Newswire

New promoter has high expectations for Maquoketa Speedway

MAQUOKETA, Iowa – There are high expectations this season at Maquoketa Speedway, where Nick McCrady takes over as promoter. The ¼-mile dirt oval opens on April 14 with Saturday night programs featuring five IMCA divisions scheduled through Aug. 25. “I see something here that has potential. I want to see how I can make this track even better for drivers and fans,” McCrady said. “We’re going to work very hard at building our weekly car counts and we’re very excited about having the Deery Brothers Summer Series here on May 5.” IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Late Models, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods are back on regular race programs at Maquoketa while IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars are newly-sanctioned. Late Models have been a weekly staple at Maquoketa for the past 17 years. Modifieds returned in 2009, Northern SportMods were new in 2012 and Hobby Stocks were added in 2015. Twenty point races will be held during the upcoming IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season. “IMCA is really for the budget racer,” said McCrady, who raced in street stock and sportmod divisions before ending his [Read More]

Summit continues key role in national decal programs for IMCA Modifieds, Hobby Stocks

TALLMADGE, Ohio – Summit Racing Equipment returns to national decal programs for two divisions this season, while again giving gift cards with a total value of $14,000 to IMCA drivers. The Tallmadge, Ohio high performance parts retailer and nine-year IMCA sponsor is part of the decal programs for IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Modified and Hobby Stock drivers are required to display two Summit decals on their race car to be eligible for point fund shares. Decals will be included in packets mailed to drivers beginning in March; the deadline for sending car photos to the IMCA home office proving decal placement is Aug. 1. National or regional standings in the eight IMCA divisions determine recipients of $100 gift cards. Gift cards will be awarded to top 10 finishers in each of the five Modified regions, both EQ Cylinder Heads Stock Car regions and both Big Daddy Race Cars Hobby Stock regions, and to top 10 drivers in national standings for IMCA Late Models, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Smiley’s [Read More]

IMCA RaceSaver Sprints are new at Marysville

MARYSVILLE, Calif. – IMCA’s fastest growing division has a new home in Sprint Car Country. Eight RaceSaver Sprint Car dates are on the schedule this season at Marysville Raceway, which becomes the first California venue to crown a track champion in the division since 1999. “Northern California is a Sprint Car area but like everywhere else in the United States, the cost has escalated so much that most weekend racers can’t afford it,” promoter Dennis Gage said. “We thought it was time to introduce the RaceSaver cars here.” Marysville has a local sprint class, which utilizes a crate engine, and Gage is optimistic that drivers in that class as well as those who have not raced in recent seasons because of costs will find that RaceSaver fits their budget. A number of local drivers have already told Gage they’d race in the IMCA class and others have purchased RaceSaver engines. “We have a lot of parked cars in this part of the state,” he said. “I know a lot of those people are looking at [Read More]

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Sprint Series of Oklahoma opens at Ardmore

By David Smith Jr. ARDMORE, Okla. – Sprint Series of Oklahoma drivers and officials are gearing up for a double-header weekend at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore this Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10. IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car drivers from across Oklahoma and north Texas have expressed their intentions on competing in one or both events that kick off the 2018 race season for the SSO. Friday’s feature will pay $700 to win while Saturday’s main event pays $750 to win. Both events are complete shows with no automatic transfers from Friday to Saturday; both nights pay a minimum of $250 to start the feature. Friday night grandstand admission prices are $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6-12. All pit passes are $30. Saturday spectator admission is $20 for adults and $15 for kids while pit passes are $35. Gates open both nights at 5:00 p.m. with race action slated for 7:30 p.m. Two-time and defending series champion Andy Shouse will be back and looking for a three-peat championship in 2018 Touring [Read More]

