Ryan Clark

New promoter finds ‘hidden gem’ in 34 Raceway

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa –Bradley Stevens will be in charge of weekly programs at a track he likens to “a hidden gem.” Stevens has purchased 34 Raceway from Jeff and Amy Laue. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and newly-sanctioned Mach-1 Sport Compacts run Saturday nights at the Southeast Iowa speedplant. The IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season begins April 7 and continues through Sept. 29 at the 3/8-mile dirt oval. “This track ranks right up there with the best tracks in the Midwest. It’s a hidden gem – there are still people who don’t realize what we’ve got here,” said Stevens, whose purchase of the track began with a casual conversation with the Laues and was encouraged by significant other Jessi Mynatt. “We’re just going to tweak some things.” “We’re going to do everything we can to get families to the track,” he emphasized. “We’re going to be real keen on prices with a family pack deal and we’ll run four classes every week and two others every other week. [Read More]

Larry Shaw Race Cars returning as IMCA Western Region title sponsor

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Defending Manufacturers’ Cup champion Larry Shaw Race Cars returns this season as title sponsor of IMCA’s Western Region for Modifieds. The Batesville, Ark., chassis builder again provides a portion of the $6,000 point fund to be paid to top 10 drivers in official standings for that region, which includes tracks in Arizona, California, western Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, northern New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming. The champion earns $2,500, with $1,250 for second, $625 for third, $325 for fourth and $300 for fifth. Sixth through 10th place finishers each receive $200. Drivers in the Western Region are required to display two Larry Shaw Racing decals on their race car to be eligible for point fund shares. Shaw has been an IMCA sponsor for 11 seasons and title sponsor of the Western Region since 2012. “We have to thank all our customers,” said owner Larry Shaw. “They’ve been great to us for a lot of years.” In addition to the national IMCA Manufacturers’ Cup crown, Shaw also had the high point total among [Read More]

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Big payday for IMCA Modifieds at March 3 Pahrump special

PAHRUMP, Nev. – Three thousand dollars is the winner’s share when IMCA Modifieds travel to Pahrump Valley Speedway for the Saturday, March 3 Stormin’ Mormon Memorial. The event is held in honor of Ray Wulfenstein, a long-time driver from Pahrump nicknamed the Stormin’ Mormon, who died in January of 2017. A minimum of $300 will be paid to start the 40-lap Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Larry Shaw Race Cars Western Region and IMCA Nevada State points will be awarded. Pit gates open at noon and the grandstand opens at 4 p.m. Hot laps are at 4:30 p.m. and racing starts shortly after 5 p.m. Entry fee is $45 and pit passes are $25. Grandstand admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 55 and over, $6 for kids ages 6-14 and free for ages five and under. Questions can be directed to promoter Chad Broadhead at 702 328-8101, event coordinator Bryan Wulfenstein at 775 209-3638 or Modified race director Leland Hibdon at 775 209-6896. “Both Bryan and [Read More]

Mach-1 Racing Solutions renews title sponsorship of IMCA Sport Compacts

ABBOTT, Texas – The Texas company synonymous with IMCA’s Sport Compact division returns in 2018 for an eighth consecutive season as title sponsor of the 4-cylinder class. Mach-1 Racing Solutions, owned by Gary Mach and located in Abbott, provides a portion of the $1,000 point fund to be paid to top 10 drivers in final national standings for the Sport Compacts again this season. Mach-1 began giving Sport Compact contingencies in 2009 and became the division’s first title sponsor in 2011. “IMCA provides an entry level racing experience at an affordable price,” said Mach. “The IMCA Sport Compacts allow a racing experience to be birthed for a future racing vision.” Sport Compact champions were crowned at 47 tracks, in two special series and in 10 states last season. Dillon Richards of Beatrice, Neb., won the national championship while Dakota Dees of Weatherford battled the heavy hitters in Texas en route to earning national rookie of the year honors. All drivers in the division are required to display two Mach-1 decals on their race car to [Read More]

Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods are new at Estevan Motor Speedway

