Northern SportMod Archives

Pounds Prevails in Three-Car Modified Melee at Bakersfield

By Ben Deatherage BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (May 22, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds kicked off the Central California Clash with a wild 30-lap main event at the new Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. Local standout Brad Pounds, a six-time Bakersfield Speedway champion, emerged victorious in dramatic fashion to claim his first career series win and first Shaw Race Cars Western Region triumph of 2025. The race started with Markus Frazier showing the early way before Larry Wise took control on lap two. Pounds powered to the lead following a restart on the fourth circuit and appeared to be in control until traffic brought challengers into the mix. Former California State and Bakersfield track champion Robby Sawyer closed the gap and briefly took over the lead on lap 19, while young gun Gavyn Manning also joined the fight to make it a thrilling three-car showdown. Brad Pounds (15B) and Robby Sawyer (X) battle for the lead during the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway. Pounds [Read More]

Burke Charges Top Shelf for First Boone Win Since 2023

By Coty Mallicoat BOONE, Iowa (May 17, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods delivered the most thrilling battle of the night at Boone Speedway. California’s Braden Claborn jumped to the early advantage, steadily working the bottom of the track while leading the field. But the spotlight shifted to Altoona’s Chris Burke, who rim-rode the cushion and reeled Claborn in after starting five spots back. With a handful of laps left, Burke powered around the outside and into the lead. A late caution bunched the pack, but Burke was flawless on the restart to grab his first win at Boone since 2023. Cory Pestotnik got by Claborn for second, while Claborn settled for third. Schmidt Storms from 12th to Capture Stock Car Win The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main saw veteran Jay Schmidt rebound from a rough Friday night flip to claim his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of 2025. Schmidt, who started 12th, made quick work of the field and moved into the top three in short order. He then powered past [Read More]

Noah Speicher: Racing the Plains, Building a Legacy

By Ben Deatherage FORT MORGAN, Colo. (May 19, 2025) — Nestled in the plains of northeastern Colorado, Fort Morgan has long been a place where resilience and reinvention go hand in hand. The fort was established in 1864, and at one point it was manned by Confederate prisoners of war, known as “galvanized rebels,” who chose to enlist in the Union Army rather than remain as POWs. Today, that spirit of grit and determination lives on in the town’s racing community—especially in 14-year-old Noah Speicher. Born into a racing family, Speicher was practically raised on the dirt of I-76. His family owns and operates the track, an elbows-up bullring where cars jostle for every inch of real estate. It’s a place where Speicher has spent countless hours—first as a fan watching his father, Beau Speicher, wheel an IMCA Modified, and now as a racer himself. And Beau still occasionally straps in for a race, reminding Noah that he’s not the only Speicher looking to make some noise. On May 3rd, Speicher added a new chapter to [Read More]

Sproul Wins Modified Thriller At WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (May 17, 2025) — WaKeeney Speedway brought the curtain down on the John Fose Memorial/Wall of Fame Weekend with a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature that lived up to the occasion. Jeremy Frenier took command early, storming to the lead as the field settled in behind him. But Daniel Gottschalk soon reeled him in, making the pass after a few circuits to take over the top spot. As the race reached the midway point, a four-car shootout began to take shape with Gottschalk, Frenier, Kyle Rohleder, and Dakota Sproul all in the mix. Gottschalk’s time out front was cut short when Rohleder powered to the lead, but Sproul was just hitting his stride. Methodically working the track, Sproul closed in and made a dramatic last lap pass on Rohleder to secure his second Jet Racing Central Region victory of the season. Rohleder settled for second with Frenier rounding out the podium. Walt Steals the Spotlight in SportMod Thriller The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature at WaKeeney Speedway was packed with drama [Read More]

Berry Scores First Career Stock Car Win at WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (May 16, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature on night one of the John Fose Memorial and Wall of Fame Weekend at WaKeeney Speedway delivered a memorable performance to honor one of Kansas racing’s most beloved figures. With a front row led by Bill Brack and Garrett Hager, the 20-lap main event quickly came to life when Brett Berry powered his way through a three-wide opening corner to seize the early lead. From there, the veteran driver from Kinsley held a steady pace despite persistent pressure from rising stars Tathan Burkhart and Kyle Pfeifer. Berry, who has already built a decorated IMCA career with wins in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, added another division to his list with his first career Stock Car victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Burkhart stormed through the field from deep in the lineup to finish second and earned hard charger honors by gaining nine spots, while Pfeifer settled into third after a [Read More]

