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8/6/2025

I-96 Speedway

Race Night at I-96 was set up to feature the HUBBCO Racing Product IMCA Modifieds with it being the IMCA Fast Shafts All-Star Qualifier. The class was deep with 25 drivers battling for open wheeled supremacy but along with them came 26 UMP Late Model drivers to add to the full program on a great night of dirt track racing.

The UMP Late Model Feature started with Illinois driver, #21B Rich Bell leading the field to green from the pole. However, Bell would only lead lap number 1 as #18 Chase Burda would take the lead on lap 2 from outside pole position and lead until lap number 8 where #6M Dona Marcoullier would then complete a pass for the lead. It then looked like Dona would settle in and take home the win until local driver, #4 Travis Stemler, would put the pressure on until finally completing the pass with just 3 laps remaining to park it in Lane Automotive/Allstar Performance Victory Lane for the 3rd time in 2025 and take over the point lead. 1st-#4 Travis Stemler 2nd-#6M Dona Marcoullier 3rd-#18 Chase Burda 4th-#21 Logan Nickerson 5th-#21B Rich Bell. The B Main winner was #54 Brian Nelson. Heat races were won by Burda, Stemler, and #15 Phil Ausra.

As mentioned, our featured class of the evening were our HUBBCO Racing Products IMCA Modifieds for the IMCA Fast Shafts All-Star Qualifier and along with that came a great surprise and challenge. In the IMCA Nation point standings, our very own point leader, #12 Jeff Reay, is also leading nation point standings. Heading all the way to I-96 Speedway from Davenport, Iowa would be the driver sitting 2nd in the nation's point standings, #26 Spencer Diercks, to have a head to head challenge with Reay. The HUBBCO Racing Product IMCA Mod class is already stacked every Friday Night with some of the best dirt Modified drivers in the nation, so this added an extra bit of intrigue to the evening. A bit of misfortune would befall one of the heavy contenders, #83 "Portland Powerhouse” Casey Smith, as he would be set to start from Pole Position but would have mechanical issues leading until the final lap of his Heat race. With that, #71 Brenten Deyoung would inherit that spot and lead all the way until lap number 14. The battle for the top spot in the nation would set Reay at a disadvantage as he would start 9th and Diercks would start 5th. Diercks also proved to be strong as he laid down the fastest lap during Feature action, but in the end, nothing would stop #12 “The Real Deal” Jeff Reay from collecting his 5th A-Main win of the season. 1st-#12 “The Real Deal” Jeff Reay 2nd-#71 Brenten Deyoung 3rd-#29 Spencer Diercks 4th-#26P Nathan Patrick 5th-#05 Ryan Heskett. Heat race winners were #24 Jeremy Young, #10W Bree Wonch, and Diercks.

In our Pro Stock division, it appears as each week, #35 Billy Trueblood Jr., has had to overcome another new challenger along with weekly regulars. This week, it would be #77 Rob Brillhart, former champ, for Trueblood and his team to overcome. In Heat race action, it seemed that Brillhart might push Team Trueblood out of victory lane after picking up that win, but when the green flag dropped for feature action, it would be Team Trueblood from start to finish to collect win number 7 of 8 in a dominating season of pro stock action. 1st-#35 Billy Trueblood Jr. 2nd-#77B Rob Brillhart 3rd-#45 Michael Husted. Heat win would go to Brillhart.

In Street Stock action, it would be a return to form for point leader, #67 Carlind Forsythe. Starting 4th, it would only be a short time until Forsythe would get out front and never look back as he would take the top spot on lap 2. It appeared as though he would get some separation from #65 Bill Brandt Jr. who is 2nd in points as Brandt would spin out early and have to fight his way through the field after starting 2nd. Proving why he is in championship contention with Forsythe, Brandt would fight back to finish 2nd and keep the gap at just 8 points from 1st to 2nd. 1st-#67 Carlind Forsythe 2nd-#65 Bill Brandt Jr. 3rd-#46 David Schmidt 4th-#27P Peyton Cunningham 5th-#70 Britany Devries. Heat race went to Brandt.

Compact action would see a return to victory lane for point leader, #14 “Muskegon Missile” Jordan Siegel. Siegel has started to really settle in and have his car figured out at I-96 Speedway as he continues to be a contender for the checkered flag every Friday Night. The challenge wouldn't be a simple one as #49 Austin Terryn would outpace Siegel i the heat race. But, in the end, Siegel would prove victorious. 1st-#14 “Muskegon Missile” Jordan Siegel 2nd-#49 Austin Terryn 3rd-#22B Ryan Boyer. As mentioned, Heat winner was Terryn.

In Unrestricted Mini Wedge action, the top drivers in point standings once again battled it out on track as it seemed to be that way in every class all night. 1st-#37 “Baby Shark” Robert Sternberg Jr. 2nd-#71K Karsyn Crosby 3rd-#2 Jordan Hendrick 4th-#52 Malia Lange 5th-#32 Waylon King. Heat winners were Sternberg and Hendrick.

Restricted Mini Wedges would sadly see point leader, #6 Lola Stemler, have mechanical issues and not be able to finish. This left title contender Axle Smith to try and gain some points by winning the Feature. However, Smith would have to settle for 2nd as #00 Wyatt Patrick would park it in victory lane. Stemler’s misfortune and 2nd place for Smith would help him overtake the point lead by a single point. 1st-#00 Wyatt Patrick 2nd-#85 “Wild Child” Axle Smith 3rd-#9M Ty McClure. Heat winners were Stemler and Patrick.

More racing action coming this Friday as its time to bring out the whole family for Kids Night. Prizes, giveaways, meet your favorite drivers during the meet and greet. Kona Ice will be serving your favorite flavors along with all of your favorite racing classes. Come on out August 8th to I-96 Speedway “Where Excitement Lives!”

Regular Photographer: Just Shoot Me Photography & Design by Katie

Photo Credit: Dave Hendrick Photography | TheSlideJob Media

Article Credit: Jeremy Crash Pearson

Submitted By: Justin Sharp