Stock Car Archives

Morris Holds Off Hibdon For Third IMCA Modified Win Of 2025

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 31, 2025) — Troy Morris III secured a hard-fought victory in the IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Raceway during the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw, earning his third Western Region win of the season and second consecutive triumph. The Bakersfield, California driver had to withstand intense pressure from Kollin Hibdon on the final lap and during a late-race restart to capture his fourth career Early Thaw series victory. Starting from the pole n the twenty lap contest, Morris launched into the lead at the drop of the green. Meanwhile, the battle for second was fierce, allowing Morris to extend his advantage. Hibdon and two-time defending Early Thaw champion Chaz Baca Jr. traded the runner-up spot multiple times, with Hibdon surging from fourth to second before Baca briefly reclaimed the position. However, Hibdon solidified himself in second as the race progressed. A caution with twelve laps completed eliminated Morris’s lead and set up an intense eight-lap shootout. Morris got a great restart, and although Hibdon [Read More]

Teenager Herrera Scores First Career IMCA Northern SportMod Win Thursday At The Early Thaw

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 30, 2025) — At just sixteen years old, Payce Herrera captured his first career IMCA Northern SportMod victory in thrilling fashion during the fourth round of the 2025 Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw on Thursday night. Starting seventh, the Price, Utah youngster methodically worked his way to the front and ultimately prevailed after a fierce battle with reigning Arizona State champion Tyler Johnson. The feature began with Johnson powering to the lead, narrowly beating Minnesota’s Kaden Woodie to the stripe before an early caution reset the field. On the restart, fellow North Star State racer Mark “Bud” Martini briefly took command, but Johnson swiftly reclaimed the top spot by the time they reached turn four. Herrera entered the picture on lap seven with a stunning double overtake to secure second. Another caution on lap eleven bunched up the field, setting the stage for a thrilling duel between Herrera and Johnson. The young Utah racer grabbed the lead on the thirteenth, but Johnson fought back [Read More]

Schoenfeld Headers adds support to six more divisions of IMCA Racing

VAN BUREN, Ark. (Jan. 30, 2025) – Schoenfeld Headers is proud to announce an expanded commitment to IMCA Racing as they celebrate their 27th season as a valued marketing partner. This agreement underscores Schoenfeld Headers’ dedication to grassroots motorsports and IMCA racing. Schoenfeld Headers will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting IMCA’s Modified division and expand their support to additional divisions, with increased contingency awards for the 2025 racing season. Schoenfeld Headers will now support the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Southern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Late Models, Sprint Cars, and Mod Lites. “We’re incredibly grateful for Schoenfeld Headers’ longstanding support and their increased investment in IMCA Racing this season,” said Carson Becker-Gramm, IMCA Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Director. “Their dedication to grassroots motorsports and their commitment to our drivers is very much appreciated. Schoenfeld’s expanded involvement not only highlights the strength of our partnership but also reinforces the value they bring to the racing community year after year.” Schoenfeld Headers will provide contingency awards for drivers across multiple divisions who meet specific eligibility [Read More]

29 seasons of sponsorship and counting for AERO Race Wheels

ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (January 28, 2025) – Long time weekly racing supporter will continue it outstanding commitment as an IMCA sponsor for the 29th consecutive season. AERO Race Wheels, based in Estherville, Iowa, will continue to support IMCA racers by providing $40 product certificates toward the purchase of two wheels to designated finishers at 80 select special events. These events span across the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods divisions. Additionally, state champions in those divisions, as well as the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact class, will receive $25 certificates. AERO also proudly returns as the title sponsor of IMCA’s popular feature win decal program. Feature win decals are awarded to drivers in all divisions after their sanctioned weekly and special event victories. Special event certificates will be mailed throughout the 2025 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season. Certificates for state champions will be presented at the national banquet in Lincoln, Nebraska, in [Read More]

Hubbco Lifts Partners with IMCA for the 2025 Racing Season

Grand Rapids, MI (January 27, 2025) – Hubbco Lifts, a leading name in automotive lift technology, is proud to announce its partnership with the IMCA for the 2025 racing season. This sponsorship encompasses all IMCA divisions, including the prestigious IMCA Super Nationals, further solidifying Hubbco Lifts’ commitment to the motorsports community. In 2018, the spark that would become Hubbco ignited in a cozy coffee shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With expert skills in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), the first prototype was meticulously crafted, a tribute to both art and engineering. From there, the path was set: a Facebook post caught fire, and soon, connections were being made and orders were pouring in. “Sensing the time was ripe for change, I took a bold leap, leaving my stable day job as a Design Engineer with Amazon—where I had been designing their chutes—behind in March of 2020,” said Luke Hubbell, Hubbco Founder. Hubbco Lifts will also provide product certificates as part of race event awards: – A $50 certificate for randomly selected top-five finishers across 40 events. – [Read More]

