Ryan Clark

IMCA national champions receive Kirkey Racing Fabrication awards

ST. ANDREWS WEST, Ont. – Eight IMCA national champions will defend their crowns next year with post-2017 season awards from Kirkey Racing Fabrication. The IMCA Modified national champion receives an 88 series layback containment seat while the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car national champion earns a 79 series containment seat courtesy of the St. Andrews West, Ont., manufacturer and accessories retailer. The 11th year IMCA sponsor also gives $250 product certificates to top drivers in national standings for IMCA Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts. “Kirkey Racing prides itself in building an affordable and safe aluminum containment seat for all levels of IMCA racing divisions. Our 3D design and CAD CAM manufacturing ensures seats are consistent in fit and quality. In stock or short lead times ensure the racer has product when they need it in this busy racing environment,” owner Steve Kirkey said. “Kirkey would like to thank all of the members for supporting us and we look forward [Read More]

Bushnell takes Friday win at Stuart

By Josh Reynolds STUART, Iowa (May 5) – Stuart Speedway kicked off season number 56 with Cory Bushnell capping the Friday show with the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car victory. Brothers Michael and Trent Murphy battled early for the lead with Josh Daniels third. Trent Murphy made it past his brother on lap nine to take the lead and at the halfway mark Bushnell was in fifth. Bushnell began to flex his muscles a lap later by disposing of Chris Pruitt and Michael Murphy. Lap 14 saw Bushnell pass Marcus Fagan and a lap later he took the lead by passing Trent Murphy. Bushnell would go on to the feature win over Fagan, Trent Murphy, Chris Pruitt and Michael Murphy. Nick Roberts held off Clint Luellen for the IMCA Modified victory and Chase Rudolf led the way to the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod checkers. Jamie Schirm was the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock winner and John Gill led the distance in the Mach-1 Sport Compact headliner.

Clough rides a rocket to Lincoln County winner’s circle

By Kelly Ninas NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (May 6) – Timing is everything and for the frontrunners who claimed the checkered flags, their timing punched their ticket to the winner’s circle at Lincoln County Raceway on Saturday. Spotlighted for their drives to victory were: Brandon Clough, Dillon Schultz, Kyle Werkmeister; Brady Weinman and Tom Baumgardner. Starting on the outside of the front row, it didn’t take long for Clough to rocket into the lead, set a blistering pace all 20 laps and claim the win in the IMCA Modified feature. Clough held off the hard-charging Colton Osborn in the waning laps. Leading the laps that mattered the most for the second time this season, Schultz earned the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod victory after starting in the fifth row and leading the final two laps. Weathering the storm would be an understatement when describing what Werkmeister had to deal with during the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. Werkmeister started on the front row and held off all challenges to claim the checkered flags. Putting on a sensational [Read More]

Last-lap pass nets Sprint Series of Oklahoma victory for Shouse

By David Smith Jr. MEEKER, Okla. (May 5) – His last-lap pass made defending champion Andy Shouse a first-time 2017 Sprint Series of Oklahoma feature winner Friday at Red Dirt Raceway. Shouse, who parlayed the series title into the 2016 IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car national crown, passed Zach Blurton in the first of two appearances this season for the series, presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, at Meeker. Shouse and Jake Martens started on the front row for the twenty-five-lap feature with Martens taking the lead as the green flag fell. Martens kept a three-car-length lead for the first half of the race. Martens was working the bottom of the track while Blurton kept his momentum up top and on lap 13 drove around the leader exiting turn two to take the lead. Blurton reach the back of the field with 10 laps to go while Shouse got past Martens to take over the runner-up position. Blurton’s lead was five car lengths with just three laps remaining but that would soon change as slower cars would come into [Read More]

Linkenhoker leads to Natural Bridge checkers

By Jim Haines NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (May 6) – Anthony Linkenhoker was a hero to his hometown fans on a cool and windy Saturday evening at Natural Bridge Speedway. Linkenhoker took the late lead and went on to win the Virginia Sprint Series feature. He’s the fourth different winner in as many IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car series features so far this season. Chris Ware and Bill Rice paced the field to green with Ware out first and using the low line to stay out front. Tony Harris was right with him quickly as Linkenhoker and Jerald Harris were all fairly close. Ware led to lap 10 when Tony Harris was able to get under him. Linkenhoker stayed right behind the next five times around the track and was finally able to complete the pass for the lead. Feature results – 1. Anthony Linkenhoker; 2. Jerald Harris; 3. Tony Harris; 4. Jeff Taylor; 5. Chris Ware; 6. Bill Rice; 7. Harles Streaker; 8. Brian Lawson.

