nodakspeedway Archives

Deschamp Shines in Stock Car Thriller at Nodak Speedway

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Apr. 27, 2025) — Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars took center stage at Nodak Speedway’s season opener, and the 3/8-mile “Playground of Power” delivered thrilling side-by-side action on a crisp Sunday evening. Chris Tuchscherer, the 2005 Williston Basin Stock Car champion and double-duty driver for the night, grabbed the early lead. However, two-time defending track champion Will Scheresky found a way around him by lap 4 and began pulling away before a caution slowed the field on the fifth circuit. On the restart, Gabe Deschamp — fresh off a win at Marshalltown’s Frostbuster earlier in the month — tracked down Scheresky and completed a bold move on the inside to take command on lap 6. The two would battle fiercely until another yellow interrupted the action. Deschamp nailed the restart and continued his dominance, but Mike Hagen soon emerged as a threat. Hagen, a two-time Nodak Stock Car champion, briefly edged ahead on lap 15 only for Deschamp to counter immediately and retake the lead. The Westhope driver scampered away in the [Read More]

Hagen Outduels Wolla for Nodak Modified Glory

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Apr. 26, 2025) — A rare Saturday night show kicked off the 2025 season at Nodak Speedway, and the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds delivered an instant classic on the 3/8-mile “Playground of Power” at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Marcus Tomlinson and Justin Medler battled for the early advantage, with Tomlinson edging ahead after lap one. The six-time defending North Dakota State champion and 2022 Nodak track king looked strong before a restart brought two-time North Dakota State champion and 2017 IMCA national titlist Jason Wolla into the mix. Wolla muscled his way to the front by lap five, with Travis Hagen soon entering the fray. What followed was a family affair as Wolla and Hagen — brothers-in-law off the track — staged a thrilling duel on it. Hagen, a former Nodak champion and eight-time Williston Basin Speedway titleholder, applied steady pressure and began drawing even with eight laps remaining. The pair traded sliders and crossovers before Hagen finally gained the upper hand with a bold move coming to the high-raised [Read More]

Austin Daae: From Ice to Dirt, the Final Shift

By Ben Deatherage ESTEVAN, SK (Apr. 21, 2025) — For most, playing professional hockey would be enough. For Austin Daae, it’s just one half of the story. The Estevan, Saskatchewan native is just as comfortable skating across frozen rinks as he is sliding through the corners of dirt ovals. And in 2024, he added a big milestone to his résumé—Sunoco IMCA Stock Car champion at Estevan Motor Speedway. “It was a good season,” said Daae. “I haven’t gotten to run for points in 7 or 8 years at least. Per usual, I got home late from playing hockey down south. I was still down there when the first night got rained out. I would’ve liked to race more, but I had hockey things going on. I was able to race every night at home and finally get a points championship.” He picked up four wins at Estevan and added another at Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota. The competition in the region is never easy. “Anywhere you go in North Dakota, you know you’ve got your [Read More]

Turnbull triumphant at inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Aug 18, 2024) – In a race that will be remembered for years to come, Aaron Turnbull emerged victorious in the inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial at Nodak Speedway. His masterful maneuver around the halfway point, allowing him to take the lead, was a sight to behold. Fending off a challenge after the final restart, Turnbull, the maestro from Estevan, Sask., scored an impressive Friesen Performance $3,014 payday at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. His win holds a special significance as it was a racer from Estevan who won the first Lundy Memorial, just as Lundy had won the first IMCA Modified track title at Estevan Motor Speedway in 2000. “This means a lot to me. Monte raced against my dad. It’s awesome to win the first event,” said Turnbull. “All of Monte’s family was there. Hopefully this race becomes a long standing tradition.” The race was off to an intense start as Drew Christianson beat Shawn Strand into the first corner. However, Strand quickly gained momentum, swinging the lead in [Read More]

