Sport Compact News

VINTON, Iowa (May 9, 2024) – Twenty-two IMCA rookie drivers have already raced to career-first feature wins this season. Each receives a $50 gift card from Speedway Motors. IMCA Modified rookies winning first features have been J.C. Wilson at Southern Raceway on Feb. 3, William Bartlett at Southern Raceway on April 6 and Blaise Lewis at East Moline Speedway on April 21. April 12 saw a pair of first-year IMCA Late Model drivers in victory lane, Tyler Iverson at Junction Motor Speedway and Mitch Morris at Davenport Speedway. Stock Car rookies racing to coveted first feature wins were Cutter Spalding at Heart O’ Texas Speedway on March 1, Tate Elkins at Two Dollar Pistol Motor Speedway on March 30, Nick Posey at Central Arizona Raceway on April 13 and Colby Fett at Clay County Fair Speedway on April 15. Payce Herrera paced the Feb. 17 Hobby Stock headliner at Mohave Valley Raceway. SportMod winners included Tyler Johnson at Central Arizona Raceway on Jan. 26, Blaine Smith at Kennedale Speedway Park on March 30, Barry Halley [Read More]

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (May 6, 2024) – Tom Berry Jr. made his first racing visit to Independence Motor Speedway while testing the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified competition in the Midwest nine years ago. He returned to win the Monday Night Madness Summer Challenge Series opener, leading all 30 laps and pocketing $2,000. “We’ve definitely had a good start to the year,” understated Berry, after wheeling the fastest of 44 Modified entries to victory lane. “There was a stout field of cars here tonight and they did a great job with the track. You could run different lines. I could move around when I needed to.” Ethan Braaksma, another driver who’s enjoyed a good start to the season, was second and Tim Ward was third. Joel Rust and Spencer Diercks completed the top five. Berry won his heat from seventh starting to earn the pole for the main event. Braaksma mounted an early challenge and back-to-back cautions flew before the last nine laps ran green. Berry stretched out his advantage over the last five of those circuits [Read More]

VINTON, Iowa (May 5) – Drivers who’ve experienced their share of success at Benton County Speedway added to their impressive careers Sunday night at The Bullring. Three drivers who stood atop their respective division’s wins list found victory lane again Sunday night. The all-time leader in Friesen Performance IMCA Modified wins in Vinton, Troy Cordes drove the high side to a thrilling win in the Wright Way Trailers 20-lapper. Jerry Dedrick and Jesse Belez shared time out front before Jacob Snyder raced the low side into the lead a couple laps into the event. While Snyder pulled away, Trevor Fitz raced through traffic from the fourth row and Cordes set sail from row three. With Fitz running low and Cordes up top, Snyder’s pursuers closed in on the race leader before Cordes eventually swept around the outside on the final lap to steal the win. It was his division-leading 64th in weekly racing history at The Bullring. Snyder crossed the line second ahead of a hard-charging Drew Janssen and Ben Chapman. Brandon Tharp led throughout the [Read More]

By Sheldon Wickwar GOODLAND, Kan. (May 4, 2024) – Score a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature win for a 16th straight season for Eddie Belec, this one coming on opening night at Sherman County Speedway. The Arvada, Colo., clipper got the lead from the get-go, outrunning Kyle Rohleder and Tony Acierno following the single, early caution. “It was pretty smooth sailing,” Belec said following career win number 62 in the division. “We were nervous our first few seasons in a Modified. We looked around and wondered how the other guys did it, so we’ve come a long ways.” “We’ve had a lot of good help over the years,” he added. “I never thought we would have the success we’ve had.” Other winners were Tyler Tipton in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Cody Williams in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Monty Nordyke in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and Brock Leibhart in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts.  Tipton took the lead early in the Stock Car main, staying in front to the finish as Kolby Stegman [Read More]

By Joyce Eisele MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (May 3, 2024) – After two prior weeks of rainouts at the Karl Auto Group Marshalltown Speedway, the third time was the charm, and the regular points season got underway for the UAW Local 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial. One hundred and fifty-eight cars were on hand for the evening’s program. Tripp Gaylord took the honors in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified division and it was Jeff Mueller taking the win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Calvin Dhondt took the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature in a thrilling event. Matt Avila led flag to flag in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and Jon Padilla dominated in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites. Also on tap were the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, and Mitchell Bunch won out in a tight back and forth contest. Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lite 15-lap feature. Polesitter  Bryan Zehm held the top spot for the first lap.  A caution flew with just one lap in, and it was Padilla taking over at lap [Read More]

