Feature Archives

Josh Schweitzer: A Racer’s Rhythm, From Drill to Dirt

By Ben Deatherage LOVELAND, Colo. (Jun. 24, 2025) — For Josh Schweitzer, racing isn’t just a sport — it’s a continuation of rhythm, precision, and passion. A third-generation racer with deep family ties to Colorado dirt tracks, Schweitzer’s story winds through stock cars, symphonies, and stadiums, driven by a love of competition and connection. “My grandpa (Don Schweitzer Sr.) raced Stock Cars and owned a couple of Midget and Super Modified teams in the 70’s. My dad began racing in 1984,” Schweitzer said. “I started racing in high school but stepped away to focus on music and teaching. Eventually, I knew I had to get back in the car.” His car number — #ONE17S — is a nod to his roots. His father raced as 117S, later changing to 17S when rules restricted car numbers to two digits. When father and son raced together, Josh adopted “ONE17S” to preserve the family connection. His dad, Don Schweitzer Jr., handed down not just a car number but a legacy of racing. On his mother’s side, his grandfather Ronald [Read More]

Shryock Wins Stock Car Shootout Special at Kossuth County

By Greg Grabianowski ALGONA, Iowa (June 19, 2025) — Kelly Shryock has been the dominant Sunoco IMCA Stock Car driver in special feature races around Northwest Iowa early this summer. That trend continued Thursday night at Kossuth County Speedway, as the veteran driver added another win to his collection. Shryock took the lead on the fifth circuit of the 25-lap main event and navigated through lapped traffic in the closing stages to hold off a serious challenge from Justin Luinenburg. The Stock Car Shootout win was worth $2,000 and marked Shryock’s ninth victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, and third Stock Car triumph at Algona in 2025. Zayn Feaster and Jordan Rogotzke led the field to the green as each of the starters were guaranteed at least $200 to take the green flag. Feaster led the opening four laps before Shryock took command. Shryock and Luinenburg steadily pulled away from the field and caught lapped traffic with seven to go, setting up a cat-and-mouse game through slower cars. Luinenburg stayed close [Read More]

Rosebrugh Wins Wild Salay Memorial Finale at Crystal

By Ben Deatherage CRYSTAL, Mich. (Jun. 21, 2025) — Chase Rosebrugh capitalized on late-race drama to win the Saturday night finale of the Dan Salay Memorial weekend at Crystal Motor Speedway. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified event, paying $2,000 to win, capped off a thrilling tripleheader in front of a packed crowd. Austin Harnick, the reigning Great Lakes Nationals winner, set the tone early in the 40-lapper by taking the lead on the opening circuit. He held command through a pair of early cautions on laps two and 18, and stretched out his advantage over Rosebrugh by a decent margin with a big gap back to third. Harnick looked to be in control as the defending Merritt Speedway track champion, while Rosebrugh—last year’s DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region Rookie of the Year—held steady in second. But with four laps to go, Harnick was collected with a lapped car and slapped the front stretch wall, handing Rosebrugh the lead on the final restart. Rosebrugh nailed the restart and stormed away for a signature win, his fourth of the [Read More]

IMCA Approves New Five Star Sport Compact Aftermarket Nose Piece for Competition

VINTON, Iowa (June 23, 2025) — IMCA officials have announced that a newly developed Sport Compact aftermarket nose piece, part number 51001-41051-x, manufactured by Five Star Race Car Bodies of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, will be permitted for use in competition beginning June 27, 2025. Unveiled at the PRI Tradeshow in December 2024, this innovative plastic nose piece is now available for purchase, providing IMCA Sport Compact competitors with a durable, universal-fit option that maintains competitive integrity while streamlining front-end appearance. The IMCA Sport Compact division rules have been amended to include this product, and updated regulations are available for review at www.imca.com. The nose piece must be mounted in the same fashion as the OEM nose, ensuring consistency and ease of implementation across all makes and models allowed in the division. “This is a well-designed, racer-friendly solution that offers quality, durability and a professional appearance,” said IMCA President Brett Root. “We’re pleased to support a product that maintains the integrity of the Sport Compact class while providing our drivers with a great looking product.” As a universal-fit component, the 51001-41051-x nose piece can be used, as produced, on any approved [Read More]

James, Sanders, and Wild Crowned IMCA Wild West Speedweek Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (June 24, 2025) — Despite the final two nights falling to rain, the 2025 edition of the IMCA Wild West Speedweek completed five races in six nights across four different Oregon tracks. Three divisions crowned champions following intense competition in the Pacific Northwest. Bricen James delivered a masterclass across the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified division to secure his second career Speedweek title, backing up his 2022 crown. The Albany, Oregon native tied the all-time record for most wins in a single Speedweek with four, matching Kellen Chadwick (2016), Collen Winebarger (2019), and himself. But this time, James set a new record with four straight Speedweek feature wins. Driving the Schram Motorsports-owned no. 13, James won the opener at Southern Oregon Speedway, both nights at Coos Bay Speedway, and added another triumph at Douglas County Dirtrack before finishing second at Cottage Grove Speedway on Wednesday, June 19. Kevin Williamson of Coburg, Oregon rebounded from adversity all week to finish second in the standings aboard the Superior Fuel Cells-fielded No. 42. He came [Read More]

