BAKER, Fla. — 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. From there, the Newton, Iowa driver was flawless on restarts despite a string of cautions.
Jed Freiburger, the four-time reigning champion at both Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway and Lafayette County Speedway, mounted a charge to second before Troy Morris III — fresh off a Winter Nationals sweep at Hunt The Front’s Southern Raceway — surged forward.
Morris climbed to second on a restart but could not track down Braaksma, who checked out to score his first career IMCA TV Clash On The Coast victory and his second win of 2026 — his first in the Close Racing Supply Eastern Region this season after starting third.
Morris finished second, Freiburger was third, two-time Benton County Speedway champion Joel Rust won the battle for fourth, and three-division IMCA Super Nationals winner Dylan Thornton placed fifth after starting 12th.
Izac Mallicoat earned hard charger honors, advancing from 24th to sixth.
70 IMCA Modifieds were in attendance.
Snellenberger Scores in Stock Cars
Rod Snellenberger captured the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature, earning his first career IMCA TV Clash On The Coast victory. 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, and Snellenberger is now on the eligibility list to try and qualify for the prestigious event.
The 2008 National champion and six-time reigning Wisconsin State champion took control early and maintained command despite constant pressure. Two-time and defending Nationals Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock Super Nationals winner Nathan Ballard moved into contention early, while Owen Barnhill — a three-time IMCA Modified champion at Blackwater Speedway in the Elmquist Towing-owned no. B24 — held firm in a tight battle for position.
John Oliver Jr., the three-time reigning Iowa State champion and 11-time reigning 34 Raceway Stock Car champion, entered the mix before Curt Lund, wheeling the no. 87 B&B Racing Chassis house car for Paul and Melissa Burger, charged into second on lap 17. Lund, a three-time Super Nationals IMCA Sprint Car champion, trimmed the gap in the closing laps but could not reel in the leader.
Snellenberger, of Pulaski, Wisconsin, secured his first win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. Lund finished second, Oliver third. Defending series champion Mike Vandermark Jr. rallied from 12th to fourth, and two-time Iowa State and reigning Shelby County Speedway champion Mike “Wahoo” Albertsen advanced from 15th to fifth to earn hard charger honors.
39 IMCA Stock Cars were on hand.
Wolfmeyer Makes History in SportMod Clash Debut
Reed Wolfmeyer etched his name in history by winning the inaugural Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature in both IMCA TV Clash On The Coast and Florida history. The 25-lap main event saw the Liberty, Illinois driver take command on the opening circuit and never look back.
The 2023 Illinois State champion built a commanding early advantage while 2024 Benton County Speedway champion Brady Hilmer and two-time Benton County Speedway track champion Joe Docekal battled intensely for second. Docekal eventually secured the runner-up spot in the Heath Dry-owned no. 7TG, but Wolfmeyer had already encountered lapped traffic by lap nine.
Mike Smith, last year’s National Rookie of the Year and Boone Speedway champion, climbed into second on lap 10 before another caution reset the field. Despite repeated challenges and late-race stoppages, Wolfmeyer executed each restart perfectly. Docekal briefly closed the gap, but Wolfmeyer held firm to secure the milestone victory.
Docekal finished second while Smith was third. Reigning National champion Brayton Carter charged from 14th — transferring from a B main after missing his heat race — to place fourth in the Bobby Six-owned no. 6, and 2024 Independence Motor Speedway champion Cole Suckow was fifth.
Kevin Goben earned hard charger honors, advancing from 20th to ninth.
35 IMCA Northern SportMods filled the pits.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.
