Northern SportMod Archives

Killingsworth Stuns in Modified Debut at Southern Oregon Opener

By Ben Deatherage WHITE CITY, Ore. (Apr. 19, 2025) – Ethan Killingsworth turned heads Saturday night at Southern Oregon Speedway, winning his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified debut in commanding fashion. The defending Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod track champion took the lead early and never looked back, capturing the $2,000 top prize in the 25-lap main event. Kevin Pendergrass led early before a lap one caution bunched up the field. Killingsworth then executed a textbook move to the front and dominated the top groove of the 3/8-mile oval. Eston Whisler battled with Pendergrass for second before pulling away to attempt a challenge on Killingsworth. A caution with 11 to go set up a restart, but the Yreka, California chauffeur remained smooth and composed up top, pulling away in the final laps for his first career Shaw Race Cars Western Region victory. Whisler finished second, while his 17-year-old brother Ian Whisler completed the podium. Braaten Bags First SportMod Win of 2025 in Dominant Run Four-time Oregon State champion Jorddon Braaten was untouchable in the 25-lap Karl Chevrolet [Read More]

Ryland Outduels Ryan in Sensational SportMod Photo Finish at Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Brentwood’s Fred Ryland won the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event in a near photo finish victory over Jason Ryan Jr at Antioch Speedway. This was the 40th career SportMod win for the three-time track champion, but first of 2025. Ryland led the field to the green flag ahead of Al Johnson and Jeff Bentancourt. A yellow flag waved after three laps for Scott Savell. Ryland continued to lead Johnson on the restart with Danny Wagner settling into third. An inside pass on the front stretch of the sixth lap put Danny Wagner into second with Kenny Shrader settling into third. Ryland had a big lead erased when Alfred Johnson spun in turn three for a lap 10 yellow flag. Ryland led Wagner on the restart with Ryan moving into third, but a multi-car tangle in turn four brought out another yellow flag on lap 11. When it was all sorted out, Ryland continued to lead Wagner and Ryan. Ryan slipped past Wagner for second [Read More]

Childress Cashes In With Mohave Valley Modified Win

By Ben Deatherage BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Ricky Childress Jr. bolted to the front on the opening stanza of the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Mohave Valley Raceway and never looked back. Wheeling the Pike Racing No. 16, the 2016 Bakersfield Speedway champion masterfully navigated the 3/8-mile oval, fending off Dann Perry III through a flurry of early restarts. Once the race settled into rhythm, Childress built a strong lead until pressure mounted from teammate Jake Pike, who took over second on lap 13. Pike narrowed the gap in lapped traffic, but a late yellow set up a green-white-checkered finish. Pike pulled into the pit area under caution, and Childress powered to the $1,750 victory—his first in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region this season. Adam Hommerding and Noah Geer rounded out the podium. Morris Motors to First SportMod Victory of 2025 In the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature, Nick Coffman paced the opening laps before facing a challenge from Jake Snowden and eventual winner Hudson Morris. Morris, a [Read More]

Logue Tops Smith Brothers in Boone Stock Car Thriller

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Apr. 19, 2025) — An exciting 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event saw Jonathon Logue edge out David Smith in a dramatic finish to claim his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season at Boone Speedway. Doug Smith, the 2020 National champion and 2016 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, blitzed to the point on the opening lap after starting fourth. After an early caution, David Smith moved into second on the restart, but Logue began working the low side and passed him for the runner-up spot on lap five before another yellow slowed the action. David Smith, a four-time Super Nationals champion and the 2008 National champ, briefly regained the lead on a restart before Logue, from Logansport, nosed ahead at the line on lap 11. Logue, a three-time Boone SportMod champion and three-time Super Nationals winner in the division, held the top spot as the Smith brothers battled for second. A late caution with four [Read More]

Nerud Nets Bonus Cash With Last-Lap Pass at Eagle’s Ice Breaker Challenge

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Tyler Nerud had his work cut out for him if he hoped to double up at Eagle Raceway’s Ice Breaker Challenge and collect the extra $1,000 bonus offered for a repeat win in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, as he was starting deeper in the field from inside the sixth row. The first official lap saw Adam Vrbka showing the way. Vrbka continued to show the way, but Nerud effectively moved his way forward getting into third after a triple overtake on lap 7 and got into second around the midway mark. Nerud closed the gap steadily until he flew high and wide through turns 3 and 4 on the final lap and passed Vrbka just before the flag stand. Despite having to begin the race eleventh it did not deter the Dorchester driver’s path to the winner’s circle for his second feature win of 2025. Vrbka was second while Cole Wayman finished third. Vanover Fends Off Grabouski in Intense Stock Car Feature In the main [Read More]

