Dakota Classic Mod Tour Set to Bring Six Nights of Intense Racing Action to the Northern Plains

Feature, Modified, News, Stock Car

By Ben Deatherage

VINTON, Iowa (May 16, 2025) — The 2025 Dakota Classic Mod Tour is set to bring six straight nights of high-octane competition across North Dakota and Saskatchewan, featuring the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.

The tour kicks off at J-Town on Saturday, July 5 at Jamestown Speedway, where fans will get their first look at this year’s competitors. From there, the tour heads to the Playground of Power at Nodak Speedway in Minot on Sunday, where the stakes intensify on the fast 3/8-mile oval.

On Monday, the series crosses the border into the Land of the Living Skies in Saskatchewan, stopping at Estevan Motor Speedway for what is always a fan-favorite event. Following the Canadian leg, the tour returns to North Dakota on Tuesday for a stop at Williston Basin Speedway, where drivers will go Racin’ at the Basin on the tight and demanding bullring.

The penultimate night of the tour takes the field to Southwest Speedway in Dickinson on Wednesday, with the grand finale set for Dacotah Speedway in Mandan on Thursday, July 10, where champions will be crowned.

“This is one of the most exciting weeks of racing all year,” said Byron Fichter, who co-promotes the tour alongside Aaron Turnbull. “Aaron and I are really excited for another year of this great tour. It’s such a blast and brings so much good racing night after night.”

Since its inception in 1991, the Dakota Classic Mod Tour has showcased some of the toughest Modified drivers in the country. The tour has been IMCA sanctioned since 2006, with the Stock Cars joining the lineup in 2008, establishing itself as a must-attend event for top-tier racers in the region.

IMCA Modifieds will battle for $2,000 to win and $300 to start each night. Non-qualifiers will receive $100 each. IMCA Stock Cars will compete for $1,000 to win, $100 to start, with $25 awarded to non-qualifiers.

Pre-registration for the 2025 Dakota Classic Mod Tour will open on June 2, allowing drivers to secure their spots in what is expected to be another packed and competitive field.

The $10,000 point fund will award the top ten drivers in the tour standings. Modifieds will receive $2,000 for the champion, followed by $1,500 for second, $1,250 for third, $1,000 for fourth, $900 for fifth, $800 for sixth, $700 for seventh, $600 for eighth, $500 for ninth, and $400 for tenth.

Stock Car competitors will race for $1,000 to the champion, with payouts of $750, $600, $500, $400, $300, $250, $200, $175, and $150 for second through tenth place.

The tour has produced some dominant drivers in both divisions over the years In the Modifieds, since becoming IMCA-sanctioned in 2006, Hunter Marriott stands out as the only three-time champion, claiming titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018. Tim Ward is a two-time winner, earning his championships in 2021 and 2023, while Tom Berry Jr. also holds two titles, winning in 2019 and 2022.

Jay Noteboom and Hank Berry each have two championships to their name, with Noteboom winning in 2009 and 2011 and Berry in 2008 and 2012. Other past champions include Ethan Braaksma (2024), Austin Arneson (2020), Ricky Thornton Jr. (2015), Jeff Taylor (2014), Aaron Turnbull (2013), Brian Mullen (2010), Steve Arpin (2007), and Troy Cordes (2006), who claimed the inaugural IMCA-sanctioned title.

In the Stock Car division, Elijah Zevenbergen holds the record with six titles, winning in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Nathan Burke is a three-time champion, with victories in 2008, 2009, and 2011. Rob VanMil captured the 2023 title, Trent Grager claimed the 2022 championship, and Zachary Madrid earned the 2021 crown. Ricky Thornton Jr. was the 2019 champion, with Cameron Starry winning most recently in 2024. Dalton Flory (2014), Shawn Havel (2012), and Kelly Henderson (2010) round out the list of past champions.

All six nights of the tour will be broadcast live on IMCA TV, allowing fans to catch every lap from wherever they are.

For more information, including full event details and registration, visit the Dakota Classic Mod Tour Facebook page or the official website.

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