Northern SportMod News

By Ben Deatherage WAKEENEY, Kan. (Sept. 21, 2026) — Two nights of racing and a pair of All-Star Invitational qualifying opportunities headline the Battle for the Belt at WaKeeney Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16-17. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will compete in complete shows both nights following an open practice Thursday, Oct. 15. Saturday’s program will carry additional significance for the Modifieds and Stock Cars. The $3,000-to-win Modified feature will serve as a qualifying event for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, while the $3,000-to-win Stock Car feature will be a qualifier for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. The respective winners will earn eligibility to attempt to qualify for their All-Star Invitationals at the 2027 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Modifieds and Stock Cars race for $750 to win Friday, with $175 paid to start the 24-car features. Saturday brings a three-wide start and an increased [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage WATSONVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2026) — Two complete nights of racing, a pair of Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying events, and a 103-lap Saturday Modified main event highlight the 16th annual Pettit Shootout at Watsonville Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods will compete both nights, with each program serving as a separate show. There will be no lock-ins from Friday to Saturday, putting every competitor back on equal footing for the second night. The Pettit Shootout is run in memory of Jim Pettit and Pat Pettit, the parents of event promoter Jim Pettit II. The number three carries special significance in the event because Pat’s birthday was Jan. 3, and that connection is reflected throughout the weekend’s format. Both main events will start 23 cars each night. Friday’s Modified main event will cover 33 laps and pay $1,003 to win and $103 to start. Saturday’s Modified finale goes 103 laps and increases the payday to $3,006 to win and $206 to start. [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage SOMERTON, Ariz. (Sept. 21, 2026) — Racing returns to the Yuma area this fall as Cocopah Speedway begins a new chapter with a busy 2026-27 schedule featuring several major Speedway Motors IMCA events. The three-eighths-mile oval opens its 2026 season in October before hosting the Diamond in the Desert, Turkey Bowl, and Copper State Nationals. The schedule then carries into February with two weeks of Southwest Cactus Nationals competition. “We are so excited to get things up and running, and the whole community around here is super excited to have racing come back to the Yuma area,” promoter Travis Peery said. The season-opening weekend is Oct. 15-17, with practice Thursday followed by racing Friday and Saturday. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts are scheduled to compete both nights. Attention then turns to the Diamond in the Desert Nov. 4-7. Practice is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 4, before three consecutive nights of racing Nov. [Read More]

By Jane Burd SPENCER, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2026) — Kelly Shryock charged from 11th to capture the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature and highlight the Battle of the Blue Ribbon at Clay County Fair Speedway on Thursday night. The Fertile driver had plenty of ground to make up before finding himself in a battle with Jake Masters for the victory. Shryock ultimately prevailed to record his 12th EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and third win of 2026 at Clay County. The Battle of the Blue Ribbon also served as a qualifying event for the 2027 B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. With the victory, Shryock earned eligibility to attempt to qualify for the Invitational during next year’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Masters, who started second, settled for the runner-up position. Elijah Zevenbergen also made a charge through the field, advancing 10 positions to finish third. Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen gained five spots and battled Zevenbergen before finishing fourth, while Randy Brands completed the top five. [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 16, 2026) — After the final championship features were decided at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, the annual auction in the NAPA Auto Parts Fan Zone added another chapter to Championship Saturday at Boone Speedway. Engines and chassis went across the auction block, generating additional money for competitors following America’s Racin’ Vacation. For two of the week’s champions, the auction added considerably to what they had already earned on the racetrack. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified champion Kollin Hibdon earned $10,000 for his Big Dance victory and received a new Harris Auto Racing Modified chassis. Hibdon elected to put the chassis up for auction, where it brought $13,500, giving him $23,500 between his championship purse and chassis proceeds before contingency awards and other prizes were figured in. Sunoco IMCA Stock Car champion Jake McBirnie earned $8,000 for his championship victory and received a new Terminator Stock Car chassis. McBirnie also elected to auction his chassis, which brought $14,500, putting his championship purse and chassis proceeds at $22,500 [Read More]

