Feature Archives

They’ll be smokin’ hot at the IMCA Southern SportMod Super Nationals

KENNEDALE, Texas (Aug. 28, 2024) – Call the fire department right now, James Lopez knows he’s going to have a barnburner on his hands. More than 60 drivers are already pre-registered for the third annual IMCA Southern SportMod Super Nationals powered by Smiley’s Racing Products, coming up Sept. 5-7 at Lopez’ Kennedale Speedway Park. Each and every one of those drivers comes to town aiming to take the $5,000 top check in the Saturday main event. “We’ve already got a packed field entered. There’s a bunch of guys coming who are way fast not just at their home track but wherever they race,” said Lopez. “There will be a lot of good cars out there.” An open practice on Thursday, Sept. 5 will be followed at about 8:30 p.m. by All-Star qualifying, open to any driver who has won at least one sanctioned feature this season, and then by a party in the pits sponsored by Generation Race Cars. All SportMods run two heats on Friday and lock in the top eight for the main event [Read More]

Gould rings up career 200th IMCA Modified checkers at Bells

CALERA, Okla. (Aug. 24, 2024) – Thirty years ago, William Gould was happy going fast in a straight line. Saturday night, he kept going fast and turning left at Grayson County Speedway in Bells, Texas, winning for the 200th time in his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified career. “It’s another accomplishment and I’m proud of it. I was glad to get it done and move on to bigger and better things, and hopefully a lot more wins,” said the Calera, Okla., speedster, IMCA’s national champion in 2013 and now the ninth driver in division history to reach the 200 win mark. “I’m looking forward to next week and the week after. You’re only as good as your last win. That’s why we race.” His IMCA resume also boasts six GRT Race Cars South Central Regional crowns, plus nine track and six state titles. “My dad and his brothers, they all raced and I was a hot rodder. I had a 1970 Camaro and I was content doing that,” said Gould, now 51. “I was street racing and [Read More]

Braaksma rides IMCA Modified momentum to Fayette County win

WEST UNION, Iowa (Aug. 23, 2024) – Ethan Braaksma had all kinds of momentum on his side when he pulled into the pit area at Fayette County Speedway Friday night. He rode that momentum straight to victory lane, winning the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature and $1,200 on opening night of the Fall Finale. “I feel pretty confident going to momentum race tracks and coming from go kart racing, I feel like Fayette County is one of those,” explained Braaksma, who’d also won the Rage 40 special at West Union in July. “I like when the track is slick and I can just roll around it. You have to get up on the wheel but at the same time keep the tires underneath you and you should be pretty good.” He was pretty good from the drop of the green, starting from the pole and leading the distance of a 25-lapper interrupted by four cautions. Braaksma hit lapped traffic late but put some real estate on teammate and crew chief Drew Janssen, debuting a new [Read More]

Morris has prescription for special win at Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – Troy Morris III had the right prescription for winning the race dedicated to the memory of The Race Doctor. Morris led 46 of 50 Friesen Performance IMCA Modified circuits Saturday at hometown Bakersfield Speedway, topping the Mike Moshier Classic ahead of Gavyn Manning. The win, Morris’ 10th this season and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying sixth, paid $1,200. Moshier, aka The Race Doctor, was the long-time announcer at Bakersfield and died in 2015 at the age of 69. “This win was special,” said Morris. “I grew up listening to him (Moshier) announce at the track. He called my first win and interviewed me when I was six and racing a mini dwarf.” Morris got to the front early from his inside row three start and built a seven second advantage before the scheduled stoppage at lap 25. Tyler Blankenship found his way to the lead following the restart with Manning challenging in third; issues at the front, however, saw Blankenship drive off to the work area and Morris restart at the [Read More]

Turnbull triumphant at inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Aug 18, 2024) – In a race that will be remembered for years to come, Aaron Turnbull emerged victorious in the inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial at Nodak Speedway. His masterful maneuver around the halfway point, allowing him to take the lead, was a sight to behold. Fending off a challenge after the final restart, Turnbull, the maestro from Estevan, Sask., scored an impressive Friesen Performance $3,014 payday at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. His win holds a special significance as it was a racer from Estevan who won the first Lundy Memorial, just as Lundy had won the first IMCA Modified track title at Estevan Motor Speedway in 2000. “This means a lot to me. Monte raced against my dad. It’s awesome to win the first event,” said Turnbull. “All of Monte’s family was there. Hopefully this race becomes a long standing tradition.” The race was off to an intense start as Drew Christianson beat Shawn Strand into the first corner. However, Strand quickly gained momentum, swinging the lead in [Read More]

15 states represented, early entries top 100 for $12,000 to win IMCA RaceSaver Nationals

