Modified News

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 14, 2026) — The 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season crowned five first-time National champions while a collection of familiar names added to already impressive championship resumes across the nine divisions. William Gould returned to the top of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified ranks for the first time in 13 years, Zach Zeitner captured his second straight Sunoco IMCA Late Model National championship, Lee Goos Jr. earned his third consecutive RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car crown, and Dillon Raffurty continued his unprecedented run with a sixth straight Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite title. John Oliver Jr., Coy Vlies, Nicholas Ronnebaum, Trevor Cogburn, and Johnny Thomas completed the championship lineup, with each earning his first career National championship in 2026. Gould, of Calera, Okla., captured his second career Modified National championship and first since 2013, winning the title by 14 points aboard the Kenny Fryer Motorsports No. 60. The veteran also captured his ninth GRT Race Cars South Central Region championship and third consecutive Regional crown. Gould continued his run of [Read More]

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Oct. 10, 2026) — Jace Eckrich’s $1,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory highlighted the second and final night of the Davenport Dirt Stars at Davenport Speedway. The two-night program featured plenty of action after Friday morning showers left the racing surface fast and challenging for competitors. Eckrich wasted little time getting to the front in Saturday’s feature, charging from third to lead the opening circuit. Jason Schueller moved ahead on lap two, but Eckrich answered the following time around and regained command. He controlled the remainder of the feature and crossed the finish line with a two-second advantage. Jace Whitt finished second for the second consecutive night, while Friday winner Brandon Durbin was third. Matt Werner finished fourth, and Shane Paris rounded out the top five. The victory was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Eckrich on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Friday’s 20-lap Modified feature took a toll on both drivers [Read More]

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2026) — Austin Kiefer of Corona, Calif., led the way in the 40th annual Budweiser Nationals on Saturday night at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, winning the $1,500-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature to cap a weekend of dirt track action. Kiefer set fast time for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds before winning his heat race and the dash. Brad Pounds claimed the other heat race before joining Kiefer on the front row of the 25-lap feature. Kiefer controlled the main event from the pole and drove to the $1,500 victory, with Pounds finishing second. Robby Sawyer was third, followed by Friday night winner Gavyn Manning and Tyler Bannister. Kiefer also earned the commemorative trophy as the overall Bud Nationals Modified champion. Both nights served as qualifiers for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. Manning’s $1,000 Friday victory and Kiefer’s Saturday triumph put both drivers on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Wilson Rules [Read More]

Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 1,002; 4. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 999; 5. Rod [Read More]

By Jerry Mackey TIPTON, Iowa (Oct. 11, 2026) — The third time proved to be the charm as the twice-postponed Gary Reinhart Memorial was held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Cedar County Raceway. A total of 121 race teams took part in the special event honoring Gary Reinhart, one of the pioneers of the IMCA Modified division. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds headlined Sunday’s program with a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win feature that went flag-to-flag. Jeff “Bone” Larson of Freeport, Ill., prevailed over a talented field to capture the Gary Reinhart Memorial victory. Beaver Dam, Wis., driver Brandon Schmitt advanced six positions to finish second, while California native Cody Laney took third. Spencer Diercks finished fourth, with Troy Morris III of Bakersfield, Calif., completing the top five. The victory was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Larson on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Richards Rallies From Early Setback for Stock Car Victory Braden Richards appeared to have his [Read More]

By Christine Rublack CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 10, 2026) — More than 120 cars filled the pits at Dirt on the Downs, with five Speedway Motors IMCA divisions producing an action-packed night of racing for the Dirt Downs Classic. Troy Morris III made the most of his pole starting position in the $2,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, taking command immediately while Cody Laney moved into second and Jed Freiburger worked his way into third. A restart put Laney and Freiburger directly on Morris’ bumper, but the Bakersfield, Calif. native withstood the pressure to secure the victory. Laney finished second, followed by Freiburger, Logan Anderson, and Mark Burgtorf. The race was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Morris on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Plummer Charges From Seventh for SportMod Victory Kyle Olson took command early in the $1,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature as Kaden Rice moved into second. Olson began working through lapped traffic [Read More]

Points become official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 12. Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,023; 2. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 1,009; 3. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 994; 4. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 991; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 990; 6. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 987; 7. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 986; 8. Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, 984; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 974; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 970; 11. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 968; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 966; 13. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, 961; 14. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 959; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 956; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 951; 17. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 949; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 947; 19. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 20. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 943. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,017; 2. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 1,012; 3. Kyle Vanover, [Read More]

By Jerry Mackey TIPTON, Iowa (Oct. 3, 2026) — Heavy rains throughout the week in the Tipton area forced Darkside Promotions officials Ryan Duhme and Tim Current to postpone racing scheduled at Cedar County Raceway. Both the Gary Reinhart Memorial and Fall Bash fell victim to the wet weather after heavy rainfall left the Cedar County Fairgrounds saturated without enough drying time for racing to be held over the weekend. The Gary Reinhart Memorial has been rescheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, at Cedar County Raceway. Gates will open at noon, with hot laps scheduled for 2 p.m. The program will feature Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. With the Cedar County Fairgrounds unavailable for the remainder of October, the Fall Bash will move to Maquoketa Speedway. An open practice is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29, followed by full racing programs Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31.

