Ryan Clark

James tops IMCA Modified opener at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (March 31) – Six months ago, Bricen James’ future in racing was an unknown. Saturday night, he stood in victory lane after winning the season-opening IMCA Modified feature at Cottage Grove Speedway. Craig Hanson was quick out of the gate and stayed in the lead until Collen Winebarger got past on lap four. Winebarger remained out in front for some time before he bicycled in turns one and two, allowing James to pass him via the inside line. James kept hold of first place but had to master restarts due to several cautions. James kept all challengers in check and went on to collect the checkered flag. It was an emotional triumph because six months ago he nearly had a career-ending injury in a Sprint Car last September. John Campos got second, followed by Dustin Cady in third.

Hood handles IMCA Modified foes at 281

By J.M. Hallas STEPHENVILLE, Texas (March 31) – Brandon Hood took home the hardware in Saturday’s 20-lap IMCA Modified main event at 281 Speedway. Hood, who was running the bottom, got by early leader Jeffrey Abbey, who was up top, just before halfway. From there Hood crept away for the win. “The bottom line was where it was at,” said Hood. “Abbey jumped out there pretty quick. He was a little tight and I knew that I had to be there whenever he made a mistake.” “You’ve got to be pretty patient when you run against those Abbey boys. They’re pretty good, every single one of them,” he continued. “They race you clean and I love racing with them.” Devin Burgess led flag-to-flag for the Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod victory while Michael Childs started near the back of the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car field and ended in the winner’s circle. Scott Newbury took the lead on lap three and used slower traffic to finally shake Julia Childs on his way to the Mach-1 Sport [Read More]

Enid checkers fly for Sprint Series of Oklahoma winner Sellers

By David Smith Jr. ENID, Okla. (March 31) – In only his third appearance behind the wheel, Shane Sellers took the lead early and never looked back to capture the Sprint Series of Oklahoma presented by Smiley’s Racing Products/Hoosier Racing Tires Southwest victory Saturday at Enid Speedway. Gary Owens and Andy Shouse started on the front row for the 20-lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature with Owens taking the early lead over Shouse and fourth-starting Sellers. Sellers disposed of Shouse for the runner-up position one lap later and on lap three, took over the top position from Owens. The front pair ran one-two with Sellers unchallenged until lap 16, when Owens closed the cap and pressured the leader. Coming out of turn two, Owens made his move to retake the lead on the last lap but Sellers was not be denied and regained the advantage in turns three and four. He crossed the finish line two car-lengths over Owens to put the Pete Haskins-owned no. 16s into victory lane in only his third start for [Read More]

MSD backs five divisions, one series in 15th season of IMCA sponsorship

EL PASO, Texas – MSD returns to the national decal program for Stock Cars in 2018, its 15th season as an IMCA sponsor. In all, the El Paso, Texas, manufacturer will give product or product certificate awards to competitors in five divisions and one special series. “MSD Performance, is once again a proud sponsor of IMCA Racing for the 2018 season,” said Circle Track Sales Manager Graham Fordyce. “The growth we see in these divisions is a testament to the sanctioning body’s dedication to the sport and we want to be a part of that growth in the circle track racing market. We strive to continually improve the products we offer to the circle track industry and to provide support to the competitors for their achievements.” The top drivers in Northern and Southern IMCA Sunoco Stock Car regions earn Ultimate HEI kits and a universal spark plug wire set. Runners-up receive an HEI module and the third place finishers get universal spark plug wire sets. Product certificates valued at $100 go to top 10 drivers [Read More]

Weather wins Rumbles at US 36, Eagle

OSBORN, Mo. – Rumble In The Bullring specials scheduled tonight (Friday) at US 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., and Saturday, March 31 at Eagle, Neb., Raceway have been canceled due to weather. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were to have been featured on both programs.

