Newswire

Joel Magee: Collecting Toys and Checkered Flags

By Ben Deatherage PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Mar. 9, 2026) — Inside hotel ballrooms and convention halls across America, Joel Magee can often be found leaning over a folding table with a magnifying glass in hand, carefully studying a toy that might be decades old. A faded lunchbox, a worn toy car, or a well-loved action figure could all hold stories — and sometimes surprising value. For the past several decades, collectors have brought their treasures to Magee hoping to learn what they’re worth. To many in the collecting world, he’s known simply as “The Toy Scout.” But when the appraisal tables close and the lights go down, Magee trades vintage toys for something much louder — the rumble of a race car engine. The Sioux City, Iowa native is also the driver of a Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock, and at 64 years old, he’s chasing checkered flags with the same enthusiasm he brings to tracking down rare collectibles. And in 2026, he’s already off to a strong start. Winter Champion, Summer Contender Magee opened the [Read More]

Al Buschelman: A Life Remembered

By Ben Deatherage GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (Mar. 10, 2026) — Dirt-track racing in southwestern Wyoming didn’t simply appear overnight. Tracks were carved from open ground, racecars were built in home garages, and entire racing programs grew from the efforts of volunteers who believed in the sport. Few individuals embodied that spirit more than Allen “Al” Buschelman — racer, builder, community servant, and longtime IMCA official whose influence helped shape generations of racing across the region. Buschelman passed away Sunday, March 8, at age 88 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. For decades he was a familiar figure at Wyoming racetracks, whether behind the wheel of a racecar, operating heavy equipment, or helping guide the sport as an IMCA regional director. Those who knew him remember a man who loved fast cars, valued hard work, and cared deeply about the people around him. From Nebraska Roots to a Life in Wyoming Al Buschelman was born in Crofton, Nebraska. He attended high school in Crofton and grew up in a rural environment that emphasized hard work and [Read More]

Johnson Avenges Opening Night Flip with Round Two SportMod Victory in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2026) — Following a prolific 2025 season at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway across various Stock Car classes, Nicholas Johnson took on the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods in 2026. His season opener in February ended on his lid, but he quickly regained his form at the one-third-mile dirt track on Saturday during March Madness with a coveted comeback victory. Johnson dominated his heat race, then lined up third for the 25-lap feature alongside his brother Ethan. Ethan jumped ahead at the start with Nicholas sliding into second. Following a crash in turn one on the opening lap, Nicholas Johnson used the restart to take over the lead on the second lap. Johnson dominated the rest of the feature to score his first Bakersfield SportMod win. Tate Lofts drove from eighth to second, with Chris McKellar, 2024 champion Jason Bannister, and Alyssa Smith rounding out the top five. 2023 and 2024 Bakersfield Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified champion Gavyn Manning returned to the top step of the podium, winning the [Read More]

Leoffler Wins Wild Carolina Sprint Tour Season Opener

By Evan McCrory GASTONIA, N.C. (Mar. 6, 2026) — It was a beautiful early March evening in North Carolina and a perfect time to kick off the 2026 season for the Carolina Sprint Tour presented by GSR Chassis at Carolina Speedway. A strong field of 20 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars signed in for the event, featuring former series champions, past winners, regular contenders still searching for their first victory, and three rookies eager to make their mark on the series. When the green flag waved in the feature, Jeff Oliver immediately jumped to the lead heading into turn one and began setting the pace for the field. Just one lap into the race, Matthew Wall pulled into the pits with fueling issues. The race’s biggest moment came on lap eight. While navigating around the slower car of Patrick Bateman, Oliver was also trying to hold off the hard-charging Connor Leoffler. Contact occurred when Oliver rode over Bateman’s left rear tire, sending the leader into a frightening end-over-end flip down the front straightaway. Oliver’s car came to [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through March 5, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 2. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 3. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 4. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 5. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 6. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 7. William Gould, Calera, Okla., and Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, both 253; 9. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 247; 10. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 241; 11. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 12. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 232; 13. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 14. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 212; 15. Spencer Hughes, Meridian, Mississippi, 193; 16. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 189; 17. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 182; 18. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179; 19. Jesse Patterson, Marana, Ariz., 176; 20. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 174. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 2. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 558; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 4. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 5. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 6. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 389; [Read More]