By Ben Deatherage WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2026) — Shawn Natenstedt came from outside the top five at the lap 40 fuel break to capture Saturday night’s $3,006-to-win 16th annual Pettit Shootout for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds at Watsonville Speedway, becoming the first driver since Bobby Hogge in 2020-21 to win consecutive editions. Natenstedt, the three-time Nevada State champion from Fernley, remains the only non-California driver to win the event in the Modified division. Hogge put the Paul Guglielmoni-owned No. 2H out front on lap one before Gavyn Manning used a lap seven restart to make a double overtake around the high side and take command in the Don Clark-provided No. 51G. Manning remained out front through challenges from 2026 IMCA Wild West Speedweek champion Matt Sanders and 2026 Merced Speedway champion Paul Stone before Natenstedt worked his way into contention. Natenstedt, who started seventh, completed his charge to the lead on lap 51 and began pulling away after encountering traffic four laps later. A lap 67 caution erased his advantage, and Manning capitalized on [Read More]

BOONE, Iowa — Drivers participating in the Allstar Performance Heat Race Winner Program are reminded to submit photo verification of their heat race win decals by Oct. 30 to be eligible for awards. Drivers must submit a clear photo showing their heat race win decals displayed on their race car. Any driver who records 10 or more heat race wins and submits the required photo verification will receive a $100 certificate from Allstar Performance. The driver with the most verified heat race wins will receive a $250 Allstar Performance certificate. Photo submissions must be received by Oct. 30 and can be emailed to cbgramm@imca.com.

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2026) — Troy Foulger completed a remarkable comeback from a flat tire with a last-lap pass to win the $1,000 Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, while Andrew Pearce collected $3,049 in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified headliner during Saturday night’s seventh annual Bill Bowers Memorial at Antioch Speedway. After a hard crash in his own car at Boone Speedway two weeks earlier during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, Foulger climbed aboard the Mike Villanueva-provided entry for the Bill Bowers Memorial. Terry DeCarlo Jr. grabbed the early lead before track champion Fred Ryland moved into second following a lap two restart. DeCarlo spun in turn one to bring out a caution on lap five, while Foulger headed to the pits with a flat tire. Ryland inherited the lead over Kenneth Robles and Nick DeCarlo. Another caution came on lap eight before Robles used the bottom of turn two to take the lead from Ryland on lap 10. Behind them, Foulger was mounting his charge back through [Read More]

By Michael Benjamin AFTON, N.Y. (Sept. 26, 2026) — Eddie Sites charged from seventh to capture the rescheduled Fireball 25 for the Close Racing Supply NY/Penn IMCA Modified Series Saturday night at Afton Motorsports Park. Twenty-four Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds checked in for the 25-lap, $1,002-to-win feature on the 3/10-mile oval. The event was originally scheduled for Aug. 8 before weather forced its postponement. Three eight-lap heat races opened the program, with Jacob McConnell, Sites, and Jakub Ingham collecting victories. McConnell and Jason Butler shared the front row for the main event, with Gary Roberts and Matt Roberts starting from row two. Sites had work to do from the seventh starting position but steadily moved the No. 15 toward the front. Keith Lamphere was also on the move after rolling off eighth. When the 25 laps were complete, Sites had worked his way to the front to collect the Fireball 25 victory. The triumph was Sites’ fifth Close Racing Supply Eastern Region victory of the 2026 season, with those five wins coming at four different tracks. [Read More]

By Jerry Mackey TIPTON, Iowa (Sept. 27, 2026) — Cedar County Raceway hosted 152 race teams Sunday for the Kathy Dlouhy Memorial, an event honoring a woman who poured her heart and soul into the Tipton facility. The Modifieds headlined the program with 24 cars taking the green for the 20-lap, $1,500-to-win feature. Cody Laney advanced from the third row and took the lead away from early pacesetter Donovan Lodge. Laney remained out front as Spencer Diercks began closing the gap late in the race. Lapped traffic gave Diercks an opportunity to challenge in the closing circuits, but Laney held him off by less than a car length to secure the win. The win was Laney’s sixth of the 2026 season at five different tracks and his first at Cedar County this year. It was also the Torrance, Calif., driver’s fourth Razor Chassis North Central Region victory. Laney’s $1,500 triumph also earned him eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. [Read More]

By Nick Robbins PLEASANTON, Texas (Sept. 26, 2026) — The Southern Touring IMCA Modified Series presented by On Demand Shirts wrapped up its 2026 points season at I-37 Speedway, where 17 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds signed in for the $1,000-to-win, 20-lap main event at the racy South Texas bullring. Cody Leonard set the tone early, taking the win in the first heat over Steven Whiteaker Jr. Contact between Johnny Torres and Brandon Sanderson coming into turn one after the green ended the heat for both drivers. Once the field was restacked, Leonard and Whiteaker Jr. pulled away, while Shawn Sandegren, Cameron Dinsmore, and Chris Carroll fought hard throughout the race. Carroll ultimately held on for third, with Sandegren fourth and Dinsmore fifth. The second heat started with the field three-wide into turn one after the green flag dropped, and again on lap two, before things sorted themselves out. When the checkered flag fell, points leader Jared Maupin had claimed the win over Ryan Doyon, with Logan Dinsmore third. Leonard and Maupin brought the field to green [Read More]

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2026) — Tyler Bannister and Jason Bannister completed championship-winning seasons at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on Saturday night during Championship Night on the dirt. Brad Pounds, the 2025 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified track champion, dominated the 20-lap feature. Pounds started fourth and drove to his third DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region victory of the season, with all three coming at Bakersfield. Newly crowned 2026 track champion Tyler Bannister finished second after starting from the pole, while Markus Frazier was third and Rob Sanders fourth. Pounds also won the heat race. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods led the action with 15 entries on hand and an exciting 25-lap championship finale. Jason Bannister built a sizeable advantage on several occasions, but a pair of cautions on lap 16 erased his lead and tightened the field for the closing stages. Ethan Johnson took advantage of the opportunity. Johnson worked the high side and drove around Bannister in turn four to take the lead on lap 20 before going [Read More]