Ford Dominates Again at Marysville for Fourth Win of 2025

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (June 1, 2024) – Mark Garner’s second win of the season at Marysville Raceway came following his pass for the front of the final lap of Saturday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event. The feature kicked off with Shaun Merritt taking an early lead and setting a blistering pace with Garner hot on his heels. Merritt’s strategic use of the middle portion of the racing surface proved to be formidable and as Garner’s efforts were thwarted, it opened a window for Ray Lindeman to challenge for the runner-up position.   The first stoppage, on the ninth circuit, bunched the field up and give Merritt an open track to work with. When the green flag returned, Garner got a brilliant run down the back stretch on lap 13, getting beside Merritt but just unable to complete the pass. A pair of yellows occurred with a few laps left, setting up a thrilling shootout. Garner tried again to get the necessary run on Merritt, but the leader was just a little bit better [Read More]

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 29, 2025) — Mike Ficklin Jr. of Oroville held off multiple challengers to score a hard-fought victory in the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Marysville Raceway’s ¼-mile clay oval. Ficklin jumped out to the early lead before the race was slowed by a caution on lap two. On the restart, two-time California State champion Trevor Clymens made a strong run on the high side to challenge for the top spot and got around, but a yellow flag negated the pass. When racing resumed, Tyler Rodgers applied pressure to Clymens for second and took the position on lap five. Rodgers, a former track champion at both Quincy and Diamond Mountain Speedways, then set his sights on the leader. Another caution bunched the field on lap six, and Rodgers resumed his charge on the inside. He stayed glued to Ficklin’s rear bumper until lap 10, when the leader got sideways exiting turn four. Rodgers made contact, allowing Clymens to pass both drivers for the lead. However, the contact [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (April 2, 2022) – IMCA Northern SportMods were back on track at Marysville Raceway and Yuba City speedster Jimmy Ford made his way to victory lane following the Saturday night 20-lapper. Shaun Merritt captured the top spot when the green flag dropped. The race saw eight total stoppages taking place and five in the first five laps. Merritt was heavily challenged by Scott Savell on several restarts, going as far as taking the lead only for the pass to be negated due to yellow flags.   After Merritt spun on a restart, Savell inherited the lead on lap five. Savell himself, unfortunately, would get sideways on a lap 12 restart, relinquishing first place to Ford, piloting the Scott Kaams-owned entry, who then had to hold off a quick Damian Merritt.   Ford kept Merritt in check to pick up the victory while Shaun Merritt recovered to third. Hunter Merritt placed fourth over Savell.