News Archives

Braaksma Wins Thriller at Dickinson, Becomes First Repeat Modified Tour Winner

By Ben Deatherage DICKINSON, N.D. (Jul. 9, 2025) — Ethan Braaksma emerged victorious from an epic 30-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event during night five of the Wolla Trucking Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric at Southwest Speedway. Braaksma became the first repeat winner of the 2025 tour and collected his seventh win of the season, including six in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. A sensational back-and-forth duel unfolded in the early going between Braaksma and Tom Berry Jr., two heavyweight drivers in the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing scene. Berry, a two-time Dakota Tour champion, 2020 National Modified champion, and 2022 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner, set a strong early tone. But Braaksma, the 2025 IMCA.TV Winter Nationals champion, kept pace in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111 entry. The two pilots traded the lead more than a dozen times, with seven official lead changes scored at the stripe before Braaksma took control for good on lap 13. He held steady through two restarts and [Read More]

Sanders Rallies from 18th to Win Ralph Bloom Memorial and Freedom Cup Finale at CGS

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 5, 2025) — Matt Sanders came from 18th on the grid to win the fifth annual Ralph Bloom Memorial and clinch his third consecutive Freedom Cup title at Cottage Grove Speedway. The 33-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature paid $3,333 to win and served as the finale to the 2025 Freedom Cup. Hunter Bloom led early before the race was slowed by a couple of quick cautions. Ray Comer moved into the top spot and set the early pace until 2023 Oregon State champion Trevor Points took over on a restart. Points built a comfortable margin as the field shuffled behind him during a caution-heavy middle portion. Sanders, from Brookings, methodically picked his way through the pack. Just past halfway, he used a restart to drive around Points at the line and never looked back. He became the fifth different winner in as many editions of the Ralph Bloom Memorial and recorded his fifth CG win of the season and 10th overall in 2025. Points finished second, followed [Read More]

Braaksma Bests the Field in Thrilling Williston Modified Main

By Ben Deatherage WILLISTON, N.D. (Jul. 8, 2025) — Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds headlined another exciting night at Williston Basin Speedway during the fourth round of the Wolla Trucking Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric. With packed grandstands and 30 laps on the docket, fans were treated to a thrilling late-race finish as defending tour champion Ethan Braaksma charged to victory to become the third different winner in as many race on the 2025 tour. Braaksma, the 2025 IMCA.TV Winter Nationals champion, started fifth in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned no. 111 and patiently worked the bottom of the track throughout the second half of the race. With just three laps to go, he made the decisive move in turn three to slip past longtime leader Jason Wolla. Wolla made one final attempt to reclaim the lead but couldn’t close the gap, as Braaksma pulled away to score his second career Dakota Tour win, his first at Williston, and sixth victory of the 2025 season, including five in the Razor Chassis North Central [Read More]

Lamphere Takes Third Annual Billy Ward Memorial at Thunder Mountain

By Michael Benjamin CENTER LISLE, N.Y. (Jul. 5, 2025) — Saturday was a picture-perfect night for the Close Racing Supply NY/Penn IMCA Modified Series presented by Insinger Performance. With 26 Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds signed in—the largest car count since the series began in 2021. When the green flag dropped for the feature, the first caution quickly followed in turn two as Brad Chilson and David Stalker tangled. The incident ended Chilson’s night with damage to his front steering components. On the restart, Aaron Benjamin and Jakub Ingham led the field to the green. Ingham jumped out front and went uncontested for the first 10 circuits. A lap 10 restart brought defending race winner Keith Lamphere to Ingham’s outside. The two battled for a pair of laps before another yellow flew, but it was clear Lamphere had the stronger car. From there, Lamphere controlled the remaining laps and raced to his second Billy Ward Memorial victory. The win marked his third of the 2025 season in the DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region. Randall Paxton finished second, with [Read More]

Invader Bittner Wins AST Feature at Lernerville

By D.J. Johnson SARVER, Pa. (Jul. 6, 2025) — Sunshine and sprint cars returned to Lernerville Speedway as the Allegheny Sprint Tour, presented by Renewal by Andersen, was on hand at the 4/10-mile Sarver oval Sunday night. Timmy Bittner of Beech Creek took full advantage, racing to his second AST victory of 2025 and fourth overall win of the season. Bittner started sixth and wasted little time getting to the front, taking over the lead on lap five of the 20-lap contest. Greg Dobroski finished second, with Jacob Gomola third, Jeremy Kornbau fourth, and Jarrett Cavalet rounding out the top five. The Twenty5 Supply Hard Charger Award went to Chris Doland, who gained ten positions in the feature. Additional purse money—donated by Michael’s Mercer Raceway—was awarded from fifth position on back. A strong field of 22 teams from three states and three RaceSaver IMCA-sanctioned touring series checked in.

