News >   USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels News >   Chisholm Charges to Mason City Victory, Extends Points Lead

July 12, 2026

Chisholm Charges to Mason City Victory, Extends Points Lead

MASON CITY, Iowa (July 12, 2026) — It took Joe Chisholm just two laps to turn a fifth-place starting spot into the race lead Sunday night. Over the final sixteen laps, the Osage, Iowa driver was pulled away from the field enroute to his sixth victory of the season with the USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series presented by Real Racing Wheels at Mason City Motor Speedway.

Pole sitter Nick Murgic brought the field to the opening green flag, but Chisholm wasted little time finding a fast way around the 3/8-mile oval. Committing to the very bottom of the racetrack through the roughest part of the racing surface, "Smoke" pieced together a nearly perfect opening lap, advancing two positions while pulling alongside older brother Jim Chisholm for second as the field raced to complete lap one.

The momentum continued on the second circuit.

After slipping underneath Jim for the runner-up position, Chisholm drew even with Murgic exiting turn two before completing the pass by the time the field reached the flag stand. Just two laps into the 25-lap feature, Chisholm had gone from fifth to first and looked intent on making a quick exit from the rest of the field.

Three early cautions had other ideas.

The first Midwest Sheet Metal caution waved on lap five for Landon Volkman before Tyler Grooms slowed to draw another yellow on lap eight. One lap later, Volkman again brought out the caution, setting up what proved to be the race's final restart.

Each yellow flag erased Chisholm's advantage, but each restart produced the same result.

The series points leader immediately stretched his lead over the opening corners, refusing to give the field an opportunity to mount a serious challenge. Once the race settled into a long green-flag run, Chisholm methodically hit his marks and steadily increased his advantage over the final sixteen laps.

Behind him, however, the battle for the remaining podium positions never let up.

Jim Chisholm, Harley Dais and Murgic spent much of the race sorting out second through fourth while Alex Williamson looked poised to insert himself into the fight before mechanical trouble changed the complexion of his night. Suspension issues developed on the No. 15W, creating a left rear tire rub that forced the "Ice Man" into survival mode over the closing laps. Despite the issue, Williamson managed to hang on for a hard-earned fifth-place finish.

In Victory Lane, Chisholm admitted his lightning-fast charge to the front wasn't something he anticipated.

"That certainly wasn't what I was expecting here tonight, you know, to find myself going from fifth to racing for the lead on lap three," Chisholm said. "I guess I was just going where they weren't the first lap, and everybody, I think, was a little scared to go down there, and it just worked out."

Once out front, the strategy shifted from aggression to consistency.

"If you could find a way through the rough it wasn't too bad. There at the end of the race I was just telling myself, kind of back off and hit my marks. There wasn't going to be a way to get around me if I hit my marks. But if I made a mistake, then I was going to open up the door."

Jim Chisholm completed the family one-two finish in second, while rookie Harley Dais added another podium performance with a third-place effort. Murgic finished fourth after leading the opening two laps, followed by Williamson, Zach Brom, Rodney Sanders, Kyle Brown, Darwin Karau and Braden Claborn.

The victory further strengthened Joe Chisholm's hold on the championship standings as the second-year Northern Lights Modified Series continued its summer campaign.

Media Results: 7/12/2026 at Mason City Motor Speedway - Mason City, IA

USRA Northern Lights Modified Series 18 Entries

Pannell Chipping A Feature: 1. Joe Chisholm 2. Jim Chisholm 3. Harley Dais 4. Nick Murgic 5. Alex Williamson 6. Zach Brom 7. Rodney Sanders 8. Kyle Brown 9. Darwin Karau 10. Braden Claborn 11. Klay Beemer 12. Tyler Grooms 13. Duke Erickson 14. Parker Foster 15. Al Hejna 16. Landon Volkman 17. Joe Ludemann 18. Parker Hale

Rick Beebe Heating and Air Heat 1: 1. Jim Chisholm 2. Harley Dais 3. Joe Chisholm 4. Rodney Sanders 5. Alex Williamson 6. Al Hejna 7. Klay Beemer 8. Braden Claborn 9. Duke Erickson

Smith Equipment Company Heat 2: 1. Zach Brom 2. Nick Murgic 3. Kyle Brown 4. Darwin Karau 5. Joe Ludemann 6. Landon Volkman 7. Tyler Grooms 8. Parker Foster 9. Parker Hale

Deatherage Opticians Qualifying: 1. Jim Chisholm 2. Nick Murgic 3. Harley Dais 4. Zach Brom 5. Joe Chisholm 6. Kyle Brown 7. Rodney Sanders 8. Darwin Karau 9. Al Hejna 10. Landon Volkman 11. Alex Williamson 12. Joe Ludemann 13. Klay Beemer 14. Parker Foster 15. Duke Erickson 16. Tyler Grooms 17. Braden Claborn 18. Parker Hale

Current USRA Kevko Racing Northern Lights Modified Series Point Standings

1. Joe Chisholm 812
2. Harley Dais (-146) 666
3. Alex Williamson (-152) 660
4. Parker Hale (-168) 644
5. Rodney Sanders (-174) 638
6. Zach Brom (-201) 611
7. Darwin Karau (-319) 493
8. Joe Horgdal (-348) 464
9. Kyle Brown (-381) 431
10. Jacob Bleess (-435) 377

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