Southern SportMod News

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]

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 ABILENE, Texas (Jan. 15, 2026) — Abilene Speedway will usher in their 2026 racing season in a big way with the 32nd Annual Ice Breaker, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 20–21, featuring four Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly divisions, including IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. The Ice Breaker weekend will begin with an open practice session on Thursday, February 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Nightly race procedures for both Friday and Saturday will have the pill draw open at 3:00 p.m. and close at 5:45, followed immediately by the pit meeting. Each night of competition will award track, Texas State, and National points. Additionally, GRT Race Cars South Central Region points and EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region points will be on the line for both IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars. IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars will each race for $1,000 to win per night. IMCA Southern SportMods will compete for $650 to win, while IMCA Sport Compacts [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]

By Ben Deatherage MOUNT PLEASANT, Tenn. (Dec. 4, 2025) — IMCA is proud to welcome SCE Gaskets as the official gasket of IMCA Weekly Racing, marking the company’s debut in the world of dirt track competition. The support of SCE will extend across IMCA’s highest seasonal honors. Complete engine gasket kits will be presented to each of the six Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Division national champions, including the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified, Sunoco IMCA Stock Car, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock, and Sunoco IMCA Late Model title winners. Decal placement is required on both sides of every IMCA Stock Car, IMCA SportMod, and IMCA Hobby Stock throughout the season. This national program is paired with a strong presence at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, where IMCA Modified, IMCA Stock Car, and IMCA Northern SportMod champions will also receive complete gasket kits during the industry’s most prestigious week-long event at Boone Speedway. To broaden racer participation throughout the year, SCE will additionally award [Read More]

VINTON, Iowa (Nov. 4, 2025) — IMCA drivers who piled up heat race wins this season can cash in with Allstar Performance gift cards — but they must submit proof by Nov. 18. Any driver who wins more than 10 heat races in 2025 is eligible for a $100 Allstar Performance gift card. The single driver with the most heat-race wins nationwide will receive a $250 Allstar Performance gift card. Gift cards will be presented during the IMCA National Banquet on Nov. 29. To be eligible, drivers must email a photo of their car showing the official heat-win decal in place, as distributed by tracks, to IMCA Marketing Integration & Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at cbgramm@imca.com. Photos must be received no later than Nov. 18.

By Bill Martin WEATHERFORD, Texas  (Oct. 31, 2025) —   The planning for Christian Gaston’s 2025 rookie of the year run started early the season before. Younger brother Cameron topped point standings for first-year Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod drivers in 2024. As was their goal, Christian made it two straight rookie crowns for Team Gaston this season, besting fellow Texan Colton Birmingham in a title chase that went all the way into September. “It would have been hard, my brother and I both racing for rookie the same season,” said Gaston, 23 years old and from Weatherford. “We had been just racing and having fun. Our grandfather Langston Layne is from the dirt track racing world and knew how this rookie of the year thing worked. He helped us set it in motion. Camo would run for it in 2024 and I’d run for it this year, it all worked out and we won back-to-back titles.” The Oklahoma State champion and eighth nationally, Gaston was runner-up to his brother at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. He [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ANNA, Texas — Perseverance and patience paid off for Landon Capps, who turned his first season running for points into the biggest moment of his career — his first IMCA Southern SportMod national championship. Piloting the D&D Elevators/J&G Services/Bell’s Pool Care no. 5X TRC Race Cars, the Anna, Texas, driver emerged from a year-long battle decided by a tiebreaker to claim Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly gold. “It was pretty close all year,” Capps said. “At the beginning of the year, we had some motor trouble for the first couple of races and got that all figured out. Once we did, we started running up front at Ardmore and then went to chase points at Grayson County. We had a really good year there, and I’m glad everything turned out the way it did.” The tiebreaking championship came down to Capps’ 11 forty-point feature wins, edging runner-up Trevor Cogburn, who had ten. Capps’ 2025 campaign produced 11 victories in 32 starts, including ten at Grayson County Speedway and one at Southern Oklahoma Speedway, along [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 9, 2025) — The 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season was one for the record books, filled with razor-thin finishes, breakout performances, and enduring dynasties. Six of the nine National titles were decided by three points or fewer, two required tiebreakers, and six drivers celebrated first-time championships. Portland, Michigan’s Jeff Reay earned his first National championship — and became the first Michigan driver since Rick Stout in 1995 to claim the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified crown — by just two points. He also won the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region, the Michigan State Championship, and track titles at Crystal Motor Speedway, where he’s now a two-time champion, and at I-96 Speedway, where he earned his first. Reay closed the season with 14 wins in 42 starts. Across the rest of the division, four additional Regional champions also added to the Modified season’s prestige. William Gould, of Oklahoma, topped the GRT Race Cars South Central Region for his eighth career Regional title, repeating his 2024 success. Jeremy Mills, from Iowa, [Read More]

