Feature Archives

Braydon Whitfield: Chasing Dreams on the Ground and in the Sky

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (July 28, 2026) — Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity. For Braydon Whitfield, it was a race car sitting idle in the family shop. Three years later, the Casa Grande driver is the reigning Arizona State champion in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and the owner of his first career IMCA feature victory—a breakthrough that carried far more meaning than another trip to victory lane. Whitfield scored that first win on April 17 at Central Arizona Raceway, just five days after the passing of his great-grandfather, Roy. “I was happy to have most of my family there to watch me get it,” Whitfield said. “To be there together after everything that had happened was pretty cool.” The victory became both a celebration and a tribute. Just months after claiming a state championship in only his second full season, Whitfield had added another milestone to what has become one of Arizona’s fastest-rising racing careers. Braydon Whitfield (center) celebrates his first career Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature victory in [Read More]

Feature

McBirnie Rallies Late for Boone Salute to Veterans Tour Victory

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (July 25, 2026) — Jake McBirnie battled past early leader Chaz Baca Jr. following a pair of late cautions to win Saturday night’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, closing out the three-night Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts at Boone Speedway. Baca controlled the opening 20 laps while fending off challenges from McBirnie and Cole Czarneski before trouble struck on lap 21 when Czarneski lost power and was collected by Trevor Fitz, bringing out the first caution of the race. A second yellow followed shortly after when Jeremy Mills spun following contact with Owen Barnhill. McBirnie capitalized on the ensuing restart, taking command and racing away to the victory. Joel Rust charged from 16th to finish second, Baca settled for third, Ronn Lauritzen advanced from 21st to fourth to earn hard charger honors, and Todd Shute completed the top five. The Boone driver earned his third Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season, including his second at Boone Speedway. The feature also served as a [Read More]

Maupin Charges to STIMS Victory at Cotton Bowl Speedway

By Nick Robbins PAIGE, Texas (July 25, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts returned to Cotton Bowl Speedway, where 19 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for the 20-lap main event. A hard-fought battle for the lead triggered the race’s biggest incident, and it was the driver who started sixth who was left standing at the end. DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One was won by Cody Leonard, Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two went to Johnny Torres, and 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three was captured by Cody Tidwell. Torres carried his heat win into the feature and jumped to the point from the inside of the front row, with Leonard alongside him and Tidwell in tow. The first caution flew on lap three for a tangle involving John Owens, Wyatt Bruce, and Brandon Sanderson, and the field slowed again on lap eight when Talon Minten got out of shape. Both incidents allowed the field to bunch back up behind Torres. The night’s turning point came on lap [Read More]

Sunoco Bonus Bucks Winners Recognized During July Late Model Events

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — Three Sunoco IMCA Late Model competitors collected Sunoco Bonus Bucks awards during a busy month of July, while additional contingency prizes were awarded at sanctioned events across Nebraska. The scheduled July 18 Sunoco Bonus Bucks event at 34 Raceway was postponed because of inclement weather and has been rescheduled for Aug. 1. The program resumed July 23 at US 30 Speedway, where Zach Zeitner of Bellevue, Nebraska, raced to the feature victory. Having already claimed a Sunoco Bonus Bucks award earlier this season, the Bonus Bucks certificate rolled to runner-up Tyler Iverson of Albion. Drew Baker charged from 16th to third, while Andy Eickhoff finished fourth and Jody Krug rounded out the top five. Zeitner received the Wehrs Machine & Racing Products award, Eickhoff earned the Brinn Transmission certificate, Baker collected the Kevko Racing Oil Pan and Justice Brothers Hard Charger awards, Jody Krug claimed the Stakt Products quarter panel award, and Jordan Krug earned the PEM Racing gear set certificate as the 10th-place finisher. One night [Read More]

Busy Summer Stretch Adds 16 Drivers to B&B All-Star Stock Car Invitational Eligibility

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — Late June and July competition added 16 new drivers to the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car eligibility list for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, while already eligible drivers continued to add to their qualifying win totals. Summer racing reached full stride with touring series, marquee specials, and weekly programs producing qualifying events throughout the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern and Southern regions. Drivers become eligible by winning Speedway Motors IMCA-sanctioned events paying $1,000 or more to win, earning the opportunity to qualify for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway. Drivers winning qualifying events paying $5,000 or more receive automatic starting positions in the invitational. Already eligible drivers continued to add to their qualifying win totals throughout late June and July. Braden Richards earned another qualifier during the June 29 Midwest Madness Tour event at Clay County Fair Speedway, while Curt Lund followed with a Midwest Madness Tour victory [Read More]

July Qualifiers Expand Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational Eligibility List

