Mallet is hammer down at Petaluma

By Ben Deatherage  MERCED, Calif. – Something exciting is around the bend in the California IMCA Modified scene. Doug Lockwood, promoter at Merced Speedway, has put together the first-ever Modified Speedweek in the State of California.  The series will race from Monday, Aug. 10 to Saturday, Aug. 15 at six different racetracks in as many nights.  The racing extravaganza will be open to both IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods. Each race will feature a 20-car main event for $1,000 to win and $50 to start for the Modifieds while SportMods will race for $600 to the winner and $40 to start. Modified features are Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying events. Point funds will be up for grabs in both divisions, with $1,000-$400-$200-$100-$100 shares being paid in the Modifieds and $600-$300-$200-$100-$100 shares paid in the SportMods. The whole party kicks off at Placerville Speedway on Aug. 10, before the tour travels west to Petaluma Speedway on Tuesday.  Wednesday will be spent at Antioch Speedway while the Thursday date is reserved for Merced Speedway.  The series continues its southern [Read More]

By Stephanie Deatherage  PETALUMA, Calif. (May 22) – Mitch Machado became the latest IMCA Modified feature winner at Petaluma Speedway Saturday night.  Taking advantage of his inside front row starting position, Machado charged to the lead at the start of the 25-lap main event. The veteran felt some brief pressure from Michael Paul Jr. but was able to temper his advances as the race continued.  Four cautions took place, but one thing remained the same, Machado was the leader.  Despite the occasional bid to overtake him, Machado set the pace for the rest of the distance to secure his first win of the season at Petaluma.  Paul was the runner-up with third going to Anthony Slaney. Terry Kaiser was fourth while Jake Dewsbury ended the race fifth.

By Ben Deatherage PETALUMA, Calif. (July 20, 2024) – Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds were back in action Saturday at Petaluma Speedway and Jeff Faulkner was the winner when the checkered flag waved at the 3/8-mile clay oval. Anthony Slaney jumped to the front on the opening start, but the caution flag came out twice with just one lap completed, eliminating Slaney’s advantage.   On the second restart, Faulkner bounced back from his first stoppage spin, which occurred while he was running second, to obtain fourth from Michelle Byron. Just up the road, the race for second intensified with Michael Paul Jr. overtaking Tim Yaeger, with a few laps complete before Faulkner got around. Slaney checked out from the rest of the pack as Paul, Yaeger and Faulkner battled. Unfortunately, he experienced mechanical problems that brought him to a halt on the front stretch on lap eight, ending his evening. Faulkner became the new race leader. Paul put a bit of pressure on Faulkner on the restart but once the green flag run developed, Faulkner had [Read More]