Feature Archives

Deatherage Named New IMCA Publicist

VINTON, Iowa — Ben Deatherage, a familiar face and voice to IMCA fans through IMCA.TV, has been named the new publicist for the International Motor Contest Association. He steps into the role following the retirement of longtime IMCA public relations director Bill Martin. Deatherage will be responsible for compiling race reports, press releases, and human-interest features on the drivers and events that comprise the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program. He will also continue his work with IMCA.TV. “I’m excited to meet the challenges of this new opportunity,” said Deatherage. “Bill was such a major influence on me and an incredible help in my career. He left some big boots to fill.” A native of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Deatherage’s love for racing began early—he attended his first race at just seven days old. Since then, his passion for motorsports has continued to grow. “I’ve loved IMCA racing since I was a kid in the 1990s, watching drivers like David Gould, Robert Hand, Bruce Ray, and many others in the IMCA Modifieds race at Cottage Grove. It’s [Read More]

Nerud Nets Bonus Cash With Last-Lap Pass at Eagle’s Ice Breaker Challenge

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Tyler Nerud had his work cut out for him if he hoped to double up at Eagle Raceway’s Ice Breaker Challenge and collect the extra $1,000 bonus offered for a repeat win in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, as he was starting deeper in the field from inside the sixth row. The first official lap saw Adam Vrbka showing the way. Vrbka continued to show the way, but Nerud effectively moved his way forward getting into third after a triple overtake on lap 7 and got into second around the midway mark. Nerud closed the gap steadily until he flew high and wide through turns 3 and 4 on the final lap and passed Vrbka just before the flag stand. Despite having to begin the race eleventh it did not deter the Dorchester driver’s path to the winner’s circle for his second feature win of 2025. Vrbka was second while Cole Wayman finished third. Vanover Fends Off Grabouski in Intense Stock Car Feature In the main [Read More]

Austin Daae: From Ice to Dirt, the Final Shift

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, SK (Apr. 21, 2025) — For most, playing professional hockey would be enough. For Austin Daae, it’s just one half of the story. The Estevan, Saskatchewan native is just as comfortable skating across frozen rinks as he is sliding through the corners of dirt ovals. And in 2024, he added a big milestone to his résumé—Sunoco IMCA Stock Car champion at Estevan Motor Speedway. “It was a good season,” said Daae. “I haven’t gotten to run for points in 7 or 8 years at least. Per usual, I got home late from playing hockey down south. I was still down there when the first night got rained out. I would’ve liked to race more, but I had hockey things going on. I was able to race every night at home and finally get a points championship.” He picked up four wins at Estevan and added another at Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota. The competition in the region is never easy. “Anywhere you go in North Dakota, you know you’ve got your [Read More]

Rob Parker Takes the Helm at East Moline Speedway for 2025 Season

By Ben Deatherage EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Apr. 18, 2025) — Rob Parker will take over promotional duties at East Moline Speedway for the 2025 season, bringing fresh energy and a lifelong passion for the sport to the historic ¼-mile high-banked clay oval. “I’ve been around racing my whole life and in the East Moline area for the last few years,” said Parker. “When I learned the track was just going to sit, I thought, ‘I guess it’s my time.’ I’m very excited for the opportunity to do this for the racing community.” A first-time promoter, Parker has put together a full slate of Sunday night racing from May through August, featuring four Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing divisions: Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Late Models, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites. The season kicks off May 4, with championship night wrapping up the campaign on August 24. East Moline Speedway has a strong history with IMCA. The track first sanctioned Modifieds in 1984 and has done so consistently since [Read More]

Mallicoat Outduels Grabouski in Modified Photo Finish At Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Apr. 18, 2025) — The 2025 first night of the Ice Breaker Challenge kicked off in spectacular fashion at Eagle Raceway, and the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event delivered one of the closest finishes the track has seen in recent memory, as Izac Mallicoat battled to the very last corner with his chassis builder, Jordan Grabouski. Jaxon Saathoff led the initial circuit but would soon be doing battle with Mallicoat. Mallicoat took over the top spot from Saathoff on lap 3 but Grabouski continued to march his way to the front on lap 12, moving to second and then taking the lead from Mallicoat two laps later. The stage was set for one of the most intense battles I’ve seen in a long time. Grabouski barely held off Mallicoat for the lead until five to go when Mallicoat took the top spot. Despite a furious challenge by Grabouski, including a last-ditch effort slide job out of turn four on the last lap Mallicoat held him off, winning by a scant [Read More]

