kennedalespeedwaypark Archives

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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]

Cook Claims Stock Car Thriller

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Apr. 12, 2025) — Cameron Cook powered to his second win of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature at Kennedale Speedway Park, holding off late challenges in a 20-lap barnburner. Christian Miller took the early lead before Damon Hammond slipped under him to lead lap 3. Cook, however, surged down the backstretch and used the top groove to edge past Hammond and take command the next time around the ¼-mile oval. Hammond, the defending KSP title winner, and Cook, the 2022 Texas State champion, both looked strong before cautions on laps eight and ten reset the field. That opened the door for Brett McMillin and Jerrett Bransom to take charge of podium positions. Bransom, a three-time KSP Stock Car champ, made a series of bids to pass Cook using the bottom groove. Each time, Cook’s momentum off the top held strong. On the final lap, Bransom tried one last move, but Cook again held firm. The 24-year-old from Mansfield picked up his second win of the season in [Read More]

Graham Rockets to SportMod Win at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 29, 2025) — Josh Graham was on a mission Saturday night at Kennedale Speedway Park, putting on a blistering charge from 10th to the front in the 20-lap Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod main event. The Carrollton racer, pulling double duty on the night, showed unmatched speed and determination as he sliced through the field to earn his first win of the 2025 season. Gary Fox led early after outdueling Billy Burt, while Graham and Demetrius Carter traded shots for second. Graham made a bold move for the lead on lap eight, powering off turn four to edge ahead, only for a caution to negate the pass and reset the order. On the restart, Graham wasted no time reclaiming his momentum, diving under Fox on lap nine to officially take over the top spot. Once out front, he quickly checked out on the field. A late caution bunched up the pack, but Graham was flawless on the restart. Fox and Carter battled fiercely for second behind him, but nobody [Read More]

Day Dials Up Late-Race Pass for IMCA Modified Victory at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 22, 2025) — Matthew Day struck pay dirt at Kennedale Speedway Park, winning the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature after a thrilling late-race battle. The 2021 National IMCA Southern SportMod champion surged to the lead in the closing laps to collect his first victory of the 2025 campaign in the division’s first appearance at the ¼-mile oval. The 20-lap main event began with 2013 IMCA National Modified champion William Gould setting the pace. He held steady through two early cautions, but things changed quickly after a lap-nine restart. Jake Upchurch, a three-time KSP IMCA SportMod track champion, used the high side to rocket from fifth to second and began challenging Gould. Just as the action intensified, the 21-year-old Day entered the fray by hugging the low line. He worked his way into second, then mounted a charge on the leader. Day made the decisive move on lap 15, slipping under Gould for the lead. Gould fought back the next lap, but Day countered down the backstretch to reclaim the top [Read More]

Cogburn Battles to Victory Before Capacity Crowd at Kennedale

By Ben Deatherage KENNEDALE, Texas (Mar. 15, 2025) — 19-year-old Trevor Cogburn capped off the Smiley’s Racing Products IMCA Southern SportMod main event with a statement victory in front of one of the largest crowds in Kennedale Speedway Park history. The Robinson teenager faced multiple challenges but held firm against all contenders. The feature saw an intense battle between Cogburn and Tyler Russell, with the two drivers trading positions in a side-by-side duel. Russell eventually gained the advantage, but Cogburn, the 2022 National Southern SportMod Rookie of the Year, fought back and reclaimed the lead on lap 6. Just as their battle reached its peak, a caution reset the field. On the restart, Cogburn pulled away, but four-time and defending KSP SportMod champion and three-time defending Texas State title winner Jerrett Bransom moved past Russell into second. Bransom quickly closed in on Cogburn, setting the stage for a showdown. However, another caution interrupted the action before that battle could unfold. Despite multiple stoppages, including a tense green-white-checkered finish, Cogburn remained composed and fended off Bransom to [Read More]