Divisions Archives

30 year sponsor JAZ Products to continue post-season awards

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2025) – Every driver in every IMCA division races for a share of the $15,000-plus in post-season awards given by JAZ Products again in 2025. This is the 30th season of IMCA sponsorship for the Santa Paula, Calif., high performance parts manufacturer, also a long-time fixture as part of the national decal program for the Modified division. JAZ gives $500, $300, $200, $100 and $75 product certificates to top five drivers in standings for each of the five regions for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, and to the top five finishers in national IMCA Sunoco Late Model, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod, Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact points. All certificates will be presented during the IMCA national banquet this fall. Champions at the 43rd IMCA Super Nationals will go home with certificates as well as the champion of the IMCA RaceSaver Nationals. Information about JAZ-manufactured fuel cells and seats, [Read More]

Wilkins Wins Jack Bagby Memorial SportMod Main at HOT

By Ben Deatherage ELM MOTT, Texas (Mar. 7, 2025) — Kyle Wilkins dominated the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods feature at Heart O’ Texas Speedway, securing the victory on the opening night of the Jack Bagby Memorial. The race was highly competitive with lots of jockeying of position throughout the field. Jeff Bauser Jr. initially took the lead following a battle for the top spot. Wilkins, from the town of Italy quickly began applying pressure but struggled to find a clear path. On lap 3, the automobilista threaded the needle to take the lead, but a red flag for a flipped car negated the pass, restoring Bauser to the top spot. When racing resumed, Wilkins was relentless. He finally powered past Bauser on lap 9 after a drag race to the line. Despite four more cautions and a gradually deflating left front tire, Wilkins held strong to capture his first win of 2025. The battle for second was tightly contested in the final laps, with 2022 National Southern SportMod Rookie of the Year Trevor Cogburn edging out [Read More]

Cogburn Battles to Victory Before Capacity Crowd at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 15, 2025) — 19-year-old Trevor Cogburn capped off the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod main event with a statement victory in front of one of the largest crowds in Kennedale Speedway Park history. The Robinson teenager faced multiple challenges but held firm against all contenders. The feature saw an intense battle between Cogburn and Tyler Russell, with the two drivers trading positions in a side-by-side duel. Russell eventually gained the advantage, but Cogburn, the 2022 National Southern SportMod Rookie of the Year, fought back and reclaimed the lead on lap 6. Just as their battle reached its peak, a caution reset the field. On the restart, Cogburn pulled away, but four-time and defending KSP SportMod champion and three-time defending Texas State title winner Jerrett Bransom moved past Russell into second. Bransom quickly closed in on Cogburn, setting the stage for a showdown. However, another caution interrupted the action before that battle could unfold. Despite multiple stoppages, including a tense green-white-checkered finish, Cogburn remained composed and fended off Bransom to [Read More]

Stewart Wins SportMod Thriller at Cotton Bowl

By Ben Deatherage PAIGE, Texas (Mar. 15, 2025) — In a nail-biting showdown, Heath Stewart held off a relentless charge from two-time and defending track champion Brandon Geurin to clinch the Smiley’s IMCA Southern SportMod opener at Cotton Bowl Speedway. The battle came down to the final lap, with Stewart edging out Geurin at the line to claim his first win of 2025. The 20-lap feature began with the 2023 track title winner, Stewart, blasting into the lead and quickly building a sizable advantage. As early as lap 4, lapped traffic came into play, but Stewart sliced through the congestion with precision. A caution with 8 laps remaining bunched the field back up, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. On the Delaware double-file restart, Geurin and Trent Beaver pounced, turning the race for the lead into a three-wide brawl. Stewart somehow held his ground, but Geurin wasn’t done yet. With just two laps remaining, Geurin dove to the bottom, pulling alongside Stewart and making it a drag race to the white flag as the two [Read More]

Taylor Triumphs in Southern Oklahoma Speedway Modified Opener

By Ben Deatherage ARDMORE, Okla. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Jeff Taylor outdueled William Gould to win the first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified race of 2025 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. The 2012 IMCA Super Nationals champion fended off the six-time and defending South Central Region titleholder in a thrilling 20-lap main event at the 3/8-mile oval. Chris Webb led early, but Kyle Robinson quickly took over on lap 2. By lap 6, Gould charged to the front, only to have a caution negate his pass. On the restart, Taylor surged past Robinson in turn three to claim the top spot. As the race unfolded, Taylor built a comfortable lead while Gould and Robinson battled for second. Lapped traffic allowed Gould to close in, but Taylor expertly navigated through the slower cars to stay ahead. A caution with two laps to go set up a dramatic finish. Gould made two valiant attempts to pass — diving low in the first set of corners and again in the final turns — but Taylor held firm to claim his first [Read More]

