Newswire

IMCA response to COVID-19 outbreak

VINTON, Iowa – IMCA officials continue to follow developments in the COVID-19 outbreak and have taken initial steps in helping guard the health and well being of members of the racing community. “As always, the most important issue is everyone’s safety – our drivers, our fans, our employees and the people who work at all of our sanctioned race tracks,” IMCA President Brett Root said. “It is difficult to address specifics in what is a dynamic, ever-changing situation, but the decisions we’re making now in response to COVID-19 are based on the best information we have.” While the IMCA home office in Vinton, Iowa, is currently closed, all staff members are working from home and can be contacted electronically or by phone. “Numerous state, county or local governments have announced stay at home or social distancing measures to stem the pandemic. Most of the tracks we sanction in 36 states and Canada are under some form of mandate,” said Root. “We are in the racing business. We are not in position to second-guess decisions by [Read More]

JE Pistons gives IMCA awards for 10th season

CYPRESS, Calif. – JE Pistons makes on-track accomplishments by IMCA drivers competing with built engines pay off for a 10th consecutive season. IMCA Modified, IMCA Sunoco Late Model, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car drivers earn shares of more than $9,000 in product awards to be given by the Cypress, Calif., manufacturer. “IMCA and circle track racing has long been an area of focus for JE Pistons,” noted Mark Gearhart, Director of Content for Race Winning Brands. “We are pleased to support IMCA and its racers.” Top eligible finishers in each of the five regions for Modifieds and both regions for Stock Cars, and national Late Model and RaceSaver Sprint Car standings receive pistons. Certificates valued at $400, $300, $200 and $150, respectively, go to eligible second through fifth place drivers in regional Modified and Stock Car, and national Late Model and Sprint Car standings. All JE awards will be presented during the national IMCA banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week from the IMCA home office. Information [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings through March 18

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 757; 2. Alex Stanford, Chowchilla, Calif., 528; 3. Ricky Thornton Jr., Adel, Iowa, 472; 4. Zachary Madrid, Phoenix, Ariz., 436; 5. Jeff Taylor, Cave City, Ark., 387; 6. Lance Mari, Imperial, Calif., 382; 7. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 377; 8. Spencer Wilson, Minot, N.D., 374; 9. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz., 348; 10. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 344; 11. Jake O’Neil, Tucson, Ariz., 336; 12. Casey Arneson, Fargo, N.D., 335; 13. Jon White Jr., Red Oak, Texas, 328; 14. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 320; 15. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., 298; 16. Braxton Yeager, Green River, Wy., 286; 17. Jason Noll, Peoria, Ariz., 256; 18. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., and Bill Miller, Yuma, Ariz., both 255; 20. Bricen James, Albany, Ore., 249. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars – 1. Colby Thornhill, Enumclaw, Wash., 89; 2. Danny Wood, Norman, Okla., 79; 3. Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Steven Shebester, Mustang, Okla., both 74; 5. Chris Kelly, Oklahoma City, Okla., 60; 6. Zach Patterson, Yukon, Okla., 58; 7. Jason Martin, Lincoln, Neb., 54; [Read More]

Late Model awards new to Hyperco IMCA program for 2020

PONTOTOC, Miss. – IMCA Sunoco Late Model competitors are in the running this season for new awards from Hyperco. The eighth-place finisher in 2020 national point standings for the fast-growing division receives two Conventional SNS springs from the Pontotoc, Miss., high performance suspension components manufacturer. Both the ninth- and 10th-place driver get single SNS Conventional springs. Hyperco begins its 23rd year of IMCA sponsorship and continues awards in five other divisions this year as well. “IMCA is an incredible organization with great competitors across the country. After 23 years of supporting the series, it’s grown more into a relationship than a partnership,” said Hyperco’s Justin Cockerham. “All manufacturers should do as much as we can to give back to the organizations and racers who support us all and this is a great way to do just that. I look forward to seeing everyone at this track throughout the year!” The top three eligible finishers in each of the five regions for IMCA Modifieds, both IMCA Sunoco Stock Car regions, both IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock regions and [Read More]

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]

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Peterson Family Promotions takes charge at Bullring at Rock Island County Fairgrounds

EAST MOLINE, Ill. – A family that’s cheered, raced and worked at the Bullring at Rock Island County Fairgrounds will promote the quarter-mile clay speedplant beginning this season. Korey Peterson, along with uncles Jeff and Todd, take charge at the East Moline track. Sunday shows under the Peterson Family Promotions banner will feature IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Late Models, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and, for the first time, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. “We love this track. My grandfather flagged here in the 1960s so we’ve had close ties to it for a long time and we want to see it up to the best of its capabilities,” said Peterson, who raced cruisers and street stocks before ending his racing career in an IMCA Late Model. “We like a lot of things about IMCA, especially the uniform rules,” he continued. “Sanctioning allows our drivers to be part of a bigger organization, and earn national, regional and state points.” Opening night is April 26 with the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season continuing through Aug. 30. [Read More]

First weekly sanction in state sees 10 dates for IMCA Stock Cars at Idaho Falls Raceway

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – The class that turned heads during the 2019 finale returns full-time to Idaho Falls Raceway in 2020. The first-ever Gem State sanction sees IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars in action on 10 nights at Idaho Falls, where the IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season runs from May 30 to Sept. 26. Dillion Lawrence had raced from 10th starting to win the 1st Class Chassis Wild West Tour Stock Car feature at Idaho Falls last September. “Our fans really enjoyed the Stock Cars. They liked the door-to-door racing,” said B.J. Haslam, president of the Snake River Stock Car Association, which promotes the 3/8-mile dirt oval. “We already have several drivers in the area who race Stock Cars and are looking to get new drivers in the class.” A long-time Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod competitor and former E3 Spark Plugs state champion, Haslam compared the competitiveness of the Stock Cars to that division. IMCA Modifieds and the Northern SportMods are also sanctioned at Idaho Falls. Wild West Tour dates for all three divisions are Aug. [Read More]

Fain’s years of on-track testing lead to new Abilene Race Rads IMCA awards

ABILENE, Texas – Tommy Fain’s years of racing research and product development pay off this season for drivers in five IMCA divisions. Fain, a long-time IMCA driver himself, is owner of new sponsor Abilene Race Rads, which gives $50 gift certificates to top five finishers at 80 designated specials for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods and Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods. Those certificates can be applied toward the purchase of a racing radiator or fan blade. “The divisions that are part of this program fit our products best. We can service drivers’ cooling needs while rewarding current and new customers,” explained Fain. “I have done on-track research and development for a number of years and we have good, racer-friendly prices.” Fain also sent Super Sucker 4-blade fans to distributors for testing on various levels of dirt racing, from traveling series to Saturday night shows at local tracks. “They have been very well received,” he noted, “because the retail price is very economical and because of their durability. These [Read More]

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.