Ryan Clark

Berkeley leads the lap that matters most at Willamette

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. (Sept. 14, 2024) – In racing, it’s not about how many laps you lead but that you are ahead of the field when the checkered flag flies. That was the case for Colville, Wash.’s Chase Berkeley, as he got around his brother-in-law with two laps left to cover in the 45-lap contest at Willamette Speedway’s $2,500 to win IMCA Sunoco Stock Car special. It marked the sixth occasion this season he’s won in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his third win at Willamette in 2024, the latest victory making him eligible to qualify for next September’s B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational. B.J. Wild, showing his determination, won the three-car race for the lead on the opening lap at the one-third mile clay oval after coming from the second row. Wild tried his best to escape the clutches of Sid Schott, but Schott, equally determined, kept him in his crosshairs. Schott’s efforts ended on lap 16 when he was involved in a caution. Berkeley and Zack [Read More]

2024 IMCA point season ends Sunday, Sept. 29

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – Final points races of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season are Sunday, Sept. 29. Modified, Late Model, RaceSaver Sprint Car, Stock Car, Hobby Stock, Northern SportMod, Southern SportMod, STARS Mod Lite and Sport Compact drivers have their last opportunity that day to compete for points applicable toward track, state, regional and national standings. Track championship bonus points will be figured and national and regional champions and rookies of the year, as well as the Junior National Champion and Lady Eagle winner, announced as soon as possible after all race reports are received. Track and series officials have until noon Central Standard Time on Monday, Oct. 14 to notify IMCA of corrections that affect their top 15 point standings before 2024 standings become official. Questions about IMCA point totals and standings should be directed to Virginia Lindsey, director of membership and points, at vlindsey@imca.com or by calling 319 472-2201, ext. 215.

Hagio hits Merced pay dirt

By Ben Deatherage MERCED, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Matthew Hagio’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod victory at the Merced Speedway was not just a win but a significant achievement in front of a packed house. His fantastic run started by getting the lead on the opening lap and mastering three restarts. The Prunedale pilot’s victory, his fourth in 2024, was particularly special as it was his first win at Merced this season. The race kicked off with an intense battle between Hagio and Chris Falkenberg. Hagio managed to outpace his rival and take the lead. As the race progressed, Hagio’s skill and determination allowed him to pull away from the pack. The race’s midpoint saw fierce competition for the second position between Jason Bannister and Danny Wagner, adding to the thrill of the event. Despite Bannister’s relentless efforts, Wagner held on to the runner-up position. The yellow flag waved for the final time with 14 circuits scored complete. Again, Hagio was masterclass on the restart, as Bannister attempted to snatch second. Yet again, the fight behind [Read More]

Antioch Hall Of Fame Night checkers fly for Machado, Ryan

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Mitch Machado and Jason Ryan Jr. turned in hall of fame caliber performances Saturday in Hall of Fame Night at Antioch Speedway. Machado won the 20-lap IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event. This was the first win in this division for the highly decorated Petaluma Speedway super stock champion. He had to hold off the efforts of Jason Jennings to get the win. From the outset, Machado led the way ahead of Jennings and Jason Robles. Nick Caughman Jr. settled into third on the second lap. As Machado and Jennings pulled away, Caughman, Robles and Kenny Shrader had a spirited duel for third. Shrader headed pit side on lap 13, and Caughman retired from third on the 17th circuit. Jennings made a last-turn effort to get underneath Machado, but Machado beat him to the checkered flag for the victory. Robles ended up third ahead of Scott Foster and Caughman. Ryan won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature. The race ran without a yellow flag [Read More]

Morris makes incredible last lap move to win at Mohave Valley

By Ben Deatherage BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Fans in the stands at the Mohave Valley Raceway were brought to their feet as Troy Morris III pulled off an incredible last-corner pass after exchanging the top spot twice on the white flag lap in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The Bakersfield, California driver came from 13th to score his second win of the season at the 3/8-mile oval this year and the 11th time he’s bested the field in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region in 2024. Noah Geer led most of the main event. Seizing the lead from the start, the local driver sprinted to a healthy advantage on the initial green flag run of 16 laps. With two restarts to deal with, Geer was consistently fast on the top side of the track when the field had to get back up to speed. When the green banner came out for the final time, reigning national champion Chaz Baca moved into third and Morris, who had gotten into second a few [Read More]

