centralarizonaraceway Archives

Thornton Controls IMCA TV Winter Nationals Modified Opening Night Feature

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Dylan Thornton turned in a commanding performance Wednesday night at Central Arizona Raceway in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds during the opening night of the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. Zane DeVilbiss, a two-time IMCA Modified National champion, grabbed the lead on the opening lap before an early caution slowed the pace. On the restart, multi-division Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner Dylan Thornton mounted a strong challenge, but a yellow flew before the pass could be completed. Thornton officially took control during the ensuing restart on lap six and began to stretch his advantage, navigating traffic efficiently. Behind him, two-time IMCA Modified National champion Chaz Baca Jr. and Brandon Beckendorf waged a hard-fought battle for fourth around the halfway mark. Thornton, who started third, checked out during the long green-flag run and never looked back on his way to his third career Winter Nationals victory in the Modified division and his first [Read More]

Lund Rules Prelude to IMCA TV Winter Nationals Stock Car Feature at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 18, 2026) — Curt Lund was victorious in the Prelude to the IMCA TV Winter Nationals on Sunday night at Central Arizona Raceway, leading all 20 laps of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature to claim the $1,000 win in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region. The Redwood Falls, Minnesota driver took command immediately from the three-wide start after rolling off from the front row of the outside column, setting the pace in the 28-car feature. Bo Partain stayed close early and applied pressure through the opening circuits, but by lap two Lund had firmly established control out front. 2015 Kansas State Stock Car champion Jason Rogers worked his way into second a couple of laps later and began trying to reel in the three-time Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s winner in the Sprint Car division. The first caution flew on lap five, followed by another yellow on lap six and yet another on lap seven, but each time Lund executed clean restarts to remain out [Read More]

$1,000 Jan. 18 Sunday Night Showdown Awaits Stock Cars at Central Arizona Raceway

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Jan. 16, 2025) — Before the DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA.TV Winter Nationals presented by Dynamic Drivelines and Pitt Stop Motorsports kicks off on January 21, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will get the action started with a special Sunday night event at Central Arizona Raceway. The IMCA Stock Cars will take to the clay on Sunday, January 18, at the same facility that will host the Winter Nationals, giving competitors an early opportunity to tune up ahead of the opening round of the prestigious winter series. Pits will open at 1 p.m., grandstands will open at 3 p.m., with on-track activity scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. The event will pay $1,000 to the winner, with Black Magic Bead Breaker contributing $250 to the winner’s purse. Arizona State, EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region and National points will be awarded. In addition, the race will serve as a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifier for the 2026 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, scheduled for September. More information [Read More]

Fugly Push Co. Gears Up for High-Octane Fundraiser at Central Arizona Raceway on Jan. 24

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Dec. 3, 2025) — With the 2025 IMCA racing season in the books, Fugly Push Co. is already shifting gears toward 2026 and its second annual fundraiser to benefit Camp Eyabsut, a camp dedicated to helping children who have suffered burn injuries. The effort will once again be anchored at Central Arizona Raceway during the 2026 DeVilbiss Racing Chassis IMCA TV Winter Nationals powered by Pitt Stop Motorsports and Dynamic Drivelines. The big day is set for Saturday, from 10 am to 1:30 pm on Jan. 24, 2026, when Fugly Push Co. teams up with the Arizona Cascade Renegade Riders for a full Motorcycle & Car Show on the grounds of Central Arizona Raceway. Last year’s inaugural fundraiser generated a little over $10,000 for Camp Eyabsut, and organizers are aiming to push that total even higher this time around. Sunshine, the well-known Fugly Push Co. tow truck, is also getting a round of off-season improvements to better serve racers — and to be even more fun to wheel around the [Read More]

Hibdon Goes Back-to-Back with The Showdown Modified Triumph at Central Arizona Raceway

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Nov. 9, 2025) — Kollin Hibdon capped off The Showdown tripleheader weekend in style, leading every lap of Sunday’s Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Central Arizona Raceway to win the finale for the second consecutive year. The Pahrump, Nev., native—now residing in Waterloo, Iowa—pocketed $3,000 for the 30-lap victory and became the first driver in event history to repeat as champion. The win also earned Hibdon a spot on the eligibility list for the 2026 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at Boone Speedway during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Hibdon, the 2025 Marshalltown Speedway track champion and winner of the Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw Series at the same track earlier this year, started outside the front row and grabbed the lead immediately. Despite several cautions slowing the pace, he never faltered, mastering each restart and steadily pulling away from his challengers. Wisconsin’s 2024 state champion Cole Czarneski stayed closest in pursuit, coming home second after winning Saturday’s preliminary feature, while Friday night’s victor, Austin [Read More]

