Northern SportMod Archives

Baca Blazes to $4,600 Anniversary Win at Vinton

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 25, 2025) — Benton County Speedway celebrated the 46th anniversary of the IMCA Modified division with a 46-lap, $4,600-to-win main event, and it was two-time and defending national champion Chaz Baca Jr. who cashed in. The Mesa, Arizona, standout sliced his way through the field from ninth to score his third Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifier win. He had already secured eligibility to try and qualify for the event at the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s with two victories during January’s IMCA.TV Winter Nationals. 2020 National champion Tom Berry Jr. paced the opening circuits until trouble on lap 13 handed the lead to Jerry Flippo. Flippo’s own mechanical issues forced him to the infield not long after a red flag on lap 16, giving the top spot to defending IMCA SportMod Super Nationals winner Logan Anderson. Anderson looked poised to go the distance, but Baca reeled him in by lap 29. The battle soon included Zachary Madrid, who stormed into second just before a lap 31 [Read More]

Saathoff Sails to Modified Victory After Multi-Car Mayhem

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (May 24, 2025) — A wild night at Eagle Raceway in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds ended with Beatrice’s Jaxon Saathoff standing tall for his first Jet Racing Central Region win of the season. Saathoff capitalized on a mid-race shuffle that sent early leader Bob Zoubek to the rear and reset the field. Cameron Thompson and Brandon Verbeek remained in contention throughout the caution-heavy feature, while Shawn Harker made a late push to grab second. Thompson settled for third. Vanover Powers from 12th to Win Fourth of Season in Stock Cars Beatrice driver Kyle Vanover surged from the 12th starting position to earn his third Sunoco IMCA Stock Car win of the year at Eagle and fourth overall in 2025 in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. The lead swapped hands early among Austin Boucher, Jeremy Down, and Shane Stutzman before Vanover asserted control with six to go. Stutzman finished runner-up, while Down held on for third. Kyle Vanover powered from 12th starting to capture his third Eagle Raceway victory of [Read More]

$2,000 to Win SportMod Nationals Storm into Hancock County Speedway for Spring Fling Special

By Ben Deatherage BRITT, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — The Spring Fling SportMod Nationals, presented by Gold-Eagle Cooperative, roar into Hancock County Speedway this Friday, May 30, promising an electric night of action headlined by a $2,000-to-win feature for the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Sanctioned by IMCA since 2008, the Spring Fling has built a legacy as one of the standout early-season specials in the Midwest. Logan Anderson has won the last three editions of the event, joining an elite group of past champions that includes Matthew Looft, Alec Fett, Johnathon Logue, Jesse Skalicky, Cody Thompson, and three-time winner Nate Chodur. With $200 to start, $75 tow money, and a $50 entry fee, the SportMod feature offers not just prestige, but real value for teams making the trip. All classes will operate under a draw/redraw format with no point invert. In addition to the SportMods, fans will see Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks compete for Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing national, regional, state, and track points. Friday [Read More]

Scott Cook One Eye Memorial Set for May 29 at Kossuth County Speedway

By Ben Deatherage ALGONA, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — A special tribute to a beloved local individual headlines the action this Thursday night at Kossuth County Speedway, as the inaugural Scott Cook One Eye Memorial brings the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods to center stage. The marquee feature will award $1,000 to win and $100 to start, honoring the legacy of Scott Cook with a strong field expected for the one-of-a-kind event. Drivers and fans alike are invited to remember Cook and celebrate his passion for racing with a full night of IMCA-sanctioned competition. In addition to the SportMod headliner, Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds will also be racing for a boosted purse, with an extra $100 added to the Modified feature winner’s payday. Also on the card are the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, all competing for IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, state, and track points. Grandstand admission is just $12.00, and kids 12 and under are admitted free. Pit passes are $30.00. The pit gate [Read More]

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Tougher Than Dirt Tour Returns for 10th Annual Run Through North Dakota and Saskatchewan

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 27, 2025) — The 2025 edition of the Tougher Than Dirt Tour is set to launch into its 10th season with six straight nights of high-powered IMCA racing, spotlighting the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods and the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The tour kicks off Monday, June 3 and runs through Sunday, June 8, offering some of the most competitive racing for these divisions in the Northern Plains. The action begins at McLean County Speedway in Underwood, North Dakota on June 3, followed by a stop at Southwest Speedway in Dickinson on June 4. Williston Basin Speedway hosts round three on June 5, with the lone Canadian date coming at Estevan Motor Speedway in Saskatchewan on June 6. Thunder Mountain Speedway in Bottineau welcomes racers on June 7, before the finale on Sunday, June 8 at the historic Nodak Speedway in Minot. “I’m really looking forward to this week because it’s a great series of races for the local racers around these parts while also attracting some drivers from out [Read More]

