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Buhr races into IMCA Modified history book with third straight crown at American Valley

LAKE ALMANOR, Calif. – Her place in the IMCA history book secure, Erica Buhr will race for a fourth straight IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified crown this season at American Valley Speedway. Boosted by a string of consistent finishes through early August, Buhr won her third straight title at Quincy, an hour to the southeast of her Lake Almanor, Calif., home, in 2014. She became the first female driver to win three consecutive titles at the same track in the division’s 36-year history. Minnesota competitor Stephanie Forsberg accomplished the same 2012-2014 feat in the Mach-1 Sport Compact division. “You win championships in the shop,” said Buhr, who owns At Your Service Auto Repair and does all the non-engine work on her car. “I don’t win a lot of features but I’m consistent. I don’t keep track of points. I race my race, do the best I can and lately I’ve been coming out on top, which is awesome.” Buhr had raced for four years, three seasons in a local stock car class and another in [Read More]

IMCA Weekly Racing, rookie feature winners receive Speedway Motors support again in 2015

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 19) – America’s Oldest Speed Shop continues invaluable roles supporting drivers in all IMCA divisions this season. Speedway Motors returns to title sponsorship of IMCA Weekly Racing, a special awards program for rookie feature winners and of the biggest dirt track racing event in the nation in 2015, IMCA’s Centennial Season. “Speedway Motors is proud of its longstanding affiliation with IMCA and is excited to continue its tradition of support and sponsorship into the 2015 season and beyond,” said Speedway Motors President Clay Smith. “This relationship has been so strong for so long because Speedway Motors and IMCA share so many core values, namely keeping weekly dirt track racing accessible, affordable and safe for all racers. All of us at Speedway Motors are thrilled to further this mission.” Affiliated with IMCA since 1950 and recognized most recently with a length of sponsorship award during the 2014 national banquet, the Lincoln, Neb., high performance parts manufacturer, retailer and distributor maintains a high profile at all sanctioned tracks through its IMCA Weekly Racing program. [Read More]

Ganskow calls it a promotional career after 29 years at U.S. 30 Speedway

COLUMBUS, Neb. – One era has ended and another begun at U.S. 30 Speedway. Promoter Louise ‘Sam’ Ganskow called it a career following the 2014 race season after 29 years. She has sold the track to daughter Mari and son-in-law Ron Melcher. Mari and sisters Michelle Rosno and Debi Kleinheksel will continue to share race director duties. She and husband of 13 years Kenny have got plans to do some traveling, enjoy his vintage racing and help out when needed at the 1/3-mile clay oval. “People have been telling me I should stay one more year and promote U.S. 30 for 30 years,” Ganskow said. “I tell them 29 is my age. It’s the number of Kenny’s race cars and I’m totally satisfied with retiring after 29 years because that’s my number.” U.S. 30 was a family operation from the time the late Darrell Duane ‘Abe’ Lincoln built the track in what had been a soybean field in 1985. Abe, Sam, their children and grandchildren worked (and played) at the track, sanctioned by IMCA since [Read More]

New IMCA, RaceSaver pact guarantees national rules, promotion of Sprint class

VINTON, Iowa – Christmas came early for Sprint Car drivers across the country, in the form of a new, joint venture between IMCA and RaceSaver. Under terms of the agreement, RaceSaver founder French Grimes agreed to allow IMCA long-term use of RaceSaver rules for weekly, regional series and special event use. In return, IMCA will provide administration, support existing sanctions and promote new sanctions for the Sprint Car class that will be known as RaceSaver, a division of IMCA. “The signing of this historic partnership strengthens RaceSaver and IMCA, and secures our position as the largest sprint car sanctioning body in existence,” Grimes emphasized. “RaceSaver brings more than 1,000 Sprint Cars in 17 states and IMCA brings an organization that has supported local weekly racing with a national structure.” “RaceSaver participants, regions and tracks can now have the benefit of IMCA’s national structure, insurance programs for participants, and comprehensive programs for regional and national champions,” he continued. “French has developed one of the most cost-effective and innovative engine packages in Sprint Car racing and it [Read More]