Aztec returns to IMCA sanction with 3-year pact

AZTEC, N.M. – Promoter Mike Tenski is confident the return of IMCA sanctioning to his Aztec Speedway will bring more cars and more fans to the northwest New Mexico speedplant. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods all return to the 3/8-mile clay oval while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods are new. Notably, the new sanction agreement runs through the 2018, 2019 and 2020 seasons. “Our drivers wanted to race for national and regional points, and IMCA always treated us right,” said Tenski. “The economy in this area is coming back and we worked with Montezuma County Fairgrounds Speedway (in Cortez, Colo.) on our schedule so everybody can race four times a month if they want to.” IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing dates at Aztec are Fridays and Saturdays May 4 and 5, June 1 and 2, July 6 and 7 and Aug. 10 and 11, and Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2. “With two-day shows, I think we’ll be able to get cars from the [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings Through March 29

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 781; 2. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo., 596; 3. Jeffrey Abbey, Comanche, Texas, 475; 4. Colin Deming, Hobbs, N.M., 473; 5. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., 439; 6. Marlyn Seidler, Underwood, N.D., 411; 7. Ricky Thornton Jr., Clive, Iowa, 404; 8. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 386; 9. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 382; 10. Brent Schlafmann, Bismarck, N.D., 338; 11. Chase Allen, Midlothian, Texas, 336; 12. Scott Sluka, Casa Grande, Ariz., 333; 13. Jason Noll, Peoria, Ariz., 331; 14. Rob Slott, New Waverly, Texas, 316; 15. Chris Bragg, Springtown, Texas, 313; 16. Russell Allen, Brawley, Calif., 311; 17. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 302; 18. Matt Guillaume, Haslet, Texas, 301; 19. Garth Dushanek, Avondale, Ariz., 295; 20. Cory Sample, Winnemucca, Nev., 288. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars – 1. Michael Day, Greenville, Texas, 112; 2. Austin Mundie, Carrollton, Texas, 88; 3. Trey Schmidt, Spring, Texas, 79; 4. Daniel King, Conroe, Texas, 78; 5. Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, Okla., 76; 6. Bruce Crockett, Porter, Texas, 71; 7. Kent Lewis Sr., Willis, Texas, and [Read More]

New Sweet Diamond Challenge Series has 8 dates for IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – Sweet Diamond Challenge Series dates take IMCA drivers in three divisions to eight events at Sweetwater Speedway and Diamond Speedway this season. IMCA Modifieds race for $1,000 to win each night at Sweetwater, in Rock Springs, Wyo. One thousand dollar top prizes also await IMCA Modified, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod drivers who win features during shows at Diamond Mountain, in Vernal, Utah, with 20 or more entries. Sweet Diamond Challenge Series dates at Diamond Mountain are Fridays and Saturdays, June 1 and 2 and Sept. 14 and 15; also in effect will be the 20 Car Challenge. Sweet Diamond Challenge Series shows, also on Fridays and Saturdays, are July 6 and 7 and Aug. 10 and 11 at Sweetwater. All eight Modified features are qualifying events for the 2018 or 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, state and track points will be awarded each night. Series champions will be recognized and top 10 drivers in point standings for all [Read More]

Velocita extends IMCA sponsorship through 2020

CLEMMONS, N.C. – Velocita will recognize the accomplishments of IMCA national and regional champions, as well as the top driver in point standings for two special series, through the 2020 season. The Clemmons, N.C., custom fire suit manufacturer has signed a three-year agreement that runs through its ninth year as an IMCA sponsor. Velocita gives custom fire suits to national IMCA Modified, IMCA Late Model, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod, Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod and Mach-1 Sport Compact national champions, and to champions of the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models and the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour for Modifieds. Product certificates valued at $200 go to other drivers winning Modified, Stock Car and Hobby Stock regional titles. Those awards will be presented at the national awards banquet in November. Event title sponsor Fast Shafts again gives Velocita-manufactured fire suits to each of the 30 Modified drivers elected to start the Friday, Sept. 7 All-Star Invitational during the IMCA Speedway Motors [Read More]

Articles by Ryan Clark