December 10, 2025

Central Arizona winners are Mecl, George

M-Tyler-Mecl-VL — Tyler Mecl scored the win in Saturday’s IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Speedway.

By Jeff McSpadden

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (May 12) – Persistent Tyler Mecl and a very fast Jason George were IMCA winners Saturday at Central Arizona Speedway.

Mecl used the outside of the speedway to surprise Jeremy Thornton and take over the lead coming to the stripe to complete the ninth lap of the IMCA Modified main.

From there, Mecl weathered one last caution on lap 12 to take the checkered flag by more than two seconds over Thornton and Trevor Mille.

Jason George shot from fifth to first, somehow going lower on the speedway than the three-wide trio of Gerry Glenn, Mark Farnes and Chris Tipton on the first lap of the Karl Chevrolet Northern Sport Mod feature.

George pulled away to a full straightaway lead by the halfway mark and simply checked out over the last 10 laps of the race. George crossed the finish line almost nine seconds ahead of Glenn.

centralarizonaspeedway

Madrid storms past Summer Shootout foes

By Jeff McSpadden CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (July 14) – With monsoons threatening the surrounding areas all evening, and a light sprinkle during intermission, Zachary Madrid proved to be too much for the weather and his competition to stop in the headlining IMCA Modified division during Saturday’s Summer Shootout at Central Arizona Speedway. Madrid bolted to the low side of the high banks entering turn one to start the IMCA Modified feature and went from fifth to second in the first two corners behind pole sitter Dan Radcliffe. Madrid then stayed low coming off the fourth corner to complete lap one and swept by Radcliffe for the lead entering turn one. Chaz Baca Jr. was also on the move from the ninth spot, jetting by Radcliffe to take the runner-up position by the end of the second lap. Jeremy Thornton entered the fray following an early restart, taking third away from Radcliffe and stalking the duo of Baca and Madrid. Thornton would high side hustle his way past Baca and Madrid in one corner on lap seven, but Madrid got his elbows up and [Read More]

Four January $1,000 to win features for IMCA Modifieds on tap at Central Arizona

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – IMCA Modifieds chase $1,000 top checks on four January race nights at Central Arizona Speedway. IMCA Northern SportMods also run for $750 to win on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21 and 22 and Jan. 28 and 29 shows while IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars race for $400 to win on Jan. 21 and 22. Modified winners become eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Shaw Race Cars Western and EQ Cylinder Heads Southern regional, KMJ Performance State and track points will be awarded. Pill draw each night is $25. Adult pit passes are $35 with kids ages six and under admitted free. Spectator admission is $20 and free for kids ages 11 and under. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. with the front gate opening at 4 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m. Face masks are recommended. All four nights at Casa Grande will be broadcast by IMCA.TV. More information is available by calling 520 709-0718, at www.centralarizonaspeedway.com and on Facebook.

Central Arizona hosts Nov. 22-24 Desert Thunder Nationals

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – A top check of $3,000 is at stake for IMCA Modifieds on the third and final night of Central Arizona Speedway’s Desert Thunder Nationals. Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23 features at Casa Grande both pay the Modified winner $1,000. The Sunday, Nov. 24 feature pays $1,500 to the runner-up and $1,000 for third. All three features are 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying events. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods race for $500 to win Friday and Saturday and for $1,000 to win on Sunday. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the front gate opens at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the pits open at 3 p.m., the grandstand opens at 4 p.m. and racing is at 6 p.m. And on Sunday, pits open at 10 a.m., the front gate opens at 11 a.m. and racing gets underway at 1 p.m. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults and free for kids ages 11 and under. Pit gate admission is $35 for adults, $20 [Read More]

Feature

Sports Park Raceway Joins IMCA for 2026 Season, Moves Weekly Racing to Sunday Nights

By Sarah Stewart FORT DODGE, Iowa (Dec. 5, 2025) — Sports Park Raceway has announced a major step forward for the 2026 season, confirming that the facility will operate under Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing sanctioning beginning next year while shifting its weekly program to Sunday nights. The track’s 2026 IMCA lineup will feature Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Owner and promoter Jeff Frevert said the decision aligns with the track’s long-term goals for growth, stability, and consistency. “We believe it’s time to grow,” said Frevert, “and with IMCA’s strong consistent support and a move to Sunday nights, we’re confident this step will help Sports Park Raceway continue to thrive for years to come.” The track previously sanctioned IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Northern SportMods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Compacts, and IMCA Hobby Stocks in 2018–19. Operations manager Sarah Stewart echoed that excitement, noting both personal experience and the benefits for competitors and fans. “As someone [Read More]

Feature

Ken Hansen: A Life Remembered

By Ben Deatherage MYTON, Utah (Dec. 5, 2025) — The Uintah Basin has always been a place shaped by work, resourcefulness, and people who build their own opportunities. Among those who left a lasting mark on the region’s racing community, few names carry more weight or affection than Ken Hansen — a father, inventor, promoter, and friend who helped bring IMCA racing westward and connected drivers across eight states. Hansen passed away on November 18, 2025, at age sixty-five after complications from a stroke. His loss is felt across the Basin and beyond, in the tracks he helped guide, the racers he supported, and the family he poured his life into. Early Years and a Move West Hansen grew up in Powell, Wyoming, exposed to racing without ever taking up the wheel himself. Ken later moved to Utah during the oil boom, drawn by opportunity and the chance to build something of his own. He founded Jet Lift Systems, inventing parts for oil and gas wells that are still used today. His creativity and engineering mind [Read More]

Events

2026 Winter Nationals Stage Set as Mod Lites Tackle Georgia and Florida

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 4, 2025) — The Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites will launch the 2026 season for many teams with one of the most demanding stretches of racing on the winter calendar, as the 2nd Annual Georgia–Florida Speedweek brings ten events in fourteen days to four tracks across two states. The early-season tour made a strong debut last year, and the 2026 edition promises an even deeper, tougher field as teams converge on the Southeast to chase big money, early momentum, and a Speedweek championship. Everything begins at Swainsboro Raceway in Georgia, where teams will gather for an open practice on Sunday, February 1. The first two nights of racing are set for Monday and Tuesday, February 2 and 3, with both features paying $1,000 to win. After the Georgia opener, the Speedweek caravan heads into Florida and stays there for the remainder of the journey. Hendry County Motorsports Park in Clewiston hosts the next leg of the schedule, beginning with a Thursday practice on February 5. Two lucrative nights follow, [Read More]

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