buffaloriverspeedway Archives

Inaugural Red River Sprint Speedweek Set to Rumble Through The Upper Midwest

By Mike Speiker WEST FARGO, N.D. (Jul. 6, 2025) — The Superior Customs IMCA Red River Sprint Series is set to embark on the biggest week of RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car racing since the class was introduced to the area in 2021. The Red River Sprint Speedweek will be a four-night swing through eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, boasting a nightly purse north of $6,600. Each night will pay $1,250 to the winner and $200 to start, with a $200 hard charger, presented by Donnohue Designs Racing and GRP Motorsports. Five $50 Gunderson Racing Inc. gift cards will go to the drivers that finish 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th all four nights. The Speedweek will begin Thursday, July 17th at Norman County Raceway in Ada, Minn., followed by a trip to the Legendary Bullring, River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday. The tour will then head south to Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. on Saturday, before wrapping up on Sunday at Buffalo River Speedway in Glyndon, Minn. The mini-series [Read More]

Eisenschenk Dominates Sprint Car Feature at Buffalo River

By Ben Deatherage GLYNDON, Minn. (Jun. 1, 2025) — Laela Eisenschenk was untouchable in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at Buffalo River Speedway, leading every lap to secure her second win of the 2025 season and first at Buffalo River this year. The 17-year-old Fargo, North Dakota driver took control at the drop of the green and built a sizable advantage before a lap three caution slowed the pace. On the restart, Eisenschenk reestablished her dominance, even as a pair of stoppages on lap seven briefly slowed momentum. Behind her, Owen Carlson attempted to pressure Ty Hanten for second, but the two-time North Dakota State champion held firm. Eisenschenk never wavered and crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of the field. Pavlicek Perfect Again in SportMod Action The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods saw Jayden Pavlicek continue his perfect run at Buffalo River Speedway, scoring his third win in as many starts at the Minnesota oval. Hometown racer James Taves led early before Pavlicek began mounting a challenge. Pavlicek slipped by on lap three, but Taves [Read More]

Superior Customs IMCA Red River Sprint Series set to launch in 2023

By Mike Spieker WEST FARGO, N.D. (March 31, 2023) – In 2021, Nick Skalicky and Jake and Sharnel Bitker, promoters of Red River Valley Speedway and Norman County Raceway, took the leap to start a brand new division in the area, the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars. After having a handful of cars for the first season, the class more than doubled in its second season in 2022, often having two heat races and up to 12 cars. As the class continues to grow, more opportunities will be available for its drivers in 2023 with a brand new traveling series, which already has a title sponsor. The Superior Customs IMCA Red River Sprint Series is set to hit the road this season with 15 dates on its schedule at five different tracks. All tracks are within 75 miles of the series’ home track, Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo. The series schedule does not include every IMCA Sprint Car event in the area this season as Red River Valley Speedway will host the class 15 times this [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Andersen Dominates Stock Cars at Eagle From Start to Finish

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Jul. 12, 2025) — Chad Andersen put on a clinic in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main event at Eagle Raceway, leading all 18 laps from the pole. Once out front, Andersen was untouchable, setting a relentless pace and building a lead of nearly three seconds by the time the checkered flag waved. The caution-free contest played perfectly into his hands as the field stretched out behind him. Kyle Vanover gave chase but couldn’t close the gap, finishing a solid second. Benji Legg completed the top three. Andersen’s victory was his third win of the season at both Eagle and in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Richards Rockets to Hobby Stock Victory in Green-White-Checkered Finish Dillon Richards stormed to victory in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature, which went the full 18 laps plus a green-white-checkered finish. Brad Schreiner had paced the field for most of the race before a multi-car incident set up a dramatic final restart. Richards made his move late, surging past Schreiner on the bottom [Read More]

Hobby Stock

Pfeifer Holds Rogers off at Line in Stock Car Thriller at WaKeeney

By Sheldon Warwick WaKEENEY, Kan. (Jul. 10, 2025) — Kyle Pfeifer earned his third EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature win of the season at WaKeeney Speedway in thrilling fashion, edging Jason Rogers at the line in a dramatic finish. Pfeifer, who previously won at Colby and Hays, worked the bottom groove to perfection as he and Rogers went side-by-side in the closing laps of the 20-lap main. Troy Burkhart led early until slipping high and falling from contention. Rogers and Brett Berry swapped the lead before Berry encountered issues. Pfeifer pounced, powered low, and beat Rogers by inches. Finishing behind Pfeifer and Rogers was Tathan Burkhart. Connor Schwien Holds Off Compact Field Connor Schwien put on a clinic in the 12-lap Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact main, leading every lap for his fourth win of the year. He got the jump from the pole and never looked back as attrition thinned the field behind him. Kyle Mortensen finished second, followed by Kaishen Brack—who gained two positions for hard charger honors. Barnhart Collects SportMod Win [Read More]

Feature

Thornton Thrills in $10,111 Tanner Pelster Memorial at Boone County RacewayBy Ben Deatherage

ALBION, Neb. (Jul. 13, 2025) – Chandler, Arizona transplant Ricky Thornton Jr. stormed to a thrilling last-lap victory during the 5th annual Tanner Pelster Memorial at Boone County Raceway, scoring his first Sunoco IMCA Stock Car win of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and becoming the fifth different winner of the prestigious $10,111-to-win event. The 30-lap main event saw Minnesota’s Jim Horejsi and Iowa racer Maguire De Jong duel for the top spot at the start, with De Jong securing the early advantage. A caution on lap two bunched up the field, but De Jong took off again on the restart while Kyle Vanover and Horejsi scrapped for second, allowing De Jong to check out with a big lead. Vanover, a four-time Beatrice Speedway Stock Car champion, eventually settled into second but soon faced pressure from two-time Modified and two-time Late Model Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Ricky Thornton Jr., who had made the eight-hour overnight trek from Missouri. After a lap 12 caution, a fierce battle erupted for second, and [Read More]