Weekly Archives

Owen donating May 23 earnings to Baker family medical fund

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Jimmy Owen is ready for action on Saturday, May 23 at his hometown Cottage Grove Speedway. So far, Owen has finished second in both Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod starts this year and resides second in the track point standings. “It’s been a pretty good year even though we’re dealing with some motor issues,” said Owen, “but I’m hoping to have everything fixed by this weekend to give Gene (Ashley) a run for his money.” Owen is doing something very special this week for his friend Colin Baker. He is donating all his race earnings from the weekend to Colin’s medical fund. Baker is currently in the hospital suffering from the genetic disorder Wilson’s disease. “I want to challenge all the drivers out there who plan on racing this weekend to donate to this great family,” he continued. “They don’t have to donate all their winnings, just something because every little bit helps.” Owen is also offering his car to be signed with messages to Colin with painting pens [Read More]

Veterans’ Appreciation Night Friday  at Clay County Fair Speedway

SPENCER, Iowa – Friday, May 22 is Veterans’ Appreciation Night at the Clay County Fair Speedway. All veterans receive half-price admission. Hot laps begin at 7 p.m. with races to follow. “Friday night’s race will kick off Memorial Day Weekend and we wanted to use the race as an opportunity to thank our military for their service to our great country,” said CCF Manager Jeremy Parsons. “We have also pushed hot laps back to 7 p.m. to accommodate the many drivers who are joining us further from the Spencer area.” After two weeks of racing at Clay County Fair Speedway, point leaders are Ryan Ruter of Kanawha in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Roger Verdoorn of Sibley in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Doug Smith of Lake City in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Chad Lonneman of Adrian, Minn., in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Jay DeVries of Spencer in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts. The Finish Line Food Court and Clay County Fair Speedway box office open at 5:30 p.m. on race days. Tickets are $12 [Read More]

Bouche Memorial for IMCA Stock Cars slated Saturday at Thunderhill

By Edward Anschutz STURGEON BAY, Wis. (May 19) – A $1,000 payday is in story for the winner of the seventh annual Nathan Bouche Memorial for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars this Saturday, May 23 at Thunderhill Raceway. The winner’s share of the purse is courtesy of the Bull Pen Bar & Grill, located in Forestville. All applicable IMCA points will be awarded. There is no entry fee. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Local track historian Tom Wagner will take the microphone and call the night’s action. Spectator admission for adults is $10, for seniors and students $7 and $3 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free. Pit passes are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Also on the evening program are IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and street stocks will compete. More information is available from promoter Woody Wodack at 920 743-7052, and at the track website, www.racethunderhill.com.

Funeral services are Thursday for Lynn Idler

BASSETT, Iowa – Funeral services for Lynn Idler, 66, of Bassett are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21 at the Ionia Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 at his shop on Highway 18 in Bassett. Visitation continues at the funeral home one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Idler died May 17 at his home surrounded by his family. The former IMCA driver won three features and qualified for 44 Deery Brothers Summer Series main events during his Late Model career. Memorials may be directed to the family.

IMCA Modifieds fill growing niche at Carter’s Mohave Valley Raceway

MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. – Walt Carter was so sure the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds would find their niche at his new Mohave Valley Raceway in 1993 that he agreed to sanction the class knowing there weren’t even any local cars in the class at the time. More than two decades later, Mohave Valley is now the longest continuously sanctioned race track in Arizona. The 1/3-mile clay venue has averaged 23 Modified entries for its first seven every-other-Saturday night shows so far in 2015. “I met with (former IMCA president) Kathy Root, liked what she had to say, told her I was in it for the long haul and I’ve been sanctioned for 23 years,” said Carter, who prefers the title track owner and operator to that of promoter. “I jumped on early because I saw the value in what I call a spec car. I looked at the Modified as a division that wouldn’t be going away. I hitched my future to the IMCA Modified.” After managerial stints at Riverside International Raceway in California, [Read More]

Budweiser Clydesdales Night Friday at Clay County

SPENCER, Iowa – The Budweiser Clydesdale Eight-Horse Hitch will be making a public appearance prior to a full night of IMCA racing at the Clay County Fair Speedway on Friday, May 15. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will make their appearance from 5-7 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m. with races to follow at 7 p.m. “World famous Clydesdales, high caliber IMCA racing and the Finish Line Food Court will make for a great Friday night in Spencer,” said CCF Manager Jeremy Parsons. New to the Clay County Fair Speedway this season is the Finish Line Food Court. Each Friday night, a variety of food and merchandise vendors will be set up outside the grandstand giving race fans and Spencer residents a “festival atmosphere to enjoy,” said Parsons. The Clay County Fair Speedway box office will open at 5 p.m. on race nights. Grandstand tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Children ages five and under are free. IMCA races will be held each Friday night through June 26; July 10; July 17; July 31; August 21; [Read More]

Sunset Speedway Park hosts Armed Forces Night

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. – Sunset Speedway Park hosts Armed Forces Night on Saturday, May 16. The regular military discount of $10 for grandstand admission has been reduced to $5. The Budweiser IMCA Modifieds will look for either the first repeat winner of the season or the fourth different winner in as many races. Collen Winebarger, Mark Carrell and last week’s winner Jeff Lovell are all 2015 SSP drivers to grace victory lane. The feature pays $650 to win. Pit gates open at 2 p.m. and the front gate opens at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m.

Community Sharing Night is Saturday at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Cottage Grove Speedway will be back in action on Saturday, May 16 for Community Sharing Night. Fans bringing a can of non-perishable food will receive a $2 discount at the admission booth. IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods are both on the weekend card. Three races have produced as many different winners in the Modified ranks. Jesse Williamson, Braedon Hand and Kinzer Cox have each scored one win thus far. Gene Ashley won the one previous feature event held for Northern SportMods. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., the front gate opens at 4 p.m., qualifying is at 5:30 p.m. and racing begins at approximately 6:45 p.m.

Storms force Dodge City postponement, event reset for June 6

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. – Early morning thunderstorms along with the threat of additional severe weather throughout the day and into tonight has forced the postponement of Saturday’s racing action at Dodge City Raceway Park. The May 9 card consisting of IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, along with URSS Sprint Cars vs. Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Cars, has been reset for Saturday night, June 6. Next up on the Dodge City Raceway Park slate of events is the DCRP championship chase action for Modifieds, SportMods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks, along with NCRA Sprint Cars on Saturday night, May 30. The May 30 card will kick off six consecutive weekends of racing action. The track’s full slate of events is available at http://www.dodgecityraceway.com/schedule/.

Mother Nature wins again at Tri-State

POCOLA, Okla. – Due to recent rain and more wet weather in the forecast, the Saturday, May 9 IMCA race program at Tri-State Speedway has been canceled. This weekend of May 16 will now be $1 hot dog night along with kids’ bicycle races with two free bikes to be given away.