Newswire

Taylor Triumphs in Southern Oklahoma Speedway Modified Opener

By Ben Deatherage ARDMORE, Okla. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Jeff Taylor outdueled William Gould to win the first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified race of 2025 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. The 2012 IMCA Super Nationals champion fended off the six-time and defending South Central Region titleholder in a thrilling 20-lap main event at the 3/8-mile oval. Chris Webb led early, but Kyle Robinson quickly took over on lap 2. By lap 6, Gould charged to the front, only to have a caution negate his pass. On the restart, Taylor surged past Robinson in turn three to claim the top spot. As the race unfolded, Taylor built a comfortable lead while Gould and Robinson battled for second. Lapped traffic allowed Gould to close in, but Taylor expertly navigated through the slower cars to stay ahead. A caution with two laps to go set up a dramatic finish. Gould made two valiant attempts to pass — diving low in the first set of corners and again in the final turns — but Taylor held firm to claim his first [Read More]

Townsend Thrills in RaceSaver Sprints at 105

By Ben Deatherage CLEVELAND, Texas (Mar. 15, 2025) — Christopher Townsend conquered the competition in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at 105 Motor Speedway. The Tarkington pilot seized the lead shortly after a midrace restart to become the new race leader in exciting style. Mark Harris initially controlled the race, expertly navigating the inside line. On lap three, Cassidy LeJeune used the high side to build momentum and take the lead, exiting the fourth corner. A series of cautions before the halfway point allowed Townsend to move into second. After a lap 10 restart, Townsend executed a daring slider in the second corner to overtake the Louisianan pacesetter. From there, he went untouched on his way to the win as the race remained caution-free. LeJeune held on for second, while Trent Dixon rounded out the podium in third. Babbitt Blazes to Another Mod Lite Victory In Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite action, Corey Babbitt picked up where he left off at the Texas Grand a few weeks ago, leading from the very start. The New [Read More]

Garner Claims Victory in SportMod Season Opener at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Mark Garner secured the win in the 2025 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod season opener at Marysville Raceway. Leading all 20 laps at the ¼-mile clay oval, the Antioch, California, veteran managed traffic and challenges to claim victory. Garner built a solid lead early while Jason Ryan Jr. and Jace Wright battled for second. By lap six, lapped traffic allowed Ryan to close the gap and briefly pressure Garner. A caution flag soon after gave Garner a clear track, helping him maintain control. On the restart, Wright overtook Ryan for second. Garner again encountered traffic but handled it more effectively. Late cautions provided additional clean-track opportunities, and Garner capitalized to cruise to his first win of the season. Wright stayed close but couldn’t overtake Garner, settling for second. Ryan crossed the line in third. The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate Nor Cal Speed.

13th Annual Sunflower Classic Returns to RPM Speedway

HAYS, Kansas (Mar. 19, 2025) – The Sunflower Classic is back at RPM Speedway on March 28-29, bringing two nights of action-packed racing. With a draw/redraw format, drivers will battle it out for big payouts, and fans can expect plenty of excitement on the track. IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,000 to win each night, while IMCA Stock Cars have a $750 top prize. IMCA SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks each offer $500 to the winner, and IMCA Sport Compacts will race for $200. The weekend kicks off Thursday with a Test & Tune session at 5 p.m. Racing gets underway Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 3 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m., and the first green flag at 6 p.m. Entry fees are set at $100 for Modifieds, $75 for Stock Cars, $50 for SportMods and Hobby Stocks, and $35 for Sport Compacts. Pit passes are $25 on Thursday and $30 on race nights. Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, the Sunflower Classic is a must-see event, awarding state, regional, national, and track [Read More]

Tyler Johnson Doubles Up at Casa Grande with Stock Car and SportMod Wins

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 15, 2025) — 15-year-old Tyler Johnson hit victory lane twice at Central Arizona Raceway by defeating the competition in both the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Dennis Losing led the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before Larry Brigner took over on the second lap after a four-wide battle. Brigner set a strong pace, but as the caution-free race stayed green, Johnson entered the mix. Racing his brother Jesse’s car, Johnson stalked Brigner until a bobble on lap 9 opened the door for a pass. Johnson pulled away after taking the lead, claiming victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region for the second time this year. Brigner finished second, with Brent Meile rounding out the podium in third. In the IMCA Northern SportMods, Johnson wasted no time, jumping from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. Bodie Parker aimed to challenge the 2024 National SportMod Rookie of the Year, but a caution halted his momentum. When racing resumed, a battle [Read More]

