Newswire

Super Nationals history maker Kevin Pittman passes away at 65

WATERLOO, Iowa (May 17, 2024) – An IMCA driver best known for making history at the biggest event in dirt track racing has passed away at the age of 65. Kevin Pittman died at his home in Waterloo on May 9. Pittman was the first driver to win championship events in different divisions at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, earning the Modified crown in 1989 and the Late Model title in 1991. “The two are hard to compare,” he said in a 2007 interview with IMCA. “We kind of lucked into winning the Modified feature. We only led the last half straightaway but it was all we needed to lead. In the Late Model feature Jay Johnson had just checked out on everybody but we were able to run him down and pass him.” “Super Nationals was still a relatively new event and the idea that the same driver could win championships in different divisions had not really set in yet with a lot of people. It was all they could [Read More]

Eagle checkers fly for Zoubek

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (May 11, 2024) – It’s been a while but Bob Zoubek was back in victory lane Saturday at Eagle Raceway. After missing the last half of the 2023 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season with a shoulder ailment, Zoubek started sixth and finished first in the Mom’s Rule Night feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. “Nate Thompson and I kind of went at it for a while but finally on that (lap eight) restart I cleared him and went to the top,” said Zoubek, last a winner at Eagle on June 17 of 2023. “The car wasn’t the best and I almost spun out once. But I gathered it up from there and took off. At the end Chad Andersen made it really interesting, putting a clean slide job on me, but I held on to win by a nose.” Andersen ended in second and Thompson came home third, with Mike Densberger holding on for fourth. Rookie Thomas Etherton’s fourth start in the class ended in his first IMCA Sunoco [Read More]

Leach scores electrifying win at Great Falls

By Ben Deatherage GREAT FALLS, Mont. (May 11, 2024) – Electric City Speedway was back to it on Saturday, May 11. The Great Falls 3/8-mile hosted the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds for their third race of the 2024 campaign. Sun River teenager Tyler Leach seized the lead in a battle with Taylor Johnson right from the start. The race was a nail-biter, with Devon Jadwin and John Price dueling for second place while both tried to catch up with Leach. As the green flag run developed, the contest for second became a three-car affair. Cody Kuglin came to call, taking over just before the third caution flag of the race waved. Before the stoppage, Leach had a big advantage over the rest of the field. Leach was excellent on the restart, setting a rapid pace on the high side in turns one and two and utilizing the bottom in turns three and four before another yellow came out, bunching the field up. On the ensuing restart, six-time and defending track champion Joey Price got an excellent [Read More]

Allerdings, Killingsworth are winners at Southern Oregon

By Ben Deatherage WHITE CITY, Ore. (May 11, 2024) – Southern Oregon Speedway had gorgeous weather on Saturday for the first round of the 2024 IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds didn’t just compete on the 3/8-mile oval, they ignited a fierce battle for bragging rights. Timothy Allerdings, hailing from Prescott Valley, Ariz., set a torrid pace and the race went 13 laps before the first caution flag waved. On the restart, things remained the same, as the Canyon State traveler slayed the competition to win his first race of 2024. Veteran Monte Bischoff placed second over Travis Peery in third. In the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod finale, Ethan Killingsworth demonstrated his dominance when the green flag dropped and continued that whether in an open race track or heavy lapped traffic. As the race progressed in Killingsworth’s favor, a fierce battle for the second-place position unfolded between Mike Medel and Jorddon Braaten, with Braaten eventually making a daring overtake while the two were locked in a fight amidst traffic. [Read More]

Byron battles to brilliant win at Petaluma

By Ben Deatherage PETALUMA, Calif. (May 11, 2024) – Petaluma Speedway hosted its first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified event of the 2024 Speedway Motors Weekly Racing campaign, with hometown ‘shoe Michelle Byron taking the Saturday checkers. Jeffrey Faulkner swiftly took the lead on the first lap, setting a blistering pace. This set the stage for a thrilling battle for second between Byron and Michael Paul Jr. Byron secured second and began to close the gap on Faulkner, making for an exciting chase. Just when the race was heating up, Faulkner’s night took a turn for the worse. His driveline unexpectedly spat out of his mount, forcing him to retire on lap six. This unfortunate incident handed the top-place position to Byron. The race was far from over as Paul and Byron engaged in a fierce battle after the restart. Around half way, Byron’s car got out of shape and began to spin, adding a thrilling element of unpredictability to the race. However, she somehow managed to wrestle control of her vehicle. Despite Paul’s close proximity to [Read More]

