maquoketaspeedway Archives

Janssen Dominates Maquoketa Modified Feature

By Ben Deatherage MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Mar. 29, 2025) — Drew Janssen made the most of his seat in the Rage Chassis No. 12J house car, leading all 25 laps of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Maquoketa Speedway. After driving the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned No. 127 the previous night, Janssen jumped into Justin O’Brien’s ride and didn’t miss a beat. After a caution on lap two, the Pella driver checked out from the field. The battle for second was intense, featuring Spencer Diercks, California’s Troy Morris III, and Wisconsin standout Brandon Schmitt. Morris, the 2023 IMCA Wild West Speedweek champion, eventually edged ahead in the three-car fight before Schmitt clawed his way past Diercks and then Morris. Schmitt, the two-time defending Beaver Dam Raceway track champion, mounted a charge but couldn’t touch the leader. Janssen worked through lapped traffic with ease and cruised to his first Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of 2025, winning by more than four seconds. Schmitt claimed second, while Morris completed the podium. Murty Sweeps the Weekend [Read More]

Larson Wins Emotional Modified Thriller at Maquoketa

By Ben Deatherage MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Mar. 28, 2025) — Jeff Larson scored an emotional victory in the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event, holding off a hard-charging Shane Paris in a thrilling late-race duel at Maquoketa Speedway. Larson, the four-time defending Maquoketa track champion, 2021 IMCA Modified National Champion, and two-time Razor Chassis North Central Region titleholder, wasted no time getting to the front. Piloting the P.J. Kostenbader-owned No. B1, he blitzed from third to the lead on the backstretch of lap one. Behind him, Drew Janssen settled into second in the Danny Meier and Trent Guest-owned No. 127 as the top two began to distance themselves. Charlie Mohr and Jaden Fryer waged war for third until Mohr finally secured the spot. The race stayed green for a long stretch, allowing Larson to build a sizable lead. A caution on lap 16, however, reset the field. On the restart, Shane Paris – two-time IMCA.TV Winter Nationals winner – charged into third, then quickly took second by working the low groove. A late caution with five [Read More]

Iowa Dirt Nationals set records at Maquoketa Speedway

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Oct. 17-19, 2024) – The final race of the 2024 season was held this past weekend at the Maquoketa Speedway as the Iowa Dirt Nationals were run with three near perfect weather days greeting record-setting car counts and large crowds. The action got underway on Thursday, Oct. 17with a practice session and the makeup features of the All Star Classic that was cut short back on Sept. 14 due to rain. Ethan Braaksma scored the win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, David Brandies topped the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event, Brayton Carter raced to the win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and Eric Knutson took the win the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Friday was opening night of the Iowa Dirt Nationals with 206 competitors packing the infield on the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Winners on Friday night included Drew Janssen in the Modifieds, Brandon Schmitt took top honors in the Stock Cars, Carter scored the win by inches in the SportMod feature and Knutson took the checkers [Read More]

Maquoketa Speedway hosts All Star Classic Weekend

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Sept. 10, 2024) – Two big nights of exciting racing are scheduled to take place this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14 during the All Star Classic Weekend at Maquoketa Speedway. Under the direction of Darkside Promotions, Tim Current and Ryan Duhme, two complete racing programs will be held with Friday night’s action being run in memory of popular Eastern Iowa racer Kelly Meyer, who we lost following a very tragic motorcycle accident. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds will race for $3,000 to win Friday night, and $1,500 on Saturday and both are qualifying events for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. IMCA Sunoco Stock Car features both pay $750 and are B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifiers. Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods race for $750 to win each night, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $350. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Iowa State points will be awarded and Modifieds also run a non-qualifier $500 to win feature. Entry fees for all divisions for Saturday have been pre-paid by Penny, Michael and [Read More]

Track champions crowned at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 24, 2024) – Dynamic Tube of Maquoketa hosted the 2024 season championship races on Saturday as Maquoketa Speedway hosted 122 race teams for another exciting night of racing action. IMCA Sunoco Late Models provided another action-packed headliner as drivers used every inch of the perfectly prepared track. Travis Denning used both the high side and the low groove as he worked his way to the front in the 25-lap main event, advancing from the ninth position. Denning took the checkers ahead of Mitch Morris and Evan Miller. With the season championship win, Denning also earned the 2024 track title. Drew Janssen made his second appearance at Maquoketa Speedway racing his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified. Janssen started at the tail of the invert due to the fact that he did not have an established point average. A fifth row start did not bother Janssen as he was able to work through traffic en route to the 20-lap main event win ahead of Spencer Diercks and Mitch Way. Jeff Larson was the track [Read More]

