maquoketaspeedway Archives

Sheldon Oberle: Hoosier on the Hunt for a Super Nationals Win

By Ben Deatherage BATTLE GROUND, Ind. (Aug. 15, 2025) — At just 26 years old, Sheldon Oberle already holds a distinction no one else from his state can claim — the only Indiana native to win a Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature. That milestone came June 14 at Maquoketa Speedway, a night that felt like the payoff for years of work. “That was a long time coming,” Oberle said. “The competition is so hard, and to win it coming from seventh—it gave me the confidence I needed that I don’t suck,” he laughed. Oberle’s connection to the sport started long before he was born. “My grandpa, Billy Neal, was the first to race in the family, but he ran asphalt,” Oberle said. “My mom grew up going to the track, and my dad was always around cars. That’s how they got together.” Even as a kid, speed was part of his everyday life. “I’ve been driving before I was adding and subtracting. I was four years old in a go-kart my dad got me, and we’d [Read More]

Doubleheader Weekend Set for Maquoketa Speedway August 15–16

By Ben Deatherage MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 12, 2025) — Maquoketa Speedway will be rocking with two full nights of racing action on Friday and Saturday, August 15–16, featuring the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Both nights will be run under the draw/redraw format and will award Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National, Razor Chassis Northern Central Regional, and Iowa State points. The Modified and Stock Car features will be Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifying events. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars will race for $1,000 to win on Friday and $1,500 to win on Saturday. Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods will chase $750 top prizes each night. Friday night’s schedule also includes Hoker’s Haul for Toys for Tots from 4 to 5:30 p.m., where fans can drop off new, unwrapped toys near the grandstand entrance. On Saturday, the toy drive continues from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the same location. After the races on [Read More]

Ryan Rules Late Models at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 9, 2025) — Infrequent visitor Matt Ryan dominated the 25-lap Season Championship feature at Maquoketa Speedway for the Sunoco IMCA Late Models. Starting inside the second row, Ryan quickly powered to the front and led the remainder of the race, taking the win ahead of seventh-starting Logan Veloz. The points battle came into the night with Jake Morris holding a slim two-point lead over Steve Johnson. When the checkers waved, Morris finished one spot behind Johnson — enough to claim the IMCA Late Model track championship by a single point. Ryan’s victory was his third of the season, each coming at a different track. Diercks Delivers in Modifieds The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds Season race came down to a head-to-head battle between Spencer Diercks and Charlie Mohr. Both drivers ran the high side with precision, but a slight bobble by Mohr opened the door for Diercks to take the lead and drive away to victory. Mohr held second ahead of Justin Veloz. Despite a sixth-place finish, Jaden Fryer had built [Read More]

Nigh Notches First 2025 Late Model Win in Wild Maquoketa Finish

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 2, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Late Models at Maquoketa Speedway saw front row starter Doug Nigh and 10th-starting Evan Miller swap the lead several times throughout the 25-lap feature. As the laps wound down with the two still battling for the top spot, a late race caution set up a three-lap dash to the finish. The lead pack behind Nigh was scrambled, and Logan Veloz made a last-minute charge to finish right on the heels of Nigh. Nigh scored his first win of the season, while Miller held on for third ahead of Bryce Garnhart. Schueller Goes Flag-to-Flag for First Maquoketa Modified Victory The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds saw a strong field of 18 drivers take the green flag for their 20-lap feature. Jason Schueller took the green from the pole and led the main event flag-to-flag. Schueller’s win was far from easy as he was pressured early by fellow front row starter Brandon Jewell, and late in the race, Shane Paris closed the gap and settled for second [Read More]

Chelf Scores First-Ever Stock Car Win At Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (June 28, 2025) — Andrew Chelf of nearby Lost Nation has won plenty of Hobby Stock races at his home track, but Saturday night marked his first-ever triumph in the ultra-competitive Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars at Maquoketa Speedway. Chelf ran the bottom side to perfection, holding off a host of challengers for the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory. Veteran Jerry Miles worked the top groove and stayed in contention late but ultimately finished second behind the smooth-running Chelf. Gage Neal, back in his familiar no. 12N, closed the gap in the final laps and crossed the stripe in third. Andrew Chelf celebrates his first career Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature win at Maquoketa Speedway, surrounded by family and crew in victory lane on June 28. (Photo by B.A. Photography) Morris Nabs Narrow Late Model Win The Sunoco IMCA Late Models capped the night with a thrilling 25-lap main event. Jake Morris guided his no. 86 to a hard-fought win, fending off numerous challenges from Bryce Garnhart. Morris clung to the [Read More]

