News Archives

Classic finish sees Stevens edge Ricketts for Elite checkers at Johnny Suggs Classic

MESQUITE, Texas (May 5) – With the difference between first place and second decided by about a foot, the second annual Johnny Suggs Classic lived up to its pre-race billing as a “classic.” Dalton Stevens raced from 12th starting to beat John Ricketts in the Friday night Elite Non-Wing Sprint Series main event at RPM Speedway. The front pair ran side-by-side the last two laps following a late restart. Stevens eked just ahead on the lower line for his second IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car win of the season and career-first Elite checkers. “I just had to be patient and capitalize whenever I had the opportunity,” said Stevens, who caught and passed Paul White and Ricketts for the lead after midway in the $800 to win 20-lapper. “Early on I ran the high side. Later on I shifted to the bottom to work the leaders.” While Stevens used restarts to his advantage in working his way to the front of the field, the final caution of the contest almost led to disaster. Ricketts was throwing everything but [Read More]

Carlson captures Stock Car checkers at Boone

BOONE, Iowa (May 6) – After last week’s rain out, it was back to Saturday night racing at the Boone Speedway. Two drivers took their second win in as many weeks while another driver, long absent from victory lane, stepped back into the winner’s circle. A driver who has been around the Boone Speedway for many laps finally was able to step into Victory Lane in the IMCA Stock Car class. Veteran racer Craig Carlson was elated to take the win after many year’s absence. Josh Daniels finished in second, Justin Nehring was third, Donavon Smith came from deep in the starting field to finish fourth and Kevin Opheim rounded out the top five. It was Jimmy Gustin for the win in the IMA Modified feature. Gustin led from the drop of the green as he sailed to his first victory of the season at Boone. Tyler Thompson led the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car main event from start to finish. In the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod main, defending track champion Johnathon Logue got back to [Read More]

Patience pays off for Arneson

By Scott Owen SHAWANO, Wis. (May 6) – Lance Arneson proved what mom always said, that patience is a virtue, Saturday at Shawano Speedway. Like a lion stalking his prey, Arneson waited for the optimal moment to pounce, with a turn four pass for the lead on the final lap to win his first IMCA Modified feature of the year. Konnor Wilinski grabbed the lead on lap one as his dad Jerry moved to second. Arneson soon got past Jerry Wilinski to move to second. Konnor Wilinski and Arneson ran away and hid from the rest of the pack as they eventually had a near straight away advantage over third-running Jerry Wilinski. As Konnor Wilinski continued to lead, Arneson stayed within a car length while sizing up the leader and patiently waiting to make a move. Lap after lap ticked away with Konnor Wilinski still leading. With two laps remaining, Arneson took a peak to the inside. Wilinski shut the door, though, and continued to lead. Entering turn one on the final lap, Arneson again had a nose to [Read More]

Long outlasts IMCA Modified foes at 141

By Marco and Dominic Aregoni FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (May 6) – Josh Long outlasted all IMCA Modified challengers in taking home the top prize on opening night at 141 Speedway. Luke Lemmens used his front row starting spot to jump up ahead of the pack and was rocking with Long moving along in second. Lemmens led the first five laps until Long passed with a move down low out of turn four. Long got a great jump following a lap 10 restart with Jeremy Jacobs flying from fifth to second. Long was able to keep Jacobs behind and pick up the opening night win along with the first place share of the purse and another $600 in lap leader money. Kyle Frederick was the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car winner and Ryan Lemieux paced the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods. Mike Meier made the pass for the win coming out of the final turn in the Mach-1 Sport Compact main. One hundred and forty cars saw action in the Saturday lidlifter at Francis Creek.

IMCA national champions receive Kirkey Racing Fabrication awards

ST. ANDREWS WEST, Ont. – Eight IMCA national champions will defend their crowns next year with post-2017 season awards from Kirkey Racing Fabrication. The IMCA Modified national champion receives an 88 series layback containment seat while the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car national champion earns a 79 series containment seat courtesy of the St. Andrews West, Ont., manufacturer and accessories retailer. The 11th year IMCA sponsor also gives $250 product certificates to top drivers in national standings for IMCA Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts. “Kirkey Racing prides itself in building an affordable and safe aluminum containment seat for all levels of IMCA racing divisions. Our 3D design and CAD CAM manufacturing ensures seats are consistent in fit and quality. In stock or short lead times ensure the racer has product when they need it in this busy racing environment,” owner Steve Kirkey said. “Kirkey would like to thank all of the members for supporting us and we look forward [Read More]

