Newswire

Waterman, Pundt, Dunker, Taft are Lee County winners

By Brian Neal DONNELLSON, Iowa (April 21) – Jeff Waterman was the Friday night Budweiser IMCA Modified winner at Lee County Speedway. Mitch Boles and Kelly Buckallew led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 20-lap feature, with Boles jumping out front to lead lap one over Dennis LaVeine and rookie Dakota Simmons, who moved out of the SportMod class for 2017. Coming off turn two to complete the second lap, LaVeine went low, Waterman was in the middle, with Boles up top to race three wide for the top spot. LaVeine emerged as the new leader, then worked the bottom of the track over the next three laps while Waterman used the top. Waterman grabbed the top spot away from LaVeine on lap six and was pulling away when the only caution of the race appeared on lap 15 and brought the field back to his back bumper. On the restart, Waterman moved back out front, with LaVeine working to hold off Blake Woodruff for second. Waterman then led the final [Read More]

Hughes hustles to Modified feature win on opening night at Marshalltown

By Joyce Eisele MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (April 21) – Marshalltown Speedway held its 2017 season opener on Friday night. The 122 race cars on hand gave the fans some outstanding racing on a chilly, breezy evening. Nate Hughes snagged his first local win in the IMCA Modified division. He battled with Jesse Hoeft and Clint Luellen in the early portion of the race, while they tried to catch then leader Nick Roberts. Hughes swung to the top side and snatched the lead at lap fourteen of the 20-lap event. He held off second place finisher, Hoeft in the closing laps to seal the win. Roberts followed in third place, fourth went to Clint Luellen and Adam Larson took fifth place. The 18-lap Karl Northern SportMod feature found defending track champion Jared VanDeest back in victory lane. VanDeest started fourth, took to the topside as the race went green, and had the lead coming out of turn two. He was pestered early by Sam Wieben and Jake McBirnie, but as the checkers flew, he took the win by a comfortable margin. Wieben held on [Read More]

Pershy, Olson grab Davenport wins

By Mike McGuire DAVENPORT, Iowa (April 21) – Chilly weather conditions couldn’t stop the Koehler Electric season opener at Davenport Speedway Friday night. The Eriksen Chevrolet IMCA Modified feature belonged to Jason Pershy. Pershy led all 20 laps en route to the win. Pershy looked like he was going to be challenged for a while by Stephan Kammerer, who came from eighth starting position using the high side of the track. When the top groove went away, Kammerer slid back to finish third. Rob Toland would take second. Matt Werner and Mitch Morris were fourth and fifth respectively. Tony Olson took up where he left off last season in Hawkeye Auto IMCA SportMod action. The defending track champion dominated his feature. Ben Chapman fought his way to a second place finish, with Andrew Burk taking third. Rick Wages made a late race charge to finish fourth while Jake Morris completed the first five. The IMCA Late Model point season starts Friday, April 28.

18 chassis builders enter IMCA Manufacturer’s Cup contest

VINTON, Iowa – A field of 18 chassis builders vies for national and regional honors in IMCA’s ninth annual IMCA Manufacturer’s Cup contest. Manufacturer’s Cup standings will again be based on makes of chassis driven by top 10 drivers in the five Modified regions. 2017 champions will be named based on points for individual regions while the builder with the highest point total overall will be named IMCA’s national Manufacturer of the Year. That builder receives a $500 prize and trophy during the national awards banquet in November. “This year’s Cup contest is going to be as competitive as we’ve ever seen, based on point standings from previous years,” predicted IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder. “GRT Race Cars is back to defend championships in the Central and South Central regions and Razor Chassis returns to defend in the North Central region.” First-time Manufacturer’s Cup entries are Dirt Hustler Racing Chassis of Waterloo and Precision Chassis Development of Springdale, Ark. “We may still add one or two builders as the season proceeds,” said Yoder. “Sixteen builders [Read More]

National and track champions in three IMCA divisions earn Bassett Racing Wheel awards

BURLINGTON, Wis. – The accomplishments of national and track champions in three IMCA divisions will be recognized with contingency awards again this season by Bassett Racing Wheel. Top drivers in national standings for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center Southern SportMods all receive a set of four wheels from the Burlington, Wis., manufacturer. Track champions in the same divisions receive $60 product certificates, good toward the purchase of four wheels. All awards will be presented during the national banquet in November or mailed beginning the following week from the IMCA home office. In its 23rd season as an IMCA sponsor, Bassett also returns to national decal programs for Northern SportMods and Southern SportMods. Drivers in both divisions must display two Bassett decals on their race car to become eligible for point fund shares. “Only five sponsors have a longer tenure with IMCA than Bassett and it is a testament to their dedication to the IMCA market,” observed Kevin Yoder, marketing director for the sanctioning body. “We’ve seen a lot of [Read More]