Points became official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 13 Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc.  Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 1,015; 2. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 1,013; 3. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,001; 4. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 1,000; 5. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 994; 6. Kevin Williamson, Eugene, Oregon, 978; 7. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 8. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 976; 9. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 10. Ethan Killingsworth, Yreka, Calif., 971; 11. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 970; 12. Kinzer McCord, Molt, Montana, and Kyle Anton, Gillette, Wyoming, both 967; 14. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 965; 15. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa, and Shawn Harker, Nebraska City, Neb., both 964; 17. Steven Pfeifer, Bowbells, N.D., 953; 18. Keith Lamphere, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, 950; 19. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 948; 20. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 947. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 1,023; 2. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,021; 3. Dan Mackenthun, [Read More]

UPDATED: 5 p.m., October 10, 2025 Points become official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 13 Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc.  Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 1,015; 2. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 1,013; 3. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,001; 4. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 1,000; 5. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 994; 6. Kevin Williamson, Eugene, Oregon, 978; 7. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 8. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 976; 9. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 10. Ethan Killingsworth, Yreka, Calif., 971; 11. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 970; 12. Kinzer McCord, Molt, Montana, and Kyle Anton, Gillette, Wyoming, both 967; 14. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 965; 15. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa, and Shawn Harker, Nebraska City, Neb., both 964; 17. Steven Pfeifer, Bowbells, N.D., 953; 18. Keith Lamphere, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, 950; 19. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 948; 20. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 947. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 1,023; 2. John Oliver Jr., West [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ARDMORE, Okla. (Oct. 4, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds headlined Saturday’s Jordan Page Winter Nationals finale at Southern Oklahoma Speedway, where Locust Grove, Arkansas, veteran Jeff Taylor stormed from seventh starting to win the 30-lap, $2,500-to-win feature — his third victory of the season in the GRT Race Cars South Central Region, all coming at the Ardmore 3/8-mile clay oval. 2013 IMCA National Champion William Gould jumped out to the early advantage aboard the Kenny Fryer Motorsports no. 60 and built a comfortable lead before traffic and cautions began to reel him back in. A fierce mid-race fight developed for second between two-time Abilene Speedway track champion Vince Ogle, Tate Butler, and Taylor. Butler eventually secured the runner-up spot and began reeling in Gould as the leaders hit lapped traffic with 13 circuits remaining. Taylor, the 2012 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion, methodically picked his way forward, ripping the top groove to join the battle up front. Following a caution with 12 laps to go, Butler momentarily [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage ABILENE, Texas (Sept. 27, 2025) — The Ryan Bard Memorial Southern Challenge returns to Abilene Speedway on Friday and Saturday, October 17–18, with two huge nights of IMCA racing that close out the 2025 season in West Texas. The Brown Plumbing IMCA Southern SportMod Blowout tops the weekend card, paying $3,000 to win and $200 to start. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars both race for $2,000 to win, while Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts chase a $600 top prize. Friday night will feature qualifying races, with last chance qualifiers and all A Mains scheduled for Saturday. Drivers can also take advantage of $25 practice sessions on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 12–4 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6–10 p.m. Pits open both nights at 3:00 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $12 for military with ID, $5 for kids ages 6–12, and free for children five and under. Pit passes are $35. Fans unable to attend can follow along with live coverage on IMCA.TV. Registration is available through MyRacePass. [Read More]