Feature Archives

IMCA Coronavirus Response Broadcast Program

VINTON, Iowa – In response to the continued uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus Pandemic, IMCA has developed guidance and planning for IMCA member tracks to execute the live-streamed broadcasting of events. The primary goal of IMCA has always been to ensure health and provide certainty to member tracks, and given the current environment, we feel our responsibility to explore all options for operation to our promoters. With this program, IMCA will make every effort to provide member tracks with simple, turn-key options for video broadcasting equipment, execution guidance, and the platform for distribution and payment. Through our newly formed relationship with the SPEED SPORT Network, IMCA.TV will be launched to provide a single video platform destination for all IMCA member tracks. “We will go to whatever lengths necessary to ensure our tracks can continue operation,” said Brett Root, President of IMCA. Each track will determine pricing and purchasing options based on their unique considerations. Options for standalone pay-per-view or subscription-based live-streamed video will be available. We will connect you with our regional broadcast affiliates for production [Read More]

Park Jefferson Speedway sets IMCA Spring Nationals show for this weekend

JEFFERSON, S.D. – Kruse Motorsports, Inc. and Park Jefferson Speedway team up to bring IMCA racing action back with a two-day Spring Nationals show Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks run both nights, the Mach-1 Sport Compacts on Friday and the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars on Saturday. Each day will be a separate show with the draw/redraw format. Entries are limited and no IMCA points will be awarded. Modifieds will vie for a $1,000 top prize each day in their Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifiers, Sprint Cars race for $600 to win, Stock Cars and SportMods each chase $500, Hobby Stocks going after $400 and Sport Compacts race for $200 to win. Thirty-two entries from each of the Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock divisions, and 20 each of the Sprint Cars will be entered into the event. Links to registration are: Friday, https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2303/registrations/2655. Saturday, https://www.myracepass.com/tracks/2303/registrations/2656. Entry fees will be $40 for Modifieds and $30 for all other divisions [Read More]

Whitwell wires Corona Kicker foes at Southern Oklahoma

ARDMORE, Okla. (May 1-2) – After winning his heat race, R.C. Whitwell knew he’d be going into Friday’s Corona Kicker IMCA Modified feature with a fast car. And after leading start to finish of the main event at Southern Oklahoma Speedway, the Tucson, Ariz., driver collected a $1,250 check for his latest Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying victory. Fifty-six Modifieds contested at the opening night show in Ardmore and nine states were represented in the evening’s headline event. Pole starter Whitwell ran the bottom most of the 20-lapper, going to the top in the second set of turns to work through lapped traffic and outrunning Ethan Braaksma to the checkers. “The car was pretty decent in the heat race handling-wise. We didn’t make any changes for the feature,” said Whitwell, who’d made just two previous starts at Southern Oklahoma, in 2017 and last year. “Our setup was good, we had a fast car and it ended up working pretty good for us.” Matt Guillaume, Josh McGaha and Chris Elliott completed the top five. Hard [Read More]

Marshalltown’s Dale DeFrance Memorial postponed to June 9

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa – While it’s still going to be an event for the IMCA history book, the chapter on the upcoming Dale DeFrance Memorial just won’t get written when originally scheduled. Featuring both the 500th and final race in IMCA Late Model Summer Series history and a Speed Shift TV Dirt Knights Tour program for IMCA Modifieds, the Marshalltown Speedway special has been postponed from May 7 to Tuesday, June 9. “We remain committed to the health and well-being of everyone who is a part of race programs at Marshalltown Speedway, as a driver, crew member, spectator or track worker,” said promoter Toby Kruse. “We’ll follow guidelines or recommendations that are in place from the state for all weekly and special events.” IMCA Late Model Ironman Darrel DeFrance will complete his perfect attendance streak in the Summer Series finale at his hometown track. The Modified feature is a qualifier for the 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods round out the June 9 card. [Read More]

US 36, Bethany open with IMCA points, spectators

OSBORN, Mo. – US 36 Raceway will open May 8 and Bethany Speedway on May 9 with all IMCA points awarded both nights. “Response has already been great and we’re expecting tremendous car counts both Friday and Saturday,” said promoter Jon Boller Jr. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, E3 Spark Plugs Missouri State and track points will be given for IMCA Modified, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod divisions at both Friday and Saturday shows. Central and North Central Region points will be available to Modified drivers. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 6 p.m., hot laps are at approximately 7:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Social distancing guidelines will be maintained in both the pit area and grandstand; track officials will ask each team to stay within their respective pit area and that everyone attending wear a mask or other appropriate facial covering. Drivers are also asked to pre-register through MyRacePass or the track website. Pit passes are $35 while grandstand [Read More]

