Newswire

Martens is no. 1 in URSS lidlifter at 81

PARK CITY, Kan. (April 5) – After taking the lead on lap five, Jake Martens never looked back to capture the season opener for the Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series presented by Mel Hambelton Ford Racing Friday at 81 Speedway. Buddy Tubbs and Andy Shouse started on the front row for the 25-lap IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature with Tubbs taking the lead as the green flag fell. Tubbs’ lead would be short lived, however, as he would bring out the features first caution when he spun in turn two. Shouse and Adam Guillion swapped the lead back and forth as Martens pulled closer. Entering turns three and four after another early restart, Martens dived low in turns three and four to take the lead and set sail away from the field. By lap eight, Martens had opened up a half-stretch lead over Guillion and kept the distance until the features final caution flag fell on lap 14. On the final restart, there was no stopping Martens as not even encountering slower cars [Read More]

Morris is magnificent in IMCA Modified feature win at I-37

By J.M. Hallas PLEASANTON, Texas (April 6) – Everyone loves a first-time winner and when that person overcomes a physical challenge, even his competitors show their respect. Using only hand controls, Chris Morris dominated the IMCA Modified 20-lapper Saturday at I-37 Speedway and grabbed the victory much to the excitement of the crowd. There was hardly a dry eye in the place. Morris, who started ninth, saw the bottom open up on green and quickly moved up behind leader Jamie Campbell, Bill Pittaway, and defending track champ Rick Green. He picked off third from Green then got by Pittaway for second. Using the bottom, Morris pulled alongside Campbell on lap three and had the top spot on lap four, bringing Green along to second. From there, he began to stretch out his advantage. Cody Leonard, who denied Morris his first-ever win in the season opener, was on the charge moving up to fourth. Stretching out his lead to a full straightaway, Morris only had slower traffic to contend with. Even that didn’t deter him as [Read More]

Cranston tops Dodge City Sprint season opener

By Lonnie Wheatley DODGE CITY, Kan. (April 6) – Luke Cranston opened the 2019 season at Dodge City Raceway Park by racing to victory lane in the 25-lap Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Cars vs. United Rebel Sprint Series feature event atop the 3/8-mile clay oval. Cranston gridded the feature inside the third row as Brian Herbert and Koby Walters led the way to the green flag but it was fourth-starter Ty Williams battling into the early lead. Vying for his third DCRP opening night win in the last five years, Williams paced the opening eight rounds before looping it in turn three to hand the lead over to Walters with Cranston on his tailtank. Walters kept Cranston at bay for 10 rounds before Cranston finally found the opening he was looking for in traffic and battled into the lead on the 19th circuit. Cranston led the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag ahead of Walters with two-time track champion Taylor Velasquez racing to the third-place podium finish. Herbert crossed the stripe fourth with Jake [Read More]

Frostbuster finale brings 187 cars to Boone Speedway

By Joyce Eisele BOONE, Iowa (April 6) – Boone Speedway hosted night two of the 2019 IMCA Frostbuster specials on Saturday night with a 187 race cars competing at Iowa’s Action Track. Ricky Thornton Jr. topped the IMCA Modified feature, while Tyler Thompson paced the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars. Other winners were Jay Schmidt in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Eric Stanton in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Brandon Schmitt in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods. A stout field of 53 Modifieds vied for a Frostbuster crown. Their feature event had to be whittled down to a 24-car starting field for their “A” main. Jimmy Gustin leaped to the lead from his pole starting position, only to have it snatched away by Thornton on lap three. From there on, Thornton motored to the win and another Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying $1,000 prize. Gustin held on to finish second, defending IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s champion Jeff Aikey took third, Kyle Brown finished fourth and Josh Gilman was fifth. The RaceSaver Sprints [Read More]

Opening night Frostbuster entries total 173, Grabouski makes right moves for $1,000 win

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (April 5) – Jordan Grabouski paused during his post-race interview to wave to a fan who’d driven all the way from Beatrice to watch him win Friday’s Frostbuster feature for IMCA Modifieds at Marshalltown Speedway. Then he got back to answering questions about his competition and outrunning Ricky Thornton Jr. for the $1,000 checkers. “This field was good enough that this could have been a $5,000 or $10,000 to win race,” said Grabouski,” who led all 25 laps, first in front of Tim Ward and then the last 18 caution-free circuits ahead of Thornton. “We caught lapped traffic and I needed to make the right moves. Ricky is about as good as it gets. It was hairy,” continued Grabouski, also the Frostbuster winner at Marshalltown in 2009. Thornton, Ward, 10th starting Cayden Carter and 13th starting Joel Rust completed the top five behind Grabouski. Fan Cindy McCarthy also had a five-hour trip home and Grabouski was much impressed that she made the trip to Marshalltown. “I used to sit next to her when I went [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings Through April 4

