News Archives

IMCA Racing returns at Open Wheel Nationals

JEFFERSON, S.D. (April 25) – Dirt track racing made its much anticipated return Saturday night at Park Jefferson Speedway’s Open Wheel Nationals. Ricky Thornton Jr. outran a star-filled field, representing nine states, for the $1,000 IMCA Modified feature win. The first sporting event of any kind held in much of the country this spring, the Open Wheel Nationals played out in front of an empty grandstand but with a worldwide audience watching online. Already a Fast Shafts Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot candidate, Thornton made his charge from seventh starting and caught Sean Barrigan for the lead on the sixth of 25 laps. The feature stayed green following a lap three caution and Thornton ran with lapped traffic the last nine times around the oval. He pulled away as a multi-car tussle for second ensued behind him. Fourteenth starting Robby Sawyer was scored second most of the way before 11th starting Jeff Taylor snuck by to take the runner-up finish by all of .023 of a second. Chris Abelson started 10th and finished fourth while Jim Thies completed [Read More]

IMCA national runners-up, special event drivers will earn awards from AutoMeter

SYCAMORE, Ill. – A unique combination of IMCA drivers receive awards from AutoMeter for a third consecutive season. The Sycamore, Ill., competition instrument and accessories manufacturer recognizes both national runners-up and special events competitors. “AutoMeter comes from a long line of racing history and has been driven to provide performance enthusiasts with the information they need to win,” said Director of Motorsports Marc Erickson. “We are proud to support IMCA and its racers.” AutoMeter gives $50 gift certificates to a top five finishing driver at each of 80 designated specials for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods. Those certificates will be mailed from the IMCA home office within a week after official race results are received. Second-place drivers in Modified, Late Model, Stock Car and Hobby Stock national standings all receive mechanical 3-gauge panel sets while IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car, both SportMod and the Mach-1 Sport Compact divisions receive 2-gauge panel sets. Information about AutoMeter products as well as [Read More]

IMCA Modified, Hobby, Northern SportMod rookies vie for Friesen Performance crates

SUTTON, Neb. – Friesen Performance continues one of IMCA’s most popular award programs for first-year drivers, giving crate engines to top rookies in three divisions for a seventh consecutive season. The Sutton, Neb., dealership again gives a 604 crate engine to the national Modified rookie of the year and 602 crate engines to both national Hobby Stock and Northern SportMod rookies of the year. Rookie competitors in each of those divisions must display two Friesen Performance decals on their race car to be eligible. Engine awards will be presented during the IMCA national banquet in November. “It has been really fun getting to work with a few of the recipients of this fantastic award,” said Chad Smith. “They have come in to do some dyno testing and tuning on the actual engine they won. It is very rewarding to see the appreciation they have for it and their desire to continue to get better. “ 2019 crate engine recipients were John Oliver Jr., Modified; Kaden Reynolds, Hobby Stock; and Cade Richards, Northern SportMod. Friesen sells and [Read More]

South Dakota events still on, without grandstand spectators

JEFFERSON, S.D. – Both Saturday’s Open Wheel Nationals at Park Jefferson Speedway and Sunday’s event at The New Raceway Park will still be held as scheduled, but without spectators in grandstands at either facility. No IMCA points of any kind will be given at either event. The Saturday show features IMCA Modifieds and will be broadcast by Speed Shift TV. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts are on the Sunday card, to be broadcast by Advantage Racing TV. Advance ticket holders for the Open Wheel Nationals will be notified by email about refunds. Information about grandstand refunds for the Sunday event is to be announced.

IMCA built engine drivers racing for Flow Design awards

WELLINGTON, Kan. – Drivers in five IMCA divisions competing with built engines earn Flow Design product awards for a 13th consecutive season. Top five built engine drivers in national point standings for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods all receive carburetor spacers from the Wellington, Kan., manufacturer. The top finishing spec engine driver in the Monday night Late Model main event, and highest finishing built engine competitors in Saturday night Modified, Stock Car and Northern SportMod dances at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September also earn carb spacers. Those awards will be mailed the week after Super Nationals. Awards based on national point standings will be presented at the IMCA banquet in November, or mailed the following week. Information about Flow Design-made products is available by calling 620 326-3537. “Flow Design has been providing high-performing carburetor spacers to deserving IMCA racers for more than a decade and continues that tremendous support in 2020,” commented IMCA Marketing Director [Read More]

Strange Oval giving cash, product certificates to top five drivers at 30 IMCA Modified specials

