Past Champions

November 2, 2026

Modified
Stock Car
Hobby Stock
Northern SportMod
Sport Compact
Late Model
Sprint Car

Feature

Ronnebaum Rides Late-Season Surge to First Hobby Stock National Championship

By Ben Deatherage ONAGA, Kan. (Oct. 20, 2026) — A late-season charge that produced 12 victories in his final 13 starts helped 28-year-old Nicholas Ronnebaum of Onaga, Kan., capture his first Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock national championship in 2026, prevailing by just four points after a season that saw him win more than half of his feature appearances. Ronnebaum became the fifth Kansas driver to win the national championship and the first from the Sunflower State since Doug Holzmeister in 1994. Kansas drivers claimed the division’s first four national championships from 1991 through 1994, with Brady Bauer, Larry Cole, Wayne Malsom, and Holzmeister each earning a title. The championship came after Ronnebaum recorded 24 feature victories, 37 top-five finishes, and 43 top-10 results in 46 starts. He also secured his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region championship and track titles at Beatrice Speedway in Nebraska and Salina Speedway in Kansas, with the latter marking his fourth career championship at the facility. Ronnebaum collected 11 victories at Salina Speedway, three at U.S. 30 Speedway, two each at [Read More]

Feature

Zeitner Defends IMCA Late Model National Championship

By Ben Deatherage BELLEVUE, Neb. (Oct. 20, 2026) — Zach Zeitner followed his first Sunoco IMCA Late Model national championship in 2025 with another successful season in 2026, collecting 16 feature victories in 38 starts while maintaining the consistency that helped establish him as one of the division’s leading competitors. The Bellevue, Neb., driver recorded 26 podium finishes, 33 top fives, and 38 top-10 finishes during the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly racing season. He finished sixth or better in 37 of his 38 appearances, with a ninth-place result accounting for his only finish outside the top six. “The consistency was still there from last year,” Zeitner said. “Last year we had a stretch of DNFs, and this year my goal was to maintain momentum and just try to win as many races as possible. We had around six seconds this year, and we never finished out of the top 10.” Driving the Zeitner & Sons Refrigerated Transport/Select Auto/Factory CS No. 76 Infinity Chassis, Zeitner collected victories at four different facilities. Shelby County Speedway led the way [Read More]

Feature

Oliver Claims First Stock Car National Championship After 20-Win Season

By Ben Deatherage WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (Oct. 20, 2026) — After years of competing in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car division, John Oliver Jr. finally reached the top of the national standings in 2026, capturing his first national championship by five points following a season that produced 20 feature victories in 54 starts. The 51-year-old West Burlington driver became the 11th different Iowa racer to win the Stock Car national championship and extended the state’s streak of consecutive titles to seven, dating back to 2020. Iowa drivers have now accounted for 29 of the 39 national championships awarded since the division began crowning champions in 1988. “Finally,” Oliver said with a laugh. “We went to a lot of new tracks and won at some of them. It was really nice. Everything I accomplished this year was fun.” Driving the Oliver Heating and Air/Dustys Extractions/A & B Roofing No. 05JR B&B Racing Chassis, Oliver recorded 35 podium finishes, 38 top fives, and 44 top-10 finishes while collecting victories at seven different tracks. He also earned his first [Read More]