Ryan Clark

Driver Appreciation Night is Friday at Dodge City Raceway Park

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (July 23) – Among the most anticipated racing nights of the year at Dodge City Raceway Park is in store with a special Friday night card this week featuring the annual Lewis Automotive Drivers’ Appreciation Night. The Friday night special at the state-of-the-art 3/8-mile clay oval in southwest Kansas features a full card of championship chase racing action including Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks with the green flag flying at 7:30 p.m. And not only do the drivers get in on the pageantry this year, fans receive a number of giveaways over the course of the evening as well. Last year’s Drivers’ Appreciation Night attracted more than 5,000 people as drivers were awarded a number of tickets to distribute to family, friends and sponsors. An even bigger turnout is expected this year. Once again, a $500 bonus is up for grabs for one of the six drivers who have the most tickets redeemed at the front gate. [Read More]

Schidler flies to Eagle first

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (July 21) – On the night 180 bicycles were given to young fans, Joe Schidler four-wheeled his way to his first Hoosier Racing Tire IMCA Northern SportMod feature win at Eagle Raceway. Schidler took the lead on the second lap and collected the Saturday checkers ahead of Gunnar Pike and Shawn Harker. “I couldn’t see what was going on behind me but I was hoping that it was the case that I was pulling away from the field,” he said. “The track was pretty good tonight, smooth in spots and tacky in other spots and that suits my driving style.” Dan Nelson made it to straight Runner Freight IMCA Modified victories and Kaleb Johnson earned his first local IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car laurels. Colby Kaspar earned his first Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock main event win and Trenten Fugett made it two straight in the ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compacts.

Hewitt hauls home Arlington hardware

ARLINGTON, Minn. (July 21) – Karl Hewitt Jr. clinched the Eckblad Trucking IMCA Hobby Stock feature Saturday at Arlington Raceway as he led from start to finish. Hewitt was challenged by Cory Probst for 11 of the 12 laps but on lap 10, Probst dived into turn one and spun himself around causing a caution flag. He restarted at the tail and in the following two laps was able to move up to fifth. That caution gave Brad Becker a little breathing room as he challenged Hewitt for the next two laps but had to settle for second ahead of Mike Christensen. Brandon Beckendorf was the MN 93 IMCA Modified winner and Trevor Serbus topped the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature by a straightaway. Rick Mees has gotten back and dirt and got his first B&B Racing Chassis IMCA Stock Car victory of the season. Matt Looft scored the Unhinged Pizza IMCA Northern SportMod victory and Scott Porter paced the Coors Light IMCA Sport Compact main.

Hancock County’s Hobo 100 has $4,000 IMCA Sunoco Stock Car top prize

BRITT, Iowa – IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars get top billing at Hancock County Speedway’s Friday, July 27 Hobo 100, racing for a top prize of $4,000. Rounding out the card are IMCA Modifieds vying for $2,000 to win and a berth on the 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods run for $1,000 to win, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $500 to win and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $200 to win. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Iowa State, but no local track points will be awarded at the draw/redraw show. Pit gates open at 5 p.m., the grandstand opens at 6 p.m. and racing follows 7 p.m. hot laps. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and free for four and under. Pit passes are $30. More information about the Hancock County District Fair event, presented by McNeese Tire and Auto and Communications 1 Network, is posted on the www.hancockcountyspeedway.com website. The Hobo 100 will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.

Marriott prevails in Park Jefferson IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights feature

JEFFERSON, S.D. (July 23) – A driver from Missouri was first to the checkers when the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour for IMCA Modifieds made its first-ever visit to South Dakota. Hunter Marriott topped the $2,000 to win main event Monday night at Park Jefferson Speedway, putting his name on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot for 2019 with his career fifth tour victory. Ricky Thornton Jr.’s record streak of three straight tour wins came to an end with a second-place finish. Kyle Strickler, Joel Rust and Chris Abelson rounded out the top five. Forty-three touring Modifieds from 11 states vied in front of a big crowd at Jefferson, on hand for just the second tour event held outside Iowa. Joel Rust was the very early leader before 2016 tour champion Abelson took charge. A mid-race caution that caught up Jason Wolla and Jay Noteboom put Marriott on Abelson’s back bumper for the ensuing restart. Marriott worked the low side of the track to take the lead while Abelson stayed higher up on the [Read More]

