Hobby Stock Super Nationals Crown

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 12, 2026) — Seventeen-year-old Will Smith regained the lead following a late restart and drove away to his first career Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship Saturday at Boone Speedway. The Lake City, Iowa, driver collected $3,000 for winning the 30-lap Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock Big Dance, while Joren Fisher from Garrison added his first Stephenville Starter Race of Champions victory later in the program. The three-wide start saw Jason Kohl, Smith, and Tristan Grape immediately battle for control, with Kohl winning the race to the line on the opening circuit. The two-time Shelby County Speedway track champion, Kohl, secured the top spot and began to pull away before Smith tracked him down. Smith completed the pass for the lead on lap five, just before the first caution of the race. Another yellow followed on lap six, and three-time defending U.S. 30 Speedway track champion Grape went to work on the top shelf when racing resumed. The Nebraska driver powered into the lead before another caution on [Read More]

McBirnie Steals Thriller and Rust Rules Friday Stock Car Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 11, 2026) — Jake McBirnie went from third to first in a wild final-lap scramble, while Joel Rust controlled the second qualifier Friday during Sunoco IMCA Stock Car qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Two 25-lap qualifiers determined eight starting spots in the outside lane of Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers from each locking themselves into the championship event. After a caution on the initial start, Reid Keller emerged with the lead on the opening circuit of the first qualifier. Matthew West began challenging Keller on lap three and won the race back to the line to take command. West tried to pull away, but Kyle Everts began tracking him down using the top of the speedway. Everts completed the move on lap seven and began to establish himself out front before a caution on lap nine erased his advantage. Everts continued to master the top shelf through cautions on laps 12 and 16, along with a red flag on the frontstretch [Read More]