Bakersfield Speedway and Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway team up for 2025 dirt racing season

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (January 25, 2025) – The 80th season of dirt track racing in Bakersfield and Kern County will be an impactful one, as Scott Schweitzer at Bakersfield Speedway along with Tim Huddleston at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway have announced an exciting partnership. Bakersfield Speedway’s 2025 operations will relocate to the one-third mile Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway Dirt Track with a full season of championship dirt track racing. Bakersfield Speedway held 79 years of dirt track racing thrills at its current home on Chester Ave. Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway at Enos Lane and I-5 opened in 2013 while its dirt track began operations in 2015. Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway combines two of California’s signature venues into one racing season. The Kern Raceway dirt track is undergoing a transformation with a reshaping of the exit of turn two into the entrance to turn three. Over 2000 additional seats will be added along with a new VIP Booth, scoring tower, and press box are also planned. Track championships will be awarded in the IMCA Modifieds, [Read More]

Morris Storms To Victory In Exciting Early Thaw Modified Main Event

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 24, 2025) — Troy Morris III delivered a thrilling performance on the second night of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw series at Central Arizona Raceway, capturing the Friday night IMCA Modified main event with a daring late-race pass. Starting from sixth, the Bakersfield, California driver made his move in heavy lapped traffic with just two laps remaining, completing an impressive sweep around the outside to secure his first Western Region victory of the 2025 season and his second career Early Thaw triumph. The twenty-lap race began with a fierce three-car battle for the lead, with Montana’s Tate Johnson taking control early. Johnson set a brisk pace, but as lapped traffic came into play, Wyoming’s Bryson Yeager capitalized, diving to the inside on lap twelve to take the lead. Yeager appeared poised to claim the win, but Morris charged through the field, overtaking Johnson for second before setting his sights on the leader. With a bold move in traffic, Morris surged to the front [Read More]

Baca Dominates IMCA Modified Opener at Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw

Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 23, 2025) — Chaz Baca Jr. added another victory to his already amazing 2025 season, dominating the IMCA Modified main event on the opening night of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw at Central Arizona Raceway. The two-time defending IMCA National champion and reigning Western Region, Arizona State, and Central Arizona Raceway titleholder led all twenty laps in a commanding performance. Baca, hailing from Mesa, seized the lead from the drop of the green flag and worked to build a comfortable margin. His efforts were briefly challenged as California racers Jerry Flippo and Troy Morris III gave chase. The race took an intense turn midway through as the leaders encountered heavy lapped traffic. A blown engine from a slower car nearly caused a collision with the leader, bringing out a caution with five laps remaining. Under yellow, Flippo retired, moving Morris into second and placing Tom Berry Jr., piloting the Mike Wedelstedt entry, into third. On the final restart, Baca executed flawlessly, running the high side of the track to secure his [Read More]

Czarneski conquers Stock Car feature at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, ARIZONA (January 16, 2025)—Cole Czarneski made a lasting impression on Thursday night, securing his first career IMCA TV Winter Nationals, presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports, victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event. The Denmark, Wisconsin driver delivered a stellar performance at Central Arizona Raceway, seizing the lead on lap nine and holding off all challengers to take the checkered flag. The race began with Jason Berg asserting himself as the early leader, setting a strong pace through the opening laps. However, the momentum shifted following a lap nine restart when Czarneski, running the top of the 3/8-mile oval without fear, powered around Berg on the outside to claim the top spot. Once in command, Czarneski showcased both speed and composure. Even a pair of late-race cautions couldn’t rattle him, as he executed flawless restarts to pull away from the field and seal the deal on a milestone victory in a field chalk full of stout competition from all around the [Read More]

Berkeley wins first career Winter Nationals feature in Stock Car action

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 15, 2025)—Chase Berkeley surged to the front of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, leading all twenty laps to secure his first career victory at the IMCA TV Winter Nationals presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports at Central Arizona Raceway. The 2023 Winter Nationals champion faced several challenges throughout the race but ultimately fended off the advances of young Texan Cameron Starry. Despite the pressure, Berkeley maintained a consistent pace from start to finish. Starry attempted a few bold moves in the closing laps, but the leader, hailing from Colville, Washington, successfully held him off to clinch this significant win in EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region action. Starry finished as the runner-up, while Iowa’s Mike Albertsen completed the podium in third place. The event also featured competitors in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Victories in those categories went to Dylan Thornton, Dustin White, Dillon Richards, and Dillon [Read More]