dakotaclassictour Archives

Long tows pay off with IMCA Dakota Tour Nodak Speedway wins for Dotson, Madrid

By Rebecca Rattei MINOT, N.D. (July 11) – Ethan Dotson’s IMCA Modified success in the Midwest continued on Sunday, as the Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour moved to Nodak Speedway for night two. Dotson got the best of Tripp Gaylord in a back-and-forth battle, regaining the lead on the last lap and then pulling away to the $2,000 IMCA Modified victory at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds oval. “The Dakota Tour has always been a big deal. It’s pretty cool to finally be able to win one of these races,” the California driver said. “There were a lot of good cars from a lot of states here.” Minot’s own Steven Pfeifer led the field to the green flag and raced side-by-side with Dotson who eventually grabbed the lead 10 laps into the 30-lapper. Gaylord used a series of mid-race cautions to his advantage in catching Pfeifer for second. As the laps wound down, Gaylord was all over Dotson’s rear bumper before pulling ahead. “I chose the wrong line with about three to go,” Dotson said, [Read More]

Hibdon is IMCA Modified hero in Dakota Classic Tour opener

By Rebecca Rattei JAMESTOWN, N.D. (July 10) – He was on the late side getting to the track but Kollin Hibdon was quick to find his way back to victory lane at Jamestown Speedway Saturday night. Hibdon won the IMCA Modified feature on opening night of the Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour, passing Eddie Belec for the front spot with eight circuits left in the 30-lapper. The 17-year-old speedster from Nevada pulled away from that point. Ethan Dotson worked his way to the runner-up spot, crossing the stripe a straightaway off Hibdon’s $2,000 first-place pace. “This was a good race to win. I’ve never had the chance to follow this tour before,” said Hibdon, also the winner of Jamestown’s Don Gumke Racers’ Memorial in June and already on the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. “There are a lot of good drivers here from a lot of states.” “Twenty-eight guys started the feature,” he continued, “and any one of them could win one of these races on any given night.” Hibdon had drawn the pole but [Read More]

IMCA Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour starts Saturday in Jamestown

MANDAN, N.D. – Drivers have been pre-registered from 14 states and Saskatchewan for the upcoming Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour for IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars July 10-15, 2021. The six consecutive day tour starts in Jamestown at the quarter-mile Jamestown Speedway on the Stutsman County Fairgrounds, on Saturday, July 10. Jamestown was one of the original three tour tracks when the series began in July of 1990. From there the series heads north to Minot at the 3/8-mile Nodak Speedway on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds for a Sunday-Monday doubleheader on July 11-12. The Monday date was to be held in Estevan, Sask., as it has since 2000, but the border remains closed due to the Covid pandemic, so Minot agreed to host the program. This allowed the rest of the Tour schedule to go on as scheduled. On Tuesday, July 13, the quarter-mile Williston Basin Speedway hosts the fourth date of the Tour that is held at the Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds. Southwest Speedway in Dickinson has the Wednesday, July 14, date at [Read More]

Nodak to host IMCA Dakota Tour on two nights as U.S.-Canadian border remains closed

MINOT, N.D. – With the restriction on non-essential travel between the United States and Canada extended into mid-July, Nodak Speedway will host a second Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour event. Touring IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars are at Minot on Sunday, July 11 and now Monday, July 12 as well. Estevan Motor Speedway in Saskatchewan would have been the site of the Monday show had travel restrictions, imposed last March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, been eased. “Due to this fact that we have no control over, the Corral Sales Dakota Classic Modified Tour will revert to Plan B with Nodak Speedway in Minot taking the Monday, July 12 date in place of Estevan,” said Tour Director John Gartner, also noting that fully vaccinated Canadians may have an easier time traveling by air to the U.S. The 32nd annual tour starts Saturday, July 10 at Jamestown Speedway. Following the two Minot dates are events on July 13 at Williston Basin Speedway, July 14 at Southwest Speedway in Dickinson and July 15 at Dacotah Speedway [Read More]

Record $10,000 point fund for 32nd IMCA Dakota Classic Tour

JAMESTOWN, N.D. – With a record $10,000 point fund waiting at the end of the week, the 32nd annual Corral Sales Dakota Classic Tour for IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars kicks off Saturday, July 10 at Jamestown Speedway. The July 11 tour date is at Nodak Speedway in Minot, which would also host the next night’s show if travel is not allowed to Saskatchewan and Estevan Motor Speedway. Williston Basin Speedway hosts the July 13 show and Southwest Speedway at Dickinson the July 14 event. Championship night is July 15 at Dacotah Speedway in Mandan. Tour Director John Gartner notes the site of the July 12 show remains pending an announcement on opening of the border by Canadian authorities. “That announcement is expected next week,” said Gartner. “Drivers should continue to monitor news sources on the border status and plan accordingly.” Total purses paid each night are more than $20,000. All six Modified features pay $2,000 to win, a minimum of $300 to start and $100 tow, and are qualifying events for the Fast [Read More]

