Hobby Stock News

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Belle Plaine, Iowa’s Dylan Thornton added another chapter to his dominant Winter Nationals run with a hard-fought victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the sixth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident earned his fourth win of the 2026 event, his fourth victory of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, and his sixth career Winter Nationals Modified triumph. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, jumped to the early lead from the bottom groove before 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion Brandon Beckendorf began applying pressure. Beckendorf took control on lap five and briefly stretched the advantage as the leaders navigated lapped traffic. A caution on lap 18 reset the field, and Thornton went to work on the outside, pulling alongside Beckendorf and completing the winning pass on lap 22. Beckendorf [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 28, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma from Newton, Iowa, captured his fourth career IMCA Modified Winter Nationals series victory with a hard-fought win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fifth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The defending Winter Nationals champion and two-time Dakota Classic Modified Tour titlist drove the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111 to victory, earning his first win of the 2026 campaign in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Braaksma jumped to the early lead at the drop of the green and immediately began setting the pace, while three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton moved into second and methodically began closing the gap. A strong battle developed behind them as Jonathan Mawhinney and reigning Marshalltown Speedway track champion Kollin Hibdon fought for third, with Hibdon eventually securing the position. Lapped traffic became a factor by lap 13, and Braaksma navigated [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 26, 2026) — The first week of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Dynamic Drivelines and Pitt Stop Motorsports at Central Arizona Raceway delivered an incredible start to the 2026 season in the Copper State, with more than 240 teams from across the United States and Canada making the journey to the 3/8-mile clay oval. The three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner from Belle Plaine, Iowa, Dylan Thornton, took care of business in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, winning the first three nights of competition. One of those victories came in dramatic fashion, as Thornton edged out Mesa native and two-time national champion Chaz Baca Jr. by just 0.021 seconds in the second night’s feature. Baca, the runner-up in that close finish and the 2024 Winter Nationals champion, rebounded to capture the final-night win of the opening week. Three-time IMCA Sprint Car Super Nationals winner Curt Lund of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, claimed the opening Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature before 2024 [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. scored his eighth career Winter Nationals series victory with a hard-fought win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fourth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The two-time IMCA National champion also earned his first win of the 2026 campaign in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. The Mesa motorist jumped to the early lead and quickly separated himself as the top three checked out from the field. Kevin Williamson, the reigning Western Region champion in the Superior Fuel Cells-fielded no. 42, and Joey Price, the 2018 Montana State titlist in the Shawn Zelenka-provided no. 11*, battled for position behind the leader as Baca began working lapped traffic on lap 12. Pressure mounted in the closing laps when reigning Winter Nationals champion Ethan Braaksma reeled Baca in as traffic tightened the racing groove. A caution on lap 18 set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Baca [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 23, 2026) — Dylan Thornton of Belle Plaine, Iowa, continued his dominant run at Central Arizona Raceway with a commanding victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the third night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. The former Santa Maria, California native earned his fifth career Winter Nationals series victory, his third win of the 2026 event, and his third straight triumph in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Thornton jumped to the lead immediately from the high side on the opening start and began pulling away as the green-flag run developed. Two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion and reigning Winter Nationals champion Ethan Braaksma gave chase from the bottom groove in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, while a spirited mid-race battle for fourth between reigning Marshalltown Speedway track champion Kollin Hibdon and Tate Johnson provided the best fight inside the top five. A caution on lap 14 reset the field just [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 