Glover Scores First Davenport Win

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Apr. 18, 2025) — Curtis Glover of Knoxville came away with the win in the Sunoco IMCA Late Model feature in exciting style. The 25-lap main event started with Mitch Morris jumping out to the early lead. On lap 16, a bobble by Morris would drop him back to third, behind Glover and Matt Ryan. The top three would finish in that order. It is Glover’s first victory at Davenport. Ryan had to settle for second after starting in the eighth position. Morris held on for third. Spencer Diercks dominated the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature. Diercks started on the outside pole and led all 20 laps of the race that went caution free, his first triumph this year in the Razor Chassis North Central Region for the hometown pilot. When the checkers flew, Spencer had a three and a half second lead on second place Ben Chapman. Chapman had started tenth and had moved up to fourth by lap 6. Eric Barnes was third. Tony Olson made it back-to-back victories [Read More]

Mohr Prevails in Thrilling Hobby Stock Finish at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Apr. 19, 2025) — An electrifying green-white-checkered finish capped what many deemed the race of the night at Maquoketa Speedway, as the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks thrilled fans with nonstop action across the smooth, wide ¼-mile. Clarence’s Dan Mohr stood tall when the dust settled, emerging from packs of cars running three- and four-wide lap after lap in a feature that came down to the wire. Kile Vohringer led the first thirteen circuits of the 15-lap main event, but under a late caution his left rear tire went flat, forcing him to the pit area. On the restart, Mohr emerged from a chaotic pack to lead the final two laps, edging out the field by half a car length. It marked Mohr’s first trip to victory lane in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region this season. Lukas Short and Jordan Miles crossed the line in second and third. The Sunoco IMCA Late Models main event kicked off with a strong field of 18 drivers taking the green flag. Travis Denning took [Read More]

Rob Parker Takes the Helm at East Moline Speedway for 2025 Season

By Ben Deatherage EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Apr. 18, 2025) — Rob Parker will take over promotional duties at East Moline Speedway for the 2025 season, bringing fresh energy and a lifelong passion for the sport to the historic ¼-mile high-banked clay oval. “I’ve been around racing my whole life and in the East Moline area for the last few years,” said Parker. “When I learned the track was just going to sit, I thought, ‘I guess it’s my time.’ I’m very excited for the opportunity to do this for the racing community.” A first-time promoter, Parker has put together a full slate of Sunday night racing from May through August, featuring four Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions: Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. The season kicks off May 4, with championship night wrapping up the campaign on August 24. East Moline Speedway has a strong history with IMCA. The track first sanctioned Modifieds in 1984 and has done so consistently since [Read More]

Mallicoat Outduels Grabouski in Modified Photo Finish At Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 18, 2025) — The 2025 first night of the Ice Breaker Challenge kicked off in spectacular fashion at Eagle Raceway, and the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event delivered one of the closest finishes the track has seen in recent memory, as Izac Mallicoat battled to the very last corner with his chassis builder, Jordan Grabouski. Jaxon Saathoff led the initial circuit but would soon be doing battle with Mallicoat. Mallicoat took over the top spot from Saathoff on lap 3 but Grabouski continued to march his way to the front on lap 12, moving to second and then taking the lead from Mallicoat two laps later. The stage was set for one of the most intense battles I’ve seen in a long time. Grabouski barely held off Mallicoat for the lead until five to go when Mallicoat took the top spot. Despite a furious challenge by Grabouski, including a last-ditch effort slide job out of turn four on the last lap Mallicoat held him off, winning by a scant [Read More]

Gottschalk Wins Modified Opener At WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (Apr. 18, 2025) — Daniel Gottschalk made the most of his 2025 debut, outdueling Greg Gustus in a spirited Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature Friday night at WaKeeney Speedway to earn his first score of the year in the Jet Racing Central Region. The race started off with a front row of Greg Gustus and Gottschalk, who battled closely throughout the feature, as each took turns leading at different points. Late in the race, Gottschalk solidified the lead and ran away from Gustus en route to the victoyu. Second was Gustus, while third was Clay Money. Hardcharger in the main event was Brett Berry, who gained seven spots. Burkhart Beats Holzmeister and Pfeifer to Win Stock Car Main The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car finale touched off with a front row of Troy Burkhart and Doug Holzmeister, the duo ran closely throughout the feature until the closing stages, when Holzmeister fell off slightly. Kyle Pfeifer got by Holzmeister late but could not quite make a winning pass on Burkhart. Troy Burkhart grabbed [Read More]