Ryan Clark

From Bullring to Highbanks for URSS this weekend

LaCROSSE, Wis. – The United Rebel Sprint Series will go to extremes this weekend as they first visit the quarter mile Bullring at the Rush County Fairgrounds in LaCrosse, Kan., on Friday night and then pack up and head to the big half mile at the famed Belleville Highbanks Saturday to fill the card of the Belleville Midget Nationals Championship night. Leading the Rebels into the $500 to win show on Friday will be point leader Steven Richardson out of Liberal, who recently won the first night of the Wheatshocker Nationals in Hays. Looking for their first URSS win of the season will be Plainville’s Jed Werner who sits a mere 20 points behind in second and Quinter’s Zach Blurton, only two points behind Werner in third. Oklahoma’s Ty Williams who won in Lexington, Neb., sits fourh with North Platte winner McCook Neb.’s Darren Berry rounding out the top five. As of yet there are no repeat winners this year in the series. The Bullring is one of the drivers’ favorite tracks as it is [Read More]

Green captures Kossuth County IMCA Stock Car special

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (July 27) – Derek Green used a late-race pass to take home the $2,000 first place money at Kossuth County Speedway’s Thursday night IMCA Sunoco Stock Car special. Green’s victory came in the Altenburg Construction 25-lap special. He started deep in the field, avoided getting seriously caught up in either two multi-car collisions that brought the race to a halt before the first lap was scored and passed Keith Knop for the front spot with two circuits left. “It means a lot to win a big-paying race like this, especially after starting 17th,” said Green. “There were a lot of very good cars here tonight and to get to front from where I started is a big deal to me.” “The car has little rear end sheet metal damage from those two incidents in the beginning of the race but it did not slow me down,” he continued. “I could not get around Knop. He finally went into (turn) four a little too hot and I squeezed by him. It [Read More]

Round 2 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational voting is underway

BOONE, Iowa (July 31) – Round two of voting for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational is underway. The first 15 IMCA Modified drivers who will start the Sept. 8 event, during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, were elected in regional balloting that concluded on July 27. All 116 drivers remaining on the ballot advance to the at-large second round, with the top 13 vote recipients moving added to the starting grid. Second-round voting ends on Aug. 3. All voting will again be conducted through the IMCA Facebook page. Completing the field for the 30-lapper at Boone Speedway will be All-Star candidates with the top national point total and the most 40-point feature wins as of Aug. 31 competing at Super Nationals.

Van Straten make history with 100th feature win

By Scott Owen SHAWANO, Wis. (July 29) – On July 14, 2001 IMCA Sunoco Stock Car rookie Travis Van Straten scored his first career feature win at Shawano Speedway. Sixteen years later, Van Straten – now one of the top IMCA Stock Car racers in the nation – scored his 100th feature win at the same venue. It was the 12th win of the season for the three-time defending track champion. Josh Mroczkowski led early on as Dan Michonski quickly moved to second after starting 10th. Michonski took the lead on lap five while Van Straten worked through the field and joined the top three by lap 10. Michonski, Van Straten, and Nolan went three-wide for the lead on lap 12 with Van Straten taking the top spot. Van Straten led the rest of the way for his historic 100th IMCA career feature win. Michonski finished second and Nolan was third. In other action, Marcus Yarie won his second local IMCA Modified feature of the season while Jordan Barkholtz won his fourth Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod feature.

Kansas Thunder Series returns to Norton

By Mike Hughes NORTON, Kan. (July 29) –The Kansas Thunder Series took Friday night off after a two-day show at Osborne Speedway Wednesday and Thursday, then took to the half-mile at Elmwood Park Speedway Saturday evening before a big crowd. Adam Webber led the opening lap of the IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature before Tracy Holloway took the lead. As the field came to the white flag, Dakota Sproul took over the top spot and beat Holloway to the finish line. Weber finished third. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature saw the top six drivers in a close race with Jason Rogers in command. A late-race wreck involving Kyle Pfeifer and Tony Blickenstaff set up a green, white, checkered finish. Rogers held off Casey Woken and Dustin McClurg for the win. Garrett Hager took the lead from Cody Williams on lap two of the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature and drove away for the win. Brady Bencken made a late charge to finish second ahead of Williams. David Murray Jr. took advantage of his pole [Read More]

IMCA national champions earn RH2 awards

RIVERSIDE, N.J. – National champions in all eight IMCA divisions receive Nitro helmet speakers from RH2. The Riverside, N.J., company and eight-year IMCA sponsor returns as the official communications supplier for the sanctioning body in 2017. RH2 awards will be presented during the national banquet in November. Information about RH2 products legal for use in sanctioned competition is available at the www.rh2way.com website or by calling 609 876-9530. “The Nitro helmet speakers are a nice option for our national champions and something RH2 has installed in their helmets for a few years,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder observed. “Everyone is using a RACEceiver now and making that experience comfortable for the driver is paramount to the implementation of the technology.”

