Newswire

Simpson captures Benton County opener, All-Star ballot nod

By Jerry Mackey VINTON, Iowa (May 24) – With fans watching on big and small screens, Chris Simpson held off Cayden Carter in winning the IMCA Modified feature on opening night Sunday at Benton County Speedway. The headliner of the night was the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature, which provided great racing on the perfectly prepared track and a battle to the checkered flag. Simpson, driving a Doug Cue-owned car, started on the pole position, led the race early and appeared to have control of the race until fourth starting Carter began to reel him. Carter raced to the white flag on the rear bumper of Simpson and set up a side-by-side drag race down the back chute as the checkered flag was about to be waved. Simpson shot off the high side of turn four and held off Carter at the finish line taking the win by half a car length. Ethan Braaksma followed across the stripe in third. Simpson’s victory paid $1,000 and put him on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star [Read More]

Minnesota driver takes IMCA Modified checkers on big night at Boone

By Joyce Eisele BOONE, Iowa (May 23) – A huge field of 234 cars checked into Boone Speedway on Saturday night and Minnesota racer Aaron Johnson swept to the win in the final circuit of the IMCA Modified feature. It appeared that hometown driver Russell Dickerson was going to top them all as he immediately powered to the lead from his fourth place starting spot. Dickerson continued to lead as the 20-lapprt wound down but Brainerd, Minn., driver Johnson, who had started ninth on the grid, had reeled him in and was challenging. Dickerson held the upper hand at lap 19 but was unable to hold off his nemesis that final lap with Johnson making the pass and snatching the win. Dickerson had to settle for second. Kyle Brown moved up from 11th starting to third. Devin Smith topped the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars while brother Doug took the checkers in a field of 69 entries in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods. The nightcap saw defending Super Nationals champion Dylan Nelson take home the win in [Read More]

Aikey collects Sunoco bonus on record night at Indee

By Jerry Mackey INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (May 23) – One of Independence Motor Speedway’s winningest drivers went home with a bonus following his latest checkered flag run, on a record setting opening night. The headliner of the night was the 25-lap IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature. Jeff Aikey drew the pole position and went on to drive the Rick Dralle-owned no. 77 to a comfortable win. The race went flag to flag with Aikey taking the win and first $250 Sunoco Race Fuels bonus of the season over Eric Pollard and Sean Johnson. Saturday mid-day rains made for very challenging conditions at Indee but thanks to the never say die attitude of co-promoter Justin Temeyer, the new season got underway on Saturday night without fans in attendance due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The record 161 drivers in attendance gave a very big shout out to Temeyer and partner Mick Trier for making the racing happen. Aikey also sat on the pole for the IMCA Modified main event, but Troy Cordes had his 71C machine dialed in, [Read More]

Traffic assists Blurton in season-opening URSS victory at Salina

By David Smith, Jr., OKTidbits SALINA, Kan. (May 23) – Two-time and defending tour champion Zach Blurton picked up right where he left off last season, taking advantage of late-race lapped traffic to capture the exciting season opener for the Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing opened their 2020 race season in front of a near-capacity crowd at Salina Speedway on Saturday night. J.D. Johnson and Blurton started on the front row for the 25-lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature with Johnson taking the lead as the green flag fell. Johnson kept Ty Williams behind him for the first several laps before Blurton passed Williams for second on lap five. Blurton stayed glued to Johnson’s rear bumper and at the race’s midway point on lap 13 it was still Johnson, Blurton, Williams, Jason Danley and 16th starting Toby Chapman the top five. The leaders approached slower cars on lap 17 and that’s when Johnson picked the wrong line to lap Howard Van Dyke. Blurton took advantage and got around both [Read More]

Modified Madness checkers fly for Sobbing, Harker rules SportMod Shootout at U.S. 36

By Jacob Blair OSBORN, Mo. (May 22) – There were many storylines headed into Modified Madness at U.S. 36 Raceway, such as increased payouts and the Wayne Hicks Memorial SportMod Shootout, but the biggest storyline remained with the track. Throughout the week, thanks to Shaw Excavating and the many people involved, the track at U.S. 36 received a complete makeover to improve track conditions. The storyline at the end of the night no longer was about the track, it was about the racing on it. The track raced multi-grooved and smooth all night long and let the racers go after a chance to reach Westfall GMC Victory Lane. Modified Madness was headlined by the IMCA Modifieds and the drivers chasing the $1,066 winner’s check. Jesse Sobbing led the race from start to finish, but it didn’t come without challenges from several different drivers. Chad Andersen, Chad Clancy and 10th starting Steven Bowers Jr. all had their go at Sobbing. Bowers charged late and made a couple looks for the lead, but Sobbing, already on the Fast [Read More]