Bushnell takes Friday win at Stuart

By Josh Reynolds STUART, Iowa (May 5) – Stuart Speedway kicked off season number 56 with Cory Bushnell capping the Friday show with the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car victory. Brothers Michael and Trent Murphy battled early for the lead with Josh Daniels third. Trent Murphy made it past his brother on lap nine to take the lead and at the halfway mark Bushnell was in fifth. Bushnell began to flex his muscles a lap later by disposing of Chris Pruitt and Michael Murphy. Lap 14 saw Bushnell pass Marcus Fagan and a lap later he took the lead by passing Trent Murphy. Bushnell would go on to the feature win over Fagan, Trent Murphy, Chris Pruitt and Michael Murphy. Nick Roberts held off Clint Luellen for the IMCA Modified victory and Chase Rudolf led the way to the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod checkers. Jamie Schirm was the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock winner and John Gill led the distance in the Mach-1 Sport Compact headliner.

Clough rides a rocket to Lincoln County winner’s circle

By Kelly Ninas NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (May 6) – Timing is everything and for the frontrunners who claimed the checkered flags, their timing punched their ticket to the winner’s circle at Lincoln County Raceway on Saturday. Spotlighted for their drives to victory were: Brandon Clough, Dillon Schultz, Kyle Werkmeister; Brady Weinman and Tom Baumgardner. Starting on the outside of the front row, it didn’t take long for Clough to rocket into the lead, set a blistering pace all 20 laps and claim the win in the IMCA Modified feature. Clough held off the hard-charging Colton Osborn in the waning laps. Leading the laps that mattered the most for the second time this season, Schultz earned the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod victory after starting in the fifth row and leading the final two laps. Weathering the storm would be an understatement when describing what Werkmeister had to deal with during the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. Werkmeister started on the front row and held off all challenges to claim the checkered flags. Putting on a sensational [Read More]

Last-lap pass nets Sprint Series of Oklahoma victory for Shouse

By David Smith Jr. MEEKER, Okla. (May 5) – His last-lap pass made defending champion Andy Shouse a first-time 2017 Sprint Series of Oklahoma feature winner Friday at Red Dirt Raceway. Shouse, who parlayed the series title into the 2016 IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car national crown, passed Zach Blurton in the first of two appearances this season for the series, presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, at Meeker. Shouse and Jake Martens started on the front row for the twenty-five-lap feature with Martens taking the lead as the green flag fell. Martens kept a three-car-length lead for the first half of the race. Martens was working the bottom of the track while Blurton kept his momentum up top and on lap 13 drove around the leader exiting turn two to take the lead. Blurton reach the back of the field with 10 laps to go while Shouse got past Martens to take over the runner-up position. Blurton’s lead was five car lengths with just three laps remaining but that would soon change as slower cars would come into [Read More]

Linkenhoker leads to Natural Bridge checkers

By Jim Haines NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (May 6) – Anthony Linkenhoker was a hero to his hometown fans on a cool and windy Saturday evening at Natural Bridge Speedway. Linkenhoker took the late lead and went on to win the Virginia Sprint Series feature. He’s the fourth different winner in as many IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car series features so far this season. Chris Ware and Bill Rice paced the field to green with Ware out first and using the low line to stay out front. Tony Harris was right with him quickly as Linkenhoker and Jerald Harris were all fairly close. Ware led to lap 10 when Tony Harris was able to get under him. Linkenhoker stayed right behind the next five times around the track and was finally able to complete the pass for the lead. Feature results – 1. Anthony Linkenhoker; 2. Jerald Harris; 3. Tony Harris; 4. Jeff Taylor; 5. Chris Ware; 6. Bill Rice; 7. Harles Streaker; 8. Brian Lawson.

Tri-State remembers fallen officer

By Rob Nugent POCOLA, Okla. (May 6) – Muldrow pilot Kayden Menasco captured the IMCA Modified checkers for the first time this season Saturday at Tri-State Speedway over Jason Payton and Stephen Muilenburg. Pre-race ceremonies honored the late Danny Martinez Jr. and several law enforcement vehicles from area agencies joined parade laps during the playing of the National Anthem. Martinez, a Fort Smith Police Department officer and racer, was killed in the line of duty just over 10 years ago.