Feature Archives

Turnbull Steals the Show in Home Track Thriller

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, SK (May 3, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds delivered an intense showdown for the 2025 opener at Estevan Motor Speedway. Five-time defending track champion Kody Scholpp set the tone early, bolting to a big lead before multiple cautions brought the field back to him. Aaron Turnbull and Steven Pfeifer—both decorated veterans—traded the second spot behind Scholpp, with Turnbull eventually getting the edge by lap 7. A caution on lap 9 tightened the pack again, and a final yellow with just eight laps remaining set up the feature’s pivotal moment. Turnbull, making the high side work to perfection, slipped past Scholpp for the lead on lap 18. The Estevan native began to pull away as Pfeifer and Scholpp resumed their fight for second. Turnbull, a two-time track champion and the 2013 Dakota Classic Mod Tour champ, earned his first Razor Chassis North Central Region win of the season. His son Eli had earlier won his first-ever Slingshot race, making it a special night for the Turnbull family. Scholpp settled for second, with [Read More]

Jimmy Ford: Racing Through Loss, Guided by Love

By Ben Deatherage YUBA CITY, Calif. (May 2, 2025) — The first win of a new season always feels special. For Jimmy Ford, the checkered flag he claimed at Rattlesnake Raceway on April 18 meant far more. “It feels like the weight is off my shoulders,” said Ford. “It was a special win. I lost my wife in February and it’s the first one that I’ve won since she’s been gone, and it meant a lot to me. The last race I won with her was at Rattlesnake in October.” That win, in the no. 12T Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod, was the kind that transcends stats. It was about love, grief, healing—and remembering someone who never missed a race. A Racing Life from Day One Ford’s path to the racetrack was practically preordained. His grandfather, Nick Burcher, owned race cars from the time he was 18 until he was 78. Ford went to his first race when he was just three months old. By the time he was five, he was behind the wheel of [Read More]

DeYoung Powers to Crystal Victory, Extends Incredible Streak

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Apr. 26, 2025) — Myron DeYoung proved the high side was the fast lane at Crystal Motor Speedway, using a late-race move to claim his first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win of the 2025 season — and extend one of IMCA’s most impressive streaks. With the victory, DeYoung has now won at least one IMCA Modified main event in each of the last 31 consecutive seasons, continuing a remarkable run that spans more than three decades. Jaycob Truemner grabbed the initial lead after a spirited battle with Jerry Hunt. However, defending track champion Jeff Reay was on the move early, methodically working the bottom line and powering into the top spot by lap three after starting seventh. A lap 4 caution bunched the field, and on the restart, multi-time Crystal track champ and two-time defending DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region titleholder DeYoung began mounting his charge. Running the cushion with confidence, DeYoung drew alongside Reay several times before finally clearing him on lap 13. Once out front, DeYoung never looked back, navigating [Read More]

$5000 to Win Second Annual Mike Melton Memorial Set for May 9-10 at Kennedale Speedway Park

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Apr. 29, 2025) — A heartfelt tribute to one of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car community’s most beloved figures is set for Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, as Kennedale Speedway Park hosts the 2nd Annual Mike Melton Memorial. A $5,000 payday awaits Saturday night’s winner, with $500 to start the feature. Friday’s preliminary night offers $1,000 to win and $150 to start. Drivers will also chase a $500 bonus for fast time and another $500 prize for winning the pole dash. The top eight finishers from Friday night will be locked into Saturday’s feature. Drivers are encouraged to pre-register on My Race Pass to save time and secure their spot. Mike Melton was a fixture in the racing community for more than 40 years, remembered for his generosity, passion for the sport, and deep-rooted commitment to helping others. Away from the track, Mike shared a wonderful life with his wife Margaret, to whom he was married for over 35 years. He passed away in November 2023, leaving behind a powerful legacy [Read More]

Ryan Roath: Racing With Purpose, Fueled by the Coast Guard’s Call

By Ben Deatherage KAMRAR, Iowa (Apr. 28, 2025) — Some race for trophies. Some race for adrenaline. Ryan Roath will be racing for something more this summer—a tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard, the branch that brought closure to his family after tragedy struck in 2018. That year, Roath’s life changed forever when his mother, Sandi Rader, was lost at sea while sailing her 53-foot ketch sailboat YachtCruz. She had acquired the boat in Florida and spent years cruising through the Caribbean and Panama. After the birth of her first granddaughter Parker, Sandi set sail for port in Chula Vista, California before getting to Arizona to meet her. But on January 7, 2018, she encountered a severe storm about 50 miles south of Ensenada, Mexico. The Mexican Navy received the initial distress signal and conducted a search without success. They then contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, who launched a 3,200-nautical mile search over several days. Eventually, they located the remains of his mother, bringing a measure of closure to an unthinkable loss. “I was sitting at work [Read More]

