Newswire

Burke Dominates Watsonville’s First Modified Race of 2026

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 3, 2026) — Past Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified track champion Cody Burke of Salinas led all 25 laps in the first race of the season for the division at Watsonville Speedway on Friday. Burke hit his marks down low each time and held off a relentless Andrew Pierce to earn his first win of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Pierce, Troy Foulger, Logan Drake, and Nick DeCarlo followed him across the line. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods put on a fantastic main event for the fans. With track conditions in superb shape, the 20-lapper saw multiple leaders and a finish that wasn’t decided until the very end. Kingsburg’s Todd Carlock led the early stages in his no. 7 mount before having a moment midway through the contest. The always-fast Jason Ryan Jr. then took over and led the second half of the race, as he, Bo Crebs, and Austin VanHoff battled intensely. Lapped traffic created a frantic finish that saw VanHoff take full advantage, picking [Read More]

Davenport Speedway Continues Quad Cities Racing Tradition

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Apr. 3, 2026) — When the green flag flies this month at Davenport Speedway, it will add another chapter to a tradition that began more than 100 years ago. The first official automobile race in Davenport was held July 12, 1901, at a one-mile horse track located on the present-day Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. The current fairgrounds track dates back to 1920, making it one of the oldest active sports facilities in the Quad Cities. Racing has been a constant in Davenport, with only two interruptions coming in 1943 and 1944, when the Department of Defense banned motorsports during World War II. While the facility has a rich history, it has also seen significant upgrades in recent years, including MUSCO lighting, updated fencing, a new concession building with suites, and a new scoreboard featuring a large video screen. The 2026 season marks the third year for promoter Jeff Struck and SR Promotions at the helm, with a schedule that spans a wide range of dirt track competition. The first green flag of [Read More]

El Paso County Raceway Opens Season April 4 With IMCA Action

By Suzan McCroy CALHAN, Colo. (Apr. 3, 2026) — Engines fire and dirt flies Saturday, April 4 as El Paso County Raceway opens its 2026 season with a full night of racing featuring four Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly divisions, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun. El Paso County Raceway will host 10 IMCA race nights this season, featuring Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Events will be held on a bi-weekly schedule from April through September. The Colorado Alliance Tour makes a special appearance Friday, July 17, when Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will join the program. Opening night will feature an earlier start time, with heat races at 4:00 p.m. and main events scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Standard start times for the season will be 5:00 p.m., but cooler evening temperatures prompted officials to move up the opener. “We aren’t afraid to race on Easter weekend,” said promoter Joe Bellm. “We know God understands our passion for racing — we can celebrate both.” Fans can [Read More]

MPI Continues IMCA Partnership, Awards Steering Wheels at Super Nationals and RaceSaver Nationals

By Ben Deatherage MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Apr. 3, 2026) — Max Papis Innovations (MPI) will continue its partnership with IMCA in 2026, bringing its racer-built steering wheel technology back to the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s while also awarding the top rookie at the RaceSaver Nationals. Founded in 2009 by Max Papis and his wife Tatiana Fittipaldi Papis, MPI is based in Mooresville, North Carolina, and has grown into a respected name in motorsports steering wheel design and manufacturing. Max Papis brings decades of experience behind the wheel, having competed at the highest levels of motorsports, including Formula 1. That extensive background helped shape MPI’s mission — to deliver state-of-the-art products designed by racers, for racers. Throughout his career, Papis collaborated with leading steering wheel manufacturers, building the knowledge and passion that ultimately led to the creation of MPI. Safety and construction remain at the forefront of MPI’s philosophy. Each product undergoes rigorous internal testing, including extreme torque structural evaluations and stress testing designed to simulate real-world racing impacts. These measures ensure durability and [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 2, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 473; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 362; 3. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 322; 4. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 319; 5. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 6. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 7. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 287; 8. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 9. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 10. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 12. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 13. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 262; 14. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 15. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 258; 16. Gavyn Manning, Bakersfield, Calif., and Cole Szlauko, Shell Beach, Calif., both 256; 18. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 248; 19. Markus Frazier, Santa Maria, Calif., 244; 20. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 241. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 598; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 3. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 491; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]

