News Archives

Brendon LaBatte: From the Gridiron to the Dirt

By Ben Deatherage WEYBURN, Sask. (Aug. 12, 2026) — The airplane lifts away, its engine growing quieter until eventually there is nothing left but the water, the wilderness and silence. Brendon LaBatte stands on a dock hundreds of miles into northern Saskatchewan. There are no roads leading back to civilization. No help waiting around the corner. For someone who spent 14 seasons battling 300-pound linemen in the Canadian Football League and now wrestles a homebuilt Sunoco IMCA Stock Car around dirt tracks on both sides of the border, even this can get the adrenaline flowing. “It’s such a different feeling when that plane takes off and you’re left standing there on the dock,” LaBatte said. “I’ve been out there all alone and you think, ‘Oh man, I’m really doing this.’ It’s always a rush and an adventure.” Competition and adventure have been constants throughout LaBatte’s life. The Weyburn native went from racing as a teenager to becoming the sixth overall selection in the 2008 CFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before [Read More]

Super Nationals Pre-Entries Hit 1,000 for Fifth Consecutive Year

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 26, 2026) — For the fifth consecutive year, pre-entries for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s have reached the 1,000 mark as another massive gathering of IMCA competitors prepares to descend on Boone Speedway. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified driver Chevy Hadan of Washington, Neb., became the 1,000th driver to register for the 44th annual event, scheduled Sept. 5-12. The milestone continues a remarkable run of four-figure participation at America’s Racin’ Vacation. Super Nationals first reached 1,000 pre-entries in 2022 and has surpassed that mark every year since. Competitors from 31 states, three Canadian provinces, and two Australian states are already represented on the 2026 entry list. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars lead the way with 300 entries, with Bryan Snell of Coon Rapids becoming the division’s 300th registrant. They are followed by 240 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, 169 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, 155 Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, 76 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, and 58 Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites. The Modified field includes competitors from 26 states [Read More]

Harris Auto Racing Open House Returns Sept. 10 During Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 25, 2026) — Harris Auto Racing will once again open its doors to the racing community during America’s Racin’ Vacation, hosting its annual Open House from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at its Boone facility. Located at 1775 219th Lane, the Harris Auto Racing facility will give visitors an opportunity to go behind the scenes, tour the shop, meet team members, and get an up-close look at the company’s 2027 chassis. Harris will have its latest chassis on display during the Open House, giving racers an opportunity to check out what is available for the 2027 season and talk directly with Harris representatives. Special promotional deals on select bumpers and kits will also be available during the event. A free lunch will be served during the Open House. The event coincides with the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at nearby Boone Speedway, making the Open House a convenient stop for race teams and fans already in Boone. Visitors can learn more about Harris chassis for Modifieds, [Read More]

More Than $90,000 in Contingency Awards Up for Grabs at Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 20, 2026) — More than $90,000 in contingency awards will be up for grabs when hundreds of IMCA competitors converge on Boone Speedway for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Competitors in all seven divisions will chase product, product certificates, gift cards, cash bonuses, and other awards throughout America’s Racin’ Vacation, Sept. 5-12. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will all be part of the contingency program. Dozens of companies from throughout the motorsports industry have contributed to this year’s program, including Abilene Race Rads, AERO Race Wheels, AFCO, Allstar Performance, AutoMeter, Bassett, BHE, Brinn Transmission, BSB Manufacturing, Champ Pans, Coleman Racing Products, CPT Racing Manufacturing, Dominator Race Products, Dynamic Drivelines, Edelbrock, Eibach, EngineQuest, Fast Shafts, Finishline Racing Products, Harris Auto Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hyperco, Integra Racing Shocks, Intercomp, Jaz Products, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, Justice Brothers, Kevko Racing, Kirkey [Read More]

Robles Prevails in Stock Cars at Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 22, 2026) — Kenneth Robles of Rio Vista won the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway after a spirited battle with point leader Fred Ryland. Dave Hill of San Francisco led the opening lap before Robles used an inside pass on the backstretch to take command. His father, Jason Robles of Rio Vista, went low in turn four to take second from Hill. Ryland began working his way forward, making an outside pass on Hill for third before going high in turn two on lap six to take second from Jason Robles. A yellow flag later that lap regrouped the field with Kenneth Robles leading Ryland and Jason Robles. Robles and Ryland pulled away from the pack as Ryland repeatedly looked to the inside. A low move in turn four on lap 12 gave Ryland momentum, and the two crossed the start/finish line in a dead heat. Moments later, Ryland lost power in turn two, ending his challenge for the win. Kenneth Robles led [Read More]

