Northern SportMod Archives

Iowa Speedweek Returns in Full Force in 2025 with Six Nights of Premier Action

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (July 24, 2025) — One of the most iconic stretches of the Speedway Motors IMCA calendar is back and bigger than ever as Iowa Speedweek returns to full strength in 2025. Running Monday, August 4 through Saturday, August 9, the week features six straight nights of high-stakes racing at five premier tracks, showcasing the depth and tradition of IMCA competition across the entire state. The Speedweek opener takes place on Monday, August 4th at Buena Vista Raceway in Alta with the Battle at the Beaver. This event kicks things off with a powerful lineup with the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds race for $2,000 to win and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars for $1,000. Also on the bill are the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Tuesday, August 5 marks a major historical moment as the Harris Clash returns to the state of Iowa for the first time since 2017 — and to Boone Speedway for the first time since 1994. As IMCA’s oldest single-night [Read More]

Braaksma Doubles Up at Black Dirt Nationals in Modified Masterclass

By Chad Meyer BRITT, Iowa (July 22, 2025) — The Hancock County Fair’s Black Dirt Nationals continues to be good to Ethan Braaksma. Capitalizing on favorable heat race and main event draws, Braaksma held off Jeremy Mills to score his second straight Black Dirt Nationals IMCA Modified victory at Britt. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main saw Braaksma, a consistent contender at the fairgrounds oval, stay steady on the cushion while Mills tried to reel him in. Chaz Baca Jr. came from seventh to round out the podium. The win marked Braaksma’s 10th overall win of the season, with nine of them in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Shryock Grabs Fourth Straight Britt Stock Car Win In just its third night of competition, Kelly Shryock’s brand-new Skyrocket chassis found the front in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. Shryock continued his dominance at Britt, scoring his fourth consecutive win at the track and 13th EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region triumph of 2025. Kevin Opheim was quick all night and kept Shryock honest through 20 laps [Read More]

Nielsen Nabs $1,000 Weishaar Memorial Hobby Stock Win

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (July 17, 2025) – Brandon Nielsen parked it in victory lane during the Jess Weishaar Memorial Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature at Kossuth County Speedway on Thursday night, collecting a cool $1,000 for his efforts in the 25-lap main event. Grant Haugland and Jay Sidles led the 17-car field to green, but it was Sidles who held the point after the first lap. Just two laps later, Jade Lange took over the top spot before a yellow flag flew on lap five. A restart followed, and that’s when Nielsen made his move. Nielsen powered into the lead on lap eight and never looked back, only slowed by a caution on lap 13. Driving a car still wrapped in last year’s Salute To Veterans Blue Angel tribute theme, the Spencer veteran scored his third win of the season at Algona and fifth overall in the 2025 B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Season point leader Josh Sidles settled for second, while a hard-charging Mike Smith completed the podium. Shryock Outduels Jennings in Stock [Read More]

Gaylord Edges DeVilbiss in .020-Second Photo Finish for Modified Glory at Marshalltown

By Kaden Krebs MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (July 18, 2025) – The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds delivered the race of the night at Marshalltown Speedway with a jaw-dropping 20-lap thriller. Zach Rawlins led early before Zane DeVilbiss threw a slick slider to take command. But the show wasn’t over. Tripp Gaylord lit the fuse in the closing laps, slicing through the field and reeling in DeVilbiss after late cautions re-bunched the pack. The two swapped sliders in a final-lap showdown that ended with Gaylord edging DeVilbiss by a razor-thin margin of just .020 seconds. Todd Shute crossed in third. The victory marked Gaylord’s fifth win of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region—and his third at MoTown. Jenae Gustin Outduels Carter in Classic SportMod Showdown The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods turned up the intensity with Marshalltown’s own Jenae Gustin jumping to an early lead and navigating lap traffic with laser focus. Brayton Carter wasn’t far behind and reeled her in to set up a thrilling second-half battle. The duo put on a clinic in clean, [Read More]

Raynard Doubles Up to Defend Dirt Wars Crown in Hobby Stocks

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, SK (July 20, 2025) — The second night of Riley Raynard’s Dirt Wars brought drama, dominance, and down-to-the-wire action to Estevan Motor Speedway. Despite weather threats, fans were treated to thrilling performances across six Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly divisions, with Diezel Raynard stealing the show in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The evening kicked off with a makeup Hobby Stock feature from Saturday. Brody Singleton paced the opening circuits, withstanding early pressure from Tyson Grinstead. A series of cautions interrupted the flow, but reigning Dirt Wars champion and 2025 Tougher Than Dirt Tour titleholder Diezel Raynard methodically carved his way forward from mid-pack. Following a lap 14 restart, Raynard surged into the lead and never looked back, holding off Kaiden Tuchscherer and Singleton to score the win. Raynard wasn’t finished. In the scheduled Sunday finale, Nick Martin and Grinstead initially traded the lead before Grinstead emerged out front on lap two. Raynard quickly entered the picture and battled Grinstead amid lapped traffic by lap six. A caution on lap eight proved decisive—Raynard capitalized on [Read More]

