The Modified Central Regional Series is headed somewhere new for this region—but not new to ICL Dirt Modified history. USA International Speedway (Dirt) has been moved over from the East Region, meaning Season 2 Central drivers are about to tackle a track that already has a real record book… just not one written by the Central Region last season. That makes this race feel like a crossover event: fresh for the schedule, familiar for the drivers who’ve been winning here for years.
Through two races, the Central standings are already developing a clear headline. Aidan Strawberry is perfect so far, opening the season with back-to-back wins and a 26-point total—the kind of start that forces everyone else to think in “must-maximize” mode. But the chase is forming quickly behind him. Brenden McGlothlin (13) sits second, while Brayden E Carter (11) has already shown he can run right at Strawberry’s pace when he’s in the field. With five races still left, USA International becomes a key pivot point: it’s a track where a driver can grab a 12-point win and immediately change the math.
The best clue for what to expect comes from the most relevant race we’ve got at this venue: the East Region’s Season 1 visit. That night was a statement from the front—Conner New won and also captured the qualifying bonus for a 13-point haul, leading all 20 laps and setting the tone for how “clean air” can become everything at USA International. Behind him, Colton Zimmer and Brandon Holtmeier completed a stacked podium, while Strawberry finished 4th, making him one of the few drivers at the top of the current Central standings who already has a strong, documented result here.
And if you want to talk all-time threats, USA International has some clear names at the top of the track’s win list. Colton Zimmer is the winningest ICL Dirt Modified driver at this speedway with 2 wins, and then a deep group sits right behind him with a single win each—Mitchell Huddleston, Blake Matsoullis, Shad Prescott, Dylan Wilson, Aidan Strawberry, Conner New, and Jamie Massey. The takeaway is simple: this track doesn’t hand wins to just anyone, but it also doesn’t belong to only one driver. If a few of those names show up for Central Region points, the entire outlook of this race changes instantly.
Momentum-wise, this race also arrives at the perfect time for a handful of drivers looking to stabilize or surge. Strawberry’s last run was another high-pressure performance where he had to answer a late challenge and still close it out. Carter is sitting third in points with only one start, which means every appearance from here on out is an opportunity to compress the gap quickly. Meanwhile, the Limaland race reshaped the chase group early, creating an opening for drivers like Dolan Cole (career-best result last race) and others in the top 10 to keep building. USA International is the kind of venue where one clean, complete night can turn “top 10 in points” into “real championship factor.”
The big question for Race 3 is whether someone can finally interrupt Strawberry’s early-season run—and if so, who has the best blueprint? Conner New’s East Region win showed the value of pairing speed with the qualifying bonus. Zimmer’s all-time record here shows repeat success is possible. And Strawberry’s own history—plus current form—suggests he’s arriving with the most momentum in the series. Put it all together and USA International feels like a turning-point race: either Strawberry extends the gap again, or someone lands a statement win at a track that can instantly legitimize a title push.
PREVIOUS USA INTERNATIONAL (EAST REGION SEASON 1) RESULTS
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Conner New
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Colton Zimmer
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Brandon Holtmeier
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Aidan Strawberry
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Brayden Donaldson
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Brandon Bolton
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Rylan Gray
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Scout Neff
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Jennifer McClellan
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Lawson Williams
CURRENT TOP 10 IN POINTS (CENTRAL REGION SEASON 2)
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Aidan Strawberry — 26
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Brenden McGlothlin — 13
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Brayden E Carter — 11
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Dolan Cole — 10
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Doug Welch — 10
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Brayden Avila — 9
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Cam H Smith — 9
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Steven Schroetlin — 8
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David Welter — 8
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Anton Hernandez — 7
