Chaz Baca Jr. Extends Dominance with Fourth Win at Central Arizona Raceway

Feature, Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Sport Compact, Stock Car

Photo courtesy of Central Arizona Raceway

By Ben Deatherage

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 21, 2025) — Central Arizona Raceway delivered another night of high-octane action as Chaz Baca Jr. showcased why he’s the two-time defending Friesen Performance IMCA Modified National Champion. The Mesa phenom captured his fourth win of the season in commanding fashion during the 20-lap feature.

Luke Silber set the pace early, leading the field until a lap-two caution reset the competition. Baca seized the opportunity on the restart, expertly working the low line to sweep past Silber coming out of the fourth turn and officially taking the lead on lap 3. Silber did his best to keep pace, but Baca’s blistering speed was unmatched, as lapped traffic could not slow him down. 

Despite two late-race cautions that threatened his momentum, Baca remained in control and surged to the checkered flag first.

Silber finished second in a strong showing, while Michael Egurola Jr. completed the podium in third.

Woodie Battles Back for Second Casa Grande Stock Car Victory of 2025

Grabbing the early lead in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, Kaden Woodie faced relentless pressure through multiple restarts. A near brush with the wall on lap 12 knocked him back to third, opening the door for Clay Erickson to seize control of the race.

Erickson set a quick pace, but another restart, on lap 14, gave Woodie the opportunity he needed. Diving low, Woodie reclaimed the top spot with a bold move underneath Erickson. From there, Woodie built a commanding lead as Erickson battled hard with Casey Murdoch, preventing him from mounting a challenge for the win.

Woodie’s victory marked his second triumph of the year at Central Arizona Raceway against a tough field of EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region competitors.

Erickson was second while in the final laps, Larry Brigner made a late charge, overtaking Murdoch for third on the final circuit.

Martini Outduels Woodie in Thrilling IMCA Northern SportMod Showdown

Double duty driver Woodie came out swinging in the IMCA Northern SportMod feature, going wheel-to-wheel with fellow Minnesota racer Mark “Bud” Martini right from the start. Martini edged ahead at the line to lead the opening lap, but Woodie wasn’t backing down.

After a restart on lap 3, Woodie charged back, pulling alongside Martini and slipping past him on the following circuit. Martini, determined not to let the lead slip away for long, launched a daring dive into turn three, but a caution flag froze his momentum before the move could stick.

On the restart, Martini seized his opportunity, reclaiming the top spot on lap 6 with a strong surge off the high side. From there, the veteran held his ground, fending off every challenge to secure his second win of the 2025 season.

Woodie fought hard to hold onto second, narrowly beating out James Meile in a thrilling run to the checkered flag.

Biting Jr. Holds Strong in Hobby Stock Thriller

The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock race saw Steve Biting Jr. emerge victorious after an intense battle. The Phoenix driver fended off early challenges from 2023 track champion Hannah Miller and then faced relentless pressure from Joel Magee following a restart.

Despite Magee’s persistent efforts to dive underneath, Biting Jr. had all the answers. As green-flag racing settled in, his son Reven Biting charged into second, but a late rally from Zack Tate ultimately saw Tate claim the runner-up spot. Reven Biting secured third, making it a memorable night for the Biting family and delivering Katy and Eugene Altenbrun their first win of the season as car owners.

Foultz Dominates in Sport Compact Showdown

In the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts finale, Billy Foultz from Descanso, California, quickly overtook early leader Chris Boulware Jr. and never looked back. A red flag on lap four briefly slowed the race, but Foultz remained untouchable once the action resumed, securing his fourth win of the season—all earned at Casa Grande.

Boulware fought hard to regain second from Steve Carter, with Carter ultimately finishing third.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.

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