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, and William Gould, Calera, Okla., both 993; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 973; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 5. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 969; 6. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 7. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 9. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 953; 12. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 945; 13. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 943; 15. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 940; 16. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 937; 17. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 19. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Michigan, both 932. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 4. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 5. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 975; 6. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 12, 2026) — Dylan Van Wyk battled Adam Armstrong and two-time defending champion Jake Sachau before pulling away late to capture his first Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship Saturday at Boone Speedway. The Oskaloosa, Iowa, driver collected $5,000 for winning the 30-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod Big Dance. Van Wyk grabbed the lead from the three-wide start and paced the opening circuit before Armstrong moved to the front on lap two. The Nebraska driver, a 2016 Harris Clash and 2023 Spring Nationals winner, began to pull away with Van Wyk as the pair separated themselves from the field. Sachau entered the fight, first challenging for second before turning his attention toward Armstrong. Van Wyk responded in a big way. The two-time defending CJ Speedway track champion and 2025 34 Raceway track champion rocketed past Sachau and Armstrong in turn four to reclaim the lead on lap six. Armstrong stayed after Van Wyk and appeared to regain the top spot just before a caution came out [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 9, 2026) — Adam Armstrong capitalized on last-lap drama to capture a wild outside-lane qualifier Wednesday, while Dylan Van Wyk held off two-time defending champion Jake Sachau in the middle-lane qualifier as Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying continued at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The 25-lap middle-lane qualifier was completed Tuesday before weather halted the program. The outside-lane qualifier was pushed to Wednesday morning, with the top eight from each earning starting spots in Saturday’s Big Dance. Kansas’ Austin Carter, grabbed the early lead in the outside-lane qualifier while Hunter Poston and Armstrong fought for second. Armstrong, the 2019 Beatrice Speedway track champion and 2016 Harris Clash winner, secured the runner-up spot on lap six and quickly went after Carter. He worked his way ahead the following circuit, but a caution negated the pass and returned defending Kansas State champion Carter to the lead. Armstrong again challenged when racing resumed, but Carter kept him at bay. Cautions on laps 13 and 16 kept the field [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Willy Kirk charged from 15th to take the lead late in the second qualifier, while Mike Smith dominated the opener Monday during the first night of Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Both 25-lap qualifiers set positions in the inside column for Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers in each locking themselves into the championship feature. Tony Johnson jumped to the front at the start of the second qualifier and paced the opening circuits before 2024 Independence Motor Speedway track champion Cole Suckow began applying pressure. Suckow completed the pass for the lead on lap four and started to check out while a spirited battle developed for second. Jacob Tacheny eventually secured the runner-up position before a caution slowed the field on lap nine. Suckow again pulled away following the restart, but cautions just before the halfway point repeatedly brought the field back to him. Once an extended green flag run developed, [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Tuesday’s racing program at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will get an earlier start as officials take a proactive approach to anticipated weather later in the day. Registration and the pit gates will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Following opening ceremonies, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact hot laps will begin at 10 a.m., with racing to follow. Moving the schedule forward will give officials the best opportunity to complete Tuesday’s entire program with rain forecasted in the evening. The day will feature the second night of qualifying for the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The IMCA Sport Compacts will take center stage for their championship program, culminating with the Big Dance to determine the 2026 Super Nationals champion. Tuesday’s program will also include the Stephenville Starter Hobby Stock Race of Champions and the Pulse Racing Innovations/Dirt Defender Racing Products SportMod Race of Champions. All the action can be watched exclusively on IMCA.TV, where America comes to [Read More]

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – Qualifying fields for five Race of Champions events have been set for the 44th annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. All track champions (or current point leaders if their respective points battles resume after Super Nationals), along with past national champions, regional champions, Super Nationals champions, Race of Champions champions and 2025 state champions who pre-registered for Super Nationals are eligible to attempt to qualify for their respective RoC in 2026. The 53 RAGE Chassis IMCA Modified Race of Champions drivers eligible to qualify are Chris Abelson, Jeff Aikey, Bubba Alvarado, Chaz Baca, Tyler Bannister, Curtis Barnes, Jason Barnhill, Austen Becerra, Brandon Beckendorf, Tyler Belcher, Cole Bents, Tom Berry Jr., Kelsie Black, Ethan Braaksma, Troy Cordes, Zane DeVilbiss, Jerry Flippo, William Gould, Richie Gustin, Shawn Harker, Clint Hatlestad, Kollin Hibdon, Mitchell Hunt, Trey Kline, Cody Laney, Jeff Larson, Matthew Looft, Jared Maupin, Dan Menk, R.J. Merchant, Nick Meyer, Jeremy Mills, Jay Noteboom, Jason Pike, Don Proctor, Jeff Reay, Cory Sample, Todd Shute, Jared Siefert, Luke Silber, Casey [Read More]

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 4, 2026) – For the fifth consecutive year, pre-entries for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s have reached quadruple digits and, like each of the four years before it, a new record-setting registration milestone was set in 2026.  As of 4 p.m. CST today, 1,193 drivers have pre-registered for America’s Racin’ Vacation, eclipsing the previous pre-entry mark of 1,156, which was established last year. The divisional breakdown includes 265 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, 329 Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, 195 Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, 192 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, 113 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts and 76 Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites. While they typically don’t pre-register, 23 Sunoco IMCA Late Models have already reserved their spots for the 44th annual event. Registration numbers for Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts are pre-entry records. The Sport Compact division eclipsed the 100 pre-entry mark for the first time in event history. The pre-entry number for Modifieds is the largest in 16 years.  Racers from a record-breaking 34 states have entered, including [Read More]

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 4, 2026) — Arlington Raceway will host the Jeff Rucks Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds on Saturday, Sept. 19, with $1,000 awaiting the winner. The event will also give the winner eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Clint Hatlestad captured the Rucks Memorial victory in 2025, while Brandon Beckendorf won each of the previous three editions. The Modifieds will use a draw/redraw format. Also in action will be Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. and racing beginning at 6 p.m. For additional information, contact Levi at 507-380-6998.

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, and William Gould, Calera, Okla., both 993; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 973; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 970; 5. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 6. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 8. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 9. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 957; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 942; 13. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 939; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 937; 15. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 17. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 933; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, both 932; 20. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 930. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 4. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 5. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 6. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 973; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Three- and four-wide racing, four different leaders and a first trip to victory lane in three years made the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature the highlight of Saturday night’s program at Arlington Raceway. Jed Trebelhorn led the field early before getting too high in turns three and four and slipping off the racing surface. Dave Moriarty inherited the lead, but Ryan Bjerkeset and Brent Uecker quickly joined the fight. For eight laps, Moriarty, Bjerkeset, and Uecker raced side-by-side and at times just inches apart. A caution eventually flew when Bjerkeset went off the track after spending several laps in second and headed to the pits. The restart only intensified the battle. Uecker and Moriarty were joined by Tim Pessek, while Trent Loverude, Dan Eckblad, Matt Speckman, and Dan Mackenthun were all within striking distance. Pessek emerged with the lead with three laps remaining and stayed there to the checkers for his first victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his first trip [Read More]