Newswire

Mark, Marissa Odgers share race night bond at Merced, Chowchilla

Photo and story courtesy of the Merced Sun-Star MARIPOSA, Calif. – Mariposa father and daughter Mark and Marissa Odgers share a special bond that has them teaming up to race Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods at Merced Speedway and Chowchilla Speedway. Soft spoken, bearded Mark Odgers is the mental image you would have of a ‘mountain man.’ Years of driving a truck on winding mountain passes to make deliveries in Yosemite National Park certainly had its challenges but for Odgers, hauling a race car down hill into The Valley is a more rewarding drive. “Long drives and good times – that’s what racing is all about,” Odgers reflected. “I race for fun, not for points to win a championship. It’s enjoyable. It’s thrilling.” Mark Odgers and his wife Darcie, who also raced at Merced Speedway nearly two decades ago, instilled the love for stock car racing in their three children. The love for racing began with Odgers’ father, the late Dick Odgers, who was a Merced Speedway regular. Mark and Darcie’s son Andrew raced for a while [Read More]

Owen donating May 23 earnings to Baker family medical fund

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Jimmy Owen is ready for action on Saturday, May 23 at his hometown Cottage Grove Speedway. So far, Owen has finished second in both Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod starts this year and resides second in the track point standings. “It’s been a pretty good year even though we’re dealing with some motor issues,” said Owen, “but I’m hoping to have everything fixed by this weekend to give Gene (Ashley) a run for his money.” Owen is doing something very special this week for his friend Colin Baker. He is donating all his race earnings from the weekend to Colin’s medical fund. Baker is currently in the hospital suffering from the genetic disorder Wilson’s disease. “I want to challenge all the drivers out there who plan on racing this weekend to donate to this great family,” he continued. “They don’t have to donate all their winnings, just something because every little bit helps.” Owen is also offering his car to be signed with messages to Colin with painting pens [Read More]

Veterans’ Appreciation Night Friday  at Clay County Fair Speedway

SPENCER, Iowa – Friday, May 22 is Veterans’ Appreciation Night at the Clay County Fair Speedway. All veterans receive half-price admission. Hot laps begin at 7 p.m. with races to follow. “Friday night’s race will kick off Memorial Day Weekend and we wanted to use the race as an opportunity to thank our military for their service to our great country,” said CCF Manager Jeremy Parsons. “We have also pushed hot laps back to 7 p.m. to accommodate the many drivers who are joining us further from the Spencer area.” After two weeks of racing at Clay County Fair Speedway, point leaders are Ryan Ruter of Kanawha in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds, Roger Verdoorn of Sibley in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Doug Smith of Lake City in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Chad Lonneman of Adrian, Minn., in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Jay DeVries of Spencer in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts. The Finish Line Food Court and Clay County Fair Speedway box office open at 5:30 p.m. on race days. Tickets are $12 [Read More]

IMCA Modifieds headline Skip Rose Memorial at I-35

MASON CITY, Iowa – The IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified driver taking the checkers at I-35 Speedway’s Sunday, May 24 Skip Rose Memorial takes home $1,000. The feature is a qualifying event for the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars also race for $1,000 to win, while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods vie for $700, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $600 and Mach-1 Sport Compacts for $200. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, Allstar Performance State and local track points will be given. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., the grandstand opens at 5 p.m., the draw closes at 5:45 p.m. and racing follows 6 p.m. hot laps on Sunday. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Family passes are $40. Pit passes are $30. More information is available at the www.I-35speedway.com website or by calling 641 424-6515 or 515 320-0066.

Stuart Speedway hosts May 24 Ron Little/Bones Memorial

STUART, Iowa – IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds chase a $1,000 top check at Stuart Speedway’s 15th annual Ron Little/Bones Memorial this Sunday, May 24. If not already vote eligible, the winner becomes a ballot candidate for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. There is no entry fee. Hot laps are at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Mach-1 Sport Compacts are also on the holiday weekend card. All applicable points will be awarded in the sanctioned divisions. More information is available by calling 515 238-6945 and at the www.stuartspeedway.net website.