By Scott J. Owen SEYMOUR, Wis. (May 3, 2024) – Mother Nature was a race fan this week as the 2024 racing season kicked off at the Outagamie Speedway presented by Klink Equipment and Elite Coatings.  A full pit area of 132 cars signed in for night one action. IMCA feature winners on the night included Colton See, Brandon Czarapata, Konnor Wilinski, and Taylor Junk. Cole Slezewski led early in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature before giving way to See.  See was soon chased by Derek Fehling.  See saw his way through lapped traffic better though and was able to keep Fehling at bay. In the end it was See followed by Fehling and Jake Carpenter. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature was more exciting than Thor at a 2-for-1 hammer sale. Czarapata and Josh Mroczkowski dueled early with Rod Snellenberger and Mike Mullen tight behind them. Mullen soon moved to second and showed the nose of his car to Czarapata multiple times. Mullen took the lead on lap nine but it was Czarapata [Read More]

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 979; 2. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 902; 3. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 608; 4. William “Bill” Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 598; 5. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 520; 6. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 446; 7. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Fla., 419; 8. Devon Reed, Woodland, Wash., 389; 9. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Wash., 373; 10. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 372; 11. Jerry Flippo, Osage, Iowa, 363; 12. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 361; 13. Michael Leach, Sun River, Mont., 341; 14. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 336; 15. Chuck Grohnke, Mesa, Ariz., 326; 16. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wy., 316; 17. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 311; 18. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 307; 19. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 296; 20. Trevor Fitz, Marshalltown, Iowa, 295. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Evan Miller, Silvis, Ill., 142; 2. Dylan Schmer, Aurora, Neb., 117; 3. Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa, 115; 4. Jesse Bodin, Silvis, Ill., 110; 5. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, and Christopher Lawrence, Colona, Ill., both 109; 7. Jacob Kubicka, [Read More]

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 974; 2. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 893; 3. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 608; 4. William “Bill” Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 564; 5. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 520; 6. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 446; 7. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Fla., and Devon Reed, Woodland, Wash., both 389; 9. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Wash., 373; 10. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 372; 11. Jerry Flippo, Osage, Iowa, 363; 12. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 361; 13. Michael Leach, Sun River, Mont., 341; 14. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 336; 15. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wy., 316; 16. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 311; 17. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 307; 18. Chuck Grohnke, Mesa, Ariz., 298; 19. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 296; 20. Trevor Fitz, Marshalltown, Iowa, 295. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Evan Miller, Silvis, Ill., 142; 2. Dylan Schmer, Aurora, Neb., 117; 3. Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa, 115; 4. Jesse Bodin, Silvis, Ill., 110; 5. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, and Christopher Lawrence, Colona, Ill., both 109; 7. Jacob Kubicka, [Read More]

VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 24, 2024) – Following an exciting opener this past weekend, the IMCA Weekly Racing season will continue this Sunday, April 28 at Benton County Speedway. The five weekly classes will be joined by INEX Legends and American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S.) in their first appearances of the season at The Bullring. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds presented by Wright Way Trailers, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars presented by Christie Door Company, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks presented by iHeart Radio and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts will all be in action for their second night of weekly points racing. Kids’ power wheels races will also be held during intermission. Pit gate and grandstand open at 2:30 p.m. April 28, with hot laps slated for 4:30 and racing at 5. Adult grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and veterans, and $5 for ages 6-12. Kids five and under will be admitted free if accompanying as paid adult. Pit passes are $30. All events at The Bullring in 2024 will [Read More]

VINTON, Iowa (April 21, 2024) – If Sunday night’s IMCA Weekly Racing season opener was an indication of things to come, it’s going to be an exciting year at Benton County Speedway. Multiple events were decided by late-race passes as fans were provided with 109 race teams in action on the fast, multi-groove quarter mile in an efficient show that took just over three hours to complete. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars presented by Christie Door Company led the list of exciting finishes at The Bullring as 18 entries competed in the first night of action. Gage Neal, Dustin Griffiths and John Oliver Jr. shared time out front throughout the 20-lapper before Kaden Reynolds made a last corner pass to work the low side by Oliver to score the opening night win. Kyle Olson raced from a fifth row start to finish third ahead of Jay Schmidt. Reynolds, who started eighth and raced to his career 10th Stock Car win on the Vinton oval Sunday night, was also the winner on championship night last season. The [Read More]

