Garner wins wild one in Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (June 1, 2024) – Mark Garner’s second win of the season at Marysville Raceway came following his pass for the front of the final lap of Saturday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event. The feature kicked off with Shaun Merritt taking an early lead and setting a blistering pace with Garner hot on his heels. Merritt’s strategic use of the middle portion of the racing surface proved to be formidable and as Garner’s efforts were thwarted, it opened a window for Ray Lindeman to challenge for the runner-up position.   The first stoppage, on the ninth circuit, bunched the field up and give Merritt an open track to work with. When the green flag returned, Garner got a brilliant run down the back stretch on lap 13, getting beside Merritt but just unable to complete the pass. A pair of yellows occurred with a few laps left, setting up a thrilling shootout. Garner tried again to get the necessary run on Merritt, but the leader was just a little bit better [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (April 10) – Former track champion Todd Cooper was back in victory lane following the second visit this season by Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods to Marysville Raceway. Four stoppages took place in the 20-lap affair, all within the first two laps being completed.  Once racing got going, Cooper would take control of the first-place position. Cooper did get a little pressure from fellow Yuba City chauffeur Donnie Fortney but was able to keep his challenger in check.  The 2019 track champion at Marysville, Cooper went on to lead the remaining 18 laps to earn his first Karl triumph of the new season and become the second different winner in as many events at Marysville.   Jimmy Ford, another Yuba City runner, rallied to a second-place result while Sacramento’s Scott Savell placed third.  The House of Merritt comprised the rest of the top five finishers.  Damian, of Marysville, and Mike Merritt, from Yuba City, was fourth and fifth. 

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (April 2, 2022) – IMCA Northern SportMods were back on track at Marysville Raceway and Yuba City speedster Jimmy Ford made his way to victory lane following the Saturday night 20-lapper. Shaun Merritt captured the top spot when the green flag dropped. The race saw eight total stoppages taking place and five in the first five laps. Merritt was heavily challenged by Scott Savell on several restarts, going as far as taking the lead only for the pass to be negated due to yellow flags.   After Merritt spun on a restart, Savell inherited the lead on lap five. Savell himself, unfortunately, would get sideways on a lap 12 restart, relinquishing first place to Ford, piloting the Scott Kaams-owned entry, who then had to hold off a quick Damian Merritt.   Ford kept Merritt in check to pick up the victory while Shaun Merritt recovered to third. Hunter Merritt placed fourth over Savell.