modlitesofarkansas Archives

Choate adds to IMCA STARS Mod Lite resume with rich Natural State Nationals checkers

PLUMERVILLE, Ark. (Nov. 4, 2023) – Ronnie Choate added to his impressive 2023 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite resume by winning the Mod Lites of Arkansas Natural State Nationals held Nov. 4 at Central Arkansas Motor Speedway. Choate, from Cookeville, Tenn., made his move to the front with five circuits left in the 30-lapper to win the inaugural special and $3,000. “I was just being patient, waiting for some green flag laps,” Choate said following his seventh win of 2023, a season that also saw him earn IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, Tennessee Mod Lite Racing Association and Kentucky State titles. “Showing up to a new track you have never seen and being fast is a challenge. It makes winning special.” “I feel we accomplished that this weekend,” he continued. “This year has been the best of my racing career and will be very hard to top.” Jaedon McDowell had paced the first from the start and ended in second. “My strategy was to get the lead early and run up [Read More]

Mod Lites of Arkansas checkers to Vowan at Crowley’s Ridge Racing For the Paws event

PARAGOULD, Ark. (June 17, 2023) – Bryce Vowan won the inaugural Mod Lites of Arkansas Racing For The Paws event at Crowley’s Ridge Raceway. Making their first ever visit to Crowley’s Ridge, the MLA kicked off the night’s festivities helping raise much-needed pet food, supplies and kitty litter for the Greene County Animal Farm. Racers and fans donated a truckload of supplies to the shelter, located near the Paragould track. With 28 Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites on hand from Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee, fans got to see the many of the top stars of the division attempt tackle Trent Francis’ Crowley’s Ridge Raceway. The event started off with Bobby Garth winning the Rising Stars Challenge. In the feature, Vowan started fourth and quickly made his way to the point before surrendering the lead to Jeromy Wilson While Vowan was getting back to the front, Mayfield, Ky.’s Cameron Stewart was slowly climbing his way from 12th starting, worked the bottom grove. The stage was set for a green, white, checkered finish that saw Vowan [Read More]

Mod Lites of Arkansas, Crowley’s Ridge Racing For The Paws this Saturday night

PARAGOULD, Ark. (June 14, 2023) – This Saturday night, June 17, the Mod Lites of Arkansas, a Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite series, will be making its series debut at Crowley’s Ridge Raceway for the first annual Racing For The Paws while raising needed pet food and supplies for the Greene County Animal Farm. Already home to the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, this will mark the second time in the speed plant’s 30-plus year history that another IMCA sanctioned division will participate at the historic race track operated by the Francis family for generations. “We are really excited to welcome new racers and fans to our community. Our racing family loves to support local non-profit organizations and the Greene County Animal Farm holds a special place in many of our fans hearts. We can’t wait to see the show the Mod Lites of Arkansas put on Saturday!” said Paige Francis-Hill with the raceway. The Greene County Animal Farm is a non-profit, no-kill, animal shelter that is home to all walks of animals, big and small. They [Read More]

MLA starts 2023 season with new home

PLUMERVILLE, Ark. (March 27) – 2023 for the Mod Lites of Arkansas will start new faces, new places, and a new home track. With the closure of I-30 Speedway, Central Arkansas Motor Speedway in Plumerville becomes the official home for the IMCA series for the 2023 season. “We’re very excited for 2023. We have some new racers, new cars, new sponsors, new tracks to visit for the first time in addition to our long time favorites. But most importantly, we’re happy to call CAMS home for the MLA in 2023,” said President and Promoter Bryce Vowan. By switching to Saturday nights in order to give central Arkansas racers and fans a close to home option, CAMS is expecting a great field of Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites in addition to Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Central Arkansas Motor Speedway has several special paying events for each class including the Johnny Wise Memorial that pays tribute to the late track owner and the Leon Cloninger Memorial as the season finale. President [Read More]

Mod Lites of Arkansas, North Texas head to Louisiana for Caddo Parish Shakedown

VIVIAN, La. (Feb. 7, 2023) – The Mod Lites of Arkansas and North Texas Mod Lites come together for a two-day event at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., Feb. 24-25. The Caddo Parish Shakedown marks the first time two IMCA STARS Mod Lite series have co-sanctioned an event. The Friday winner earns $500 while Saturday’s winner takes home $1,000. Drivers from Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and Iowa, among others, are expected to compete and will receive IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Mod Lites of Arkansas and North Texas Mod Lite series, and state points. “I’ve just started as the promoter of the North Texas Mod Lites and am looking forward to working with the Mod Lites of Arkansas and helping build this division,” said John Thiel Jr. “My focus is to build relationships and have fun in the process.” Mod Lites of Arkansas promoter Bryce Vowan noted the Caddo Parish Shakedown marked the first appearance for STARS Mod Lites at Vivian, now promoted by Kevin Rogers. “We have enjoyed working with other series in [Read More]