EAGLE, Neb. (Aug. 21, 2024) – Announce your plans to host the top-paying event in IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car history and drivers from coast to coast and border to border will be quick to make their plans to be there. Early entries from more than 100 drivers, who will make the tow from 15 states, are already in hand for the 12th annual, $12,000 to win RaceSaver Nationals Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Eagle Raceway. The winner’s record share of the purse comes courtesy of RaceSaver and IMCA; taking the green flag in the Sunday night pays a minimum of $1,600 with numerous contingencies to be given throughout the event. Pre-entered drivers and their hometowns now include: Gene Ackland, Martell; Bayley Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; Dusty Ballenger, Harrisburg, S.D.; Shayle Bade, Raymond; Nick Barger, Madison, S.D.; Dean Barnes, Zionsville, Ind.; Ethan Barrow, Bloomington, Ind.; Clint Benson, Papillion; Zach Blurton, Quinter, Kan.; Carson Bolden, Quinlan, Texas; Justin Bolte, Fremont; Daren Bolac, Moyock, N.C.; Brandon Bosma, Rock Rapids, Iowa; Mike Boston, Lincoln; Chase Brewer, Waxahachie, Texas; Brody Brown, Lawton, Okla.; [Read More]

Pearce prevails at Antioch’s Hetrick Memorial

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – A driver with a knack for coming up big at big events did just that again Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Andrew Pearce won the 29-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Antioch’s ninth annual Hetrick Memorial, earning $1,500. The checkers flew ahead of Bobby Hogge IV and Kellen Chadwick. Pearce had a front row start and bolted into the lead at the green flag ahead of Andrew Peckham and Hogge. Pearce build a comfortable lead as Hogge and Peckham battled fiercely for second. Hogge grabbed the position on the fourth circuit. The yellow flag waved on lap 12. Pearce continued to lead Hogge and Peckham on the restart. Peckham gave Hogge some serious pressure for the next few circuits, but Hogge kept his cool and held the position. Chadwick made an inside pass in turn two on lap 21 to gain third. Pearce had built a straightaway advantage by the time the checkered flag flew on his impressive victory. He was already Fast Shafts All-Star [Read More]

$10,000 to win for IMCA Modifieds at Rocket Raceway Park

PARIS, Texas (Aug. 19, 2024) – Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds make their first visit to Rocket Raceway Park Aug. 29-31, racing for shares of a rich purse to be paid out at the 10th annual Bryan Mize Memorial. Winner of the Saturday night main event earns $10,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility while taking the green flag in the big show pays a minimum of $1,000. “We know there are a lot of high paying shows out there. We want to put the focus on the guaranteed start money,” said promoter and track owner Kevin Sustaire. “We’re able to do this because a lot of local sponsors have chipped in and helped.” The runner-up earns $4,000 with $2,500 paid for third, $1,800 for fourth, $1,700 for fifth, $1,600 for sixth, $1,500 for seventh, $1,400 for eighth, $1,300 for ninth, $1,200 for 10th, $1,100 for 11th and $1,000 for 12th through 20th places. Tow money for the IMCA Modifieds is $100. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, GRT Race Cars South Central Region and Texas State points will [Read More]

Rock Springs checkers are sweet for Ungaro

By Ben Deatherage ROCK SPRINGS, Wy. (Aug. 16, 2024) – The Friday night checkers were sweet for Brian Ungaro, as the Green River racer outran Wyatt Howard in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified sprint to the finish at Sweetwater Speedway. Ungaro had a sensational night in the All-Star Modified Special presented by Pitt Stop Motorsports earning $1,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility for that win. Starting from the pole, Ungaro took off and ran away with the lead at the drop of the green flag. As things settled down, with Ungaro pacing the field and Braxton Yeager in tow, the race for third was intense between Casey Delp and Tucker Hislop. Delp secured the position just before the first caution of the feature came out. He then captured second after Yeager tried to challenge for the lead. Ungaro constructed a big advantage that was eliminated when second-running Delp had mechanical problems on lap 15. Yeager inherited second, putting Howard among the potential podium finishers in third. Unfortunately, Yeager had problems himself, which ended [Read More]

First for Oregon as Braaten wins IMCA 100th

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (Aug. 16, 2024) – It was an accomplishment that Jorddon Braaten would have preferred to have celebrated sooner, but the timing was perfect, anyway. Braaten became the first Oregon driver in any IMCA division to reach the 100 career win mark, topping the Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature during the Dwayne Melvin Clash program at Southern Oregon Speedway Friday night. “I don’t think I could have picked a better night for this, other than Super Nationals,” he said after the $3,069 checkers flew. “It’s a bit of relief. After being at 99 I was wondering when I was going to get the 100th. There’s been a bit of a monkey on my back the last few months.” Win number 100 came from eighth starting with Braaten lined up against the heavy hitters from the Pacific Northwest in a 40-lapper at White City that ended green, white, checkered. “It was cool. Kind of everything went through my mind at the same time because I knew it was all together,” he said. “It was [Read More]