Freiburger celebrates birthday with Maquoketa checkers

By Rob Hinckley MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 21) – The smile lit up a dark infield. The cheer of his fan base could be heard over the race cars on the cool down lap. Saturday evening was quite a birthday celebration for Jed Freiburger. The Dubuque ace turned 35 and turned it into a QCJeeps.com IMCA Modified 20-lap feature win at Maquoketa Speedway. “This is a great way to celebrate it,” Freiburger said. “(Crew chief) Ron Barker made all the right calls and changes so it worked out well.” Freiburger started 10th and quickly raced to the top five. Following a couple early restarts and leader Jake Bowman retiring, Freiburger blew up to second behind Timmy Current at the halfway point, then made the pass. The lead stretched, evaporated due to a late caution, but reopened as he cruised to the win. Freiburger shook off noticeable noises from the car. “I think it was just rocks or clods hitting the car. It was rough out there after the rain, but had plenty of car.” Bryce Garnhart started a [Read More]

New sponsor G-Force Racing Gear gives special events awards in six IMCA divisions

ROSWELL, Ga. – The emphasis is on value and quality, in G-Force Racing Gear’s new awards program for special events drivers in six IMCA divisions. The Roswell, Ga., manufacturer of custom designed racing suits gives $50 gift certificates to a top five finisher at each of 80 specials for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods this year. The extensive G-Force line also includes helmets, gloves, shoes, harnesses, nets and restraints, as well as towing and crew gear. “Our products are sold across several platforms and we are already very familiar with IMCA,” said G-Force Director of Sales and Marketing Jeremy Curtis, a former dirt track racer in Kentucky. “Value and quality are where we got started as a company and we’re always talking to drivers about what their needs will be.” Curtis got an opportunity to talk to drivers at Boone Speedway during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. “We have been on site for [Read More]

Funeral services today for John Deery Sr.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Funeral services for John Deery Sr. are today (Monday) at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Falls. Deery, 88, died Wednesday, July 18 at the age of 88. He founded the Deery Brothers Automotive Group after serving in the United States Marine Corps. Visitation is continued one hour before services at the church. Military honors will be conducted by Cedar Falls AMVETS Post 49 and burial will be at Fairview Cemetery. Survivors include his wife Marlene; his two sons, John (Jodi) Deery Jr. and Dan (Julie) Deery, both of Cedar Falls; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Edith (Don) Sankey of Rockford, Ill.; a nephew, Brad (Jeanne) Deery of Burlington; and many other nieces and nephews. Memorials may be directed to the church, Cedar Valley Hospice or the Western Home Communities.

Three events in three nights are next for IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour

JEFFERSON, S.D. (July 20) – Another out-of-state date kicks off three events in as many nights for the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour. The series for IMCA Modifieds is at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, S.D., on Monday, July 23, before returning to familiar Iowa venues Hancock County Speedway in Britt on Tuesday, July 24 and Buena Vista Raceway in Alta on Wednesday, July 25. All three features pay $2,000 to win and are qualifying events for the 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. The Park Jefferson show will be the first held in South Dakota in the series’ eight-plus year history; 141 Speedway in Wisconsin had hosted the first Dirt Knights Tour event outside Iowa in June. Pit gates and the grandstand open at 5 p.m. at Jefferson. Hot laps are at 6:20 p.m. with racing to follow. Grandstand admission is $18 for adults, $10 for seniors 70-plus, $5 for students ages 6-16 and free for kids ages five and under. Also running are IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco [Read More]

Thornton is fastest at Knoxville for another IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour win

KNOXVILLE, Iowa (July 19) – Ricky Thornton Jr. added another career highlight-type IMCA Modified feature win to a resume that’s already full of them Thursday night. Thornton led start to finish of the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour main event at Knoxville Raceway, earning $2,000 for his series record third straight victory. “This win is huge,” the Arizona transplant said. “Growing up, we all watched the Knoxville Nationals and to win in only my third race here is just great.” Thornton had gotten caught in a wreck while running near the front in last year’s tour event at Knoxville. Traffic wasn’t an issue in Thursday’s Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel as Thornton took charge from outside the front row. Cayden Carter was close behind but a caution with six circuits left in the 25-lapper cleared the track ahead of the leader. Carter, Richie Gustin, Jacob Murray and 2017 race winner Chris Abelson rounded out the top five. “The biggest thing was that I was able to set my own pace,” said Thornton, qualified multiple times [Read More]