centralcaliforniaclash

By Ben Deatherage  MERCED, Calif. (May 7, 2022) – Cody Laney raced his way into the record book on the sixth and final night of the IMCA Central California Clash Saturday evening.  Laney won a second straight Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at Merced Speedway, and for the record fourth time in wrapping up the series crown.  Opening salvos had Bobby Hogge go toe to toe with Troy Morris III, with Laney joining them to make it three-wide before the first circuit was scored. A pair of early cautions prevented Hogge from getting away from the rest of the pack and he’d trade a couple sliders with Laney before falling to second on lap five.  Laney had a couple cautions to deal with himself but kept an even keel on both restarts and won ahead of  Morris, Hogge, Jerry Flippo and Kyle Heckman.  It was a barnburner of an IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. Bo Partain maintained a firm grip on the lead despite three early restarts before Dakota Schweitzer closed the gap during [Read More]

By Ben Deatherage MERCED, Calif. (May 6, 2022) – Night five of the IMCA Central California Clash saw Cody Laney put another $1,000 in his racing account. The Torrance standout won his third Friesen Performance IMCA Modified start of the week when the Clash shifted locations to Merced Speedway Friday evening. Ryan Porter paced the competition on the initial start and held down the front position being overtaken on lap five by Laney. A series of six stoppages slowed things down, but Laney, already Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible, kept his mount ahead of all challengers, equaling Ethan Dotson’s 2021 feat for the most wins in a single season with the series. Bobby Hogge was second over Kyle Heckman, Cody Burke and Troy Foulger. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars had a thriller of a main event. Dakota Schweitzer marshaled the field on the opening start with double-duty driver Foulger in second.  Mid-race cautions kept the competitors close. Schweitzer battled Anthony Guiliani before the two briefly touched and the contact allowed Foulger to pass both [Read More]

TULARE, Calif. (May 4, 2022) – He’s not a fan of the film franchise but the force was with Cody Laney in the Central California Clash feature for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds on Star Wars Night Wednesday evening. Laney started outside row one and led every lap in topping the May the Fourth main event at Thunderbowl Raceway, following his Tuesday victory at Keller Auto Speedway with another $1,000 checkers.  Monday night winner Bobby Hogge was second, with Jerry Flippo, Nick DeCarlo and Troy Foulger completing the top five.  “We had a long green flag run and passed a couple cars before Jake Pike showed his nose in (turns) one and two,” Laney said. “I was able to clear him before the caution came out – we had a bunch of cautions late – and Bobby took over second.” “I didn’t like seeing them. Every time there’s a caution when Bobby Hogge is behind you, you have to stay perfect,” he continued. “It took a couple laps after the restarts before I was able to [Read More]