Olmstead, Barnhart, Belec, Porter, and Burkhart Take Checkered Flags at Thomas County Speedway

by Derek White

A packed house at Thomas County Speedway was treated to an exciting night of IMCA dirt track racing on May 9, as competitors from across Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska battled through heats and features. Five IMCA classes delivered action-filled A Features with dramatic comebacks, thrilling side-by-side racing, and a few unexpected twists.

In IMCA Hobby Stock, Zach Olmstead of Overton, Nebraska, roared from eighth on the grid to claim victory in the 20-lap A Feature. Olmstead’s late charge overtook St. John’s Dylan Bell, who advanced from 10th to finish second. Goodland’s Ray West rounded out the podium. Colby’s Levi Jones, who started on the pole, faded to fifth. The night saw several drivers—including Morgan Olmstead—disqualified or unable to finish, underlining the competitiveness of the class.

Josh Barnhart, representing Colby, came out on top in a fiercely contested IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Starting from eighth, Barnhart carved through the field to take first over Adam Weber of Manhattan and Brianna Maughlin of Dighton. The event had a high attrition rate, with 11 of 19 starters failing to finish.

The IMCA Modified main event belonged to Eddie Belec of Arvada, Colorado, who vaulted from seventh to first in 20 laps. He held off Wakeeney’s Dylan Sherfick and Penokee’s Clay Money, both of whom gained seven positions. Goodland’s Drew Miller failed to finish after starting in the sixth spot, highlighting the class’s physical demands and tight margins.

In the IMCA Sport Compact class, Gage Porter of Hays secured a solid win after starting fourth. He was followed by Brock Leibhart of Imperial, Nebraska, and fellow Hays driver Kyle Mortensen. Only six cars started the A Feature, and all completed the six-lap race.

The IMCA Stock Car feature saw a strong performance from Hays’ Troy Burkhart, who powered his way from sixth to first. He was chased by Rocky Ford, Colorado’s Quinton Yutterman, and fellow Hays native Tathan Burkhart, as the Burkhart name claimed two of the top three spots. Colby’s Jeff Tubbs, despite winning his heat, was unable to finish the A Feature, as mechanical issues sidelined several local favorites.

As the 2024 race season gains momentum, Thomas County Speedway continues to be a proving ground for both veteran and emerging dirt track talents. With the crowd energized and cars thundering across the clay, the May 9 event cemented itself as another memorable night of racing in northwest Kansas.