Harris Clash Returns to Boone Speedway for 34th Running on June 24

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (May 27, 2025) — A tradition unlike any other in IMCA racing makes its long-awaited return to Boone Speedway as the 34th annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine & Racing Products is set for Tuesday, June 24. This marks the first time the event has been held at Boone since 1994 and its first appearance in Iowa since 2017. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods will once again headline the single-day showcase, with the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars making their much-anticipated debut on the Clash card. The prestigious event holds the distinction of being IMCA’s longest-running single-day special, first contested in 1992. “We’ve really put together a number of changes,” said event founder Bob Harris. “Deer Creek Speedway was an awesome facility, but we took a look at moving the event back to Central Iowa. Boone was the right fit. We were there in 1994 and, as everyone knows, it puts on some pretty darn good racing and runs a fast show.” One of the [Read More]

Sherfick Rockets to First 2025 Win in Colby Modified Main

By Sheldon Wickwar COLBY, Kan. (May 24, 2025) — Dylan Sherfick lived up to his nickname Friday night, blasting to the front of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified field and never looking back at Thomas County Speedway. The Colby crowd was electric as the “Dynamite” driver exploded from a mid-pack starting position and took control early after John Fabrizius led the opening laps. Sherfick’s pace was unmatched once he reached clean air, pulling away from the field as Clay Money tried to keep him within striking distance. But the veteran from Penokee found no openings, and Sherfick stretched his advantage en route to his first win of the season. Fabrizius, who had grabbed the early lead from the pole, held on to complete the podium in third. The win marked a strong return to form for Sherfick in the Jet Racing Central Region. Weber Flies to Dominant SportMod Victory Adam Weber put on a clinic in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature, slicing through traffic and leaving the field behind. Jack Kirchoff led early but [Read More]

Midwest Madness Tour Returns for 7th Annual Run Through the Heartland

By Ben Deatherage WORTHINGTON, Minn. (May 22, 2025) — The summer racing calendar heats up once again as the 7th Annual Midwest Madness Tour storms back into action, bringing five consecutive nights of thrilling IMCA competition to tracks across Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota from June 29 through July 3. The tour kicks off on Sunday, June 29 at Worthington Speedway, followed by a stop at Clay County Fair Speedway on Monday, June 30. On Tuesday, July 1, the action heads west to Park Jefferson Speedway in South Dakota. Buena Vista Raceway hosts night four on Wednesday, July 2, and the tour concludes at Stuart Speedway on Thursday, July 3. Free pre-registration is now open through MyRacePass. Links can be found on the Midwest Madness Tour Facebook page. “I’m really looking forward to a really busy week of racing at some amazing facilities,” said tour organizer Tim Skaren. “We’re looking to build this up bigger and better each year.” Each event features a full IMCA-sanctioned program for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, [Read More]

Kohl Finds Top Gear Late To Win in Hobby Stocks at North Central

By Chris Kolstad BRAINERD, Minn. (May 24, 2025) — Rookie Andrew Malinowski wasted no time jumping to the lead in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock main event and held the top spot through the halfway mark at North Central Speedway. But once Fort Ripley’s Nathan Kohl found his rhythm, the race was all his. Kohl took the lead and never gave it back, scoring his third B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region win of the season and second at the Brainerd facility. Junior Kohl followed his brother across the line in second, while 10th-starting Mark Johnson steadily worked his way through the field to complete the podium in third. Fort Ripley’s Nathan Kohl poses in North Central Speedway’s victory lane after scoring his second local win of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock division. (Photo by Stephanie Frederick) Johnson Unchallenged in Flag-to-Flag Stock Car Victory Tim Johnson left no doubt in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, leading all 25 laps in a dominant drive to the checkers. Brody Carlsrud and Tim Gonska pursued throughout, [Read More]

2025 IMCA Wild West Speedweek Set for Seven Races in Eight Nights Across Oregon

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 22, 2025) — The best of the West will once again converge in the Pacific Northwest as the 2025 edition of IMCA Wild West Speedweek returns for a thrilling stretch of racing from June 14 through June 21, featuring seven races at six tracks over eight nights, all within the borders of Oregon for the first time in several years. The tour opens Saturday, June 14 at Southern Oregon Speedway, then heads northwest to Coos Bay Speedway for a two-night stay on June 15 and 16. The action continues Tuesday, June 17 at the Douglas County Dirt Track, followed by a midweek break on Wednesday, June 18, for a Pit Party at Cottage Grove Speedway. The engines fire back up on Thursday, June 19, at Cottage Grove, then roll into Willamette Speedway on Friday, June 20, before the grand finale at Sunset Speedway Park on Saturday, June 21. This year’s tour features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Speedweek has been sanctioned [Read More]