Ryan Clark

Modified Madness checkers fly for Sobbing, Harker rules SportMod Shootout at U.S. 36

By Jacob Blair OSBORN, Mo. (May 22) – There were many storylines headed into Modified Madness at U.S. 36 Raceway, such as increased payouts and the Wayne Hicks Memorial SportMod Shootout, but the biggest storyline remained with the track. Throughout the week, thanks to Shaw Excavating and the many people involved, the track at U.S. 36 received a complete makeover to improve track conditions. The storyline at the end of the night no longer was about the track, it was about the racing on it. The track raced multi-grooved and smooth all night long and let the racers go after a chance to reach Westfall GMC Victory Lane. Modified Madness was headlined by the IMCA Modifieds and the drivers chasing the $1,066 winner’s check. Jesse Sobbing led the race from start to finish, but it didn’t come without challenges from several different drivers. Chad Andersen, Chad Clancy and 10th starting Steven Bowers Jr. all had their go at Sobbing. Bowers charged late and made a couple looks for the lead, but Sobbing, already on the Fast [Read More]

Opening night attracts 100-plus cars to Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (May 21) – It was opening night at Kossuth County Speedway May 21 without any spectators in the grandstands but that did not deter a grand total of 103 cars from dotting the pits at Algona. While the IMCA Modified featured was a heated battle throughout, pole-sitter Cody Knecht led the whole way to earn the win. Just a caution flag on lap number five delayed the Whittemore driver trip into the winner’s circle. Austin Wolf and Jeremy Mills both challenged Knecht but he refused to give up the lead. Thirty-one IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars vied for spots in their main event grid. Devin Smith grabbed the early but Jeffrey Larson pulled even at midway and took the lead on the following lap. Both Troy Swearington and Smith kept pressure on Larson but he went onto the win with Smith second and Swearington third. Zack Smidt paced the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Jared Boumeester was the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod winner. Kaytee DeVries topped the Mach-1 Sport Compact main. [Read More]

Late Model, Stock Car pre-registration encouraged for 34 Raceway event

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – Two days remain before the IMCA Sunoco Late Model and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car openers at 34 Raceway and officials are encouraging racers to get pre-registered now at https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2697/registrations/. Pre-registration is $200 per car and that includes eight pit passes per registrant. Upon arrival to the track drivers will receive a personalized envelope with eight wristbands inside. Driver and crew are asked to arrive together if possible. Drivers are also asked to print and sign the pit release in advance and bring it with them. The release can be found at http://www.34raceway.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=580646. Sunday’s opening night main event for IMCA Sunoco Late Models at 34 Raceway pays $1,500 to the feature winner. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars race for $1,000 to win. While the grandstand will be closed, fans will have the opportunity to watch the night’s racing action by logging on to Speed Shift TV to watch from the comfort of your living room. Pits open at 4 p.m. and hot laps are scheduled to take to the track at 6:15 p.m. with racing to [Read More]

Winnemucca raises Shootout stakes for IMCA Modifieds

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The stakes got even higher for IMCA Modifieds running at Winnemucca Regional Raceway’s fourth annual High Desert Classic Shootout. The Saturday, May 30 feature pays $2,000 to win while the Sunday, May 31 main event carries a $3,000 top check. Both are Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifiers. Total Modified purse for the special, presented by Model T Hotel and Casino, is $11,000 and based on 20-car fields. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods race for $500 to win both nights. Both shows are draw/redraw and IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Shaw Race Cars Western Region, state and track points will be given. Modified entry is $100 each night or $175 for both nights if pre-paid. Numerous contingency awards will be given. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. on both days, the grandstand opens at 11 a.m., hot laps are at 11:30 a.m. and racing starts at 1 p.m. both days. An optional pill draw is $10 with a maximum of three draws. Saturday and Sunday pit passes are $25. Spectator admission is [Read More]

URSS vs. DCRP Sprint Car Showdown reset for July 2

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (May 22) – Originally slated to kick off the 2020 racing season at Dodge City Raceway Park, the URSS vs. Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Car Showdown has been reset for Thursday night, July 2. The event has been postponed on a pair of occasions due to ongoing restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, with the track now set to officially get things under way on Saturday, June 20, with Armed Forces Night featuring the Hobby Stock Roundup. The July 2 date for the URSS vs. DCRP Sprint Car Showdown will feature a complete card of championship chase action that will also include the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Detailed schedule information is available at https://www.dodgecityraceway.com/schedule/.

