5/12/2026
Park Jefferson International Speedway
Montagne Motors to First SportMod Win of Season
Rusty Montagne of North Sioux City celebrates in victory lane at Park Jefferson Speedway after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature on May 8—his first victory of the 2026 season. (Photo by Purdy Photography)
By Chance Riley
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (May 8, 2026) — It was another great night of racing at Park Jefferson Speedway under a beautiful 75-degree Friday evening. The JZ Trucking IMCA Northern SportMods saw North Sioux City’s “Toehead” Rusty Montagne pick up his first win of the season after starting sixth. Nearly a year to the day since his last victory on May 8, 2025, Montagne made a decisive mid-race move to the outside of early leader Kirk Beatty to take command. He then held off a hard-charging Jake Newsom, who searched every lane on the speedway but came up just short. Newsom finished second, followed by Beatty, Garret Neville, and Noah Williams.
The Claas Farmpoint IMCA Hobby Stocks once again delivered exciting action on the high-banked 1/3-mile. Cody Malasek raced his way to the front past Ben Schneiders after falling back early, but it was Sioux City’s Zach Ankrum who stole the spotlight. Ankrum executed a last-corner slide job to win by .201 seconds, earning his third victory of the season—all at Park Jefferson. Malasek finished second, followed by Steven Taylor, Schneiders, and Justin Frederick.
In the NAPA IMCA Sport Compacts, Sioux City’s Gilbert Aldape scored his second win of the season, with both victories coming at Park Jefferson. Points leader Levi Volkert advanced six positions to finish second, followed by Tyler Thompson, Conner Brown, and Auston Honeycutt.
The Fremont Tire IMCA Stock Cars saw Sioux City veteran Jason Ward charge from sixth to earn his first win of the year. Ryan Harris advanced eight spots to finish second, with Wyatt Luke third, Greg Peck fourth, and Devin Tripp fifth.
Rounding out the night, Sioux Falls’ Duke Erickson put on a strong performance in the My Jeweler IMCA Modifieds. Starting eighth, Erickson powered through the field to claim his first win of the season. Greg Taylor finished second, followed by Chris Abelson, Bob Moore, and Jason Schneiders.
Racing returns to Park Jefferson Speedway on Friday May 15th for Park Jeff Thrills and Guys' Night! Hot Laps at 7:00 P.M with racing to follow!
Article Credit: Chance Riley