By Ben Deatherage
ARDMORE, Okla. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Jeff Taylor outdueled William Gould to win the first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified race of 2025 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. The 2012 IMCA Super Nationals champion fended off the six-time and defending South Central Region titleholder in a thrilling 20-lap main event at the 3/8-mile oval.
Chris Webb led early, but Kyle Robinson quickly took over on lap 2. By lap 6, Gould charged to the front, only to have a caution negate his pass. On the restart, Taylor surged past Robinson in turn three to claim the top spot.
As the race unfolded, Taylor built a comfortable lead while Gould and Robinson battled for second. Lapped traffic allowed Gould to close in, but Taylor expertly navigated through the slower cars to stay ahead.
A caution with two laps to go set up a dramatic finish. Gould made two valiant attempts to pass — diving low in the first set of corners and again in the final turns — but Taylor held firm to claim his first South Central Region win of 2025.
The 2013 National champ, Gould, settled for second, with David Tanner grabbing third in the race’s closing moments.
Gould Bounces Back with Stock Car Victory
Gould found redemption in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, taking the lead from Blake Clark on the backstretch during the second lap. Hesston Shaw briefly claimed the top spot on lap 4, but the reigning Jordan Page Winter Nationals champion swiftly regained control.
Midway through, the two-time EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region title winner, Clark, reclaimed second but would come to a halt, triggering a caution. From there, Gould cruised to his first Stock Car win of 2025.
The battle for second went down to the wire, with Chad King edging out Shaw at the finish.
Capps Claims SportMod Win in Three-Wide Thriller
The Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod feature was packed with action. Payton Zentgraf led early but suffered a flat tire after hitting a slower car on lap 4, handing the lead to Brandon Gritz, the defending IMCA Stock Car track champion.
By lap 11, Camo Gaston overtook Gritz and led the field through heavy traffic. Landon Capps entered the mix late, briefly taking the lead on lap 15 before Gaston reclaimed it.
The final laps saw an intense three-wide battle through traffic. Capps slipped under Gaston coming out of turn four to take the white flag and held on to score his first win of the season.
Gaston and Gritz completed the podium.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV.