Hogge Scores 80th Career Antioch Win

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (May 17, 2025) – Bobby Hogge of Salinas won the 25 lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified finale Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was also the 80th career Antioch win for Hogge, putting him on top of the track’s all-time combined main event winner’s leader board. Jonathan Hagio led the first two laps before Hogge found a way by for the lead. A yellow flag waved for Jacob Mallet Jr. on the back straightaway on lap seven. Hogge continued to lead with Cody Burke moving into second, but a yellow flag waved again on lap eight. On this restart, incoming point leader Troy Foulger moved into second behind Hogge. Another yellow flag waved for a turn four tangle on lap nine, but Hogge maintained command ahead of Foulger and Josh Combs of Roseville on the restart. The final 15 laps saw a pair of yellow flags, but each time Hogge pulled ahead of Foulger to maintain the lead and win his fourth in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region this [Read More]

Meyer Snatches Last-Lap Modified Win at Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (May 15, 2025) — Nick Meyer executed a last-lap pass to capture a thrilling Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Kossuth County Speedway, earning his first win of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Meyer patiently worked his way to the front, gradually closing in on leader Todd Stinehart over the final laps. Stinehart, who had led from the drop of the green, bobbled coming out of turn four on the final circuit, opening the door for Meyer to slip underneath and steal the victory by half a car length at the flag stand. Stinehart settled for second, while last week’s winner, Jeremy Mills finished third. Albertsen Bests Shryock Late in Thrilling Stock Car Finish The 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature saw Chad Palmer take the early lead only to see Kelly Shryock become the new leader on the third lap. Shryock held the lead as Mike Albertsen and Palmer put on quite a show behind Shryock in a heated battle for second place, with Albertsen eventually [Read More]

Richards Scores $1,000 Stock Car Win At Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (May 17, 2025) — The headliner of the night’s action at Maquoketa Speedway was the 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, a qualifier for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational. Thanks to Colton and Danielle Dirks, the Stock Cars raced for a $1,000 top prize, attracting 29 entries that included some of the best in the business. The feature took the green with Montello, Wisconsin’s Kenny Richards establishing himself early as the man to beat. Richards made the three-and-a-half-hour haul to Maquoketa pay off in a big way, pocketing the $1,000 payday. He was challenged early by Kaden Reynolds before Indiana’s Sheldon Oberle took over second and began closing in. Dallon Murty made a strong charge from the fifth row, battling for the lead in the closing laps. At the checkers, it was Richards securing the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win, followed by Oberle and Murty. Richards is now eligible to try and qualify for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational, to be held later this [Read More]

Ford Credited with SportMod Win at Marysville

By Troy Henning MARYSVILLE, Calif. (May 17, 2025) — Jimmy Ford crossed the finish line in second place in the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature at Marysville Raceway; however, after post-race inspection found Tyler Rodgers’ car in violation of deck height, Ford was declared the winner. It marked Ford’s third win of the season and first at Marysville in 2025. Rodgers dominated the race after taking the lead on lap four and building a substantial advantage before a series of cautions bunched up the field. A final yellow with just a few laps remaining erased Rodgers’ lead and set up a dramatic finish. As a result of the penalty, Ford, the 2022 track champion, claimed the top spot. Shaun Merritt, a fighting contender throughout the event, moved up to second, while Rodgers was relegated to third. The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate NorCal Speed. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $24.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA [Read More]

Dierks Dominates Davenport for $1,000 Payday

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 16, 2025) — Davenport Speedway hosted another $1,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature on Friday night, with the winner earning a spot on the eligibility list to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational later this summer. Brad Dierks capitalized on his pole position, leading all twenty laps to capture the flag-to-flag victory and secure his All-Star eligibility to try and qualify for the race at the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Dierks was untouchable from the drop of the green, building a comfortable lead and never looking back as he cruised to the win, his first this season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Ben Chapman started alongside Dierks on the front row and pressured the leader in the early stages. Still, as the laps wound down, Dierks maintained his advantage, preventing Chapman from making any significant challenge. Meanwhile, Spencer Diercks methodically worked his way from sixth to third. Veloz Cruises to Second Straight Late Model Win Logan Veloz made it back-to-back wins [Read More]