Eckblad Emerges From Arlington Stock Car Battle

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 22, 2026) — Three different drivers took turns out front before Daniel Eckblad emerged from a wild 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature Saturday night at Arlington Raceway. Matt Speckman led the opening circuits as Ryan Bjerkeset and A.J. Zimmerman joined him in three-wide racing near the front. Bjerkeset moved into the lead on lap three before Speckman regained the advantage two laps later. A caution gave Speckman another opportunity out front, with Bjerkeset and Tim Pessek joining him in side-by-side racing around the track. The race was stopped near halfway when Brent Uecker’s car experienced a small fire. Bjerkeset took advantage of the ensuing restart to regain the lead, but Eckblad was making his way forward from the 11th starting position. The St. Peter driver hugged the bottom of the track to work his way into the top spot, then held off the competition over the final six laps to take the checkered flag. It was Eckblad’s second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, with both [Read More]

Super Nationals Registration Due Aug. 28 to Race in Prelude

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 25, 2026) — Drivers planning to compete in the NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude must be registered for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s by noon Central time Friday, Aug. 28. Competitors who register for Super Nationals after the deadline will not be eligible to compete in the Sept. 5-6 Prelude at Boone Speedway. Before registering, competitors must first purchase an IMCA license for every division in which they intend to compete. Drivers should then register for Super Nationals on MyRacePass. Entries will be confirmed in the order they are received, with car numbers assigned based on confirmation order. The 12th annual Prelude features two full days of racing, giving competitors one final opportunity to compete at Boone before Super Nationals officially gets underway. The unique Double Down format has become a staple of Prelude weekend, rewarding more drivers while helping accommodate the tremendous car counts that continue to define the event. Should any division exceed 100 entries, competitors will once again be split into twin [Read More]

Herrera Strikes Late while Olson Secures Benton County SportMod Crown

By Christine Rublack VINTON, Iowa (Aug. 23, 2026) — Kyle Olson, Ben Chapman and Tony Olson entered championship night at Benton County Speedway locked in a close battle for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod track title, but it was Price, Utah’s Payce Herrera who came away with the feature victory. Austin Kemp took the early lead with Brady Hilmer running second while Herrera began working the high groove. Behind them, Kyle and Tony Olson raced side-by-side as the championship battle continued to unfold. A late caution bunched the field and gave Herrera his opportunity. He took advantage of the high groove to move into the lead and stayed there through the checkered flag. The victory was Herrera’s 13th of the 2026 season and his first of the year at Benton County. Kemp finished second, Tony Olson was third, Kyle Olson took fourth, and Brady Hilmer completed the top five. Olson’s fourth-place finish was enough to secure the Benton County Speedway track championship. Wroten Breaks Points Tie With Benton County Championship Leah Wroten and Joren Fisher [Read More]

Ronnebaum Reaches 100 Wins at Goodland Raceway

By Sheldon Wickwar GOODLAND, Kan. (Aug. 23, 2026) — Nick Ronnebaum reached a career milestone Sunday at Goodland Raceway, scoring his 100th career Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock victory one night after Brayden Hilzer prevailed in a close Saturday night battle. Bingston Rogers led Sunday’s feature early while Ronnebaum quickly charged forward from his ninth starting position. Ronnebaum reached second by lap three and worked past Rogers for the lead on lap four. A caution later that circuit bunched the field, but Ronnebaum sailed away on the restart and never looked back, taking the checkered flag for his 15th B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season. Mitchell Fischer charged nine positions to finish second and earn hard charger honors. Nick Tubbs finished third in his return to racing after a four-year hiatus, Aiden Miller was fourth, and Ted Trumbo completed the top five. Saturday’s feature saw Hilzer and Levi Jones start from the front row, with Hilzer establishing the early advantage. Fischer and Trent Matson joined the battle during the second half of the race, [Read More]

Feature

Smith Charges From 30th to SportMod Victory at Boone

By Jane Burd BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 22, 2026) — Mike Smith turned a back-row challenge into a trip to victory lane Saturday night at Boone Speedway, charging from 30th starting to win the 20-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Smith, from Lake City, was originally scheduled to start on the pole but accepted a back-row challenge offered by Johnathon Logue and instead lined up last in the 30-car field. Randy Havlik appeared headed for victory lane before Smith completed his charge through the field and powered past him for the lead on lap 18. Smith stayed in front the rest of the way for his 14th victory of the season and fifth at Boone Speedway. Havlik settled for second, Dusty Masolini was third, and Will Wolf advanced 10 positions to finish fourth. Gage Hilgenberg rounded out the top five. Will Smith Wins Hobby Stock Battle Will Smith and Corey VanDerwilt battled throughout the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature, with lapped traffic adding another element to their fight for the lead. Smith, also from Lake [Read More]