Feature

Ronnie Choate Sweeps Thursday Night Action At Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) — Ronnie Choate took home all the hardware on the opening night of the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl at Hendry County Motorsports Park. While all 44 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites had the opportunity to practice and dial their cars in, a select group of drivers participated in the prestigious Race of Champions and Manufacturers Dash—both of which were won by the Cookeville, Tennessee native. The Race of Champions kicked off with reigning Benton Speedway titleholder John Leahy seizing the early lead. However, Choate quickly closed the gap, and on lap three, he motored around the Missourian to take command. Once out front, Choate was untouchable. The 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion and 2022 Sugar Bowl winner powered to victory, marking three different winners in the past three years in the Race of Champions. 2023 Texas Mod Lite Nationals champion Corey Babbit finished second, while Missouri’s Dillon Raffurty—the four-time reigning IMCA National champion—rounded out the podium in third. Local competitor Mike Dean [Read More]

Feature

Babbit Redeems Himself With Ocala Mod Lite Victory

By Ben Deatherage OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) — Corey Babbit got his shot at redemption in race three of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway, claiming victory in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite main event. After being overtaken late in lapped traffic the night before, the New Caney, Texas polesitter dominated the 25-lap finale to secure his first win of the season. The event drew an impressive 42 entries from across the United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Despite a red flag incident on the initial start, Babbit rocketed away once the race got underway. 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Ronnie Choate tried to keep pace, but the Tennessee driver soon found himself losing ground as Babbit stretched his lead. Navigating through lapped traffic, the former Texas Mod Lite Nationals winner efficiently maneuvered past slower cars without incident. However, a caution on lap 11 bunched the field back up, setting up a dramatic restart. When racing resumed, Iowa’s Josh May [Read More]

Mod Lite

Clem Makes Late Move to Win Ocala Speedway Mod Lite Thriller

By Ben Deatherage Ocala, Florida (February 4, 2025) — Bakersfield, California transplant Riley Clem brought the crowd to its feet with a thrilling late-race pass to win the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite $1,000-to-win feature at Ocala Speedway. The event, part of the second leg of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals, drew an impressive field of 48 cars from across the United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Texas racer Corey Babbit jumped out to the early lead from the pole position, setting a quick pace before a lap-one caution halted his momentum. On the restart, Clem wasted no time charging into second, and the two frontrunners began to distance themselves from the rest of the field. A second caution on lap six reset the action, but Babbit and Clem again pulled away on the restart. Clem made his first serious challenge on the eighth circuit, but Babbit held his ground and kept the California driver in check. As the race stayed green, lapped traffic came into play in the final three [Read More]

Feature

Hibdon Scores Saturday Night Victory To Earn Early Thaw Title

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (February 1, 2025) — Kollin Hibdon made a thrilling late-race pass to capture his first IMCA Modified victory of the 2025 season at Central Arizona Raceway. The Pahrump, Nevada racer not only took the checkered flag in the final round of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw series but also secured the coveted series championship. The feature began with Troy Morris III, winner of the previous two nights, pacing the field early as he powered around the 3/8-mile clay oval on the high side. However, Morris made hard contact with the wall on lap four and suffered another heavy hit ten laps later, ultimately flattening his right front tire and surrendering the lead to Ian Whisler. Whisler, from the Northern Oregon Coast, did his best to fend off Hibdon, but the Nevada driver executed a flawless slider in turn two on lap fifteen to take control. From there, the eighth-place starter pulled away from the competition, finally breaking through to victory lane and taming the Western [Read More]

Feature

Morris Holds Off Hibdon For Third IMCA Modified Win Of 2025

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 31, 2025) — Troy Morris III secured a hard-fought victory in the IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Raceway during the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw, earning his third Western Region win of the season and second consecutive triumph. The Bakersfield, California driver had to withstand intense pressure from Kollin Hibdon on the final lap and during a late-race restart to capture his fourth career Early Thaw series victory. Starting from the pole n the twenty lap contest, Morris launched into the lead at the drop of the green. Meanwhile, the battle for second was fierce, allowing Morris to extend his advantage. Hibdon and two-time defending Early Thaw champion Chaz Baca Jr. traded the runner-up spot multiple times, with Hibdon surging from fourth to second before Baca briefly reclaimed the position. However, Hibdon solidified himself in second as the race progressed. A caution with twelve laps completed eliminated Morris’s lead and set up an intense eight-lap shootout. Morris got a great restart, and although Hibdon [Read More]

Feature

Teenager Herrera Scores First Career IMCA Northern SportMod Win Thursday At The Early Thaw