Mike Vandermark Jr.: From Snowy Michigan to Clash On The Coast Champion

CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. (Mar. 14, 2025) — A Wolverine who took his mittens off at this year’s IMCA TV Clash On The Coast was Mike Vandermark Jr., who never finished outside the Top 5 and earned the overall championship title in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car series. His worst finish was fourth on the final night at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Alabama, to become the second champion in the class in two seasons. Racing Against the Odds Vandermark stands out for more than his performance. Like Florida’s Wyatt Parker and Evan Foust of Maryland, during this year’s Clash, he comes from a state without a track that hosts IMCA Stock Car races weekly. Despite the long journey and limited experience in the division, he finished second in a three-wide photo finish on the first night and claimed victory at Northwest Florida Speedway. Seizing the Opportunity “There’s a bunch of snow and cold weather back at home, so it was a perfect opportunity to go down and race and have some fun,” Vandermark said. “We stayed [Read More]

South Texas IMCA Modified Series Ready for Sophomore Season

SAN ANTONIO (Mar. 14, 2025) — Race fans, get ready — the South Texas IMCA Modified Series is back for an action-packed second season in 2025! Ten races at five Lone Star State tracks are scheduled, starting March 28 at Heart O’ Texas Speedway near Waco, followed by I-37 Speedway in Pleasanton on March 29. Chris Morris is the defending champion. “Texas has a strong group of (Friesen Performance) IMCA Modified drivers,” said series director Kevin Rogers. “I look forward to showcasing their talent in the upcoming season at these awesome facilities we will travel to.” Each race will pay at least $1,000 to win and $100 to start, with increased payouts for higher car counts. If 25 to 39 cars enter, the purse rises to $1,500 to win and $125 to start. For over 40 entries, the winner gets $2,000, and starting pays $150. Drivers will compete not just for cash, but will also earn points for the National, South Central Region, and Texas State championships. A $10,000 point fund is available for drivers finishing [Read More]

Chris Tuchscherer: From the Octagon to the Race Track

BURLINGTON, N.D. (Mar. 12, 2025) — North Dakota’s Chris Tuchscherer knows how to race hard, achieve success, and persevere. His competitive drive stems from a background in wrestling, which began in his high school hometown of Bowman. Excelling at both the high school and collegiate levels, he wrestled at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo and Moorhead State before stepping into the Octagon as a competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Racing Roots and Return to the Track Tuchscherer’s passion for racing began with derby cars before transitioning to Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Despite the long commute from Fargo, on the Minnesota side of the Peace Garden State, he claimed the IMCA Stock Car title at Williston-Basin Speedway in 2005 — a track located in the northwest corner of North Dakota near the Montana border. However, as his MMA career gained momentum, racing took a backseat. His competitive fire never faded, though. Four years ago, he made his return to Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly competition, stepping into the highly competitive Friesen Performance IMCA Modified [Read More]

Dean Scores Second Mod Lite Win at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Mar. 8, 2025) — Despite starting seventh, Mike Dean charged through the field to capture his second Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature win of 2025 at Hendry County Motorsports Park. A series of four cautions slowed the pace, but once Dean took control, he had no trouble staying in front. Bill Leonard led early, holding off Chase Nornberg until a caution halted their battle. Nornberg was forced to the back due to a loose fuel cell cap. On the restart, Robbie Throop and Dean battled for second, closing in on Leonard. Dean eventually took the spot and set his sights on the leader, but a slip-up in turn one allowed Dylan Permann to sneak underneath and take second. Soon after, Leonard spun in front of the field, avoiding contact but surrendering the lead to Dean. Dean managed multiple restarts and built a comfortable advantage to secure his first win since the season opened on January 4. Permann wound up second, followed by Ben Blalock in third. The event was [Read More]

Robby Sawyer Kicks Off Bakersfield Speedway With IMCA Modified Triumph

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2025) – Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer kicked off the new era of dirt track racing at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, using a last lap slidejob to win the 2025 Opening Night Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The feature win paid $750 and was the inaugural event of the partnership of the two speedways, racing at the newly redesigned one-third mile dirt track adjacent to Kern Raceway. “We lost our brakes early in the race. I didn’t think I had anything. I was just trying to stay consistent. I don’t think I was the better car,” Sawyer said. “Rob Gallaher – I’ve been driving for him for two years and I had yet to win for him. So to do it at home is huge!” The season is a new partnership between Bakersfield Speedway promoter Scott Schweitzer and Kern Raceway promoter Tim Huddleston, with racing taking place at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway dirt track. A strong crowd filled the new grandstands at the one-third mile dirt track. Sawyer [Read More]