Newswire

New sponsor Strange Oval awards cash, certificates at IMCA Modified specials

MORTON GROVE, Ill. (May 22) – IMCA Modified special events competitors receive new awards this season from a company many of them are already familiar with. Strange Oval has signed on to give $50 in cash and $50 product certificates to designated top five finishers at 30 Modified specials in 2015. The Morton Grove, Ill., manufacturer makes axles and drive plates and is a division of Strange Engineering. Awards are mailed from the IMCA home office the week after official race results are received. “A lot of the drivers who participate in these events are most likely already using our products,” noted Strange Oval President Jim Kontje, who worked nearly 30 IMCA events last year and expects to do the same this season. “This program is one of the best ways to give back to the racer and IMCA is the only sanctioning group we’re involved with at present.” Strange Engineering entered the drag racing market in the mid-1960s. Strange Oval began manufacturing for oval track customers in 2013. Both the number of IMCA Modified [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings Through May 21

IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds – 1. Brian Schultz, Casa Grande, Ariz., 832; 2. Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz., 827; 3. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 746; 4. Kyle Brown, State Center, Iowa, 723; 5. Zane DeVilbiss, Farmington, N.M., 722; 6. Jeffry Sheppard Jr., Golden Valley, Ariz., 655; 7. Alexander Wilson, Salinas, Calif., 585; 8. Lance Mari, El Centro, Calif., 570; 9. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif., 568; 10. Scott Hogan, Vinton, Iowa, 544; 11. Carter VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 538; 12. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, 536; 13. Tyler Mecl, Queen Creek, Ariz., 530; 14. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, Iowa, 525; 15. Josh Vogt, Santa Maria, Calif., 521; 16. Dean Abbey, Roanoke, Texas, 503; 17. Tim Ward, Gilbert, Ariz., 498; 18. Jimmy Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, 494; 19. John P. Gober, Poolville, Texas, 478; 20. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, Iowa, 469. IMCA Late Models – 1. Matt Ryan, Davenport, Iowa, 234; 2. Travis Denning, Sterling, Ill., 206; 3. Brian Harris, Davenport, Iowa, 195; 4. Jonathan Brauns, Muscatine, Iowa, 181; 5. Paul Nagle, Nevada, Iowa, 177; 6. Andy Nezworski, Buffalo, Iowa, 173; 7. Jeremy [Read More]

Racing returns tonight to Salina Speedway

By Dusty Wiegert SALINA, Kan. (May 22) – Despite some morning showers, things are looking up for the Salina Speedway as racing will happen tonight (Friday). With only one race in the books so far, on May 1, Mother Nature has prevailed each of the last two weekends. Anticipation from race fans and race teams have prompted track officials to do everything in their power to get people back on track as the season hopes to now set in full swing. Six divisions will be in action tonight: BSB Manufacturing NeSmith Late Models, 1st Class Chassis IMCA Modifieds, Coors Light IMCA Stock Cars, Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Northern SportMods, Auto House Mod Lites, and Budweiser IMCA Hobby Stocks. As a result of area rainouts, all new drivers registering tonight will have their registration fee waived. The event is sponsored by Will Electric and Glass Masters. Adult grandstand admission is $10, seniors (55 and over) are price, and kids 15 and under and both active and retired military personnel are free. Pit gates open at 5 [Read More]

Deery Series is bound for Boone on Memorial Day

BOONE, Iowa – Still looking for a repeat winner this season, the Deery Brothers Summer Series travels to Boone Speedway for its traditional Memorial Day show next Monday, May 25. Corey Zeitner, defending champion Justin Kay, Joel Callahan and seven-time IMCA Late Model tour champ Jeff Aikey each have single series wins so far. Andy Nezworski, however, has yet to finish outside the top five and brings the point lead to town. The main event at Boone pays $3,000 to win and a minimum of $300 to start. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., the grandstand opens at 3 p.m., hot laps are at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 5 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $7 for students ages 13-17 and free for kids 12 and under when accompanying a paid adult. Pit passes are $30. Forty-two previous Deery events have been held at Boone, 13 of them on Memorial Day. Five of Aikey’s series-leading 64 victories have come at Boone, including the 2013 and 2014 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled [Read More]

Memorial Day show at I-35 next for IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour

MASON CITY, Iowa – A very busy Memorial Holiday Weekend at I-35 Speedway concludes with the second installment of the IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour. IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds travel to Mason City to race for $1,000 to win and a minimum of $150 to start their Monday, May 25 main event. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Mach-1 Sport Compacts join the Modifieds on the Sunday, May 24 Skip Rose Memorial program at I-35 and on the Monday card. Sunday’s Modified feature also pays $1,000 to win. Both Modified main events are qualifiers for the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. and racing follows 6 p.m. hot laps both days. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Family passes are $40 and pit passes are $30. The four previous Hawkeye Dirt Tour events held at I-35 Speedway have resulted in as many different winners. Richie [Read More]