IMCA Modifieds, Northern SportMods new at North Central Speedway in 2015

BRAINERD, Minn. – Saturday night race programs at North Central Speedway feature two IMCA sanctioned divisions beginning next season. Both the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods join weekly shows at the 1/3-mile, D-shaped dirt speedplant near Brainerd. “What drew our attention to IMCA was the support they give, from the president on down, to their tracks. They want us to succeed,” said K.T. Torbert, promoter of the Cliff Sasker-owned venue for the past four years. “There’s definitely a different feel in sanctioning bodies. IMCA wants to work with us.” In all, seven classes of race cars will run Saturdays at Brainerd beginning on April 25. The point season continues through the Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5 and 6 Mighty Axe special. “The IMCA Modifieds and Northern SportMods are divisions our drivers can easily transition to,” noted Torbert. “Everybody likes the Modifieds. They’re a thriller.” “SportMods give drivers the ability to move up and not break the bank,” she continued. “You don’t have to have a gazillion sponsors to do it.” [Read More]

Trenchard triumphs In round four of Wild West Modified Speedweek

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 24) – The fourth night of the Wild West Modified Speedweek saw a fourth different driver in victory lane. Nick Trenchard got the best of early jockeying for the lead and drove to the $1,000 IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified victory Thursday at Cottage Grove Speedway. The checkers put Trenchard on the ballot for the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. There were four lead changes in the first four circuits with Trenchard eventually securing the position. Driving for car owners Rich and Nicky Biehn, he established a decent advantage before running into heavy lapped trafdic during a long green flag run. Trenchard made several decisive moves as he cut through the slower traffic while trying to stay in front of the fast company behind immediately him. A lap 27 caution bunched the field up one final time. Trenchard mastered the restart and led the final eight circuits to cruise to his career first Wild West Modified Speedweek victory. Jesse Williamson, Alex Stanford, Cory Sample and Rob Ireland rounded [Read More]

McGee tops 34 Modified main event

By Dana Royer WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 19) – Dean McGee picked up his first Ryner Transportation IMCA Modified feature of the season at 34 Raceway on Saturday night. Darrow Lillie and Dustan Fenton sat on the front row but it was McGee taking the lead on the first lap of the 20-lap race. McGee led the entire race, first holding off Mitch Morris, then Jeff Waterman. The yellow flag came out with one lap to go. With Bill Roberts in the third spot behind McGee and Waterman, the yellow worked to his advantage as he moved into the second spot and challenged McGee on the final lap. The two crossed the finish line bumper to bumper with McGee holding off Roberts for the win. The Pepsi IMCA Stock Cars capped off the night with a thriller. Jake Wenig took the lead from Randy Wachter on lap four of the 15-lap contest. Tom Bowling moved into the second spot and it was a battle from there on with the two racing bumper-to-bumper and side-by-side. Bowling [Read More]

Herrick, Bond, Blowers top Lincoln County features

By Kelly Ninas NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (June 14) – Doing their best to outrun the oncoming storm, Bryan Herrick, Kyle Bond and Charlie Blowers each earned trips to the winner’s circle Saturday at Lincoln County Raceway. Grabbing the lead when it counted the most, Herrick floated around the top five for much of the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod feature and eventually drove to the front on the white flag lap. Herrick had started in the fifth row. Finishing second after leading the first 13 laps was Robby Kosmacek. Driving his way to the front and then running away and hiding was Bond in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature. Bond started in the fourth row and snared the lead on the fourth circuit. Following Bond through the traffic was Austin Davis, who was forced to settle for runner-up honors. Scoring his first-ever feature victory was Charlie Blowers in the Mach-1 Sport Compact division. Blowers started in the second row and complete the pass for the lead of Devin Bjorklund on the eighth lap.

Hulin picks up first Marshalltown win of 2014

By Jeremy Fox MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (June 13) – Racer Hulin reeled in Eric Elliott on the fourth of 20 laps and led to the finish Friday, winning his first local IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified feature of the season at Marshalltown Speedway. Elliott took the lead on the opening circuit and eventually ended in fifth. Adam Larson found his way to the runner-up spot. Luke Wanninger was third and rookie Brandon Leeman was fourth. Clint Luellen prevailed in an eight-lap tussle with Taylor Musselman to win the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod main event for the fourth time this season at Marshalltown. Up to the same task, Austin Luellen worked his way through the lapped traffic late in the race to take his fourth local IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock win of the season. John Watson worked his way from 11th to second. Michael Jaennette led from lap two to the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. John Gill was scored first every time around the track in the Mach-1 Sport Compact main.