Maquoketa Speedway hosts season championships this Saturday

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 22, 2024) – This Saturday, Aug. 24, Maquoketa Speedway will host the final point races of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season as Dynamic Tube of Maquoketa presents season championships. A full night of racing will include all regular classes headlined by the IMCA Sunoco Late Models. Hot laps will take to the quarter-mile at 6 p.m. with racing to follow. Following Saturday night’s racing action, the crew from Darkside Promotions will host two special events at Maquoketa Speedway. The first will be the All Star Classic with two big days of racing on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13 and 14. The Friday night portion of the All Star Classic will include a special night of racing in memory of Kelly Meyer, a very popular driver at Maquoketa who lost his life in a tragic motorcycle accident. The Kelly Meyer All Star Race will headline the September 13th race program. The final race of the year at Maquoketa will be the Iowa Dirt Nationals, which will be contested Thursday [Read More]

Denning scores Fan Appreciation Night win at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 10, 2024) – The Maquoketa Speedway hosted Fan Appreciation Night on Saturday sponsored by our friends at Oly’s Garage in Preston and the Hayes Family Farms of Monmouth and 124 race teams packed the pit area for another action-packed night of racing on the ¼-mile dirt oval located on the Jackson County Fairgrounds. The IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature took the green with Michael Leal pacing the field early from his pole position start. Kelly Pestka applied pressure early while Travis Denning was steadily advancing to the front, working the extreme high line around the smooth track. Denning was able to take the lead as the feature closed in on the 10 to go mark. Denning went on to record the win from his ninth position start. Steve Johnson turned in another strong run in advancing seven spots to cross under the checkers in second ahead of Don Pataska. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds saw another first time winner in 2024 for point racing at the Maquoketa Speedway. The Concrete [Read More]

Maquoketa Speedway host Kids’ Night as 122 teams pack pits

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 3, 2024) – Kinion Auto Sales hosted Kids Night at the races with an outstanding field of 122 race teams in attendance at Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday night. The IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature took the green with rookie Carter Johnson setting the pace early. Johnson was overtaken by another young driver in Chase Brunscheen before the 93 of Brunscheen slipped off the top side of turn, four allowing Bryce Garnhart to take the lead. Garnhart went on to set sail on the lip of the track holding off the constant challenges of 10th starting Travis Denning. Garnhart held his line and held on for a hard-fought win a car length ahead of Denning with Evan Miller finishing a very close third. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds saw pole sitter Timmy Current lead for better than half of the main until eighth starting Jeff Larson was able to move out front using the extreme high side of the track. Current ran the low line and was able to hold for [Read More]

Miles brothers dominate Hobby Stock special at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 20, 2024)– The Maquoketa Speedway hosted Eastern Iowa Garage Door Night at the races on Saturday with a special event for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. One hundred and ten race teams packed the pit area and provided an action packed night of racing. The Hobby Stocks were the featured division with a $1,000 to win main event that also carried an additional $780 in lap money. The 25-car starting field took the green flag with Karter Miles setting the pace from his pole position start. Karter led for several laps while his brother Jordan worked to the front from his third row start. Jordan Miles was involved in an incident early in the race that sent him to the rear. The incident lit a fire and Jordan quickly worked back through the field and set up a challenge for the lead with his younger brother. Jordan was able to secure the top spot with five to go and the battle was on for second. Lukas Short and Karter [Read More]

Way breaks through with big IMCA Modified win at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 6, 2024) – Saturday nights race program at the Maquoketa Speedway was hosted by our friends at Downtown Nutrition and the kids club hosted Christmas in July at the races. Kids were greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Claus plus the Grinch was also in attendance. Travis Denning driver of the IMCA Sunoco Late Model number 56D presented all the youngsters with glowing wristbands and checkered flags. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature treated the fans with outstanding racing on a wide and smooth fast track. Mitch Way took control of the race early from his second row start and appeared to be on his way to his first Maquoketa Speedway win. A caution brought the field to his rear bumper just past the midway point. On the restart the battle was on, Scott Lemke took over the top spot and led for several laps before Jeff Larson took over. Way used his never give up attitude and used several sliders as Larson and Way swapped the lead back and [Read More]