Gaylord, Skyberg up to IMCA Modified challenges at Canyon

Results

Tripp Gaylord was a double winner during the opening weekend of the Winter Series Challenge, topping the Saturday IMCA Modified feature and the Sunday main event for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. (Photo by Ben Thrasher)

PEORIA, Ariz. (Jan. 30-31) – Tripp Gaylord and Casey Skyberg proved up to the challenge in winning Winter Series Challenge features for IMCA Modifieds at Canyon Speedway AZ.

Gaylord led the last 20 circuits in topping the Saturday event while Skyberg paced Sunday’s show from green to checkered. Both pocketed $1,000 and each later compared Canyon favorably to a track closer to their respective homes, I-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan, Colo. 

Runner-up in the Saturday IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature, Gaylord more than made up for the DNF four years ago that resulted from his one previous Modified outing at Canyon. Already a Fast Shafts All-Star candidate, the Colorado driver led Brandon Schmitt and Zachary Madrid to the stripe on opening night.

He’d become one of three double winners of the weekend by topping Sunday’s IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main. 

Roughed up in an early first-night tangle, Skyberg dominated on Sunday, pulling away from the pack following a restart with five to go in the 25-lapper.

“We needed that,” the new All-Star ballot qualifier said. “I’ve had a second, a third and some other top 10’s so far this season. It’s nice to be able to finish the month with a win.”

Gaylord was second, Jess Brekke third.

George Fronsman won the opening night Stock Car feature. Steve Bitting and Joe Peterson ran 1-2 in both IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock features while Cam Reimers was the winner and Bo Partain the runner-up in both Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod mains. 

All four IMCA divisions return to the Peoria oval for Winter Series Challenge shows this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 6 and 7. Pit gates open at 11 a.m. and racing starts at 1 p.m. Both programs will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.

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