Northern SportMod News

By Ben Deatherage HAYS, Kan. (Mar. 24, 2026) — RPM Speedway will host the 14th Annual Sunflower Classic presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions on March 26–28 at the 3/8-mile Kansas oval, featuring a full slate of Speedway Motors IMCA competition. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds headline the program and will race for $1,000 to win each night. Each night’s feature will serve as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational to be held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will compete for $750 to win nightly, while Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods will each race for $500 to win. Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will battle for $200 top prizes. The three-day program opens Thursday, March 26 with a Test-N-Tune session. Grandstand admission will be free that evening and pit passes are $25. Racing begins Friday, March 27 and continues Saturday, March 28 with two complete draw-redraw programs that pay full purses each night. Gates open at 3:00 p.m., hot laps [Read More]

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2026) — Yuba City chauffeur Mike Merritt was dominant during the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod 20-lap main event at Marysville Raceway. Merritt passed Thomas Reynolds for the lead on lap two and never looked back, opening a sizeable advantage. Merritt beat second-place Dan Brown Jr. by nearly four seconds at the checkered flag to score his first win of the year. Jason Clayton Jr. ran in the third spot for most of the race but unfortunately pulled off the track with less than two laps to go. This moved Oregon’s Travis Pruitt into third after starting ninth. Cole Fear finished fourth, while Reynolds secured the fifth spot at the finish. Brown Jr. won the first heat race, and Jeff Bentancourt picked up the win in heat race two. 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 Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA [Read More]

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2026) — Eric Hamilton won his second career Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on Saturday night in a thriller, topping Tyler Bannister for the final night of the Southwest Shootout. Hamilton and Bannister engaged in a slide job-filled battle that thrilled the fans and event organizers with perhaps the best feature of the early part of the 2026 season at the one-third-mile dirt track. Bakersfield Speedway merged operations with Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway at the start of the 2025 campaign, with promoters Tim Huddleston and Scott Schweitzer combining efforts. Hamilton’s victory came over a red-hot Tyler Bannister for his first triumph in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Bannister, the 2025 IMCA Northern SportMod track champion, has adapted quickly to the Modifieds in 2026, with a win at Merced and the points lead at Bakersfield Speedway. Jake Pike of Pahrump, Nevada again was the evening’s hard charger, matching Friday night’s run from tenth to third to run 11th to third on Saturday. [Read More]

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 20, 2026) — Racing against one of the strongest Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified fields of the season, Gavyn Manning won his second consecutive feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway on Friday night. Manning outfoxed a field of 17 Modifieds for his second win in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region after 30 laps of competition. Manning won a long duel with multi-time champion Brad Pounds for the lead in the first half of the feature, then defended from 2025 IMCA Northern SportMod champion Tyler Bannister over the closing stages. A green-white-checkered finish did not deter Manning, with the 2024 track champion sailing to the win. The win also represented redemption for Manning after a collision with Pounds on opening night bounced him from the event. Bannister finished second while Jake Pike of Pahrump, Nevada finished third from tenth on the grid. Pounds was fourth followed by Fernley, Nevada’s Shawn Natenstedt. Rob Sanders and Manning split the head races. Nicholas Johnson has had an outstanding start to his [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, 331; 2. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 326; 3. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 319; 4. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 5. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 6. Steven Whiteaker, Robstown, Texas, 287; 7. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 285; 8. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 9. Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, 271; 10. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 11. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 12. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 13. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 234; 14. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., 216; 15. Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., 210; 16. Justin Erickson, Glendale, Ariz., 208; 17. Spencer Hughes, Meridian, Mississippi, 193; 18. Cole Szlauko, Shell Beach, Calif., 190; 19. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 189; 20. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 182. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 561; 2. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 558; 3. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls, Minn., 470; 4. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 413; 5. Dillon Richards, Wymore, Neb., 403; 6. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 400; 7. Kaden [Read More]

By Rowdy Briggs CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 14, 2026) — A strong field of 24 Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks answered the call for the $1000 to win feature at Central Arizona. Matt Rice and Joel Magee led the field to green, with Magee taking the early lead. Steve Bitting Jr. spun on lap two and was sent to the rear but mounted an impressive comeback. Up front, Magee and Anthony Madrid battled, for the lead until lap 18, when Bitting charged past both drivers to take over the top spot. Bitting went on to score the win over Magee, Madrid, Charles McDaniel Sr., and Hannah Miller. He stated in his post-race interview that he lost brakes early but kept his car on the bottom and worked his way through the field. Ty Warner and Steve Bitting Jr. led the 18-car field to the green for Friday’s 20-lap feature. Bitting led the opening six laps before Anthony Madrid took over in the Rick Thornton Sr. machine. Madrid pulled away while Bitting battled Joel Magee for second. Madrid [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Mar. 14, 2026) — Jaxon Saathoff delivered a thrilling hometown victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on the final night of the 33rd annual Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway. The Beatrice driver charged from ninth to win the 25-lap, $2,000-to-win main event, which served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and placed him on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify. The triumph marked Saathoff’s first Jet Racing Central Region win of the season and his first career Spring Nationals title — exactly 30 years after his father Johnny captured the event in 1996. Shawn Harker, last year’s Jet Racing Central Region and Nebraska State champion as well as the reigning Eagle Raceway track titlist, initially shot to the lead on the opening start. Bryson Yeager, a two-time Sweetwater Speedway champion, wrestled the top spot away on the backstretch and led the opening lap. A caution slowed the field on lap four, but Yeager executed the [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Mar. 13, 2026) — Jesse Sobbing powered to victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature on opening night of the 33rd annual Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway, earning a spot on the eligibility list for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational to be held during the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The Malvern, Iowa driver and reigning Super Nationals Sunoco IMCA Late Model winner grabbed the lead on the opening lap of the 20-lap, $1,000-to-win main event, but immediately had his hands full with Damon Murty. The 2005 National Stock Car champion and six-time Iowa State titlist repeatedly worked the bottom of the track trying to unseat Sobbing while 2019 National champion Jordan Grabouski soon entered the battle. Grabouski powered into second on lap seven as Sobbing stretched his advantage until a lap nine caution erased the gap. On the restart, Grabouski seized the lead on lap 10 and briefly appeared in command before another pair of cautions slowed the pace. Grabouski mastered the [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (Mar. 13, 2026) — Justice Brothers continues its long-standing commitment to grassroots motorsports in 2026, celebrating three decades as a proud sponsor of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing. The company, known for its extensive line of automotive performance and maintenance products, traces its roots directly to the racing world. Founded by the Justice Brothers, who began building race cars as teenagers in Paola, Kansas, the company’s history has always been closely tied to the automotive and racing industries. From those early days in the Midwest, the Justice family eventually moved to Southern California, where they became involved in constructing some of the most legendary vehicles and race cars of the era. Many of those machines are now prized collector pieces worth millions of dollars. Today, Justice Brothers remains a family-owned and operated company, continuing to manufacture its products in the United States while maintaining its deep connection to racing. Over the decades, the company has developed an extensive catalog of automotive products, offering hundreds of solutions designed for passenger vehicles, [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 314; 2. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 300; 3. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 280; 4. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 279; 5. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 270; 6. Troy III Morris, Waterloo, Iowa, 264; 7. Chaz Baca, Stanhope, Iowa, 260; 8. William Gould, Calera, Okla., and Jared Maupin, Helotes, Texas, both 253; 10. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 247; 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. Cole Szlauko, Shell Beach, Calif., 190; 17. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 189; 18. Gage McCaughan, Scottsdale, Ariz., 188; 19. Steve Askew, Valley View, Texas, 182; 20. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 179. 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]