Newswire

IMCA Coronavirus Response Broadcast Program

VINTON, Iowa – In response to the continued uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic, IMCA has developed guidance and planning for IMCA member tracks to execute the live-streamed broadcasting of events. The primary goal of IMCA has always been to ensure health and provide certainty to member tracks, and given the current environment, we feel our responsibility to explore all options for operation to our promoters. With this program, IMCA will make every effort to provide member tracks with simple, turn-key options for video broadcasting equipment, execution guidance, and the platform for distribution and payment. Through our newly formed relationship with the SPEED SPORT Network, IMCA.TV will be launched to provide a single video platform destination for all IMCA member tracks. “We will go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure our tracks can continue operation,” said Brett Root, President of IMCA. Each track will determine pricing and purchasing options based on their unique considerations. Options for standalone pay-per-view or subscription-based live-streamed video will be available. We will connect you with our regional broadcast affiliates for production [Read More]

Independence Motor Speedway to host two nights of practice

By Jerry Mackey INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – The Independence Motor Speedway will once again roar to life with the sweet sounds of racing engines this weekend. On Friday, May 8, the IMCA Modifieds. IMCA Sunoco Late Models and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars will be allowed to practice. On Saturday, May 9, the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks will be welcomed to the speedway. By splitting the divisions and running practice both nights, the governor’s guidelines for the Covid-19 virus will be much easier to follow. Unfortunately the grandstands will be closed and all crew members must remain with their cars in the infield. Ten persons will be allowed entrance to the pit area with each race car. The race track will be open both nights for practice from 5:30-9 p.m. The season opener is set to take the first green flag on Saturday, May 16. More information regarding the first night of racing will be released in the

Park Jefferson Speedway sets IMCA Spring Nationals show for this weekend

JEFFERSON, S.D. – Kruse Motorsports, Inc. and Park Jefferson Speedway team up to bring IMCA racing action back with a two-day Spring Nationals show Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks run both nights, the Mach-1 Sport Compacts on Friday and the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars on Saturday. Each day will be a separate show with the draw/redraw format. Entries are limited and no IMCA points will be awarded. Modifieds will vie for a $1,000 top prize each day in their Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifiers, Sprint Cars race for $600 to win, Stock Cars and SportMods each chase $500, Hobby Stocks going after $400 and Sport Compacts race for $200 to win. Thirty-two entries from each of the Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock divisions, and 20 each of the Sprint Cars will be entered into the event. Links to registration are: Friday, https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2303/registrations/2655. Saturday, https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2303/registrations/2656. Entry fees will be $40 for Modifieds and $30 for all other divisions [Read More]

KRC adding Junior National Champion, Lady Eagle awards to IMCA program

LOCKWOOD, Mo. – Kluhsman Racing Components expands an already extensive IMCA program in 2020, with new awards for both Junior National Championship and Lady Eagle contenders. Top three finishers in point standings for both titles, contended by young drivers and by female drivers, respectively, receive $75 product certificates from the Lockwood, Mo., manufacturer and 23-year sponsor. “We are really excited to partner with these new programs, especially recognizing the top Lady Eagle competitors. I raised three daughters Hailey, Hannah and Alex, and each of them raced go-karts and operated machines at KRC growing up,” said Mel Kluhsman. “They have always been very involved in racing so to be able to reward some of the most accomplished ladies in IMCA racing is pretty special, and brings everything full circle for us at KRC.” Part of decal programs for Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods, Kluhsman gives $75 product certificates to drivers finishing in the top 10 nationally in both divisions. All SportMod drivers must display two KRC decals on their race car [Read More]

Dodge City Raceway Park shifts practice to May 23

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. – In the ever-changing environment of the current COVID-19 coronavirus culture, Dodge City Raceway Park has shifted its open practice to a tentative date of Saturday, May 23, rather than the previously scheduled date of May 16. Following the tentative practice session set for May 23, pending further developments, Dodge City Raceway Park will now kick off the season with a URSS vs. DCRP Sprint Car showdown along with a full slate of championship chase action including IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks on Saturday, June 6. In an additional schedule adjustment, the seventh annual SportMod Mayhem North vs. South Duel will now take place in conjunction with the Lubbock Wrecker Service DCRP Sprint Car Nationals on Aug. 20-22. The Thursday portion of the event will serve as a practice night for the IMCA Modifieds with heats and qualifiers on Friday and then the $1,500-to-win main event on Saturday. Originally slated to run in conjunction with the DCRP Sprint Car Nationals, the eighth [Read More]

