Rookie National Points

March 31, 2026

IMCA Southern SportMod

(points through 3/21)

Rank	Driver	Points
1	Brady Sexton	114
2	Briana Sveom	102
3	Garison Faulks	96
4	David Jr "D. J." Starr	91
5	Heath Zucha	62
6	Bret South	61
7	Gavin Mullins	57
8	Colt Miller	54
8	Larry Boumans	54
10	Chris Turner	52
11	Cary Cook	51
12	Joshua Mueller	49
13	Langston Fetty	33
14	Colton Pardue	30
14	Justin Randol	30
16	Wyatt Waggoner	27
17	Cody Cline	26
18	Matthew Brandes	24
18	Christopher Crowston	24
20	Alex Young	22
21	Billy Seth Sadler	18

Past National Rookies of the Year
2025 – Christian Gaston, Weatherford, TX
2024 – Camo Gaston, Weatherford, TX
2023 – Cutter Spalding, Andrews, TX
2022 – Trevor Cogburn, Robinson, TX
2021 – Kaleb Emerson, Millsap, TX
2020 – Matthew Day, Farmersville, TX
2019 – Larry Underwood, Temple, TX
2018 – Kyle Wilkins, Italy, TX
2017 – Nathan Buchanan, Kemp, TX
2016 – Kamera McDonald, Keller, TX
2015 – Taylor Florio, Copperas Cove, TX
2014 – Garett Rawls, China Spring, TX
2013 – Alexander Hickham, Conroe, TX
2012 – Kyle Lovejoy, Burleson, TX
2011 – Cory Williams, Slaton, TX
2010 – Jared Rady, Bertram, TX
2009 – Steven Abbey, Comanche, TX
2008 – Kris Rye, Corpus Christi, TX
2007 – Zach Hamilton, Farmington, NM

News

Danell Rallies Back for Thunderbowl Triumph with California 305 Sprint Series

By Brad Kennedy TULARE, Calif. (Mar. 28, 2026) — Conner Danell turned adversity into victory Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway, charging to his first California 305 Sprint Series win after rebounding from a violent crash just 24 hours earlier. The Visalia driver and his team thrashed overnight to repair his car following a nasty tumble during Friday heat race action. Starting third in Saturday’s 25-lap feature, Danell wasted no time getting to work, ripping the middle groove in the early laps to take control. Davey Pombo set the early pace, but a slip in turns one and two opened the door for Danell, who capitalized to take over the top spot. The two front-runners kept each other honest throughout the race. At one point, Danell stretched his advantage to a straightaway lead, but as the race reached the midway point, that margin began to shrink as Pombo mounted a furious charge. Pombo erased a 2.5-second deficit in just a handful of laps and made multiple bids for the lead, including a strong move to the inside [Read More]

Feature

Smith Scores First Career Carolina Sprint Tour Victory at Lavonia Speedway

By Evan McCrory LAVONIA, Ga. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Carolina Sprint Tour presented by GSR Chassis made its lone appearance in the Peach State Saturday night, bringing 18 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars to Lavonia Speedway for an action-packed program. Ontario, Canada’s Josh Shantz and Floridan Robbie Smith—making just his second weekend start with the series—led the field to green. Smith wasted no time asserting himself, grabbing the lead in the opening corners and quickly establishing control out front. A lap three incident involving George Loux and Dillan Baldwin brought out the first caution, though both drivers were able to continue. On the restart, Smith once again pulled away from Shantz and the rest of the field. The race’s second caution came on lap 20 when Ben McCall spun in front of the leaders. Another stoppage with two laps remaining, involving Chris Humblet, set up a dramatic finish. On the ensuing restart, Trevor Gach went over the wheel of another car and flipped in turn four. Gach was uninjured. On the final restart, Smith remained composed [Read More]

Feature

Schwien Stuns Field with Last-Corner Pass in Sport Compact Thriller at RPM’s Sunflower Classic

By Sheldon Wickwar HAYS, Kan. (Mar. 28, 2026) — The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts delivered one of the races of the night on the final night of the 14th Annual Sunflower Classic at RPM Speedway, with their 15-lap feature kicking off with Kiowa Higdon and Makennon Sanders on the front row. Early trouble for both drivers opened the door for Johnny Thomas and Connor Schwien to charge forward. A thrilling three-car battle developed between Schwien, J.D. Renfro, and Thomas, with the trio swapping positions in the closing laps. Schwien made a bold move in the final corner to steal the win and secure his first victory of 2026. Russell’s Schwien took the win, followed by Cheyenne, Wyoming’s J.D. Renfro in second and Beatrice, Nebraska’s Johnny Thomas in third. Kyle Mortensen finished fourth, with Gage Porter rounding out the top five. Schwien also earned hard charger honors, gaining 14 spots on his way to victory lane. Kiowa Higdon, Johnny Thomas, and Kaishen Brack each picked up heat race wins. Friday night’s feature was won by Johnny Thomas, [Read More]