Feature Archives

Smith Dominates and Stanton Goes Flag-to-Flag in Hobby Stock Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) — Will Smith dominated the middle-lane qualifier, while Eric Stanton controlled the outside-lane contest as the second round of Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock qualifying was completed at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s on Wednesday. The two 25-lap qualifiers were originally scheduled for Tuesday but were pushed back by weather. The top eight finishers from each earned starting spots in Saturday’s Big Dance. 2019 track champion Aaron Rudolph led the opening lap before the first caution appeared with one circuit complete. Rudolph pulled away when racing resumed, but another caution on lap three brought the field back together. Smith made his move on lap five, taking command before another yellow two circuits later. The Lake City, Iowa, driver remained strong out front and reached the tail of the field on lap 11. Cautions on laps 18 and 20 erased Smith’s advantage, but neither restart slowed his charge. Smith, who started sixth, controlled the closing circuits to secure the victory and the pole position in the [Read More]

Armstrong Steals Win on Last Lap and Van Wyk Holds Off Sachau in SportMod Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) — Adam Armstrong capitalized on last-lap drama to capture a wild outside-lane qualifier Wednesday, while Dylan Van Wyk held off two-time defending champion Jake Sachau in the middle-lane qualifier as Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying continued at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The 25-lap middle-lane qualifier was completed Tuesday before weather halted the program. The outside-lane qualifier was pushed to Wednesday morning, with the top eight from each earning starting spots in Saturday’s Big Dance. Kansas’ Austin Carter, grabbed the early lead in the outside-lane qualifier while Hunter Poston and Armstrong fought for second. Armstrong, the 2019 Beatrice Speedway track champion and 2016 Harris Clash winner, secured the runner-up spot on lap six and quickly went after Carter. He worked his way ahead the following circuit, but a caution negated the pass and returned defending Kansas State champion Carter to the lead. Armstrong again challenged when racing resumed, but Carter kept him at bay. Cautions on laps 13 and 16 kept the field [Read More]

2026 Super Nationals

Rain Ends Tuesday Super Nationals Program; Racing Resumes Wednesday Morning

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 8, 2026) — Rain brought Tuesday’s racing at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s to an early end, with the remaining portion of the program scheduled to resume Wednesday morning at Boone Speedway. Racing will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday, beginning with the four remaining Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock heat races. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod A2 qualifier will follow, setting the outside lane for Saturday’s Big Dance, while the Hobby Stock A1 and A2 qualifiers will set the middle and outside lanes, respectively. All remaining SportMod and Hobby Stock B-mains and Last Chance Qualifiers have been canceled. B-main points will instead be awarded to drivers based on their starting positions. Once all qualifying features are completed and points have been awarded, the top six drivers in final Last Chance Qualifier points will automatically transfer into their respective Big Dance championship events on Saturday, Sept. 12. The scheduled Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact Big Dance was also canceled. Pit gates will open at 7 a.m. Wednesday, with [Read More]

Mackenthun Strikes on Final Lap at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 5, 2026) — Dan Mackenthun saved his best move for the final lap of Saturday’s Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature at Arlington Raceway, charging to the front in turns three and four for a dramatic victory. Dave Moriarty led from the front row through the opening three circuits before a loose tire in turn two brought out the yellow. Shaun Bruns took advantage of the restart and worked his way to the front on lap four, with Moriarty staying close behind. Meanwhile, Mackenthun was steadily making his way forward after starting ninth. The Hamburg driver reached the battle for the lead by lap eight and began pressuring Bruns, who successfully kept Mackenthun behind him as the laps wound down. Bruns remained out front entering the final circuit, but Mackenthun made his move in turns three and four. Mackenthun dove to the inside while Bruns worked the top, with Matt Looft and Dan Eckblad also joining the scramble. Mackenthun emerged from the four-car battle with the victory, his 10th EQ Cylinder [Read More]

