4/20/2026
Meridian Speedway
Carsner Ducks Calamity, Wins Busch Light Boat Bash
The stands were packed and the atmosphere electric at Meridian Speedway on Saturday, April 18, as the quarter-mile asphalt oval hosted the Busch Light Boat Bash powered by Red Right Hand. The NASCAR Modifieds, Pizza Hut Legends, Allied Fence Mini Stocks, Speedway Bandoleros, Firehouse Pub and Grill Thunderdogs, and Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets fired engines to fight for the night’s Allied Fence trophies. Plus, the end of the night saw a bruising Boat Race of Destruction.
The NASCAR Modifieds ran their first doubleheader of the season Saturday. Young Titus Clancy, in a backup Radiator Xperts, 5J Electric car after his opening weekend crash, bolted to the lead in the first feature. But Clancy’s handling soured midway through the race and allowed James Strikwerda and Brendon Fries to take over the top two spots.
Strikwerda enjoyed his lead for one lap before his All Parts Brokers, Alder Farms modified came under attack from Fries’ Guild Mortgage, ATS Inland racer. Fries hooked the inside line and slung his machine into the lead. A handful of laps later Caity Miller followed suit before the caution flag waved with just ten laps to go.
Fries chose the inside line on the restart and got the drop on Miller, who fell to third behind Josh Randolph in the exchange. Randolph was able to cut into Fries’ lead, but it wasn’t enough as Fries was the night’s first competitor to park in the Zamp Winner’s Circle.
In the division’s second feature Larry Hull jumped to the early lead in his Spiers Construction, Carbon Designs Vinyl modified and steamed to victory. Randolph came home second again, ahead of Chuck Youngblood, Rusty Houpt, and Alex Duda.
Seventeen rowdy Pizza Hut Legends took the green flag for their season’s first feature. Rod Stiller and Payton Weller traded the lead early but the man on the move was Austin Murphy, who got tired of waiting on traffic and squeezed his ATEL USA, Phoenix Fire Games machine first into the extreme high line, then back down through the middle to power past five competitors in as many seconds.
Murphy’s daring blast through traffic put him withing striking distance of race leader Beau Phipps, Leon Tridle, and Chase Gilbertson. A restart allowed Tridle to pilot his Elite Junk Disposal, HiViz Media racer to the lead while Murphy and Gilbertson fought their way around Phipps’ Western Mountain, Inc. entry. As soon as Murphy hit open track, he dispatched Gilbertson to third and set his sights on Tridle. But fast as Murphy was, Tridle was faster, and he zipped across the line first.
Post race technical inspection found an infraction with Tridle’s car. This left Murphy as the first feature winner of the 2026 Pizza Hut Legends campaign.
Cayden Barker led the first lap of Saturday’s Speedway Bandolero feature in his Lawn 2C , Certified Services machine. But Tayton Monroe’s Torch Towing and Transport, Idaho Wrecker Sales entry was fast, and he motored around the outside of Barker to take the lead on lap two. From there Monroe cruised to the victory over fellow top-five finishers Barker, Kyro Phipps, Paizleigh Lopez, and Khambrei Dee.
Allied Fence Mini Stock favorites Riley Rogers and Morgan Trammel dueled for the win. Rogers wheeled his Performance Signs and Graphics mount hard, but Trammel’s Trammel Construction, Bobby’s Transmission Center entry would not be denied, and the defending champion flashed across the finish line first. Behind the lead duo, Travis Pavlacky and Craig Taylor held a spirited battle for third. Pavlacky got the better of this fight to bring his 208 Towing, Crushin’ It pickup home third ahead of Taylor’s American Staffing, Make Luck Motorsports mount.
The Idaho Asphalt Services Hornet feature became a brawl for it all as Travis Pavlacky, Ben Sommerfeld, Tommy Harrod, and Ron Clausen raced their way to the front then went to war for the win. Pavlacky was first to the point, but some rubbing and racing through lapped traffic allowed the other three to fill his rearview mirror. With six circuits remaining, Sommerfeld scooted low to take the lead. More traffic allowed Clausen to move his Flagship Food Group, TJ Farms racer to the runner up spot. Just two laps later Clausen threaded the needle to pass Sommerfeld and take the lead and the win.
“That was so much fun, man,” Clausen said as he collected his Allied Fence trophy. “I hope you all enjoyed that.”
The Firehouse Pub and Grill Thunderdogs ran a wild and crazy feature that saw Pink Pony power around the track, over the grass, through the chicanes, and eventually into Zamp Victory Lane.
Spectator Drags saw ‘Jeremy’ pilot his side-by-side to the victory while ‘Tanner’ wheeled his full-size GMC pickup to victory.
Cody Carsner at the wheel of his tow rig “Bad Company” withstood a direct boat hit to his windshield and soldiered on to take the win.
Meridian Speedway brings the thunder next Saturday, April 25, as the Speed Tour Sprint Cars open their season on Grace Assisted Living Night at the Races powered by Toyota Dealers. The Pepsi Sprintcars, NASCAR Modifieds, Idaho CDL Training Street Stocks, NASCAR Latemodels, and Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets join the winged sprinters in their pursuit of the night’s Powers Transport trophies. Plus, kids can take a ride with their favorite driver during the Lucky Rides for Kids event at intermission. General admission is just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military members, $9 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. Saturday with the first green flag waved at 6:30 p.m. Log on to www.meridianspeedway.com to purchase your tickets while they last. We’ll see you under the big, yellow water tower at your NASCAR Home Track, Meridian Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild