Mod Lite Archives

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]

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]

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]

Czarneski conquers Stock Car feature at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 16, 2025)—Cole Czarneski made a lasting impression on Thursday night, securing his first career IMCA TV Winter Nationals, presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports, victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event. The Denmark, Wisconsin driver delivered a stellar performance at Central Arizona Raceway, seizing the lead on lap nine and holding off all challengers to take the checkered flag. The race began with Jason Berg asserting himself as the early leader, setting a strong pace through the opening laps. However, the momentum shifted following a lap nine restart when Czarneski, running the top of the 3/8-mile oval without fear, powered around Berg on the outside to claim the top spot. Once in command, Czarneski showcased both speed and composure. Even a pair of late-race cautions couldn’t rattle him, as he executed flawless restarts to pull away from the field and seal the deal on a milestone victory in a field chalk full of stout competition from all around the [Read More]

Berkeley wins first career Winter Nationals feature in Stock Car action

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 15, 2025)—Chase Berkeley surged to the front of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, leading all twenty laps to secure his first career victory at the IMCA TV Winter Nationals presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports at Central Arizona Raceway. The 2023 Winter Nationals champion faced several challenges throughout the race but ultimately fended off the advances of young Texan Cameron Starry. Despite the pressure, Berkeley maintained a consistent pace from start to finish. Starry attempted a few bold moves in the closing laps, but the leader, hailing from Colville, Washington, successfully held him off to clinch this significant win in EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region action. Starry finished as the runner-up, while Iowa’s Mike Albertsen completed the podium in third place. The event also featured competitors in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Victories in those categories went to Dylan Thornton, Dustin White, Dillon Richards, and Dillon [Read More]

Stealth Racing continues title sponsorship

MADRID, Iowa (January 13, 2025) – Stealth Racing steps up its support of IMCA drivers in 2025 as title sponsor for the IMCA Mod Lite division. In that new role, the parts and tire supplier and machine shop located in Madrid, Iowa, gives awards based on national, track and state point standings. “I’ve been busy over the last couple of years adding equipment so I can make all of my parts in-house,” said Bryan Compart. “I’m really looking forward to designing new products that will start coming out in the next few months. Additionally, I’ve been reaching out to other manufacturers to become a dealer for them, with the goal of one day becoming a one-stop shop for the Mod Lite division, offering everything racers across the country might need.” In addition to a providing a portion of the division’s $5,500 national point fund, Stealth Racing gives a $500 gift certificate to the national champion while second through 10th place drivers in national points each receive $100 certificates. All Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lite track champions get [Read More]

Entries already top 200 for IMCA Winter Nationals

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Dec. 17, 2024) – As the online promotions state, Winter Is Coming and Central Arizona Raceway is the place for IMCA drivers in six divisions to be in January. The Casa Grande oval hosts the fifth annual Winter Nationals, sponsored by Pitt Stop Motorsports and broadcast by IMCA.TV, Jan. 8-11 and 15-18. “We have well over 200 entries, from 20-plus states and three Canadian provinces, already and I expect the total car count to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 to 260,” said promoter Brad Whitfield. “This will be the first Winter Nationals held at Casa Grande, we’ve made a lot of improvements here and we’re looking forward to see the fruits of our labor flourish.” Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars run for $1,000 to win and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational or B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying berths each night while Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods run for $1,000 to win and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $500 top checks. Winter Nationals champions in those divisions receive fire [Read More]

IMCA.TV bonuses top milestone $100,000 mark

VINTON, Iowa (Dec. 17, 2024) – Christmas came early for IMCA drivers in the form of IMCA.TV bonus checks totaling more than $105,000. That total was generated by replays of weekly and special events at 59 tracks broadcast by IMCA.TV or its affiliates during the 2024 race season, then distributed to drivers finishing in top three in point standings in each sanctioned division at those facilities. Modified, Late Model, RaceSaver Sprint Car and Stock Car drivers finishing in the top three in point standings at those tracks receive checks for $255, $205 and $150; Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod checks are distributed in the amounts of $155, $120 and $115; and Hobby Stock, STARS Mod Lite and Sport Compact checks are in the amounts of $130, $100 and $85. “A percentage of subscription fees paid by replay viewers is paid to IMCA tracks and ultimately to top three drivers in sanctioned divisions,” explained IMCA President Brett Root. “Developed by our streaming platform provider Riivet four years ago, this bonus program was the first of its [Read More]

Visitation is Saturday for STARS tech inspector Mark Parker

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Nov. 30, 2024) – Mark Steven Parker, aged 65, died on Nov. 30 surrounded by his family. From Memphis, Tenn., Parker was a motorsports enthusiast in the Mid-South and could be found at the race track every weekend. From his beginnings racing micros to becoming the tech inspector for the Mod Lites of Arkansas and later an official and tech inspector for the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites when that division was first sanctioned by IMCA in 2021. He was the first Mod Lite tech inspector from Arkansas when the division debuted at the 2021 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Visitation will be this Saturday, Dec. 7, from 3-5 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis Ark. There will be a celebration of life in the spring of 2025 at Riverside International Raceway. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a Celebration of Life Race, details of which are to be announced. Parker is survived by his wife Dee; daughter Stephanie (Melody) Parker of Springfield, Mo.; [Read More]

Hibdon dominates finale for IMCA Modifieds at Showdown

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Nov. 24, 2024) – In a year chock full of notable wins, Kollin Hibdon decided to add another marquee event to that list. The Pahrump, Nev., transplant, now calling Fargo, N.D., his residence, led the entire $3,000 to win finale for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified finale at Central Arizona Raceway’s Showdown presented by Toste Construction. Unlike the previous two nights, several restarts played a pivotal role in the race. They proved to be a relief for the leader as he could catch his breath during the cautions. On one occasion, Hibdon faced heavy congestion from lapped traffic when he approached the tail end of the lead lap field around the halfway mark, but the caution came out before he risked any chance of giving up any of his already established advantage to the next car in line. Two-time defending national champion Chaz Baca held onto second while North Dakota veteran Shawn Strand crossed the line in third. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, IMCA [Read More]