Sport Compact Archives

Tafoya Dominates Opening Night of Thaw Brawl at Aztec Speedway

By Ben Deatherage AZTEC, N.M. (Mar. 28, 2025) — The opening night of the Inaugural Thaw Brawl kicked off Aztec Speedway’s 73rd racing season, and Regan Tafoya wasted no time asserting his dominance in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event. Tafoya, a six-time Aztec Speedway champion and three-time New Mexico State titleholder, took control at the drop of the green and never looked back. The Shaw Race Cars Western Region standout left the field behind, with only four cars remaining on the lead lap by race’s end, to earn his first win of the year. A strong hometown battle for second developed between Julian Garcia Sr. and Travis Sutherlin before Brian Carey, also from Aztec, joined the mix to make it a three-car fight. Garcia held on for the runner-up finish, while Carey claimed third. Cain Commands for First Stock Car Win of 2025 Rio Rancho’s Josh Cain was in top form during the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, charging from fifth to the front to earn his first EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region victory [Read More]

Carter Sweeps Modified and Stock Car Features at Southern Iowa Frostout Opener

By Ben Deatherage BLOOMFIELD, Iowa (Mar. 28, 2025) — Oskaloosa’s Cayden Carter had a flawless opening night at Bloomfield Speedway, sweeping both the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified and Sunoco IMCA Stock Car features during the first night of the Southern Iowa Frostout. Each win was worth $1,250 on the 3/8-mile oval at the Davis County Fairgrounds. In the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main, eight-time reigning Hancock County Speedway track champion Jeremy Mills took command at the green flag before Tripp Gaylord powered into the lead on lap two. Gaylord, the defending Marshalltown Speedway champion and Colorado native now living in Iowa, held strong out front while fending off challenges. Austen Becerra eventually moved past Mills for second. Becerra, fresh off his IMCA.TV Clash On The Coast title a few weeks ago, piloted the Jon and Joyce Fuller-owned No. 22 machine. Meanwhile, Carter began working the high side and took third from Mills just before a lap 12 caution. Driving the Joe Ferguson-owned No. 10C Modified, Carter capitalized on the restart as Gaylord dropped low to defend [Read More]

Baca Outduels Shryock for Iowa Spring Nationals Modified Win

By Ben Deatherage SPENCER, Iowa (Mar. 28, 2025) — Two-time and reigning IMCA Modified National Champion Chaz Baca Jr. of Mesa, Arizona, opened his Razor Chassis North Central Region campaign with a win in the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Clay County Fair Speedway during the Iowa Spring Nationals. Baca led early after passing reigning Kossuth County Speedway champ Cody Knecht, but a misstep on lap eight allowed two-time Harris Clash winner Kelly Shryock to take over. Cody Thompson then grabbed second before Baca battled back, reclaiming the top spot with a slider in turn three on lap 15. After trading the lead once more, Baca secured the position for good on lap 16 and held off Shryock in traffic for his seventh win of the season. Shryock was second while Thompson finished third. Deschamp Digs Deep for Stock Car Victory Westhope, North Dakota’s Gabe Deschamp, a 20-year-old standout, scored his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the year in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Deschamp led early before the defending Speedway [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Mar. 27, 2025

Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 655; 2. Luke Silber, Laveen, Ariz., 458; 3. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 442; 4. Troy III Morris, Bakersfield, Calif., 382; 5. Tate Johnson, Homestead, Montana, 340; 6. Bryson Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 333; 7. Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 332; 8. Jerry Flippo, Rockford, Iowa, 329; 9. Clifton (C. R.) Eisenzimer, Cascade, Montana, 324; 10. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wyoming, 319; 11. Ethan Braaksma, Newton, Iowa, 316; 12. Tyson Blood, Tumwater, Washington, 303; 13. Michael Egurola, Marana, Ariz., 302; 14. Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas, Nev., 301; 15. Eston Whisler, Otis, Oregon, 291; 16. Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minn., 271; 17. Jonathan Joiner, Milton, Florida, 270; 18. Ian Whisler, Otis, Oregon, 265; 19. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 264; 20. Dylan Thornton, Belle Plaine, Iowa, 259. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars – 1. Shelby Williams, Bonham, Texas, 588; 2. Mike Albertsen, Audubon, Iowa, 586; 3. Kaden Woodie, Milaca, Minn., 497; 4. Larry Brigner, Apache Junction, Ariz., 453; 5. Trevor Hidalgo, Mesa, Ariz., 426; 6. Casey Murdoch, Surprise, [Read More]

Arlington Raceway Celebrates 2024 Season at Annual Awards Banquet

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Mar. 24, 2025) — Nearly 300 attendees gathered to celebrate the 2024 Arlington Raceway season during the annual Awards Banquet at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, Minnesota. The evening recognized driver achievements, community involvement, and marked the transition into the 2025 racing season. Perfect Attendance Awards were presented to 58 dedicated drivers who participated in every event during the season. Rookie of the Year honors were awarded to Mac Tollefson in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Marc Grey in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Scott Koep in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Hunter Hansen in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, Jed Trebelhorn in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and T.J. Brockman in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. The “Cause It’s Fun” Award, recognizing positive attitude and sportsmanship, went to George Motto in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Marc Grey in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Scott Koep in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Kyla Anderson in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, Randy Melvin in the Sunoco IMCA Stock [Read More]

Day Dials Up Late-Race Pass for IMCA Modified Victory at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 22, 2025) — Matthew Day struck pay dirt at Kennedale Speedway Park, winning the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature after a thrilling late-race battle. The 2021 National IMCA Southern SportMod champion surged to the lead in the closing laps to collect his first victory of the 2025 campaign in the division’s first appearance at the ¼-mile oval. The 20-lap main event began with 2013 IMCA National Modified champion William Gould setting the pace. He held steady through two early cautions, but things changed quickly after a lap-nine restart. Jake Upchurch, a three-time KSP IMCA SportMod track champion, used the high side to rocket from fifth to second and began challenging Gould. Just as the action intensified, the 21-year-old Day entered the fray by hugging the low line. He worked his way into second, then mounted a charge on the leader. Day made the decisive move on lap 15, slipping under Gould for the lead. Gould fought back the next lap, but Day countered down the backstretch to reclaim the top [Read More]

Grabouski Doubles Up at Spring Nationals with Modified and Stock Car Wins

By Ben Deatherage BEATRICE, Neb. (Mar. 22, 2025) — For the third time since 2021, Jordan Grabouski left Beatrice Speedway’s Spring Nationals with two trophies in hand. The hometown standout scored victories in both the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars at the 32nd edition of the prestigious event. The 30-lap Modified feature began with California’s Troy Morris III setting a fast pace. The 2024 Arizona IMCA Tour champion controlled the early stages while Iowa’s Izac Mallicoat and Grabouski battled for second. The five-time National Modified titlist and nine-time reigning points leader at Beatrice eventually secured second began reeling in Morris by the halfway mark. Hitting traffic just past the midpoint, Morris started to struggle with a lapped car which allowed for Grabouski to put pressure on him by lap 18. The two would both be bottled behind traffic a few circuits later before the challenger got an advantage on lap 23 only for Morris to come back on the inside of him to regain the lead two laps later. A caution with [Read More]

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]

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]