Modified News

By Chance Riley JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 16, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds were the stars of the show Thursday night at Park Jefferson Speedway with a thrilling 20-lap main event. For most of the race, it was a two-car battle for the lead between Shane DeMey and Brian Mahlstedt. But on the white flag lap, charging down the front stretch, R.J. Merchant of South Sioux City, Nebraska stormed from his 16th starting position to steal the win—despite a bent suspension. It was Merchant’s first victory of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. DeMey finished second ahead of Duke Erickson, while Mahlstedt and Ricky Stephan completed the top five. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods also delivered an exciting 18-lap feature. Braydon Ahlers controlled much of the race, but Willy Kirk, who restarted at the back following an early caution, made a last-lap pass on the front stretch during a green, white, checkered finish to take the win. The Salix, Iowa driver earned his first victory of the season. Ahlers settled for [Read More]

By Stephanie Odom SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Apr. 20, 2026) — Santa Maria Speedway is set to host an action-packed night of racing this Saturday, April 25, on the famed third-mile clay oval. The evening marks the season championship opener for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. IMCA Modifieds competed six times at Santa Maria Speedway in 2025 and produced six different winners, proving just how deep and competitive the division was all season long. Cody Burke opened the year in victory lane, and the Salinas native will look to repeat that performance as he heads south on US 101 for this season’s opener. Josh Combs, Larry Wise, Gavyn Manning, Rob Sanders, and Logan Drake also found victory lane last season, and several are expected back this weekend in pursuit of the first win at SMS in 2026. IMCA Northern SportMods were just as competitive in 2025, producing six different winners over seven nights of racing. The only two-time winner, Tyler Bannister, has moved to the IMCA Modified ranks and will make [Read More]

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (April 18, 2026) — Tyler Bannister earned his first Bakersfield Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. It marked his second DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region win of the season. Markus Frazier seized the lead early from his third starting position while Bannister stormed from eighth on the grid to second by lap seven. Bannister then knifed underneath Frazier exiting turn two to take the lead on lap ten and drove away to a straightaway advantage for the win. Pounds won an exciting battle with Rob Sanders and Gavyn Manning for second, while Frazier settled for fifth. In Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod action, a strong 15-car field was split across two heat races, with Ethan Johnson and Tyler Irwin winning the eight-lap preliminaries. Alyssa Smith led early in the 25-lap feature ahead of Johnson before Matthew Frazier methodically advanced from sixth starting position. Frazier took over the lead on lap 13 and withstood a restart to secure his first win of [Read More]

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 18, 2026) — The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds closed out the final night of the Icebreaker Challenge at Eagle Raceway on Saturday with $2,000 on the line. Josh Most led early, followed by Jared Eckrich and Jace Whitt, while Cody Laney quickly moved into contention and climbed to second by lap four. A series of restarts shuffled the running order as Jaxon Saathoff and Jordan Grabouski entered the mix. Laney and Saathoff traded the runner-up position before Laney powered to the lead with eight laps remaining. Behind him, Grabouski and Shawn Harker battled for position as the laps wound down. Laney held strong over the closing circuits to secure the win, followed by Most, Saathoff, Grabouski, and Harker. It was Laney’s second victory of the season and his first in the Jet Racing Central Region. The race served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier to be ran at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Torrance, California native is already on the eligibility list to [Read More]

By Rowdy Briggs CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Gerry Glenn got the jump at the start of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Raceway before a chaotic opening lap brought out a restart. Chad Ayers got loose in turn two, sending Jett Ayers up the track to avoid him. Jett’s move forced Terry Belcher Jr. into the wall, and in turn three, contact between Luke Silber and Ethan Stevens collected Bryan Gray, Todd Izzo, and Bill Slocum. On the restart, Glenn again jumped to the lead, but it was short-lived as Don Earven worked his way to the front. Earven settled in out front and held off Justin Erickson over the closing laps to secure the victory. Chad Ayers finished third, followed by Jesse Tellez and Sean Conyers to complete the top five. Silber had raced his way back into contention and up to third at one point before pulling in with two laps remaining. It was Earven’s first win in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region since 2024, when his [Read More]

