​DeYoung cruises at Crystal

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 12, 2025) — The 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Crystal Motor Speedway delivered a dramatic finish during the track’s 2025 opener, ultimately awarding Austin Harnick the win after a post-race penalty. Kody Johnson, the 2017 Tri-City Motor Speedway champion, edged out Nathan Paitrick to lead the opening lap before a caution slowed the field. Chase Rosebrugh jumped into second on the restart and powered around Johnson to take command on lap 5. Rosebrugh, the 2023 DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region Rookie of the Year, set a blistering pace and opened a sizable gap over the field. Harnick, the reigning Merritt Speedway track titlist and defending Great Lakes Nationals winner, settled into second and began to chip away at the lead. As Rosebrugh encountered thick lapped traffic, Harnick closed in to set up a tense final-lap showdown. The two battled fiercely coming to the white flag with slower cars still in play. Rosebrugh crossed the finish line first, but following post-race technical inspection, he was penalized two positions for [Read More]

CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 16) – The ninth time was a charm Sunday for A.J. Ward. Ward won the Great Lakes Nationals in his career ninth start at Crystal Motor Speedway’s season-ending special for IMCA Modifieds. The victory was accompanied by a check for $3,000 and a very tall trophy. “I knew we were good at the end but I didn’t know if anyone behind me was saving their tires,” Ward said, after checking the last big IMCA Modified special in Michigan off his must-win list. “We’ve been trying to win this race for a long time. It feels good to finally be able to do it.” Brenten DeYoung ended the 50-lapper in second and five-time Great Lakes Nationals king Myron DeYoung was third. Twentieth starting Joey Burch and Chad Wernette completed the top five. Ward made his way patiently from eighth starting, finally catching leader Matt Szecsodi in lapped traffic. “I concentrated on saving my tires and picked ‘em off one at a time,” said Ward, runner-up in the 2013 event and third last year. [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 26, 2025) — Myron DeYoung proved the high side was the fast lane at Crystal Motor Speedway, using a late-race move to claim his first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win of the 2025 season — and extend one of IMCA’s most impressive streaks. With the victory, DeYoung has now won at least one IMCA Modified main event in each of the last 31 consecutive seasons, continuing a remarkable run that spans more than three decades. Jaycob Truemner grabbed the initial lead after a spirited battle with Jerry Hunt. However, defending track champion Jeff Reay was on the move early, methodically working the bottom line and powering into the top spot by lap three after starting seventh. A lap 4 caution bunched the field, and on the restart, multi-time Crystal track champ and two-time defending DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region titleholder DeYoung began mounting his charge. Running the cushion with confidence, DeYoung drew alongside Reay several times before finally clearing him on lap 13. Once out front, DeYoung never looked back, navigating [Read More]