Whitwell wires Corona Kicker foes at Southern Oklahoma

ARDMORE, Okla. (May 1-2) – After winning his heat race, R.C. Whitwell knew he’d be going into Friday’s Corona Kicker IMCA Modified feature with a fast car. And after leading start to finish of the main event at Southern Oklahoma Speedway, the Tucson, Ariz., driver collected a $1,250 check for his latest Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying victory. Fifty-six Modifieds contested at the opening night show in Ardmore and nine states were represented in the evening’s headline event. Pole starter Whitwell ran the bottom most of the 20-lapper, going to the top in the second set of turns to work through lapped traffic and outrunning Ethan Braaksma to the checkers. “The car was pretty decent in the heat race handling-wise. We didn’t make any changes for the feature,” said Whitwell, who’d made just two previous starts at Southern Oklahoma, in 2017 and last year. “Our setup was good, we had a fast car and it ended up working pretty good for us.” Matt Guillaume, Josh McGaha and Chris Elliott completed the top five. Hard [Read More]

Ricochet renews awards for IMCA Modifieds, Northern SportMods

BRUSH, Colo. – Ricochet Race Components has renewed a broad slate of awards for IMCA Modified and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod drivers for a seventh season. Owned by long-time IMCA Modified driver John Hansen, the Brush, Colo., company, gives a pair of shock guard covers to the champions and rookies of the year in each of the five regions for Modifieds, and to the Northern SportMod national champion and the national rookie of the year. The champion and feature winners each night of the Speed Shift TV Dirt Knights Tour, and feature winners at 10 other Modified specials also receive a pair of shock guard covers. ”We are excited to announce this year we have partnered with Wehrs Machine and Racing Products to launch an improved Ricochet shock guard, and look forward to another great year supporting IMCA race teams,” Hansen said. Feature winner awards will be presented in victory lane while other Ricochet awards are to be presented during the national IMCA banquet in November or mailed from the home office beginning the following [Read More]

Marshalltown’s Dale DeFrance Memorial postponed to June 9

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – While it’s still going to be an event for the IMCA history book, the chapter on the upcoming Dale DeFrance Memorial just won’t get written when originally scheduled. Featuring both the 500th and final race in IMCA Late Model Summer Series history and a Speed Shift TV Dirt Knights Tour program for IMCA Modifieds, the Marshalltown Speedway special has been postponed from May 7 to Tuesday, June 9. “We remain committed to the health and well-being of everyone who is a part of race programs at Marshalltown Speedway, as a driver, crew member, spectator or track worker,” said promoter Toby Kruse. “We’ll follow guidelines or recommendations that are in place from the state for all weekly and special events.” IMCA Late Model Ironman Darrel DeFrance will complete his perfect attendance streak in the Summer Series finale at his hometown track. The Modified feature is a qualifier for the 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods round out the June 9 card. [Read More]

Bassett backs IMCA Stock Car, SportMod drivers

BURLINGTON, Wis. – Bassett Racing Wheel continues its long association with IMCA in 2020, giving post-season awards in three divisions. The Burlington, Wis., manufacturer and 26-year sponsor gives sets of four wheels to IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod national champions while track champions in the same divisions receive $60 product certificates the purchase of four wheels. Those awards will be presented during the national IMCA banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week from the IMCA home office. Bassett also returns to national decal programs for each of the SportMod divisions. All Northern and Southern SportMod drivers must display two Bassett decals on their race car to become eligible for point fund shares. “Bassett Racing Wheel and IMCA share many values – affordable racing, consistent rules and awarding racers for their accomplishments,” noted Director of Marketing & Sales Brian Gill. “We look forward to another season of wheel-to-wheel racing and thank IMCA for the opportunity to continue as a decal contingency sponsor for our 26th [Read More]

US 36, Bethany open with IMCA points, spectators

OSBORN, Mo. – US 36 Raceway will open May 8 and Bethany Speedway on May 9 with all IMCA points awarded both nights. “Response has already been great and we’re expecting tremendous car counts both Friday and Saturday,” said promoter Jon Boller Jr. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, E3 Spark Plugs Missouri State and track points will be given for IMCA Modified, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod divisions at both Friday and Saturday shows. Central and North Central Region points will be available to Modified drivers. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 6 p.m., hot laps are at approximately 7:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Social distancing guidelines will be maintained in both the pit area and grandstand; track officials will ask each team to stay within their respective pit area and that everyone attending wear a mask or other appropriate facial covering. Drivers are also asked to pre-register through MyRacePass or the track website. Pit passes are $35 while grandstand [Read More]