MORTON GROVE, Ill. – Strange Oval’s racing heritage and drive for innovation pays off again this season for IMCA Modified special events drivers. A top five finisher at each of 30 designated specials receives $50 in cash and a $50 product certificate. All awards will be mailed from the IMCA home office the week after official race results are received and product certificates are redeemable through Performance Bodies. Located in Morton Grove, Ill., Strange Oval is in its sixth year of IMCA sponsorship and manufactures axles and drive plates. “We’ll be involved with IMCA for many years to come. Over the years we’ve come to know many of the competitors and have developed great relationships. IMCA has such a wide reach and so many tracks around the country have adopted their rules package because there’s great value and affordability,” said Strange Oval President Jim Kontje. “We strive to mirror this same philosophy with our products while incorporating innovative technology. IMCA is perfect for us.” Information about Strange Oval products is available at the www.strangeoval.com website, by calling [Read More]

New Raceway Park following guideline list for Sunday show

JEFFERSON, S.D. – The first event of the 2020 season is Sunday at The New Raceway Park, with numerous precautions in place for drivers and spectators alike. Five IMCA divisions are on the April 26 card at Jefferson. Promoter Steve Kiraly said a list of guidelines would be followed to ensure safe distancing in the pits and grandstand alike. Hand sanitizer stations will be in place around the track and everyone must wear masks at all locations. “We are taking this very seriously. We want to make an impression on the country on how we’re able to race and stay within health guidelines,” he emphasized. Everyone attending will have their temperature taken and anyone with a temperature of 101.1 or above will not be allowed in the facility. Teams must maintain a minimum of 10 feet apart in the pits and remain in their designated area until racing. While the grandstands can seat 1,500, pre-sold tickets will be limited to 500; all spectators will be ushered in and bleachers have been marked off to provide [Read More]

IMCA Modified, Northern SportMod drivers chasing special events awards from CPT

SONOMA, Calif. – Special events drivers in both the IMCA Modified and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod divisions chase awards from CPT Racing Manufacturing for a third consecutive season. A top five finisher at 45 designated specials earns a $50 gift certificate from the Sonoma, Calif., company, owned by IMCA Modified veteran Chris Compton. “CPT Manufacturing is excited again to be a part of IMCA this coming season. We are continuing to grow every year, thanks to IMCA and the racers of IMCA. CPT is committed to helping, improving or designing any racer’s needs. Just call us, we can help,” Compton said. “We currently updated our website to be an online store and now have more than 70 different products to offer. CPT Manufacturing will have some new tools released very soon that I am excited about as well. We cannot wait to get this season started and see some racing!” CPT manufactures birdcages and an extensive line of other dirt track specialty products, including pullbars and polyurethane biscuits. Product certificates will be mailed from the IMCA home office the [Read More]

Bell will take next best step to IMCA Northern SportMod

MARCOLA, Ore. – Roger Bell will put another checkmark on his bucket list when the green flag flies for his Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod rookie campaign. Bell ran a street stock at Willamette Speedway last year, earning top rookie honors and finishing sixth in points in his first-ever season on the track. “I just decided life was too short, I wanted to do this. It’s a bucket list thing,” said Bell, 56 and who now works for the Forest Service after serving 13 years in the Navy. “I pretty much live in the Speedway Motors catalog. It’s like Christmas when the parts get delivered.” He sold his street stock and bought an old Modified chassis, found under a tree covered with leaves and originally built in the early 2000s by friend Dick Wright and Larry Follett, both long-time Modified drivers in the Pacific Northwest. From last November to this February, Bell pored over the IMCA rules before building his own “old school” chassis in a 30×30 shop that’s understandably race-themed and the talk of the [Read More]

G-FORCE Racing Gear back on sponsorship board for special events in six IMCA divisions

ACWORTH, Ga. – G-FORCE Racing Gear is back on board as an IMCA sponsor this season, with awards for special events competitors in six divisions. A top five finisher at each of 80 specials for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods receives a $50 gift certificate. Under new ownership and management and now located in Acworth, Ga., G-FORCE Racing Gear manufactures racing suits, helmets, gloves, camlock harnesses, latch and link harnesses, nets and restraints, crew gear, junior racing gear, flame retardant underwear and accessories. “G-FORCE Racing Gear has always been quality driven for grassroots racers. Being involved with drivers in six divisions gives us a lot of visibility in IMCA,” said Account Manager Jeremy Speich. “Circle track and road racing are where we have our roots.” G-FORCE Racing Gear has more than 150 dealers nationwide and in Canada. Company officials joined Brent Antill of Motorsports Warehouse Distributors on Manufacturers’ Row at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals [Read More]