Northern SportMod Archives

Grabouski Doubles Up at Spring Nationals with Modified and Stock Car Wins

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Mar. 22, 2025) — For the third time since 2021, Jordan Grabouski left Beatrice Speedway’s Spring Nationals with two trophies in hand. The hometown standout scored victories in both the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars at the 32nd edition of the prestigious event. The 30-lap Modified feature began with California’s Troy Morris III setting a fast pace. The 2024 Arizona IMCA Tour champion controlled the early stages while Iowa’s Izac Mallicoat and Grabouski battled for second. The five-time National Modified titlist and nine-time reigning points leader at Beatrice eventually secured second began reeling in Morris by the halfway mark. Hitting traffic just past the midpoint, Morris started to struggle with a lapped car which allowed for Grabouski to put pressure on him by lap 18. The two would both be bottled behind traffic a few circuits later before the challenger got an advantage on lap 23 only for Morris to come back on the inside of him to regain the lead two laps later. A caution with [Read More]

Wagner Breaks Through for First 2025 Win at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2025) — Danny Wagner took care of business Saturday night by capturing the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Marysville Raceway. The Baypoint racer claimed the lead in the second half of the 20-lap feature and cruised to his first win of the 2025 season. The race began with 2022 Marysville track champion Jimmy Ford setting the pace out front. Ford looked strong early, fending off pressure from both Jace Wright and two-time California State champion Trevor Clymens. Clymens nearly made a stunning double overtake on lap 8 but was forced back to third when a caution halted his momentum. On the ensuing restart, Wright tried to dive underneath Ford for the lead but came up short. That allowed Wagner to close in. When Wright bobbled slightly on lap 10, Wagner slipped by into second. From there, Wagner steadily tracked down Ford, biding his time before executing the decisive move underneath the leader on lap 13 to take over the top spot. Wagner quickly built a comfortable [Read More]

MSD celebrates 22 years of IMCA sponsorship

EL PASO, Texas (Mar. 21, 2025) – Over 2 decades of IMCA sponsorship, MSD returns to support weekly racing and Super Nationals drivers. A brand of the Holley family of companies, MSD will continue product certificate awards based on regional standings for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. The top performers in national points for the IMCA Late Models, RaceSaver Sprint Cars, Northern SportMods and Southern SportMods will also receive awards from MSD. MSD also returns to the decal program for Stock Cars and drivers in that division are required to display two MSD decals on their race cars. The top three finishers in the “Big Dance” for Modifieds, Late Models, Stock Cars and Northern SportMods at the biggest IMCA event of the year, the IMCA Super Nationals, will be rewarded with product in victory lane. Information about MSD products is available at https://www.holley.com/brands/msd/, by phone at 866 464-6553 and on Facebook. “MSD products can be found throughout the pit area on any given night,” said IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson [Read More]

Freedom Race Lifts returns for their second year

FAIRMONT, Minn. (Mar. 21, 2025) – Freedom Race Lifts returns in 2025 for their second season as an IMCA sponsor. Freedom Race Lifts is on mission to bring the most innovative tools to your race shop and pit area. We offer the first-ever line of Patent Pending Wireless Operated Lifts in the industry. No hoses. No cords. No hydraulics. No Pneumatics. You can operate with nothing but your cordless drill or wireless phone app. For the second year, Freedom Race Lifts will present the IMCA Super Nationals champions with a $250 gift certificate. These certificates will be highlighted by their continued participation on Manufacturers’ Row. The season will cap off with one randomly selected first time state champion receiving a $500 certificate at the IMCA National Banquet in November. Find Freedom Race Lifts online at www.freedomracelifts.com and on social media.

30 year sponsor JAZ Products to continue post-season awards

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2025) – Every driver in every IMCA division races for a share of the $15,000-plus in post-season awards given by JAZ Products again in 2025. This is the 30th season of IMCA sponsorship for the Santa Paula, Calif., high performance parts manufacturer, also a long-time fixture as part of the national decal program for the Modified division. JAZ gives $500, $300, $200, $100 and $75 product certificates to top five drivers in standings for each of the five regions for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, and to the top five finishers in national IMCA Sunoco Late Model, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact points. All certificates will be presented during the IMCA national banquet this fall. Champions at the 43rd IMCA Super Nationals will go home with certificates as well as the champion of the IMCA RaceSaver Nationals. Information about JAZ-manufactured fuel cells and seats, [Read More]

