antiochspeedway Archives

Jimmy Ford: Racing Through Loss, Guided by Love

By Ben Deatherage YUBA CITY, Calif. (May 2, 2025) — The first win of a new season always feels special. For Jimmy Ford, the checkered flag he claimed at Rattlesnake Raceway on April 18 meant far more. “It feels like the weight is off my shoulders,” said Ford. “It was a special win. I lost my wife in February and it’s the first one that I’ve won since she’s been gone, and it meant a lot to me. The last race I won with her was at Rattlesnake in October.” That win, in the no. 12T Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod, was the kind that transcends stats. It was about love, grief, healing—and remembering someone who never missed a race. A Racing Life from Day One Ford’s path to the racetrack was practically preordained. His grandfather, Nick Burcher, owned race cars from the time he was 18 until he was 78. Ford went to his first race when he was just three months old. By the time he was five, he was behind the wheel of [Read More]

Ryland Outduels Ryan in Sensational SportMod Photo Finish at Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Apr. 19, 2025) — Brentwood’s Fred Ryland won the 20-lap Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod main event in a near photo finish victory over Jason Ryan Jr at Antioch Speedway. This was the 40th career SportMod win for the three-time track champion, but first of 2025. Ryland led the field to the green flag ahead of Al Johnson and Jeff Bentancourt. A yellow flag waved after three laps for Scott Savell. Ryland continued to lead Johnson on the restart with Danny Wagner settling into third. An inside pass on the front stretch of the sixth lap put Danny Wagner into second with Kenny Shrader settling into third. Ryland had a big lead erased when Alfred Johnson spun in turn three for a lap 10 yellow flag. Ryland led Wagner on the restart with Ryan moving into third, but a multi-car tangle in turn four brought out another yellow flag on lap 11. When it was all sorted out, Ryland continued to lead Wagner and Ryan. Ryan slipped past Wagner for second [Read More]

Hogge Scores 70th Modified Win At Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif (Apr. 5, 2025) — After making two big passes around early leader Matt Kampfraat and Troy Foulger, Bobby Hogge IV of Salinas won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Antioch Speedway. The win for the two-time track champion was the 70th of his career at the track as he sits atop the division’s all-time win list. It came at the track’s 65th championship season opener. Kampfraat started on the outside front row and bolted into the lead at the green flag ahead of Foulger and Hogge. A yellow flag was waved for the second time on lap 5 when John Pierce of San Jose spun in turn three. On the restart, Hogge made a strong move on the inside in turn two to take second from Foulger and made a low pass on Kampfraat exiting the fourth turn to have the lead by the end of the lap. Foulger quickly slipped past Kampfraat for second, followed by reigning California State champion Jacob Mallet Jr. The race had [Read More]

Bill Bowers Memorial checkers fly for Pearce

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Oct. 5, 2024) – Andrew Pearce won the 49-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event Saturday at Antioch Speedway. The occasion was the fifth annual Bill Bowers Memorial. The win was worth $1,500, plus Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility and a special winner’s flannel jacket in memory of Bowers. Pearce had won Friday night feature as well. Bobby Hogge IV started on the front row and was looking for his career second win in this event. He charged into the early lead ahead of Pearce and defending race winner Troy Foulger. An outside pass on the front stretch gained Foulger second on lap eight. The yellow flag waved moments later for a Chris Long spin. Hogge continued to lead the restart with Pearce moving back into second. Hogge slowed as Pearce and Foulger raced by. The yellow flag ended up waving on lap nine for Hogge. Pearce led Foulger and Kellen Chadwick on the restart. Following a yellow flag on lap 16 for Randy Shafer, Chadwick moved past Foulger [Read More]

Pearce, Ryan, Robles win at Antioch’s JD Willis Salute

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Oct. 4, 2024) – Andrew Pearce won the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature Friday at Antioch Speedway’s second annual JD Willis Salute. This was the opening night at the Bill Bowers Memorial Weekend, and the win for Pearce paid $750. Cody Burke led the opening lap before Pearce went by. Troy Foulger settled into third on the second lap. Foulger was challenging Burke for second before making an inside pass on lap 11. Jonathan Hagio brought out the only yellow flag on lap 13. As Pearce led the restart lap, Foulger tried a slide move through turns three and four, only to drift high and get passed by Kellen Chadwick. Foulger had problems and headed for the infield on lap 16, handing third to Bobby Hogge IV. Pearce set of rapid pace over the remaining distance and brought it home, a happy winner ahead of Chadwick, Hogge, Burke and Andrew Peckham. Jason Ryan Jr. won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main, earning his second-consecutive win in the [Read More]