By Shaun Hulbert ELMA, Wash. (Apr. 18, 2026) — Grays Harbor Raceway opened its 2026 season with a strong showing in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds. Grey Ferrando led the opening 21 laps, setting a torrid pace and even putting cars a lap down. Rookie racer and first-time visitor Robert Lancaster, along with veteran Craig Moore, found speed and worked their way past Devon Reed. Lancaster began closing in on Ferrando and, on lap 21, took over the lead, appearing poised to score a win in his first appearance at the raceway. A caution with three laps remaining, involving Reed and Jason St. Paul, reset the field. On the restart, Lancaster led briefly before spinning in turn one, bringing out another yellow. That handed the lead to Kevin Williamson for the final restart. Williamson held off Moore over the closing laps to secure the win, with Austin Rognlin finishing third. Tyson Blood and St. Paul rounded out the top five after a strong late charge. It was Williamson’s first win of the season in the DeVilbiss [Read More]

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 17, 2026) — Grabouski Dominates Icebreaker Modified Main at Eagle The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Modifieds capped opening night of the 2026 Icebreaker Challenge at Eagle Raceway on Apr. 17 with a $1,500-to-win main event. Josh Most led early, followed by Brandon Verbeek, Chevy Hadan, and Jordan Grabouski. Grabouski moved into second on lap two while Drew Janssen worked his way to third shortly after. The race’s turning point came on lap five when Most jumped the cushion in turns one and two, nearly flipping and surrendering the lead. On the restart, Grabouski took control as battles continued behind him, with Janssen, Cody Laney, and Izac Mallicoat all moving forward through traffic. From there, Grabouski pulled away to a straightaway victory. Janssen finished second, followed by Laney, Mallicoat, and Dustin Andersen. It was Grabouski’s third win of the season and his second in the Jet Racing Central Region in 2026. The race was a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, and the Beatrice driver is already on the eligibility list to [Read More]

By Gary Thomas WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 17, 2026) — A total of 26 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars packed the pit area for the inaugural American Giuliani Construction and Restoration Classic on Friday night at Watsonville Speedway, and when all was settled it was veteran driver Paul Stone who claimed the $2,500 grand prize. Stone began the evening by qualifying second overall and shot to the lead by way of the pole position in the feature. The Winton driver ended up leading every lap, but it was far from easy. A relentless Tyler Bannister ran the high scary side of the quarter-mile oval and gave it everything he had in an attempt to wrestle away the lead. Stone was smooth as glass on the bottom, however, and never gave Bannister an opportunity to pounce. A late caution set up a green-white-checkered finish that went into overtime. During the restart, Stone hit his marks to claim the Ed Entz checkered flag for victory over Bannister, 12th-starting Lance Hurst, Fred Ryland, and Terry DeCarlo Jr. It was Stone’s third [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage DUNKERTON, Iowa (Apr. 17, 2026) — At the Boone Speedway season opener on April 11, Jacob Snyder found himself exactly where every driver wants to be—up front, with laps winding down and everything on the line. He was in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, battling one of the toughest fields in the country. The adrenaline didn’t fade. If anything, it kept building—through the caution with three to go, through the restart, and into the final laps, with a seasoned veteran right behind him. At just 20 years old, Snyder was in the middle of one of the biggest moments of his young career. And at a place like Boone—known as Iowa’s Action Track and home of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s—moments like that carry a little more weight. For Snyder, it was a moment years in the making. His hometown of Dunkerton sits just outside Waterloo in northeast Iowa, where small towns are connected by county roads and farmland, and life follows a steady rhythm—a tight-knit community built [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 585; 2. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 481; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 399; 4. Jason Barnhill, Milton, Florida, 392; 5. Chris Smith, Brewton, Alabama, 381; 6. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 357; 7. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 343; 8. G. W. IV Egbert, Belton, Texas, 336; 9. Trevor Egbert, Belton, Texas, 333; 10. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 11. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 12. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 298; 13. Greg Hopkins, Repton, Alabama, 287; 14. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 282; 15. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 16. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 17. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, and Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., both 270; 19. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 20. Mark Carrell, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 263. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 714; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 592; 3. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. [Read More]

By Cortni Potapowicz BAKER, Fla. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds returned to action at Blackwater Speedway for a two-night spectacular of racing. On Saturday night, Greg Hopkins started from the pole in the 20-lap feature and led all but lap four en route to the victory. Hopkins, of Repton, Alabama, earned his first win of the season in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region. Chris Smith finished second, followed by Todd Neiheiser in third. J.C. Wilson placed fourth, with Erik White completing the top five. The night before, Brewton, Alabama’s Chris Smith charged from fifth to the lead in just four laps to score his second victory of the season in the Eastern Region, with both wins coming at Blackwater. J.C. Wilson was the hard charger, advancing from ninth to finish second. Defending track champion Zach Howard was third, while Jason Barnhill and Greg Hopkins rounded out the top five.

