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Ronnie Choate Sweeps Thursday Night Action At Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) — Ronnie Choate took home all the hardware on the opening night of the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl at Hendry County Motorsports Park. While all 44 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites had the opportunity to practice and dial their cars in, a select group of drivers participated in the prestigious Race of Champions and Manufacturers Dash—both of which were won by the Cookeville, Tennessee native. The Race of Champions kicked off with reigning Benton Speedway titleholder John Leahy seizing the early lead. However, Choate quickly closed the gap, and on lap three, he motored around the Missourian to take command. Once out front, Choate was untouchable. The 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion and 2022 Sugar Bowl winner powered to victory, marking three different winners in the past three years in the Race of Champions. 2023 Texas Mod Lite Nationals champion Corey Babbit finished second, while Missouri’s Dillon Raffurty—the four-time reigning IMCA National champion—rounded out the podium in third. Local competitor Mike Dean [Read More]

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Babbit Redeems Himself With Ocala Mod Lite Victory

By Ben Deatherage OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) — Corey Babbit got his shot at redemption in race three of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway, claiming victory in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite main event. After being overtaken late in lapped traffic the night before, the New Caney, Texas polesitter dominated the 25-lap finale to secure his first win of the season. The event drew an impressive 42 entries from across the United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Despite a red flag incident on the initial start, Babbit rocketed away once the race got underway. 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Ronnie Choate tried to keep pace, but the Tennessee driver soon found himself losing ground as Babbit stretched his lead. Navigating through lapped traffic, the former Texas Mod Lite Nationals winner efficiently maneuvered past slower cars without incident. However, a caution on lap 11 bunched the field back up, setting up a dramatic restart. When racing resumed, Iowa’s Josh May [Read More]

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Hibdon Scores Saturday Night Victory To Earn Early Thaw Title

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (February 1, 2025) — Kollin Hibdon made a thrilling late-race pass to capture his first IMCA Modified victory of the 2025 season at Central Arizona Raceway. The Pahrump, Nevada racer not only took the checkered flag in the final round of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw series but also secured the coveted series championship. The feature began with Troy Morris III, winner of the previous two nights, pacing the field early as he powered around the 3/8-mile clay oval on the high side. However, Morris made hard contact with the wall on lap four and suffered another heavy hit ten laps later, ultimately flattening his right front tire and surrendering the lead to Ian Whisler. Whisler, from the Northern Oregon Coast, did his best to fend off Hibdon, but the Nevada driver executed a flawless slider in turn two on lap fifteen to take control. From there, the eighth-place starter pulled away from the competition, finally breaking through to victory lane and taming the Western [Read More]

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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]

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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]

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IMCA Encourages Drivers to Complete Contingency Form for 2025 Season Benefits  

VINTON, Iowa (January 28, 2025) – The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is urging all drivers to complete the official Contingency Form at www.imca.com/contingencies to ensure eligibility for contingency awards and benefits during the 2025 racing season.   The Contingency Form is a critical component of IMCA’s ongoing partnership with sponsors and manufacturers, allowing drivers to gain access to a wide range of rewards. Completing the form guarantees that competitors are fully registered to receive contingency prizes from participating sponsors throughout the season.  “We want to ensure that every IMCA driver can take full advantage of the incredible support provided by our sponsors,” said Carson Becker-Gramm, IMCA Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Director. “Filling out the Contingency Form is a simple step that secures your eligibility for awards and recognizes the efforts of our valued sponsors.”   Steps to Complete the Contingency Form: 1. Visit www.imca.com/contingencies.   2. Fill out the Contingency Form by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. 3. Submit the completed form as outlined on the website before the start of your racing season.   IMCA’s [Read More]

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Jaedon McDowell Claims Florida Winter Nationals Opener At Needmore

By Ben Deatherage Norman Park, Georgia (January 28, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell emerged victorious on the opening night of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals for the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites at Needmore Speedway. The series kicked off at the 3/8-mile Southern Georgia clay oval with thrilling action and also marked the season opener for the Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association. The event drew an impressive 39 entries from across the United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. Riley Clem appeared to be the class of the field, taking control from the outset. He won the race to the backstretch ahead of fellow front-row starter John Pitts and led the opening lap. The defending Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion built a commanding lead during a lengthy green-flag stretch. Even as lapped traffic came into play on lap ten, Clem navigated through the slower cars with precision. A caution on lap seventeen bunched the field, erasing Clem’s advantage. However, Clem retained control on the restart and began to extend his lead [Read More]

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Thrilling IMCA STARS Mod Lite Action Kicks Off 2025 at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Hendry County Motorsports Park) Clewiston, FLORIDA (January 28, 2025) — Hendry County Motorsports Park opened its 2025 schedule with two exhilarating Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite events ahead of the highly anticipated Winter Nationals, concluding with the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl on February 8th. The 1/3-mile clay oval saw intense battles as local teams aimed to start their season with strong performances. Mike Dean Opens Season with Victory The first Mod Lite feature of the season kicked off on Saturday, January 4th, with Mike Dean taking control early. Dean seized the lead on the opening lap, just before a caution slowed the field. On the restart, Tyler Garey attempted to challenge Dean on the low line, but the leader held firm. Despite three additional cautions and a spirited effort by Garey on the final restart, Dean remained unfazed, cruising to his first win of the season. Garey earned a solid second-place finish, with Robbie Throop rounding out the top three. Robbie Throop Outlasts the Field The Mod Lites returned [Read More]

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From the Navy to the Racetrack: Thomas Soper’s Inspiring Journey

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Pixel Boss Productions) San Diego, CALIFORNIA (Jan. 27, 2025) — Thomas Soper, a fourteen-year member of the United States Navy, has a story that intertwines dedication, resilience, and a passion for racing. Originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, relocation was not uncommon during his formative years, growing up with a father employed in the oilfield industry. However, it was in Eunice, New Mexico, at the Cardinal Motor Speedway, where Soper first cultivated his love for racing, inspired by his father’s own pursuits on the track. Currently stationed in San Diego, California, Soper competes regularly in the IMCA Northern SportMods at Barona Speedway Park. Despite his busy schedule as a machinist mate, coupled with work commitments during Christmas and New Years, Soper carved out time to participate in week two of the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway, an embodiment of the unofficial slogan of the U.S. Navy, Non sibi sed patriae, “not for self but for country”. “The Navy has been generous enough to allow me to go out and race, [Read More]

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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]