CloseRacingSupply Archives

Close Racing Supply Named IMCA Modified Eastern Region Title Sponsor for ’26

By Ben Deatherage ELDRED, Pa. (Jan. 19, 2026) — Close Racing Supply has been named the new title sponsor of the IMCA Modified Eastern Region for the 2026 season, further strengthening a long-standing relationship between the company and Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing. The IMCA Modified Eastern Region includes competition across Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York. “We are very happy to do this,” said Close Racing Supply owner Joel Smith. “We’ve been a big IMCA supporter for years, from attending the (Speedway Motors IMCA) Super Nationals (fueled by Casey’s) to sponsoring the NY-PENN IMCA Modified Series since it started. The timing was right with our growth. We’ve been doing this for 30 years and we’re still growing, and now we’re in a position to step up and sponsor the Eastern Region.” Smith pointed to IMCA’s reach and professionalism as key factors in the decision. “When you look at the package IMCA offers — the number of cars, the number of tracks, the longevity of the sanctioning body, and the professionalism of everyone involved — [Read More]

Close Racing Supply backs touring IMCA Modifieds in NY, PA

ELDRED, Pa. (May 31, 2023) – The not infrequent chats Close Racing Supply owner Joel Smith had with customer Jake Maynard frequently covered the topics of IMCA and Modifieds in general and IMCA Modifieds in particular. Those conversations ultimately led Close to taking on the title sponsor role for the then-new NY-Penn IMCA Modified Series three years ago. The Eldred, Pa., suspension component manufacturer and high performance parts retailer provides a portion of the point fund and helps Maynard, now the tour director, keep connected with other NY-Penn sponsors. “We have serviced the dirt track industry for more than 25 years and have always been in Modifieds. We’ve had some very good IMCA drivers come out of this area over the years,” Smith said. “We do a lot of traveling and get to Iowa for Super Nationals every year.” “I like everything about IMCA, especially the rules,” he continued. “Everything is done right.” Doing everything right was Maynard’s goal when he took over at the helm of the tour, and as director of the Eastern [Read More]

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Thornton Rallies Late for Fourth Modified Victory at ’26 IMCA TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Belle Plaine, Iowa’s Dylan Thornton added another chapter to his dominant Winter Nationals run with a hard-fought victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the sixth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The former Santa Maria, California, resident earned his fourth win of the 2026 event, his fourth victory of the year in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region, and his sixth career Winter Nationals Modified triumph. Thornton, a three-division winner at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, jumped to the early lead from the bottom groove before 2018 Razor Chassis North Central Region champion Brandon Beckendorf began applying pressure. Beckendorf took control on lap five and briefly stretched the advantage as the leaders navigated lapped traffic. A caution on lap 18 reset the field, and Thornton went to work on the outside, pulling alongside Beckendorf and completing the winning pass on lap 22. Beckendorf [Read More]

Feature

Braaksma Holds On for Night Five Modified Victory at IMCA TV Winter Nationals in Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 28, 2026) — Ethan Braaksma from Newton, Iowa, captured his fourth career IMCA Modified Winter Nationals series victory with a hard-fought win in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature during the fifth night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines at Central Arizona Raceway. The defending Winter Nationals champion and two-time Dakota Classic Modified Tour titlist drove the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned no. 111 to victory, earning his first win of the 2026 campaign in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Western Region. Braaksma jumped to the early lead at the drop of the green and immediately began setting the pace, while three-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton moved into second and methodically began closing the gap. A strong battle developed behind them as Jonathan Mawhinney and reigning Marshalltown Speedway track champion Kollin Hibdon fought for third, with Hibdon eventually securing the position. Lapped traffic became a factor by lap 13, and Braaksma navigated [Read More]

Feature

IMCA TV Clash On The Coast Returns Bigger Than Ever for 2026

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jan. 26, 2026) — The 4th Annual IMCA TV Clash On The Coast is set to return February 21–28, 2026, featuring four nights of racing at two premier Gulf Coast dirt tracks with expanded racer amenities and one of the most unique offseason experiences in IMCA competition. It will feature three Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly divisions including the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods. The 2026 Clash On The Coast will be split between Northwest Florida Speedway in Baker, Fla., and Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Ala., continuing the successful dual-venue format that has defined the event’s rapid growth. Practice sessions are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, at Northwest Florida and Thursday, Feb. 26, at Deep South. Full race programs will follow Sunday and Monday, Feb. 22–23, at Northwest Florida before the tour shifts to Deep South for the final two shows on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27–28. Nightly payouts will pay $1,250 to win and $100 to start in each division, [Read More]