Garner Claims Victory in SportMod Season Opener at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Mark Garner secured the win in the 2025 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod season opener at Marysville Raceway. Leading all 20 laps at the ¼-mile clay oval, the Antioch, California, veteran managed traffic and challenges to claim victory. Garner built a solid lead early while Jason Ryan Jr. and Jace Wright battled for second. By lap six, lapped traffic allowed Ryan to close the gap and briefly pressure Garner. A caution flag soon after gave Garner a clear track, helping him maintain control. On the restart, Wright overtook Ryan for second. Garner again encountered traffic but handled it more effectively. Late cautions provided additional clean-track opportunities, and Garner capitalized to cruise to his first win of the season. Wright stayed close but couldn’t overtake Garner, settling for second. Ryan crossed the line in third. The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate Nor Cal Speed.

13th Annual Sunflower Classic Returns to RPM Speedway

HAYS, Kansas (Mar. 19, 2025) – The Sunflower Classic is back at RPM Speedway on March 28-29, bringing two nights of action-packed racing. With a draw/redraw format, drivers will battle it out for big payouts, and fans can expect plenty of excitement on the track. IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,000 to win each night, while IMCA Stock Cars have a $750 top prize. IMCA SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks each offer $500 to the winner, and IMCA Sport Compacts will race for $200. The weekend kicks off Thursday with a Test & Tune session at 5 p.m. Racing gets underway Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 3 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m., and the first green flag at 6 p.m. Entry fees are set at $100 for Modifieds, $75 for Stock Cars, $50 for SportMods and Hobby Stocks, and $35 for Sport Compacts. Pit passes are $25 on Thursday and $30 on race nights. Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, the Sunflower Classic is a must-see event, awarding state, regional, national, and track [Read More]

Tyler Johnson Doubles Up at Casa Grande with Stock Car and SportMod Wins

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 15, 2025) — 15-year-old Tyler Johnson hit victory lane twice at Central Arizona Raceway by defeating the competition in both the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Dennis Losing led the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before Larry Brigner took over on the second lap after a four-wide battle. Brigner set a strong pace, but as the caution-free race stayed green, Johnson entered the mix. Racing his brother Jesse’s car, Johnson stalked Brigner until a bobble on lap 9 opened the door for a pass. Johnson pulled away after taking the lead, claiming victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region for the second time this year. Brigner finished second, with Brent Meile rounding out the podium in third. In the IMCA Northern SportMods, Johnson wasted no time, jumping from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. Bodie Parker aimed to challenge the 2024 National SportMod Rookie of the Year, but a caution halted his momentum. When racing resumed, a battle [Read More]

Robby Sawyer Kicks Off Bakersfield Speedway With IMCA Modified Triumph

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2025) – Bakersfield’s Robby Sawyer kicked off the new era of dirt track racing at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, using a last lap slidejob to win the 2025 Opening Night Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. The feature win paid $750 and was the inaugural event of the partnership of the two speedways, racing at the newly redesigned one-third mile dirt track adjacent to Kern Raceway. “We lost our brakes early in the race. I didn’t think I had anything. I was just trying to stay consistent. I don’t think I was the better car,” Sawyer said. “Rob Gallaher – I’ve been driving for him for two years and I had yet to win for him. So to do it at home is huge!” The season is a new partnership between Bakersfield Speedway promoter Scott Schweitzer and Kern Raceway promoter Tim Huddleston, with racing taking place at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway dirt track. A strong crowd filled the new grandstands at the one-third mile dirt track. Sawyer [Read More]

Runner-up in National Points will be awarded by AutoMeter

SYCAMORE, Ill. (Mar. 6, 2025) – AutoMeter marks another exciting year as a proud sponsor of IMCA, continuing its long-standing tradition of supporting drivers across multiple divisions. The Sycamore, Ill.-based manufacturer of competition instruments and accessories will once again provide $50 gift certificates to the top five finishers at each of 80 designated IMCA special events. AutoMeter will also award gauge panel sets to the runners-up in national point standings for all IMCA divisions to be awarded at the IMCA National Banquet in November. In addition, second-place finishers in feature events at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and RaceSaver Nationals will receive the same awards. For more information about AutoMeter products and dealer locations, visit http://www.autometer.com, call 866-248-6356, or follow AutoMeter on Facebook. “AutoMeter’s support of IMCA and its drivers is greatly appreciated,” said IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm. “Their products provide racers with important data to improve performance, and we value their continued partnership.”