Hobby Stock Archives

Baca Charges Deep to Sweep IMCA Modified Weekend at Central Arizona Raceway

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2025) — Chaz Baca Jr. once again wound up in victory lane at Central Arizona Raceway for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds as he would sweep the weekend at the place where he has won the last four track championships. This time, however, he would have to win it from starting from tenth and got the lead just a few laps shy of the midway point of the 20-lap affair. Jonathan Mawhinney sprinted out to the lead when the green flag was unfurled and effectively operated on the lower portion of the racetrack. However, the dynamic of the race would change when a caution came out with six circuits counted to the good. On the restart, Baca clawed his way into second and had Mawhinney in his crosshairs. Mawhinney stuck to his guns on the lower portion of the track while Baca operated up on the high side. Baca would execute a sweeping pass around the leader and obtained the top spot on lap 8 just before the [Read More]

Chaz Baca Jr. Extends Dominance with Fourth Win at Central Arizona Raceway

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2025) — Central Arizona Raceway delivered another night of high-octane action as Chaz Baca Jr. showcased why he’s the two-time defending Friesen Performance IMCA Modified National Champion. The Mesa phenom captured his fourth win of the season in commanding fashion during the 20-lap feature. Luke Silber set the pace early, leading the field until a lap-two caution reset the competition. Baca seized the opportunity on the restart, expertly working the low line to sweep past Silber coming out of the fourth turn and officially taking the lead on lap 3. Silber did his best to keep pace, but Baca’s blistering speed was unmatched, as lapped traffic could not slow him down. Despite two late-race cautions that threatened his momentum, Baca remained in control and surged to the checkered flag first. Silber finished second in a strong showing, while Michael Egurola Jr. completed the podium in third. Woodie Battles Back for Second Casa Grande Stock Car Victory of 2025 Grabbing the early lead in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car [Read More]

EngineQuest Announces Continued Support for IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, and IMCA SportMod Divisions

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 12, 2025) – EngineQuest, a leading supplier of high-performance cylinder heads and engine components, has announced the continuation of its sponsorship of the IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, and IMCA SportMod divisions for the 2025 racing season. The company’s commitment to supporting grassroots motorsports has once again been demonstrated through their dedication to the development of these popular divisions. As part of the renewed partnership, EngineQuest will continue providing bonuses to track champions in each division, rewarding drivers for their outstanding performance and dedication throughout the season. In addition, EngineQuest will present product awards to national champions in the IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Hobby Stock, and IMCA SportMod divisions. “EngineQuest is proud to continue its partnership with IMCA in 2025, supporting the Stock Car, Hobby Stock, and SportMod divisions. We’re giving back to the talented drivers who fuel the future of grassroots racing. EngineQuest plans to continue our support for these divisions as well as any new platforms that may come about in the future,” said Scott Stolberg, president of [Read More]

Schoenfeld Headers adds support to six more divisions of IMCA Racing

VAN BUREN, Ark. (Jan. 30, 2025) – Schoenfeld Headers is proud to announce an expanded commitment to IMCA Racing as they celebrate their 27th season as a valued marketing partner. This agreement underscores Schoenfeld Headers’ dedication to grassroots motorsports and IMCA racing. Schoenfeld Headers will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting IMCA’s Modified division and expand their support to additional divisions, with increased contingency awards for the 2025 racing season. Schoenfeld Headers will now support the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Southern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Late Models, Sprint Cars, and Mod Lites. “We’re incredibly grateful for Schoenfeld Headers’ longstanding support and their increased investment in IMCA Racing this season,” said Carson Becker-Gramm, IMCA Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Director. “Their dedication to grassroots motorsports and their commitment to our drivers is very much appreciated. Schoenfeld’s expanded involvement not only highlights the strength of our partnership but also reinforces the value they bring to the racing community year after year.” Schoenfeld Headers will provide contingency awards for drivers across multiple divisions who meet specific eligibility [Read More]

29 seasons of sponsorship and counting for AERO Race Wheels

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (January 28, 2025) – Long time weekly racing supporter will continue it outstanding commitment as an IMCA sponsor for the 29th consecutive season. AERO Race Wheels, based in Estherville, Iowa, will continue to support IMCA racers by providing $40 product certificates toward the purchase of two wheels to designated finishers at 80 select special events. These events span across the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods divisions. Additionally, state champions in those divisions, as well as the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact class, will receive $25 certificates. AERO also proudly returns as the title sponsor of IMCA’s popular feature win decal program. Feature win decals are awarded to drivers in all divisions after their sanctioned weekly and special event victories. Special event certificates will be mailed throughout the 2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season. Certificates for state champions will be presented at the national banquet in Lincoln, Nebraska, in [Read More]