Oliver Outduels Olson for Stock Car Supremacy at Benton County

By Christine Rublack VINTON, Iowa (Jul. 6, 2025) — John Oliver Jr. took top honors in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars on Sunday night at Benton County Speedway. Terry Dulin took command early as Kyle Olson moved into second. Brett Vanous had Olson in his sights as Oliver dove to the bottom groove and began his charge. Olson took over the top spot just before Oliver mounted his challenge. The two drivers pulled away from the field in a thrilling duel as the laps wound down. Oliver slipped ahead and took the checkers first, earning his 10th win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and third at Benton County. Olson and Vanous followed to complete the podium. Tony Olson Tops Tight SportMod Battle for Win Tony Olson made his way to victory lane in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Olson and Josh Banes engaged in a side-by-side battle early in the event as Kyle Olson worked the top groove and moved into third. The pair of Olsons traded the lead back and [Read More]

McBirnie Takes Home $1,000 on Eve of Destruction Friday Night at Boone

By Coty Mallicoat BOONE, Iowa (Jul. 4, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars took center stage at Boone Speedway on Independence Day and Boone’s own Jake McBirnie continued his dominant form from the previous weekend. McBirnie, who doubled up on feature wins the week before, worked the high side to perfection and passed Jimmy Gustin for the lead. From there, he began to check out, but Gustin didn’t go quietly. In the final two circuits, Gustin reeled McBirnie back in but couldn’t make the move. McBirnie held on to score the win and the $1,000 payday, his third win this year in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Gustin finished second, followed by Kevin Opheim. Sachau Capitalizes Late to Win SportMod Feature The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods were the first division on track for their main event. Rookie Mike Smith jumped to the early race lead from the front row. Smith, already the Hawkeye Challenge overall champion, looked poised to grab the win after leading most of the race. But with just a few [Read More]

Scholpp Scores Emotional Tour Win at Home Track in Estevan

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, Sask. (Jul. 7, 2025) — Kody Scholpp gave the hometown fans a night to remember, fending off repeated challenges to win Monday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Estevan Motor Speedway, night three of the Wolla Trucking Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric. With a packed grandstand cheering him on, Scholpp turned in a flawless performance that electrified the Estevan faithful. Drew Christianson, the 2014 Nodak Speedway track champion, led the opening lap, but Scholpp—who started seventh—quickly made his way to the front and claimed the top spot on lap four. The five-time defending Estevan track champion wasn’t going to be denied on home soil, even as a trio of mid-race cautions brought the field back to his rear bumper. Iowans Justin O’Brien and defending tour champion Ethan Braaksma in the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned No. 111 both took shots at Scholpp in the second half of the race, but none could unseat him. Scholpp held strong up top to secure his second career Dakota Tour victory—and his first [Read More]

Reid Claims Second Victory in the Tex Meyers 8-Ball Classic

By Justin Newman NASHVILLE, Ark. (Jul. 5, 2025) — The 5th Annual Tex Meyers 8-Ball Classic, presented by Meyers Supply, brought fans together Saturday night at Diamond Park Speedway for a night of thrilling Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite action and heartfelt remembrance. The event, held annually in honor of regional racing pioneer Tex Meyers, continues to be a cornerstone of the summer schedule — not just for the racing, but for the legacy it preserves. Tex Meyers, who passed away in 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, was a pivotal figure in establishing Mod Lite racing in the region. His contributions, character, and dedication continue to live on through this special event. Jace Reid once again etched his name in the history books, securing his second career win in the event and joining Blake Wilson as a two-time winner of the Tex Meyers Classic. Reid wheeled his entry from a fifth-place starting spot, working his way forward in a fierce back-and-forth battle with Wilson that had fans on their feet. Wilson settled for a [Read More]

Inaugural Red River Sprint Speedweek Set to Rumble Through The Upper Midwest

By Mike Speiker WEST FARGO, N.D. (Jul. 6, 2025) — The Superior Customs IMCA Red River Sprint Series is set to embark on the biggest week of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racing since the class was introduced to the area in 2021. The Red River Sprint Speedweek will be a four-night swing through eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, boasting a nightly purse north of $6,600. Each night will pay $1,250 to the winner and $200 to start, with a $200 hard charger, presented by Donnohue Designs Racing and GRP Motorsports. Five $50 Gunderson Racing Inc. gift cards will go to the drivers that finish 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th all four nights. The Speedweek will begin Thursday, July 17th at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., followed by a trip to the Legendary Bullring, River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday. The tour will then head south to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. on Saturday, before wrapping up on Sunday at Buffalo River Speedway in Glyndon, Minn. The mini-series [Read More]