Feature Archives

McDowell Seals Sugar Bowl Glory in Thrilling Green-White-Checkered Finish

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell once again proved his dominance in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, capturing the final night of the 2025 Sugar Bowl and Florida Winter Nationals at Hendry County Motorsports Park. Despite a late caution that set up a dramatic green-white-checkered finish, the Murfreesboro, Tennessee racer held his ground to secure his first career Sugar Bowl victory after finishing fourth in 2024. The event drew 49 teams from across the United States and Canada. The race opened with a thrilling battle between McDowell and defending Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion Riley Clem. McDowell managed to edge ahead of Clem and quickly set a blistering pace. A few restarts prevented McDowell from building a massive lead, but a well-timed caution on lap fifteen spared him from navigating heavy lapped traffic. As the race neared its conclusion, a late yellow flag set up a high-stakes green-white-checkered restart, giving challengers one last shot at an upset. 2022 Sugar Bowl winner Ronnie Choate, also from [Read More]

McDowell Scores Sugar Bowl Preliminary Night Victory at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 7, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell doubled up his 2025 Florida Winter Nationals win total with a thrilling victory on preliminary night of the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl at Hendry County Motorsports Park. The Murfreesboro, Tennessee racer pocketed the $1,000 payday after outdueling the competition in an action-packed feature that saw multiple lead changes and several restarts. A stellar 55 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites filled the pit area, with entries from across the United States and Canada. The feature kicked off with New Yorker Doug Williams pacing the field in the early laps. After an early restart, McDowell made his move, methodically working the inside line to edge ahead at the stripe on lap four. However, Williams kept his momentum rolling and powered back around him to reclaim the top spot. Following another restart, McDowell again went on the attack. His patience paid off as he wrestled the lead away for good on lap seven. From there, he controlled the race on restarts and maintained his advantage, despite briefly [Read More]

Ronnie Choate Sweeps Thursday Night Action At Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage CLEWISTON, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) — Ronnie Choate took home all the hardware on the opening night of the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl at Hendry County Motorsports Park. While all 44 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites had the opportunity to practice and dial their cars in, a select group of drivers participated in the prestigious Race of Champions and Manufacturers Dash—both of which were won by the Cookeville, Tennessee native. The Race of Champions kicked off with reigning Benton Speedway titleholder John Leahy seizing the early lead. However, Choate quickly closed the gap, and on lap three, he motored around the Missourian to take command. Once out front, Choate was untouchable. The 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion and 2022 Sugar Bowl winner powered to victory, marking three different winners in the past three years in the Race of Champions. 2023 Texas Mod Lite Nationals champion Corey Babbit finished second, while Missouri’s Dillon Raffurty—the four-time reigning IMCA National champion—rounded out the podium in third. Local competitor Mike Dean [Read More]

Babbit Redeems Himself With Ocala Mod Lite Victory

By Ben Deatherage OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2025) — Corey Babbit got his shot at redemption in race three of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway, claiming victory in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite main event. After being overtaken late in lapped traffic the night before, the New Caney, Texas polesitter dominated the 25-lap finale to secure his first win of the season. The event drew an impressive 42 entries from across the United States, as well as the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Despite a red flag incident on the initial start, Babbit rocketed away once the race got underway. 2023 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Ronnie Choate tried to keep pace, but the Tennessee driver soon found himself losing ground as Babbit stretched his lead. Navigating through lapped traffic, the former Texas Mod Lite Nationals winner efficiently maneuvered past slower cars without incident. However, a caution on lap 11 bunched the field back up, setting up a dramatic restart. When racing resumed, Iowa’s Josh May [Read More]

Hibdon Scores Saturday Night Victory To Earn Early Thaw Title

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (February 1, 2025) — Kollin Hibdon made a thrilling late-race pass to capture his first IMCA Modified victory of the 2025 season at Central Arizona Raceway. The Pahrump, Nevada racer not only took the checkered flag in the final round of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw series but also secured the coveted series championship. The feature began with Troy Morris III, winner of the previous two nights, pacing the field early as he powered around the 3/8-mile clay oval on the high side. However, Morris made hard contact with the wall on lap four and suffered another heavy hit ten laps later, ultimately flattening his right front tire and surrendering the lead to Ian Whisler. Whisler, from the Northern Oregon Coast, did his best to fend off Hibdon, but the Nevada driver executed a flawless slider in turn two on lap fifteen to take control. From there, the eighth-place starter pulled away from the competition, finally breaking through to victory lane and taming the Western [Read More]

