Ryan Clark

Braaksma Blasts to First Harris Clash Crown in Modifieds

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 5, 2025) — Ethan Braaksma added another prestigious crown jewel to his growing list of accolades by winning the Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine & Racing Products for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds Tuesday night at Boone Speedway. The 34th annual edition paid $4,000 to the winner and marked the first time the Harris Clash had been held at Iowa’s Action Track since 1994 and the first Iowa-hosted Clash since 2017. The Newton standout drove to his first career Harris Clash victory. The race began with a thrilling three-wide start, and it wasn’t long before Braaksma stormed to the front aboard the Trent Guest and Danny Meier-owned No. 111 machine. The 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals champ and two-time reigning Dakota Classic Modified Tour titleholder slipped away from the field early before a lap 10 caution bunched everyone back up. Tim Ward, the 2023 Harris Clash, Dakota Tour, and Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion, kept the pressure on while fending off 2007 Super Nationals winner Todd [Read More]

Gage Raines: Racing with Angels and Dancing in the Dirt

By Ben Deatherage SEARCY, Ark. (Aug. 4, 2025) — Gage Raines has always known two things—family and racing. And in his world, they’ve never been separate. The pilot of the No. 31 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite has made a name for himself across Arkansas and beyond, especially at Boone Speedway — home of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Now 34, Raines has qualified for the Big Dance three years in a row, with a career-best sixth-place finish last year after runs of 20th and 16th the two years prior. He’ll be back again in 2025, looking to climb even higher. “Last year was an up-and-down ride,” Raines said. “We didn’t start the week strong, but we finished strong — and that gave us something to be proud of. It’s a one-shot-a-year kind of deal. The field keeps getting deeper, the cars keep getting better. Every time we go back, we know we’ve got to bring our best.” It’s a 9½-hour haul from Searcy to Boone, and it’s not just about [Read More]

Thompson Powers to Victory at Buena Vista Raceway to Open Iowa Speedweek

By Ben Deatherage ALTA, Iowa (Aug. 4, 2025) — Cody Thompson kicked off Iowa Speedweek in style, charging from 10th to win the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature on opening night of the Battle of the Beaver at Buena Vista Raceway. It was his sixth win of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region and second trip to victory lane at Alta in 2025, joining last month’s Kyle Suter Memorial triumph. Minnesota’s Jesse Rogotzke led the opening 13 circuits before a caution reset the field. Wisconsin’s Cole Czarneski, defending 141 Speedway Modified and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car champion, took command on the restart and held off Rogotzke’s counterattack before another yellow slowed the action. That opened the door for Thompson, who challenged after the restart and took over the lead for good on lap 20, pulling away to seal the win. Czarneski outdueled 2019 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champ Ethan Dotson, driving the Jacob Snyder-owned No. 98, for second. Brands Charges Late to Claim First Stock Car Win of 2025 [Read More]

Ford Dominates Again at Marysville for Fourth Win of 2025

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2025) — For the second time this season at Marysville Raceway, Jimmy Ford turned in a flawless performance, leading all 20 laps to score an emotional Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature victory. Still racing with a heavy heart after the unexpected passing of his wife Tammy earlier this year, Ford honored her memory once again in victory lane. The win marked his fourth overall of the 2025 campaign and second at Marysville with two others coming in Nevada. Mark Garner charged into second late in the race but was unable to mount a serious challenge for the lead and settled for the runner-up spot. Trevor and Tommy Clymens completed the top four. With just one race remaining, Garner holds a slim six-point advantage in the championship standings heading into the final IMCA Northern SportMod event of the season on August 30. The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate NorCal Speed. Catch every lap again with an IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss [Read More]

Paul Seizes Opportunity and Wins at Petaluma

By Ron Lingron PETALUMA, Calif. (Aug. 2, 2025) — A wild moment early in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Petaluma Speedway turned into a winning opportunity for a familiar local name. Jeff Browne took command from the drop of the green on the 3/8-mile adobe clay at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, but the lead wouldn’t last long. Brother Tyler Browne quickly reeled him in and challenged for the top spot by lap three. The sibling battle came to a dramatic conclusion when the two tangled while racing down the backstretch. The contact sent Tyler into a frightening series of flips, but thankfully both drivers emerged from the wreckage unhurt. That opened the door for multi-time track champion Michael Paul Jr., who inherited the lead and never looked back. The hometown hero cruised the rest of the way to earn his second feature win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region — both triumphs coming at Petaluma. Chris Sieweke powered to a strong second-place finish, while 2021 track champion Michelle Byron completed [Read More]

