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The closing night of the 33rd annual Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway delivered a mix of strategy, late-race gambles and sentimental theater on Mar. 14, 2026. In the weekend finale the spotlight fell on local favorite Jaxon Saathoff, who erased a deep starting spot to take the headline 25-lap, $2,000-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified main. That victory not only punched his name onto the eligibility list for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, it also marked Saathoff’s first Jet Racing Central Region triumph of the season and his first Spring Nationals crown, coming exactly 30 years after his father, Johnny, won the event in 1996.
The Modified feature featured a race of position swings and key restarts. Early leaders set a brisk pace, cautions disrupted rhythm, and a late-race shakeup produced a dramatic green-white-checkered finish. Throughout the night, teams and drivers adjusted their lines and tires to the changing track, demonstrating why the Spring Nationals remains a measuring stick for regional talent. The event drew a large entry list and strong fan presence, underscoring the enduring appeal of IMCA competition at a historic short track venue.
Modified main event breakdown
The 25-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified started with Shawn Harker quickly staking an early claim before Bryson Yeager slipped past to lead the opening lap. A caution on lap four interrupted the rhythm but Yeager handled the restart well until Harker powered to the outside and took the lead on lap seven. Meanwhile Saathoff, beginning ninth, methodically carved through traffic and closed on the leaders as the race rolled into the middle stages. With tire wear and track groove changes influencing lines, Saathoff carried momentum and patience, catching the lead group and bringing five-time national champion Jordan Grabouski along as they worked to the front.
The decisive laps and finish
Saathoff made the pivotal pass on lap 22, first getting under Yeager and then executing a clean outside move to slip around Harker for the point. A late caution forced a green-white-checkered attempt, a two-lap sprint format designed to settle tight finishes, and Saathoff nailed the restart to pull away in the final circuits. Grabouski, who climbed from 16th to finish second and earn hard charger recognition for the most positions gained, was followed by Harker in third, Jeremy Mills fourth, and Yeager rounding out the top five. Thirty-eight cars started the Modified feature, making Saathoff’s march through the field all the more impressive.
Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock highlights
Sunoco IMCA Stock Car drama
In the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature Kyle Vanover took advantage of late-race incidents to score the victory. The Beatrice native started eighth in the 25-lap, $1,000-to-win main and used a late caution and multi-car contact on the final restart to move into the lead. The race began with a thrilling three-wide battle among Jordan Grabouski, Jesse Sobbing and Doug Holzmeister, and Grabouski threaded the needle to lead early. When contact between Grabouski and Sobbing spun the leader on the last restart, Vanover inherited the top spot and held on. Damon Murty finished second, Lance Borgman third, Holzmeister fourth, and Zach Bohlmeyer earned hard charger honors after a charge from 21st to fifth. Thirty-seven Stock Cars were entered.
Northern SportMod and Hobby Stock results
The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod final saw Cole Wayman control the race from the opening laps, taking the lead around Tyler Nerud and setting a pace that carried through lapped traffic and late restarts. Wayman, a Lincoln driver and two-time defending Eagle Raceway champion, converted the strong day into a $1,000-to-win victory while Adam Armstrong and Cam Reimers completed the podium. Jessiah Taylor was the SportMod hard charger, advancing from deep in the field to sixth. The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature produced a weekend sweep for Brendon Stigge, who seized the lead on a decisive restart midway through the race and maintained control to secure his first Spring Nationals title; Trent Matson, Taylor Huss and Dan Nelson rounded out the top finishers among 42 entries.
Sport Compact outcome and coverage
The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact finale ended with a post-race adjustment when initial winner Kaden Murray was disqualified after inspection for a limited slip differential infraction, promoting Kiowa Higdon to the victory lane. Murray had dominated on track, but the technical ruling changed the official order, with Brandon Carmichael credited second, Gilbert Aldape third, Jackson Black fourth, and Tobey Van Laningham fifth. Colten Halpain earned hard charger for advancing ten spots. The entire Spring Nationals card was streamed live on IMCA TV, and fans can rewatch the action via the IMCA TV replay subscription. Season 2 of the Boone docuseries is also available exclusively on IMCA TV for viewers who want behind-the-scenes context from the weekend.