Feature Archives

New IMCA sanctions have phone ringing off the hook at Lubbock’s West Texas Raceway

LUBBOCK, Texas – The phone has been ringing off the hook at West Texas Raceway. New owner and promoter Corky Matthews has made a major investment in upgrading the Lubbock track, which sanctions IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods beginning in 2017. “It’s like a brand new track, probably one of the best facilities around,” Matthews said. “We’ve spent $300,000 so far on a complete remodel. It’s getting real nice and people are getting excited about coming to the races here. I’ve had 400 to 500 people call me about it already.” Nearly 40 semi loads of clay were added as the 3/8-mile oval was widened another 15 feet. “This track was built in the 1960s and I raced late models, sprint cars and street stocks on it myself,” Matthews noted. “It was one of the fastest tracks around.” New grandstand bleachers and lighting purchased from a professional football stadium are in place. New landscaping and work has already started on a 20×6-foot scoreboard. “The lights are [Read More]

Gaylord steals IMCA Modified win from Center on last lap at Cocopah

By Mike Spieker YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 12) – Last-lap larceny made Ryan Gaylord the winner of the Arizona IMCA Modified Tour finale Sunday at Cocopah Speedway. On the final lap of what was also the last of three Winter Nationals events, Gaylord followed leader Eric Center into turns three and four. When Center missed the groove on the bottom while trying to maneuver past a lap car, it left the door wide open for Gaylord and he capitalized. Gaylord shot to the bottom to take the lead off turn four and sped to the $1,250 win. “That was basically my only shot to get the win,” said Gaylord, already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. “I was just trying to be patient and save my tires out there.” As a result of the miscue, Center drifted back to fourth. He followed Justin Zeitner and Hunter Marriott to the line. After taking the lead on lap seven, Center had held the point all the way until the final lap. “I almost want to cry right [Read More]

Moore is too much for opening night Arizona IMCA Mod Tour foes

By Mike Spieker YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 10) – Bob Moore scored the opening night Arizona IMCA Modified Tour win after a couple spirited battles with Shawn Strand and Hunter Marriott. The first annual tour commenced Friday night at Cocopah Speedway with an outstanding field of 85 Modifieds in attendance. Moore’s victory paid $1,250 and put him on the ballot for the upcoming Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. After taking the lead away from polesitter Strand, on lap two, Moore opened up a sizeable lead and checked out from the field. As the race advanced, however, Strand’s machine got faster and he was able to reel in and pass Moore to reclaim the lead. The race was slowed at halfway as seven cars tangled in turn one to bring out the caution. When the race resumed, Moore went to the low side of turns one and two to grab the lead away from Strand. Marriott followed suit and rode in Moore’s tire tracks to take the second spot. In the closing laps, lapped traffic allowed Marriott to [Read More]

Four IMCA divisions run at Abilene Ice Breaker special

ABILENE, Texas – The 2017 running of the Abilene Speedway Ice Breaker is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and 18, with four IMCA divisions on the program each evening. IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds run for $700 to win each night, Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods for $600, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for $400 and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $250. IMCA Speedway Moors Weekly Racing national, regional, Allstar Performance State and local track points will be awarded for both draw/redraw programs. The pits open at 4 p.m., hot laps are from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and racing is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps are from 5-6 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7 p.m. Overnight accommodations with racer’s rates are available at Motel 6, 325 672-8462, or the Whitten Inn, 800 588-5050. Gates open at 5 p.m. and an open practice runs from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16. More information about the Ice Breaker, presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, Showtime Signs & Designs and [Read More]

$1,200 top prize for IMCA RaceSaver Sprints at Lone Star Smackdown

KILGORE, Texas – IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars chase a $1,200 top check at Lone Star Speedway’s Saturday, Feb. 11 Lone Star Sprint Smackdown. A minimum of $200 will be paid to take the green flag in the main event. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and Allstar Performance State points will be awarded. Tow money is $100 and there is no entry fee. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 4:30 p.m. Track packing is at 5:45 p.m. with hot laps and racing to follow. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 6-11. Pit passes are $35. More information is available by calling 903 986-9731 and at the www.lonestarspeedway.com website.