Manning Finally Gets a Modified Win At Bakersfield

By Steven Blakesley BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Apr. 18, 2025) — 2024 Bakersfield Speedway champion Gavyn Manning finally prevailed at the all-new speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, winning Friday’s 30-lap IMCA Modified feature during the special Friday Night Lights program at the 1/3-mile dirt track. Manning had finished runner-up in both events to open the 2025 season before finally achieving victory, but his second in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region after a big win at Mohave Valley Raceway’s Bill & Shirley Meyer Memorial late last month. Outside polesitter Dalton Houghton made a strong move to take the lead on the opening circuit of the feature race. Ninth-starting Manning took advantage of multiple early race restarts to work the inside line and take over the lead by the fourth lap of the feature. Manning accumulated a five-second lead that was nullified by a caution on lap 22. Opening night winner Robby Sawyer, in the Joe Gallaher-fielded No. X, soldiered on with early damage, running in the third position for most of the main event. Sawyer then retired [Read More]

IMCA offices closed Friday, April 18

VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 17) – The IMCA offices will be closed Friday, April 18. Those needing to purchase their IMCA licenses for events this weekend may do so at www.imca.com. Once purchased, you will be emailed a receipt so you can confirm with track officials that your membership has been paid. Happy Easter and good luck wherever your IMCA racing travels take you this weekend!

Woodhull Raceway To Sanction IMCA Modifieds In 2025

By Ben Deatherage WOODHULL, N.Y. (Apr. 16, 2025) – The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds are returning to “New York’s Toughest Bullring” in 2025, as Woodhull Raceway becomes part of the Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing program with five sanctioned events scheduled from May through September. Located in the Southern Tier of the Empire State, the 1/3-mile oval will host one IMCA Modified event each month, highlighted by the prestigious Sean Lias Memorial on July 26. The Memorial, now relocated to Woodhull, will pay $1,037 to win and $125 to start, and serve as a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifier. Points earned at each event will count toward IMCA track, New York State, DeVilbiss Racing Eastern Region, and National championships. “There are a lot of people around the area with IMCA Modifieds sitting in the garage,” said promoter Nicole Brewer. “We’ve had interest from drivers and fans to bring them back. We’re mixing things up a bit, giving some of the other classes the night off, and are excited to host the Modifieds again.” Woodhull is no stranger to [Read More]

Season 2 of Boone Docuseries Released on IMCA TV

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 16, 2025) – Buckle up for an unforgettable ride as Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries premieres live on IMCA TV. Expanded to six cinematic episodes and produced by Dirt Collective, this new season dives even deeper into the drama, excitement, and emotion of the 2024 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at “Iowa’s Action Track,” Boone Speedway. With jaw-dropping visuals and immersive storytelling, fans will experience the thrill of side-by-side racing, the intensity of late-race passes, and the overwhelming emotion of the moment drivers realize they’ve won their dances. Go behind the scenes like never before—including exclusive chats with the FPV drone pilots who capture some of the most breathtaking footage from above. From the frontstretch to the campgrounds, from new faces to returning legends, this season delivers the full Boone experience. It’s not just a race. It’s a week that lives in your soul long after the checkered flag flies. Whether it’s your first time watching or your fortieth time attending, this is the docuseries that will make you [Read More]

Matthew Triefenbach: Florida Flyer, Blue Collar Built

By Ben Deatherage CRESTVIEW, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2025) — For most racers, their story starts with a garage, a go-kart, and a weekend hobby. For Matthew Triefenbach, it started the same—but quickly got complicated by military orders, Arizona heat, and a first sergeant who didn’t care much for trailers in the dorm parking lot. These days, Triefenbach is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and calls the Florida panhandle home. But in Alabama on April 5, 2025, he made a major breakthrough. At Deep South Speedway in Loxley, he scored his first career Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win—a flag-to-flag run that ended with his hand in the air and a little redemption in his heart. “It was good to come back to Deep South for our local area points racing and start the year off strong there,” he said. “I feel like we had unfinished business from The Clash.” A Strong Start, a Tough Week Just weeks before, Triefenbach had rolled out for the IMCA.TV Clash on the Coast—a growing showcase for the DeVilbiss Racing Eastern [Read More]