Vowan victorious in return to Riverside for IMCA STARS Mod Lite Mid-South Nationals

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (Sept. 17, 2022) – Fans at the track where Bryce Vowan grew up in the grandstands to watch him win the inaugural Mid-South Nationals for IMCA STARS Mod Lites Saturday night. Vowan returned to Riverside International Speedway and completed a charge from the eighth starting position to the checkers, earning $2,000 along with a special edition Fender acoustic guitar trophy. “Any time you can go back to where you started your career in racing, it’s really special,” he said. “I spent a lot of my childhood here at Riverside. I grew up wrenching for my stepdad Mike Campbell when he was racing sprints. Now he’s my crew chief and to come back and to win where it all started for both of us is just something special.” Blake Wilson, Todd Minner, Troy Naeger and Kevin Simkins rounded out the top five. The 32-car field featured entries from as far away as California and a strong contingent of Tennessee drivers. Early pole sitter Wilson jumped out to an early lead with John Pitts in second [Read More]

Mod Lites of Arkansas racing for $2,000 at inaugural Mid-South Nationals

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (Sept. 13, 2022) – Mod Lites of Arkansas return to Riverside International Speedway this Saturday, Sept. 7 for the inaugural $2,000 to win Mid-South Nationals. The IMCA STARS Mod Lites headline the evening program and the winner goes home with a specialty – and functional – Fender acoustic guitar trophy. The main event pays $200 to start with non-qualifiers getting $50. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, state and MLA points will be awarded. Drivers finishing seventh and 11th receive prize packages from Mid-State Racing and Tire Bloomers, respectively. Entry fee is $75 and pit passes are $35. Gates will open at 6 Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m. Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $5 for kids and free for five and under.

Wilson repeats Mod Lites of Arkansas checkers at Mississippi’s Greenville oval

GREENVILLE, Miss. (Aug. 13, 2022) – Blake Wilson started on the pole and held off challenges from Bryce Vowan and Cameron Wagner in winning Saturday’s main event, when the Mod Lites of Arkansas made their sole IMCA STARS stop this season in Mississippi. Wilson took the lead on the opening lap beside Kevin Simkins and begin navigating the trick and tacky gumbo surface that Greenville is known for. Vowan came under challenges from Wagner and Gage Raines while chasing Wilson. As the leaders came upon lapped traffic and with both cars running different lines, Vowan made a pass for the lead, pulling up beside Wilson before a caution. After the ensuing restart, Wilson had clear track to work with and despite having some close calls running the fast groove along the wall, went on to take his eighth win of the season. “Greenville is a driver’s track. It’s tricky and challenging, being one of the fastest quarter mile tracks around. It just so happens the fastest way around is next to the wall. That groove [Read More]

Wagner wins first career Mod Lites of Arkansas feature

VAN BUREN, Ark. (July 31) – Cameron Wagner won his first career Mod Lites of Arkansas feature at Crawford County Speedway Saturday night. Starting from the fourth position, the Hot Springs hotshoe took the lead on lap four and held off challenges from eventual runner-up Bryce Vowan and third-place finisher Jeromy Wilson. Wagner maintained his composure despite cautions as he bested a 29-car field en route to his first IMCA STARS Mod Lite win. After the race, Wagner dedicated the win to his late grandfather Orville Wagner who recently passed away. Orville was a huge supporter having never missed a race that Cameron had competed in since making the transition to the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Tucker came home fourth and Blake Wilson was the night’s hard charger rounding out the top five while transferring from the ‘B’ main with a win. The Mod Lites of Arkansas finish up their 2021 season with the Afton Goodson Memorial at I-30 Speedway on Aug. 14.

Saturday date for Mod Lites of Arkansas at Old No. 1

HARRISBURG, Ark. – Mod Lites of Arkansas race for $500 to win and a minimum of $100 to start this Saturday, July 17 at Old No. 1 Speedway in Harrisburg. Gates open at 4 p.m. with pre-tech for the IMCA STARS Mod Lite entries to follow. Racing is at 7:30 p.m.