Northern SportMod Archives

Hearty wins two races on emotional Saturday night at Shelby County

HARLAN, Iowa (Sept. 21, 2024) – Jack Hearty won two races on Saturday night at Shelby County Speedway. The first was just to get his IMCA Sunoco Late Model on the track. The second was to win the Tiny Lund Memorial and Brandon Saltzman Showdown main event. Hearty, just 22 and from Omaha, won his career-first IMCA Late Model feature and $3,098 on a night dedicated to both the hometown hero and 1963 Daytona 500 champion and to the late 2021 track champion. “There have been a couple races where I’ve led late and had a tire blow out, or lost the lead after a late caution,” said Hearty, who got up at sunrise Sunday, walked from his camper and sat at the track, letting everything from the night before set in. “We had a caution with four to go and I knew Cory Dumpert was right behind me. I just told myself ‘Let’s go do what we know we can’ and it all worked out.” Dumpert, the five-time defending national champion, and Sterling Perkins [Read More]

Arlington win is IMCA Stock Car first for Zimmerman

ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 21, 2024) – A.J. Zimmerman got the best of 31 IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for his first-ever feature win, in a race that went green to checkered Saturday at Arlington Raceway. Ryan Grochow paced the first three laps before Zimmerman took the high side and passed him to take over at the front. He encountered lapped traffic in the late going but protected his groove and went on to win. “This win has definitely been tough to get. It’s definitely been tough racing with these guys every week,” Zimmerman said. “We’ve been close a lot of times so it’s good to get this one. It was exciting.” He’ll add his trophy to the collection of hardware his father Mark, who made his 15th start of the season Saturday at Arlington, has compiled in his own career. Grochow fell back multiple positions which gave Brent Uecker the opportunity of moving up. He and Dakota Robinson were battling for the runner-up spot but it was Uecker at the line taking second while Robinson was third, just [Read More]

Hibdon gets his name on T-shirt with bucket list win at Jamestown

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (Sept. 21, 2024) – Kollin Hibdon wasn’t just happy about the bucket list win. He was happy about getting his name on the T-shirt. Hibdon led all 25 laps of Saturday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Jamestown Speedway’s Stock Car Stampede, earning $3,069 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility along with the bucket list checkers. Plus, he’ll see his name on the souvenir T-shirt sold at the 54th annual Stampede next September. “We’ve been in North Dakota for a few years now and it seems like we’ve won just about every special but this one,” said Hibdon, a Nevada native who just celebrated his 21st birthday late last month. “It means a lot to me to be able to win this race and I’m excited to get my name on the T-shirt.” The first 20 laps ran green; Travis Hagen and Zach Frederick headed the pursuit of Hibdon but never challenged and finished 2-3 behind him. Hibdon is headed back to his home state shortly. He’ll do some racing out west with his [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 19, 2024

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 1,000; 2. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 987; 3. Tim Ward, Harcourt, Iowa, 979; 4. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, Iowa, and Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, both 977; 6. Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, Calif., 971; 7. Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., 968; 8. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 966; 9. Myron DeYoung, Stanton, Mich., 965; 10. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 962; 11. Jeff Larson, Freeport, Ill., and Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Mich., both 957; 13. Austin Harnick, Clare, Mich., 949; 14. Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, 942; 15. Matt Werner, Geneseo, Ill., 940; 16. Charlie Mohr, Bettendorf, Iowa, 939; 17. Jake Nightingale, Maize, Kan., 938; 18. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wis., 937; 19. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 936; 20. Jacob Mallet Jr., Oakley, Calif., 935. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Cory Dumpert, Newman Grove, Neb., 795; 2. Travis Denning, Sterling, Ill., 791; 3. Anthony Roth, Platte Center, Neb., 777; 4. Evan Miller, Davenport, Iowa, 774; 5. Zach Zeitner, Bellevue, Neb., 766; 6. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, Iowa, and Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, [Read More]

Johnson tops Late Models at Abe Lincoln Memorial

By Ben Deatherage COLUMBUS, Neb. (Sept. 14, 2024) – At the age of 15, when most American teens are just starting to learn the ropes of driving, Beau Johnson has been making a name for himself in the dirt track scene of his native Cornhusker State in the IMCA Sunoco Late Model division. The young Plainview pilot showed remarkable determination as he chased down the early leader, mastered three restarts, and emerged victorious on the final night of the Abe Lincoln Memorial at US 30 Speedway. The win was his second of the season. The 50-lap finale started with Matt Haase running away from the pack. He was chased down and passed by Johnson on lap six. Johnson was a smooth operator as the first half of the race went incident-free. There was a caution on lap 23 before the red flag was released for a fuel stop. Johnson’s dominance remained in the second half as he smoothly sailed ahead of all other contenders. The only thing to slow him down were yellow flags [Read More]

