Late Model Archives

IMCA Modifieds, Late Models, SportMods go Topless to open 60^th season at Eagle

EAGLE, Neb. (March 24, 2023) – Promoter Roger Hadan wasn’t fooling when he said he wanted to do something that hadn’t been done for a long time to start the 60th anniversary season at Eagle Raceway. The first green flag of the season at Eagle flies for the inaugural Topless Nationals Saturday, April 1. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Late Models and Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods all race for $1,000 to win that evening and as the name of the event indicates, they’ll do so topless. The Modified winner becomes eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and Nebraska State points will be awarded in all three divisions; Modifieds also earn Jet Racing Central Region points. “We wanted to try something that we haven’t done for a long time,” Hadan said. “After I retired from driving I did four topless events (headlined by two-barrel late models, at Eagle and three other area tracks) in my first shot as a promoter. The next year I was promoting [Read More]

Late Model tire grooving clarification announced

VINTON, Iowa (March 21, 2023) – IMCA officials have announced a clarification to the tire grooving rule for Late Models. Specifically, only the horizontal and/or the vertical line of the cross can be grooved. Grooving must be done with a number 2 grooving blade only. “There have been a number of questions about how the NLMT3 Hoosier tire can or should be grooved. Drivers can reference the picture accompanying this story,” said IMCA President Brett Root. “This is something we felt needed to be addressed now, with the first sanctioned Late Model events of the season just a couple weeks away.”

IMCA announces composite body panel rating mandate

VINTON, Iowa (March 21, 2023) – IMCA will follow guidelines established by the United States Department of Transportation for the composite body panels allowed beginning this season in the Modified and Late Model divisions. In particular, those guidelines address burn resistance. Composite body panels submitted by Five Star Bodies/MD3 have already been determined to meet those parameters and have been approved for use in both divisions. “There have already been some questions as to how we define composite body panels. We will use the US DOT FMVSS302 burn rate testing definition,” explained IMCA President Brett Root. “We will continue to approve additional composite body panels as samples are submitted to us along with proof of burn rate testing.” “We want to make sure that all composite body panels are made with strong, fire resistant material,” he continued. “We will continue to add more composite body panels that can be used as they are submitted and approved.” Composite body panels are not allowed in any other IMCA division and drivers will be required to remove them [Read More]

Allstar Performance heat win awards complement support of IMCA Super Nationals, NY-Penn Series

WATERVLIET, Mich. (March 21, 2023) – Winning a heat gets IMCA drivers race night recognition from Allstar Performance. Winning 10 or more heats this season gets them post-season awards courtesy of the Watervliet, Mich., high performance parts manufacturer. Allstar Performance provides the decals given to heat race winners throughout the 2023 IMCA campaign. Drivers winning 10 or more heat races this year receive $100 gift cards. The driver, regardless of division, winning the most heat races gets a $250 gift card. The one caveat is that drivers must email a photo of their car proving heat race winner decal placement to IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at cbgramm@imca.com to be eligible. Awards will be presented during the IMCA national banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week. IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock driver David Miller of Sioux City, Iowa, was the recipient of the $250 gift card last year. Fourteen-year sponsor Allstar Performance also gives $200 product certificates to all champions crowned at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and RaceSaver [Read More]

IMCA Late Models return to weekly shows at Crawford County

DENISON, Iowa (March 21, 2023) – Night two of the Spring Fling special marks the return of IMCA Sunoco Late Models to Crawford County Speedway. The Saturday, April 22 show is the first for the division at Denison in a decade. The first of seven Friday night shows is May 19, with the season championship program set for July 28. “Late Models can race here on Friday nights and Shelby County Speedway (in Harlan) on Saturday nights,” said promoter Rod Olson. “There are already a number of these cars in the area and we’ve reached out to drivers who raced at (now closed) I-80 Speedway in Nebraska last year.” “We’ve also heard from drivers from around the Des Moines area who are interested in racing here,” he added. “I’ve always wanted to bring them back and sanctioning the Late Models here is a great way to give more guys the opportunity to race multiple nights a week.” Sunoco Bonus Night at Denison is May 19 and the county fair show is July 21. Late Models [Read More]

