Ryan Clark

Race of champions winners add to Super Nationals history

BOONE, Iowa – Four hometown heroes will be among the drivers honored on the final day of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Winners of race of champions events take their turn in victory lane on Championship Day Saturday, Sept. 8 at Boone Speedway. Top drivers at local tracks will fill starting fields for the 30th annual Harris Auto Racing Modified Race of Champions, the 18th annual Sunoco Stock Car Race of Champions, and 10th annual Stephenville Starter Hobby Stock Race of Champions and BSB Manufacturing Northern SportMod Race of Champions. “The original idea behind Super Nationals was giving drivers who competed weekly at IMCA tracks the opportunity to showcase their talents. That’s been the intent as we’ve added race of champions events over the years,” observed IMCA President Brett Root, “and many of the best weekly racers in our history have won these events.” “Look at qualifying heats and you’ll see drivers from coast to coast and border to border,” he added. “Winning a race of champions at Super Nationals is [Read More]

Max Papis Innovations renews awards in four IMCA divisions

MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Second-year sponsor Max Papis Innovations has renewed an awards program that pays off for top drivers in four IMCA divisions. The Mooresville, N.C.-headquartered company gives MPI steering wheels with custom stands to the 2018 IMCA Modified, IMCA Late Model, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car national champions. Second and third-place finishers in national standings for the same divisions all receive $50 gift certificates. Owned by veteran driver Max Papis, MPI has customers at all levels of the sport and its quickly expanding its share of the dirt track market. Its network of dealers covers 20 states and Australia includes Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, Karl Performance, Larry Shaw Race Cars and Smiley’s Racing Products. “One of the visions of MPI was to make innovative and safe steering wheels that are accessible to drivers in all forms of racing. I have always been a supporter of grassroots racing so partnering with IMCA was a no-brainer,” said Papis. “IMCA embodies what grassroots racing is all about and I’m proud to support the series and all [Read More]

Outagamie win goes to Arneson

By Scott Owen SEYMOUR, Wis. (July 22) – Lance Arneson aced the Sunday feature for IMCA Modifieds at Outagamie Speedway. Trevor Spaulding vaulted to the early lead before Kyle Kudick and Jamie Schmidt made it a three-wide battle for the lead. Brekken Kleinschmidt passed Schmidt to move to third while Arneson advanced to fourth on the sixth circuit. Kudick, Kleinschmidt, and Arneson fought for second as Spaulding held the point position. Arneson had his car pinned to the inside line and pulled even with Spaulding on lap 12, then took the lead the next time around. Arneson never looked back en route to victory. Kudick finished a strong second, with Johnny Whitman making a late-race charge to third. Jason Czarapata and Wyatt Block completed the top five. Brandon Czarapata led from lap three to the checkers in winning the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main while Kyle Raddant ran in front from just the 18th circuit on in topping the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods. Cody Booth was the Mach-1 Sport Compact victor. There will be no races this [Read More]

Driver Appreciation Night is Friday at Dodge City Raceway Park

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (July 23) – Among the most anticipated racing nights of the year at Dodge City Raceway Park is in store with a special Friday night card this week featuring the annual Lewis Automotive Drivers’ Appreciation Night. The Friday night special at the state-of-the-art 3/8-mile clay oval in southwest Kansas features a full card of championship chase racing action including Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Cars, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks with the green flag flying at 7:30 p.m. And not only do the drivers get in on the pageantry this year, fans receive a number of giveaways over the course of the evening as well. Last year’s Drivers’ Appreciation Night attracted more than 5,000 people as drivers were awarded a number of tickets to distribute to family, friends and sponsors. An even bigger turnout is expected this year. Once again, a $500 bonus is up for grabs for one of the six drivers who have the most tickets redeemed at the front gate. [Read More]

Schidler flies to Eagle first

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (July 21) – On the night 180 bicycles were given to young fans, Joe Schidler four-wheeled his way to his first Hoosier Racing Tire IMCA Northern SportMod feature win at Eagle Raceway. Schidler took the lead on the second lap and collected the Saturday checkers ahead of Gunnar Pike and Shawn Harker. “I couldn’t see what was going on behind me but I was hoping that it was the case that I was pulling away from the field,” he said. “The track was pretty good tonight, smooth in spots and tacky in other spots and that suits my driving style.” Dan Nelson made it to straight Runner Freight IMCA Modified victories and Kaleb Johnson earned his first local IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car laurels. Colby Kaspar earned his first Valentino’s IMCA Hobby Stock main event win and Trenten Fugett made it two straight in the ATV Motorsports IMCA Sport Compacts.

