Feature Archives

Rick Smith: From the Operating Room to the Winner’s Circle

By Ben Deatherage MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (Sept. 19, 2025) — The Skagit Valley stretches north of Seattle, where the Skagit River bends through farmland and tulip fields before emptying into Puget Sound. Along its banks sits Mount Vernon, a city first carved out by loggers in the 1870s and toughened by floods, fires, and the grit of rebuilding. Just beyond town, the mist of the North Cascades rolls down into fields of color each spring, while at night the roar of Skagit Speedway turns the valley into a dirt-slinging cathedral. For Rick Smith, it’s more than a backdrop — it’s home, and the stage where three generations of his family have chased speed. That stage nearly slipped away in December 2024, when Smith suffered a heart attack and underwent open-heart surgery. But eight months later — on Aug. 2, his 35th year in the sport — he was back in victory lane at Skagit Speedway in his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified. Rick Smith celebrates in victory lane at Skagit Speedway on Aug. 2, marking his 35th [Read More]

Bryan Compart: Keeping Racers on Track with Stealth Racing

By Ben Deatherage MADRID, Iowa — Madrid sits just northwest of Des Moines, a town with roots that run deep. First settled by Swedes in the 1840s and later shaped by coal mining and farming, it carries the grit of generations who worked the land and the mines. It’s the kind of place where hard work is expected, and pride comes from what you build with your own hands. For Bryan Compart, that backdrop shaped his own story. Racing didn’t begin in the driver’s seat. It started with late nights in the shop, helping friends, and spotting opportunities others overlooked. What began as lending a hand soon grew into a passion — and eventually, a business that would change his life and leave its own mark on the Mod Lite world. “I ended up getting started in racing by helping people out,” he said. “I was helping Jimmy and Josh May since 2014 when I first met them. I noticed things they needed that you couldn’t just buy at a race shop. You either had to [Read More]

Survive the 55 Offers $10,260 to Win and More at Skagit Speedway on Sept. 26–27

By Ben Deatherage ALGER, Wash. (Sept. 18, 2025) — One of the premier fall specials on the Speedway Motors IMCA calendar returns as the Survive the 55 brings two nights of Friesen Performance IMCA Modified racing to Skagit Speedway on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26–27. Drivers from across the Shaw Race Cars Western Region will chase a lucrative purse, with the 55-lap A Main paying $10,260 to win and $500 to start. In total, more than $30,000 will be awarded across A, B, C, and D features. Friday’s program will feature a two-heat format, with each driver competing in two eight-lap heats — the first lined straight up from pill draw, and the second fully inverted. Points from both heats will determine lineups, with the top 12 earning the option to run a fully inverted, 20-lap dash. Saturday’s finale locks the top 18 in accumulated heat race points into the Survive the 55 main event, with the top 8 redrawing for their starting positions. Drivers ranked 19–32 will line up for the 15-lap B Main, 33–46 [Read More]

Dirt Returns to Hawkeye Downs for Sept. 27 “Dirt at the Downs” IMCA Event

By Nicole Schroeder CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Sept. 18, 2025) — Hawkeye Downs Speedway has officially begun transforming its legendary quarter-mile asphalt track into dirt in preparation for Dirt at the Downs, a historic series of events honoring 100 years of racing in Eastern Iowa. Trucks began hauling in tons of dirt this week to cover the racing surface, bringing the track back to its roots for the first time since the mid-1980s. From its founding in 1925, Hawkeye Downs was home to dirt track racing for more than 60 years before transitioning to asphalt. This fall, fans will have the rare opportunity to experience racing as it began a century ago. Hawkeye Downs is partnering with Benton County Speedway to present an unforgettable lineup of events, beginning Sept. 27 with a full program of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing. The card will feature Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. “We’re not just talking about history anymore, we’re driving on it,” said Hawkeye Downs [Read More]

19th Annual Fall Nationals Set for Oct. 2–4 at RPM Speedway

By Ben Deatherage HAYS, Kan. (Sept. 18, 2025) — The 19th Annual Fall Nationals are set to take center stage at RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas, on Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 2–4, 2025, bringing three days of racing action to close out the season in style. The event kicks off Thursday, Oct. 2, with a test and tune for all classes. Friday, Oct. 3, features heats and qualifiers for all divisions, while Saturday, Oct. 4, will be headlined by last chance races and championship features. No hot laps are scheduled on Saturday, with the green flag waving at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and at 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Five Speedway Motors IMCA-sanctioned divisions will be in action: Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. The Modified main event pays $5,000 to win, with $2,500 going to second and $1,500 for third. The Stock Car finale will award $3,000 to the winner, while the Northern SportMods chase a $2,000 top prize. [Read More]

