Feature Archives

Luecht Extends Streak with SportMod Domination at Barona’s Summer Shootout

By Ben Deatherage RAMONA, Calif. (Jun. 21, 2025) — Steven Luecht continued his dominance in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods at the Summer Shootout, winning his ninth straight feature at Barona Speedway Park. After two-time track champion David Kilpela led early and several cautions slowed the action, Luecht grabbed the lead around lap six in the Mike Atkinson-owned no. 47. A lap 15 yellow set up a tense restart with Kilpela close behind, but the Chula Vista chauffeur held strong to win his fourth race of the 2025 season and extend a winning streak at the track that began last August. Kilpela finished second and Arizona’s Scott Francoeur was third. Hicks Hustles to Modified Victory Matthew Hicks made the most of the final night of the Summer Shootout, capturing the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win after an impressive drive from fifth. He took the lead by lap three and never looked back, surviving cautions on laps nine and 11 before holding strong through a green-white-checkered finish. The Lakeside driver, a three-time defending track champion, earned [Read More]

Olson Takes Top SportMod Honors at Benton County Speedway

By Christine Rublack VINTON, Iowa (Jun. 22, 2025) — Brandon Tharp led the early laps of the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods feature at Benton County Speedway during Iowa Donor Night, held in remembrance of the Urbana 5, but Kyle Olson quickly reeled him in. Brady Hilmer moved into third as Olson turned up the pressure. By halfway, Olson powered into the lead while Hilmer worked the low groove to take over second. Lapped traffic brought the front-runners together again in the closing laps, with Brett Thomas joining the battle. Olson held off a hard-charging Hilmer for the win, his third of the season and second at “The Bullring” this year. Thomas finished third. Fisher Inches Ahead in Hobby Stock Close Finish Joren Fisher edged out the competition in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. He quickly moved into the lead with Dustin Filloon and Mike Kimm giving chase. Filloon later slipped into the top spot as lapped traffic began to play a role in the outcome. Leah Wroten advanced into third ahead of Justin Stander as [Read More]

Dakota Classic Modified Tour Set for 2025 With Strong Pre-Entry Fields

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jun. 18, 2025) — With a rich history dating back to 1998, the Dakota Classic Modified Tour remains the longest running and largest IMCA-sanctioned tour in the nation. For 2025, the tour continues its exciting new chapter in its second year under the leadership of Saskatchewan Modified standout Aaron Turnbull and renowned motorsports photographer Byron Fichter, who took ownership of the series in 2024. The tour recently announced a new naming rights partnership as it becomes the Wolla Oilfield & Trucking Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric. This collaboration brings together two passionate entities with a shared commitment to growing the sport in North Dakota and the surrounding area. The 2025 edition will feature Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, traveling across North Dakota’s premier tracks. Originally launched as a three-race series at Dacotah Speedway, Jamestown Speedway, and Nodak Speedway, the tour founded by John Gartner, expanded in 1991. It has been consistently IMCA-sanctioned since 1998. While the Modifieds have been part of the event since [Read More]

14th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial and Bakersfield’s Biggest Fireworks Show This Saturday at Bakersfield Speedway

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Jun. 24, 2025) – This Saturday June 28th, Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway honors a great racer and honors America with the 14th Annual Richie McGowan Memorial, featuring Bakersfield’s biggest fireworks show, plus racing for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Saturday’s event is the first time Kern Raceway at Enos Ln & I-5 will host the McGowan Memorial. Grandstand gates open at 4pm with hot laps at 5pm. On Track Autographs are scheduled by 5:30pm followed by opening ceremonies, heat races, and main events. Bakersfield’s Biggest Fireworks Show closes the show. General Admission tickets are on sale now at www.BakersfieldSpeedway.com. Adult general admission tickets are $25 with kids ages 6-12 admitted for $15 while kids five and under are free! Parking is free of charge. McGowan was an important figure at Bakersfield Speedway as a racer and fellow competitor, along with his daughter Tina. His memorial race has served as one of the most cherished events of the season throughout [Read More]

Josh Schweitzer: A Racer’s Rhythm, From Drill to Dirt

By Ben Deatherage LOVELAND, Colo. (Jun. 24, 2025) — For Josh Schweitzer, racing isn’t just a sport — it’s a continuation of rhythm, precision, and passion. A third-generation racer with deep family ties to Colorado dirt tracks, Schweitzer’s story winds through stock cars, symphonies, and stadiums, driven by a love of competition and connection. “My grandpa (Don Schweitzer Sr.) raced Stock Cars and owned a couple of Midget and Super Modified teams in the 70’s. My dad began racing in 1984,” Schweitzer said. “I started racing in high school but stepped away to focus on music and teaching. Eventually, I knew I had to get back in the car.” His car number — #ONE17S — is a nod to his roots. His father raced as 117S, later changing to 17S when rules restricted car numbers to two digits. When father and son raced together, Josh adopted “ONE17S” to preserve the family connection. His dad, Don Schweitzer Jr., handed down not just a car number but a legacy of racing. On his mother’s side, his grandfather Ronald [Read More]