Registration starts today for IMCA Dakota Classic Tour

MANDAN, N.D. – Online registration starts later today (Wednesday) for the Corral Sales IMCA Dakota Classic Tour. IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car competitors can go to the drivers tab on www.dakotamodtour.com website to complete the registration process and secure their number. New this year is a $25 entry fee that will be refunded in cash the first night drivers race on the 32nd annual tour. All six Modified features pay $2,000 to win and are qualifying events for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Stock Car features pay $1,000 with winners becoming eligible to qualify for the B & B Chassis All-Star race. Opening night is Saturday, July 10 at Jamestown Speedway. The tour is at Nodak Speedway in Minot on Sunday, July 11 and at Estevan Motor Speedway in Saskatchewan on Monday, July 12 if the border is open. The series will be in Minot that evening if the border is still closed. Williston Basin Speedway is site of the Tuesday, July 13 show and Southwest Speedway at Dickinson hosts the Wednesday, July 14 event. [Read More]

IMCA Dakota Classic Tour point funds total $10,000

MANDAN, N.D. – Point funds totaling $10,000 will be paid to IMCA Modified and IMCA Sunoco Stock Car drivers in top 10 point standings for the upcoming Corral Sales IMCA Dakota Classic Tour. Courtesy of Hoosier Tire and IMCA, point fund amounts increase from $2,000 to $6,500 for the Modifieds and from $1,000 to $3,500 for the Stock Cars. The Modified champion earns $1,600, with $1,150 for second, $850 for third, $700 for fourth, $550 for fifth, $450 for sixth and $300 for seventh through 10th places. The Stock Car champion gets a $850 share of the point fund, with $625 for second, $475 for third, $400 for fourth, $325 for fifth, $225 for sixth and $150 for seventh through 10th. All Modified features pay $2,000 to win and are qualifying events for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. Stock Car features pay $1,000 with winners becoming eligible to qualify for the B & B Chassis All-Star race. Opening night for the 32nd annual tour is Saturday, July 10 at Jamestown Speedway. From there it heads to [Read More]

Corral Sales is new title sponsor for IMCA Dakota Classic Tour

MANDAN, N.D. – The IMCA Dakota Classic Modified Tour has new title sponsorship from long-standing tour supporter Corral Sales of Mandan. Thirty-two years ago when the tour was in its infancy, Corral Sales and Simes Graphic Designs were the first sponsors of this dream to bring the best to the wilds of North Dakota. Simes is still with the event all these years later and Corral now takes its name. “Corral Sales is proud to continue its long-standing support of the tour as the event’s title sponsor, as it’s right in our back yard,” said Tim Helbling of Corral Sales. The Mandan-based business has been open since 1968 and specializes in recreational vehicles, parts and service. “The tour wishes to thank Bob Kupper for his long-time title sponsorship of the series. His leadership and constant support of the event was instrumental to our growth,” tour owner and director John Gartner said. “The tour has relied on local and national support and with Corral stepping up to take the lead, the event can extend its long [Read More]

Gaylord finds glory at Dacotah, Zevenbergen wins 5th

MANDAN, N.D. (July 15) – When Tripp Gaylord drew the pole position for the IMCA Modified “A” feature on the Moritz Sport & Marine Dakota Classic Tour presented by Bismarck Motor Company at Dacotah Speedway, the real test began. A week with many frustrations for the Colorado racer finished out with a feeling of euphoria. Gaylord did double duty in the Modified and Stock Car all week long until Dacotah Speedway, handing the reins over to brother Ryan in order to focus on the Modified. He had made every feature in both classes until that point. Gaylord was a rocket from the drop of the green flag in Mandan, leading by over three seconds at one point and maneuvering lapped traffic to grab the $2,400 win. Already on the Fast Shafts Al-Star Invitational ballot, Gaylord was followed across the stripe by Jake O’Neil, Robert Hellebust, Shawn Strand and Alex Stanford. Consistent Austin Arneson captured the tour championship. Elijah Zevenbergen is the best accomplished IMCA Sunoco Stock Car driver the tour has seen, winning for the [Read More]

Southwest Dakota checkers fly for Thornton, Zevenbergen

DICKINSON, N.D. (July 14) – Ricky Thornton Jr. returned to the 31st annual Moritz Sport & Marine Dakota Classic IMCA Modified Tour presented by Bismarck Motor Company feature ranks to claim yet another feature win Tuesday at Southwest Speedway. Starting from the inside of row two, Thornton made quick work of polesitter Ryan Gaylord, claiming the lead early on. A handful of cautions scattered throughout the race did not deter Thornton on his way to the $2,400 checkers. Jake O’Neil, Tripp Gaylord, Jason Wolla and Austin Arneson rounded out the top five. Matt Speckman looked like he had the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature handled but became the victim of circumstance when second running Cole Trickle checked up and caught Speckman in the left rear, sending Speckman up and over and ending both of their nights.The winner in the situation turned out to be tour dominator Elijah Zevenbergen, who took command of the field with 11 to go and only faced a brief challenge from Dalton Flory before motoring to his fourth win of the [Read More]