Feature Archives

Cale Lagroon: Following Dad’s Tire Tracks, One Lap at a Time

By Ben Deatherage SALINA, Kan. (May 15, 2025) — At 15 years old, Cale Lagroon is just starting to make a name for himself. But the Lagroon name? That’s already a staple in Kansas racing circles. Currently wrapping up his sophomore year at Salina South High School, Cale is diving headfirst into the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds—a daunting move for any young driver, but especially for one with a legacy to uphold. His father, Corey Lagroon, was a force to be reckoned with—a three-time Kansas State champion with four track titles at WaKeeney Speedway, three at RPM Speedway in Hays, two at Minneapolis Raceway, and a 2004 crown at Salina Speedway. Now, it’s Cale’s turn to take up the family torch, and he’s doing it in the unforgiving world of IMCA Modifieds. Cale Lagroon (right) and his father Corey watch the on-track action from the fence. (Photo by Gary Cornelison) But don’t mistake his youth for inexperience. Cale’s been chasing checkered flags since he was five years old, starting in go-karts around Salina and WaKeeney and [Read More]

All-Star Shootout Returns with Bigger Payouts, New Promoter for 2025

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 16, 2025) — Bigger paydays and a fresh face at the helm highlight the 5th Annual All-Star Shootout, which returns May 21–24 with four consecutive nights of racing across Texas and Oklahoma. The tour kicks off Wednesday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Grayson County Speedway on Thursday, Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Friday, and Kennedale Speedway Park on Saturday. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will headline the card each night, with boosted payouts across the board. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win each night, Stock Cars for $1,000 to win, and SportMods for $750 to win. Markiss Harcrow steps into his new role as promoter of the Shootout and is eager to build on the momentum of the series. “For anyone taking over a promotion, it’s an exciting venture—and this is no different,” said Harcrow. “This tour has some history behind it that we hope to continue and grow.” Harcrow leads the way in [Read More]

Murty Survives Late Race Drama to Take Stock Car Dirt Duel

By Ben Deatherage STUART, Iowa (May 14, 2025) — Dallon Murty made the most of his father Damon’s ride Wednesday night at Stuart Speedway, capturing the $2,000 payday in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car portion of the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel. The Chelsea native surged past Dillon Solum for the lead on a lap seven restart after Solum and Buck Schafroth battled intensely for the top spot in the opening laps. Schafroth, the two-time defending track champion, fended off several slider attempts from Solum before the Oregon transplant finally found a way around him on the seventh circuit. Murty appeared to be in control until a lap 21 caution erased his sizable advantage. A brush with oil in turn three nearly cost him the win as the fluid brought out the yellow, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Despite the scare, Murty nailed the restart and maintained his line to secure his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season and third at Stuart. Behind Murty, Schafroth regrouped to finish second, narrowly holding off Mike [Read More]

West Coast Modified Clash Brings Two Nights of Racing and Fireworks to Grays Harbor Raceway

By Shaun Hulburt ELMA, Wash. (May 14, 2025) — The 6th Annual West Coast Modified Clash will roar into Grays Harbor Raceway over Memorial Day weekend with two complete shows for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, along with a post-race fireworks spectacular on Sunday night. The Modified Clash kicks off on Saturday, May 24, with a $2,000-to-win feature for the IMCA Modifieds, locking in the top four finishers for Sunday’s $2,500-to-win finale. The SportMods will run two separate, point-paying shows each night, with $600 on the line for each feature. “This is the start of our summer schedule, and we’re excited to showcase the Modified Clash with two nights of intense IMCA Modified and SportMod action,” said Bert Johnson, manager of Grays Harbor Raceway. Entry fees are $80 for Modifieds and $40 for SportMods. All entry forms and rules are available on the Grays Harbor Raceway website under the Modified Clash section on the rules page. Complete event details can be found at www.graysharborraceway.com/rules/. Cars will hot lap with their heat [Read More]

Feature

Anniversary Races Memorial Day Weekend At Three Iowa Tracks — Marshalltown, Boone, and Benton County

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 14, 2025) — Memorial Day weekend will be a special one in Iowa as three of some of the state’s most prestigious tracks host races to commemorate the 46th Anniversary of Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and the 20th Anniversary of the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. The weekend kicks off on Friday, May 23 at Marshalltown Speedway, before moving west to Boone Speedway on Saturday night. The action wraps up Sunday at the birthplace of IMCA in Vinton, where Benton County Speedway will host the series finale. Both Friday and Saturday will feature $2,000.00 to win for the IMCA Modifieds and $1,000.00 to win for the IMCA Northern SportMods. On Sunday, the Modifieds will compete for $4,600.00 to win and $400.00 to start, while SportMods will battle for a $2,000.00 top prize and $190.00 to start. “It’s a great honor to keep this Memorial Day tradition going and to recognize the heritage that Benton County Speedway has with the IMCA Modifieds, dating all the way back to 1979,” said [Read More]