JRi Shocks renews awards for four IMCA divisions

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 22) – JRi Shocks has renewed its commitment to IMCA and four sanctioned divisions for a second season. The Mooresville, N.C., manufacturer again awards product certificates valued at $6,750 to IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified, IMCA Late Model, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod drivers. “We were extremely pleased in establishing this partnership last season and look for even bigger and better things this year,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder said. “JRi has proven to be a tremendous asset for our contingency award programs in all four of these divisions.” Certificates valued at $350, $250 and $150 will be awarded to top three eligible drivers based on standings for each of the five Modified regions and both Stock Car regions, and on national standings for the Northern SportMods. Certificates in the same increments go to the fifth, sixth and seventh place drivers in national Late Model standings. Modified, Stock Car and Northern SportMod drivers must display two JRi decals, compete with four JRi shocks and return a sign-up form [Read More]

Mark, Marissa Odgers share race night bond at Merced, Chowchilla

Photo and story courtesy of the Merced Sun-Star MARIPOSA, Calif. – Mariposa father and daughter Mark and Marissa Odgers share a special bond that has them teaming up to race Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods at Merced Speedway and Chowchilla Speedway. Soft spoken, bearded Mark Odgers is the mental image you would have of a ‘mountain man.’ Years of driving a truck on winding mountain passes to make deliveries in Yosemite National Park certainly had its challenges but for Odgers, hauling a race car down hill into The Valley is a more rewarding drive. “Long drives and good times – that’s what racing is all about,” Odgers reflected. “I race for fun, not for points to win a championship. It’s enjoyable. It’s thrilling.” Mark Odgers and his wife Darcie, who also raced at Merced Speedway nearly two decades ago, instilled the love for stock car racing in their three children. The love for racing began with Odgers’ father, the late Dick Odgers, who was a Merced Speedway regular. Mark and Darcie’s son Andrew raced for a while [Read More]

Owen donating May 23 earnings to Baker family medical fund

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Jimmy Owen is ready for action on Saturday, May 23 at his hometown Cottage Grove Speedway. So far, Owen has finished second in both Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod starts this year and resides second in the track point standings. “It’s been a pretty good year even though we’re dealing with some motor issues,” said Owen, “but I’m hoping to have everything fixed by this weekend to give Gene (Ashley) a run for his money.” Owen is doing something very special this week for his friend Colin Baker. He is donating all his race earnings from the weekend to Colin’s medical fund. Baker is currently in the hospital suffering from the genetic disorder Wilson’s disease. “I want to challenge all the drivers out there who plan on racing this weekend to donate to this great family,” he continued. “They don’t have to donate all their winnings, just something because every little bit helps.” Owen is also offering his car to be signed with messages to Colin with painting pens [Read More]

Veterans’ Appreciation Night Friday  at Clay County Fair Speedway

SPENCER, Iowa – Friday, May 22 is Veterans’ Appreciation Night at the Clay County Fair Speedway. All veterans receive half-price admission. Hot laps begin at 7 p.m. with races to follow. “Friday night’s race will kick off Memorial Day Weekend and we wanted to use the race as an opportunity to thank our military for their service to our great country,” said CCF Manager Jeremy Parsons. “We have also pushed hot laps back to 7 p.m. to accommodate the many drivers who are joining us further from the Spencer area.” After two weeks of racing at Clay County Fair Speedway, point leaders are Ryan Ruter of Kanawha in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Roger Verdoorn of Sibley in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Doug Smith of Lake City in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Chad Lonneman of Adrian, Minn., in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Jay DeVries of Spencer in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts. The Finish Line Food Court and Clay County Fair Speedway box office open at 5:30 p.m. on race days. Tickets are $12 [Read More]

IMCA Modifieds headline Skip Rose Memorial at I-35

MASON CITY, Iowa – The IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified driver taking the checkers at I-35 Speedway’s Sunday, May 24 Skip Rose Memorial takes home $1,000. The feature is a qualifying event for the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars also race for $1,000 to win, while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods vie for $700, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $600 and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $200. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, Allstar Performance State and local track points will be given. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5 p.m., the draw closes at 5:45 p.m. and racing follows 6 p.m. hot laps on Sunday. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Family passes are $40. Pit passes are $30. More information is available at the www.I-35speedway.com website or by calling 641 424-6515 or 515 320-0066.