Feature Archives

Consistency is key, changes few for 2020 IMCA rules

VINTON, Iowa – Look for consistency but no earth shaking changes in the IMCA rules for 2020. Notably, Modified, Late Model, Stock Car, Hobby Stock, SportMod and Sport Compact drivers may now compete with a minimum two-inch wide SFI-approved five point safety belt assembly. “As safety improvements evolve in this industry, we will evolve with them,” IMCA President Brett Root explained. “Our rules already allow for the two-inch wide belt for use with the HANS device and allowing an entire two-inch wide harness assembly is an evolution of this rule.” Also along the lines of safety, lithium batteries will not be allowed in any division. “That is primarily due to safety concerns in event of fire,” Root said. “Executive Director of Competition Dave Brenn addresses this issue at more length in his column in the November Inside IMCA newsletter.” And along the line of evolving technology, cell phones will not be allowed in race cars. “Obviously, we all carry cell phones. We just don’t want them in race cars,” stated Root. “They can be used to collect [Read More]

Rage Chassis reigns as IMCA Manufacturers’ Cup winner

WEST UNION, Iowa – Rage Chassis reigns as a first-time winner of the coveted IMCA Manufacturers’ Cup. The West Union, Iowa, chassis builder topped overall point standings in the 11th annual contest. Points were awarded based on the make of chassis driven by racers finishing in the top 10 in each of the five regions for IMCA Modifieds. Fifteen builders were entered in this year’s contest. Last-year’s Cup runner-up, Rage led the way with 41 points, tallied by seven different drivers. “This is a great accomplishment. It’s something every chassis builder wants to do but can’t by themselves,” said Rage owner Justin O’Brien. “Our customers, their hard work and performance dictated the results.” Two-time and defending Cup champion Shaw Race Cars was second, with eight drivers totaling 33 points. Rounding out the top five were GRT Race Cars with 30 points and Harris Auto Racing and Razor Chassis, both with 25. Rage paced point standings in its home North Central Region. Shaw won in its title sponsored Western Region, GRT repeated in the Central Region, BMS [Read More]

Whitwell hits IMCA Modified jackpot with Duel In the Desert checkers

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Nov. 16) – R.C. Whitwell put a big checkmark on his IMCA Modified bucket list Saturday night at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. Whitwell led the last 11 of 40 laps in the Duel In The Desert main event, holding off fellow Tucson, Ariz., ace Jake O’Neil following a restart with four circuits left. The Duel win paid $7,777 and put Whitwell on the 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. More than 300 cars, including an event record 102 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods, saw action at the biggest event of the season in IMCA’s Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Whitwell had chased Tom Berry Jr. the first 29 times around the half-mile dirt oval before the leader got caught up with a lapped car and got turned around. “The car has been great since we unloaded,” said Whitwell, a second and a half ahead of O’Neil at the checkers. “It was kind of nerve wracking during the last caution, knowing the zero car (O’Neil) was back there, but I figured [Read More]

Marriott sweeps Wes Hurst Weekend at Cocopah

By Jackson Braun SOMERTON, Ariz. (Nov. 8-9) – After being on hiatus since 2012, the Wes Hurst Memorial returned in a big fashion over the weekend with the IMCA Modifieds at the Cocopah Speedway. The IMCA Modifieds had a highly competitive field both nights of action. 35 IMCA Modifieds checked in on Friday night, while 31 filled the pits on Saturday. Jason Beaulieu led the field to green on Friday night and got the jump on the field. The 30-lap main event was a contest from start to finish, as no racer ran away from the field. Beaulieu faced pressure from Jake O’Neil and Hunter Marriott in the early portion of the race. O’Neil did end up passing Beaulieu, but a broken left front combined with a caution slowing down the field spelled the end of the race for O’Neil. Marriott inherited the lead but Jesse Sobbing got a run and found himself in contention for the win. Marriott analyzed Sobbing’s run around the race track and used the weaknesses to his advantage, getting back [Read More]

IMCA Duel In The Desert early entries top 230

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – More than 230 IMCA Modified and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod drivers are officially pre-entered for the biggest event of the season in IMCA’s Shaw Race Cars Western Region. Drivers in both divisions can still enter when they arrive at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track on Wednesday or Thursday for the Nov. 13-16 Duel in the Desert. Modifieds race for $7,777 to win, Northern SportMods for a top prize of $1,777 at the 22nd annual event. Saturday night’s Modified feature is a 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier. The Duel will be broadcast by IMCA.TV. Twenty-two states and two Canadian provinces are now represented by the early Duel entries. Pre-registered Modified drivers include: Russell Allen, Brawley, Calif. Chase Alves, Casa Grande, Ariz. Paris Archie, Sparks Austin Arneson, Fargo, N.D. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz. Tim Balding, Santa Rosa, Calif. Christy Barnett, El Paso, Texas Jason Beaulieu, Campbell River, B.C. Eddie Belec, Arvada, Colo. Mikey Bell, Quitman, Ark. Tanner Black, Otis, Kan. Roger Bonneville, Calgary, Alb. Steve Boucher, Susanville, Calif. Steven Bowers [Read More]

