News Archives

Long distance chat with dad follows Blixt’s first IMCA Modified Wild West Tour victory

BATTLE MOUNTAIN, Nev. (April 16-17) – Like he does after every race, Cody Blixt had a chat with crew chief and father Kelly Saturday night at Battle Mountain Raceway. What was different this time is that Cody had just won his first IMCA Modified Pitt Stop Motorsports Wild West Tour feature, while his dad was in Kuwait, recently deployed with the National Guard. “We FaceTimed after I went through tech,” explained Blixt, the first Montana driver to win a Wild West Tour event and new to the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot after taking the $1,000 checkers. “He watched on IMCA.TV and was thrilled that I won. He told me how well I drove.” After a 10th place finish Friday night, Blixt drew the pole on night two and led start to finish. “It was 25 laps but it felt like the longest race ever,” said Blixt, chased by Bert Beech and opening night winner Chaz Baca. ”Last year I raced a lot of specials and ran almost 50 nights. The Wild West Tour win is [Read More]

Carter, Reynolds thrill in opening night wins at the Bullring

VINTON, Iowa – It was deja vu for Brayton Carter Sunday night at the Benton County Speedway Bullring. Two weeks after earning a last lap pass for the win in Frostbuster action, Carter repeated his late race heroics in the season points opener for the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods presented by Christie Door Company. From his front row start, Brian Kauffman led throughout the 15-lapper, but was challenged by Kyle Olson during his time out front. Olson made his bid for the lead on two separate occasions, only to have those moves negated by a pair of cautions. By the time the last yellow waved to set up a two-lap dash to the finish, Carter moved into contention and was sitting outside of row two when racing resumed the final time. On the restart, Carter powered to the outside of Kauffman, who was committed to the low groove the entire race. The lead pair remained in close formation as Carter surged ahead coming off turn four to take the checkers by inches ahead of Kauffman. [Read More]

Defending champion smokes Virginia Sprint Series foes

By Jim Haines NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (April 17) – The first dirt race of the year for the Virginia Sprint Series was an exciting one as defending champion Mike Leraas made his way to the front and fought off race-long challengers and a failure at the last lap but held on for the Saturday win at Natural Bridge Speedway. Matt Mullins and Chris Ware paced the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car field to green. Ware was out first with Leraas, Bill Rice and Jerald Harris giving chase. Leraas got by, leaving Rice and Harris to fight with Ware for second. Ware got high in turn two with Harris getting by Rice to go after Leraas and Rice in a solid third. A quick spinner tightened up the field after they had caught the back of the field. Leraas was off again and Harris was right on him with Rice staying tough in third. The top two went after it lap after lap until coming down for the white flag Leraas started to smoke badly. But even with [Read More]

Opening night checkers at Shawano fly for Christians, Schmidt, Mullen

SHAWANO, Wis. (April 17) – Welcome sights on opening night at Shawano Speedway included a nearly packed grandstand and 111 cars checking in to the pit area. Eric ‘Chummy’ Arneson would return to racing action at the speedway in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car division and would battle through caution the opening laps to take the lead on lap four, powering past the Chucky Forstner machine and bringing Jeremy Christians along with him. Arneson and Christians were joined by Kevin Hebbe in the top three before numerous cautions set up a final lap shoot out that found Christians jumping past Arneson to pick up another feature win. The constant throughout the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod event was defending track champion Jayden Schmidt leading the pack. Schmidt gained the top spot from Jason Jach on lap two and survived multiple restarts to pick up the feature win. Jeff Schmuhl powered through the field from his ninth place starting spot to grab second while Jeffrey Teske took third. The IMCA Modifieds rolled on the track with Mike Mullen to the [Read More]

