Late Model Archives

Hearty wins two races on emotional Saturday night at Shelby County

HARLAN, Iowa (Sept. 21, 2024) – Jack Hearty won two races on Saturday night at Shelby County Speedway. The first was just to get his IMCA Sunoco Late Model on the track. The second was to win the Tiny Lund Memorial and Brandon Saltzman Showdown main event. Hearty, just 22 and from Omaha, won his career-first IMCA Late Model feature and $3,098 on a night dedicated to both the hometown hero and 1963 Daytona 500 champion and to the late 2021 track champion. “There have been a couple races where I’ve led late and had a tire blow out, or lost the lead after a late caution,” said Hearty, who got up at sunrise Sunday, walked from his camper and sat at the track, letting everything from the night before set in. “We had a caution with four to go and I knew Cory Dumpert was right behind me. I just told myself ‘Let’s go do what we know we can’ and it all worked out.” Dumpert, the five-time defending national champion, and Sterling Perkins [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 19, 2024

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 1,000; 2. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 987; 3. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 979; 4. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, and Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, both 977; 6. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 971; 7. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 968; 8. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 966; 9. Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Mich., 965; 10. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 962; 11. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., and Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Mich., both 957; 13. Austin Harnick, Clare, Mich., 949; 14. Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, 942; 15. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 940; 16. Charlie Mohr, Bettendorf, Iowa, 939; 17. Jake Nightingale, Maize, Kan., 938; 18. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wis., 937; 19. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 936; 20. Jacob Mallet Jr., Oakley, Calif., 935. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Cory Dumpert, Newman Grove, Neb., 795; 2. Travis Denning, Sterling, Ill., 791; 3. Anthony Roth, Platte Center, Neb., 777; 4. Evan Miller, Davenport, Iowa, 774; 5. Zach Zeitner, Bellevue, Neb., 766; 6. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, and Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, [Read More]

Johnson tops Late Models at Abe Lincoln Memorial

By Ben Deatherage COLUMBUS, Neb. (Sept. 14, 2024) – At the age of 15, when most American teens are just starting to learn the ropes of driving, Beau Johnson has been making a name for himself in the dirt track scene of his native Cornhusker State in the IMCA Sunoco Late Model division. The young Plainview pilot showed remarkable determination as he chased down the early leader, mastered three restarts, and emerged victorious on the final night of the Abe Lincoln Memorial at US 30 Speedway. The win was his second of the season. The 50-lap finale started with Matt Haase running away from the pack. He was chased down and passed by Johnson on lap six. Johnson was a smooth operator as the first half of the race went incident-free. There was a caution on lap 23 before the red flag was released for a fuel stop. Johnson’s dominance remained in the second half as he smoothly sailed ahead of all other contenders. The only thing to slow him down were yellow flags [Read More]

2024 IMCA point season ends Sunday, Sept. 29

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – Final points races of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season are Sunday, Sept. 29. Modified, Late Model, RaceSaver Sprint Car, Stock Car, Hobby Stock, Northern SportMod, Southern SportMod, STARS Mod Lite and Sport Compact drivers have their last opportunity that day to compete for points applicable toward track, state, regional and national standings. Track championship bonus points will be figured and national and regional champions and rookies of the year, as well as the Junior National Champion and Lady Eagle winner, announced as soon as possible after all race reports are received. Track and series officials have until noon Central Standard Time on Monday, Oct. 14 to notify IMCA of corrections that affect their top 15 point standings before 2024 standings become official. Questions about IMCA point totals and standings should be directed to Virginia Lindsey, director of membership and points, at vlindsey@imca.com or by calling 319 472-2201, ext. 215.

Car photos needed for Aero, Allstar awards

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – IMCA drivers will be big winners even after the point season ends, courtesy of Aero Race Wheels and Allstar Performance. Aero, of Estherville, Iowa, awards a complete set of wheels to the driver with the most feature wins during the 2024 point season. Allstar, of Watervliet, Mich., gives a $100 gift card to every driver winning 10 or more heat races and a $250 gift card to the driver winning the most heats. What’s required as part of both programs is for drivers to email pictures of their race car proving display of the heat and/or feature win decals they received after making checkered flag runs at weekly and special events through Sept. 29. Those pictures can be sent to IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com. Deadline for doing so is 4:30 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 1. Gift cards will be presented during the IMCA national awards banquet in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 30, or mailed beginning the following week. “These are great programs with the potential [Read More]