Shryock Wins Stock Car Shootout Special at Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (June 19, 2025) — Kelly Shryock has been the dominant Sunoco IMCA Stock Car driver in special feature races around Northwest Iowa early this summer. That trend continued Thursday night at Kossuth County Speedway, as the veteran driver added another win to his collection. Shryock took the lead on the fifth circuit of the 25-lap main event and navigated through lapped traffic in the closing stages to hold off a serious challenge from Justin Luinenburg. The Stock Car Shootout win was worth $2,000 and marked Shryock’s ninth victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, and third Stock Car triumph at Algona in 2025. Zayn Feaster and Jordan Rogotzke led the field to the green as each of the starters were guaranteed at least $200 to take the green flag. Feaster led the opening four laps before Shryock took command. Shryock and Luinenburg steadily pulled away from the field and caught lapped traffic with seven to go, setting up a cat-and-mouse game through slower cars. Luinenburg stayed close [Read More]

Rosebrugh Wins Wild Salay Memorial Finale at Crystal

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Jun. 21, 2025) — Chase Rosebrugh capitalized on late-race drama to win the Saturday night finale of the Dan Salay Memorial weekend at Crystal Motor Speedway. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified event, paying $2,000 to win, capped off a thrilling tripleheader in front of a packed crowd. Austin Harnick, the reigning Great Lakes Nationals winner, set the tone early in the 40-lapper by taking the lead on the opening circuit. He held command through a pair of early cautions on laps two and 18, and stretched out his advantage over Rosebrugh by a decent margin with a big gap back to third. Harnick looked to be in control as the defending Merritt Speedway track champion, while Rosebrugh—last year’s DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region Rookie of the Year—held steady in second. But with four laps to go, Harnick was collected with a lapped car and slapped the front stretch wall, handing Rosebrugh the lead on the final restart. Rosebrugh nailed the restart and stormed away for a signature win, his fourth of the [Read More]

IMCA Approves New Five Star Sport Compact Aftermarket Nose Piece for Competition

VINTON, Iowa (June 23, 2025) — IMCA officials have announced that a newly developed Sport Compact aftermarket nose piece, part number 51001-41051-x, manufactured by Five Star Race Car Bodies of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, will be permitted for use in competition beginning June 27, 2025. Unveiled at the PRI Tradeshow in December 2024, this innovative plastic nose piece is now available for purchase, providing IMCA Sport Compact competitors with a durable, universal-fit option that maintains competitive integrity while streamlining front-end appearance. The IMCA Sport Compact division rules have been amended to include this product, and updated regulations are available for review at www.imca.com. The nose piece must be mounted in the same fashion as the OEM nose, ensuring consistency and ease of implementation across all makes and models allowed in the division. “This is a well-designed, racer-friendly solution that offers quality, durability and a professional appearance,” said IMCA President Brett Root. “We’re pleased to support a product that maintains the integrity of the Sport Compact class while providing our drivers with a great looking product.” As a universal-fit component, the 51001-41051-x nose piece can be used, as produced, on any approved [Read More]

James, Sanders, and Wild Crowned IMCA Wild West Speedweek Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 24, 2025) — Despite the final two nights falling to rain, the 2025 edition of the IMCA Wild West Speedweek completed five races in six nights across four different Oregon tracks. Three divisions crowned champions following intense competition in the Pacific Northwest. Bricen James delivered a masterclass across the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified division to secure his second career Speedweek title, backing up his 2022 crown. The Albany, Oregon native tied the all-time record for most wins in a single Speedweek with four, matching Kellen Chadwick (2016), Collen Winebarger (2019), and himself. But this time, James set a new record with four straight Speedweek feature wins. Driving the Schram Motorsports-owned no. 13, James won the opener at Southern Oregon Speedway, both nights at Coos Bay Speedway, and added another triumph at Douglas County Dirtrack before finishing second at Cottage Grove Speedway on Wednesday, June 19. Kevin Williamson of Coburg, Oregon rebounded from adversity all week to finish second in the standings aboard the Superior Fuel Cells-fielded No. 42. He came [Read More]

Andersen Rockets from 13th to Eagle Stock Car Glory in Late-Race Thriller

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (June 21, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature’s initial start at Eagle Raceway was negated when Roger Elliot spun in turn four. On the restart, Tommy Etherton took the early lead, with Cash Beckman, Mike Scheinost and Jakob Boucher giving chase. Scott Carlson jumped past both Scheinost and Boucher on lap two to grab third, while Mason Richards moved into fourth on lap four. Lap ten saw Kyle Vanover vault into the top four, climbing to third. A caution with eight to go reset the field with a double file restart. That’s when Chad Andersen made his move, charging from 13th to second. He took over the lead with six laps remaining as Vanover followed him into second. The top four settled in from there with Andersen collecting his second Stock Car win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, Vanover in second, and Etherton third. Waller Powers to Sprint Car Supremacy with Daring Late Charge Billy Alley led the early stages of the RaceSaver IMCA [Read More]