arizonamodifiedtour Archives

Thornton wins again at USA Raceway reopening

By Jackson Braun TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 15) – The grand reopening of the fast USA Raceway was a successful one for many. The track had been shut down for a few years but hard work and dedication to bringing racing back to the facility led to the final two dates for the 2019 edition of the Arizona Mod Tour. Ricky Thornton Jr. and John Hansen led the IMCA Modified field to the green and from that point on Thornton was arguably the smoothest racer on the speedway as he scampered away even after the lone caution of the event. Racing was phenomenal throughout the pack as the drivers adjusted to the track conditions and swapped positions back and forth. Colorado racer Brett Smith had a strong run as he jumped into second place early. Behind him, young guns Zachary Madrid and D.J. Shannon raced hard against veterans Jeff Taylor and hometown racer Jake O’Neil. Thornton claimed his fourth $1,500 victory of the week as Smith finished second with Shannon, Madrid, and O’Neil completing the top [Read More]

Kirchoff adds his name to Arizona Mod Tour win list

By Jackson Braun CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Feb. 11) – There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Eddie. Gillette, Wy.’s Eddie Kirchoff, a weekly contender back at home, grabbed the $1,500 Monday win at Central Arizona Speedway to become the 12th driver to win an Arizona Modified Tour feature in the IMCA Modified division. He held off a hard-charging Ricky Thornton Jr. in lapped traffic to earn his victory, as it has been no small feat to fend off the 20RT machine this week. Travis Olheiser and Kirchoff set the pace for the field coming to green. Kirchoff was fast off the start, but his advantage was erased by an early caution. Kirchoff led Drew Armstrong and Olheiser back to the green. Racing was close throughout the pack early on as drivers fought for every position they could get. The previous two features had gone without a yellow so these drivers knew the contest could very well go without another caution. All the lead cars were hooked up around the high side as [Read More]

Ward tops record-setting Arizona Mod Tour opener

By Jackson Braun QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. (Feb. 8) – An action-packed night of racing at the 1/3 mile Arizona Speedway speedplant was capped off by a first-time winner in Arizona Mod Tour action as Arizona native and Iowa transplant Tim Ward bested the field of 26 stout IMCA Modified drivers. A tour record 92 Modifieds and 37 IMCA Northern SportMods checked into the pit gate for opening night of the third annual tour. Ward’s victory paid $1,500 and put him on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. Robert Hellebust and Joey Price led the field to green for 25 trips around the Arizona Speedway oval. Hellebust jumped out to an early lead, but a caution reset the field back to square one. Hellebust got the jump on the restart but Bobby Hogge IV challenged early on. After a few laps of battling, Hellebust started to pull away. Ward started 11th on the field and had already made his way up into the top five within a few laps. He got past Hogge quickly [Read More]

IMCA Arizona Modified Tour at 170 early entries

QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. – One hundred and seventy drivers are on the pre-entry list for the Feb. 7-16 IMCA Arizona Modified Tour. Arizona Speedway at Queen Creek hosts Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9 events. The tour is at Casa Grande’s Central Arizona Speedway for Sunday and Monday, Feb. 10 and 11 shows and at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria on Wednesday, Feb. 13. USA Raceway in Tucson is the site of Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16 programs. IMCA Modifieds race for $1,500 to win while Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods chase $600 top checks each night. All seven Modified features are 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot qualifying events and pay a minimum of $150 to start. Northern SportMod features pay a minimum of $60 to start. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, state and special series points will be given in both divisions; Modifieds also vie for Larry Shaw Race Cars Western Region points. Entry fees each night of the tour will be $40 for Modifieds and $30 for Northern SportMods. [Read More]