News Archives

Arnold Motor Supply backs grassroots racing with IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour sponsorship

SPENCER, Iowa – The company many drivers and fans already rely on for their automotive parts needs begins title sponsorship of one of IMCA’s premier series this season. The Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds will run under the Arnold Motor Supply banner through 2019. “There are a lot of things we like about this sponsorship,” said Brad Edwardson, vice president of business development for the Spencer-based auto parts supplier. “We want to be a part of grassroots racing and feel that IMCA and the Hawkeye Dirt Tour is already an important part of our customer base.” In its new role, Arnold Motor Supply furnishes a portion of the $5,650 annual tour point fund, along with a Traeger Lil’ Tex Elite Pellet Grill to be awarded to the series champion. The eighth annual tour opens on Memorial Day at Benton County Speedway. Hawkeye Dirt Tour dates also include stops at Marshalltown Speedway, West Liberty Raceway, Hancock County Speedway, Southern Iowa Speedway, Knoxville Raceway, Dubuque Speedway, Clay County Fair Speedway and Buena Vista Raceway. Beginning its 90th year in [Read More]

Sport Compacts have first IMCA national decal program, Big Daddy, Summit both have new Hobby Stock roles

VINTON, Iowa – IMCA’s Sport Compact division has a national decal program of its own beginning this season while Big Daddy Race Cars and Summit Racing Equipment both have new roles in backing the Hobby Stocks starting in 2017. While Sport Compact drivers have been receiving decal packets, this season will be the first where they are required to provide proof of decal placement to become eligible for national point fund shares. In addition to Speedway Motors and division title sponsor Mach-1, Sport Compact drivers must display Karl Performance and DynaBatt and Screamin’ Demon – both Performance Distributors brands – decals. “All these decals were sent to Sport Compact drivers last year but this season will be the first where they have a specific location to put them on their race car,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder noted. “Hopefully this will alleviate the number of questions drivers have had about decal placement. They must also send in photos proving decal placement, like all other divisions, by Aug. 1 to be eligible for shares of their [Read More]

Only rain can slow Stone in postponed race to Arizona Modified Tour checkers

YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 11-12) – Paul Stone considered asking to keep the one spoon as a souvenir after drawing the pole start for the second installment of the Arizona IMCA Modified Tour. After inclement weather postponed the main event from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, Stone had two better mementos: A trophy and a check for $1,250. Stone led all 20 laps, pulling away from Hunter Marriott and Spencer Wilson after a caution with seven circuits left. “I think this was the first time in 19 years of racing that I’ve ever drawn the pole for a big show like this,” said Stone, new to the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. “I’ve given other guys a hard time for starting on the front row because there’s only one direction you can go from there.” Both the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod features were in the books and Modifieds were in staging when rain brought an early end to the Saturday program. “That was a little bit cruel,” Stone said, after some [Read More]

RAM Clutches marks fifth season as IMCA sponsor

COLUMBIA, S.C. – RAM Clutches rewards drivers in four divisions in 2017, its fifth season of IMCA sponsorship. IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod and Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMod competitors all are in line for $50 product certificates from the Columbia, S.C., manufacturer. Certificates go to top five eligible drivers in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern and Southern regions for Stock Cars, Big Daddy Race Cars Northern and Southern regions for Hobby Stocks, and in both national Northern and Southern SportMod standings. “RAM Clutches is proud to be a part of the growing IMCA program. It has allowed us to expand our product offerings to tailor clutch systems to fit each class,” said RAM Marketing Manager Mike Norcia. “We look forward to continuing support of the IMCA over the next five years!” Certificates will be presented during the national awards banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week from the IMCA home office. Drivers in all four divisions are required to display two RAM decals on their race [Read More]

New IMCA sanctions have phone ringing off the hook at Lubbock’s West Texas Raceway

LUBBOCK, Texas – The phone has been ringing off the hook at West Texas Raceway. New owner and promoter Corky Matthews has made a major investment in upgrading the Lubbock track, which sanctions IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods beginning in 2017. “It’s like a brand new track, probably one of the best facilities around,” Matthews said. “We’ve spent $300,000 so far on a complete remodel. It’s getting real nice and people are getting excited about coming to the races here. I’ve had 400 to 500 people call me about it already.” Nearly 40 semi loads of clay were added as the 3/8-mile oval was widened another 15 feet. “This track was built in the 1960s and I raced late models, sprint cars and street stocks on it myself,” Matthews noted. “It was one of the fastest tracks around.” New grandstand bleachers and lighting purchased from a professional football stadium are in place. New landscaping and work has already started on a 20×6-foot scoreboard. “The lights are [Read More]

