By Becca Pelkey
MANDAN, N.D. (July 26, 2025) — Dacotah Speedway hosted the North Dakota Governor’s Cup Auto Races on July 25 and 26. First held in the early 1990s under the vision of then-Governor George Sinner, the event was designed to be a marquee racing showcase for drivers across North Dakota. Originally rotating between tracks, it found a permanent home at Dacotah Speedway by the mid-1990s. Now more than three decades later, the Governor’s Cup still draws top-tier competition from across the Midwest to the high banks of Mandan.
On Friday night, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars took center stage as Andrew Jochim and Jonny Carter led the field to green after scoring the most passing points in their heats. Jonny Carter led the opening laps but faced immediate pressure from Jochim and Geoff Hellman. The three traded positions in an exciting battle while Matt Dosch lurked just behind. Hellman used the high line to clear Jochim for second and then set his sights on Carter. With five laps to go, Hellman pulled a big slider to take the top spot, but Carter came back underneath him, and the two battled door-to-door. At the checkers, Hellman narrowly edged Carter for the win. Jochim, who had rolled his car the week prior, rebounded to finish third.
Saturday night was more of the same, as Hellman and Carter once again led the charge in the IMCA Stock Car feature. Hellman grabbed the lead while Carter battled with Jochim and Travis Ulmer. Contact during the fight for second allowed Jochim to break away. A caution reset the field, but Hellman held strong up front and led all 20 laps to complete the weekend sweep and secure the 2025 Governor’s Cup title. Jochim was second, and Carter completed the podium.
With the sweep, Hellman now has four wins this season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, all coming at Dacotah Speedway.
Corell Outduels Keller in Modified Finale; Keller Claims Gov Cup Crown
Points leader Jeremy Keller was dominant Friday night in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. He led the field to green and never looked back, opening a sizable lead over the field. Defending track champ Shawn Strand worked his way through the top five and moved into second by lap 10, but couldn’t make up ground in lapped traffic as Keller stormed to his fifth win of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. It was his fourth victory of the year at the 3/8-mile Dacotah Speedway oval. Strand settled for second and Mark Dahl claimed third after a late-race pass.
Saturday’s finale had a twist. Keller again started on the pole after earning the most passing points in the heats and quickly took command at the start. An early caution bunched the field, and Shawn Strand used the restart to take over fourth from Quentin Kinzley. Up front, John Corell stayed close to Keller as the race wound down. A caution with three laps to go changed everything.
On the restart, Corell shot past Keller and held on for the win – his first at Mandan and second of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Keller finished second, but his strong weekend clinched the overall Governor’s Cup championship. Dahl rounded out the top three.
Jeremy Keller poses in victory lane after winning the Friday night Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Dacotah Speedway during the North Dakota Governor’s Cup. He finished runner-up on Saturday to clinch the overall Cup title. (Photo by Rough Rider Photography)
The event was broadcast live on IMCA 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.
