Following a 3 race swing along I-94 northwest of Minneapolis, the USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels returns to action this weekend with a pair of first-time destinations as the tour heads back towards southeastern Minnesota. Drivers will battle at Chateau Speedway in Lansing, Minnesota on Friday, June 19, before traveling a short distance northeast to Dodge County Speedway in Kasson, Minnesota on Saturday, June 20.

While both facilities are newcomers to the Northern Lights schedule, neither is unfamiliar with high-level modified competition.

Friday night’s stop at Chateau Speedway marks the first appearance by the Northern Lights Modified Series at the historic 1/3-mile clay oval. While new to the Northern Lights schedule, Chateau has welcomed some of the nation’s top modified racers throughout its history. The most recent touring modified event at the facility came in 2022 when the United States Modified Touring Series visited Lansing. That night, Imperial, California driver Lance Mari raced from 16th on the starting grid to capture his first career USMTS victory against a field packed with some of the sport’s biggest names.

Saturday’s event at Dodge County Speedway is the culmination of conversations that began following one of the track’s most successful modified specials in recent memory. During the 2025 Dodge County Fair race, a tremendous turnout of competitors and fans packed the facility for a special modified event that quickly caught the attention of Northern Lights officials. The success of that race helped spark discussions about bringing the series to Kasson in 2026, and this weekend those plans become reality.

Event promotor Ryan Wetzstein for one cant wait for this weekend at Dodge County.  “I’m ecstatic about Saturday’s race. Dodge County Speedway has been known for putting on some stellar races in the past and I expect nothing less come Saturday night. The Northern Lights Modified Series brings some serious talent to the table and I can’t wait for them to showcase that this weekend. This track is a tight 3/8 and is definitely what they call “ up on the wheel”. I think we’ll have a good car count and great show to follow.”

While this weekend’s event is not part of the annual Dodge County Fair race festivities—which return on Thursday, July 16—one Northern Lights regular will be hoping history repeats itself. Rushford, Minnesota’s Alex Williamson captured the $3,025 top prize during last year’s Dodge County Fair special and now returns as one of the top contenders for both a weekend victory and the 2026 Northern Lights championship.

Entering the weekend, four-time feature winner Joe Chisholm continues to set the pace in the championship standings. The Osage, Iowa veteran has been the benchmark throughout the opening portion of the season and carries a 52-point advantage over multi-time USMTS National Champion Rodney Sanders of Happy, Texas.

Behind the front-running duo, the battle for position remains tight. Minnesota standout Parker Hale sits third in points, 76 markers behind Chisholm, while Harley Dais and Williamson round out the top five. In fact, just 32 points separate Hale and Williamson entering the weekend, making every position on the racetrack critical as the season approaches its midway point.

The home-state contingent will be particularly strong this weekend. Along with Hale, Dais, and Williamson, fellow Minnesota drivers Zach Brom, Joe Horgdal, Taton Hansen, and Keith Foss all enter the weekend looking to capitalize on their familiarity with southern Minnesota racing. However, they will have their hands full against a touring roster led by Chisholm, Sanders, and several other championship hopefuls eager to gain ground in the standings.

With two new venues on the schedule, a strong mix of local standouts and touring veterans, and a championship battle beginning to take shape, the stage is set for another exciting weekend of Northern Lights Modified Series competition in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Current USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series Championship Standings

1. Joe Chisholm (Osage, IA) – 472

2. Rodney Sanders (Happy, TX) – 420 (-52)

3. Parker Hale (Grand Meadow, MN) – 396 (-76)

4. Harley Dais (Winona, MN) – 365 (-107)

5. Alex Williamson (Rushford, MN) – 364 (-108)

6. Zach Brom (Winona, MN) – 332 (-140)

7. Joe Horgdal (Mantorville, MN) – 312 (-160)

8. Taton Hansen (Spicer, MN) – 296 (-176)

9. Keith Foss (Winona, MN) – 262 (-210)

10. Kyle Brown (Madrid, IA) – 255 (-217)

The Kevko Racing USRA Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels would like to recognize and thank our 2026 season long partners. Please thank them, with your patronage for their support.

Gold Partners – Central Spray Foam & Cement Lifting, Day Motor Sports, Deatherage Opticians, Dirt Track Specialist, Dylan Scott Entertainment, Hochatown Saloon, Kevko Racing, Midwest Sheet Metal, Mel Hambelton Ford Racing, Pannell Chipping, RacinDirt.com, Real Racing Wheels, Rick Beebe Heating and Air Conditioning, Smith Equipment Company, Swift Springs, VP Racing Fuels Heartland, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products

Silver Partners – American Racer Tires, Buck Monson Photos, Bulletproof Tees and Racewear, Duvall Electric, Integra Shocks, JRT Trucking, Keyser Manufacturing, Midwest Automation, Photos By Boyd, Scotty Dogg’s Hideout

Bronze Partners – Bryke Racing, Fast Shafts, Freight Logistics Inc., KS Engineering, Maxima Racing Oil, Milburn Acreages by Tillison Enterprises, PEM Racing, Premier Lubricants, Schoenfeld Headers, Service Plumbing of Wichita, Transmissions Unlimited, Wagdog Spices, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Yeoman Race Engines

2026 Point Funds (ARMS, HMT, NLMS)
1. $7,500
2. $4,500
3. $3,500
4. $3,000
5. $2,500
6. $2,400
7. $2,300
8. $2,200
9. $2,100
10. $2,000
*80 Percent attendance required to remain point fund eligible

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