Wilkey Rises Above the Rest at Wimp Reed Spring Nationals

Photos by Sam Rogers Photography

By Ben Deatherage

BATESVILLE, Ark. (Mar. 29, 2025) — Ashton Wilkey delivered a masterful performance in the final night of the Wimp Reed Spring Nationals, earning a $1,600 payday in the 31-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Batesville Motor Speedway.

Wilkey, the 2023 Arkansas State champion and two-time track titleholder, took the lead at the start and held off repeated challenges from National Late Model Hall of Famer Wendell Wallace. After several early cautions, Wallace stayed close on each restart but couldn’t find a way around the Batesville native.

Cameron Cook briefly moved into second before Wallace regained the spot on another restart. As the laps clicked off, Wilkey pulled away while Wallace and Cook traded shots for the runner-up position through heavy lapped traffic. With three laps to go, Wallace’s motor expired, setting up a late restart.

Wilkey nailed the restart and drove away to earn his first Jet Racing Central Region win of the year. Cook, who started eighth, held off 2014 Arkansas State champion Brint Hartwick for second.

Witt Dominates for Southern Region Stock Car Victory

Batesville’s Roger Witt left no doubt in the $1,500-to-win Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event, leading all 31 laps in a caution-free run to the checkers. 

Witt and Randy Weaver battled on the opening lap before Witt took command and checked out from the field. Lapped traffic was no issue for the frontrunners, as Witt cruised to his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory of the season.

Behind him, 2023 Arkansas State and track champion Joe Payne made a late push to challenge Weaver, but Weaver narrowly held him off in a photo finish for second.

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