Fajman Edges Brunssen in Photo Finish to Win Dave Riley Memorial At Park Jeff

By Ben Deatherage JEFFERSON, S.D. (July 20, 2025) — A stacked Sunday night card at Park Jefferson Speedway delivered high drama and thrilling finishes during the Dave Riley Memorial, highlighted by a green-white-checkered nailbiter in the $2,556-to-win Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The 28-lap Hobby Stock main event saw Albion, Nebraska’s Ryan Fajman steal the spotlight in dramatic fashion. Driving a special throwback tribute wrap honoring the late Dale Bittner, Fajman charged from seventh and edged defending South Dakota State and track champion Kalyb Brunssen by a razor-thin 0.026 of a second at the stripe. The victory marked Fajman’s first of the season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region and made him the fourth different winner in as many years at the Dave Riley Memorial. Palm Beach Gardens, Florida’s Joel Magee, a two-time South Dakota State champion and 2023 Park Jefferson track champ, ran up front early before slipping back in the final laps. Spencer, Iowa’s Brandon Nielsen, a five-time Hancock County Speedway track champion, mounted an impressive charge from 13th to finish third at [Read More]

Shrader Doubles Down in SportMod Thriller at Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (July 19, 2025) – Kenny Shrader of Pacheco captured his third Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event win of the season at Antioch Speedway, keeping the points battle tight in the 20-lap contest. The two-time reigning track champion and current point leader fended off consistent pressure from nearest rival Jason Ryan Jr. to take the victory. It was the first race at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds 3/8-mile oval since June 28th. Joseph Pato paced the early laps after scoring a heat race win. Rookie Alfred Johnson and veteran Al Johnson pursued him until a yellow flag reset the field on lap six. Shrader made a powerful move into second and overtook Pato with a clean inside pass in turn four on lap nine. After another caution on lap 12, Shrader took off on the restart and opened a straightaway lead over Ryan Jr. at the finish. Pato rounded out the podium in third. Machado Powers to First Stock Car Win of the Season Mitch Machado of Rohnert Park stormed [Read More]

Probst Prevails in Hobby Stock Thriller at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (July 19, 2025) — A first lap yellow flag during the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature didn’t set the pace very well for the night. Dan Scharpe had troubles when his rear end locked up, sending him to the pit area for the night. Taylor Manderfield led the first four laps of the race before another yellow flew after contact between Ben Davis and Chad Volk. Both drivers were able to resume, but Davis restarted at the tail. That gave Cory Probst the opportunity he needed to get around both Manderfield and Blake Luinenburg to take the lead. Yet another yellow came out when R.J. Esquada’s hood blew off while running second, forcing him to retire. The restart opened the door for Luinenburg to challenge for the lead, but he and Probst battled to the finish with Probst coming out on top. Luinenburg was second and Volk raced his way back to third. Probst now owns 22 wins in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region, five of which have come at [Read More]

2025 Great Plains Tour Tightens as Final Weekend Approaches

By Suzan McCoy North Platte, Neb. (July 21, 2025) — With just two events left on the 2025 BST IMCA Great Plains Tour, the pressure is building and championship hopes are hanging in the balance. Drivers in all divisions are jockeying for position as the tour wraps up Sunday, July 27 at Dawson County Raceway and Monday, July 28 at Lincoln County Raceway. The Monday finale, billed as Monday Night Madness for Money, features $1,000 to win in all IMCA divisions at Lincoln County. The draw/redraw format awards national, regional, state, tour, and track points through Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing. It’s a must-see event in the heart of the North Platte Fair. Steffens Leads, But Not By Much in the Modifieds Ayden Steffens enters the final weekend with 212 points in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, but his lead is anything but secure. Troy Seidl (194) and Jacob Tobey (186) are both within striking distance, while Bubba Alvarado (172) isn’t out of the hunt yet. One misstep could shuffle the order dramatically. Bellm Holds Slim [Read More]

Belec Leads the Way in the Modifieds at Colby

By Sheldon Wickwar COLBY, Kan. (July 18, 2025) – The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds closed out Friday’s program with a 15-lap feature event that began with Danny Keller and John Fabrizius on the front row. Fabrizius paced the field early and led the opening circuit, but ‘90s standout Mike Bainter stormed to the point on lap two, leading for the first time since his return to racing last season. Eddie Belec and Dakota Sproul wasted no time charging to the front, taking control by lap three. Belec held firm out front the rest of the way, even as lapped traffic allowed Sproul to close the gap late in the race. Belec stayed smooth to notch his second Jet Racing Central Region win of the season—both coming at Thomas County Speedway. Sproul settled for second, followed by Dylan Sherfick in third. Porter Keeps Pressure on in Sport Compacts The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts battled it out for 12 laps, with Nathan Vollbracht and Grant Logue leading the field to green. It didn’t take long for Gage Porter [Read More]