Gaylord steals IMCA Modified win from Center on last lap at Cocopah

By Mike Spieker YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 12) – Last-lap larceny made Ryan Gaylord the winner of the Arizona IMCA Modified Tour finale Sunday at Cocopah Speedway. On the final lap of what was also the last of three Winter Nationals events, Gaylord followed leader Eric Center into turns three and four. When Center missed the groove on the bottom while trying to maneuver past a lap car, it left the door wide open for Gaylord and he capitalized. Gaylord shot to the bottom to take the lead off turn four and sped to the $1,250 win. “That was basically my only shot to get the win,” said Gaylord, already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. “I was just trying to be patient and save my tires out there.” As a result of the miscue, Center drifted back to fourth. He followed Justin Zeitner and Hunter Marriott to the line. After taking the lead on lap seven, Center had held the point all the way until the final lap. “I almost want to cry right [Read More]

Thomas continues Lone Star success at season opening Sprint Smackdown

KILGORE, Texas (Feb. 11) – Marcus Thomas started his 2017 at Lone Star Speedway in the same place he ended 2016. In victory lane. Thomas drew the pole start and led all 25 laps in winning Saturday’s Sprint Smackdown, the first event of the season for IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars. The checkers were worth $1,200. “We’ve had pretty good luck here,” said Thomas, who also has a runner-up finish in three career starts at Kilgore. “They do a good job on the track but you have to stay smooth and not make any mistakes. That plays a big part of racing at Lone Star.” Austin Mundi did his best to work his way through lapped traffic and reel in Thomas but finished a couple car lengths off the pace. Josh Hawkins and former national champions John Ricketts and Chad Wilson completed the top five. Thomas had started sixth and finished second in his heat. He ran the higher line early in the feature, then dropped down to a lower groove in the first set of [Read More]

Moore is too much for opening night Arizona IMCA Mod Tour foes

By Mike Spieker YUMA, Ariz. (Feb. 10) – Bob Moore scored the opening night Arizona IMCA Modified Tour win after a couple spirited battles with Shawn Strand and Hunter Marriott. The first annual tour commenced Friday night at Cocopah Speedway with an outstanding field of 85 Modifieds in attendance. Moore’s victory paid $1,250 and put him on the ballot for the upcoming Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. After taking the lead away from polesitter Strand, on lap two, Moore opened up a sizeable lead and checked out from the field. As the race advanced, however, Strand’s machine got faster and he was able to reel in and pass Moore to reclaim the lead. The race was slowed at halfway as seven cars tangled in turn one to bring out the caution. When the race resumed, Moore went to the low side of turns one and two to grab the lead away from Strand. Marriott followed suit and rode in Moore’s tire tracks to take the second spot. In the closing laps, lapped traffic allowed Marriott to [Read More]

Four IMCA divisions run at Abilene Ice Breaker special

ABILENE, Texas – The 2017 running of the Abilene Speedway Ice Breaker is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 17 and 18, with four IMCA divisions on the program each evening. IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds run for $700 to win each night, Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods for $600, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for $400 and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $250. IMCA Speedway Moors Weekly Racing national, regional, Allstar Performance State and local track points will be awarded for both draw/redraw programs. The pits open at 4 p.m., hot laps are from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and racing is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps are from 5-6 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7 p.m. Overnight accommodations with racer’s rates are available at Motel 6, 325 672-8462, or the Whitten Inn, 800 588-5050. Gates open at 5 p.m. and an open practice runs from 6-10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16. More information about the Ice Breaker, presented by Smiley’s Racing Products, Showtime Signs & Designs and [Read More]

$1,200 top prize for IMCA RaceSaver Sprints at Lone Star Smackdown

KILGORE, Texas – IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars chase a $1,200 top check at Lone Star Speedway’s Saturday, Feb. 11 Lone Star Sprint Smackdown. A minimum of $200 will be paid to take the green flag in the main event. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National and Allstar Performance State points will be awarded. Tow money is $100 and there is no entry fee. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 4:30 p.m. Track packing is at 5:45 p.m. with hot laps and racing to follow. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $5 for kids ages 6-11. Pit passes are $35. More information is available by calling 903 986-9731 and at the www.lonestarspeedway.com website.