Modified Reinhart Memorial slated May 24 at Quad City Speedway

EAST MOLINE, Ill. – First place in the IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified feature pays $1,000 at Quad City Speedway’s Sunday, May 24 Gary Reinhart Memorial. The 22nd annual special is a 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifier. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Belleville Motorsports North Central Region, Allstar Performance State and local track points will be awarded for the draw/redraw show. Pit gates at East Moline open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 3:30 p.m. The draw ends and the drivers’ meeting starts at 5 p.m. Hot laps are at 5:15 p.m. with racing to follow. Entry fee is $40 and pit passes are $25. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and free for five and under. Reserved seating is $14. All weekly programs, including the IMCA Late Models, are on the card. More information about the Reinhart Memorial is available at the www.qcspeedwayracing.com website and on Facebook.

Long tow for Hawkeye Dirt Tour opener pays off for Wolla

VINTON, Iowa (May 19) – Rain in North Dakota was bad news for drivers in Iowa Tuesday night at Benton County Speedway. Jason Wolla made a last-minute decision to travel 14-plus hours from his hometown of Ray, in western North Dakota, for the opening event in IMCA’s Hawkeye Dirt Tour. He started 11th, took the lead from Mark Elliott following a 13th circuit restart and outran defending champion Mike Van Genderen in traffic late in the 40-lapper. The IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified win paid $1,000. “We made a last-second decision to come here and it paid off,” said Wolla, who’d finished fourth at Vinton en route to the Frostbuster Series crown in early April. “We rained out last week everywhere in North Dakota and had the trailer loaded up and ready to go. We had another car to pick up from Justin O’Brien (at Rage Chassis) in West Union and here we are.” Van Genderen started ninth and made up ground on Wolla before running out of laps. J.D. Auringer raced from 12th starting to third, [Read More]

IMCA Modified winner earns $2,000 at Jackson County’s Open Wheel Challenge

MAQUOKETA, Iowa – The driver who proves up to the challenge earns $2,000 in Jackson County Speedway’s Memorial Weekend special for IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds. The Saturday, May 23 Open Wheel Challenge at Maquoketa is a qualifying event for the 2015 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational and pays a minimum of $100 to start. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Belleville Motorsports North Central Region and Allstar Performance State points will be awarded. Entry fee is $50. Other sanctioned divisions running, for all applicable points, will be the IMCA Late Models, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. Saturday. Racing follows 6 p.m. hot laps. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and teenagers, $7 for kids ages 7-12 and free for six and under. Pit passes are $30. More information about the Open Wheel Challenge is available by calling 563 590-4095, at the www.jcraceway.com website and on Facebook.

Ireland shines at Sunset’s Armed Forces Night

By Ben Deatherage BANKS, Ore. (May 16) – Armed Forces Night on Saturday at Sunset Speedway Park was Rob Ireland’s time to shine. Starting mid-pack in the Budweiser IMCA Modified feature field, Ireland worked his way to the front and won his first feature of the season. He’s the fourth different winner in as many races in the division this year. Craig Cassell was yet again second while Rick Graham crossed the wire in third.

Cox wins thriller at Cottage Grove

By Ben Deatherage COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (May 16) – Saturday’s IMCA Xtreme Motorsports Modified main event at Cottage Grove Speedway was a thriller and no one had a better seat for the show than Kinzer Cox. Only a couple incidents took place, making the race pretty much stoppage free. Jake Mayden set a wicked pace for most of the race and looked to have the event well in hand before Cox worked his way through the field and into the lead on lap 21. From that point, Cox pulled away from the rest of the field and made his second straight visit to victory lane. Gus Cooper finished second while Mayden ended the evening in third. Jayson Nelson turn some heads in the first half of the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod race. Gene Ashley eventually caught Nelson and passed him on lap seven. Ashley would lead the remainder of the laps and put his ride in victory lane for the second time this season. Jimmy Owen was second and Nelson third.