Hewitt hauls home Arlington hardware

ARLINGTON, Minn. (July 21) – Karl Hewitt Jr. clinched the Eckblad Trucking IMCA Hobby Stock feature Saturday at Arlington Raceway as he led from start to finish. Hewitt was challenged by Cory Probst for 11 of the 12 laps but on lap 10, Probst dived into turn one and spun himself around causing a caution flag. He restarted at the tail and in the following two laps was able to move up to fifth. That caution gave Brad Becker a little breathing room as he challenged Hewitt for the next two laps but had to settle for second ahead of Mike Christensen. Brandon Beckendorf was the MN 93 IMCA Modified winner and Trevor Serbus topped the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature by a straightaway. Rick Mees has gotten back and dirt and got his first B&B Racing Chassis IMCA Stock Car victory of the season. Matt Looft scored the Unhinged Pizza IMCA Northern SportMod victory and Scott Porter paced the Coors Light IMCA Sport Compact main.

Hancock County’s Hobo 100 has $4,000 IMCA Sunoco Stock Car top prize

BRITT, Iowa – IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars get top billing at Hancock County Speedway’s Friday, July 27 Hobo 100, racing for a top prize of $4,000. Rounding out the card are IMCA Modifieds vying for $2,000 to win and a berth on the 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods run for $1,000 to win, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $500 to win and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $200 to win. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Iowa State, but no local track points will be awarded at the draw/redraw show. Pit gates open at 5 p.m., the grandstand opens at 6 p.m. and racing follows 7 p.m. hot laps. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and free for four and under. Pit passes are $30. More information about the Hancock County District Fair event, presented by McNeese Tire and Auto and Communications 1 Network, is posted on the www.hancockcountyspeedway.com website. The Hobo 100 will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.

Marriott prevails in Park Jefferson IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights feature

JEFFERSON, S.D. (July 23) – A driver from Missouri was first to the checkers when the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour for IMCA Modifieds made its first-ever visit to South Dakota. Hunter Marriott topped the $2,000 to win main event Monday night at Park Jefferson Speedway, putting his name on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot for 2019 with his career fifth tour victory. Ricky Thornton Jr.’s record streak of three straight tour wins came to an end with a second-place finish. Kyle Strickler, Joel Rust and Chris Abelson rounded out the top five. Forty-three touring Modifieds from 11 states vied in front of a big crowd at Jefferson, on hand for just the second tour event held outside Iowa. Joel Rust was the very early leader before 2016 tour champion Abelson took charge. A mid-race caution that caught up Jason Wolla and Jay Noteboom put Marriott on Abelson’s back bumper for the ensuing restart. Marriott worked the low side of the track to take the lead while Abelson stayed higher up on the [Read More]

Freiburger celebrates birthday with Maquoketa checkers

By Rob Hinckley MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 21) – The smile lit up a dark infield. The cheer of his fan base could be heard over the race cars on the cool down lap. Saturday evening was quite a birthday celebration for Jed Freiburger. The Dubuque ace turned 35 and turned it into a QCJeeps.com IMCA Modified 20-lap feature win at Maquoketa Speedway. “This is a great way to celebrate it,” Freiburger said. “(Crew chief) Ron Barker made all the right calls and changes so it worked out well.” Freiburger started 10th and quickly raced to the top five. Following a couple early restarts and leader Jake Bowman retiring, Freiburger blew up to second behind Timmy Current at the halfway point, then made the pass. The lead stretched, evaporated due to a late caution, but reopened as he cruised to the win. Freiburger shook off noticeable noises from the car. “I think it was just rocks or clods hitting the car. It was rough out there after the rain, but had plenty of car.” Bryce Garnhart started a [Read More]

New sponsor G-Force Racing Gear gives special events awards in six IMCA divisions

ROSWELL, Ga. – The emphasis is on value and quality, in G-Force Racing Gear’s new awards program for special events drivers in six IMCA divisions. The Roswell, Ga., manufacturer of custom designed racing suits gives $50 gift certificates to a top five finisher at each of 80 specials for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods this year. The extensive G-Force line also includes helmets, gloves, shoes, harnesses, nets and restraints, as well as towing and crew gear. “Our products are sold across several platforms and we are already very familiar with IMCA,” said G-Force Director of Sales and Marketing Jeremy Curtis, a former dirt track racer in Kentucky. “Value and quality are where we got started as a company and we’re always talking to drivers about what their needs will be.” Curtis got an opportunity to talk to drivers at Boone Speedway during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. “We have been on site for [Read More]