Mallicoat Holds Off Thornton and Laney Charges to Modified Qualifier Wins
By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) — Izac Mallicoat withstood repeated challenges from Dylan Thornton, while Cody Laney charged from 13th and made a late move to win as Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified qualifying got underway at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Two 25-lap qualifiers set the inside lane for Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers in each earning locked-in starting spots. Kansas’ Ryan Richeimer led the opening circuit of the first qualifier before a caution came out on lap two. Mallicoat took advantage when racing resumed, moving to the point on lap three and beginning to distance himself from the field. Thornton moved into second on lap seven. The three-division Super Nationals winner and 2026 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion began trying to erase Mallicoat’s advantage before a caution on lap 10. Mallicoat was strong on the restart, and another caution came on lap 14. Thornton stayed with the leader when racing resumed but was not quite in position to make a move. A lap 20 caution [Read More]
