marysvilleraceway Archives

Merritt Capitalizes on Final-Turn Spin for Marysville Win

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2025) — Olivehurst’s Shaun Merritt took advantage of a dramatic last-turn twist to claim Saturday’s Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature at Marysville Raceway. Merritt led early but soon found himself under relentless pressure from Tyler Rodgers, a former Diamond Mountain Speedway track champion. Rodgers stayed glued to Merritt’s rear bumper and finally slipped underneath to take the lead on lap 10 out of turn two. Once in front, Rodgers looked untouchable, stretching his advantage to more than seven seconds as the laps wound down. But in a shocking turn of events, Rodgers spun in turn four coming to the checkered flag, handing the win to Merritt. Rodgers still managed to cross the line in second, with Jimmy Ford rounding out the podium. The event was broadcast live on IMCA.TV affiliate NorCal Speed. Missed the action? Watch every lap on-demand with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for $24.99/month.

Ficklin Jr. Fends Off Field for Marysville Win

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2025) — Mike Ficklin Jr. of Oroville held off multiple challengers to score a hard-fought victory in the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Marysville Raceway’s ¼-mile clay oval. Ficklin jumped out to the early lead before the race was slowed by a caution on lap two. On the restart, two-time California State champion Trevor Clymens made a strong run on the high side to challenge for the top spot and got around, but a yellow flag negated the pass. When racing resumed, Tyler Rodgers applied pressure to Clymens for second and took the position on lap five. Rodgers, a former track champion at both Quincy and Diamond Mountain Speedways, then set his sights on the leader. Another caution bunched the field on lap six, and Rodgers resumed his charge on the inside. He stayed glued to Ficklin’s rear bumper until lap 10, when the leader got sideways exiting turn four. Rodgers made contact, allowing Clymens to pass both drivers for the lead. However, the contact [Read More]

Wagner Breaks Through for First 2025 Win at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2025) — Danny Wagner took care of business Saturday night by capturing the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Marysville Raceway. The Baypoint racer claimed the lead in the second half of the 20-lap feature and cruised to his first win of the 2025 season. The race began with 2022 Marysville track champion Jimmy Ford setting the pace out front. Ford looked strong early, fending off pressure from both Jace Wright and two-time California State champion Trevor Clymens. Clymens nearly made a stunning double overtake on lap 8 but was forced back to third when a caution halted his momentum. On the ensuing restart, Wright tried to dive underneath Ford for the lead but came up short. That allowed Wagner to close in. When Wright bobbled slightly on lap 10, Wagner slipped by into second. From there, Wagner steadily tracked down Ford, biding his time before executing the decisive move underneath the leader on lap 13 to take over the top spot. Wagner quickly built a comfortable [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.

Wright wins battle, Lindeman wins war at Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Jace Wright rose to the occasion and did not crack under pressure in a wild main event at Marysville Raceway in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods. The championship bout witnessed Wright lead the entire distance. However, the feature was not short of heart-stopping drama in the battle for the track crown. When all was said and done Raymond Lindeman won the points title. Wright took the lead from the start, withstanding numerous challenges from K.C. Carpenter and mastering four restarts, making the race a thriller. Everything came down to the last lap. As the white banner flew, Carpenter drew level at the flag stand, and they maneuvered the 1/4-mile clay oval; Wright maintained control in the first turn. Despite a moment of instability in the fourth corner, allowing Carpenter to catch up, Wright ultimately won the race to the checkered flag. Carpenter was a close second, followed by Jimmy Ford in third. The drama for the championship came down to the very end as Lindeman and Mark [Read More]

Ficklin takes care of business at Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2024) – Marysville Raceway welcomed the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods to the historic 1/4-mile clay oval Saturday night. Shannon Barton took the marshal’s baton early in the main event. Despite a number of cautions in the first five laps, Barton was good on the restarts. After a stoppage on the fourth circuit, Scott Savell battled hard with Mike Ficklin Jr. Misfortune struck on lap eight when Savell came to a halt, bringing an early end to his evening. When the green flag reappeared, the race was back on. Ficklin overtook Barton for the lead and flew around the track while Barton was put on the defense as he tried to stay ahead of Mark Garner. Garner got around Barton, but the pass was negated due to the race’s last caution with four to go. Garner managed to get around Barton again on the restart, but no one had anything for Ficklin as he went on to win his first race in 2024. Garner was a strong [Read More]

Garner garners Marysville win with last-lap pass

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (June 1, 2024) – Mark Garner’s second win of the season at Marysville Raceway came following his pass for the front of the final lap of Saturday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event. The feature kicked off with Shaun Merritt taking an early lead and setting a blistering pace with Garner hot on his heels. Merritt’s strategic use of the middle portion of the racing surface proved to be formidable and as Garner’s efforts were thwarted, it opened a window for Ray Lindeman to challenge for the runner-up position. The first stoppage, on the ninth circuit, bunched the field up and give Merritt an open track to work with. When the green flag returned, Garner got a brilliant run down the back stretch on lap 13, getting beside Merritt but just unable to complete the pass. A pair of yellows occurred with a few laps left, setting up a thrilling shootout. Garner tried again to get the necessary run on Merritt, but the leader was just a little bit better [Read More]

Garner wins wild one in Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (May 11, 2024) – The stars of the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod division invaded Marysville Raceway on Saturday and Antioch veteran Mark Garner shined the brightest in the May 11 show. The first few laps were a wild and wacky affair. K.C. Carpenter jumped out to the lead but got sideways around lap two and Phillip Shelby took over the top-place position. Shelby got the field back to green but was struck with horrible luck when his powerplant expired shortly after the restart. Garner became the third different leader in the two completed laps. Despite a brief period when he was under a bit of pressure, Garner put on a clinic for the rest of the distance. He went on to claim his first victory of the season and bounced back from a rough outing the night before at Silver Dollar Speedway. The race for second remained a nail-biter. Jimmy Ford was constantly challenged for the runner-up position. Ray Lindeman made several attempts to overtake Ford but unfortunately both got into a [Read More]

Ford finishes first at Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (April 2, 2022) – IMCA Northern SportMods were back on track at Marysville Raceway and Yuba City speedster Jimmy Ford made his way to victory lane following the Saturday night 20-lapper. Shaun Merritt captured the top spot when the green flag dropped. The race saw eight total stoppages taking place and five in the first five laps. Merritt was heavily challenged by Scott Savell on several restarts, going as far as taking the lead only for the pass to be negated due to yellow flags. After Merritt spun on a restart, Savell inherited the lead on lap five. Savell himself, unfortunately, would get sideways on a lap 12 restart, relinquishing first place to Ford, piloting the Scott Kaams-owned entry, who then had to hold off a quick Damian Merritt. Ford kept Merritt in check to pick up the victory while Shaun Merritt recovered to third. Hunter Merritt placed fourth over Savell.

Cooper collects Marysville checkers

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (April 10) – Former track champion Todd Cooper was back in victory lane following the second visit this season by Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods to Marysville Raceway. Four stoppages took place in the 20-lap affair, all within the first two laps being completed. Once racing got going, Cooper would take control of the first-place position. Cooper did get a little pressure from fellow Yuba City chauffeur Donnie Fortney but was able to keep his challenger in check. The 2019 track champion at Marysville, Cooper went on to lead the remaining 18 laps to earn his first Karl triumph of the new season and become the second different winner in as many events at Marysville. Jimmy Ford, another Yuba City runner, rallied to a second-place result while Sacramento’s Scott Savell placed third. The House of Merritt comprised the rest of the top five finishers. Damian, of Marysville, and Mike Merritt, from Yuba City, was fourth and fifth.