Modified Archives

McGaha Legacy Grows as Jaxon Earns GRT Race Cars South Central Rookie of the Year

By Ben Deatherage ABILENE, Texas (Oct. 28, 2025) — At just 15 years old, Jaxon McGaha turned his rookie campaign in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds into a season of growth, grit, and steady progress. The second-generation racer from Abilene captured GRT Race Cars South Central Region Rookie of the Year honors, finishing third in both the South Central Region and Texas State standings — just one spot behind his father, longtime standout Josh McGaha. “We had a lot of ups and downs this year,” McGaha said. “The beginning wasn’t too hot because I was learning — and I’m still learning — but toward the end it got a lot better.” Behind the wheel of the All Pro Clutch and Driveline/Stephenville Starter & Electric/Dirt Defender no. 8 IRP, McGaha rolled out for 27 starts, collecting three top-five finishes, 14 top-tens, and multiple podium runs over the course of his rookie campaign. The early months were difficult, marked by a string of DNFs at Grayson County, Heart O’ Texas, and Kennedale, including his first career rollover. But [Read More]

Oregon’s Williamson Crowned Shaw Race Cars Western Region Champion

By Ben Deatherage COBURG, Ore. (Oct. 27, 2025) — Kevin Williamson’s 2025 season was nothing short of career-defining. Competing in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, the Coburg chauffeur pieced together the best year of his racing life — winning the Shaw Race Cars Western Region championship by a slim seven points, along with his first Cottage Grove Speedway and Douglas County Dirtrack titles, and capturing the Oregon State championship for the first time. It marked a breakthrough campaign that elevated him from local contender to regional powerhouse, making him the only other driver from Oregon to capture the Western Region crown since Bricen James accomplished the feat in 2019. Williamson, the younger brother of standout Jesse Williamson, also added a top-ten finish on the national stage, placing sixth in the final Friesen Performance IMCA Modified national standings — his best points result to date. “I never thought at the start of the year that we would be running for the Western Region,” Williamson admitted. “But halfway through the season we were 25 races in and had [Read More]

“The Showdown” Set for Nov. 7–9 at Central Arizona Raceway; $3,000 Sunday Payday for IMCA Modifieds

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Oct. 28, 2025) — Central Arizona Raceway will have the return of “The Showdown,” a three-day IMCA special presented by Toste Construction, running Friday through Sunday, Nov. 7–9, with an open practice on Thursday, Nov. 6. The weekend features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, capped by a $3,000-to-win Modified main event on Sunday. Action fires at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Pit gates open at noon Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Grandstands open at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Purses are stout all three days. Friday and Saturday pay $1,000 to win and $100 to start for Modifieds; $500 to win and $50 to start for Stock Cars; $500 to win and $50 to start for Northern SportMods; and $400 to win and $50 to start for Hobby Stocks. The top two finishers from Friday and Saturday’s main events in each division will be locked into [Read More]

Hard Work Pays Off for Harker with IMCA Jet Racing Central Region Title

By Bill Martin NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. (Oct. 22, 2025) — It’s hard to believe now, but there was a time not so long ago when Shawn Harker wondered if he’d ever win a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The Nebraska City ‘shoe would total six checkers at Eagle Raceway, on his way to earning state and ultimately his first Jet Racing Central Region crown in 2025. “We ended the season with five wins in a row. We won the first time at Eagle in June, and we won the last five points races of the year there,” said Harker. “It was a good feeling. Our mentality was race for the wins and the points will take care of themselves.” “Last season we never paid attention to regional points because we were just racing to race. We got toward the end, and somebody called to ask me why I wasn’t racing more because we were up there in points and could maybe win it, but it was too late,” he continued. “So, we set out this year with [Read More]

Mills Stays Sharp for Championship Race in IMCA’s Razor Chassis North Central Region

By Bill Martin CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (Oct. 27, 2025) — Taking the same approach that’s worked for nearly three decades took Jeremy Mills back to the top of the podium in IMCA’s Razor Chassis North Central Region. Mills motored to 16 feature wins in his 50 home region starts along with Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track titles at Boone Speedway and Hancock County Speedway. Also the 2009 regional king, he was second in national point standings, duplicating that finish from 16 years ago as well. “Our approach to each race night has always been the same. We have a pretty good system as to how we work on things. Your maintenance program has got to be top notch when you’re racing weekly,” said Mills, who honed that attitude in campaigns that earned IMCA Hobby Stock national rookie of the year and then national championship honors in 1996 and 1998, respectively. Now 48 and a 29-year veteran of the sport, the speedster from Clear Lake raced to his career 150th win in the division on July 12 at [Read More]