Glover Grabs First Nationals Crown in Late Model Big Dance

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Runnells, Iowa’s Curtis Glover mastered traffic, restarts, and a stout field of challengers Monday night to capture his first career Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship in the 50-lap Sunoco IMCA Late Model Big Dance at Boone Speedway. The defending Iowa State and 34 Raceway track champion drew the Eibach Springs Pole Award during the Casey’s Redraw at the NAPA Fan Zone, putting the Cooney Motorsports No. 30 at the front of the field. Glover shot to the early lead, but a caution before the opening lap could be completed brought the field back together. Defending National champion Zach Zeitner of Nebraska went on the offensive on the restart and briefly got ahead of Glover, but Glover reclaimed the advantage before Zeitner could secure the position. While the two battled, Illinois racer Darin Weisinger Jr. capitalized and slipped into the lead on lap three. His stay out front was brief, however, as Glover charged back ahead the next time past the flag stand. Once [Read More]

Kirk Charges From 15th and Smith Dominates SportMod Super Nationals Qualifiers

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Willy Kirk charged from 15th to take the lead late in the second qualifier, while Mike Smith dominated the opener Monday during the first night of Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Both 25-lap qualifiers set positions in the inside column for Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers in each locking themselves into the championship feature. Tony Johnson jumped to the front at the start of the second qualifier and paced the opening circuits before 2024 Independence Motor Speedway track champion Cole Suckow began applying pressure. Suckow completed the pass for the lead on lap four and started to check out while a spirited battle developed for second. Jacob Tacheny eventually secured the runner-up position before a caution slowed the field on lap nine. Suckow again pulled away following the restart, but cautions just before the halfway point repeatedly brought the field back to him. Once an extended green flag run developed, [Read More]

Grape Times It Right and Kohl Charges to Hobby Stock Super Nationals Qualifier Wins

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Tristan Grape used lapped traffic to perfection in the closing circuits, while Jason Kohl took command after the halfway point to score victories during the opening night of Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The pair of 25-lap qualifiers set the inside column for the Big Dance, with the top four finishers from each earning starting spots. Ryan Fajman set the pace at the start of the second qualifier, leading the opening circuit before a caution slowed the field on lap three. The Nebraska racer, a two-time Boone County Raceway track champion, took off on the restart before another caution came on lap five. Fajman again got a strong start, but three-time defending U.S. 30 Speedway track champion Grape began tracking him down. Grape stayed within striking distance, but Fajman continued to keep the Bellwood, Neb., driver behind him. The leaders encountered lapped traffic with about 10 circuits remaining, giving Grape an opportunity to turn up the pressure. [Read More]

Danley Breaks Through for RaceSaver Nationals Crown at Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 6, 2026) — After years of trying, Joey Danley finally reached the top of the mountain at Eagle Raceway, capturing his first RaceSaver Nationals championship in Sunday night’s $14,000-to-win Big Dance. Danley took command with eight laps remaining in the 35-lap championship feature and survived late-race drama to secure the biggest victory of his career at the Nebraska oval. The win came in his 13th attempt at capturing the RaceSaver Nationals crown. Twenty-seven Sprint Cars lined up three-wide for the championship event, with Jake Bubak taking the early lead ahead of Tyler Drueke, Danley, and Brandon Horton. Drueke worked his way around Bubak on lap 10 to take command, while Danley remained in contention. Danley moved past Bubak for second on lap 22 and set his sights on Drueke. The battle for the $14,000 payday intensified as the laps wound down, and Danley made his move with eight circuits remaining to take the lead. Drueke remained in the hunt until three laps remained, when contact with the lapped car of [Read More]

Super Nationals Tuesday Start Moved Up With Threatening Weather in Forecast

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Tuesday’s racing program at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will get an earlier start as officials take a proactive approach to anticipated weather later in the day. Registration and the pit gates will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Following opening ceremonies, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact hot laps will begin at 10 a.m., with racing to follow. Moving the schedule forward will give officials the best opportunity to complete Tuesday’s entire program with rain forecasted in the evening. The day will feature the second night of qualifying for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The IMCA Sport Compacts will take center stage for their championship program, culminating with the Big Dance to determine the 2026 Super Nationals champion. Tuesday’s program will also include the Stephenville Starter Hobby Stock Race of Champions and the Pulse Racing Innovations/Dirt Defender Racing Products SportMod Race of Champions. All the action can be watched exclusively on IMCA.TV, where America comes to [Read More]

2026 Super Nationals