Newswire

Karl Companies continue unique IMCA sponsorship program

DES MOINES, Iowa – A unique sponsorship combination introduced by the Karl Companies rewards IMCA drivers again in 2020. Karl Kustoms and Karl Chevrolet continue support for drivers in five divisions and at the premier event in all of dirt track racing, the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. “Karl Chevrolet and Karl Kustoms are excited to be a part of another great year of IMCA Racing,” said Clint Quesinberry. “We are excited to continue the engine giveaway program at Super Nationals and look forward to working with IMCA racers all season long out of our Des Moines, Iowa, location that can ship engines, parts, and provide tech support all across the country!” Des Moines high performance parts manufacturer and distributor Karl Kustoms furnishes a portion of the $9,500 point fund to be paid to top 10 drivers in national point standings for Northern SportMods, IMCA’s fastest growing division. Fifty dollar Karl Kustoms gift cards go to top five finishers in national Northern SportMod, Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock [Read More]

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]

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]

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]

Moser Engineering awards top $10K for IMCA Modified, Stock, Hobby, SportMods

PORTLAND, Ind. – Moser Engineering awards more than $10,000 worth of product certificates again this season, to drivers in five IMCA divisions. Runners-up in each of the five regions for IMCA Modifieds and both regions for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars receive $300 product certificates while second place finishers in standings for the two IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock regions and in national standings for Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods get $200 certificates. One hundred dollar certificates go to drivers in those divisions competing at 80 designated specials. “As long-time sponsors in many forms of motorsports, we have always held the IMCA as one of those special groups that just gets what is important to the grassroots racers,” stated Moser Engineering Marketing Director Jeff Anderson. “So it goes without saying we are proud to continue our sponsorship with IMCA in 2020.” Awards based on point standings will be presented during the national banquet in November while special events awards given by the Portland, Ind., rear end components manufacturer and 17-year sponsor [Read More]

Robert & Sons Aluminum gives new awards to IMCA Modified, Late Model champs, ROYs

NEWNAN, Ga. – New awards from Robert & Sons Aluminum are in store this season for top drivers in the IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Late Model divisions. National champions and rookies of the year in both divisions receive 10 sheets of aluminum from the Newnan, Ga., manufacturer and distributor, now in its sixth year as an IMCA sponsor. “Robert & Sons Aluminum Inc. appreciates the support we have received over the last five years being a part of IMCA and we look forward to another exciting year of racing,” said Steve Hinely. “Our product is the most visible part of the race car and we get input from the racers and trends to develop new colors and finishes each year. “Many of our items are unique to RSA. This shows our commitment and willingness to invest in our customers and the racing industry,” he continued, “because we know a unique and great looking car leads to a winning team.” Roberts & Sons product certificates will be presented during the national IMCA awards banquet [Read More]

Axle Exchange returns as title sponsor for IMCA Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational

DES MOINES, Iowa – Axle Exchange continues its title sponsorship of a premier event for IMCA Modifieds, to be held during the nation’s premier dirt track racing event. For the 15th consecutive year, Axle Exchange provides a portion of the purse paid to the 30 starters in the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, to be held Sept. 11 at Boone Speedway during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. One hundred and forty-five different drivers from 26 states and two Canadian provinces have taken the green flag in the All-Star feature since the inaugural invitational in 2004. Each All-Star receives a free custom Velocita fire suit and a mini replica driveshaft from Axle Exchange, manufacturer of the Fast Shafts brand of drive shafts and 18-year IMCA sponsor. Joel Rust of Grundy Center won the 2019 All-Star Invitational. The Des Moines, Iowa, company also returns to national decal programs for the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod divisions. Drivers in all three of those divisions must display two [Read More]

AFCO continues rich awards program benefitting drivers in six IMCA divisions

BOONVILLE, Ind. – Drivers in six IMCA divisions earn awards from AFCO for a 27th consecutive year. One of IMCA’s longest tenured sponsors, the Boonville, Ind., manufacturer gives more than $5,000 in post-season awards to IMCA Modified, IMCA Sunoco Late Model, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod competitors. “AFCO is honored to mark its 27th year supporting IMCA racing. We enjoy being part of the long-standing tradition with this great group,” said Marketing Director Kerri Hart. “We look forward to awarding IMCA racers with GM replacement frame kits and many various contingency awards. We hope every IMCA racer has a terrific season!” Top three eligible drivers in each of the five Modified regions receive product certificates valued at $250, $150 and $50 while the top three eligible drivers in both Stock Car regions receive certificates worth $200, $100 and $50. Top three eligible drivers in both Northern and Southern regions for the Hobby Stocks and in national standings for the two SportMod divisions are in [Read More]

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]