kennedalespeedwaypark Archives

All-Star Shootout Ready to Fire Off May 21-24 Across Texas and Oklahoma

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 14, 2026) — The All-Star Shootout is just a week away from roaring back to life, as four straight nights of Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing action are set for May 21-24 across Texas and Oklahoma with increased payouts, new race procedures, and a packed lineup of contingency awards. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will again headline the tour. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win and $125 to start each night, while Stock Cars and Southern SportMods compete for $1,000 to win and $100 to start. All four nights will serve as Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifiers, giving drivers multiple opportunities to add their names to the eligibility lists ahead of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. The 2026 tour opens Thursday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Friday, May 22 at Grayson County Speedway in Bells. The series then heads [Read More]

Townsend Leads Every Lap for $8,000 KSP Triumph

KENNEDALE, Texas (May 9, 2026) — Christopher Townsend turned in a flawless performance Saturday night at Kennedale Speedway Park, leading every lap of the Photos by Mike and 2nd Opinion Auto Center Texas RaceSaver Sprint Car Nationals feature to collect an $8,000 payday. The Tarkington driver earned the advertised $5,000 winner’s share in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car main event and added another $3,000 bonus for pacing all 30 circuits. Kennedale’s own Kyle Jones charged from 11th to finish second after also earning the evening’s $500 quick time award. John Carney II of El Paso crossed the line third after winning the $500 pole dash earlier in the program. Marcus Thomas finished fourth, while Justin Zimmerman rounded out the top five. Chad Wilson earned hard charger honors after advancing from 20th to finish 10th. A stout field of 48 IMCA Sprint Cars filled the pit area for the marquee event.

Texas RaceSaver Sprint Car Nationals Brings $5,000-to-Win Show to Kennedale May 9

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Apr. 8, 2026) — A new chapter begins at Kennedale Speedway Park as the former Mike Melton race transitions into the Texas RaceSaver Sprint Car Nationals, a one-night, high-paying event set for Saturday, May 9. The RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car special will feature a $5,000-to-win main event with a total purse exceeding $20,000, offering multiple bonus opportunities that could see a driver earn as much as $9,000 in a single night. Incentives include $500 for quick time, $500 to win the pole dash, and a $3,000 bonus for leading every lap of the feature. Lap sponsorships will also be available at $100 per lap led. Mike Frieri of Photos by Mike is a primary supporter of the event, alongside presenting sponsor 2nd Opinion Auto Center, owned by Dan and Patricia Harris of Haltom City, Texas. “We wanted to create something big but keep it simple for teams,” said promoter James Lopez. “This is a one-night show that helps racers save on fuel, hotels, and travel expenses while still competing for a [Read More]

All-Star Shootout Returns for 2026 With Increased Payouts and All-Star Qualifiers Each Night

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Apr. 2, 2026) — Bigger paydays and a full slate of All-Star qualifying opportunities headline the return of the All-Star Shootout, which brings four consecutive nights of racing across Oklahoma and Texas from May 21 through May 24. Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will again anchor the tour, with increased payouts across all three divisions. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win and $125 to start each night, while Stock Cars and Southern SportMods will compete for $1,000 to win and $100 to start. All four nights of the tour will serve as Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifiers, giving drivers multiple opportunities to add their names to the eligibility lists ahead of the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September. The 2026 tour opens Thursday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Friday, May 22 at Grayson County Speedway in Bells. The series then heads to [Read More]

Feature

Title Sponsor Announced, Pre-Registration Open for Southern SportMod Super Nationals

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Aug. 13, 2025) — The IMCA Southern SportMod Super Nationals return to Kennedale Speedway Park on September 4–6, now with Summit Racing Equipment on board as title sponsor for both the Super Nationals and the All-Star special in a newly signed three-year deal. The Southern SportMod-exclusive event, in its fourth year at KSP, has become a premier destination for top-tier talent in the division from across the region. The road to the Super Nationals began with the Prelude presented by Mike Frieri last Saturday August 9, which paid $2,000 to win. By finishing on top of the podium in that event, Casey Brunson locked himself into Saturday’s big dance. The Prelude also served as a qualifying opportunity for the All-Star portion of Super Nationals week. Drivers who either competed in the Prelude or have won a 2025 IMCA-sanctioned Southern SportMod feature are eligible for the All-Star qualifying heats on Thursday, September 4. The top 20 finishers will advance to the $1,000 to win, $100 to start All-Star Feature, which runs Friday, [Read More]

Southern SportMod Super Nationals Set for Kennedale Speedway Park on September 4–6