Moroso inks new two-year sponsorship pact with IMCA

GUILFORD, Conn. – A company already recognized for its commitment to IMCA drivers has renewed its awards program with the sanctioning body for the 2018 and 2019 race seasons. Moroso again gives product certificates based on regional standings for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and on national point standings for IMCA Late Models, IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods. The new agreement will take Moroso, of Guilford, Conn., through its 14th season of IMCA sponsorship. First-place drivers in point standings for each of the five Modified regions, both Stock Car and both Hobby Stock regions, and national Late Model, Sprint Car, Northern SportMod and Southern SportMod standings all receive certificates good for Ultra 40 spark plug wire sets. Runners-up and third place finishers get Blue Max spark plug wire sets. All Moroso certificates will be presented during the national awards banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week from the IMCA home office. Information about the more than 4,000-plus Moroso [Read More]

Ricketts stars in IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Smackdown

KILGORE, Texas – John Ricketts was the winner when a pair of former national champions battled it out Saturday at Lone Star Speedway. Ricketts caught up with Chad Wilson 17 circuits into the 25-lap Smackdown main event for IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars, then worked lapped traffic en route to the $1,200 checkers. “With the people in front of me, I didn’t think I had a shot at winning but we had luck on our side,” said Ricketts, who had started seventh. “It’s not every day you can pass Chad in clean air. Usually when he gets up front, he’s gone.” Wilson, IMCA’s 2015 national champion, was running second when the lead car and a lapped car tangled and restarted at the front. Ricketts stayed in the high line to chase down Wilson and get the lead two laps later. He passed two cars on the final lap and had a half a straightaway advantage at the end. “We had a good car and we’re excited about the win,” said Ricketts, the 2013 national king. “Getting [Read More]

Pounds prevails in race for $3,000 Stormin’ Mormon checkers at Pahrump

PAHRUMP, Nev. (March 3) – Brad Pounds recalled finishing third in a street stock feature in his first visit to Pahrump Valley Speedway some 11 years ago. He has a lot more to remember from his second visit. Pounds led the last six laps in winning Saturday’s Stormin’ Mormon Memorial special for IMCA Modifieds, earning both $3,000 and a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot berth. “This was one of my better paying wins, especially for this early in the season,” said the Bakersfield, Calif., veteran, who had taken the initial green flag from the 12th spot. “I had a good car. I could go wherever I wanted. I was able to get up to fourth really quick and then ran side-by-side with Bobby Hogge IV for about five laps before I cleared him.” With traffic running three and four-wide, Pounds caught R.C. Whitwell for second on the 32nd of 40 laps before setting his sights on pole starter and race-long leader Cody Laney. “I found a little cushion up top after the last restart, then [Read More]

Southern Oklahoma sets Stampede special for March 9, 10

ARDMORE, Okla. – Four IMCA divisions are on the ticket for Southern Oklahoma Speedway’s March 9 and 10 Southern Stampede special. IMCA Modifieds make their Ardmore debut, racing for $800 to win on Friday and $1,200 to win in their Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier on Saturday. Minimum start money is $100 each night. Sprint Series of Oklahoma features for IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars pay $700 to win on Friday and $750 to win on Saturday. Start money for each show is $250. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and IMCA Southern SportMods both race for $400 to win and $75 to start on Friday and $500 to win and $90 to start on Saturday. At stake both nights are IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, Oklahoma State and track points. There is no entry fee. Gates open at 5 p.m. each day and racing starts Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $15 on Friday and $20 on Saturday. Kids ages 6-12 get in for $10 on Friday [Read More]

Beatrice marks milestone with 25th annual Spring Nationals

BEATRICE, Neb. – Beatrice Speedway marks a special event milestone when it hosts the 25th annual Spring Nationals on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10. Another $10,000 has been added to the purse again in 2018. IMCA Modifieds race for $2,500 to win and berths on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot both nights. Each feature pays a minimum of $250 to start and all Modified drivers are guaranteed $100 a night in tow money. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods race for $1,000 to win and $100 to start each night. IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks vie for $500 to win with $75 paid to start each night. Saturday’s Mach-1 Sport Compact feature pays $200 to win. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Nebraska State points will be awarded both nights. Weekend entry fees are $130 for Modifieds, $70 for Stock Cars and Northern SportMods and $50 for Hobby Stocks. One-day entry fees are $80 for Modifieds, $45 for Stock Cars and SportMods, and $35 for Hobby Stocks. Entry [Read More]