April 22, 2025

Harnick Hustles to Second Straight Crystal Win

MOD Austin Harnick VL PB Chris Johnston — Photo by Chris Johnston

By Ben Deatherage

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Austin Harnick continued his red-hot start to the season Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway, charging from 12th to score his second consecutive Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win at the track and fourth overall in the DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region.

Don Proctor Jr. and Chad Spencer dueled for the lead early, with Spencer leading the opening lap and building a small cushion. Two-time track champion Austin Wonch worked past Proctor for second after an early restart, then set his sights on the leader.

The turning point came on a lap 10 restart when Harnick, the reigning Merritt Speedway champion and Great Lakes Nationals winner, powered underneath Spencer to take the lead. A late caution bunched the field again, but the 22-year-old driver from Clare was unfazed, pulling away for a commanding victory.

Nathan Patrick finished second, with Casey Smith rounding out the podium.

The 20-lap feature served as a qualifier for the 2025 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Harnick, who also swept two features during February’s IMCA TV Clash On The Coast at Northwest Florida Speedway, had already earned eligibility to qualify.

The event was streamed live on IMCA TV. If you missed it, full replays are now available through the IMCA TV Replay Subscription for just $24.99/month. Already subscribed? Don’t miss the much-anticipated Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on the IMCA TV Replay platform.

crystalmotorspeedway

Crystal preps for 35th IMCA Modified season with test and tune this weekend

CRYSTAL, Mich. (April 4, 2022) – With spring in the air, Crystal Motor Speedway is preparing for the 2022 season, its 35th consecutive running the IMCA Modified division. Test and tune for any race car will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 9 and 10 from noon-5 p.m. Pit passes will be $20 with free admission to the grandstands. The race season will begin April 16 with a full show for all divisions. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing will start approximately at 7:30 p.m. Pit passes are $30, grandstand tickets are $15 for adults, and kids 5-11 are $5. Family passes on regular race events will be $35 for two adults and two children. Further information can be obtained by visiting the track website at crystalmotorspeedway.com or calling the office at 989 235-5200.

Hall of fame career ends for Crystal promoter Ron Flinn

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Feb. 15, 2023) – Looking back at the end of one era and the beginning of another, Ron Flinn hopes to be remembered for the respect he showed the drivers, race teams and fans. It’s a good bet he’ll be remembered for his height and his sense of humor, too. Owner and promoter Flinn and his wife Mary Jane have announced the sale of Crystal Motor Speedway, Michigan’s longest continuously sanctioned Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track. The Flinns and son Ryan have handed the keys to Jake LeBaron, Steven Vernon and Brian LeBaron and will help the new ownership team in the transition. “It’s been a long and treasured ride for sure. I have been so blessed,” said the 81-year-old Flinn, the tallest promoter in IMCA at 6-8 and a regular in senior basketball action across the country when not at the track. “I have been blessed by my racing families and my basketball families, to say nothing about my personal family. They are all near and dear.” Now a Michigan Motorsports Hall [Read More]

Hollenbeck hoists Crystal checkers

By Verwayne Greenhoe CRYSTAL, Mich. (June 8) – Brady Hollenbeck brought home the feature win in the Lane Automotive IMCA Modified feature Saturday at Crystal Motor Speedway. Chad Wernette was second and Austin Wonch third. Next week at Crystal Motor Speedway is the Mid-Season Championship for all divisions, sponsored by CMSInter.net of Mt. Pleasant and Crystal. The IMCA Modifieds will be running for $1,252 to win their Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying event, sponsored by Lane Automotive. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Modified

Harnick Hustles to Second Straight Crystal Win

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Austin Harnick continued his red-hot start to the season Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway, charging from 12th to score his second consecutive Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win at the track and fourth overall in the DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region. Don Proctor Jr. and Chad Spencer dueled for the lead early, with Spencer leading the opening lap and building a small cushion. Two-time track champion Austin Wonch worked past Proctor for second after an early restart, then set his sights on the leader. The turning point came on a lap 10 restart when Harnick, the reigning Merritt Speedway champion and Great Lakes Nationals winner, powered underneath Spencer to take the lead. A late caution bunched the field again, but the 22-year-old driver from Clare was unfazed, pulling away for a commanding victory. Nathan Patrick finished second, with Casey Smith rounding out the podium. The 20-lap feature served as a qualifier for the 2025 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by [Read More]

News

Sweigart Dominates PASS Opener

By Frank Buhrman PORT ROYAL, Pa. (Apr. 19, 2025) — “Nitro Nick” Sweigart’s plan to focus on Port Royal Speedway in 2025 got off to a perfect start Saturday with a dominating victory in the 20-lap River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series feature at the “Speed Palace.” The veteran driver from Myerstown, already the leading career winner at Port Royal among active RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car competitors, officially won Saturday’s feature by 1.399 seconds over Logan Spahr, but he had given up multiple large leads when the race’s four yellow flags waved, only to quickly rebuild his margins at the next green. Despite the efforts of several challengers, none could compete with the Jon Williams-owned no. 89. The win was Sweigart’s 12th in a PASS career that dates to 2017, but it was his eighth at Port Royal, where he trails only Garrett Bard (13) and Jeff Miller (12) in career victories. He and Miller are the only two-time champions of the Keystone RaceSaver Challenge at Port Royal, and he will defend his champion title when the race takes place on [Read More]

Modified

Killingsworth Stuns in Modified Debut at Southern Oregon Opener

By Ben Deatherage WHITE CITY, Ore. (Apr. 19, 2025) – Ethan Killingsworth turned heads Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway, winning his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified debut in commanding fashion. The defending Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod track champion took the lead early and never looked back, capturing the $2,000 top prize in the 25-lap main event. Kevin Pendergrass led early before a lap one caution bunched up the field. Killingsworth then executed a textbook move to the front and dominated the top groove of the 3/8-mile oval. Eston Whisler battled with Pendergrass for second before pulling away to attempt a challenge on Killingsworth. A caution with 11 to go set up a restart, but the Yreka, California chauffeur remained smooth and composed up top, pulling away in the final laps for his first career Shaw Race Cars Western Region victory. Whisler finished second, while his 17-year-old brother Ian Whisler completed the podium. Braaten Bags First SportMod Win of 2025 in Dominant Run Four-time Oregon State champion Jorddon Braaten was untouchable in the 25-lap Karl Chevrolet [Read More]

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