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through May 21

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 840; 2. Alex Stanford, Chowchilla, Calif., 528; 3. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 523; 4. Ricky Thornton Jr., Adel, Iowa, 472; 5. Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., 451; 6. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 418; 7. Jon White Jr., Red Oak, Texas, 401; 8. Jeff Taylor, Cave City, Ark., 387; 9. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 377; 10. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 374; 11. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz., 348; 12. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 344; 13. Jake O’Neil, Tucson, Ariz., 336; 14. Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D., and Austin Kiefer, Pahrump, Nev., both 335; 16. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 320; 17. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 316; 18. Michael Thing, Campo, Calif., 314; 19. Bill Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 303; 20. Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek, Ariz., 299. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Nick Marolf, Moscow, Iowa, 40; 2. Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, Ill., 39; 3. Justin Kay, Wheatland, Iowa, 38; 4. Andy Nezworski, Buffalo, Iowa, 37; 5. Matt Ryan, Davenport, Iowa, 36; 6. William “B.J.” Jackson, Clinton, Iowa, 35; 7. Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, [Read More]

Unbelievable start for Season 59 at Stuart Speedway

By Josh Reynolds STUART, Iowa (May 20) – The engines came to life Wednesday evening with drivers from all around in attendance for the season opener at Stuart Speedway. IMCA feature winners for the night were Ethan Braaksma, Damon Murty, Chuck Madden Jr. Cam Reimers and Bryan Vannausdle. Braaksma and Clay Money led a stacked IMCA Modified field to speed with Braaksma taking control early. By halfway Braaksma was in heavy lapped traffic with Money and Ricky Thornton Jr. in prime position to pounce, but the Newton driver was poised and up to the challenge as he weaved and worked his way through. Even a bounce off of the turn two wall didn’t slow Braaksma down as he went on to the wire-to-wire win. North Dakota’s Tom Berry Jr. made a last-lap pass for second with Money third. Within two laps of the start of their feature, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were five wide at times as Brandon Pruitt showed the way over Buck Schafroth and Kellie Drury. Schafroth began to flex his muscles around [Read More]

First $250 Sunoco bonus of season paid Saturday to IMCA Late Model winner at Independence

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – The payday got even better for the winner of Saturday’s opening night main event for IMCA Sunoco Late Models at Independence Motor Speedway. The first $250 Sunoco Race Fuels bonus of the season will be paid to the May 23 Late Model winner at Indee, on top of a possible $800 check. Sunoco bonuses will be presented at Late Model sanctioned tracks this year. Drivers are eligible for one bonus during the 2020 racing season. IMCA will announce mid-week before the dates bonuses are to be awarded at each track. While the grandstand will be closed, fans will have the opportunity to watch the night’s racing action by logging on to IMCA.tv or affiliate DoneRight.tv. The live streaming service will carry a one-time charge and will not require a membership to watch from the comfort of your living room. Hot laps are scheduled to take to the track at 6 p.m. with racing to follow.

Late night call seals the deal for URSS opener at Salina

By David Smith, Jr., OKTidbits SALINA, Kan. – It has been a bustling 24 hours for Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing president Rick Salem. After thinking the upcoming Memorial Weekend of racing would not happen after the event at Oberlin Speedway was canceled, a late-night phone call from Salina Speedway owner Tommie Hendrickson and Chris Sutton wanting to bring in IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars for a Memorial Weekend special, both parties came to terms and the series will open the 2020 race season at the speedway this coming Saturday, May 23. Originally a $700 to-win event, contributions and support from Missouri’s Mike Sosebee, Steve Hilker of Hilker Trucking and Austin McLean Motorsports now has this event paying $1,000 to-win and $200 to start. It will be the first time in the 14-year history that the URSS will be competing at the Salina 3/8-mile oval and more than 20 drivers from four states have already indicated they will be competing. There are some guidelines that we ask everyone [Read More]

IMCA extends rookie of the year eligibility to 2021

VINTON, Iowa – First-year competitors in all IMCA divisions will have a second year to run for national and regional rookie of the year honors. With the exception of drivers winning national and/or regional rookie honors in 2020, drivers eligible to compete for those titles will be eligible to do so again in 2021. The reason, of course, is COVID-19 and the resulting interruption or delays in racing at the local level at tracks nationwide and in Canada. Previously, drivers could make no more than four career sanctioned starts during the point season(s) in any division before losing rookie status. “We have done our best to find a solution that is fair to all rookie drivers,” explained IMCA President Brett Root. “While a number of rookies have been able to race more often in Western and Southern states, many of those in the Northern and particularly Eastern parts of the country have yet to get on the track.” “Situations are different in every state and that affects when and how tracks can open,” he continued. [Read More]