Car photos needed for Aero, Allstar awards

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – IMCA drivers will be big winners even after the point season ends, courtesy of Aero Race Wheels and Allstar Performance. Aero, of Estherville, Iowa, awards a complete set of wheels to the driver with the most feature wins during the 2024 point season. Allstar, of Watervliet, Mich., gives a $100 gift card to every driver winning 10 or more heat races and a $250 gift card to the driver winning the most heats. What’s required as part of both programs is for drivers to email pictures of their race car proving display of the heat and/or feature win decals they received after making checkered flag runs at weekly and special events through Sept. 29. Those pictures can be sent to IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com. Deadline for doing so is 4:30 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 1. Gift cards will be presented during the IMCA national awards banquet in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 30, or mailed beginning the following week. “These are great programs with the potential [Read More]

Rookie rules at IMCA Modified Sean Lias Memorial

By Morgan Colegrove SUSQUEHNNA, Pa. (Sept. 14, 2024) – A Friesen Performance IMCA Modified rookie reigned at the Sean Lias Memorial, part of the King of the Can show Saturday at Penn Can Speedway. Brad Delamater earned $1,037 for his career first win in the division while becoming eligible for 2025 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying. The 57-year-old from Wyalusing was making his fifth Close Racing Supply NY-Penn IMCA Modified Series presented by Insinger Performance start. “This was probably one of my most exciting wins ever, especially with how competitive this class is,” said Delamater, who had a goal of getting a heat race win this season and got a feature win instead. “We’ve had some decent starts and knew we had the car (a 2014 Victory) to win. We just had to keep ourselves out of trouble and stay smart.” Brandon Smith and A.J. Hunsinger made last-lap moves in their respective heats to get into the redraw for the feature and drew the front row starting spots to lead the field to green in [Read More]

Smooth sailing for Harris at Hampton

By Jim Haines HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 14, 2024) – With the large, mighty ships of the Hampton Roads ports all around the area, Jerald Harris showed how to set sail, going to the front and on to win Saturday at Langley Speedway for two in a row. The Virginia Sprint Series feature was paced to green by Aaron Leach and Jimmy Humblet with Leach out first and Humblet behind. Early on, watching Harris working the high line you could see he was coming to the front as he passed a car lap after lap, getting second and chasing down Leach. Caleb Harris was racing with Humblet and Matt Mullins for third with Harris moving to third, leaving Humblet to fight for fourth with Mullins. On lap 16, Harris made another outside move to take the lead and inched away. Traffic was part of the final laps, leaving Jerald Harris his preferred high line and Leach no room to make a final charge as Harris took the win, his IMCA RaceSaver second in a row at [Read More]

Latest I-37 win is STIMS fifth for Dinsmore

By JM Hallas PLEASANTON, Texas (Sept. 14, 2024) – It was another “hot” night of racing at I-37 Speedway after a week off. The action was as hot as the temperatures on the quarter-mile mile, semi-banked, dirt, oval just outside Pleasanton. It’s still a tight battle in the South Texas Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Series by Hortch Speed Shop with Chris Morris now on top by 10 over Ryan Doyon and 11 over Rick Green. Jacob Hortch led the STIMS field into turn one at the start of the 20-lap feature, but it was Green getting inside to lead lap one. Hortch, Morris, Jared Maupin and Logan Dinsmore followed in the top five. Morris got by Hortch for second with Maupin following to third. Dinsmore was next to pick up a spot from Hortch before Maupin spun and collected Hortch, ending both their nights. On the restart, Green had Morris looking high while Dinsmore looked low. Green and Morris then went side-by-side with Morris getting the nose ahead briefly. Dinsmore got by low for second, [Read More]

Wright wins battle, Lindeman wins war at Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Jace Wright rose to the occasion and did not crack under pressure in a wild main event at Marysville Raceway in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods. The championship bout witnessed Wright lead the entire distance. However, the feature was not short of heart-stopping drama in the battle for the track crown. When all was said and done Raymond Lindeman won the points title. Wright took the lead from the start, withstanding numerous challenges from K.C. Carpenter and mastering four restarts, making the race a thriller. Everything came down to the last lap. As the white banner flew, Carpenter drew level at the flag stand, and they maneuvered the 1/4-mile clay oval; Wright maintained control in the first turn. Despite a moment of instability in the fourth corner, allowing Carpenter to catch up, Wright ultimately won the race to the checkered flag. Carpenter was a close second, followed by Jimmy Ford in third. The drama for the championship came down to the very end as Lindeman and Mark [Read More]