By Ben Deatherage
CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 12, 2025) — The 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Crystal Motor Speedway delivered a dramatic finish during the track’s 2025 opener, ultimately awarding Austin Harnick the win after a post-race penalty.
Kody Johnson, the 2017 Tri-City Motor Speedway champion, edged out Nathan Paitrick to lead the opening lap before a caution slowed the field. Chase Rosebrugh jumped into second on the restart and powered around Johnson to take command on lap 5. Rosebrugh, the 2023 DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region Rookie of the Year, set a blistering pace and opened a sizable gap over the field.
Harnick, the reigning Merritt Speedway track titlist and defending Great Lakes Nationals winner, settled into second and began to chip away at the lead. As Rosebrugh encountered thick lapped traffic, Harnick closed in to set up a tense final-lap showdown.
The two battled fiercely coming to the white flag with slower cars still in play. Rosebrugh crossed the finish line first, but following post-race technical inspection, he was penalized two positions for a deck height violation.
That handed the win to Clare’s Harnick, who started 12th and scored his third win of the season—and his first in his home state of Michigan. Defending Crystal Motor Speedway track champion Jeff Reay was elevated to second, while Rosebrugh was officially credited with third.
The feature was a qualifier for the 2025 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Harnick had already secured eligibility to qualify for the event via his pair of victories at the IMCA.TV Clash On The Coast earlier this year.
The entire event was streamed live on IMCA TV. Full replays are available now through the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, just $24.99/month. Already subscribed? Don’t miss the highly anticipated Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively to the IMCA TV Replay platform.