Ryan Tusing Goes Elbows Up to win at Bloomington

By Zack Pauley BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (May 9, 2025) — On a beautiful night in southern Indiana, the Huntley’s Winged Hoosier Sprint Series saw 26 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars check in to try and tame the historic Bloomington Speedway. The theme of the night was Pink Out which was sponsored by iWIN. The Indiana Women in Need group sponsors driver Ashton Thompson and supports individuals across the state that are receiving treatment for breast cancer. The track had an immense amount of character come feature time which made it tricky to navigate for the drivers. Jeff Wimmenauer would jump out to a quick lead and set the pace through the opening fifteen laps. After a caution for a spinning car tightened the field back up, Ryan Tusing set his sights on the leader and would not be denied. Blake Sholders would take a tumble in turn one resulting in a red flag. On the restart that followed the stoppage Tusing would make the pass for the lead and the win to pick up his first victory of [Read More]

Carney Cashes in with $5,000 Melton Memorial Sprint Car Win at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (May 10, 2025) — The second annual Mike Melton Memorial at Kennedale Speedway Park drew a packed house as Mike’s daughter, Michelle Parson, led a four-wide salute before the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car main event. When the green flag dropped, Taco Casa Racing teammates John Carney II and Jeb Sessums shared the front row, with Carney taking the early lead in the no. J2 entry. Sessums pressured Carney throughout the first half of the race, briefly slipping ahead on lap 14 before the two-time Texas State and KSP track champion pulled to the infield with mechanical issues. As Carney navigated through lapped traffic, Ryder LaPlante and Marcus Thomas waged a fierce battle for second. A red flag on lap 19 briefly slowed the action, but Carney remained firmly in control, extending his lead after each restart. Thomas, a four-time Texas State and 2017 National champion, finally secured second from LaPlante with three laps to go, but Carney was untouchable, cruising to his first win of the season. The 2015 [Read More]

McDonald Bags Big Bucks With First Ever Win At CJ Speedway

By Jerry Mackey COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (May 9, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks raced for a $750 top prize Friday night at CJ Speedway, located on the Louisa County Fairgrounds. Jason Schutterle took early command and led the majority of the race, but as the laps wound down, the lead pack tightened to four drivers all vying for the bonus money. Schutterle, Kale Hemsley, Corey VanDerwilt, and young Preston McDonald entered turn four on the final circuit in a four-car battle for the win. Somehow, McDonald emerged from the pack and edged out Schutterle by a bumper to capture his first career B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory in thrilling fashion. The top four were separated by less than a car length at the finish, with Hemsley taking third and VanDerwilt finishing fourth. The win was a memorable one for McDonald, who has been a regular at CJ Speedway for the past couple of seasons. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds provided an action packed 16-lap main event with local hot shoe, Kurt Kile [Read More]

Miller Rides High Line to Late Model Win at 34 Raceway

By Ben Deatherage WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (May 10, 2025) — Evan Miller showcased his mastery of the high line to score his first Sunoco IMCA Late Model victory of the season at 34 Raceway. Jeremy Pundt led the early circuits, building a comfortable lead before a caution midway through the $1,000-to-win, 25-lap main reset the field and erased his advantage. Miller, the reigning Iowa State champion, capitalized on a mid-race restart to power around Jeremy Pundt on the high side, taking command on lap 14. A late caution with three laps to go bunched the field, but the Davenport driver maintained his momentum up top, fending off Curtis Glover to secure his first win of the 2025 season at 34 Raceway after starting fifth. Pundt, who led the early laps, rounded out the podium in third after a solid showing. Anderson Scores Modified Victory Logan Anderson added another impressive win to his 2025 campaign in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at 34 Raceway. The $1,000-to-win, 20-lap contest began with John Oliver Jr., in the Dennis [Read More]

Volk Scores First-Ever Hobby Stock Win at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (May 10, 2025) — Chad Volk captured his first career Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature win in a thrilling finish at Arlington Raceway. After George Motto led the opening two laps, a caution bunched the field and allowed Volk to surge to the front on the restart. Cory Probst made a last-lap attempt to slide under Volk but couldn’t complete the pass, settling for second. Volk’s B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region win was hard-earned as he fended off intense pressure from Probst through a green-white-checkered finish. Dan Probst completed the podium in third. Loverude Dominates Modifieds for First 2025 Victory Chad Porter set the early pace in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, but Trent Loverude emerged as the man to beat. Jason Schroeder briefly took the lead on lap 10, but a caution reset the field. On the restart, Loverude charged to the front, with Dan Menk and Todd Stinehart following closely. Once out front, Loverude pulled away to claim his first Razor Chassis North Central Region win of the [Read More]