Kay flexes Deery muscles again at Dubuque with $2,000 Sunday checkers

DUBUQUE, Iowa (April 23) – After the fifth lead change of the night, a driver who knows a thing or two about getting around Dubuque Speedway was the winner of Sunday night’s Deery Brothers Summer Series 50-lap feature. And a driver making his first-ever visit to Dubuque was a very close runner-up in the final installment of the weekend’s Highway 20 Triple Crown. Justin Kay led the last 11 circuits in winning the IMCA Late Model tour main event, picking up his second $2,000 check in three nights for his career 21st Deery victory. Nebraskan Jake Neal led nine laps before Kay got by but never gave up the chase, finishing just a car length back. Matt Ryan, Chad Holladay and Cayden Carter, the top driver in Triple Crown point standings, completed the top five. Joe Zrostlik led the first two laps from his outside front row start. Carter started seventh and led laps 3-20 and 22-29, with the eighth staring Kay scored first across the line on lap 21. Back-to-back cautions came out on laps [Read More]

Change of plans leads Gustin to first Deery Series victory

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (April 22) – Richie Gustin is glad he reconsidered his plans Saturday. After initially expecting to take the night off from racing, Gustin decided to make the trip to Independence Motor Speedway for the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models. By night’s end, he was standing in victory lane celebrating the first series win of his career. Gustin made his way past race-long leader Justin Mitchell with 11 laps to go in the 40-lapper to drive to the milestone victory. Pole-sitter Mitchell assumed command early with Gustin in tow. The leader reached slower traffic after just 10 laps with Gustin remaining in pursuit the entire time. Gustin stuck with him and was eventually able to work the low side past Mitchell exiting turn two on lap 29. He led the rest of the way to secure the $2,000 payday ahead of Mitchell. Travis Denning, Luke Goedert and Curt Martin completed the top five in the caution-free feature. Tyler Bruening crossed the line third, however his rearend axle housing failed post-race inspection. [Read More]

Kay collects 20th Deery Series win with Farley victory

FARLEY, Iowa (April 21) – The Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models headlined Friday’s season opener at Farley Speedway under the new direction of Farley Speedway Promotions. Fans were greeted by a field of 36 touring Late Models at the facility, which has already undergone numerous improvements this spring with many more to come throughout the season. While the facility is undergoing a facelift, it was a familiar face lifting the trophy in victory lane as Justin Kay led all 35 laps to earn his career 20th series victory. Kay withstood pressure from Jesse Sobbing following a pair of cautions in the first half of the event and then held Cayden Carter at bay late to secure the $2,000 payday. Kay, who started outside of row one, burst into the lead on the start and built a half straightway lead before the first stoppage on lap eight. Sobbing gave chase on the restart and briefly worked to the low side of Kay as they navigated through traffic on lap 21. While Kay held [Read More]

IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National Point Standings Through April 20

IMCA Modifieds – 1. Brian Schultz, Casa Grande, Ariz., 671; 2. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 632; 3. Matt Guillaume, Haslet, Texas, 586; 4. Dean Abbey, Roanoke, Texas, 569; 5. Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Ariz., 535; 6. Cody Laney, Torrance, Calif., 508; 7. Chaz Baca, Mesa, Ariz., 503; 8. Chad Melton, Mineral Wells, Texas, 464; 9. Josh McGaha, Abilene, Texas, 457; 10. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif., 448; 11. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz., 432; 12. Spencer Wilson, Queen Creek, Ariz., 411; 13. Brandon Hood, McGregor, Texas, 376; 14. Cody Shoemaker, Decatur, Texas, 367; 15. David Goode Sr., Copperas Cove, Texas, 351; 16. Jeremy Thornton, Tucson, Ariz., 340; 17. Scott Sluka, Casa Grande, Ariz., 334; 18. Robert Scrivner, Waco, Texas, 331; 19. Jeff Hoegh, New Caney, Texas, 327; 20. Ryan Roath, Peoria, Ariz., 319. IMCA Late Models – 1. Tyler Bruening, Decorah, Iowa, 73; 2. Chad Holladay, Muscatine, Iowa, Luke Goedert, Guttenberg, Iowa, and Jeff Tharp, Sherrill, Iowa, each 65; 5. Joel Callahan, Dubuque, Iowa, Jesse Sobbing, Malvern, Iowa, and Scott Fitzpatrick, Cedar Falls, Iowa, each 64; 8. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, [Read More]

Malvern Bank bonus to Deery Series heat winners

MALVERN, Iowa – Winning a heat race becomes an accomplishment Deery Brothers Summer Series drivers can literally take to the bank this season. Malvern Bank pays $50 to each heat winner throughout the 31st annual IMCA IMCA Late Model tour. Checks will be mailed from the IMCA home office within a week after the race is held. “With the quality of competition at each Deery Series event, winning a heat race is a feat in and of itself,” IMCA Marketing Director Kevin Yoder said. “This cash bonus from Malvern Bank is a great way to reward more drivers each race night throughout the season.” Located in southwest Iowa, Malvern Bank is a second-year IMCA sponsor and has a long history of supporting racers and race series in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. The bank website is www.malvernbank.com.