Ryan Clark

Van Genderen, Benning break non-partnership vows to promote Independence Motor Speedway

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (Feb. 1, 2023) – Two guys who had promised themselves they’d never promote a race track with a partner will do just that this season at Independence Motor Speedway. Mike Van Genderen and Dana Benning make up the Greater Iowa Promotions team that takes charge at Indee, which adds a sixth IMCA division and four Monday Night Madness programs to its Speedway Motors Weekly Race slate in 2023. Van Genderen also owns and promotes IMCA venue Stuart Speedway while Benning returns for a third turn at the Independence helm, following 2000-2002 and 2015-2017 stints. “This partnership just makes sense. Dana is good at things and I am good at other things,” said Van Genderen, who met Benning 20-plus years ago when buying out his father Merlin’s Modified program. “We’ve known each other for years and became good friends when we were both working at Benton County Speedway.” “Independence has a great racing history,” he continued. “We want to continue that.” Van Genderen’s jobs in particular will be track prep and race night director. Benning will [Read More]

Hanna will help hand out the trophies as new promoter at East Moline

EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Feb. 1, 2023) – Last season, Chuck Hanna wanted to take a trophy home from his Sunday night race at East Moline Speedway. This season, he’ll be helping hand them out. Hanna, a long-time IMCA Sunoco Late Model driver, takes over as promoter of the 1/4 -mile dirt oval, where five sanctioned divisions return to Speedway Motors Weekly Racing programs in 2023. “Ultimately, we want to improve this facility and work closely with the fair board to make the changes to keep it successful in the future,” Hanna said. “We’re going to add dirt to the racing surface, do terrace work outside turns one and two, and change some of the existing fencing around to help race car traffic flow in the pits,” he continued. “We will do some painting, update the signage and concessions, and are also looking at an earlier start time.” The upcoming point season at East Moline runs from April 23 to Aug. 27 and weekly shows feature the IMCA Late Models for a 20th consecutive season. Friesen Performance IMCA [Read More]

PASS celebrates 25th anniversary starting at Racing Xtravaganza

By Frank Buhrman YORK, Pa. (Jan. 30, 2023) – The River Valley Builders Pennsylvania Sprint Series will celebrate 25 years of the best economy Sprint Car racing, beginning with a booth at the annual Racing Xtravaganza show Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3-4 in York. The season’s first race is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, at Selinsgrove Speedway. Thirty-five races are scheduled for the anniversary season, with the possibility of more being added. Once again, the series will be characterized by close racing with youngsters and veterans matching wits and talent in sprint cars powered by RaceSaver rules sealed engines. That national rules package is shared by regional series and tracks throughout the country, with an estimated 700-plus cars competing nationally. IMCA, the nation’s oldest sanctioning body, sanctions the series nationally. Last season, 13 different drivers took the feature checkered flag in PASS races despite a dominating performance by Garrett Bard of Wells Tannery, who won 12 races, tying the best single-season performance in series history. Bard also captured his unprecedented third straight championship. He is [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Jan. 26, 2023

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 238; 2. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 237; 3. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 226; 4. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 222; 5. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 211; 6. Jacob Hobscheidt, Plattsmouth, Neb., 203; 7. Andrew Pearce, Oakley, Calif., 178; 8. Jerry Flippo, Clear Lake, Iowa, 174; 9. Tanner Black, Otis, Kan., 169; 10. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 168; 11. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 163; 12. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 158; 13. Russell Allen, Brawley, Calif., 156; 14. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Wash., 133; 15. Chris Morris, Taylor, Texas, 131; 16. Josh Combs, Citrus Heights, Calif., and Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., both 129; 18. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 126; 19. Jason Beaulieu, Campbell River, B.C., 122; 20. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 119. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 371; 2. Jim Horejsi, Marshall, Minn., 318; 3. Irvin Roberts, Gresham, Ore., 303; 4. Chris McCurdy, Tempe, Ariz., 281; 5. Scott Sluka, Casa Grande, Ariz., 262; 6. Chase Berkeley, Kettle Falls, Wash., 253; 7. Shelby [Read More]

IMCA Stock Car, Hobby Stock, SportMod drivers share EngineQuest awards wealth

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Jan. 27, 2023) – EngineQuest shares the wealth with drivers in four IMCA divisions again in 2023. Notably, the Las Vegas, Nev., cylinder head and engine component manufacturer returns as title sponsor for both EQ Cylinder Heads Northern and Southern Regions for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for the ninth consecutive year, providing a portion of $3,750 point funds paid in each. EQ cash, products and product certificates will also be awarded to IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod drivers. “Our association as a sponsor with IMCA for the last 18 years has been a good fit that I believe has benefited both EngineQuest and IMCA,” said EngineQuest Manager Scott Stolberg. “We look forward to celebrating our 20th year together soon and continuing to grow as the IMCA evolves.” EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region tracks are located in eastern Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, while EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region tracks are in Arizona, Arkansas, [Read More]

