By Chris Kolstad
BRAINERD, Minn. (Aug. 2, 2025) — Friesen Performance IMCA Modified fans at North Central Speedway were treated to a thriller as Erick Thiesse took the early lead before Shawn Fletcher worked his way from the fifth starting spot to the point. A lap four caution reset the field and put Aaron Johnson into second, setting the stage for a 13-lap duel that had fans on the edge of their seats. The pair ran inches apart, door-to-door, swapping lines cleanly and showcasing elite driving.
With three to go, Johnson threw a massive slider in turns one and two to briefly take the lead, but Fletcher crossed him back over and they stayed side-by-side down the backstretch. Johnson finally cleared him and powered away for the win — his eighth of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region, all earned at Brainerd. Fletcher finished a strong second, with A.J. Viehauser third.
Johnston Rallies from 10th for Compact Victory
Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact action saw Ritchie DeLeon take the early lead while a tight pack battled behind him. Colton Lodermeier challenged several times but couldn’t get by. A lap six caution brought the field back together, and on the restart, 10th-starting Matt Johnston found his groove, bolting to the front and running away with his second win of the season, both coming at North Central Speedway.
A dramatic clash between Lodermeier and Josh Backstrom while battling for second with two laps left sent both spinning, and Kole Holtz capitalized to finish second. Backstrom regrouped to claim third.
Jordan Slips by Late for First SportMod Win of Season
Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod action saw T.J. Wyman take the early lead and begin stretching it out before a flurry of mid-race cautions tightened things back up. Wyman still held the point on the restart, but with five laps to go, Troy Jordan made his move, slipping past in turns one and two and taking command. Jordan then cruised to his first win of the season in the division, with Wyman second and Jacob Jordan third.
Randall Scores First NCS Win in Hobby Stock Tussle
In IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock action, rookies Andrew Malinowski and Dace Tibbetts brought the field to green with Malinowski taking the early lead. Reid Randall moved into the picture early, and after a lap three caution eliminated several top contenders, Randall surged around the front-runners and checked out for his first-ever North Central Speedway win. It marked his third win of the season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region, all at three different tracks. Malinowski finished second with Nick Dillenburg rounding out the podium.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Race Central. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. Don’t miss Season 2 of The Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
