Ryan Clark

Tyler Johnson Doubles Up at Casa Grande with Stock Car and SportMod Wins

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 15, 2025) — 15-year-old Tyler Johnson hit victory lane twice at Central Arizona Raceway by defeating the competition in both the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Dennis Losing led the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before Larry Brigner took over on the second lap after a four-wide battle. Brigner set a strong pace, but as the caution-free race stayed green, Johnson entered the mix. Racing his brother Jesse’s car, Johnson stalked Brigner until a bobble on lap 9 opened the door for a pass. Johnson pulled away after taking the lead, claiming victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region for the second time this year. Brigner finished second, with Brent Meile rounding out the podium in third. In the IMCA Northern SportMods, Johnson wasted no time, jumping from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. Bodie Parker aimed to challenge the 2024 National SportMod Rookie of the Year, but a caution halted his momentum. When racing resumed, a battle [Read More]

Mike Vandermark Jr.: From Snowy Michigan to Clash On The Coast Champion

CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. (Mar. 14, 2025) — A Wolverine who took his mittens off at this year’s IMCA TV Clash On The Coast was Mike Vandermark Jr., who never finished outside the Top 5 and earned the overall championship title in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car series. His worst finish was fourth on the final night at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Alabama, to become the second champion in the class in two seasons. Racing Against the Odds Vandermark stands out for more than his performance. Like Florida’s Wyatt Parker and Evan Foust of Maryland, during this year’s Clash, he comes from a state without a track that hosts IMCA Stock Car races weekly. Despite the long journey and limited experience in the division, he finished second in a three-wide photo finish on the first night and claimed victory at Northwest Florida Speedway. Seizing the Opportunity “There’s a bunch of snow and cold weather back at home, so it was a perfect opportunity to go down and race and have some fun,” Vandermark said. “We stayed [Read More]

South Texas IMCA Modified Series Ready for Sophomore Season

SAN ANTONIO (Mar. 14, 2025) — Race fans, get ready — the South Texas IMCA Modified Series is back for an action-packed second season in 2025! Ten races at five Lone Star State tracks are scheduled, starting March 28 at Heart O’ Texas Speedway near Waco, followed by I-37 Speedway in Pleasanton on March 29. Chris Morris is the defending champion. “Texas has a strong group of (Friesen Performance) IMCA Modified drivers,” said series director Kevin Rogers. “I look forward to showcasing their talent in the upcoming season at these awesome facilities we will travel to.” Each race will pay at least $1,000 to win and $100 to start, with increased payouts for higher car counts. If 25 to 39 cars enter, the purse rises to $1,500 to win and $125 to start. For over 40 entries, the winner gets $2,000, and starting pays $150. Drivers will compete not just for cash, but will also earn points for the National, South Central Region, and Texas State championships. A $10,000 point fund is available for drivers finishing [Read More]

Chris Tuchscherer: From the Octagon to the Race Track

BURLINGTON, N.D. (Mar. 12, 2025) — North Dakota’s Chris Tuchscherer knows how to race hard, achieve success, and persevere. His competitive drive stems from a background in wrestling, which began in his high school hometown of Bowman. Excelling at both the high school and collegiate levels, he wrestled at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo and Moorhead State before stepping into the Octagon as a competitor in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Racing Roots and Return to the Track Tuchscherer’s passion for racing began with derby cars before transitioning to Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Despite the long commute from Fargo, on the Minnesota side of the Peace Garden State, he claimed the IMCA Stock Car title at Williston-Basin Speedway in 2005 — a track located in the northwest corner of North Dakota near the Montana border. However, as his MMA career gained momentum, racing took a backseat. His competitive fire never faded, though. Four years ago, he made his return to Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly competition, stepping into the highly competitive Friesen Performance IMCA Modified [Read More]

Dean Scores Second Mod Lite Win at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Mar. 8, 2025) — Despite starting seventh, Mike Dean charged through the field to capture his second Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature win of 2025 at Hendry County Motorsports Park. A series of four cautions slowed the pace, but once Dean took control, he had no trouble staying in front. Bill Leonard led early, holding off Chase Nornberg until a caution halted their battle. Nornberg was forced to the back due to a loose fuel cell cap. On the restart, Robbie Throop and Dean battled for second, closing in on Leonard. Dean eventually took the spot and set his sights on the leader, but a slip-up in turn one allowed Dylan Permann to sneak underneath and take second. Soon after, Leonard spun in front of the field, avoiding contact but surrendering the lead to Dean. Dean managed multiple restarts and built a comfortable advantage to secure his first win since the season opened on January 4. Permann wound up second, followed by Ben Blalock in third. The event was [Read More]