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 30, 2025) — At just sixteen years old, Payce Herrera captured his first career IMCA Northern SportMod victory in thrilling fashion during the fourth round of the 2025 Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw on Thursday night. Starting seventh, the Price, Utah youngster methodically worked his way to the front and ultimately prevailed after a fierce battle with reigning Arizona State champion Tyler Johnson. The feature began with Johnson powering to the lead, narrowly beating Minnesota’s Kaden Woodie to the stripe before an early caution reset the field. On the restart, fellow North Star State racer Mark “Bud” Martini briefly took command, but Johnson swiftly reclaimed the top spot by the time they reached turn four. Herrera entered the picture on lap seven with a stunning double overtake to secure second. Another caution on lap eleven bunched up the field, setting the stage for a thrilling duel between Herrera and Johnson. The young Utah racer grabbed the lead on the thirteenth, but Johnson fought back [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Schoenfeld Headers adds support to six more divisions of IMCA Racing  

VAN BUREN, Ark. (Jan. 30, 2025) – Schoenfeld Headers is proud to announce an expanded commitment to IMCA Racing as they celebrate their 27th season as a valued marketing partner. This agreement underscores Schoenfeld Headers’ dedication to grassroots motorsports and IMCA racing.   Schoenfeld Headers will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting IMCA’s Modified division and expand their support to additional divisions, with increased contingency awards for the 2025 racing season. Schoenfeld Headers will now support the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Southern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Late Models, Sprint Cars, and Mod Lites. “We’re incredibly grateful for Schoenfeld Headers’ longstanding support and their increased investment in IMCA Racing this season,” said Carson Becker-Gramm, IMCA Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Director. “Their dedication to grassroots motorsports and their commitment to our drivers is very much appreciated. Schoenfeld’s expanded involvement not only highlights the strength of our partnership but also reinforces the value they bring to the racing community year after year.” Schoenfeld Headers will provide contingency awards for drivers across multiple divisions who meet specific eligibility [Read More]

Feature

Jaedon McDowell Claims Florida Winter Nationals Opener At Needmore

By Ben Deatherage Norman Park, Georgia (January 28, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell emerged victorious on the opening night of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals for the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites at Needmore Speedway. The series kicked off at the 3/8-mile Southern Georgia clay oval with thrilling action and also marked the season opener for the Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association. The event drew an impressive 39 entries from across the United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. Riley Clem appeared to be the class of the field, taking control from the outset. He won the race to the backstretch ahead of fellow front-row starter John Pitts and led the opening lap. The defending Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion built a commanding lead during a lengthy green-flag stretch. Even as lapped traffic came into play on lap ten, Clem navigated through the slower cars with precision. A caution on lap seventeen bunched the field, erasing Clem’s advantage. However, Clem retained control on the restart and began to extend his lead [Read More]

Feature

Thrilling IMCA STARS Mod Lite Action Kicks Off 2025 at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Hendry County Motorsports Park) Clewiston, FLORIDA (January 28, 2025) — Hendry County Motorsports Park opened its 2025 schedule with two exhilarating Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite events ahead of the highly anticipated Winter Nationals, concluding with the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl on February 8th. The 1/3-mile clay oval saw intense battles as local teams aimed to start their season with strong performances. Mike Dean Opens Season with Victory The first Mod Lite feature of the season kicked off on Saturday, January 4th, with Mike Dean taking control early. Dean seized the lead on the opening lap, just before a caution slowed the field. On the restart, Tyler Garey attempted to challenge Dean on the low line, but the leader held firm. Despite three additional cautions and a spirited effort by Garey on the final restart, Dean remained unfazed, cruising to his first win of the season. Garey earned a solid second-place finish, with Robbie Throop rounding out the top three. Robbie Throop Outlasts the Field The Mod Lites returned [Read More]

Hobby Stock

29 seasons of sponsorship and counting for AERO Race Wheels

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (January 28, 2025) – Long time weekly racing supporter will continue it outstanding commitment as an IMCA sponsor for the 29th consecutive season.  AERO Race Wheels, based in Estherville, Iowa, will continue to support IMCA racers by providing $40 product certificates toward the purchase of two wheels to designated finishers at 80 select special events. These events span across the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods divisions.  Additionally, state champions in those divisions, as well as the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact class, will receive $25 certificates.  AERO also proudly returns as the title sponsor of IMCA’s popular feature win decal program. Feature win decals are awarded to drivers in all divisions after their sanctioned weekly and special event victories.  Special event certificates will be mailed throughout the 2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season. Certificates for state champions will be presented at the national banquet in Lincoln, Nebraska, in [Read More]