Weekly Archives

Shank harvests Strawberry Cup checkers

By Ben Deathrage LEBANON, Ore. (June 7) – Returning to the track where he’s already enjoyed so much success, Jeremy Shank won Saturday’s Strawberry Cup main event for Wirth Wireless IMCA Modifieds at Willamette Speedway. Colleen Weinberger blazing the trail early before being overtaken by Shank. Shank then took care of business to earn the victory. Although he has had won in the Late Model portion during Strawberry Cup it would mark the first time that the second-generation driver visited the winner’s circle in a Modified in this historic event. Last year’s Strawberry Cup winner Jesse Williamson crossed the wire second, followed by Weinberger, Monte Bischoff and Craig Cassel.

Lundquist, Abelson both go 2-for-2 at Raceway Park

By Bob Coney JEFFERSON, S.D. (June 8) – With two make up features on top of the regular program, it was a full night of action Sunday at Raceway Park. The evening started with the make-up feature for the Casey’s General Stores IMCA Stock Cars, where Bo Lundquist got out front early and held on for the victory. Behind Lundquist, Aaron Cain and point leader Jason Ward rounded out the top three. Next came the make-up feature for the Jebro, Inc. IMCA Modifieds. After working his way to the lead from midpack, Chris Abelson ran away to the finish, taking the win over Ricky Stephan and early leader Jason Schneiders. In the regular features, division leader Ramsey Meyer took the win in the KISS 107.1FM IMCA Sport Compacts. Meyer had to fight to the finish to hold off defending track champion Cody Thompson and hard-charging Don Tank. The Motor Parts Central IMCA Hobby Stock feature was dominated by Ron Jensen, who, despite giving up the lead on a late race restart, came back to the [Read More]

LeMieux doubles up at Thunderhill

By Ed Anschutz STURGEON BAY, Wis. (June 7) – With the pressure on, Billy LeMieux rose to the occasion Saturday night at Thunderhill Raceway. Not only did he win in the street stocks, raising the bounty to $300 he also won the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature at Sturgeon Bay, a feat very few have done. Like Babe Ruth, LeMieux called his shot early in the week, saying he would make it four wins in a row in the Street Stocks and he didn’t disappoint. Aaron Thornton raced past Corey Sampone on lap five for the lead of the 15-lap main event. Thornton looked to have the upper hand as LeMieux struggled in traffic early. Out of nowhere with five to go LeMieux muscled his way into the runner-up spot and set his sights on Thornton. With two laps remaining, LeMieux snatched the lead away working the low groove and took the win in the caution-free event. In the Stock Car main it was LeMieux jumping to huge lead early on with Bret Koehler giving [Read More]

Mashl masters Modifieds at 141

By Greg Aregoni FRANCIS CREEK, Wis. (June 7) – Mike Mashl looked like he never left the seat of his IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified the past couple of years, dominating the field in his feature win Saturday at 141 Speedway. Mashl started out front and checked out like he was at a grocery store. The battle was for second from that point on. Dean Maurer and Kyle Kudick raced the majority of the first half of the race for second allowing Jared Siefert to drive to the front. With everyone working the top, Siefert ran the bottom and knocked off a car a lap on the way to the second spot. The feature event was caution-free. Two-time defending champion John Heinz encountered problems last week allowing Rod Snellenberger to regain the point lead in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. This week, Heinz was locked and loaded and left know doubt who the top racer was. Todd Augustian ran the berm as he lead the opening five laps. Heinz came through the field quickly and [Read More]

Ireland takes turn in Sunset winner’s circle

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (June 7) – Rob Ireland became the third different driver to win an IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified feature at Sunset Speedway Park this season on Saturday night. Jake Van Ortwick was ultra-quick in the early circuits but Ireland eventually seized the lead. Van Ortwick kept the pressure on and nearly got the lead back on the final lap. Van Ortwick would finish a respectable second while in third place was Doug Lockwood. Brad Gentry crossed the stripe in fourth while Chris Hallberg was fifth.