Ferrando is phenomenal at Willamette

By Ben Deatherage LEBANON, Ore. (May 11, 2024) – Willamette Speedway finally returned to racing Saturday after a few wet weeks and former track champion Grey Ferrando was phenomenal in the Saturday feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. Hometown driver Carter Patterson was quick out of the gate but a couple cautions in the first five laps kept the field close. On a lap five restart, Ferrando turned up the wick and applied heat to Patterson. Despite Patterson’s excellent speed out of the corners, Ferrando’s relentless pursuit paid off after the yellow flag waved on lap nine. On the restart, Ferrando made a decisive move, taking the lead on the 10th circuit. Ferrando was not out of the woods, however, as Bricen James made a run on the pacesetter. Before James could get around for the top spot, the fourth and final stoppage occurred on lap 20. This set things up for a late race shootout. The battle for the top spot was intense, with Ferrando and James engaging in a thrilling duel. The race reached its apex [Read More]

Patience pays off at Cottage Grove for Schmidt

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (May 11, 2024) – Patience paid off Saturday night for David Schmidt. The Roseburg racer kept things close before finally finding his way to the front of Saturday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event at Cottage Grove Speedway. Jason Kocks took control of the top-place position early on. The Creswell pilot had to deal with four straight restarts but maintained the top-place position each time. However, when the field came back to life after the sixth caution, he was challenged and overtaken by Aaron Bloom on lap eight. Bloom then tried to separate from the rest of the pack, but the persistent Schmidt kept things close. Schmidt tried to make the pass numerous times but couldn’t until finally on the 21st circuit. Unfortunately, shortly after being passed, Bloom had mechanical problems that forced him to retire early. Schmidt had no issues once in first and picked up the win. La Pine teenager Landyn Philpott rallied to finish second, with Kocks wrapping up the podium in third.

Marsh, Allee sail to IMCA wins at Ocean

By Steven Blakesley Blakesley Sports Media WATSONVILLE, Calif. (May 10, 2024) – Robert Marsh and Steven Allee were IMCA feature winners on Friday night during round five at Ocean Speedway. Marsh led all 25 laps for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified victory. Outside polesitter Todd Hermosillo drifted outside the top five within the first two laps of action. Eighth starting Jim Pettit II, aiming for his third consecutive track championship, drove up to second by lap six and brought along Jacob Mallett, Jr. into third on lap seven. Pettit ran on Marsh’s bumper through traffic before the caution flew on lap 19 for debris in turn four. Pettit drove inside of Marsh twice in turn three to no avail. Marsh and Pettit raced side-by-side down the front stretch on lap 24 but Marsh edged ahead. Robert Marsh scored the win followed by Pettit, Mallet, Bobby Hogge IV and Raymond Keldsen. Allee earned his first career Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature win in a 20-lap contest. Mike Kofnovec Jr. led from the pole position and [Read More]

Garner wins wild one in Marysville

By Ben Deatherage MARYSVILLE, Calif. (May 11, 2024) – The stars of the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod division invaded Marysville Raceway on Saturday and Antioch veteran Mark Garner shined the brightest in the May 11 show. The first few laps were a wild and wacky affair. K.C. Carpenter jumped out to the lead but got sideways around lap two and Phillip Shelby took over the top-place position. Shelby got the field back to green but was struck with horrible luck when his powerplant expired shortly after the restart. Garner became the third different leader in the two completed laps. Despite a brief period when he was under a bit of pressure, Garner put on a clinic for the rest of the distance. He went on to claim his first victory of the season and bounced back from a rough outing the night before at Silver Dollar Speedway. The race for second remained a nail-biter. Jimmy Ford was constantly challenged for the runner-up position. Ray Lindeman made several attempts to overtake Ford but unfortunately both got into a [Read More]

Funeral services set for Sean Vardell

Sean Darrel Vardell, age 38, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Catawba County. He was born on Tuesday, February 4, 1986, in Wood County, Wis. Sean was known for his passion for engineering and mechanical skills, his love for racing outlaw carts and sprint cars, his enjoyment of riding motorcycles, and being a farmer with a huge heart for animals, especially donkeys, horses, cows, and goats. His affection extended to his beloved pets as well. Sean graduated from NASCAR Tech in 2007 and was a dedicated engineer with Burnett Promotions and finished his career as foreman. He was of the Christian faith. He was preceded in death by his father, Steve Vardell. Sean’s memory will forever be cherished by his surviving family and friends. He is survived by his wife Terra Gedeon Vardell, daughter Vayda Quinn Vardell, stepdaughter Raina Fox, mother Belinda Vardell, brother Corey Vardell, sister Bailee Vardell, nieces Zooey Vardell and Skylar Walker. Additionally, Sean leaves behind friends like brothers, Mark Goin, Erick Harps and Jeremy Burnett. Sean Darrel Vardell will be [Read More]