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (July 29, 2025) — The IMCA Southern SportMod Super Nationals return to Kennedale Speedway Park on September 4–6, with three full nights of racing and more than $25,000 in total purse money. Now in its fourth year at KSP, the Southern SportMod-exclusive event has become a premier destination for top-tier talent in the division from across the region. The road to the Super Nationals begins with the Prelude presented by Mike Frieri on Friday, August 9, an event paying $2,000 to win and $125 to start. While held nearly a month before the main event, the Prelude offers drivers a key opportunity to qualify for the All-Star portion of Super Nationals week. There is no online registration – competitors simply need their 2025 KSP season registration pay card and must pay a $30 draw fee at check-in. Drivers who either compete in the Prelude or have won a 2025 IMCA-sanctioned Southern SportMod feature will be eligible for the All-Star qualifying heats on Thursday, September 4. The top 20 finishers will lock [Read More]

Gregory, Gould, Bransom Crowned 2025 All Star Shootout Champions

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Garrett Gregory, William Gould and Jerrett Bransom each topped their respective divisions in the 2025 edition of the All Star Shootout, earning hard-fought championships in one of the most anticipated IMCA tours of the year. For Gregory, from Plantersville, Texas, the title marked his first career All Star Shootout championship in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. He started the week with a sixth-place showing at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore and backed that up with a solid fifth-place effort at Grayson County Speedway. The breakthrough came on night three when Gregory charged to victory at Heart O’ Texas Speedway, and he wrapped up the week with a sixth-place finish at Kennedale Speedway Park to secure the championship. Garrett Gregory of Plantersville, Texas, celebrates his first career All Star Shootout championship in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds after a strong and consistent week across four tracks. (Photo by Southern Sass Photography) Drake Findley, making the haul from Bryant, Ark., put together a consistent string of performances to earn [Read More]

All-Star Shootout Returns with Bigger Payouts, New Promoter for 2025

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 16, 2025) — Bigger paydays and a fresh face at the helm highlight the 5th Annual All-Star Shootout, which returns May 21–24 with four consecutive nights of racing across Texas and Oklahoma. The tour kicks off Wednesday, May 21 at Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, followed by Grayson County Speedway on Thursday, Heart O’ Texas Speedway on Friday, and Kennedale Speedway Park on Saturday. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMods will headline the card each night, with boosted payouts across the board. Modifieds will race for $1,250 to win each night, Stock Cars for $1,000 to win, and SportMods for $750 to win. Markiss Harcrow steps into his new role as promoter of the Shootout and is eager to build on the momentum of the series. “For anyone taking over a promotion, it’s an exciting venture—and this is no different,” said Harcrow. “This tour has some history behind it that we hope to continue and grow.” Harcrow leads the way in [Read More]

Carney Cashes in with $5,000 Melton Memorial Sprint Car Win at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (May 10, 2025) — The second annual Mike Melton Memorial at Kennedale Speedway Park drew a packed house as Mike’s daughter, Michelle Parson, led a four-wide salute before the 30-lap, $5,000-to-win RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car main event. When the green flag dropped, Taco Casa Racing teammates John Carney II and Jeb Sessums shared the front row, with Carney taking the early lead in the no. J2 entry. Sessums pressured Carney throughout the first half of the race, briefly slipping ahead on lap 14 before the two-time Texas State and KSP track champion pulled to the infield with mechanical issues. As Carney navigated through lapped traffic, Ryder LaPlante and Marcus Thomas waged a fierce battle for second. A red flag on lap 19 briefly slowed the action, but Carney remained firmly in control, extending his lead after each restart. Thomas, a four-time Texas State and 2017 National champion, finally secured second from LaPlante with three laps to go, but Carney was untouchable, cruising to his first win of the season. The 2015 [Read More]

$5000 to Win Second Annual Mike Melton Memorial Set for May 9-10 at Kennedale Speedway Park

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Apr. 29, 2025) — A heartfelt tribute to one of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car community’s most beloved figures is set for Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, as Kennedale Speedway Park hosts the 2nd Annual Mike Melton Memorial. A $5,000 payday awaits Saturday night’s winner, with $500 to start the feature. Friday’s preliminary night offers $1,000 to win and $150 to start. Drivers will also chase a $500 bonus for fast time and another $500 prize for winning the pole dash. The top eight finishers from Friday night will be locked into Saturday’s feature. Drivers are encouraged to pre-register on My Race Pass to save time and secure their spot. Mike Melton was a fixture in the racing community for more than 40 years, remembered for his generosity, passion for the sport, and deep-rooted commitment to helping others. Away from the track, Mike shared a wonderful life with his wife Margaret, to whom he was married for over 35 years. He passed away in November 2023, leaving behind a powerful legacy [Read More]