22, 2026) — Dylan Thornton, calling Belle Plaine, Iowa home these days, continued his Winter Nationals dominance with a dramatic victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the second night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident scored his fourth career Modified Winter Nationals series win, his second straight of the 2026 event, and his second consecutive victory in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, took command on the opening start before an early caution regrouped the field. Two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. quickly emerged as his primary challenger, stalking Thornton through multiple restarts and long green-flag stretches. After a caution on lap 10, Thornton briefly brushed the wall on lap 13, allowing Baca to close the gap and set up a fierce side-by-side battle that featured multiple slider exchanges [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 153; 2. Cody Laney, Fort Dodge, Iowa, 152; 3. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 138; 4. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 134; 5. Chris Morris, Thorndale, Texas, and Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, both 132; 7. Jeff Taylor, Duncan, Okla., 128; 8. Spencer Hartwick, Rose Bud, Arkansas, 126; 9. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 125; 10. William Gould, Calera, Okla., and Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, both 119; 12. Brenda Kirby, Thorndale, Texas, 113; 13. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 104; 14. Ryan Doyon, Castroville, Texas, 97; 15. Rick Green, Bertram, Texas, and Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, both 90; 17. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 86; 18. Robert Liese Jr., Schertz, Texas, 61; 19. Cody Tidwell, Georgetown, Texas, 52; 20. Rickey Talley, Adkins, Texas, 51. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 215; 2. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 183; 3. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 140; 4. Mason Martin, Kaufman, Texas, 139; 5. Beau Collins, Savoy, Texas, and Doug Holzmeister, Colby, Kan., both 136; 7. Cody Leonard, Sinton, [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Dylan Thornton turned in a commanding performance Wednesday night at Central Arizona Raceway in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds during the opening night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. Zane DeVilbiss, a two-time IMCA Modified National champion, grabbed the lead on the opening lap before an early caution slowed the pace. On the restart, multi-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton mounted a strong challenge, but a yellow flew before the pass could be completed. Thornton officially took control during the ensuing restart on lap six and began to stretch his advantage, navigating traffic efficiently. Behind him, two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. and Brandon Beckendorf waged a hard-fought battle for fourth around the halfway mark. Thornton, who started third, checked out during the long green-flag run and never looked back on his way to his third career Winter Nationals victory in the Modified division and his first [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Jan. 20, 2026) — Beatrice Speedway will kick off the 2026 racing season with the 33rd annual Spring Nationals, a three-day Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing event scheduled for March 12–14 at the Gage County Fairgrounds. IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will all compete during the Spring Nationals weekend. The event opens Thursday, March 12, with an open practice session. Pits will open at 5 p.m., with on-track practice scheduled from 6–9 p.m. Pit passes will be $25, and grandstand admission will be free. Friday night’s program will feature a $2,000-to-win IMCA Modified main event paying $150 to start. IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods will each race for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, while IMCA Hobby Stocks will compete for $700 to win and $80 to start. Saturday night raises the stakes with IMCA Modifieds racing for $2,500 to win and $200 to start. IMCA Stock Cars will pay $1,500 to win [Read More]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – XS Power Batteries returns to IMCA with contingencies and product for the IMCA points season and the IMCA Super Nationals. The XS Power Batteries team has partnered with IMCA to provide free shipping on all orders when using the promo code “IMCA” at check out.  Top 10 finishers in national point standings for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods all receive $100 product certificates from the Knoxville, Tenn., company. Rookies of the year in the same divisions, plus the Junior National Champion and Lady Eagle winner all receive S3400 12V racing batteries. Those awards will be presented during the IMCA national banquet this fall. First non-qualifiers for Modified, Stock Car, Hobby Stock and Northern SportMod main events at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s also receive S3400 12V racing batteries.  Information about XS-branded batteries is available by calling 865 688-5953, on Facebook and at 4xspower.com. 