Czarneski conquers Stock Car feature at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 16, 2025)—Cole Czarneski made a lasting impression on Thursday night, securing his first career IMCA TV Winter Nationals, presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports, victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event. The Denmark, Wisconsin driver delivered a stellar performance at Central Arizona Raceway, seizing the lead on lap nine and holding off all challengers to take the checkered flag. The race began with Jason Berg asserting himself as the early leader, setting a strong pace through the opening laps. However, the momentum shifted following a lap nine restart when Czarneski, running the top of the 3/8-mile oval without fear, powered around Berg on the outside to claim the top spot. Once in command, Czarneski showcased both speed and composure. Even a pair of late-race cautions couldn’t rattle him, as he executed flawless restarts to pull away from the field and seal the deal on a milestone victory in a field chalk full of stout competition from all around the [Read More]

Berkeley wins first career Winter Nationals feature in Stock Car action

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 15, 2025)—Chase Berkeley surged to the front of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, leading all twenty laps to secure his first career victory at the IMCA TV Winter Nationals presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports at Central Arizona Raceway. The 2023 Winter Nationals champion faced several challenges throughout the race but ultimately fended off the advances of young Texan Cameron Starry. Despite the pressure, Berkeley maintained a consistent pace from start to finish. Starry attempted a few bold moves in the closing laps, but the leader, hailing from Colville, Washington, successfully held him off to clinch this significant win in EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region action. Starry finished as the runner-up, while Iowa’s Mike Albertsen completed the podium in third place. The event also featured competitors in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Victories in those categories went to Dylan Thornton, Dustin White, Dillon Richards, and Dillon [Read More]

Jake Smith Holds On to Earn SportMod Glory at Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 11, 2025)—A packed crowd at Central Arizona Speedway was thrilled by an incredible Friesen Performance IMCA SportMod feature where Jake Smith fended off fierce competitors to claim victory during the fourth round of the 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports. This win marked Smith’s first triumph during the Winter Nationals, and he faced a challenging path to victory lane. The twenty-lap finale began with North Dakota’s Gabe Deschamp surging to the front from the initial start. Deschamp set a steady pace, but as the race continued, the top three competitors began to cluster together around the midway point. Smith and Taylor Kuehl were the two contenders trying to catch the leader. On lap fourteen, the man from St. Joseph, Minnesota, Smith, executed a brilliant double overtake, diving under Kuehl and Deschamp to take control of the top position. Kuehl managed to pass Deschamp and entered second place, putting pressure on Smith from the high [Read More]

Thompson Outduels Richards to Win Night Three of Winter Nationals

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 10, 2025)—The third event of the 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals, presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports, had an exciting race in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, showcasing once again the “Dillon & Dillon Show.” In the end, Dillon Thompson emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish. The twenty-lap race began with Thompson leading, closely followed by Dillon Richards in second place. The non-stop feature saw the top two drivers pull away from the rest of the field, racing around the track bumper-to-bumper at time. As the race approached its final five laps, lapped traffic became a critical factor. Tension escalated when Richards pulled out of line and dove under Thompson as they approached the white flag. The two drivers found themselves neck and neck, racing three-wide with a lapped car in the mix as they crossed the finish line, only to have one more lap to battle it out. Thompson gave it his all on the final lap to maintain his lead and [Read More]

Heinrich Captures Stock Car Winter Nationals Glory with Last Lap Pass

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 9, 2025) — Todd Heinrich brought the Central Arizona Raceway crowd to its feet by winning the race to the finish line in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature during the second night of the IMCA TV Winter Nationals presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports. The veteran driver from Fargo, North Dakota, who started in third position, earned his first career Winter Nationals feature victory. The 25-lap contest kicked off with Heinrich outpacing Gary Pesicka to lead the initial lap. From there, the two drivers engaged in a thrilling cat-and-mouse battle on the 3/8-mile clay oval. Pesicka’s patience paid off when he finally passed Heinrich on the eleventh lap. However, Heinrich refused to let him pull away and regained the lead with ten laps remaining. Not to be outdone, Pesicka reclaimed the lead once again on lap seventeen. The climactic moment came when Heinrich powered up beside Pesicka, with the two drag racing down the back stretch on the final lap. The outcome [Read More]