Ryan Clark

Axle Exchange renews title sponsorship of IMCA Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational

DES MOINES, Iowa – Axle Exchange returns this season as title sponsor for one of IMCA’s premier Modifed events. The Des Moines, Iowa, company again provides a portion of the purse paid to the 30 starters in the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, to be held Sept. 6 at Boone Speedway during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Axle Exchange has sponsored that event since 2006. Each All-Star receives a free custom Velocita fire suit and a mini replica driveshaft from Axle Exchange, manufacturer of the Fast Shafts brand of drive shafts and a 17-year IMCA sponsor. One hundred and thirty-five different drivers from 25 states and two Canadian provinces have taken the green flag in the All-Star feature since the inaugural invitational in 2004. “How time flies … in 1976 when I was working for Tom Spagnola Sr., I met (Boone Speedway promoter) Robert Lawton and thought ‘This guy is crazy.’ About 20 years ago in the pits at Boone, Lawty told me I needed IMCA. I followed this crazy man’s advice and became an [Read More]

General rules, procedures outlined for 2019 IMCA season

VINTON, Iowa – There aren’t a lot of changes to the general rules and procedures announced today for the 2019 IMCA race season. Two clarifications in the automatic penalties category, however, should be pointed out to drivers who play fast and loose with the rules in their efforts to get around the track faster. The use of data acquisition at any sanctioned event, including practice nights and during hot laps, will result in a disqualification and $10,000 fine while use of counterfeited IMCA branded products results in a DQ and $1,000 fine. Both infractions carry 30-day suspensions and the loss of all points for the season. “Data acquisition results in an extreme advantage for any driver or drivers using it,” noted IMCA President Brett Root. “It is very sophisticated and while costs have come down, still very expensive. It is not the direction we want any of our divisions to go.” “Many of our premier events, such as Super Nationals, the Duel In The Desert and Race For Hope, have practice nights where there would [Read More]

Point season dates announced for IMCA Late Models

VINTON, Iowa – A point season that’s really been in place the last five years is on the official calendar in 2019 for IMCA Late Model drivers. National, state and track points will be awarded for sanctioned events held from the first full weekend of May (3-5) through the final weekend of July (26-28). “Since 2014, most of our Late Model tracks have been running a schedule with 12 or 13 sanctioned events,” IMCA President Brett Root explained. “April frequently saw them dealing with weather issues while more tracks were holding season championship nights earlier in August.” Drivers’ best 15 finishes in their first 30 starts will be used to determine national and state standings in the division. Track championship bonuses will not be awarded in the division beginning this season and Deery Brothers Summer Series points will not apply to national, state or track standings. National points will be based on the best 15 finishes using IMCA’s weekly lineup and point structure, including the minimum field requirements. Schedule for the 33rd annual Deery Series is [Read More]

IMCA Wild West Tour back with 10 dates for Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods

MYTON, Utah – When they started kicking around the idea of starting the IMCA Wild West Tour back up on social media last month, it took just three days for more than 60 drivers to sign up. Nearly 100 are on board now, with 10 events scheduled for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods. What will be the ninth annual tour travels to six different tracks in five states. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the drivers,” noted Ken Hansen, who returns as tour director. “They’re the ones who made this tour good before and they’re the ones who will have the opportunity to do it again.” Opening weekend is Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4 at New Mexico’s Aztec Speedway. The tour is at Diamond Mountain Speedway in Vernal, Utah, on Friday and Saturday, June 28 and 29. Nevada race dates are Friday, July 26 at Winnemucca Regional Raceway and Saturday, July 27 at Battle Mountain Raceway. Sweetwater Speedway at Rock Springs, Wyo., hosts Friday [Read More]

Kruse nominated for RPM national promoter of the year award

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – Another nomination for short track racing’s most prestigious award is great. Toby Kruse appreciates the recognition from his peers just as much. The long-time promoter at Marshalltown Speedway has been named promoter of the year in Racing Promotion Monthly’s Great Plains Region for the second time. As such, he’s one of six nominees for the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year award, to be announced next month during the RPM workshops in Daytona Beach. “It’s a good feeling to be nominated for this award. It’s a lot of work being a promoter,” said Kruse, also a regional winner for his efforts at Marshalltown in 2008 and twice as part of the promotional team at 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wis. “Other promoters know just how much work it is and to be nominated by them for this award is very heart warming.” Kruse will start the 14th year of a 20-year contract at Marshalltown this spring. The Friday night venue has been sanctioned by IMCA since 1984. “What we’ve been able to accomplish here is [Read More]