Opening night attracts 100-plus cars to Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (May 21) – It was opening night at Kossuth County Speedway May 21 without any spectators in the grandstands but that did not deter a grand total of 103 cars from dotting the pits at Algona. While the IMCA Modified featured was a heated battle throughout, pole-sitter Cody Knecht led the whole way to earn the win. Just a caution flag on lap number five delayed the Whittemore driver trip into the winner’s circle. Austin Wolf and Jeremy Mills both challenged Knecht but he refused to give up the lead. Thirty-one IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars vied for spots in their main event grid. Devin Smith grabbed the early but Jeffrey Larson pulled even at midway and took the lead on the following lap. Both Troy Swearington and Smith kept pressure on Larson but he went onto the win with Smith second and Swearington third. Zack Smidt paced the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Jared Boumeester was the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod winner. Kaytee DeVries topped the Mach-1 Sport Compact main. [Read More]

Late Model, Stock Car pre-registration encouraged for 34 Raceway event

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – Two days remain before the IMCA Sunoco Late Model and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car openers at 34 Raceway and officials are encouraging racers to get pre-registered now at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2697/registrations/. Pre-registration is $200 per car and that includes eight pit passes per registrant. Upon arrival to the track drivers will receive a personalized envelope with eight wristbands inside. Driver and crew are asked to arrive together if possible. Drivers are also asked to print and sign the pit release in advance and bring it with them. The release can be found at http://www.34raceway.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=580646. Sunday’s opening night main event for IMCA Sunoco Late Models at 34 Raceway pays $1,500 to the feature winner. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars race for $1,000 to win. While the grandstand will be closed, fans will have the opportunity to watch the night’s racing action by logging on to Speed Shift TV to watch from the comfort of your living room. Pits open at 4 p.m. and hot laps are scheduled to take to the track at 6:15 p.m. with racing to [Read More]

Winnemucca raises Shootout stakes for IMCA Modifieds

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The stakes got even higher for IMCA Modifieds running at Winnemucca Regional Raceway’s fourth annual High Desert Classic Shootout. The Saturday, May 30 feature pays $2,000 to win while the Sunday, May 31 main event carries a $3,000 top check. Both are Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifiers. Total Modified purse for the special, presented by Model T Hotel and Casino, is $11,000 and based on 20-car fields. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods race for $500 to win both nights. Both shows are draw/redraw and IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Shaw Race Cars Western Region, state and track points will be given. Modified entry is $100 each night or $175 for both nights if pre-paid. Numerous contingency awards will be given. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. on both days, the grandstand opens at 11 a.m., hot laps are at 11:30 a.m. and racing starts at 1 p.m. both days. An optional pill draw is $10 with a maximum of three draws. Saturday and Sunday pit passes are $25. Spectator admission is [Read More]

URSS vs. DCRP Sprint Car Showdown reset for July 2

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (May 22) – Originally slated to kick off the 2020 racing season at Dodge City Raceway Park, the URSS vs. Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Car Showdown has been reset for Thursday night, July 2. The event has been postponed on a pair of occasions due to ongoing restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, with the track now set to officially get things under way on Saturday, June 20, with Armed Forces Night featuring the Hobby Stock Roundup. The July 2 date for the URSS vs. DCRP Sprint Car Showdown will feature a complete card of championship chase action that will also include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Detailed schedule information is available at https://www.dodgecityraceway.com/schedule/.

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through May 21

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 840; 2. Alex Stanford, Chowchilla, Calif., 528; 3. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 523; 4. Ricky Thornton Jr., Adel, Iowa, 472; 5. Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., 451; 6. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 418; 7. Jon White Jr., Red Oak, Texas, 401; 8. Jeff Taylor, Cave City, Ark., 387; 9. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 377; 10. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 374; 11. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz., 348; 12. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 344; 13. Jake O’Neil, Tucson, Ariz., 336; 14. Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D., and Austin Kiefer, Pahrump, Nev., both 335; 16. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 320; 17. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 316; 18. Michael Thing, Campo, Calif., 314; 19. Bill Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 303; 20. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 299. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Nick Marolf, Moscow, Iowa, 40; 2. Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, Ill., 39; 3. Justin Kay, Wheatland, Iowa, 38; 4. Andy Nezworski, Buffalo, Iowa, 37; 5. Matt Ryan, Davenport, Iowa, 36; 6. William “B.J.” Jackson, Clinton, Iowa, 35; 7. Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, [Read More]