Feature Archives

Morris has prescription for special win at Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – Troy Morris III had the right prescription for winning the race dedicated to the memory of The Race Doctor. Morris led 46 of 50 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified circuits Saturday at hometown Bakersfield Speedway, topping the Mike Moshier Classic ahead of Gavyn Manning. The win, Morris’ 10th this season and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying sixth, paid $1,200. Moshier, aka The Race Doctor, was the long-time announcer at Bakersfield and died in 2015 at the age of 69. “This win was special,” said Morris. “I grew up listening to him (Moshier) announce at the track. He called my first win and interviewed me when I was six and racing a mini dwarf.” Morris got to the front early from his inside row three start and built a seven second advantage before the scheduled stoppage at lap 25. Tyler Blankenship found his way to the lead following the restart with Manning challenging in third; issues at the front, however, saw Blankenship drive off to the work area and Morris restart at the [Read More]

Turnbull triumphant at inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Aug 18, 2024) – In a race that will be remembered for years to come, Aaron Turnbull emerged victorious in the inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial at Nodak Speedway. His masterful maneuver around the halfway point, allowing him to take the lead, was a sight to behold. Fending off a challenge after the final restart, Turnbull, the maestro from Estevan, Sask., scored an impressive Friesen Performance $3,014 payday at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. His win holds a special significance as it was a racer from Estevan who won the first Lundy Memorial, just as Lundy had won the first IMCA Modified track title at Estevan Motor Speedway in 2000. “This means a lot to me. Monte raced against my dad. It’s awesome to win the first event,” said Turnbull. “All of Monte’s family was there. Hopefully this race becomes a long standing tradition.” The race was off to an intense start as Drew Christianson beat Shawn Strand into the first corner. However, Strand quickly gained momentum, swinging the lead in [Read More]

15 states represented, early entries top 100 for $12,000 to win IMCA RaceSaver Nationals

EAGLE, Neb. (Aug. 21, 2024) – Announce your plans to host the top-paying event in IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car history and drivers from coast to coast and border to border will be quick to make their plans to be there. Early entries from more than 100 drivers, who will make the tow from 15 states, are already in hand for the 12th annual, $12,000 to win RaceSaver Nationals Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Eagle Raceway. The winner’s record share of the purse comes courtesy of RaceSaver and IMCA; taking the green flag in the Sunday night pays a minimum of $1,600 with numerous contingencies to be given throughout the event. Pre-entered drivers and their hometowns now include: Gene Ackland, Martell; Bayley Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; Dusty Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; Shayle Bade, Raymond; Nick Barger, Madison, S.D.; Dean Barnes, Zionsville, Ind.; Ethan Barrow, Bloomington, Ind.; Clint Benson, Papillion; Zach Blurton, Quinter, Kan.; Carson Bolden, Quinlan, Texas; Justin Bolte, Fremont; Daren Bolac, Moyock, N.C.; Brandon Bosma, Rock Rapids, Iowa; Mike Boston, Lincoln; Chase Brewer, Waxahachie, Texas; Brody Brown, Lawton, Okla.; [Read More]

Pearce prevails at Antioch’s Hetrick Memorial

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – A driver with a knack for coming up big at big events did just that again Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Andrew Pearce won the 29-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Antioch’s ninth annual Hetrick Memorial, earning $1,500. The checkers flew ahead of Bobby Hogge IV and Kellen Chadwick. Pearce had a front row start and bolted into the lead at the green flag ahead of Andrew Peckham and Hogge. Pearce build a comfortable lead as Hogge and Peckham battled fiercely for second. Hogge grabbed the position on the fourth circuit. The yellow flag waved on lap 12. Pearce continued to lead Hogge and Peckham on the restart. Peckham gave Hogge some serious pressure for the next few circuits, but Hogge kept his cool and held the position. Chadwick made an inside pass in turn two on lap 21 to gain third. Pearce had built a straightaway advantage by the time the checkered flag flew on his impressive victory. He was already Fast Shafts All-Star [Read More]

$10,000 to win for IMCA Modifieds at Rocket Raceway Park

PARIS, Texas (Aug. 19, 2024) – Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds make their first visit to Rocket Raceway Park Aug. 29-31, racing for shares of a rich purse to be paid out at the 10th annual Bryan Mize Memorial. Winner of the Saturday night main event earns $10,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility while taking the green flag in the big show pays a minimum of $1,000. “We know there are a lot of high paying shows out there. We want to put the focus on the guaranteed start money,” said promoter and track owner Kevin Sustaire. “We’re able to do this because a lot of local sponsors have chipped in and helped.” The runner-up earns $4,000 with $2,500 paid for third, $1,800 for fourth, $1,700 for fifth, $1,600 for sixth, $1,500 for seventh, $1,400 for eighth, $1,300 for ninth, $1,200 for 10th, $1,100 for 11th and $1,000 for 12th through 20th places. Tow money for the IMCA Modifieds is $100. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, GRT Race Cars South Central Region and Texas State points will [Read More]

