Looft Snatches Arlington Stock Car Victory in Last-Lap Thriller

Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Sport Compact, Sprint Car, Stock Car

Matthew Looft celebrates with family and crew in victory lane after his last-lap triumph in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature at Arlington Raceway, his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season. (Photo by Sarah Moriarty)

By Susan Allen

ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 16, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature at Arlington Raceway delivered a breathtaking finish in a caution-free main event. Chris Neisen jumped out front from the pole and dominated the early laps before Ken Tietz charged from fifth to seize control by lap 12. Tietz looked strong as Matthew Looft and Dan Mackenthun closed in during the closing circuits.

On the final lap, the top three stormed into turn four nearly three-wide. Tietz led into the corner, but Looft dove low while Mackenthun swept high. At the line, it was Looft who emerged first for his second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season, both at Arlington. Mackenthun grabbed second with Tietz in third.

Johnson Powers Late to Sprint Car Win

The RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car main event featured plenty of drama as Zach Glaser led the opening 11 laps while Matt Hasara gave chase. Matt Johnson worked his way forward by lap 10 and began closing rapidly on the leaders.

Two laps later, Johnson and Glaser were side by side for the lead, with Johnson taking over for good. Glaser held second while Bill Johnson advanced to third. The win marked Johnson’s second of the season at Arlington.

Davis Captures SportMod Showdown

The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature brought a tight three-way battle. Bryan Spaude paced the opening laps while Zach Davis and Joey Reimers dueled just behind him. A lap-six caution bunched the field and gave Davis the opening he needed.

From there, Davis surged ahead and never relinquished the top spot despite constant pressure from Reimers and Jeff Lloyd. Davis earned his second win of the season, both coming at Arlington, with Reimers second and Lloyd third.

Porter Dominates Modified Feature

In the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main, Chad Porter was unstoppable, leading every lap en route to victory lane. Trent Loverude ran a solid second while J.J. Reimers filled out the top three.

A lap-13 caution slowed the pace when Clint Hatlestad suffered a flat tire. Porter’s triumph was his second of the year at Arlington and in the Razor Chassis North Central Region.

Probst Extends Hobby Stock Streak

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature saw Cory Probst back in familiar form, picking up another Arlington win. Probst worked past R.J. Esqueda on lap seven and controlled the caution-free race from there.

Chad Volk charged from eighth to second but could not catch the leader. George Motto settled for third after running near the front much of the way. The victory was Probst’s 11th of the season at Arlington and 32nd overall in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region.

Schletzke Survives Compact Chaos

The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature opened with Jason Bolte leading the first three laps before Justin Schletzke slipped past on the fourth circuit. A caution soon followed after Gary Schumacher and Alan Lahr tangled, with Schumacher sent to the pits.

Schletzke never looked back after the restart, driving to his third win of 2025, all at Arlington. Bolte held on for second while Dale Gatton crossed third.

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.

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