Alley Returns to Victory Lane at Eagle Raceway

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Aug. 2, 2025) — The RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature delivered the kind of finish that fans love — with fan favorite Billy Alley charging to victory in dramatic fashion. Despite making 11 starts at Eagle Raceway this season, Alley had not yet found victory lane until Saturday night. After Hunter Hanson led the opening lap and Trevor Grossenbacher took over on lap 10, Alley took full advantage of a late-race restart and powered to the lead with 10 laps remaining. The move was decisive. From there, he expertly managed traffic and fended off a late charge from Brandon Horton, who sliced his way through the field into second. Grossenbacher completed the podium in third. Harker Hustles from 12th for Modified Victory The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main was a gritty display of grit and skill, as Shawn Harker expertly carved his way from the 12th starting spot to score the victory. Tracy Harr led early, followed closely by Nate Thompson, before Harker took over in the closing laps. Chad Andersen [Read More]

Bittner Perseveres, Wins at Racy Port Royal

By Frank Buhrman PORT ROYAL, Pa. (Aug. 2, 2025) — While the other divisions running at Port Royal Speedway Saturday night were completing their preliminary races, Timmy Bittner was going back and forth on the access road behind the backstretch, trying to sort out an ignition problem. Persistence paid off. With the problem finally under control, Bittner fought his way into second place behind Erin Statler in the early running, then caught Statler in traffic on lap 13, came out with the lead after a furious three-way battle that also included Doug Dodson, and finally held off Dodson and Josh Spicer in another hotly contested battle to earn the 20-lap feature win. It was the Beech Creek racer’s second career River Valley Builders PA Sprint Series win – although he has won features elsewhere – and his second this year at Port Royal. Perhaps more importantly, it strengthened his position atop the RaceSaver IMCA National points over defending series champion Lee Goos Jr. of South Dakota. With the ignition issues, the evening hadn’t always looked that [Read More]

Probst Gets 300th Career Win in Hobby Stocks at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 2, 2025) — History was made during the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature, as Cory Probst recorded his 300th career IMCA feature win with a late-race charge to victory. Early leader Dan Scharpe paced the field until a second-lap caution for Patrick Oestreich. At the same time, Chad Volk got into a tire and headed to the work area, then rejoined the field at the back. On the restart, Scott Porter controlled the high side while Probst methodically worked his way forward. After another yellow on lap seven for Volk, Probst found momentum up top and swept past Porter to take over the point. Brad Becker made two strong bids to get under Probst in the final circuits but had to settle for second, with Porter taking third. The win was Probst’s 27th of the season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Gatton Goes Wire-to-Wire in Sport Compact Show Dale Gatton led every lap of the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature. A yellow flew at the initial start due [Read More]

Duke Dominates at Hagerstown

By Jim Haines HAGERSTOWN, Md. (Aug. 2, 2025) — Just one night after parking it in victory lane at Clinton County Speedway, Ken Duke Jr. made it two in a row by cruising to another Virginia Sprint Series win Saturday at Hagerstown Speedway. The event, co-sanctioned with the Laurel Highlands Sprint Series, drew a strong field of 22 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars. Ryan Lynn and Josh Shantz led the field to green with Shantz jumping out front early and Lynn settling into second. But Duke was on the move from the drop of the flag, quickly working his way forward. Following a lap two caution for a quick spin, Shantz led the restart, but Duke wasted no time charging low to grab the lead. Once out front, he began to check out from the rest of the field, while the Weaver brothers — Kolby and Kasey — started climbing the leaderboard behind him. Kolby Weaver made his way to second, with Kasey eventually slipping past Lynn to take third. Stevie Kenawell also began slicing his way [Read More]

Murty Masters Late Restart to Win Stock Car Showdown at Independence

By Christine Rublack INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (Aug. 2, 2025) — Damon Murty held off a determined field in the closing laps to win the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature as Independence Motor Speedway celebrated its 60th anniversary on Saturday. Riley Hanson moved into second early, while Tom Schmitt and Hannah Chesmore battled for third as the race settled in. A late caution bunched the field, Murty had both Schmitt and Chesmore on his bumper. Murty powered through the restart to secure his second win of the season and first in EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region action. Schmitt kept him honest and crossed the line in second, while Chesmore wrapped up a strong run in third. Carter Cruises in Dominant SportMod Performance Brayton Carter made quick work of the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event, jumping out front at the drop of the green and never relinquishing the lead. It marked his 24th win of the 2025 season and first at Independence in the current campaign. Will Wolf moved into second early, with Brett Thomas and Brady [Read More]