By Ben Deatherage
WILLISTON, N.D. (Jun. 5, 2025) — Gabe Deschamp mastered restarts and lapped traffic at Williston Basin Speedway to win Thursday’s 25-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature during the Tougher Than Dirt Tour at the Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds.
Tanner Conlin paced the field early, only for the previous night’s winner, Leevi Runge, to take command the next lap. Two-time defending tour champion Deschamp got past Runge on lap three, but a caution reverted the lead back to Runge.
Runge, the three-time Estevan Motor Speedway track champion, had to deal with multiple restarts. On the final green flag run, which began on lap seven, Deschamp applied heavy pressure and eventually grabbed the lead on lap nine.
Despite encountering lapped traffic on lap 13, Deschamp, from Westhope, mastered the conditions to secure his second win of the week, his second straight at Williston, and his eighth career tour victory. It was his sixth overall win of the season in the SportMod ranks.
Runge held on for second, edging out the 2006 McLean County and Geographical Center Speedway champion, who finished third.
Saxon Brothers Star in Hobby Stock Thriller
Ty Saxon topped a family showdown in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, where he and younger brother Cash swapped the lead mid-race before Ty emerged victorious in the 20-lap main event.
Trever Haas, the 2022 McLean County Speedway champion, led early until reigning track champion Taylor Heaton of Montana powered into the lead on lap four. A lap six caution shuffled the running order when Haas went off track, and Heaton, with a flat tire, was forced to the hot pit.
That handed the lead to Tuesday winner Cash Saxon. But on the restart, local driver Sage Borud slipped underneath for the lead. Cash got it back a lap later — until Ty Saxon, rolling the top groove, stormed past the field and into first on lap 13 after climbing from fourth just a lap prior.
The Lampman, Saskatchewan driver pulled away to win his first career Tougher Than Dirt Tour feature and his second victory of the 2025 season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region.
Heaton rebounded to finish second, with hometown favorite Borud claiming third.
Ty Saxon (center) outdueled his younger brother Cash during the June 5 Tougher Than Dirt Tour Hobby Stock feature at Williston Basin Speedway. The Lampman, Saskatchewan driver scored his first career series win and second B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season. (Photo by MAK’n Photography)
Heupel Hustles to Stock Car Victory
Troy Heupel earned his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, holding off Mike Hagen in a dramatic green-white-checkered finish.
Jake Nelson took the early lead before getting involved in a lap four incident ended his night and gave Heupel control. Hagen, a two-time track champion, powered to the front on lap 12, but a late restart gave Heupel another chance. The 2011 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track champion at Williston made it count, regaining the lead on the final lap. Hagen settled for second with Ethan Neu third.
Flory Honors Grandson with Sentimental Modified Victory
John Flory delivered an emotional triumph in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, winning the 25-lap main event in dominant fashion.
Flory, a four-time track champion at Williston, built a massive advantage before encountering lapped traffic with eight laps to go. Despite the congestion, he maintained his rhythm and crossed the line nearly half a lap ahead of the field.
The win was Flory’s first of the year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region and it was especially meaningful as he honored his late grandson Jettler, whose name with angel wings is emblazoned on the roof of his car. Eight-time track champion Travis Hagen finished second, with Brady Bjella, a former SportMod tour champion, rounding out the top three.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate DARN TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