On a rail, Bannister outruns ‘fast guys’ for Miller Memorial win at Merced

MERCED, Calif. (April 17) – Leader Jason Bannister knew “those fast guys” would be coming as the laps clicked away at Merced Speedway’s Al Miller Memorial main event. Bannister was faster, though, and took home Saturday’s $5,000 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod feature win ahead of Fred Ryland and Tom Fraser. “It was awesome. To be competitive and win a race like this is really exciting,” the Bakersfield hotshoe said. “We hit the setup and we were on a rail. This was my biggest win and the biggest payday of my career.” He’d passed Fraser for the front spot on lap three and Ryland took over the second spot just before a multi-car pileup on the backstretch brought everything to a halt on lap 10. The race stayed green from that point, with Ryland chasing Bannister in traffic as the 35-lapper wound down. He cleared two lapped cars and was cutting into Bannister’s lead but ran out of laps to catch the leader. “I knew Fred was back there,” said Bannister, the Friday night runner-up. “I’d [Read More]

IMCA Modifieds, Late Models chase $1,000 checks at Davenport opener

DAVENPORT, Iowa – IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Late Models both run for $1,000 to win on opening night Friday, April 23 at Davenport Speedway. The Modified feature is a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot; Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods also see their first action of the season at Davenport that evening. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Pit passes are $30. Spectator admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids ages 5-12, with four and under free.

Phillips County opens with weekend doubleheader

HOLYOKE, Colo. – A season-opening doubleheader sees five IMCA divisions in action this weekend at Phillips County Raceway. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts are on Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 race programs at Holyoke. Both shows are draw/redraw. Racing starts at 3 p.m. both days. The weekend twinbill also kicks off the Colorado Alliance Tour and is the second leg of the Tri-State Tour. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors ages 65 and over, $ for youth ages 6-12 and free for kids five and under.

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through April 14

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 900; 2. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif., 604; 3. Bricen James, Albany, Ore., 563; 4. Tanner Black, Otis, Kan., 557; 5. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 529; 6. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz., 520; 7. William Miller, Yuma, Ariz., 482; 8. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 452; 9. Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D., 435; 10. Chris Morris, Taylor, Texas, 407; 11. Kellen Chadwick, Oakley, Calif., 402; 12. Jerry Flippo, Bakersfield, Calif., 378; 13. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., and Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Ore., both 371; 15. Russell Allen, Brawley, Calif., 370; 16. Kelly Johnson, Peoria, Ariz., 359; 17. Michael Thing Jr., Campo, Calif., 347; 18. Jon White, Red Oak, Texas, 331; 19. Chad Stevens, Gilbert, Ariz., 327; 20. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 325. IMCA Sunoco Late Models – 1. Kyle Prauner, Norfolk, Neb., 75; 2. Ben Sukup, Norfolk, Neb., 67; 3. Alex Banks, Newman Grove, Neb., 63; 4. Devin Johnson, Bloomfield, Neb., and Lester Siebert, York, Neb., both 40; 6. Jason Humphrey, Giltner, Neb., 39; 7. Robert Osborne, Norfolk, Neb., and Travis Dickes, Madison, Neb., [Read More]

Oil Capital show at Outlaw is rained out

By John Rittenoure TULSA, Okla. (April 16) – Friday night’s AmeriFlex/Oil Capital Racing Series IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car show at Outlaw Motor Speedway is cancelled due to overnight rain that is forecast to continue all day Friday. The race has not been re-scheduled. Next Friday’s (April 23) race at Tulsa Speedway has been moved to Caney Valley Speedway. Tulsa Speedway is still under construction and does not expect to open until mid-May.

25-year sponsor Brodix renews awards for IMCA Late Model, Sprint Car rookies

MENA, Ark. – Brodix marks another major sponsorship milestone this season with IMCA, renewing awards for Late Model and Sprint Car competitors. The 25-year sponsor again gives cylinder head sets to IMCA Sunoco Late Model and IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car national rookies of the year. The highest finishing spec engine driver in national Late Model point standings receives the same award from the Mena, Ark., manufacturer. “Brodix has been very happy with our relationship with the IMCA spec head program. A large part of the success is due to the professional manner in which IMCA supports these programs with proper inspection and implementation of their rules,” said company founder J.V. Brotherton. “We have strived to produce a quality, consistent product. A quarter century relationship with IMCA is very much appreciated by everyone here at Brodix.” Brodix awards will be presented during IMCA’s national banquet this fall. Drivers in both divisions are required to display two Brodix logos on their race cars. National rookies of the year last season were Mitch Manternach of Dyersville, Iowa, in [Read More]