Four dates for IMCA RaceSaver Sprints added at Southern Oklahoma Speedway

ARDMORE, Okla. (Jan. 26, 2023) – IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car drivers asked for more dates at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. They’ll get four of them in 2023. The winged division joins four Saturday night shows at Ardmore this season, on April 22, May 13, June 24 and July 8. At stake at each of those shows will be IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and Oklahoma State points. A track championship – but no bonus points – will be awarded if dry weather prevails each of those race nights. “There are a lot of IMCA RaceSaver drivers who live down along this way and they’ve run here before at specials or at series events,” explained promoter Nicky Webb. “They’ve asked when they could run here again and we asked ourselves ‘Why not run them once a month and see what happens?’” Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods already run regularly at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. “Sprint Car drivers like the size of this track (a 3/8-mile clay oval) [Read More]

IMCA.TV inked as presenting sponsor, Clash on the Coast adds more awards

BAKER, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2023) – The Clash on the Coast has signed on IMCA.TV as its presenting sponsor while adding awards from another four marketing partners for its inaugural run. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds race for $1,000 to win at Feb. 27 and 28 shows at Northwest Florida Speedway in Baker, and March 3 and 4 shows at Southern Raceway in Milton. Purses each night total $7,500 with a minimum of $100 paid to start. Drivers competing all four nights of the Clash on the Coast are eligible for shares of a $10,000 point fund. The top driver in points earns $2,500 with $1,500 for second and $1,000 for third. “We’re gaining momentum every day. We’ve already got more than 35 drivers pre-registered,” reported Clash on the Coast Promoter Peyton Taylor. “I know a lot of people are looking forward to it. It will be a great time to enjoy a Florida vacation.” “Fast Shafts will give two drive shafts to the series champion. It’s neat to have them on board because the winner [Read More]

NAPA continues Fan Zone fun at 41st annual IMCA Super Nationals

DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 20, 2023) – The folks at NAPA knew they’d be part of something big at the 40th IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. But just how big, no one could have known. Des Moines-based NAPA Iowa returns for a second year as Official Automotive Parts Supplier of Super Nationals, and as title sponsor of the Fan Zone, to be located south of the Boone Speedway grandstand throughout the week of the 41st annual Super Nationals Sept. 4-9. “Super Nationals was a lot of fun last year. I’m glad we were able to be part of it,” said NAPA Iowa General Manager Jason Zeliadt. “I’m glad we were able to connect with so many drivers and everyone at IMCA. There were a lot of cool components to Super Nationals last year. It has its own level of excitement.” A record 1,000 cars icompeted during the history-making 2022 Super Nationals. Fans had the opportunity to interact with drivers and take in regular podcasts at the NAPA-branded Fan Zone throughout the week. “We dipped our toes [Read More]

Five win features, five wrap up titles on final night of IMCA.TV Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 14, 2023) – Five IMCA drivers won feature events and five more wrapped up IMCA.TV Winter Nationals in the Saturday night finale at Cocopah Speedway. Chaz Baca topped the rain-delayed but caution-free Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event, earning $1,000. Career win number 88 for the defending track and state champion, already Fast Shaft All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible, came ahead of Brady Bjella and Brandon Beckendorf. Tim Ward’s 10th place run was just enough to give him the Winter Nationals title. Veterans Curt Lund and Mike Albertsen tussled ‘til midway of the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car headliner, before Dylan Thornton motored by. A late-race restart gave Thornton a clear track ahead and he sped to his second $750 checkers in as many nights. Albertsen ended in second, Shelby Williams was second and always-consistent Chase Berkeley wrapped up the title with his ninth place showing. Levi Kiefer turned back the clock in dominating the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod finale, taking the lead on the opening stanza and, despite lapped traffic [Read More]

Nothing unlucky about Friday the 13^thfor IMCA.TV Winter Nationals winners

By Ben Deatherage SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2023) – Despite the date, the Friday night IMCA.TV Winter Nationals was a lucky one for a quintet of IMCA drivers, the feature winners in their respective main events. The third different leader in his Friday the 13th feature, Kollin Hibdon took charge in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified headliner just before midway and led to the finish for his second $1,000 payday of the 2023 Winter Nationals. Already Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible, Hibdon crossed the stripe ahead of Thursday winner Jacob Hobscheidt and Jake Pike, who had swapped the lead over the first eight circuits with Tony Toste. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars had a thriller of a 25-lap feature as Curt Lund dominated much of the way before Dylan Thornton propelled himself into the lead on lap 20. His first career IMCA.TV Winter Nationals win paid $750 and landed the California native B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility. Lund was P2 while grabbing third was Jerry Flippo. Matthew Mayo led the charge [Read More]