Three IMCA divisions in action this weekend at Southern Oklahoma

ARDMORE, Okla. – Three IMCA divisions see action this weekend at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace will be among the IMCA Modified contenders on the Friday, May 1 opening night card while IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods both run Saturday, May 2. In compliance with CDC and local health guidelines, both the number of entries and the number of spectator tickets sold will be limited each night. Pit passes are $35 for all divisions; pit passes and spectator tickets are only available online, through MyRacePass and accessible through the track website. Drivers must print off pit pass vouchers and exchange it for a wrist band at the pit gate. Similarly, anyone who buys spectator ticket(s) must provide a voucher and photo ID for grandstand entry. Masks or other suitable facial covering must be worn at all times by everyone at the track and the pit area has been expanded to make social distancing easier for race teams. Hand sanitizer stations will be located at numerous locations around [Read More]

Thornton sweeps South Dakota starts, Barker, Clift, Logue, Clark also win at New Raceway Park

JEFFERSON, S.D. (April 26) – After going weeks between wins, Ricky Thornton Jr. returned to victory lane in a matter of hours. Thornton reeled in race-long leader Chris Mills with five laps left, then ran away from the rest of the field in topping Sunday’s IMCA Modified feature at The New Raceway Park. Thornton had started seventh and was up to second just after midway of the 20-lap main event. Mills spun late and Jeff Taylor, Grey Ferrando, Tom Berry Jr. and Aaron Johnson followed Thornton across the stripe. Berry had started 17th. A geographically diverse field was on hand, as was the case Sunday at Park Jefferson Speedway, with 10 states represented by the Modified grid. Also winning features were Travis Barker in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Craig Clift in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Johnathon Logue in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Anthony Clark in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts. The fifth starting Barker led the last 15 of 18 laps in the Stock Car main, chased most of that distance by [Read More]

US 36 Raceway Announces May 8 as Opening Night for 2020 Season

OSBORN, Mo. – After Monday’s announcement for the reopening of Missouri, US 36 Raceway officials have announced Friday, May 8, as opening night for the 2020 season. In addition, US 36 Raceway officials also announce there will be an open practice session on Saturday, May 2. Practice will run from 2-8 p.m. Pit gates open at 1 p.m. Pit passes are $25 per person and the grandstands remain closed to spectators at this time. US 36 will also continue to maintain social distancing guidelines and in doing so will be parking cars at least 20 feet apart. We also ask each team stays within their respective pit area. Opening night, on May 8, will feature the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA RaceSaver [Read More]

IMCA approves stock replacement DART cylinder heads in four divisions

VINTON, Iowa (April 27) – IMCA officials today announced the addition of another stock replacement cylinder head available to drivers in four divisions. DART cylinder head part no. 91624360-BARE with the IMCA trademark on the end cap is now available exclusively through Speedway Motors. Cost is $299.99. The link to order is https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Dart-IMCA-Approved-Cast-Iron-Small-Block-Chevy-Cylinder-Heads,417725.html?sku=91624360-BARE After extensive research and development regarding the airflow capabilities and performance characteristics of this cylinder head, IMCA has decided to permit another stock replacement cylinder head in addition to the already approved IMCA EQ cylinder head. The DART cylinder head will be allowed in Stock Cars utilizing the 500 carburetor option, as well as Hobby Stock and both Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod divisions. “Obviously, this is a result in part of the coronavirus pandemic, which has slowed down an already delayed supply of the EQ cylinder head. They were behind the eight ball to begin with and COVID-19 has only magnified the problem,” said IMCA President Brett Root. “IMCA has been patient, as have our member drivers, who have expressed concern over [Read More]

IMCA Racing returns at Open Wheel Nationals

JEFFERSON, S.D. (April 25) – Dirt track racing made its much anticipated return Saturday night at Park Jefferson Speedway’s Open Wheel Nationals. Ricky Thornton Jr. outran a star-filled field, representing nine states, for the $1,000 IMCA Modified feature win. The first sporting event of any kind held in much of the country this spring, the Open Wheel Nationals played out in front of an empty grandstand but with a worldwide audience watching online. Already a Fast Shafts Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot candidate, Thornton made his charge from seventh starting and caught Sean Barrigan for the lead on the sixth of 25 laps. The feature stayed green following a lap three caution and Thornton ran with lapped traffic the last nine times around the oval. He pulled away as a multi-car tussle for second ensued behind him. Fourteenth starting Robby Sawyer was scored second most of the way before 11th starting Jeff Taylor snuck by to take the runner-up finish by all of .023 of a second. Chris Abelson started 10th and finished fourth while Jim Thies completed [Read More]