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — The Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational eligibility list continued to grow throughout July as several drivers secured their first qualifying victories of the season. Already-eligible competitors also remained busy, collecting additional qualifying wins at major specials, touring events, and weekly races across all five IMCA Modified regions. Drivers become eligible by winning IMCA-sanctioned events paying $1,000 or more to win, earning a place on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September at Boone Speedway. Already eligible drivers continued to add to their qualifying totals throughout late June and July. Tom Berry Jr. collected four victories during the Dakota Classic Modified Tour, winning July 5 at Nodak Speedway, July 6 at Estevan Motor Speedway, and July 8-9 at Dacotah Speedway to increase his season total to six. Cole Czarneski added victories during the tour at Jamestown Speedway on July 10 and with the Salute To Veterans Tour at [Read More]

RaceSaver Nationals Set for Sept. 3-6 With $14,000 on the Line; 2025 Finale Makeup to Open Weekend

By Ben Deatherage EAGLE, Neb. (July 27, 2026) — The 14th annual RaceSaver Nationals returns to Eagle Raceway over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-6, and it’s shaping up to be another unforgettable edition. With a total purse exceeding $150,000, the weekend culminates in Sunday’s RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car championship feature, paying $14,000 to win and $1,700 to start. A dramatic 27-car, three-wide grid will once again launch into battle for one of grassroots racing’s most prestigious prizes. RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car competitors from across the country will converge on Eagle Raceway for four days of competition and entertainment. The weekend begins Thursday with an open practice session, pre-tech inspection, and RaceJugs Race of Champions qualifying. Also on Thursday’s schedule is the completion of the postponed 2025 RaceSaver Nationals championship feature following practice. After the on-track action, fans and teams can kick off the weekend with a DJ, karaoke contest, and the opening night of the Melon Bar. Friday and Saturday feature complete RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car qualifying programs, with the top nine finishers from each night’s [Read More]

Night of 1,000 Stars Returns to Hancock County Speedway With $6,250 Top Prize on Aug. 14

By Ben Deatherage BRITT, Iowa (July 27, 2026) — One of Iowa’s longest-running Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified specials returns to Hancock County Speedway on Friday, Aug. 14, as the Night of 1,000 Stars offers competitors the chance to race for a possible $6,250 payday. The feature purse exceeds $13,000, with the winner taking home as much as $6,250 and every starter guaranteed at least $250. The 50-lap feature will include a mandatory pit stop at lap 25, returning the event to its original Night of 1,000 Stars format. Designed to reward racers while keeping costs low, the event features free entry for all IMCA Modified competitors. The Night of 1,000 Stars also serves as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2026 invitational, held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be in action as Hancock County Speedway closes out its 2026 racing season. [Read More]

Nodak Speedway’s All-Stars of August Memorial Specials Return Aug. 9 and 16

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (July 27, 2026) — Four memorial races honoring individuals who helped shape racing at Nodak Speedway highlight the second annual All-Stars of August specials, returning to the Playground of Power at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds for two consecutive Sundays on Aug. 9 and 16. Each night of racing begins at 7 p.m., with the featured memorial events paying $2,000 to win. The opening program on Aug. 9 features the Ole Olson Memorial for Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and the John Gaule Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The following Aug. 16, the spotlight shifts to the Monte Lundy Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and the Bonnie Beeter Memorial for Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. Unlike last season, when the four memorial races were spread across four separate weekends, this year’s schedule brings all four events together over two consecutive Saturdays, creating a pair of marquee nights for racers and fans. The Monte Lundy Memorial is a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, with the winner earning eligibility to attempt [Read More]

Southern SportMod Super Nationals Returns to Kennedale Speedway Park Sept. 10-12

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (July 27, 2026) — The premier event for the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods returns this fall as Kennedale Speedway Park hosts the Summit Racing Equipment IMCA Southern SportMod Super Nationals, highlighted by a $5,000-to-win, $500-to-start championship feature on Saturday, Sept. 12. The multi-day event offers competitors multiple opportunities to race for big money, with one driver capable of collecting $7,000 by sweeping all three marquee features. The action begins Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Photos By Mike Frieri Prelude, paying $1,000 to win. The Prelude winner will earn a guaranteed starting position in the Southern SportMod All-Star Race. Because the 2026 All-Star Tour was rained out, eligibility for the All-Star Race has been expanded. Any IMCA Southern SportMod driver who competes in the Prelude at KSP, as well as any driver who has won an IMCA Southern SportMod-sanctioned event during the 2026 season, will be eligible to compete for a spot in the no-entry-fee, $1,000-to-win, $100-to-start All-Star Race. The Super Nationals weekend resumes Thursday, Sept. 10, with an open [Read More]