Schwartz wires IMCA Northern SportMod field at Stevens Memorial

A strong run from start to finish of the Tim and Tammy Stevens Memorial feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods took David Schwartz straight to victory lane at Stuart Speedway. (Photo by Jared Bailey Photography)

By Josh Reynolds

Stuart, Iowa (May 17, 2023) – Karl Chevrolet of Stuart International Speedway saw some great racing action Wednesday evening as it played host for the Tim and Tammy Stevens Memorial.

IMCA feature winners were Kolby Sabin, Buck Schafroth, Luke Ramsey, David Schwartz and Todd Shute.

Mitchell Bunch and Craig Furstenau led the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts to the green flag with Bunch and Terry Bickford showing the way early on. Bickford snagged the lead for a few laps before a lap nine caution slowed the pack.

Anthony Clark used the middle of the track to get the lead on lap 11 just as the last caution of the race flew, setting up a three-lap dash to the finish. Clark looked strong as he led on the white flag lap, but Sabin muscled under him cleanly and stole the lead and the win out of turn four. Clark settled for second with Bickford third, Owen Richards fourth and Curtis Masterson fifth. 

IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were next up with Ty Hill and Robbie Merkle on the front row. Hill led the first three laps and from there it was Schafroth taking over the top spot. Troy Jerovetz did everything he could and kept it relatively close, but Schafroth would cruise to the win. Jerovetz finished second with Brandon Pruitt third, Todd VanEaton fourth and Austin Bouzek fifth.

Joey Young and Rusty Bates brought out the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks next and it was Young setting the pace for the first three circuits. Week one winner Skylar Pruitt, rocketed into the lead on lap four and looked to repeat. Luke Ramsey was biding his time and used the top of the track to gain the advantage on lap 11 and drive off to the win. Pruitt crossed in second with John Watson third, Tom Killen Jr. fourth and Buddy Haidsiak fifth.

The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods came out next with Schwartz and Mike Dullard out front for the 20-lap event.

Schwartz held steady with Thomas Nelson and Garrett Nelson close behind. Lapped traffic came into play on lap 15 and the entire field did a great job keeping the race going as the laps wound down.

Thomas Nelson closed the gap and had a shot on the last corner, but Schwartz was too strong and ended up taking the win. Thomas Nelson finished second with Garrett Nelson third, Bryan Morris fourth and Mitchell Morris fifth.

The last race of the night was the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds with Scott Bash and Shute on the front row. Shute led with Bash second until a caution on lap six slowed the field.

Once the green flag came back out it was Shute jetting out to a comfortable lead. Drew Janssen got to second but Shute was able to drive away to 4-plus second advantage to take the easy win. Janssen finished second with Dallon Murty third, Chase Rudolf fourth and Josh Gilman fifth.

Stuart’s next event will be the two-day Whole Hog 50 with a $5,000 to win/$500 to start IMCA Sunoco Stock Car show.

Sunday, May 28 will see Stock Car prelims and full shows for IMCA Modifieds, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Monday, May 29 will be the $5,000 to win finale for the Stock Cars and full shows for the Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.

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