BAKER, Fla. — 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 execute flawlessly. A spirited three-car battle for third unfolded behind the leaders, with two-time Benton County Speedway champion Joel Rust eventually securing the position.
Traffic again loomed with four laps remaining, and just as Braaksma began closing rapidly, a late caution with three to go cleared the track. Baca was perfect on the final restart and drove away to secure his third victory of the season — his first in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region and his first career Clash On The Coast series win for the Mesa, Ariz., native.
Braaksma finished second with Rust third. 2022 Arkansas State champion Drake Findlay advanced from 10th to fourth, while Izac Mallicoat completed the top five.
Wisconsin’s Derek Thompson and 2024 Florida State and track champion J.C. Wilson shared hard charger honors, each passing 11 cars.
Sixty-four IMCA Modifieds were in attendance.
Reigning series champion Mike Vandermark Jr. returned to familiar territory by capturing the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car 20-lap, $1,000-to-win feature. The race was a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifier for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s later this September — placing Vandermark on the eligibility list.
After a caution on the initial start, Vandermark surged to the early lead while Curt Lund and Dillon Richards battled intensely for second. Lund — a three-time IMCA Super Nationals Sprint Car winner — piloted the Paul and Melissa Burger-owned No. 87 B&B Racing Chassis house car, while Richards, last year’s Super Nationals Sport Compact winner competing in his first full IMCA Stock Car season since 2023, secured the runner-up position on lap three and began pursuit.
Neil Kemp wheeled the Tommy New-owned no. 20 into third by lap eight before a lap-10 caution regrouped the field. The restart saw opening-night winner Rod Snellenberger charge forward, reducing the deficit after starting 11th.
Multiple cautions in the middle stages kept the field tight as Kemp and Snellenberger waged a fierce fight for third. Snellenberger eventually secured the spot and set his sights on Richards — and then Vandermark — but the leader remained just out of reach.
The Cedar Springs, Mich., driver went on to record his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the year. The triumph marked his second career IMCA TV Clash On The Coast series win, tying him with Dallon Murty and Gage Neal for the most all-time in the division — with both of his victories coming at Blackwater Speedway.
Snellenberger placed second, Richards finished third, 2019 141 Speedway champion Josh Mroczkowski was fourth, and Kemp rounded out the top five. 2023 Eagle Raceway Hobby Stock champion Ryan Gilland earned hard charger honors, advancing from 19th to eighth.
Thirty-six IMCA Stock Cars were on hand.
Mike Smith added his name to the Clash On The Coast record book by winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod 20-lap feature — his first career series victory.
The reigning National Rookie of the Year wasted little time establishing command, jumping to the early lead while 2022 Illinois State champion Adam Birck settled into second. Smith built a strong advantage before reaching lapped traffic on lap nine.
As the race remained green, two-time Harris Clash winner Cam Reimers applied mounting pressure on Birck for the runner-up spot while both worked to close on the leader. Traffic briefly tightened the margin, but once clear Smith re-established a comfortable cushion. The Lake City, Iowa driver maintained control the rest of the distance to secure the milestone win.
Birck finished second with Reimers completing the podium in third. Joe Docekal steered the Heath Dry-owned No. 7TG to fourth, followed by Ben Reierson in fifth.
Thirty-four IMCA Northern SportMods filled the pits.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA.TV. An encore will air in March on SPEED SPORT 1.