By Greg Aregoni FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (April 20, 2024) – On a cold night with hot racing, Benji LaCrosse used some misfortune of the leader to take home the checkered flag at 141 Speedway.  Rob Charapata put himself up front right off the bat in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature while LaCrosse and Brandon Schmitt made their respective ways toward the front from mid-pack starting spots, with Schmitt getting to the leader first. Schmitt made quick work of Charapata and set sail with LaCrosse making his way to second.  Schmitt seemed to be destined for the checkered flag even after he entered lapped traffic but made contact with another car and bent up his front suspension. He was able to maintain the lead until LaCrosse came storming past.  A caution before the final flag set up a dash to the finish. Cole Czarneski used the final restart to his advantage and stay with LaCrosse for the lead. The two would put on a great battle over the final two laps with LaCrosse edging Czarneski.  Johnny Whitman ran out [Read More]

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (April 19, 2024) – Dylan Sherfick defended his home turf Friday night at WaKeeney Speedway, earning $1,000 and becoming Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible while doing so. The hometown hotshoe counts the 2015 crown at WaKeeney among his eight career Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track titles and clearly had the fastest car from the drop of the green in the Buzzard Bash Dash main event. The 20-lap feature started with a front row of Sherfick and John Burrow, and once the field got going Sherfick made like he was shot out of a cannon and built a huge lead right off the bat. Once he entered lapped traffic Sherfick did not slow down and not even an always fast Jeremy Frenier could reel him in. Frenier, Brett Berry, Daniel Gottschalk and Dakota Sproul would complete the top five. Eighty-four race teams contended Friday night with Troy Burkhart topping the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Morgan Olmstead leading the way to the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Blaine Walt [Read More]

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 965; 2. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 883; 3. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 608; 4. William “Bill” Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 564; 5. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 520; 6. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 407; 7. Devon Reed, Woodland, Wash., 389; 8. Jerry Flippo, Osage, Iowa, 363; 9. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 361; 10. Owen Barnhill, Milton, Fla., 353; 11. Michael Leach, Sun River, Mont., 341; 12. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 336; 13. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Wash., 334; 14. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 311; 15. Chuck Grohnke, Mesa, Ariz., 298; 16. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 297; 17. Ethan Braaksma, Des Moines, Iowa, 290; 18. Mike Dimond, Rapid City, S.D., 278; 19. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 268; 20. Eddie Belec, Arvada, Colo., 267. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Tom Svoboda, David City, Neb., 78; 2. Dylan Schmer, Aurora, Neb., 77; 3. Austin Svoboda, David City, Neb., 76; 4. Christopher Lawrence, Colona, Ill., 75; 5. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, and Jesse Bodin, Silvis, Ill., both 73; [Read More]

STUART, Iowa (April 18, 2024) – Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars run for potential All-Star berths at Stuart Speedway’s Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel. The eighth annual event is Wednesday, May 1. Modifieds chase a $1,000 top check and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility, Stock Cars a top prize of $750 and B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility. Rounding out the sanctioned card are Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods in a $750 to win feature, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks in a $500 to win main and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, Iowa State and track points will be awarded at the draw/redraw show. Hot laps are at 6:45 p.m. with racing to follow. Pit passes are $30, $15 for non-competing children ages 6-13 and free for kids ages five and under; minor waivers must be filled out at the pit shack. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 11-16 and free for 10 and under. The Dirt Duel will [Read More]

FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (April 13, 2024) – Robert Wittkopf doesn’t believe there could be a better night to win at 141 Speedway than on opening night. Especially this year. After carrying the black flag remembering his father Rodney during pre-race ceremonies at Francis Creek, the Green Bay driver led the last 19 of 20 laps in winning the Saturday night Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event. “We lost dad to cancer last November. He’d been with me from the start of my career and was my biggest supporter,” said Wittkopf, “whether working on the car or at the track. He was always there.” “There was an amazing amount of emotions from the start of the night to the end, to say the least. It kind of felt like he was still there with me,” Wittkopf added. “You couldn’t have asked for a better opening night.” The win was just his career second in the class and first-ever at 141. Forty-eight Northern SportMods were entered, with five heats and three ‘B’ features needed to fill [Read More]