Results

First-time feature winner Erickson turns focus to rookie points chase

GLENDALE, Ariz. – His career first Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod feature win in hand, Clay Erickson can now sharpen his focus on chasing points. Erickson had recorded seven top five finishes in 13 starts before topping the March 7 main event at Canyon Speedway Park. He’d been the runner-up in two of the three outings that preceded that first-ever win. “We had gained a lot of confidence and knew we could run up there. It’s just been a matter of seat time and finishing races,” said Erickson, from Glendale and consistent throughout February’s Arizona Dirt Track Tour. “We’d come close a couple times and it was just a relief to win. We were finally able to finish.” “We were so happy. So many people who have supported us we’re there that night,” he added, “and everybody was excited.” Erickson’s father David had raced in a local stock class at Manzanita Speedway. He ran a go-kart for a single season as a youngster, then followed friend Tony Miller into the Northern SportMod class on the final [Read More]

Results

Kevin Larkins among Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees

LINCOLN, Neb. – Long-time IMCA Modified driver Kevin Larkins is among the seven new mem­bers of the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame.  From Greenwood, Larkins began his driving career as a 17-year-old in 1982, and after spending three seasons in a sportsman car placed his emphasis on IMCA Modifieds beginning in 1985.  In 1994, he racked up 24 feature race wins, earning the North Central Region championship and finishing a close second in the final IMCA national point standings. During his 33-year driving career, Larkins raced at more than 100 tracks in nearly two dozen states, scoring over 250 feature race wins and winning 19 track championships. During that pe­riod, he raced both dirt and asphalt Late Models, Sportsmen, Sprint Cars and Modifieds.  Larkins’ IMCA career totals include 148 feature victories and 16 track titles. In the early 1990s, after working for Sardeson Racing in Greenwood for nearly eight years, he opened Larkins Racing in Adams where he built upwards of 30 Modifieds each year. In 1995, Lar­kins began working at Speedway Motors in Lincoln, [Read More]

Results

Young Nevada driver looks to build on first IMCA Modified season

WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – Cole Jones looked forward to the level of competition he faced in his home state of Nevada as an IMCA Modified rookie.  He’ll look to improve on a learning season of consistent finishes with his first career feature win in the division this year. The 17-year-old speedster and Lowry High School senior moved up to the Modified after success­ful stints in both go-karts and a local 4-cylinder mini mod class. Twenty of his 22 starts in 2019 came at Nevada venues, including seven at hometown Winnemucca Regional Raceway.  “We felt good about what we had accomplished in a mini mod and wanted to see if we could com­pete in an IMCA Modified,” Jones explained. “There are a lot of IMCA Modifieds in the area and the level of competition is very high.”  “The learning curve was huge. The speed and suspension in a Modified is way different than in a mini mod,” he continued. Jones also took his on-track education to Battle Mountain Raceway, Summit Raceway, Lovelock Speedway and Fernley 95A Speedway, [Read More]

Results

North Dakota driver racing in 2020 to benefit suicide prevention, awareness

HEBRON, N.D. – Tanner Hofer is racing for much more than feature wins and track championships this season. The third-year Mach-1 Sport Compact driver from Hebron will donate half his winnings to the North Dakota chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. North Dakota has the 10th highest suicide rate in the nation, claiming the life of one state resident every 57 minutes. Hofer decided to dedicate his upcoming campaign to the cause of prevention and awareness following the Aug. 21, 2017 death of his cousin A.J. “A.J. is the biggest part of why I’m doing this. I race for him and under him. I feel like I’m racing for him every time I race,” said Hofer, who will take to the track in a car wrapped by Demon Decals and with a hood emblazoned with the suicide awareness ribbon, the date of A.J.’s death and checkered flags symbolizing angel’s wings. “The hood is for my cousin. The car is for everyone has gone through this. We’ll accept donations and hope to make a check [Read More]

Results

Whitehead stampedes to first IMCA Modified victory

ARDMORE, Okla. (March 12) – Justin Whitehead started his rookie season hoping to get a single IMCA Modified feature win. It took the Texarkana, Texas, driver just two starts to accomplish that goal. The runner-up on March 7 at Ardmore when Chris Bragg raced to career win number 101 in the division, Whitehead led the last 22 laps in winning the Southern Stampede main event, and $2,000, Thursday night at Southern Oklahoma Speedway. Jeff Taylor and R.C. Whitwell were next across the stripe. “I’m a big Jeff Taylor and R.C. Whitwell fan,” said Whitehead, well aware of who was chasing him as the race wound down. “I just concentrated on hitting my marks. That’s all I could do.”  “The last caution came with four to go,” he added. “I don’t normally count laps but I was counting those.” Wheeling a car owned by Billy White at W & W Timber, Whitehead had dropped back to fourth after starting the 25-lapper from the pole. He went to the top side of the track to rally and [Read More]

Results

Wet weather will win Junction’s Spring Thaw

McCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. – Junction Motor Speed­way’s Mike Chapin Memorial Spring Thaw becomes the latest casualty of a cold, wet forecast. The Saturday, March 21 special at McCool Junction will not be rescheduled.

Results

Foul forecast washes out Batesville

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Forecasts for too much rain and not enough drying time before the weekend have forced Batesville Motor Speedway to call off the March 20 and 21 Arkansas Spring Nationals.  The event will not be rescheduled.

Events

United Rebel Sprint Series opening weekend at RPM’s Classic Weekend

 By David Smith, Jr., OKTidbits PR HAYS, Kansas – The 15th consecutive season for the Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Se­ries presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing kicks off in just three-short weeks as the tour will head to RPM Speedway in Hays, Kan., for a weekend doubleheader. Set for Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, the annual Mike Hughes Sunflower Classic Memorial presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions will see both night shows paying $1,000 to win. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, E3 Spark Plugs Kansas State and series points will be awarded. A huge car count is expected with drivers from Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado indicating their in­tentions on competing with their Kansas counterparts. Westhold Transponders and RACEceivers are required and the track is asking all teams compet­ing to pit in a group on the west side of the main pit area. There will be an open practice session for all cars Thursday, March 26 with pit gates opening at 2 p.m. and practice from 6-10 p.m.

Results

Wood, Martin score Sprint Series of Oklahoma opening weekend wins

MEEKER, Okla. (March 7-8) – Danny Wood ran his winning streak to three before Jason Martin started a streak of his own during opening weekend action for the Sprint Series of Oklahoma.  Wood topped Saturday’s main event for IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars at Red Dirt Raceway, tak­ing the lead just before midway in the 20-lapper. And under gray Sunday skies, Martin motored from eighth on the initial grid to catch Wood for the lead in heavy traffic on the 10th of 25 circuit.  A double winner at Lawton Speedway on the final weekend of the 2019 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season, Wood had just two career SSO starts under his belt coming into the dou­bleheader at Red Dirt and his Saturday night could have only gotten better after he drew the 98 pill. Wood trialed 16th, won his heat from the fifth spot and then started third in the main event.  “It felt really good to get the win,” said Wood, joined in victory lane by six-year-old grandson and crew chief Parker, who’d helped [Read More]