By Ben Deatherage HARLAN, Iowa (Dec. 16, 2025) — In western Iowa, towns like Harlan are built on expectation. Work comes early, excuses are short, and pride is measured by effort more than words. For Nathan Mumm, that mindset shaped everything—from football fields and farm ground to armored vehicles overseas, and eventually back to the dirt tracks he once watched from the fence. In 2025, that long road led to a breakthrough. Mumm captured his first career track championship, earning the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock title at Crawford County Speedway in Denison. It was a milestone years in the making, built not on shortcuts, but on patience, persistence, and belief. “It’s my first-ever track championship,” Mumm said. “Two years ago, I decided to run for points at Denison, and it’s been one of my favorite tracks since I started. I got third last year, and this year, through speed and consistency, we were able to get it done.” Finding the Right Lane Mumm’s success didn’t come quickly. For nearly a decade, he competed in a Karl [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 13, 2026) — SR Promotions will bring Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing back to West Liberty Raceway in 2026 with six race dates, while also expanding the weekly lineup at Davenport Speedway with the addition of Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. West Liberty will host IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods on a roughly once-a-month schedule. All events will be sanctioned and will pay Iowa State and National points, along with Razor Chassis North Central Region points for Modifieds and EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region points for Stock Cars. Race dates at West Liberty Raceway are scheduled for Saturday, April 11; Wednesday, June 16; Wednesday, July 15; Saturday, September 5; and a two-day finale on Friday and Saturday, October 23-24. “Usually it’s just a fair race that we have sanctioned, but this year we’re able to do quite a bit more,” said promoter Jeff Struck, who enters his third year promoting at Davenport. “The West Liberty fair race on July 15 will have extra money [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 6, 2026) — With the 2026 racing season approaching, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is reminding competitors that completion of the official Contingency Form is required to qualify for contingency awards and manufacturer-supported benefits. IMCA’s contingency programs are built around long-standing partnerships with manufacturers and sponsors who support drivers throughout the season. Completing the Contingency Form ensures that this support is properly directed to eligible competitors based on their on-track performance. Available at www.imca.com/contingencies, the form allows IMCA to properly link drivers with participating sponsors and register competitors for reward programs offered throughout the season. Drivers who complete the form are eligible for contingency awards tied to on-track performance across all Speedway Motors IMCA-sanctioned divisions. Completing the Contingency Form is a simple process: IMCA’s contingency structure plays an important role in recognizing driver performance while reinforcing long-standing relationships with industry partners. Participation by competitors helps maintain and grow programs that provide meaningful benefits both during and beyond race night. Drivers with questions or needing assistance can contact Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com.

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 17, 2025) — The IMCA TV revenue sharing program continued to put money back into racers’ pockets in 2025, matching last season’s payout levels while expanding to more tracks and rewarding strong weekly support across the country. Fueled by IMCA TV Replay Subscription viewership of weekly and special events, the program once again turned digital exposure into direct financial benefits for drivers. More than 600 drivers qualified for IMCA TV bonus checks during the 2025 season. Revenue was generated from replays of weekly and special events at 54 tracks broadcast by IMCA TV or its affiliates, then distributed to drivers finishing in the top three in point standings in each sanctioned division at qualifying facilities. Drivers in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified, Sunoco IMCA Late Model, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car divisions receive checks of $255, $205 and $150. Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod competitors earn $155, $120 and $115, while Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 10, 2025) — The best of the best in IMCA were honored Saturday night as national champions, rookies, track and state crown winners, special series titlists, and crew chiefs shared the spotlight at the 2025 IMCA national awards banquet. More than 600 drivers, crew members, sponsors, track officials, and family packed the ballroom at the Cornhusker Marriott. Despite blizzard-like conditions in the area, a near-capacity crowd was on hand to celebrate the accomplishments of IMCA’s 2025 champions. National champions recognized during the evening were Jeff Reay, Friesen Performance IMCA Modified; Zach Zeitner, Sunoco IMCA Late Model; Lee Goos Jr., RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car; Kelly Shryock, Sunoco IMCA Stock Car; Cory Probst, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock; Landon Capps, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod; Brayton Carter, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod; Dillon Raffurty, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite; and John Martinez, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact. The Junior National Champion was Hunter Ferrell, and the Lady Eagle champion was Mylee JoAnn Goldwich-Rhames. Modified Regional championships went to Kevin Williamson in the [Read More]