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings Through Feb. 15

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Wilson, Queen Creek, Ariz., 230; 2. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz., 229; 3. Brian Schultz, Casa Grande, Ariz., and Scott Sluka, Casa Grande, Ariz., both 196; 5. Jeremy Thornton, Tucson, Ariz., 186; 6. Garrett Funk, Phoenix, Ariz., 182; 7. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., 177; 8. Leland Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 176; 9. Marlyn Seidler, Underwood, N.D., 154; 10. Jason Wolla, Ray, N.D., R. Royce Henry, El Cajon, Calif., and Ross Statham, Medicine Hat, Alb., each 147; 13. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 140; 14. Brent Schlafmann, Bismarck, N.D., 133; 15. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif., 132; 16. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., and Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa, both 130; 18. Lucas Schott, Chatfield, Minn., 128; 19. Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., 127; 20. Garth Dushanek, Avondale, Ariz., 126. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars – 1. Marcus Thomas, Corsicana, Texas, 40; 2. Austin Mundie, Dallas, Texas, 39; 3. John Ricketts, Burleson, Texas, 37; 4. Jake Martens, Fairview, Okla., 35; 5. Tucker Doughty, Heath, Texas, 34; 6. Robert Vetter, Wolfe City, Texas, 32; 7. Chip Graham, Lewisville, Texas, 31; 8. Michael [Read More]

New York’s Glen Ridge Motorsports Park puts IMCA Modifieds on Friday programs

FULTONVILLE, N.Y. – A perfect little track in eastern New York puts IMCA Modifieds on its Friday night programs beginning this season. Opening night for the sanctioned division at ¼-mile clay Glen Ridge Motorsports Park is now planned for April 14. “I have commitments from 15 guys now and that’s good enough for us to get the class started,” said Promoter Pete Demitraszek. “This is a perfect little track for them, I’ll tell you that. It’s a pretty quick little track.” IMCA Modifieds have made one previous appearance on the Fultonville oval, about four years ago. Demitraszek believes the economy of the division and the rules it brings with it, notably the crate engine option, will make it a success at the newest sanctioned track in IMCA’s Dirt Works Eastern Region. “I really like the rules package and the way IMCA enforces it,” he said. “Keeping the cost of racing down is important. The IMCA Modified is an economical race car and I think the crate engine is going to save the class in this [Read More]

Deery Series returns to 34 for opening night, ends with rich September dates

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – The Deery Brothers Summer Series returns to a very familiar venue for its 31st opening night and ends with a Month of More Money in September. Touring IMCA Late Models start their 2017 campaign on Saturday, April 1 at 34 Raceway. That event marks the series’ 49th appearance – more than at any other track – at West Burlington and its first there since 2013. “The first-ever series race was held at 34 Raceway so we’ve got a lot of history there,” noted Tour Director Kevin Yoder. “I know a lot of our drivers as well as fans that follow the Deery Series have been looking forward to returning.” The Sept. 2 Yankee Dirt Classic main event at Farley Speedway pays $7,500 to win while a bonus of as much as $1,500 awaits the winner of the Sept. 7 show during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway. Dates April 8 at West Liberty Raceway, April 14 at Farley, April 15 at Independence Motor Speedway and April 23 at Dubuque [Read More]

Winter Heat Challenge this weekend at Perris

PERRIS, Calif. – Perris Auto Speedway will put a wrap on the Winter Heat Challenge Series this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11 and 12. Both shows will feature IMCA Modifieds running for IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Larry Shaw Western Region, Allstar Performance State and track points. Spectator gates open at 2 p.m. each day with racing at 3 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 each day. Active military with proper ID, students ages 13-18 with their school ID and kids ages 6-12 get in for $5. Children five and under will be admitted free. Through the generosity of the fairgrounds, parking will be free both days. Race teams competing in both shows this weekend will be allowed to camp in the infield overnight on Saturday. The big winner through the first three rounds of the series has been Mother Nature. Most recently, Jan. 7 and 21 events were knocked out by heavy rains. With the possibility of weather moving in this week, fans can keep up to date on the status of weekend’s races on the Perris [Read More]

Pre-entries number 160 for Arizona IMCA Modified Tour

YUMA, Ariz. – Eight $1,250 to win main events take top billing when the inaugural IMCA Arizona Modified Tour ventures to Cocopah Speedway, Arizona Speedway, Canyon Speedway Park and San Tan Ford Central Arizona Speedway. Each IMCA Modified feature is a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying event and a minimum of $150 will be paid to make the 24-car fields. All eight programs will be broadcast by IMCA.TV and also featured on MAVTV. One hundred and sixty cars, including 98 Modifieds, are now pre-registered and represent 19 states and two Canadian provinces. The tour is at Cocopah for Friday, Saturday and Sunday events Feb. 10-12, at Arizona Speedway Tuesday, Feb. 14; at Canyon Speedway Park Thursday and Friday, Feb. 16 and 17; and at San Tan Ford Central Arizona on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19. Entry fee each night for the Modifieds is $35. Tow is $40. Practice nights are Thursday, Feb. 9 at Cocopah and Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Peoria. Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods run for $600 to win and a [Read More]