blackwaterspeedway Archives

Braaksma, Vandermark Jr., Smith Rise to the Top at IMCA TV Clash On The Coast

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Mar. 2, 2026) — The 4th annual IMCA TV Clash On The Coast returned to the Gulf Coast with four nights of competition split between Blackwater Speedway in Baker, Florida, and Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Alabama. Blackwater, formerly Northwest Florida Speedway, has hosted the tour each year since its inception, while Deep South joined the rotation for the second straight season. All three divisions crowned champions after tightly contested four-race title battles, with a different winner in each class on every night of competition. A total of 74 drivers competed in Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified action during the week. Newton, Iowa’s Ethan Braaksma wrapped up the Modified title by 12 points in the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111. The two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion, former IMCA TV Winter Nationals champion, and reigning Harris Clash winner never fell outside the top five all week, stacking one win, three podium finishes, and a perfect four-for-four mark inside the top five to seal the championship. His best night came [Read More]

Baca Masters Restarts to Score IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Victory in Baker

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 24, 2026) — Chaz Baca Jr. delivered a poised and calculated performance to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the second night of the 2026 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway. The event served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — for which Baca was already eligible. On the initial start Baca wrestled the lead from opening-lap pacesetter Logan Anderson to command lap one. The two-time National champion quickly settled into rhythm while Anderson — last year’s Razor Chassis North Central Region Rookie of the Year — fought to maintain pace. Defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion Ethan Braaksma, winner of the previous night’s main event in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111, soon emerged as Baca’s primary challenger. The pair separated from the field before lapped traffic came into play on lap nine, only for consecutive cautions to reset the tempo. Each restart saw Baca [Read More]

Braaksma Breaks Through for First IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Triumph at Blackwater

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma powered to victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature on the opening night of the 2026 IMCA Clash On The Coast at Blackwater Speedway, formerly known as Northwest Florida Speedway. The event also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September, for which Braaksma was already on the eligibility list. Tim Ward, the two-time reigning Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, jumped to the early lead aboard the Doug and Amy Eckrich-owned no. 151 Performer Chassis house car before Joseph Joiner wrestled the top spot away on lap two. Joiner, driving the Andrews Autosport no. 10J for car owner Spencer Andrews, withstood multiple early cautions while fending off challenges from Braaksma. The race turned on lap 10 when Joiner bobbled, allowing Braaksma — the two-time defending Dakota Classic Modified Tour champion racing the Trent Guest and Danny Meier no. 111— to pounce and seize control. [Read More]

Florida Bullring Recharged Under New Ownership Ahead of IMCA TV Clash On The Coast

By Ben Deatherage BAKER, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2026) — A new chapter is underway for Northwest Florida Speedway, as Ron Wolverton has officially taken ownership of the Baker, Florida ¼-mile facility, launching an ambitious revival effort aimed at preserving grassroots racing while positioning the venue for long-term growth. For Wolverton — a lifelong drag racer turned dirt track promoter — the journey into ownership has been nothing short of extraordinary. “The whole thing has been a miracle after miracle,” Wolverton said. “We pulled off a construction feat that even the big guys couldn’t pull off. We didn’t start until January 9 before we got to moving dirt, and I couldn’t have done it without all the volunteers and community members that came out to help.” Among the most notable upgrades has been the restoration of the racing surface itself. Wolverton and his team worked to bring the track back to its roots by reconditioning the oval with original dirt pulled directly from the property versus having it hauled in from elsewhere. Now entering his first season [Read More]

Feature

Joel Magee: Collecting Toys and Checkered Flags

By Ben Deatherage PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Mar. 9, 2026) — Inside hotel ballrooms and convention halls across America, Joel Magee can often be found leaning over a folding table with a magnifying glass in hand, carefully studying a toy that might be decades old. A faded lunchbox, a worn toy car, or a well-loved action figure could all hold stories — and sometimes surprising value. For the past several decades, collectors have brought their treasures to Magee hoping to learn what they’re worth. To many in the collecting world, he’s known simply as “The Toy Scout.” But when the appraisal tables close and the lights go down, Magee trades vintage toys for something much louder — the rumble of a race car engine. The Sioux City, Iowa native is also the driver of a Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock, and at 64 years old, he’s chasing checkered flags with the same enthusiasm he brings to tracking down rare collectibles. And in 2026, he’s already off to a strong start. Winter Champion, Summer Contender Magee opened the [Read More]

News

Al Buschelman: A Life Remembered

By Ben Deatherage GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (Mar. 10, 2026) — Dirt-track racing in southwestern Wyoming didn’t simply appear overnight. Tracks were carved from open ground, racecars were built in home garages, and entire racing programs grew from the efforts of volunteers who believed in the sport. Few individuals embodied that spirit more than Allen “Al” Buschelman — racer, builder, community servant, and longtime IMCA official whose influence helped shape generations of racing across the region. Buschelman passed away Sunday, March 8, at age 88 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. For decades he was a familiar figure at Wyoming racetracks, whether behind the wheel of a racecar, operating heavy equipment, or helping guide the sport as an IMCA regional director. Those who knew him remember a man who loved fast cars, valued hard work, and cared deeply about the people around him. From Nebraska Roots to a Life in Wyoming Al Buschelman was born in Crofton, Nebraska. He attended high school in Crofton and grew up in a rural environment that emphasized hard work and [Read More]

Divisions

Johnson Avenges Opening Night Flip with Round Two SportMod Victory in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 7, 2026) — Following a prolific 2025 season at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway across various Stock Car classes, Nicholas Johnson took on the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods in 2026. His season opener in February ended on his lid, but he quickly regained his form at the one-third-mile dirt track on Saturday during March Madness with a coveted comeback victory. Johnson dominated his heat race, then lined up third for the 25-lap feature alongside his brother Ethan. Ethan jumped ahead at the start with Nicholas sliding into second. Following a crash in turn one on the opening lap, Nicholas Johnson used the restart to take over the lead on the second lap. Johnson dominated the rest of the feature to score his first Bakersfield SportMod win. Tate Lofts drove from eighth to second, with Chris McKellar, 2024 champion Jason Bannister, and Alyssa Smith rounding out the top five. 2023 and 2024 Bakersfield Speedway Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified champion Gavyn Manning returned to the top step of the podium, winning the [Read More]