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., 455; 2. David Goode Jr., Copperas Cove, Texas, 417; 3. Zachary Madrid, Tucson, Ariz., 413; 4. Ricky Thornton Jr., Adel, Iowa, 395; 5. Jeff “Bubba” Stafford Jr., Wittmann, Ariz., 354; 6. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 352; 7. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., and Don Gumke, Jamestown, N.D., both 349; 9. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo., 345; 10. Chris Morris, Taylor, Texas, 323; 11. Tyler Mecl, Queen Creek, Ariz., 317; 12. Chris Elliott, Abilene, Texas, 315; 13. Jason Noll, Peoria, Ariz., 311; 14. Matt Guillaume, Haslet, Texas, 310; 15. David Goode Sr., Copperas Cove, Texas, 298; 16. Jeffrey Hoegh, New Caney, Texas, 294; 17. Brent Schlafmann, Bismarck, N.D., 291; 18. Don Banker, Austin, Texas, 272; 19. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 266; 20. Guy Norton, Glendale, Ariz., 252. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars – 1. Rod Craddock, Alvin, Texas, 153; 2. Tyler Harris, Vidor, Texas, 115; 3. Kent Lewis Sr., Willis, Texas, 110; 4. Jacob Harris, Vidor, Texas, 109; 5. Caleb Padgett, Madisonville, Texas, 100; 6. Tommy Hall, Natchitoches, La., 91; 7. Travis “Blake” [Read More]

New to Stock Car decal program, Edelbrock continues IMCA claim engine driver support

TORRANCE, Calif. – While new to the sanctioning body’s national decal program for Stock Cars, 22-year sponsor Edelbrock has renewed an awards program for drivers in five IMCA divisions competing with claim engines. In addition to IMCA Sunoco Stock Car competitors, eligible IMCA Modified, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock, Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod drivers all are in the running for awards from the Torrance, Calif., company The highest finishing claim engine drivers in point standings for each of the five Modified regions earn 2975 Victor Jr. intakes while top drivers in the two Stock Car regions receive Edelbrock 2701, 7121 or 2176 intakes. Top eligible drivers in both Hobby Stock regions and in national Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod points have a choice between 2701, 7121 or 2176 intakes. Second through fifth place claim engine drivers in each Modified, Stock Car and Hobby Stock region, and in national Northern and Southern SportMod standings all receive $50 product certificates. Modified and Stock Car regional rookies of the year receive $25 product [Read More]

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Blanchard bests Western RaceSaver foes at Hanford

HANFORD, Calif. (March 29) – Zane Blanchard’s home track was the Friday night site of his first Western RaceSaver Sprint Series feature win of the season. Blanchard made the most of the top side of the Keller Auto Speedway oval in leading all 20 laps of the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car main event at Hanford. After running much of the way in lapped traffic, Blanchard was able to put some distance on the rest of the field following a restart with three circuits to go. “Hanford is my home track. I live about five minutes away,” he said. “We had a lot of family and a lot of friends there. It’s cool to be out there and win in front of that many people.” A three-time series winner in 2017, Blanchard took the checkers ahead of defending tour champion Grant Duinkerken and Grant Champlin. Champlin had started 11th. Monty Ferriera was fourth and 14th starting Mike Schott rounded out the top five. Feature results – 1. Zane Blanchard; 2. Grant Duinkerken; 3. Grant Champlin; 4. Monty Ferriera; [Read More]

Deery Series begins drive to 500th event with Davenport, Maquoketa, Dubuque dates

DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 4) – A rich weekend kicks off the Deery Brothers Summer Series’ history-making 33rd season. Opening night takes the IMCA Late Model tour to Davenport Speedway for the $5,000 to win Rebel 5K next Friday, April 12. Completing the tripleheader slate are $2,500 to win events Saturday, April 13 at Maquoketa Speedway and Sunday, April 14 at Dubuque Speedway. “You’d be hard-pressed to find another series in America that can boast about their 500th event in series history. We will achieve that incredible milestone this summer, in large part due to the unwavering backing of the Deery Brothers Automotive Group and support of some of the best and most loyal Late Model drivers in the country,” said Tour Director Kevin Yoder. “It’s entirely possible that a dozen drivers who competed in the series in 1987 could hit the track in 2019, which is truly remarkable.” The Deery Brothers Automotive Group begins its 28th consecutive year as title sponsor of the series. Justin Kay of Wheatland is the three-time and defending Deery Series champion [Read More]