Moore Steals Wimp Reed Spring Nationals Opener in Final Laps Thriller

Modified, News, Results, Stock Car

By Ben Deatherage

BATESVILLE, Ark. (Mar. 28, 2025) — The opening night of the Wimp Reed Spring Nationals at Batesville Motor Speedway delivered a dramatic finish in the 31-lap, $1,500-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The race, held in memory of longtime tech man and former driver Wimp Reed, came down to a near last-lap move by Jonesboro 17-year-old Grayson Moore. It is his first win in the Jet Racing Central Region this year.

John Waugh led the opening lap before Brandon Smith charged into the lead. A fierce battle for second between Ashton Wilkey and Waugh allowed Moore to make a slick double pass and jump to second. Smith pulled away up front until a lap 11 caution slowed the field. The yellow proved costly for 2023 Arkansas State Champion Wilkey, who suffered right-front damage while attempting to avoid a spinning car.

Smith was strong on the restart, but another caution kept the pack tight. 2012 IMCA Super Nationals winner Jeff Taylor moved into third and battled Moore for second. Once Moore got clear, he quickly began closing on Smith as the two entered traffic with less than 10 laps to go.

The fifth starting Moore threw a slider in turn two and again on lap 29 but couldn’t quite clear Smith. Coming to the white flag, he made the move stick to take the lead. Smith held off Taylor at the line to finish second.

Moore’s thrilling late pass earned him the opening night win and a $1,500 payday in one of the most exciting finishes so far this season in Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly action.

Nelson Wires the Field for $1,500 Stock Car Payday

Milan, Tennessee’s Dale Nelson led all 31 laps of the $1,500-to-win Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event to earn his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of 2025.

Nelson jumped to the early lead, with fellow Tennessean T.J. Herndon securing second and hometown driver Roger Witt settling into third. By lap nine, Nelson reached lapped traffic, and Herndon stayed tight on his bumper, showing his nose several times but unable to complete the pass.

Herndon was poised to make a move when the first caution waved on lap 21. On the restart, he dove low under Nelson but couldn’t stick the pass, allowing Nelson to pull away once again. A second caution on lap 23 slowed the pace again.

When racing resumed, 2023 Arkansas State and track champion Joe Payne powered into third and began challenging Herndon for second. Nelson remained smooth on the top side and held on for the win. Herndon fended off Payne, who crossed the line third in a close finish with Patrick Linn.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Full replays are available through the IMCA TV Replay Subscription Pass for $24.99/month.

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