Batesville Motor Speedway to Host 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship Sept. 25–27

By Ben Deatherage LOCUST GROVE, Ark. (Sept. 18, 2025) — The 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship returns to Batesville Motor Speedway on Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 25–27, 2025, with three nights of Sunoco IMCA Stock Car racing action and a $20,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start main event. The 3-day event kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 25, with practice at 7:00 p.m. and is followed by racing at 7:30. Drivers will compete each night with double heats and draw for positions on Thursday and Friday nights. Drivers will accumulate points and will run a nightly feature as well. On Friday, Sept. 26, we will follow the same format with drivers drawing for positions with double heats and a nightly feature to accumulate points. Hot Laps at 7:00 p.m. with racing to follow at 7:30. Saturday will again see hot laps at 7:00 p.m. and racing at 7:30. The Top 16 in points will advance to the 50-lap Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship main event paying $20,000 to win on Saturday night, September 27. The [Read More]

Ryan Wins The Race, Shrader Champion In Dramatic Finish At Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Jason Ryan Jr. of Oakley won the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event in dramatic fashion Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. It was Ryan’s fourth win of the season, with half of those victories coming at Antioch, and he gained this one with the late-race misfortune of Kenny Shrader of Pacheco. Shrader, the point leader going into the night, suffered front-end damage while lapping a slower car with two laps remaining. Though he limped home to ninth, that finish was still enough to secure him the track championship. The championship night format put Shrader and Ryan on the front row, and Shrader bolted into the immediate lead ahead of Ryan and Trevor Clymens. Shrader steadily pulled away from the pack while Ryan and Clymens battled for second. By halfway, Shrader was slicing through slower traffic with precision, but on lap 17, contact with a lapped car left his machine crippled. Ryan pounced low in turn four on lap 18 to take over the top spot. [Read More]

Hatlestad Hustles to Jeff Rucks Memorial Victory at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Clint Hatlestad took full advantage of his front row redraw position as he pulled away from the field on the start of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Arlington Raceway. A yellow came out when Mark Noble spun on lap three. On the restart, Jeremy Mills, who had started two rows behind Hatlestad, moved into second ahead of Chad Porter. Soon, Trent Loverude was challenging Mills, but contact on lap eight sent Mills into the infield and ended his night. Loverude kept going but lapped traffic kept him from making a serious bid at the lead, leaving Hatlestad a clear path to victory and the $1,050 Jeff Rucks Memorial win. It was Hatlestad’s sixth win of 2025 in the Razor Chassis North Central Region — all coming at Arlington. Loverude finished second with Porter in third. Probst Extends Hobby Stock Hot Streak with 13th Arlington Win There were five yellow flags and one red flag in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature. A first-lap mishap occurred [Read More]

Jones Rules Crystal, Scores $5,000 Great Lakes Nationals Victory

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Sept. 13, 2025) — Nate Jones of Alma cashed in big Saturday night at Crystal Motor Speedway, topping the $5,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Great Lakes Nationals. The 40-lap feature was Jones’ fourth victory of 2025 in the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis Eastern Region and his third of the season at Crystal. Aaron Raby paced the opening circuit before a caution slowed the action. On the restart, Jones worked the bottom groove to perfection, taking command and building a massive lead as he reached lapped traffic by lap 15. The advantage disappeared on a lap-29 yellow, but Jones was flawless when the race went back to green, then rebuilt his lead after another slowdown on lap 31. Veteran Jerry Hunt, the 2002 Crystal Lions Club Series champion, powered into second during that stretch, while defending race winner and Merritt Speedway champion Austin Harnick charged into third in the T.J. Barton no. 28 during the late stages. Jones dominated the final distance to secure the crown jewel triumph, with Hunt second and Harnick [Read More]

Masters Masters Clay County in Stock Car Blue Ribbon Showdown

By Ben Deatherage SPENCER, Iowa (Sept. 11, 2025) — Jake Masters from Graettinger came out on top of a caution-filled Blue Ribbon Showdown 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event at Clay County Fair Speedway, holding off the Brands family to earn his third EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of the season and his second at the track. Levi Feltman showed the way at the start before a caution on lap one quickly slowed the pace. Masters wasted no time on the restart, blasting to the high side and charging into contention. After another yellow on lap four, Masters stayed committed to the cushion and powered to the front on lap eight. Traffic closed the gap as Randy and Austin Brands worked through the field, setting up a tense three-car fight. A late caution waved with two circuits remaining, tightening the field for a green–white–checkered finish. Randy threw everything he had at Masters but had to fend off son Austin in their battle for second, giving Masters the breathing room he needed. At the stripe, [Read More]