2019 sees new faces at US 36 Raceway

By Rick Staley OSBORN, Mo. – US 36 Raceway strives to bring the very best in racing action and family fun each week and is adding new members to the racing staff. We are pleased to announce the following additions to our racing family. Bekki Parsons will move to the race director position. Bekki brings us a wealth of racing experience and knowledge to the position. Renee Hall is the new scorer and will work closely with Bekki to ensure accurate and prompt lineups and finishing orders. Jacob Blair has came on board as media manager/track announcer and brings technical and media knowledge as we advance our racing program. Jacob will give us an insight into the driver’s seat and behind the scenes interviews with drivers and crews as he brings play-by-play on the microphone. Mitch West will join US 36 as part of our tech team as we continue to prepare a level playing field for all competitors. Mitch will work with Dale Eaton and Carl Flower and brings a lot of racing knowledge [Read More]

2nd annual IMCA Lone Star Stock Car Tour has six race dates, $5,000 champion’s check

ABILENE, Texas – The championship of the second annual Lone Star IMCA Sunoco Stock Car Tour will be worth $5,000. Six February race dates have been announced for the Sniper Speed-sponsored tour. Top 10 drivers in final point standings earn shares of a $13,600 point fund with all drivers finishing 11th on back who have perfect tour attendance eligible for one of four drawings for $250. Each feature pays $750 to win with IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region and Texas State points at stake. The tour champion also becomes eligible to qualify for the Sunoco Race Fuels Race of Champions during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. Opening night is Saturday, Feb. 16 during the Ice Breaker special at Abilene Speedway. 281 Speedway at Stephenville hosts the Sunday, Feb. 17 show. The tour is at Boyd Raceway on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 18 and 19. After an off day, the tour resumes with an open practice and party at Kennedale Speedway Park on Thursday, Feb. [Read More]

Mach-1 renews IMCA Sport Compact title sponsorship through 2021 season

ABBOTT, Texas – Competitors in IMCA’s Sport Compact division will enjoy their association with Mach-1 Racing Solutions for another three seasons. The Abbott, Texas company has renewed its title sponsorship agreement for the 4-cylinder class and will provide a portion of $1,000 point funds to be paid to top 10 drivers in the division in 2019, 2020 and 2021. “We are excited to continue the support of a growing class that supports the vision of IMCA as well as economic racing,” said owner Gary Mach. The latest agreement takes Mach-1 through an 11th consecutive season as the divisional sponsor. Mach-1 began giving Sport Compact contingencies in 2009 and became the division’s first title sponsor in 2011. All drivers in the division are required to display two Mach-1 decals on their race car to be eligible for point fund shares. That decal will be included in the packet they receive after purchasing their 2019 competitor’s license. Forty-three track and 11 state Sport Compact champions were crowned in 2018. Ramsey Meyer of Pierce, Neb., raced to his career [Read More]

Abilene starts 2019 season with Feb. 15, 16 Ice Breaker

ABILENE, Texas – Abilene Speedway hosts its traditional season-opening Ice Breaker on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16. IMCA Modifieds run for $700 to win and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods for $600 to win each night. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars run for $600 to win on Friday and for $750 to win their Lone Star Tour opener on Saturday. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Razor Chassis South Central and EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region, Texas State and track points will be awarded for both draw/redraw programs. Hobby Stocks are not on the program either night. The pits open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7 p.m. More information about the Ice Breaker, presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, Showtime Signs & Designs and NAPA Auto Parts, can be directed to promoter Rob Poor at 325 725-3849 or 325 692-8800. Overnight accommodations, with racers’ rates, are available by calling the Whitten Inn at 325 672-8462. Additional information is [Read More]

Razor Chassis quick to sign up for sixth season as title sponsor for IMCA South Central Region

PLATTE CENTER, Neb. – Razor Chassis returns in 2019 for a sixth consecutive season as title sponsor of the South Central Region for IMCA Modifieds. Recognized during the national awards banquet last month with both a five-year sponsor appreciation plaque and a regional Manufacturers’ Cup co-championship, the Platte Center, Neb., chassis builder again provides a portion of the $6,000 point fund to be paid to top 10 South Central drivers. The region includes tracks in Texas and southern New Mexico. The regional champion earns $2,500. The runner-up gets $1,250 with $625 for third, $325 for fourth, $300 for fifth and $200 for sixth through 10th. Drivers in the region must display two Razor decals on their race car to be eligible for point fund shares. Information about Razor-built chassis as well as retail high performance parts is available by calling 402 246-2021, at the www.rothrace.com website and on Facebook. Razor’s 2018 regional co-championship came in the West. “Razor builds a quality race car and has a strong track record of winning regional championships and regional builder of the [Read More]