July 16, 2025

Inaugural Red River Sprint Speedweek Set to Rumble Through The Upper Midwest

MAS_3281 — The inaugural Red River Sprint Speedweek kicks off July 17 and features four nights of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car action across North Dakota and Minnesota. (Photo by Speedway Shots)

By Mike Speiker

WEST FARGO, N.D. (Jul. 6, 2025) — The Superior Customs IMCA Red River Sprint Series is set to embark on the biggest week of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racing since the class was introduced to the area in 2021. The Red River Sprint Speedweek will be a four-night swing through eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, boasting a nightly purse north of $6,600.

Each night will pay $1,250 to the winner and $200 to start, with a $200 hard charger, presented by Donnohue Designs Racing and GRP Motorsports. Five $50 Gunderson Racing Inc. gift cards will go to the drivers that finish 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th all four nights.

The Speedweek will begin Thursday, July 17th at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., followed by a trip to the Legendary Bullring, River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday.

The tour will then head south to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. on Saturday, before wrapping up on Sunday at Buffalo River Speedway in Glyndon, Minn.

The mini-series offers a compact travel schedule with all four races taking place within a 75-mile radius.

The Red River Sprint Speedweek is presented by Superior Customs Signs & Wraps, Jersey Mike’s, Donny Schatz Racing, Performance Auto, All Seasons Oil and Gunderson Racing Inc.

Red River Valley, Norman County host Sanders Modified Challenge Tour dates

WEST FARGO, N.D. – IMCA Modifieds take to the track in $1,300 to win, Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying features on both nights of the Sanders Modified Challenge Tour. Events Wednesday, Aug. 8 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D., and Thursday, Aug. 9 at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., are draw/redraw and pay $1,100 for second and $1,000 for third. Minimum start money is $200. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Side Biter Chassis North Central and Minnesota State points, but no track points will be awarded. Out-Pace Racing Products gives a $100 hard charger award. Both shows will be broadcast by IMCA.TV and pork chops will be served in the pit area after the race program is complete at Ada. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5:30 p.m., the draw cutoff is at 6:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. both nights. Car and driver is $30. More information is posted on the track websites.

Minnesota IMCA Sprint Series returns with 10 race dates

ARLINGTON, Minn. (April 13, 2023) – After a three-year hiatus, the Minnesota IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Series will return this summer with 10 dates at seven different tracks in four states. Main events each night pay $700 to win with $150 to start. IMCA draw/redraw procedures will be in effect at all tracks. Toppers & Trailers Plus of Mankato and LeSueur is title sponsor of the 2023 Minnesota IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Series and adds $1,500 to the series point fund. 2023 ScheduleMay 26 at Jackson, Minn., MotorplexMay 27 at Arlington, Minn., RacewayMay 28 at Huset’s Speedway, Brandon, S.D.June 22 at Norman County Raceway, Ada, Minn.June 23 at Red River Valley Speedway, West Fargo, N.D.July 14 at Princeton, Minn., SpeedwayJuly 15 at Arlington, Minn., RacewayAug. 16 at Buena Vista Raceway, Alta, IowaAug. 17 at Jackson, Minn., MotorplexAug. 19 at Arlington, Minn., Raceway

Former champs top Dakota Tour openers

WEST FARGO, N.D. (July 10) – Two former champions were feature winners for the Friday night lidlifter at Red River Valley Speedway. Ricky Thornton Jr., the 2015 Modified and defending Stock Car king, started ninth and motored to the $2,400 IMCA Modified checkers. Already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, Thornton led Tyler Hall, Austin Arneson, Alex Stanford and Jake O’Neil to the finish. And Elijah Zevenbergen began adding to the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car Tour legacy of his own as the five-time tour champion started from the pole and took that $1,000 win ahead of Eric Mahlik. Rob VanMil, Joe Flory and Travis Ulmer were next across the stripe. Feature Results Modifieds – 1. Ricky Thornton Jr.; 2. Tyler Hall; 3. Austin Arneson; 4. Alex Stanford; 5. Jake O’Neil; 6. Tripp Gaylord; 7. Grey Ferrando; 8. Casey Arneson; 9. Justin O’Brien; 10. Billy Kendall III; 11. Jason Wolla; 12. Brad Hartigan; 13. Tanner Black; 14. Allen Kent; 15. Dylan Goplen; 16. John Nord; 17. Cody Laney; 18. John Hansen; 19. Jesse Skalicky; 20. Eddie [Read More]

News

Henderson Charges to Redemption Win at I-90 Speedway

HARTFORD, S.D. (Jul. 12, 2025) –– Sam Henderson delivered a determined and emotional victory in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car special at I-90 Speedway, rebounding from a crash the night before to score his first IMCA win of the 2025 campaign. Just hours after suffering heartbreak at Jackson Motorplex while leading, the Sullivan Racing crew went into overdrive to field another machine for Henderson, a 23-year-old standout from Sioux Falls. The team prepped the backup no. 91H, and Henderson made it count. Starting sixth on the grid, Henderson steadily carved through the field during the 25-lap main event. Early race leader Andrew Sullivan, in the primary no. 91, looked strong after drawing the pole in the frontstretch redraw and paced the first half of the feature. But disaster struck again for the team, as Sullivan cut a right rear tire while holding the lead. Henderson inherited the top spot and never looked back, fending off a late-race challenge from Dusty Ballenger to secure the win. Lee Goos Jr. completed the podium with a solid third-place showing.

Feature

Kyle Olson Doubles Up at Benton County

By Christine Rublack VINTON, Iowa (Jul. 13, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods gave the Benton County Speedway crowd a thrilling show to kick off feature racing as Kyle Olson raced his way to his fourth win of the season and third at Benton County Speedway. Luke Bird showed the way early, but Tony Olson quickly moved into the top spot and looked strong until Kyle Olson made his presence known in the top three just a few laps in. As the race progressed, the Olsons pulled away from the field while Brady Hilmer settled into third. Kyle continued to chip away at Tony’s lead before making the pass for the lead with just a few laps to go. Kyle went on to win, with Tony finishing second and Hilmer rounding out the podium. Olson Makes It Two with Stock Car Score Kyle Olson returned to victory lane later in the evening with his first Sunoco IMCA Stock Car win of the season. The race didn’t start smoothly, but Olson stayed calm and drove [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Bombardo Outduels Maleski in Wild North Central Hobby Stock Finish

By Chris Kolstad BRAINERD, Minn. (Jul. 12, 2025) – The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature was hands down the race of the night at North Central Speedway. Josh Maleski jumped to the lead from the drop of the green and stretched out a sizable advantage over the field. Former track champions Mark Johnson and Brandon Bombardo methodically worked their way through traffic and settled into the top three in a caution-free 15-lap affair. Lapped traffic came into play with two laps to go, allowing Bombardo to close the gap to Maleski’s rear bumper. The two went at it hard in the final corners, slicing through traffic and getting together in turns three and four. Both cars slid sideways as they raced to the line in what looked like a near dead heat. Bombardo was scored the winner by inches, with Maleski second and Johnson third—until a minor post-race tech infraction cost Maleski the runner-up position, handing second to Johnson and third to Nick Dillenburg. The victory was Bombardo’s first of the season in the B&B Racing [Read More]

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