ESTEVAN, Sask. – Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods become the fourth IMCA division on weekly race programs at Estevan Motor Speedway. Opening night is May 5. “We have looked into this for a long time. One of the things we like best about Northern SportMods is that they are a fast-growing class,” said Byron Fichter, president of the Estevan Auto Racing Club. “We felt it would be a good time to add this class, especially for younger drivers looking for a progression from our slingshot class to the Modified division.” “We have done a ton of research and with Nodak Speedway and Williston Basin Speedway close, we have been able to see the class grow,” he continued. “It’s exciting and inexpensive to get into.” Estevan also sanctions the IMCA Modified, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock divisions. A dozen race nights are scheduled this season, most of them on Saturdays, with season championship night penciled in for Aug. 25. “Our Northern SportMod division is a natural complement to sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars and [Read More]

A legacy lives on – Rookie Ashley Holbert will race in late husband’s Southern SportMod

ITASCA, Texas – Ashley Holbert would have been content as a race fan and her husband’s crew chief and number one supporter. Instead, she’ll carry on his legacy this season racing his Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod. Rowdy Holbert died Jan 11 at the age of 30 in an oilfield work accident. After a suggestion from their daughter Kaysen, Ashley decided to make 2018 her rookie season in the IMCA division. “It just seemed like the natural thing to do. I couldn’t imagine not being at the track,” she explained. “I’ve talked to family, friends and some guys Rowdy worked with and they were all 100 percent supportive.” “I feel honored. What an opportunity to continue our family’s legacy,” Holbert continued. “We were always ready to go to the track Friday and Saturday nights. I can’t imagine stepping away from this arena.” Ashley and Rowdy were a couple for nine years and would have celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on July 21. Kaysen helped Rowdy’s best friend Brandon Williams drive her father’s car around the [Read More]

Smiley’s Racing Products giving back again as new IMCA Southern SportMod title sponsor

MESQUITE, Texas – Smiley’s Racing Products will celebrate both its 50th year in business and its first season as title sponsor of the IMCA Southern SportMod division in 2018. The Mesquite, Texas, high-performance parts manufacturer and distributor has signed on to provide a portion of the $9,500 point fund to be paid to top 15 drivers in national standings for Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods. The new three-year agreement runs through the 2020 season. “Many Southern SportMod drivers are already our customers, and our friends. This is another way we can give back to them,” said Smiley’s owner Tom Lorenz. “The Southern SportMods are a very economical, very competitive class. It’s a grassroots-type division and strong because it’s so affordable.” “We have had a very good relationship with IMCA for many years,” he added. “We’ve both been around for a long time and we are proud to be an IMCA sponsor.” The home of Hoosier Tire Southwest, Smiley’s is part of national decal programs for Northern and Southern SportMods. Drivers in both those divisions are [Read More]

Arizona IMCA Modified Tour ends with Thornton in Cocopah’s victory lane

By Mike Spieker SOMERTON, Ariz. (Feb. 18) – The second annual Karl Performance Arizona IMCA Modified Tour came to a close with a Sunday matinee at Cocopah Speedway and Ricky Thornton Jr. ended his afternoon with the $1,500 Winter Nationals feature win. Thornton grabbed the lead from the pole as Aaron Turnbull followed him into second. Thornton quickly pulled away from the field, opening his advantage to over two seconds by lap five. The field stretched itself out throughout the first half of the race until Thornton reached the tail of the field with 13 of 25 laps completed. Mired in traffic, Thornton’s lead quickly evaporated to just a half second on Turnbull. Turnbull, who was looking to pick up his second consecutive main event win, closed to within two car lengths until he was slowed by a lapped car. Thornton simultaneously over-drove turns one and two, which kept Turnbull within striking distance. In clean track, however, Thornton hit his marks and cruised to the checkered flag. “I kind of figured the groove was going to [Read More]

Axle Exchange continues support of IMCA Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational

DES MOINES, Iowa – Axle Exchange continues marquee role in supporting one of the highest-profile IMCA Modified events of the season. The Des Moines company sponsors the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational and will provide a portion of the purse paid to the 30 starters in the Sept. 7 race at Boone Speedway, during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Each of those drivers receives a free custom Velocita fire suit and mini replica driveshaft from Axle Exchange, manufacturer of the Fast Shafts brand of drive shafts and 16-year IMCA sponsor. “IMCA racing has been a big part of our growth and a bigger part of my life for many years. IMCA racers have showed their support of our company’s products and efforts and we look forward to continuing our efforts in supporting the sport we love,” said Fast Shafts President Pat Fagen. “We have some exciting things happening and continue to do our best to offer the best product, at the best price, with the best service. We can’t thank IMCA enough [Read More]