Corn State Nationals outing yields $5,000 payday for Fitz

DAVENPORT, Iowa (Sept. 14, 2024) – Trevor Fitz had himself quite a night Saturday at Davenport Speedway’s Corn State Nationals. The California native made his first-ever visit to Davenport, a track he says is pretty different than any other he’s been to, winning the Saturday night Corn State Nationals feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and $5,000. “It was awesome. I met a lot of good people there and made a lot of friends,” Fitz said following the career-best payday. “I always like doing that, and the money was good.” Now eligible to qualify for the 2025 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, Fitz was driver and sole crew member until some buddies in two to watch Late Models pitched in and helped him with the car. He started the main event from fifth and ran third most of the first 20 of 31 laps. Fitz then swapped the lead back and forth with Austen Becerra, finally taking over at for good with just two circuits to go. Becerra ended in the runner-up spot, a second and [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sep. 12, 2024

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 1,000; 2. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 986; 3. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 979; 4. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 5. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 974; 6. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, and Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., each 966; 9. Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Mich., 965; 10. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 960; 11. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., and Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Mich., both 955; 13. Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, 942; 14. Charlie Mohr, Bettendorf, Iowa, 939; 15. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, and Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., both 936; 17. Austin Harnick, Clare, Mich., Chase Rosebrugh, West Branch, Mich., and Jacob Mallet Jr., Oakley, Calif., each 933; 20. Ben Chapman, Clarence, Iowa, 932. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Cory Dumpert, Newman Grove, Neb., 794; 2. Travis Denning, Sterling, Ill., 788; 3. Evan Miller, Davenport, Iowa, 774; 4. Anthony Roth, Platte Center, Neb., 772; 5. Zach Zeitner, Bellevue, Neb., 766; 6. Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, Iowa, 750; 7. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, 744; [Read More]

Tiny Lund Memorial, Saltzman Showdown set for Sept. 20-21

HARLAN, Iowa (Sept. 13, 2024) – Five IMCA divisions fill the Friday night program and will be joined by a sixth of Saturday for Shelby County Speedway’s 32nd annual Tiny Lund Memorial and Brandon Saltzman Showdown Sept. 20 and 21. On Friday, IMCA Sunoco Late Models run for $1,998 to win and $200 to start, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for $1,250 to win and $150 to start, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods for $1,000 to win and $125 to start, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $750 to win and $100 to start, and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $250 to win and $55 to start. And on Saturday, Late Models run for $3,098 to win and $225 to start, Stock Cars for $2,500 to win and $200 to start, SportMods for $2,000 to win and $150 to start, Hobby Stocks for $2,000 to win and $140 to start and Sport Compacts for $650 to win and $75 to start. The $250 Sunoco Race Fuels bonus will be awarded in conjunction with Friday’s Late Model feature. Both Stock [Read More]

Davenport’s Corn State Nationals pays IMCA Modified winner $5,000

DAVENPORT, Iowa (Sept. 10, 2024) – Davenport Speedway’s Corn State Nationals will send a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified driver home with a bushel of money Saturday night. IMCA Sunoco Late Models and Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods both race for $1,000 on opening night Friday, Sep. 13 while the Modifieds race for $5,000 to win and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility on Saturday, Sept. 14. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and Iowa State points, plus Razor Chassis North Central Region points for Modifieds, will be awarded. Entry fees are $30 for Late Models and Northern SportMods and $75 for Late Models. Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models are in action both nights of the Petersen Plumbing and Heating sponsored Corn State Nationals. On Friday, pit passes are $35 for adults and $20 for kids ages 5-10. Spectator admission is $25 for adults and $10 for kids. And on Saturday, pit gate admission is $40 for adults and $25 for kids. Grandstand seating is $30 for adults and $10 for kids. Gates open at 3 [Read More]

Record pre-entries for 42nd annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s

BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 30, 2024) – They say records are made to be broken. That’s become the theme for the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Just two days after the number of pre-entries for the 42nd annual event eclipsed the 1,000 mark for the third consecutive year, a new Super Nationals pre-entry record was set when Danube, Minnesota’s Shaun Bruns became the 1,054th entry for America’s Racin’ Vacation. Bruns was the 279th IMCA Sunoco Stock Car to register, also a pre-entry record. New early registration marks were also established with 84 STARS IMCA Mod Lites and 27 IMCA Sunoco Late Models. There are 241 Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds entered, along with 182 Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, 164 IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and 77 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. The Hobby Stocks and SportMods are also nearing record pre-registration totals. Among the 1,054 entries so far, 30 states are represented, along with two Canadian provinces and Australia. The complete list of drivers who are registered so far include: MODIFIED Chris Abelson, Sioux City, IA Michael Ables [Read More]