
By Ben Deatherage
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. (Mar. 1, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods ran a doubleheader weekend at Mohave Valley Raceway, with Payce Herrera claiming victory in Saturday’s 25-lap feature.
The race began with Kohlzin Park setting the early pace before spinning in turn four on lap nine, handing the lead to Jake Snowden, who was battling Jerry Walton before the stoppage. The fight continued on the restart, leading to contact between the two entering turn one. Walton was able to continue and inherited the lead.
Walton survived multiple restarts, including a one-lap dash to the finish, and crossed the line first. However, a post-race review of the earlier incident altered the final results, awarding the win to Herrera, the reigning Junior National champion and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock National Rookie of the Year. The 16-year-old from Price, Utah, started 10th and overcame an early race incident to secure his second victory of 2025.
Arizona’s Jimmy Davy finished second, with California’s Brandon James rounding out the podium.
Rafael Flores and Braxton James battled early for the lead on Friday night. Despite multiple cautions in the race’s first half, Flores held the top spot until Brandon James joined the fight and took command on lap six, just before another yellow flag came out. The California driver began pulling away but was collected in a wreck on lap 13, returning the lead to Flores.
A green-white-checkered finish set up a dramatic conclusion, with Yuma, Arizona’s Miles Morris taking the lead out of turn four coming to the white flag. The 2024 Arizona Tour champion for IMCA Northern SportMods went on to secure his first win of the season.
Flores held off Herrera to finish second.
Both events were broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Race Central.