Logan Veloz Takes First Late Model Win at Davenport

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (Apr. 25, 2025) — Logan Veloz scored his first ever Sunoco IMCA Late Model feature win. The 21-year-old Colona, Illinois driver took the lead of the race on lap 3 and never looked back. Veloz becomes the third different Late Model feature winner at Davenport in as many races this season. Travis Denning started on the pole in the race and led the first two laps before finishing second. Evan Miller was third. The full field of Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds was sprinkled with some top-name talent. Wisconsin’s Skyler Woods jumped out to the early lead in the 20-lap main. However, the race would be halted by a red flag on lap 5. An eight-car pile-up on the frontstretch blocked most of the track. All drivers involved were able to walk away from the incident. On the restart, Woods resumed the lead, but now with Spencer Diercks on his rear bumper. Spencer would grab the top spot on lap 10 and pace the field the rest of the way. Ben Chapman [Read More]

Kasey Weaver From Wreckers to Checkers

By Jim Haines WINCHESTER, Va. (Apr. 26, 2025) — Kasey Weaver made a big turnaround from last week’s rough outing at Hagerstown, which ended early against the fence. The second night out with the Virginia Sprint Series couldn’t have gone more differently. After finishing second in his heat, Weaver went on to lead every lap of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature to score the win at Winchester Speedway. After morning showers gave way to windy and cold conditions, the feature lined up with Weaver and Matt Mullins on the front row. Weaver charged to the lead and stayed low on the track, with Mullins settling into second. On the eighth lap, Mullins slid up slightly, allowing Dylan Shatzer to take over the runner-up position. A yellow on lap 13 brought the field back together, and Kevin Darling made his way to third on the restart. But Weaver continued to pace the field from out front. With four laps remaining, another caution flew after a tangle in turn two ended the night for both Fred Arnold [Read More]

Smyre Captures Victory at Sumter in Carolina Sprint Tour Action

By Evan McCrory SUMTER, S.C. (Apr. 26, 2025) — A picture-perfect 76-degree evening set the stage for a thrilling night of Carolina Sprint Tour racing at Sumter Speedway on Saturday. Despite earlier rain showers, fans packed into the brand-new grandstands — and were rewarded with an unforgettable night of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car action. Following a redraw of the top nine qualifiers, it was Greg Smyre and John Frutchey leading the 25-lap, $1,000-to-win feature event to green. After a false start, Frutchey quickly grabbed the lead and looked poised for his first career Carolina Sprint Tour victory. However, on lap 19, heartbreak struck as Frutchey slowed with engine issues, surrendering the lead to Smyre. Late-race drama ensued as a caution flew with one lap remaining when Derrek Treece spun and collected Richard Wisdo and Matthew Wall. On the ensuing green-white-checkered restart, Jeff Oliver mounted a daring charge for the lead but spun while attempting a pass on Smyre, forcing yet another two-lap dash to the finish. This time, Smyre left no doubt, driving to his first [Read More]

Morris Rockets to STIMS Season-Opening Win at Texana

By Ben Deatherage EDNA, Texas (Apr. 26, 2025) — Chris Morris launched the defense of his South Texas IMCA Modified Series title in dominant fashion Saturday night, picking up a $1,500 victory in the 20-lap season opener at Texana Raceway Park. Morris, the 2022 Cotton Bowl Speedway track champion from Thorndale, outdueled Cody Leonard at the drop of the green and took off like a rocket ship in clean air. A caution just past the midway point brought the field back together, but Morris executed a perfect restart and kept up the pace through multiple subsequent yellows. A final caution with four laps remaining couldn’t slow his momentum, and Morris powered away to secure his third career STIMS triumph—becoming the third different winner at Texana in as many tour events held at the ¼-mile oval. Morris also clocked the fastest lap of the race, earning an extra $750 bonus for his performance. Leonard finished second, with two-time I-37 Speedway champion Chad Doyon completing the podium in third.

Deatherage Named New IMCA Publicist

VINTON, Iowa — Ben Deatherage, a familiar face and voice to IMCA fans through IMCA.TV, has been named the new publicist for the International Motor Contest Association. He steps into the role following the retirement of longtime IMCA public relations director Bill Martin. Deatherage will be responsible for compiling race reports, press releases, and human-interest features on the drivers and events that comprise the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program. He will also continue his work with IMCA.TV. “I’m excited to meet the challenges of this new opportunity,” said Deatherage. “Bill was such a major influence on me and an incredible help in my career. He left some big boots to fill.” A native of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Deatherage’s love for racing began early—he attended his first race at just seven days old. Since then, his passion for motorsports has continued to grow. “I’ve loved IMCA racing since I was a kid in the 1990s, watching drivers like David Gould, Robert Hand, Bruce Ray, and many others in the IMCA Modifieds race at Cottage Grove. It’s [Read More]