Townsend Thrills in RaceSaver Sprints at 105

By Ben Deatherage CLEVELAND, Texas (Mar. 15, 2025) — Christopher Townsend conquered the competition in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at 105 Motor Speedway. The Tarkington pilot seized the lead shortly after a midrace restart to become the new race leader in exciting style. Mark Harris initially controlled the race, expertly navigating the inside line. On lap three, Cassidy LeJeune used the high side to build momentum and take the lead, exiting the fourth corner. A series of cautions before the halfway point allowed Townsend to move into second. After a lap 10 restart, Townsend executed a daring slider in the second corner to overtake the Louisianan pacesetter. From there, he went untouched on his way to the win as the race remained caution-free. LeJeune held on for second, while Trent Dixon rounded out the podium in third. Babbitt Blazes to Another Mod Lite Victory In Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite action, Corey Babbitt picked up where he left off at the Texas Grand a few weeks ago, leading from the very start. The New [Read More]

Garner Claims Victory in SportMod Season Opener at Marysville

By Troy Hennig MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2025) — Mark Garner secured the win in the 2025 Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod season opener at Marysville Raceway. Leading all 20 laps at the ¼-mile clay oval, the Antioch, California, veteran managed traffic and challenges to claim victory. Garner built a solid lead early while Jason Ryan Jr. and Jace Wright battled for second. By lap six, lapped traffic allowed Ryan to close the gap and briefly pressure Garner. A caution flag soon after gave Garner a clear track, helping him maintain control. On the restart, Wright overtook Ryan for second. Garner again encountered traffic but handled it more effectively. Late cautions provided additional clean-track opportunities, and Garner capitalized to cruise to his first win of the season. Wright stayed close but couldn’t overtake Garner, settling for second. Ryan crossed the line in third. The event was broadcast on IMCA TV affiliate Nor Cal Speed.

13th Annual Sunflower Classic Returns to RPM Speedway

HAYS, Kansas (Mar. 19, 2025) – The Sunflower Classic is back at RPM Speedway on March 28-29, bringing two nights of action-packed racing. With a draw/redraw format, drivers will battle it out for big payouts, and fans can expect plenty of excitement on the track. IMCA Modifieds will race for $1,000 to win each night, while IMCA Stock Cars have a $750 top prize. IMCA SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks each offer $500 to the winner, and IMCA Sport Compacts will race for $200. The weekend kicks off Thursday with a Test & Tune session at 5 p.m. Racing gets underway Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 3 p.m., hot laps at 5 p.m., and the first green flag at 6 p.m. Entry fees are set at $100 for Modifieds, $75 for Stock Cars, $50 for SportMods and Hobby Stocks, and $35 for Sport Compacts. Pit passes are $25 on Thursday and $30 on race nights. Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, the Sunflower Classic is a must-see event, awarding state, regional, national, and track [Read More]

Tyler Johnson Doubles Up at Casa Grande with Stock Car and SportMod Wins

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 15, 2025) — 15-year-old Tyler Johnson hit victory lane twice at Central Arizona Raceway by defeating the competition in both the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Dennis Losing led the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before Larry Brigner took over on the second lap after a four-wide battle. Brigner set a strong pace, but as the caution-free race stayed green, Johnson entered the mix. Racing his brother Jesse’s car, Johnson stalked Brigner until a bobble on lap 9 opened the door for a pass. Johnson pulled away after taking the lead, claiming victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region for the second time this year. Brigner finished second, with Brent Meile rounding out the podium in third. In the IMCA Northern SportMods, Johnson wasted no time, jumping from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. Bodie Parker aimed to challenge the 2024 National SportMod Rookie of the Year, but a caution halted his momentum. When racing resumed, a battle [Read More]

Mike Vandermark Jr.: From Snowy Michigan to Clash On The Coast Champion

CEDAR SPRINGS, Mich. (Mar. 14, 2025) — A Wolverine who took his mittens off at this year’s IMCA TV Clash On The Coast was Mike Vandermark Jr., who never finished outside the Top 5 and earned the overall championship title in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car series. His worst finish was fourth on the final night at Deep South Speedway in Loxley, Alabama, to become the second champion in the class in two seasons. Racing Against the Odds Vandermark stands out for more than his performance. Like Florida’s Wyatt Parker and Evan Foust of Maryland, during this year’s Clash, he comes from a state without a track that hosts IMCA Stock Car races weekly. Despite the long journey and limited experience in the division, he finished second in a three-wide photo finish on the first night and claimed victory at Northwest Florida Speedway. Seizing the Opportunity “There’s a bunch of snow and cold weather back at home, so it was a perfect opportunity to go down and race and have some fun,” Vandermark said. “We stayed [Read More]