DeVilbiss Powers to Second Race For Hope 71 Victory at Batesville

By Ben Deathearge LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Oct. 11, 2025) — Zane DeVilbiss stole the spotlight Saturday night at Batesville Motor Speedway, powering to victory in the 9th Annual Race For Hope 71 presented by IMCA.TV. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified standout from Farmington, N.M., earned $4,000 for the 40-lap triumph — his first win of the season and second career Race For Hope 71 victory, adding to his 2021 triumph. With the win, DeVilbiss became just the second driver ever to capture the event more than once, joining three-time winner Ricky Thornton Jr. The victory also locked him into eligibility for the 2026 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at Boone Speedway. Defending race winner and 2020 National champion Tom Berry Jr. grabbed the early advantage after a tight first-lap duel with 2023 event winner Wendell Wallace. Berry, piloting the Andrews Autosport No. 11 owned by Spencer Andrews, stretched his lead until heavy lapped traffic closed the gap. Two-time and reigning Super Nationals champion Tim Ward, driving the Doug and Amy Eckrich No. 151, climbed to second on [Read More]

Reay Delivers IMCA Modified National Title for Car Owner Greg Bower; First Michigan Mod Champ Since ’95

By Ben Deatherage PORTLAND, Mich. (Oct. 21, 2025) — Jeff Reay brought the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified National Championship back to Michigan, steering the Prime Contracting/JBS Coating/Grand Ledge Paving no. 12 Rage Chassis owned by Greg Bower, who he’s driven for the past two seasons, to the 2025 National crown. It’s his first career championship — and the state’s first since Rick Stout in 1995 — earned by just two points. “At the start of the season I told everyone I wasn’t going to be running for points,” Reay said. “We had a few hiccups at the beginning — broke a couple of parts — but then things started getting better and we had a little luck on our side and found some new speed. We’re working with a car from 2022, so it’s three years old and has 130 nights on it. There were several nights where we didn’t win, but we moved forward after starting at the back and just kept pushing.” Reay’s on-track consistency soon became the backbone of his championship bid. He made [Read More]

Reay Brings Modified Crown Back to Michigan; IMCA Names Six First Time National Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Oct. 9, 2025) — The 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing season was one for the record books, filled with razor-thin finishes, breakout performances, and enduring dynasties. Six of the nine National titles were decided by three points or fewer, two required tiebreakers, and six drivers celebrated first-time championships. Portland, Michigan’s Jeff Reay earned his first National championship — and became the first Michigan driver since Rick Stout in 1995 to claim the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified crown — by just two points. He also won the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region, the Michigan State Championship, and track titles at Crystal Motor Speedway, where he’s now a two-time champion, and at I-96 Speedway, where he earned his first. Reay closed the season with 14 wins in 42 starts. Across the rest of the division, four additional Regional champions also added to the Modified season’s prestige. William Gould, of Oklahoma, topped the GRT Race Cars South Central Region for his eighth career Regional title, repeating his 2024 success. Jeremy Mills, from Iowa, [Read More]

2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings

Points became official at 12 Noon CST on Monday, October 13 Ties are broken by 40 point finishes, then 39 point finishes, 38, 37, etc. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 1,015; 2. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 1,013; 3. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 1,001; 4. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, 1,000; 5. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 994; 6. Kevin Williamson, Eugene, Oregon, 978; 7. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 977; 8. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 976; 9. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 972; 10. Ethan Killingsworth, Yreka, Calif., 971; 11. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, 970; 12. Kinzer McCord, Molt, Montana, and Kyle Anton, Gillette, Wyoming, both 967; 14. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 965; 15. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa, and Shawn Harker, Nebraska City, Neb., both 964; 17. Steven Pfeifer, Bowbells, N.D., 953; 18. Keith Lamphere, Monroeton, Pennsylvania, 950; 19. Izac Mallicoat, Boone, Iowa, 948; 20. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., 947. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 1,023; 2. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 1,021; 3. Dan Mackenthun, [Read More]

Race For Hope 71 Offers Big Money, Big Action Oct. 9–11 at Batesville Motor Speedway

By Ben Deatherage LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Sept. 21, 2025) — The 9th annual Race For Hope 71 presented by IMCA TV returns to Batesville Motor Speedway for three straight nights, Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 9–11, with a complete Friesen Performance IMCA Modified show and full payout each night. A new-for-2025 format puts real money on the line every time the green drops: $3,000 to win on Thursday, $3,000 to win on Friday, and $4,000 to win on Saturday. Sweep all three features and collect a $2,000 bonus; win two of the three and add a $1,000 bonus. It’s $12,000 possible to win across the weekend for one driver under the three-night format. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m. nightly. Adults are $15 on Thursday and Friday and $20 on Saturday; youth 12–15 are $10; kids 11 and under are free. Pits open at 4:00 p.m. each day with pit passes $40 nightly and ages 6–11 $20. Driver entry is $50 per night. Teams can enter online at batesvillemotorspeedway.com or call 870-613-1337 for details. The Race For Hope 71 delivers three full [Read More]