By Ben Deatherage
ROSEBURG, Ore. (Jun. 17, 2025) — Bricen James etched his name into the IMCA Wild West Speedweek record books Tuesday night at the Douglas County Dirtrack, capturing a thrilling Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature for his fourth straight Speedweek victory — the most consecutive wins in series history for the Modifieds. James’ triumph was his 15th career Speedweek win and sixth of the 2025 season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region, keeping him undefeated in Speedweek action at the Roseburg oval.
2023 Skagit Speedway champion Geoff Morris, from British Columbia, led the opening circuit before Chad Groves rocketed around the outside to take command on lap three. Groves built a comfortable lead through lapped traffic until the race’s first caution on lap 16 bunched the field. A red flag for a multi-car crash on lap 20 halted the momentum again, but Groves remained steady on the ensuing restart.
James, wheeling the Schram Motorsports no. 13 machine, methodically closed the gap over the final dozen laps. On lap 34, Groves made a move under a lapped car, but as he drifted back to the high side, James threaded the needle beneath both Groves and the lapper exiting turn two, surging into the lead to seal the historic win for the 2022 Speedweek champion and defending track titlist.
Groves held on for second, while Eston Whisler completed the podium.
Lehman Breaks Through in Stock Car Action
Blake Lehman made the long haul from Winterset, Iowa, worthwhile by earning his first career IMCA Wild West Speedweek win in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. The former Redmond native took the lead on lap two and was never officially passed, despite multiple challenges and restarts.
Lehman initially preferred the top line but adjusted to the bottom after an early caution nullified a pass attempt. From there, he controlled the field through several stoppages and late-race pressure to score his first win of the 2025 season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region.
Sixteen-year-old Mason Myers crossed the line second, with his cousin Tyler Pagel right behind in third.
Blake Lehman, originally from Redmond and now based in Winterset, Iowa, captured his first career IMCA Wild West Speedweek victory and first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of 2025 at the Douglas County Dirt Track. (Photo by The Racer’s Choice Photography)
Sanders Sails to Third 2025 Speedweek SportMod Victory
Matt Sanders continued his commanding IMCA Speedweek campaign in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, notching his third win in the last four nights and ninth overall Speedweek victory.
2011 Speedweek champion Brian Poppa Sr. looked strong early, leading the first 15 laps while defending challenges from Buddy Kniss. Reigning series champion Sanders made his move on lap 17, using the high line to slip past Poppa after a mid-race restart. A sprinkle of lapped traffic didn’t faze the Brookings-based driver, who cruised to another Speedweek triumph.
Poppa held on for second, and 2023 Oregon State champion Trevor Points ran third.
Matt Sanders (7S) powers under the T.R. Points Trucking-owned no. 1185 driven by Ricky Ashley on his way to a third IMCA Wild West Speedweek win in four nights at the Douglas County Dirt Track. It marked Sanders’ ninth career Speedweek triumph. (Photo by The Racer’s Choice Photography)
The event was streamed live on IMCA.TV. Subscribers can catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of the acclaimed Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