Frostbuster Week Set to Launch Iowa IMCA Season April 1–4

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 3, 2026) — The traditional opening swing of the Iowa IMCA season returns as Frostbuster Week brings four Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions to four tracks in four consecutive nights of racing, April 1–4. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will each compete for $1,000 to win nightly, while Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks race for $500 top prizes at every stop. The 2026 Frostbuster schedule opens Wednesday, April 1 at Stuart Speedway, followed by Thursday, April 2 at Independence Motor Speedway. Marshalltown Speedway hosts the third night on Friday, April 3, with the finale set for Saturday, April 4 at Boone Speedway. Series champions will receive the largest shares of a $1,000 point fund and earn eligibility for Race of Champions events at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Modified and Stock Car feature winners throughout the week will qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, respectively. Stuart [Read More]

Heart O’ Texas Speedway Joins IMCA TV Broadcast Lineup in 2026

By Ben Deatherage WACO, Texas (Mar. 2, 2026) — Heart O’ Texas Speedway is headed to IMCA TV, joining a growing catalog of tracks that showcase weekly competition and marquee events from the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program. The 1/4-mile Waco oval will now stream its IMCA-sanctioned action to fans across the country, bringing the intensity of its weekly battles to a broader audience. The 2026 season opens March 6 with the Jack Bagby Memorial and concludes with championship night on August 28. A total of 27 nights of weekly racing are scheduled throughout the campaign. Heart O’ Texas Speedway sanctions weekly competition for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods — three divisions with deep roots at the facility. IMCA Modified competition at Heart O’ Texas dates back to 1995, when Paul White earned the first championship. Over the years, the division has featured several multi-time track champions, led by Keith White, who captured six championships between 2009 and 2015. Kevin Green has also been [Read More]

Braaksma, Vandermark Jr., Smith Rise to the Top at IMCA TV Clash On The Coast

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 2, 2026) — The 4th annual IMCA TV Clash On The Coast returned to the Gulf Coast with four nights of competition split between Blackwater Speedway in Baker, Florida, and Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Alabama. Blackwater, formerly Northwest Florida Speedway, has hosted the tour each year since its inception, while Deep South joined the rotation for the second straight season. All three divisions crowned champions after tightly contested four-race title battles, with a different winner in each class on every night of competition. A total of 74 drivers competed in Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified action during the week. Newton, Iowa’s Ethan Braaksma wrapped up the Modified title by 12 points in the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111. The two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion, former IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion, and reigning Harris Clash winner never fell outside the top five all week, stacking one win, three podium finishes, and a perfect four-for-four mark inside the top five to seal the championship. His best night came [Read More]

Brown Credited with SportMod Season Opener Victory at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods took to the track for their 20-lap main event during the season opener at Marysville Raceway. Shannon Barton was on point tonight and led the early part of the race. Phil Marino then emerged as the new challenger and took the lead. Chasing Marino late in the race was Dan Brown Jr., who tried his best to run him down. At the checkered flag, Marino was the first to cross the start-finish line. However, during a post-race inspection, Marino was docked for failing tech. This gave the win to Brown, his first of the year. It was an impressive win considering Brown started sixth. Barton was moved into the second spot. Marino was scored in the third spot. Mike Merritt was fourth and Jeff Bentancourt was fifth. The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate NorCal Speed. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99 per month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the [Read More]

Hartwick Dominates IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Finale at Deep South

By Ben Deatherage LOXLEY, Ala. (Feb. 28, 2026) — Spencer Hartwick captured the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on championship night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Deep South Speedway. The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — placing Hartwick on the eligibility list to attempt qualification. After an opening-start caution, Hartwick surged to the lead and set the pace while two-time IMCA Modified National champion and Tuesday winner Chaz Baca Jr. applied early pressure. Bo Slay joined the mix as the top three separated themselves from the field. A pair of mid-race cautions threatened to tighten the battle, but the Quitman, Arkansas pilot was flawless on each restart and pulled away late to secure his first win of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region and his first career Clash On The Coast series triumph — making it four different Modified winners in four nights. Baca finished second, former Arizona [Read More]