Robby Sawyer Kicks Off Bakersfield Speedway With IMCA Modified Triumph

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2025) – Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer kicked off the new era of dirt track racing at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, using a last lap slidejob to win the 2025 Opening Night Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The feature win paid $750 and was the inaugural event of the partnership of the two speedways, racing at the newly redesigned one-third mile dirt track adjacent to Kern Raceway. “We lost our brakes early in the race. I didn’t think I had anything. I was just trying to stay consistent. I don’t think I was the better car,” Sawyer said. “Rob Gallaher – I’ve been driving for him for two years and I had yet to win for him. So to do it at home is huge!” The season is a new partnership between Bakersfield Speedway promoter Scott Schweitzer and Kern Raceway promoter Tim Huddleston, with racing taking place at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway dirt track. A strong crowd filled the new grandstands at the one-third mile dirt track. Sawyer [Read More]

Modified and Stock Cars to expect awards from Intercomp

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Mar. 6, 2025) – Intercomp to continue its three decade span of Friesen Performance IMCA Modified and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars support into 2025. Intercomp gives $100 certificates toward the purchase of RFX wireless scales or digital chassis setup equipment to designated finishers at 30 selected Modified special events, and to the top 10 drivers in both the Northern and Southern regions for Stock Cars. Intercomp is continuing to participate in the national decal program for the Stock Cars. Two decals will be required on the car for the duration of the 2025 season. Special events awards will be mailed during the season, with point fund shares presented at the national banquet. Intercomps digital angle gauge will again be awarded at both the IMCA Super Nationals and the RaceSaver Nationals later in the year. “Thirty-one years of sponsorship is a milestone we’re proud to celebrate. The support from Intercomp through the Stock Car decal program and at Super Nationals is a great cap on the program,” said IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director [Read More]

Runner-up in National Points will be awarded by AutoMeter

SYCAMORE, Ill. (Mar. 6, 2025) – AutoMeter marks another exciting year as a proud sponsor of IMCA, continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting drivers across multiple divisions. The Sycamore, Ill.-based manufacturer of competition instruments and accessories will once again provide $50 gift certificates to the top five finishers at each of 80 designated IMCA special events. AutoMeter will also award gauge panel sets to the runners-up in national point standings for all IMCA divisions to be awarded at the IMCA National Banquet in November. In addition, second-place finishers in feature events at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and RaceSaver Nationals will receive the same awards. For more information about AutoMeter products and dealer locations, visit http://www.autometer.com, call 866-248-6356, or follow AutoMeter on Facebook. “AutoMeter’s support of IMCA and its drivers is greatly appreciated,” said IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm. “Their products provide racers with important data to improve performance, and we value their continued partnership.”

Sessums Opens Kennedale Season with Sprint Car Victory

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 1, 2025) — Jeb Sessums kicked off the 2025 Kennedale Speedway Park campaign with a commanding victory in the $1,000-to-win RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car main event. Driving for Taco Casa Racing, the Burleson, Texas racer led all 25 laps, holding off some strong challenges from his teammate, John Carney II. Sessums wasted no time taking the lead at the drop of the green, with 2015 RaceSaver Nationals winner Carney staying close behind. As the leaders hit lapped traffic just before the halfway mark, Sessums expertly navigated the high side while keeping Carney at bay. Carney eventually made a bold move in turn three, diving to the inside, but Sessums held firm on the cushion and maintained his advantage. A caution soon after reset the field, creating a crucial restart. When racing resumed, Carney bobbled, briefly losing second place to 2019 Southern United Sprint champion Tyler Harris. As they battled, Sessums pulled away and cruised to his first victory of 2025. Carney recovered to finish second, while Harris rounded out the [Read More]

Babbitt Repeats at 105 Speedway’s Texas Grand

By Ben Deatherage CLEVELAND, Texas (Mar. 1, 2025) — Corey Babbitt took care of business in his home state of Texas as he would lead all 30 laps of the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature at 105 Speedway for the 2025 Texas Grand. It is the second straight year that he has won the event and he had to set a quick pace and even hold off a late challenge to score the $1,000 payday. The main event kicked off with Babbitt immediately pouncing to the point. Setting a quick pace, the New Caney, Texas driver ended up having to deal with a trio of cautions in the first third of the race that disallowed him from getting too far away. Taylor Hunter created some buzz around this time. After destroying a car the night before and at the controls of Johnny Brown Jr.’s back up car, Hunter would put on show on the top side of the ¼-mile oval and gained wholesale positions. In fact, he would pole vault himself so far in [Read More]