Rock Springs checkers are sweet for Ungaro

By Ben Deatherage ROCK SPRINGS, Wy. (Aug. 16, 2024) – The Friday night checkers were sweet for Brian Ungaro, as the Green River racer outran Wyatt Howard in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified sprint to the finish at Sweetwater Speedway. Ungaro had a sensational night in the All-Star Modified Special presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports earning $1,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility for that win. Starting from the pole, Ungaro took off and ran away with the lead at the drop of the green flag. As things settled down, with Ungaro pacing the field and Braxton Yeager in tow, the race for third was intense between Casey Delp and Tucker Hislop. Delp secured the position just before the first caution of the feature came out. He then captured second after Yeager tried to challenge for the lead. Ungaro constructed a big advantage that was eliminated when second-running Delp had mechanical problems on lap 15. Yeager inherited second, putting Howard among the potential podium finishers in third. Unfortunately, Yeager had problems himself, which ended [Read More]

First for Oregon as Braaten wins IMCA 100th

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (Aug. 16, 2024) – It was an accomplishment that Jorddon Braaten would have preferred to have celebrated sooner, but the timing was perfect, anyway. Braaten became the first Oregon driver in any IMCA division to reach the 100 career win mark, topping the Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature during the Dwayne Melvin Clash program at Southern Oregon Speedway Friday night. “I don’t think I could have picked a better night for this, other than Super Nationals,” he said after the $3,069 checkers flew. “It’s a bit of relief. After being at 99 I was wondering when I was going to get the 100th. There’s been a bit of a monkey on my back the last few months.” Win number 100 came from eighth starting with Braaten lined up against the heavy hitters from the Pacific Northwest in a 40-lapper at White City that ended green, white, checkered. “It was cool. Kind of everything went through my mind at the same time because I knew it was all together,” he said. “It was [Read More]

James caps Southern Oregon special with $5,500 IMCA Modified checkers

WHITE CITY, Ore. (Aug. 16, 2024) – It didn’t matter where Bricen James ran Friday night, he was fast. The Albany ace became a double winner at Southern Oregon Speedway’s Dwayne Melvin Clash/Bruce Rayburn Classic show, taking the $2,000 Silver Bullet I-5 Late Model Series victory and then beating Nick Trenchard to the stripe by six hundredths of a second for the $5,500 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified top prize. The Modified 40-lapper ran caution-free and the frontrunners ran in traffic more than half that distance. Also the Rayburn winner in 2022, James matched his career-best payday with his 10th victory in the division this season. “This was one of the best race tracks we’ve been on all year. It was fast on the bottom and it was fast on the top and slick all the way between,” said James, who worked his way to the front from eighth starting. “It seemed like the race went really quick.” He picked off a couple cars right at the start, then ran with Grey Ferrando for much of [Read More]

Manufacturers’ Row expands for 42nd IMCA Super Nationals

BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 15, 2024) – Drivers and race team members can look forward to visiting a filled to capacity Manufacturers’ Row at the upcoming IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Thirty-five vendors will have booths on Manufacturers’ Row, to be located just northeast of the corner of the Boone Speedway grounds, throughout the week of Super Nationals Sept. 2-7. Along with the variety of high performance products on sale for use during the week, products including the new GM metric OEM replacement frame and Five Star Stock Car body will be on display. “Super Nationals and Manufacturers’ Row are the place you want to be if you want face time with dirt track racers,” reasoned IMCA Marketing Integration and Sponsorship Director Carson Becker-Gramm. “It’s cool to see sponsors like Speedway Motors, Chevrolet Performance and Hoosier Tire Midwest have this type of presence at our biggest event.” Sponsors on Manufacturers’ Row will also include: Aero Race Wheels, AFCO, AllStar Performance, B & B Racing Chassis, Bassett, Bob Harris Enterprises, Dynamic Drivelines and Eibach. [Read More]

Avila sails to $10,000 checkers at 141’s Captain of the Creek

FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (Aug. 14, 2024) – Starting from the pole was easy. Staying on the front not so much. Matt Avila tamed a top-flight field of Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, racing to the $10,000 checkers in winning Wednesday’s 50-lap Captain of the Creek main event at 141 Speedway. “It’s huge. It probably hasn’t even set in yet,” said Avila, who had a slew of congratulatory phone calls and texts waiting for him by the time he got back to his trailer. “This is probably my biggest win, definitely my biggest payday, one of the biggest wins a guy can get in the SportMod class and one of the most prestigious for sure.” He’d raced from ninth to third and started and finished second in his Tuesday night heats. The pole position was the last pill left when his turn came in the redraw. “The clean air was good. I think I was on lap 13 and I thought to myself ‘Man, if I have to race more than 35 laps through this it’s [Read More]