Andersen Rockets from 13th to Eagle Stock Car Glory in Late-Race Thriller

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (June 21, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature’s initial start at Eagle Raceway was negated when Roger Elliot spun in turn four. On the restart, Tommy Etherton took the early lead, with Cash Beckman, Mike Scheinost and Jakob Boucher giving chase. Scott Carlson jumped past both Scheinost and Boucher on lap two to grab third, while Mason Richards moved into fourth on lap four. Lap ten saw Kyle Vanover vault into the top four, climbing to third. A caution with eight to go reset the field with a double file restart. That’s when Chad Andersen made his move, charging from 13th to second. He took over the lead with six laps remaining as Vanover followed him into second. The top four settled in from there with Andersen collecting his second Stock Car win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region, Vanover in second, and Etherton third. Waller Powers to Sprint Car Supremacy with Daring Late Charge Billy Alley led the early stages of the RaceSaver IMCA [Read More]

Harris Clash Postponed to August 5 Due to Weather Forecast

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jun. 23, 2025 ) — Due to a gloomy weather forecast, officials have announced that the Harris Clash, originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, at Boone Speedway, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 5. Bob Harris, Boone Speedway staff, and IMCA officials made the decision to help teams save money by avoiding unnecessary travel. The early announcement gives teams time to adjust their plans and refocus for the new date. In light of the schedule change, IMCA officials have also begun working on the return of Iowa Speedweek, with further details on dates and participating tracks to be announced soon.

Whisler Wires IMCA Wild West Speedweek Modified Field at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (Jun. 19, 2025) — Eston Whisler wasted no time establishing control of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Cottage Grove Speedway on Thursday night during IMCA Wild West Speedweek. The 20-year-old racer from Otis, took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back. A caution on lap two bunched the field early, but Whisler mastered the lone restart and quickly rebuilt his advantage. As the race stayed green, he encountered lapped traffic by lap 13 and spent the remainder of the 35-lap contest slicing through slower cars. Behind him, a spirited battle for second unfolded between Kevin Williamson, piloting the Superior Fuel Cell-owned No. 42, and Bricen James in the Schram Motorsports No. 13. James finally cleared Williamson on lap 26, but the 2019 Shaw Race Cars Western Region champion and 2022 Speedweek king was too far back to mount a charge. Whisler went unchallenged to score his first career Speedweek victory, and his third Shaw Race Cars Western Region triumph of 2025 — [Read More]

$7,500-to-Win Modified Nationals Returns to Grays Harbor Raceway July 18–19

By Ben Deatherage ELMA, Wash. (June 18, 2025) — One of the biggest Friesen Performance Modified races in the Pacific Northwest returns for its 26th running, as the Modified Nationals takes center stage at Grays Harbor Raceway on Friday and Saturday, July 18–19. The event pays an impressive $7,500 to win and $200 to start Saturday’s 40-lap main event, with over $20,000 in total purse money up for grabs. This IMCA-sanctioned special will feature two nights of intense racing. On Friday, all drivers will compete in two heat races — the first lined up straight-up by pill draw, the second fully inverted by original draw order. Points will be awarded based on finishing position and passing points. The top 18 in overall points from Friday advance directly to Saturday’s A Main, while the rest will transfer into Saturday’s B Mains. Also, Friday night, the prestigious Race of Champions returns — a 25-lap showdown featuring up to 20 drivers who are either former Modified Nationals champions, Modified track champions from the past 10 years, or 2024 Grays [Read More]

Barker Banks $5,000 RTI Nationals Win at Park Jefferson

By Ben Deatherage JEFFERSON, S.D. (Jun. 15, 2025) — The Sunday night RTI Nationals brought a packed house to Park Jefferson International Speedway with a whopping $5,000 payday on the line for the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. And it was two-time South Dakota State champion Travis Barker who cashed in. Barker, who started seventh, muscled his way through a hard-fought 35-lap main event. Early on, Brady Wenzlaff controlled the race while three-time Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod winner, Johnathon Logue, and Devin Tripp waged a three-wide battle for the top spot. Tripp edged ahead on lap four and began to stretch his lead, but Barker closed fast. A lap 13 caution reset the field, and on lap 16, Barker nipped Tripp at the line to take over the top spot. Tripp countered by moving to the high side, only for another yellow to wave. That opened the door for 2015 IMCA Hobby Stock national champion Justin Luinenburg, who slotted into second. Luinenburg and Tripp fought hard to the [Read More]