Sport Compact News

By Ben Deatherage SOMERTON, Ariz. (Oct. 21, 2026) — Some of the biggest names in Speedway Motors IMCA racing will converge on Cocopah Speedway Nov. 4-7 for the inaugural Wild River Diamond in the Desert, featuring three nights of competition and an $8,000 payday awaiting the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified winner. Presented by Wild River Family Entertainment Center, the first-year event will bring five IMCA divisions to the Diamond in the Desert for a weekend of racing in southwestern Arizona. The four-day gathering begins Wednesday, Nov. 4, with an open practice session before racing gets underway Thursday, Nov. 5, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 7. The Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds will headline the event, with $8,000 awaiting the winner of the division’s main event. The Modifieds will be joined by the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, with both divisions competing for $4,000 top prizes. Saturday’s Modified and Stock Car features will serve as qualifying events for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, [Read More]

By Christine Rublack CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Oct. 17, 2026) — Jed Freiburger of Dubuque collected his 11th Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season in the $2,000-to-win, 20-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, holding off a late charge from Cody Laney. Freiburger started on the pole and established the early advantage while Jace Eckrich moved into second, followed by Jeff Bodendorfer and Laney. Following a restart, Bodendorfer advanced into the runner-up position as Laney worked the bottom groove to take over third. Laney, who started eighth, continued his charge and moved into second with only a few laps remaining. Despite the late pressure, Freiburger maintained his advantage and crossed the finish line first. Laney finished second after advancing six positions, with Bodendorfer third, Eckrich fourth, and Chris Zogg fifth. Gifford Makes Three-Wide Move Count in Hobby Stocks Bradyn Gustin of Marshalltown used the bottom groove to his advantage in the $1,000-to-win, 15-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature, taking control early and pulling away as Josh Banes and Jarett Franzen battled for second. Gifford, [Read More]

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 Kerry 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]

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 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]

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.

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, 965; 7. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 964; 8. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 953; 12. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 951; 13. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 946; 14. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 15. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 943; 16. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 940; 17. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 937; 18. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 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. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 984; 3. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 5. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 975; 6. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

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 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]

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. 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) – 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.