Gould, Guillaume, Kuykendall are winners at inaugural Texas Big Four

By Steven Young BELLS, Tex. (November 2) — The Inaugural Texas Big Four at the Grayson County Speedway in Bells, Texas is in the books. In the IMCA Modified feature, it was a renewal of a Gould Chassis Red River rivalry, as Oklahoma’s William Gould and Texan Matt Guillaume faced off head-to-head early on. Gould built a decent lead during the first handful of circuits but as the lead duo approached the back of the field, Guillaume reeled in a passed Gould for the lead lap 10. Gould used lapped traffic to regain the lead, however, in turns one and two on lap 11, going on to steadily rebuild his advantage over Guillaume. One final caution with 11 laps remaining cleared the track for Gould as he continued on for the $1,000 victory. He was followed home by Michael Ables in second and Guillaume third. Razor Chassis South Central Region champion Gould, already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot, was pleased with the surface post race, saying “Honestly, this is about like what we [Read More]

Bowers dominates at inaugural Missouri IMCA Nationals

By Jacob Blair OSBORN, Mo. (Oct. 26) – A full pit area checked in for the first ever Missouri IMCA Nationals at US 36 Raceway. The IMCA Modified main saw Jesse Dennis and Kyle Olberding battle for the lead early. Quickly though, Steven Bowers Jr. and Chad Clancy moved by and started battling for the lead. For the first half of the race, the two searched the track for a line and while doing so swapped the lead several times. After halfway, Bowers found the right line and dominated the rest of the way, picking up the first-ever Missouri IMCA Nationals Modified win and the big trophy in Westfall GMC Victory Lane. The victory was good for $1,200; Bowers was already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Clancy finished second while Shayne Bailey started 16th and drove through the field for a third-place finish. Adam Kates and Jaylen Wettengel charged from 12th and 15, respectively, to round out the top five. In the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature, Toby Chapman paced the field early before Jason [Read More]

Wins keep coming for Grabouski as World Nationals checkers pay $10,000

By Joyce Eisele MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (Oct. 26) – Jordan Grabouski made a banner 2019 season even more memorable Saturday night, winning the IMCA Modified main event at Marshalltown Speedway’s 13th annual World Nationals. The $10,000 paycheck came near the end of a campaign that saw the Beatrice, Neb., driver race to IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco national crowns. His 69 total feature wins during the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season also included the April Frostbuster at Marshalltown. Joel Rust, defending race winner Richie Gustin, Cayden Carter and Jeff Aikey completed the top five. Grabouski and Gustin had lined up on the front row for the start of the 50-lapper. Grabouski grabbed the immediate lead and was still in front when the race was red flagged at 20 laps down after Jeff Larson went over turn three. The race resumed with Grabouski leading the field to green. Rust was running second when the next lap was scored and set his sights on overtaking the leader. It wasn’t to be on this night, however, as Grabouski held [Read More]

Duel In The Desert boasts great competition, Las Vegas location

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Entertainment Capital of the World welcomes IMCA Modifieds and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods to town for the Duel In The Desert. Modifieds race for $7,777 to win, Northern SportMods for a top prize of $1,777 at the 22nd annual Duel Nov. 13-16 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. “The Duel continues to be one of our biggest events, with more than 300 drivers from 20-plus states and Canada at last year’s event,” noted IMCA President Brett Root. “Both the level of competition and the entertainment away from the track are tough to beat.” The Saturday night Modified feature is a 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier. A minimum of $777 will be paid to start the 28-car main event and to winners of Thursday and Friday, Nov. 14 and 15 qualifying features. Thursday and Friday Northern SportMod qualifiers both pay $500 to win. Drivers in both divisions can register online and competitors from 19 states and Canada have already done so. The track website is www.lvms.com and the registration form [Read More]

Compliments keep coming for McGaha on Southern Challenge IMCA Modified victory

ABILENE, Texas (Oct. 19) – Josh McGaha was getting compliments long after the IMCA Modified checkers flew at Abilene Speedway’s Ryan Bard Memorial Southern Challenge. McGaha stayed in front after swapping the lead late with frequent foe Chris Elliott in winning Saturday’s headliner, earning $2,000 and a 2020 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot berth for the victory. “It was a barnburner, a heck of a good race,” said McGaha, also winner of 2011 and 2012 Southern Challenge titles. “It’s one of the most fun races I’ve been in and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on how exciting it was.” Elliott, Herring, Matt Guillaume and Chase Allen rounded out the top five. Now the six-time track champion at Abilene, McGaha had started fourth and passed Herring near midway for the lead. He built up a straightaway advantage before getting stuck behind a slower car. Elliott was quick to catch up and challenge. Their back-and-forth battle ended with McGaha ahead by a car length and a half at the finish. “I raced with Chris all year [Read More]