By Suzan McCoy HOLYOKE, Colo. (Apr. 11, 2026) — Matthew Ratzlaff of Monte Vista led every lap to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature in front of the biggest crowd Phillips County Raceway has seen in over seven years during the season opener. It was his first win of 2026 in the Jet Racing Central Region. Ayden Steffens finished second, while Christina Ratzlaff made it a family double podium with a third-place finish. The couple traveled six hours to compete at PCR for the opening round of the Colorado Alliance Tour. Tom Quint placed fourth, followed by Bubba Alvarado. Bill Brack led from the pole and held off pressure from D.J. Banks and Layne Bellm to win the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. It marked the Mead motorist’s first triumph of the year in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Banks and Bellm finished second and third, respectively, while Frank Ogden and Kolton Vogel rounded out the top five. Douglas Beaman of Fort Morgan dominated the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature from the [Read More]

By Nick Robbins PAIGE, Texas (Apr. 11, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts rolled into Cotton Bowl Speedway, marking the first visit for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds in 2026. Nineteen drivers signed in for the $1,000-to-win, 20-lap feature, and perseverance quickly became the theme of the night as pop-up showers gave the track an unexpected dose of last-minute moisture. The CBS crew remained undaunted, and drivers were quickly back on track to help pack the surface once the showers ended. Friday’s runner-up, Jared Maupin of San Antonio, struck first by taking the win in DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One. Johnny Torres, also of San Antonio, claimed Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two, while G.W. Egbert from Salado grabbed another victory in 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three. Maupin led the field to green in the 20-lap feature with Torres, Egbert, and Whiteaker Jr. in tow. The early laps saw the field begin to spread out as the top four attempted to break away. Racing throughout the field [Read More]

By Chance Riley JEFFERSON, S.D. (Apr. 10, 2026) — The Sunoco IMCA Late Models set the tone for the night at Park Jefferson Speedway, with Jesse Sobbing of Malvern, Iowa taking the early lead from Jordan Krug. Sobbing paced the field but had to withstand a last-lap slider attempt from Zach Zeitner, holding on at the line for his first Late Model win of the year and his second Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly victory of 2026, following a Sunoco IMCA Stock Car score during the Beatrice Spring Nationals. Zeitner finished second, followed by Krug, Landen Rojewski, and Cody Thompson. The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars delivered a strong run as Mike Vondrak led much of the feature before Dan Mackenthun went to work. Charging from 11th, Mackenthun methodically worked the bottom groove to take over and drive away to his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. The Hamburg, Minnesota driver piloted the Jared Fasching-owned no. 7X to victory. Travis Barker was second, Ryan Harris third, with Greg Peck and Jordan Rogotzke completing the [Read More]

By Nick Robbins WACO, Texas (Apr. 10, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts roared into the historic Heart O’ Texas Speedway for its first appearance of the 2026 season. A strong field of 30 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for action, pushing the winner’s share to $1,500 for the 20-lap main event. Series regulars from South Texas were eager to show what they could do against some of the best local racers from the northern half of the Lone Star State. DIY Equipment Sales and Rental Heat One went to Salado, Texas racer G.W. Egbert, who crossed the line four seconds ahead of the nearest transfer. Sundowner Performance Diesel Heat Two was a bit closer, with Wyatt Bruce of Montgomery, Texas taking the win over current point leader Jared Maupin. 3-D Landscaping and Irrigation Heat Three went to the no. 6R of Jacob Pirkle from Midlothian. Heat Four was won by 2025 STIMS champion Logan Dinsmore. Steven Whiteaker Jr. claimed the B-Main, leading the top eight transfers to [Read More]