ELDRED, Pa. — 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 — it’s a win-win that we’re happy to be a part of.”
Close Racing Supply was founded in 1996 by local racer Bob Close, initially servicing a handful of nearby tracks with tires, fuel and parts. In 2000, longtime late model crew chief and fabricator Joel Smith was hired as the company’s first employee, and before long, CRS was assembling and building race cars for competitors across multiple divisions.
As the business continued to grow beyond its original footprint, Close sold the company to Smith in 2014. Under Smith’s leadership, Close Racing Supply expanded its operations and launched CRS Race Components, an in-house manufacturing division producing race parts and products now used by numerous IMCA chassis builders.
“About 15 years ago, we started CRS Race Components after being in retail for so long, and that side of the business has grown tremendously,” Smith said. “A lot of IMCA chassis builders are using our components, and it’s something we’re really proud of.”
In 2021, CRS moved into a larger facility featuring expanded inventory space, a larger showroom, and an increased fabrication area to better serve its growing customer base.
The IMCA Modified Eastern Region carries a storied championship legacy, with numerous standout competitors over the years. Former Eastern Region champions include multi-time titleholders such as A.J. Ward, Myron DeYoung, Sean Lias, and Kevan Cook, underscoring the depth and competitiveness of the region.
That tradition continued last season when National champion Jeffrey Reay brought the IMCA Modified National crown to the Eastern Region for the first time since Rick Stout accomplished the feat in 1995.