2024 IMCA point season ends Sunday, Sept. 29

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – Final points races of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season are Sunday, Sept. 29. Modified, Late Model, RaceSaver Sprint Car, Stock Car, Hobby Stock, Northern SportMod, Southern SportMod, STARS Mod Lite and Sport Compact drivers have their last opportunity that day to compete for points applicable toward track, state, regional and national standings. Track championship bonus points will be figured and national and regional champions and rookies of the year, as well as the Junior National Champion and Lady Eagle winner, announced as soon as possible after all race reports are received. Track and series officials have until noon Central Standard Time on Monday, Oct. 14 to notify IMCA of corrections that affect their top 15 point standings before 2024 standings become official. Questions about IMCA point totals and standings should be directed to Virginia Lindsey, director of membership and points, at vlindsey@imca.com or by calling 319 472-2201, ext. 215.

Hagio hits Merced pay dirt

By Ben Deatherage MERCED, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Matthew Hagio’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod victory at the Merced Speedway was not just a win but a significant achievement in front of a packed house. His fantastic run started by getting the lead on the opening lap and mastering three restarts. The Prunedale pilot’s victory, his fourth in 2024, was particularly special as it was his first win at Merced this season. The race kicked off with an intense battle between Hagio and Chris Falkenberg. Hagio managed to outpace his rival and take the lead. As the race progressed, Hagio’s skill and determination allowed him to pull away from the pack. The race’s midpoint saw fierce competition for the second position between Jason Bannister and Danny Wagner, adding to the thrill of the event. Despite Bannister’s relentless efforts, Wagner held on to the runner-up position. The yellow flag waved for the final time with 14 circuits scored complete. Again, Hagio was masterclass on the restart, as Bannister attempted to snatch second. Yet again, the fight behind [Read More]

Antioch Hall Of Fame Night checkers fly for Machado, Ryan

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Mitch Machado and Jason Ryan Jr. turned in hall of fame caliber performances Saturday in Hall of Fame Night at Antioch Speedway. Machado won the 20-lap IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event. This was the first win in this division for the highly decorated Petaluma Speedway super stock champion. He had to hold off the efforts of Jason Jennings to get the win. From the outset, Machado led the way ahead of Jennings and Jason Robles. Nick Caughman Jr. settled into third on the second lap. As Machado and Jennings pulled away, Caughman, Robles and Kenny Shrader had a spirited duel for third. Shrader headed pit side on lap 13, and Caughman retired from third on the 17th circuit. Jennings made a last-turn effort to get underneath Machado, but Machado beat him to the checkered flag for the victory. Robles ended up third ahead of Scott Foster and Caughman. Ryan won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature. The race ran without a yellow flag [Read More]

Car photos needed for Aero, Allstar awards

VINTON, Iowa (Sept. 17, 2024) – IMCA drivers will be big winners even after the point season ends, courtesy of Aero Race Wheels and Allstar Performance. Aero, of Estherville, Iowa, awards a complete set of wheels to the driver with the most feature wins during the 2024 point season. Allstar, of Watervliet, Mich., gives a $100 gift card to every driver winning 10 or more heat races and a $250 gift card to the driver winning the most heats. What’s required as part of both programs is for drivers to email pictures of their race car proving display of the heat and/or feature win decals they received after making checkered flag runs at weekly and special events through Sept. 29. Those pictures can be sent to IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm at contingencies@imca.com. Deadline for doing so is 4:30 p.m. CST Friday, Nov. 1. Gift cards will be presented during the IMCA national awards banquet in Lincoln, Neb., on Nov. 30, or mailed beginning the following week. “These are great programs with the potential [Read More]

Wright wins battle, Lindeman wins war at Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Jace Wright rose to the occasion and did not crack under pressure in a wild main event at Marysville Raceway in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods. The championship bout witnessed Wright lead the entire distance. However, the feature was not short of heart-stopping drama in the battle for the track crown. When all was said and done Raymond Lindeman won the points title. Wright took the lead from the start, withstanding numerous challenges from K.C. Carpenter and mastering four restarts, making the race a thriller. Everything came down to the last lap. As the white banner flew, Carpenter drew level at the flag stand, and they maneuvered the 1/4-mile clay oval; Wright maintained control in the first turn. Despite a moment of instability in the fourth corner, allowing Carpenter to catch up, Wright ultimately won the race to the checkered flag. Carpenter was a close second, followed by Jimmy Ford in third. The drama for the championship came down to the very end as Lindeman and Mark [Read More]