Anthony Davis: Signals, Service, and a Return to Racing

By Ben Deatherage ESSEX, Iowa (Apr. 3, 2026) — Before the racetrack, before the roar of engines and the rhythm of laps, Anthony Davis was a 19-year-old soldier deployed to Afghanistan, surrounded by steep mountain ranges, dust-covered valleys, and isolated outposts in a world few ever truly understand. One week in, and he was in the middle of nowhere with an explosive ordnance disposal unit, watching controlled detonations rip through the silence. The next, he was inside a forward operating base taking mortar fire. Then, just as quickly, he was sitting down with members of the Afghan National Army, sharing a meal and planning the next mission. “It was unreal,” Davis said. “I had no idea what I was doing at first. It was a culture shock, but at the same time, it was an amazing experience.” As a satellite communications specialist, Davis had a role that placed him at the center of everything. “I had the coolest job,” he said. “I got to go on every mission, be part of everything that was happening.” Those [Read More]

All-Star Shootout Returns for 2026 With Increased Payouts and All-Star Qualifiers Each Night

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 2, 2026) — Bigger paydays and a full slate of All-Star qualifying opportunities headline the return of the All-Star Shootout, which brings four consecutive nights of racing across Oklahoma and Texas from May 21 through May 24. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will again anchor the tour, with increased payouts across all three divisions. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win and $125 to start each night, while Stock Cars and Southern SportMods will compete for $1,000 to win and $100 to start. All four nights of the tour will serve as Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifiers, giving drivers multiple opportunities to add their names to the eligibility lists ahead of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. The 2026 tour opens Thursday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Friday, May 22 at Grayson County Speedway in Bells. The series then heads to [Read More]

Dodge City Raceway Park Ready For 2026 IMCA Weekly Schedule With Added Incentives

By Ben Deatherage DODGE CITY, Kan. (Apr. 2, 2026) — Dodge City Raceway Park is set for an exciting 2026 campaign, featuring nine nights of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing action from April 18 through September 26. Four divisions will headline the weekly program, including Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds presented by Turbine Bar & Grill, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars presented by O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods presented by Murphy Tractor, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks presented by Midas Brakes and Alignment. Track management is also introducing new incentives for competitors throughout the season. “If you haven’t raced with us at Dodge City, we want to welcome you down,” said Kyler Fetters. “If you’re a registered driver with DCRP, all driver pit passes are $20 all year long.” Fetters enters his fourth season as general manager of Dodge City Raceway Park and continues to build on the track’s strong foundation in IMCA competition. In addition, a new program rewards feature drivers. If a main event goes green to checkered without a caution, all drivers [Read More]

Danell Rallies Back for Thunderbowl Triumph with California 305 Sprint Series

By Brad Kennedy TULARE, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2026) — Conner Danell turned adversity into victory Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway, charging to his first California 305 Sprint Series win after rebounding from a violent crash just 24 hours earlier. The Visalia driver and his team thrashed overnight to repair his car following a nasty tumble during Friday heat race action. Starting third in Saturday’s 25-lap feature, Danell wasted no time getting to work, ripping the middle groove in the early laps to take control. Davey Pombo set the early pace, but a slip in turns one and two opened the door for Danell, who capitalized to take over the top spot. The two front-runners kept each other honest throughout the race. At one point, Danell stretched his advantage to a straightaway lead, but as the race reached the midway point, that margin began to shrink as Pombo mounted a furious charge. Pombo erased a 2.5-second deficit in just a handful of laps and made multiple bids for the lead, including a strong move to the inside [Read More]

Smith Scores First Career Carolina Sprint Tour Victory at Lavonia Speedway

By Evan McCrory LAVONIA, Ga. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Carolina Sprint Tour presented by GSR Chassis made its lone appearance in the Peach State Saturday night, bringing 18 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars to Lavonia Speedway for an action-packed program. Ontario, Canada’s Josh Shantz and Floridan Robbie Smith—making just his second weekend start with the series—led the field to green. Smith wasted no time asserting himself, grabbing the lead in the opening corners and quickly establishing control out front. A lap three incident involving George Loux and Dillan Baldwin brought out the first caution, though both drivers were able to continue. On the restart, Smith once again pulled away from Shantz and the rest of the field. The race’s second caution came on lap 20 when Ben McCall spun in front of the leaders. Another stoppage with two laps remaining, involving Chris Humblet, set up a dramatic finish. On the ensuing restart, Trevor Gach went over the wheel of another car and flipped in turn four. Gach was uninjured. On the final restart, Smith remained composed [Read More]