IMCA Late Model, Sprint Car rookies race for Brodix cylinder head awards

MENA, Ark. (March 20, 2023) – Rookie drivers in the IMCA Sunoco Late Model and IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car divisions are in the running for Brodix again this season. The Mena, Ark., manufacturer, family owned and operated for more than half a century, gives cylinder head sets to national rookies of the year in both divisions. The highest finishing spec engine driver in national Late Model point standings receives the same award. All three awards will be presented during IMCA’s national banquet in November. Drivers in both divisions are required to display two Brodix logos on their race cars. The 2023 season is Brodix’ 27th consecutive as an IMCA sponsor. “The number of new drivers and new sanctions will make rookie of the year standings in our Late Model and Sprint Car divisions fun to watch,” commented IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm. “It’s been a privilege for us to facilitate these awards and appreciate the support Brodix has given IMCA and rookie drivers for so many years now.” Information about Brodix cylinder heads [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through March 16, 2023

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 571; 2. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 413; 3. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 369; 4. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 344; 5. Andrew Pearce, Oakley, Calif., 328; 6. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 306; 7. Jeremy Thornton, Chandler, Ariz., 291; 8. Timothy Allerdings, Prescott Valley, Ariz., 281; 9. William “Bill” Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 267; 10. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 266; 11. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 260; 12. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 226; 13. Jason Barnhill, Pace, Fla., 224; 14. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 220; 15. Kody Scholpp, Estevan, Sask., 207; 16. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 205; 17. Jacob Hobscheidt, Plattsmouth, Neb., 203; 18. Jake Pike, Pahrump, Nev., 199; 19. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 197; 20. Dalton Houghton, Rosamond, Calif., 196. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars – 1. Jacob Harris, Vidor, Texas, and Robert Vetter, Wolfe City, Texas, both 40; 3. Trey Schmidt, Conroe, Texas, and Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, Texas, both 39; 5. Tyler Harris, Vidor, Texas, 38; 6. Caleb Padgett, Madisonville, Texas, and Colby Stubblefield, Seagoville, [Read More]

Sunoco bonus nights scheduled for IMCA Late Models

VINTON, Iowa (March 13, 2023) – IMCA Late Model drivers are in the running for $250 bonuses again this season courtesy of division title sponsor Sunoco Race Fuels. Winners of features on designated race nights at each track that sanctions the division and at two special events receive those bonuses. In the event that driver has already won and received a bonus at an earlier event, it will be presented to the next eligible finishing driver. Division Director Joe Hayes or another IMCA representative will make the check presentation on these nights: Saturday, May 13 at Independence, Iowa, Motor Speedway. Friday, May 19 at Crawford County Speedway in Denison, Iowa. Saturday, May 20 at Shelby Co Speedway in Harlan, Iowa. Sunday, June 4 at Dubuque, Iowa, Fairgrounds Speedway. Friday, June 9 at Boone County Raceway in Albion, Neb. Saturday, June 10 at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb. Wednesday, July 5 for the Denny Osborn Memorial at Independence Motor Speedway. Thursday, July 13 at US 30 Speedway in Columbus, Neb. Saturday, July 15 at Off [Read More]

Muscatine Mall to host pre-season race car show

By Jerry Mackey MUSCATINE, Iowa (March 13, 2023) – The 2023 racing season In Eastern Iowa is just around the corner and the Muscatine Mall will be hosting a pre-season race car show to rev up the enthusiasm for the season in our area. Drivers from around the area will have their shiny new 2023 race cars on display in the Muscatine Mall starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 18. Race fans of all ages will have the opportunity to see the cars up close and will meet the drivers and crews and can ask all about their race teams and get autographs. In addition to over 20 race cars on display, several racing go karts will also be on display. Area race tracks will be represented and have schedules and special event information available. Race tracks represented will include The CJ Speedway, located on the Louisa County Fairgrounds in Columbus Junction, the Davenport Speedway, located on the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport and the West Liberty Raceway located on the Muscatine County Fairgrounds [Read More]