Bowers Memorial this weekend at Antioch Speedway

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2024) – Antioch Speedway enters the month of October with one of the biggest races of the season. This Friday and Saturday, the track will host the fifth annual Bill Bowers Memorial, featuring Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Friesen Performance INCA Northern SportMods and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. The increased purse money for the Modifieds finds the drivers racing for $750 to win on Friday with a minimum of $100 to take the green. On Saturday night, the winner will receive $1,500 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility, second $700, third $600 and its $150 just to take the green. The winners have nice trophies waiting for them on Friday, and special flannel shirts commemorating their wins on Saturday. Bowers was known for wearing flannel shirts. The Northern SportMods get $500 to win and a minimum of $75 to start on Friday. The Saturday show sees them receiving $1,000 for the winner, $500 for second and a minimum of $100 to take the green flag. Bowers was a [Read More]

Foulger doubles up an Antioch

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 21, 2024) – Troy Foulger won both the 20 lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main events Saturday at Antioch Speedway. The championship night format put point Kellen Chadwick on the pole of the Modified race and he bolted into the lead ahead of Foulger and Jacob Mallet Jr. Andrew Pearce spun on lap two, collecting Tyler Browne. Chadwick continued to lead Mallet and Foulger on the restart, and an intense battle ensued. A low pass in turn three of the eighth lap briefly gained Mallet the lead, but Chadwick came rushing by on the outside down the back stretch a lap later. A three-wide battle on lap 10 saw Foulger make an inside pass for second, but Mallet went inside on the front stretch on lap 11 to get by both Chadwick and Foulger. A high pass on lap 12 gained Foulger the lead from Mallet. Foulger would lead the remaining laps for the impressive victory, followed by Mallet, new track champion Chadwick, Katelynn [Read More]

Antioch Hall Of Fame Night checkers fly for Machado, Ryan

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Sept. 14, 2024) – Mitch Machado and Jason Ryan Jr. turned in hall of fame caliber performances Saturday in Hall of Fame Night at Antioch Speedway. Machado won the 20-lap IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event. This was the first win in this division for the highly decorated Petaluma Speedway super stock champion. He had to hold off the efforts of Jason Jennings to get the win. From the outset, Machado led the way ahead of Jennings and Jason Robles. Nick Caughman Jr. settled into third on the second lap. As Machado and Jennings pulled away, Caughman, Robles and Kenny Shrader had a spirited duel for third. Shrader headed pit side on lap 13, and Caughman retired from third on the 17th circuit. Jennings made a last-turn effort to get underneath Machado, but Machado beat him to the checkered flag for the victory. Robles ended up third ahead of Scott Foster and Caughman. Ryan won the 20-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature. The race ran without a yellow flag [Read More]

Pearce prevails at Antioch’s Hetrick Memorial

By Candice Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2024) – A driver with a knack for coming up big at big events did just that again Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. Andrew Pearce won the 29-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature at Antioch’s ninth annual Hetrick Memorial, earning $1,500. The checkers flew ahead of Bobby Hogge IV and Kellen Chadwick. Pearce had a front row start and bolted into the lead at the green flag ahead of Andrew Peckham and Hogge. Pearce build a comfortable lead as Hogge and Peckham battled fiercely for second. Hogge grabbed the position on the fourth circuit. The yellow flag waved on lap 12. Pearce continued to lead Hogge and Peckham on the restart. Peckham gave Hogge some serious pressure for the next few circuits, but Hogge kept his cool and held the position. Chadwick made an inside pass in turn two on lap 21 to gain third. Pearce had built a straightaway advantage by the time the checkered flag flew on his impressive victory. He was already Fast Shafts All-Star [Read More]

Foulger is double winner at Antioch’s Fan Appreciation Night

By Candace Martin ANTIOCH, Calif. (Aug. 3, 2024) – There was plenty of excitement in the air Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. This was the second annual Fan Appreciation Night, and fans got to see the show and all the other excitement during the evening for just $5. It was the biggest crowd for a regular race all season. Kids got an opportunity to win free bikes and other goodies throughout the evening. During intermission, drivers pulled into the infield for a meet and greet with the fans. This was the track’s way of saying thank you to the fans and it was also an invitation to new fans to see what the track is all about. Reigning Friesen Performance IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car track champion Troy Foulger scored a double as he won both division’s main events. Foulger has reduced his schedule this year but remains a force to be reckoned with every time he’s in action. In the Stock Car race, Foulger started in the second row and made a [Read More]