Morris Holds Off Hibdon For Third IMCA Modified Win Of 2025

By Ben Deatherage(Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 31, 2025) — Troy Morris III secured a hard-fought victory in the IMCA Modified feature at Central Arizona Raceway during the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw, earning his third Western Region win of the season and second consecutive triumph. The Bakersfield, California driver had to withstand intense pressure from Kollin Hibdon on the final lap and during a late-race restart to capture his fourth career Early Thaw series victory. Starting from the pole n the twenty lap contest, Morris launched into the lead at the drop of the green. Meanwhile, the battle for second was fierce, allowing Morris to extend his advantage. Hibdon and two-time defending Early Thaw champion Chaz Baca Jr. traded the runner-up spot multiple times, with Hibdon surging from fourth to second before Baca briefly reclaimed the position. However, Hibdon solidified himself in second as the race progressed. A caution with twelve laps completed eliminated Morris’s lead and set up an intense eight-lap shootout. Morris got a great restart, and although Hibdon [Read More]

Teenager Herrera Scores First Career IMCA Northern SportMod Win Thursday At The Early Thaw

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of AOM Creative) Casa Grande, Arizona (January 30, 2025) — At just sixteen years old, Payce Herrera captured his first career IMCA Northern SportMod victory in thrilling fashion during the fourth round of the 2025 Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw on Thursday night. Starting seventh, the Price, Utah youngster methodically worked his way to the front and ultimately prevailed after a fierce battle with reigning Arizona State champion Tyler Johnson. The feature began with Johnson powering to the lead, narrowly beating Minnesota’s Kaden Woodie to the stripe before an early caution reset the field. On the restart, fellow North Star State racer Mark “Bud” Martini briefly took command, but Johnson swiftly reclaimed the top spot by the time they reached turn four. Herrera entered the picture on lap seven with a stunning double overtake to secure second. Another caution on lap eleven bunched up the field, setting the stage for a thrilling duel between Herrera and Johnson. The young Utah racer grabbed the lead on the thirteenth, but Johnson fought back [Read More]

IMCA Encourages Drivers to Complete Contingency Form for 2025 Season Benefits

VINTON, Iowa (January 28, 2025) – The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) is urging all drivers to complete the official Contingency Form at www.imca.com/contingencies to ensure eligibility for contingency awards and benefits during the 2025 racing season. The Contingency Form is a critical component of IMCA’s ongoing partnership with sponsors and manufacturers, allowing drivers to gain access to a wide range of rewards. Completing the form guarantees that competitors are fully registered to receive contingency prizes from participating sponsors throughout the season. “We want to ensure that every IMCA driver can take full advantage of the incredible support provided by our sponsors,” said Carson Becker-Gramm, IMCA Integrated Marketing and Sponsorship Director. “Filling out the Contingency Form is a simple step that secures your eligibility for awards and recognizes the efforts of our valued sponsors.” Steps to Complete the Contingency Form: 1. Visit www.imca.com/contingencies. 2. Fill out the Contingency Form by clicking the link at the bottom of the page. 3. Submit the completed form as outlined on the website before the start of your racing season. IMCA’s [Read More]

Jaedon McDowell Claims Florida Winter Nationals Opener At Needmore

By Ben Deatherage Norman Park, Georgia (January 28, 2025) — Jaedon McDowell emerged victorious on the opening night of the 2025 Florida Winter Nationals for the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites at Needmore Speedway. The series kicked off at the 3/8-mile Southern Georgia clay oval with thrilling action and also marked the season opener for the Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association. The event drew an impressive 39 entries from across the United States and the Canadian province of Quebec. Riley Clem appeared to be the class of the field, taking control from the outset. He won the race to the backstretch ahead of fellow front-row starter John Pitts and led the opening lap. The defending Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion built a commanding lead during a lengthy green-flag stretch. Even as lapped traffic came into play on lap ten, Clem navigated through the slower cars with precision. A caution on lap seventeen bunched the field, erasing Clem’s advantage. However, Clem retained control on the restart and began to extend his lead [Read More]

Thrilling IMCA STARS Mod Lite Action Kicks Off 2025 at Hendry County

By Ben Deatherage (Photo Courtesy of Hendry County Motorsports Park) Clewiston, FLORIDA (January 28, 2025) — Hendry County Motorsports Park opened its 2025 schedule with two exhilarating Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite events ahead of the highly anticipated Winter Nationals, concluding with the 6th Annual Sugar Bowl on February 8th. The 1/3-mile clay oval saw intense battles as local teams aimed to start their season with strong performances. Mike Dean Opens Season with Victory The first Mod Lite feature of the season kicked off on Saturday, January 4th, with Mike Dean taking control early. Dean seized the lead on the opening lap, just before a caution slowed the field. On the restart, Tyler Garey attempted to challenge Dean on the low line, but the leader held firm. Despite three additional cautions and a spirited effort by Garey on the final restart, Dean remained unfazed, cruising to his first win of the season. Garey earned a solid second-place finish, with Robbie Throop rounding out the top three. Robbie Throop Outlasts the Field The Mod Lites returned [Read More]