Johnson Earns Late Model Win and Sunoco Bonus at Maquoketa

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Jun. 14, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Late Models saw veteran racer Steve Johnson score the win and collect the Sunoco Race Fuels Bonus Money on Saturday night at Maquoketa Speedway. Johnson, who recently celebrated his 68th birthday, has been a longtime presence in Eastern Iowa racing and a staple at area tracks. Johnson charged to the front from his third-row start and led early in the feature. Point leader Travis Denning eventually reeled him in and took over the lead, but his run ended early with a drivetrain failure. That opened the door for Johnson to retake command and race to his first victory of the 2025 campaign. Mitch Morris crossed the stripe in second while Carter Johnson delivered a strong run to finish third. Steve Johnson celebrates his first Sunoco IMCA Late Model win of 2025 on June 14 at Maquoketa Speedway. The 68-year-old veteran also received the Sunoco Race Fuels Bonus, which included a $300 prize, commemorative door panel, Sunoco-branded fuel jug, and hat. (Photo by Joe Hayes) [Read More]

Larson Outduels Diercks in Maquoketa Modified Classic

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (June 7, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds delivered one of the season’s most thrilling contests Saturday night at Maquoketa Speedway, featuring a race-long battle between two of the best in the business. Jeff “Bone” Larson and Spencer Diercks went toe-to-toe for all 20 laps, trading slide jobs and crossover moves as the lead changed hands multiple times. Larson ultimately prevailed, edging out Diercks at the checkers, while current point leader Jaden Fryer crossed the line in third. The win marked Larson’s third at Maquoketa this season and his fifth overall in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. The Freeport, Illinois driver showcased why he’s one of the top contenders every time he rolls into town. Denning Drives to Late Model Victory from Deep Start In Sunoco IMCA Late Model action, point leader Travis Denning charged from the fifth row to earn the win. The Sterling, Illinois, pilot powered to the front by lap 10 and stayed there, recording his second Maquoketa win of the season. Dalton Simonsen and Don [Read More]

Conner Edges Heath for First Career Win in Maquoketa SportMod Thriller

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (May 31, 2025) — A beautiful night greeted race fans at Maquoketa Speedway, where the ¼-mile oval produced thrilling action across all five IMCA-sanctioned divisions — including tight finishes and a memorable first-time winner in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. Patric Conner led early in what turned out to be the race of the night, but multiple challengers kept him in striking distance throughout the 17-car main event. The closing laps featured a three-way scrap with Levi Heath and Jarrett Franzen, building to a dramatic, near-dead heat at the white flag. Conner stuck to the high line, Heath rolled the bottom, and at the stripe it was Conner — by just .061 seconds — scoring his long-awaited first career feature win. Heath settled for a narrow second, with Franzen right behind in third. Graduation Day Glory for Late Model Pilot Bodin It was a day to remember for Jesse Bodin of Silvis, Illinois. After walking the stage for his high school graduation earlier in the day, Bodin led all 25 [Read More]

Bonus Bucks Up for Grabs During 2025 Sunoco IMCA Late Model Bonus Money Nights

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 29, 2025) — Drivers competing in the IMCA Sunoco Late Model division will have more than just points to race for this season, with a series of special events offering bonus money at select tracks across Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois. The 2025 Sunoco Late Model Bonus Money Nights schedule features 13 designated events at premier Midwest ovals, rewarding competitors with added cash and heightened prestige throughout the summer. The program began on May 24 at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa, where Kale Kosiski took home the first bonus of the year. The tour continues Friday, June 6 at Park Jefferson Speedway in Jefferson, South Dakota, followed by a Sunday stop at Dubuque Speedway in Iowa on June 8. Mid-June sees back-to-back Iowa dates at Davenport Speedway on June 13 and Maquoketa Speedway on June 14, while July includes high-profile stops at 34 Raceway in Burlington on the 19th and three consecutive Nebraska events: US 30 Speedway in Columbus on July 24, Boone County Raceway in Albion on [Read More]

Fryer Rallies for Modified Win, Proposes in Victory Lane

By Jerry Mackey MAQUOKETA, Iowa (May 24, 2025) — The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds headlined the night at Maquoketa Speedway with a $1,000-to-win special that also served as a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational. Freeport, Illinois driver Jaden Fryer began the night by drawing pill number 100 out of 100, placing him deep in his heat race lineup. After a disappointing sixth-place finish in the heat, Fryer rolled off 11th for the 25-lap main event. Using the extreme low groove to his advantage, Fryer steadily worked his way through the field and grabbed the lead from Spencer Diercks late in the race. He then held off a final-lap challenge from Diercks to secure his first victory of the season in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. In addition to the $1,000 payday, Fryer collected a $100 product certificate from Performance Bodies for being the hard charger and earned a spot on the eligibility list to try and qualify for the All-Star Invitational, to be held during the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals [Read More]