Marshalltown Speedway Hosts Inaugural Carl Moyer Memorial Race

The automotive and racing communities recently gathered to honor Carl Moyer with the inaugural Carl Moyer Memorial Race at Marshalltown Speedway. Moyer, the founder of the Karl Kustoms and a two-time Pro Mod World Champion, left behind a legacy defined by horsepower, generosity, and an unyielding standard of excellence.

The Inaugural Carl Moyer Memorial Race

Held during the Fast Shafts Harvest Hustle at Marshalltown Speedway in October, the Carl Moyer Memorial Feature was a fitting tribute to a man who lived for competition. The event highlighted the Karl Chevrolet Pro Late Models, a class Moyer championed.

  • The Winner: Dallon Murty took the checkered flag and the $3,000 prize. Starting from the fourth position, Murty charged to the front, seizing the lead early and dominating the 30-lap feature.
  • The Podium: Murty finished ahead of C.J. Horn and Brennen Chipp, who rounded out the top three.
  • The Atmosphere: The race was part of a record-breaking weekend at the High Banks, drawing fans and teams to celebrate the end of the 2025 season and the life of a racing icon.

A Legacy Built On Speed And Passion

Carl Moyer’s journey began on Des Moines’s east side, where a young boy watching races dreamed of a life on the track. In 1978, he opened a single-car showroom in Ankeny, Iowa, which he grew into the modern Karl Kustoms team, a trusted source for race engines like:

But for Moyer, business was often a means to fuel his true passion: racing.

The Drag Strip Dominator

Before hitting the dirt, Moyer was a force in drag racing. From the late 1980s to the early 2000s, he competed across the country, eventually becoming a two-time Pro Mod World Champion. His love for the sport led him to buy and refurbish Eddyville Raceway in the 1990s, ensuring the track remained a staple for racers in the region.

The Dirt Truck Pioneer

Moyer’s influence extended to dirt tracks, where he was instrumental in the success of the Dirt Truck Racing Association. He didn’t just sponsor the series; he raced in it alongside his sons, Brett and Brad, creating a fierce but family-oriented rivalry. He famously raced the Number 3, drawing comparisons to NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt for his intense competitive nature and top-tier equipment.

The Carl Moyer Standard

What set Moyer apart wasn’t just his wins, but how he won. He believed that presentation mattered as much as performance.

  • Taking Pride: Moyer was known for having the cleanest pits and haulers at the track. He would often be seen waxing his race truck between heats, ensuring that even amidst the mud, his equipment looked showroom-ready.
  • Generosity: Despite being a fierce competitor, Moyer wanted everyone to succeed. Stories abound of him giving engines – or even entire trucks – to competitors so they could stay in the points chase. As one fellow racer noted, “If you beat Carl, you beat the best.”

We’re proud to continue Carl’s legacy by partnering with racers on dirt and drag. Here’s why racers partner with Karl:

  • Expert Staff – We’re a team of performance enthusiasts just like you – and we’re here to help with your build, every step of the way.
  • Decades of Experience – We’ve spent decades building and customizing Chevy crate engines to deliver serious horsepower and reliability.
  • Certified Repair Facility – As a Certified Chevy Performance and IMCA Repair Facility we spec engines to industry standards – 100% race-legal and competition-ready.
  • Authorized Retailer – Authorized Retailer of factory-certified GM Spec Sealed Race Motors for genuine, factory-sealed engines trusted by racers nationwide.
  • Best Price, Guaranteed – Our Best Price Guarantee means you’re getting an unbeatable deal on your crate engine.

Carl Moyer retired from dirt racing in 2015 to focus on his business, but his impact remained. The inaugural memorial race serves as a lasting reminder of a man who didn’t just participate in the sport – he elevated it.

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