Tri-State remembers fallen officer

By Rob Nugent POCOLA, Okla. (May 6) – Muldrow pilot Kayden Menasco captured the IMCA Modified checkers for the first time this season Saturday at Tri-State Speedway over Jason Payton and Stephen Muilenburg. Pre-race ceremonies honored the late Danny Martinez Jr. and several law enforcement vehicles from area agencies joined parade laps during the playing of the National Anthem. Martinez, a Fort Smith Police Department officer and racer, was killed in the line of duty just over 10 years ago.

Traugott stampedes again at Dodge City

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (May 6) – Cole Traugott continues to hold the hot hand in IMCA Modifieds at Dodge City Raceway Park, rallying from the fourth row to take the $1,200 winner’s share in Saturday night’s fifth annual Modified Stampede. Already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, Traugott notched his second Modified Stampede win in a row and his eighth win in his last eight visits to Dodge City. In the 30-lap main event, Traugott took advantage of a pair of cautions in the opening half of the race to maneuver into the lead for keeps. “If it weren’t for the cautions, I’m not sure if I would have found it,” Traugott said in victory lane. “That middle lane cleaned up some and I guess I was the first one to find it. This car was working perfect.” While Traugott managed to climb from eight to fourth in the opening handful of laps, the chances of continuing his Dodge City domination seemed slim as he trailed the lead duo of Randy [Read More]

Mitchell is IMCA Late Model winner at Marshalltown

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (May 5) – Justin Mitchell was the dominant winner Friday night, when IMCA Late Models made their return to the weekly race program at Marshalltown Speedway. Mitchell led from start to finish. Seventh place starter Jason Hahne was the runner up and hometown driver Darrel DeFrance was third. Kyle Brown took the early lead in the IMCA Modified feature, and never looked back on his way to the winner’s circle, a $1,000 check and a spot on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Jesse Hoeft made the haul down from Forest City and finished second. Jacob Murray started ninth and finished third. Jeff Mueller stamped his first win in the books at Marshalltown in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car division and looked strong in doing so. Mueller started sixth, and led from lap three on his way to victory. Donavon Smith started in the row behind Mueller and ended up a close second place. Third was Michael Jaennette. Shannon Anderson took the win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Anderson battled it out [Read More]

Friday Modified feature at Davenport has surprise finish

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 5) – Friday night’s Eriksen IMCA Modified main event at Davenport had a little bit of everything, including a surprise finish. After the original start was wiped out by a yellow flag, Rick Hixson jumped out to the early lead from the third starting position. Hixson survived several challenges and a couple restarts. On the final lap, however, Hixson left a little room on the bottom in turn two. When Rob Toland tried to fill the hole, the two made contact with Hixson’s car going around and bringing out the yellow. Both drivers were put to the back, ultimately giving the win to Eric Barnes. Matt Werner was scored second with Mitch Morris third. Jason Pershy and Darin Duffy finished fourth and fifth respectively. Thirty-three Modifieds were on hand. Tony Olson continued his reign in the Hawkeye Auto IMCA Northern SportMods. After Randy Farrell and Ben Chapman each had a turn at the lead, Olson grabbed the top spot just before halfway. Olson held on for the win in [Read More]

Scott scores opening night win at Farley

By Jerry Mackey FARLEY, Iowa (May 5) – Farley Speedway held its 2017 season opening point races on Friday night and Johnny Scott of Cameron, Missouri advanced from a sixth row start to score an impressive IMCA Modified win. Scott took the 20-lap feature win ahead of Jeff Larson and J.D. Auringer. Tyler Soppe continued his early season hot streak with another Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod feature win, this one ahead of Tim Plummer and Austin Heacock. IMCA Late Models brought the night’s racing action to a close with Joel Callahan scoring the 25-lap feature win ahead of Justin Kay and Jeremiah Hurst.