Matheson takes second straight at Tri-City

AUBURN, Mich. (June 6) – Last week, eight-time asphalt champion Todd Matheson was disappointed he did not get to have an interview in victory lane after winning his first-ever dirt feature in the Main Street Seed and Supply IMCA Modifieds at Tri-City Motor Speedway. He would have to fight Tanner Pray for the entire 20 laps of the feature event. Every corner of every lap, it seemed as if Pray and Matheson would swap the lead. It was Matheson who would prevail at the electronic stripe on the final lap to capture his second feature in a row. Toby Steele, John Taylor and A.J. Ward were third through fifth, respectively.

First IMCA Modified win for Baylis comes at Crystal

CRYSTAL, Mich. (June 7) – Brandon Baylis raced to his career first win in the Port City Race Car IMCA Modifieds Saturday at Crystal Motor Speedway. The feature saw a major pileup on the second lap in turn one involving at least eight cars but most of those involved were able to continue. Baylis grabbed the lead with Chad Wernette fighting his way into second after being one of the crashed cars earlier. A.J. Ward began to move forward, breaking into the top five with six to go. Wernette motored his way beside the leader but in the process, they touched and Wernette was sent to the rear as the caution car. Baylis pulled away to a small lead and held on to grab his first Modified feature ahead of Johnny DeYoung.

Oshkosh opponents can’t catch up to Heinz

OSHKOSH, Wis. (June 6) – The Total Power Sales IMCA Stock Cars have a reputation of close racing and Friday’s event at Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway lived up to those expectations. Justin Jacobsen powered into the top spot before David Hoerning took charge and began to pull away from the pack with Larry Parshen, Mark Schuenemann, John Heinz, Tom Roehl and Travis Van Straten battling behind. Hoerning continued to pull away from the field with Jacobsen holding the runner-up spot until Van Straten was able to take over the spot on lap 10. Van Straten closed the gap slightly but it appeared Hoerning had things well in hand until a lone caution on lap 15 bunched the field for a five-lap dash. Van Straten, winner of the last three features, pulled into the top spot after the restart. Heinz made a daring move and passed him for the lead as Van Straten drifted out of the groove a bit, allowing Hoernig to follow right behind Heinz. Van Straten needed two laps to retake the runner-up spot [Read More]

Salazar ends absence from Antioch’s victory lane

ANTIOCH, Calif. (June 7) – Hometown driver Michael Salazar returned to victory lane for the first time in two years Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. After taking the lead early in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified main event, Salazar never looked back. “I’m worn out from that drive,” Salazar said after emerging from his car on a 90-degree night. “I did not know how close the second place car was, so I just drove as fast as I could and hung on.” That second place driver was Sean O’Gara, who had his best showing to date at the 3/8-mile high-banked oval. “It was tricky getting though traffic,” O’Gara said. “I got into the clear and did everything I could to catch Mike (Salazar).” Third place Carl Berendsen spun out and worked his way back to the top. Fourth place Terry Kaiser of Fairfield also had his personal best finish, despite a spectacular front-stretch crash at the start of the race. Kaiser, who began his career at the old Vallejo Speedway more than 30 years [Read More]

Luellen brothers double up at Marshalltown

By Jeremy Fox MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (June 6) – Brothers Austin and Clint Luellen both raced their way to victory lane Friday at Marshalltown Speedway. Austin took the IMCA Sunoco Hobbt Stock lead on the third lap, then held on to the front spot following a seventh circuit restart to win ahead of Garrett Eilander and John Watson. Clint had to chase down Jenae Gustin in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod main event, finally finding has way to the front on lap 13. Gustin and Andy Tiernan were next across the stripe. Adam Larson repeated his winning ways from a week ago in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified main. Donavon Smith saw his big lead disappear in lapped traffic but rallied with a great late-race restart to win the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. Winner of the Mach-1 Sport Compact feature was Adam Gates.