“The Showdown” Set for Nov. 7–9 at Central Arizona Raceway; $3,000 Sunday Payday for IMCA Modifieds

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Oct. 28, 2025) — Central Arizona Raceway will have the return of “The Showdown,” a three-day IMCA special presented by Toste Construction, running Friday through Sunday, Nov. 7–9, with an open practice on Thursday, Nov. 6. The weekend features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, capped by a $3,000-to-win Modified main event on Sunday. Action fires at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Pit gates open at noon Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. Grandstands open at 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at noon on Sunday. Purses are stout all three days. Friday and Saturday pay $1,000 to win and $100 to start for Modifieds; $500 to win and $50 to start for Stock Cars; $500 to win and $50 to start for Northern SportMods; and $400 to win and $50 to start for Hobby Stocks. The top two finishers from Friday and Saturday’s main events in each division will be locked into [Read More]

Partain Steals the Show in Stock Cars at Casa Grande

By Rowdy Briggs CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Sept. 20, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars delivered the biggest fireworks at Central Arizona Raceway, where Bo Partain put on a show with a weekend sweep. On Friday, Mitchell Ferguson looked strong in the runner-up spot until disaster struck when his left rear wheel came off, opening the door for Partain to dominate. Clay Erickson finished second with Larry Brigner third, while John Parmeley completed the top four. Saturday’s feature again belonged to Partain, who checked out and never looked back. Erickson earned another runner-up finish, with Trevor Hidalgo third and Casey Murdoch fourth. Hidalgo ended the weekend as track champion, while Brigner secured the state crown. Silber Sweeps Modifieds, Egurola Takes Track Title Luke Silber left no doubt in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, checking out both Friday and Saturday to claim the Arizona State Championship. Friday saw Michael Egurola Jr. run second ahead of Sean Stacy and John Parmeley. Saturday’s feature looked much the same with Egurola again runner-up, Parmeley third, and KC Dieckman fourth. Consistency [Read More]

Silber Strikes Again in Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (May 2, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds headlined a thrilling Friday night at Central Arizona Raceway, with 18-year-old Luke Silber storming to his second win of the season in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region. It was his first since opening night of the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals back on January 8th. Bill Miller and Mike Brandon battled for the early lead in the 20-lap main event, with Miller prevailing on the high side. Brandon kept the pressure on, joined by K.C. Dieckman in a spirited fight for second until Silber surged into the picture. He pulled off a double overtake on lap six to grab second, then took command the next time by. Silber built a significant advantage until a late caution for debris erased his lead. On the restart, Michael Egurola Jr. moved into second and kept pace, but Silber was flawless and pulled away to seal the deal. The Laveen native, who started seventh, crossed the line ahead of Egurola and Dieckman. Murdoch Masters Stock Cars [Read More]

Bender Blazes to Victory at Casa Grande

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 22, 2025) — Collin Bender delivered a dominant performance in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite main event at Central Arizona Raceway, charging from eighth to the lead in just two laps around the 3/8-mile oval to secure his first win of the 2025 season. Defending Arizona State champion Michael Phay led the early circuits, but Bender wasted no time carving his way to the front. On lap two, he executed a daring double pass in turn two and quickly closed in on Phay. By turn three, Bender completed the move to take over the top spot. Once in command, Bender faced two caution periods, but each time he proved unfazed. On the final restart, which came on lap 8, the Chandler native pulled away to a commanding lead and cruised to the checkered flag. Bryan McCauley finished second, with Braeden Ward rounding out the podium in third.

Tyler Johnson Doubles Up at Casa Grande with Stock Car and SportMod Wins

By Ben Deatherage CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (Mar. 15, 2025) — 15-year-old Tyler Johnson hit victory lane twice at Central Arizona Raceway by defeating the competition in both the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Dennis Losing led the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before Larry Brigner took over on the second lap after a four-wide battle. Brigner set a strong pace, but as the caution-free race stayed green, Johnson entered the mix. Racing his brother Jesse’s car, Johnson stalked Brigner until a bobble on lap 9 opened the door for a pass. Johnson pulled away after taking the lead, claiming victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region for the second time this year. Brigner finished second, with Brent Meile rounding out the podium in third. In the IMCA Northern SportMods, Johnson wasted no time, jumping from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. Bodie Parker aimed to challenge the 2024 National SportMod Rookie of the Year, but a caution halted his momentum. When racing resumed, a battle [Read More]