Berry Survives Restart For North Dakota Prize – SPEED SPORT

MINOT, N.D. — Tom Berry Jr. capitalized on late-race misfortune for Ethan Braaksma and survived a frantic restart battle to win the opening round of the 2026 Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric Sunday night at Nodak Speedway.

Braaksma, the two-time defending tour champion from Iowa, quickly established himself as the driver to beat in the 30-lap Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature.

Driving for car owners Danny Meier and Trent Guest, he led from the outset while Wyoming’s Bart Taylor steadily reeled him in during the opening half of the race. Taylor made several bids for the lead, but Braaksma turned each one away before gradually extending his advantage.

Everything changed with seven laps remaining, as Braaksma suffered a flat tire while comfortably out front, bringing out the caution. Taylor inherited the lead, but the restart produced a thrilling three-wide battle as Taylor, 2022 Wisconsin state champion Jayden Schmidt and two-time tour champion Berry all fought for the top spot.

The two-time series champion and 2020 National title winner, Berry, edged ahead at the stripe to lead lap 25, then quickly opened a comfortable advantage over the remaining laps.

Starting eighth in the Mike Wedelstadt-owned No. 11X, the Marshalltown, Iowa, driver, originally from Medford, Ore., earned his 11th career Dakota Tour victory and third tour triumph at Nodak Speedway. It marked his fifth Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season at five different tracks.

The feature also served as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational held during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, although Berry had already secured eligibility to attempt to qualify for the event earlier in the year.

Cole Czarneski, the 2026 Clash at the Creek winner from Wisconsin, charged from a B Feature transfer to start 15th before rallying to finish second and earn hard charger honors. Schmidt completed the podium, Tanner Black, originally from Arizona and now racing out of Kansas, finished fourth, and two-time Nodak Speedway track champion Travis Hagen advanced from 10th to fifth.

Fifty-three IMCA Modifieds were on hand for the event.

Brock Beeter turned away late challenges from Kyle Scholpp and Jonny Carter to capture his first career Dakota Classic Tour victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.

The newly crowned Nodak Speedway champion wasted little time taking command and quickly built a comfortable advantage before an early caution erased his lead.

Beeter again pulled away on the restart while the battle for second intensified behind him. Defending North Dakota Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod state champion Gabriel Deschamp climbed into the runner-up position on lap 16 and began chasing the leader before another caution with five laps remaining tightened the field and set up a thrilling finish.

Carter fought to Beeter’s inside while 2025 Estevan Motor Speedway champion Kyle Scholpp charged around the cushion. Despite pressure from both challengers over the closing laps, Beeter never wavered, holding them off to score the victory.

The Minot driver earned his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, with two of those wins coming at Nodak Speedway.

The feature was also served as a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held during the IMCA Super Nationals. With the victory, Beeter became eligible to attempt to qualify for the event in September.

Scholpp nipped Carter for second at the finish, while 2023 Dakota Tour champion Rob Van Mil crossed the line fourth. Deschamp recovered to finish fifth after starting 14th.

Defending Boone Speedway champion Johnathon Logue raced from a B Feature transfer, starting 22nd before advancing to 12th to earn hard charger honors.

Forty-two IMCA Stock Cars signed in on the registration sheets.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.