Marolf rides high line to West Liberty Raceway win

By Jerry Mackey WEST LIBERTY, Iowa (July 29) – West Liberty Raceway hosted Lil’ Racer Car Club Night Saturday on a near perfect evening for racing. When the final checkered flag of the night waved it was Nick Marolf celebrating his first win of 2017 at his home track. Marolf took the Out-Pace Racing Products IMCA Late Model lead from Dave Wada and went on to rim to an impressive win ahead of Chad Holladay and Ron Boyse. The Performance Concepts IMCA Modifieds put on their usual outstanding racing. When the checkered flag fell on their 20-lap main event it was young Derrick Stewart celebrating his first win of 2017. Stewart had been close on several occasions this season but Saturday night belonged to him. Chris Zogg ran second ahead of Larry Herring. Cody Harris also added his name to the list of first time winners in 2017 with a win in the Weikert Iron & Metal IMCA Northern SportMods. Harris held off the constant challenges by defending track champion Dalton Simonsen in scoring the [Read More]

All is right for Price at Shenandoah

By Jim Haines SHENANDOAH, Va. (July 29) – Ryan Price has been close to his first win numerous times over the years. With three laps to go in the Saturday Virginia Sprint Series feature at Shenandoah Speedway, he made the move for the lead and it stuck. Price got a run on the outside of leader Mike Keeton on the backstretch and went on to his first victory. Charlie Ware and Keeton paced the field to green with Keeton out on top and Anthony Linkenhoker close behind quickly. Mike Leraas joined Linkenhoker and Keeton at the front as Price was racing with Tony Harris for fourth. At halfway, Keeton, Linkenhoker, Leraas, Harris and Price were all in row. Price made his move, first getting by Harris then catching Leraas. Price found the line he needed with six to go to get by Linkenhoker, then set his sights on Keeton. The Virginia Sprint Series next heads to Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Aug. 11 for the final Fast Friday race of the year and [Read More]

Mullen notches Luxemburg IMCA Modified win

By Scott Owen LUXEMBURG, Wis. (July 28) – Brian Mullen has long been considered one of the top dirt modified pilots in Wisconsin and Friday night’s win at Luxemburg Speedway reaffirmed Mullen’s standing as one of the best around. Mullen came from 12th on the starting grid to score the IMCA Modified victory. Mark Joski outdueled Konnor Wilinski for the lead on lap one. Wilinski continued utilizing the top groove and put the pass on Joski for the lead on lap 10 as Mike Mashl joined the battle up front. Mashl then worked past Wilinski to take the top spot. Todd Dart and Mullen joined the top four on lap 13 as both came from deep in the field. On lap 15, Mullen worked past Wilinski for second and set his sights on Mashl. A late-race caution bunched the field up. As Mashl led, Mullen went to the outer line as the duo took the white flag. Mullen eased ahead of Mashl and held on for the feature win. Mashl, Dart, Wilinski, and Joski were second through fifth. Troy [Read More]

Top Summerfest checks are $1,000 in three IMCA divisions

DONNELLSON, Iowa – Three IMCA divisions race for $1,000 top checks both nights of Lee County Speedway’s Thursday and Friday, Aug. 3 and 4 Summerfest special. Features for the IMCA Modifieds are qualifying events for the 2018 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod winners go home with a grand each night as well while Mach-1 Sport Compact winners each night earn $300. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Allstar Performance State points will be awarded for both shows. Stocks, SportMods and Sport Compacts also earn track points. Start money is $100 for Modifieds, $90 for Stocks and SportMods and $50 for Sport Compacts. Entry fee and tow are $50 for the Modifieds, $40 for the Stocks and SportMods and $25 for the Sport Compacts. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps are at 7 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors 60 and over, $8 for students ages 11-17 and free for kids 10 and under. [Read More]