Grinstead – Brennor Grinstead – is Nodak winner by .007

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Aug. 11, 2024) – Considering how close their battle for the track championship was, it was no surprise when Brennor Grinstead and Kyler Satran were separated by just seven thousandths of a second apart at the finish of Sunday’s IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature at Nodak Speedway. The Grinstead brothers, Brennor and Tyson, engaged in a fierce battle at the start, Brennor emerging as the leader to pace the first lap. Satran threw his hat in the ring when he took over second on the fourth circuit and the next time around was pressuring Brennor Grinstead for the top spot. Finding an advantage on the inside line, Satran powered his way ahead to become the new trailblazer on lap six. Things slowed down twice with two late-race cautions, including the last one setting up a green, white, checkered finish. When the green flag was presented to the field for the final time, Brennor Grinstead tried to get around Satran via the outside and reclaim first place. Grinstead had a slight [Read More]

LaBatte banks Stock Car paydirt at Nodak

By Ben Deatherage MINOT, N.D. (Aug. 4, 2024) – The North Dakota State Fairgrounds roared to life and Brendon LaBatte raced his way to B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility on Sunday. When the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car finale came to life, Kyle Scholpp took the lead and tried to run away from the rest of the field. However, fellow Saskatchewanian, LaBatte made a masterful run on the bottom trying to reel in the leader. At the same time, Scholpp was comfortable up high and had a slight advantage up there. Shawn Green and Mike Hagen put on a show for third place, with Hagen eventually securing the spot on the third circuit. While the race for third cooled down, the battle for the lead heated up. LaBatte submitted a challenge to the inside of Scholpp the sixth time past the flag stand. Scholpp did his best to keep LaBatte back, but LaBatte’s persistence paid big dividends when he got around the leader on lap seven. He started to pull away from [Read More]

Monte Lundy Memorial for IMCA Modifieds is Aug. 18 at Nodak

MINOT, N.D. (July 31, 2024) – Nodak Speedway remembers one of its own on Sunday, Aug. 18, hosting the inaugural Monte Lundy Memorial. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds race for $3,014 to win and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility that evening. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Razor Chassis North Central Region and North Dakota State points will be awarded. There is no entry fee. Pit gates will open early for parking, the pit window opens at 3 p.m. and the drivers’ meeting is at 5 p.m. The grandstand opens at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Driver of the number 14 IMCA Modified, Lundy was rookie of the year at Nodak in 1993 and the first-ever track champion in that division at Estevan Motor Speedway, in 2000. He finished fifth in the main event at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s the same year. Lundy passed away last Aug. 19 at the age of 53 after battling Huntington’s Disease.

Nodak hosts Aug. 4 All-Star show for IMCA Stock Cars

MINOT, N.D. (July 24, 2024) – IMCA Sunoco Stock Car drivers race for $750 to win and B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility at their aptly-named All-Star race Sunday, Aug. 4 at Nodak Speedway. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and North Dakota State points will be given. Mach-1 Sport Compact are also on the race night card. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. Racing is at 7 p.m. Pit passes are $30 for members, $40 for non-members and $10 for kids ages 8-14. Spectator admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, $5 for kids 6-12 and free for five and under.

Nodak winner Hibdon dedicates Dakota Tour checkers to Deuce

MINOT, N.D. (July 7, 2024) – The driver they call Kid Smooth was smooth from start to finish Sunday night at Nodak Speedway. Kollin Hibdon, the Nevada native now racing out of Fargo led all 30 laps of the caution-free Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature that kicked off the Dakota Classic Modified Tour powered by Industrial Electric, dedicating the $2,000 win to late friend and fellow driver Casey Arneson. “This one means a lot more to me,” Hibdon said, following his career third tour victory. “A couple days ago marked two years since we lost Deuce. I should have done this two years ago right after he passed. I was leading and had the tire delam(inate). I’m just glad I could do it now.” “This one’s for him. All of ‘em are for him,” he continued. “This win means more than words can describe.” Already Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible. Hibdon drew the outside front row starting spot and was chased the last 29 times around the track by Ethan Braaksma, who would get [Read More]

Early entry list is “stacked’ for 35th Dakota Classic IMCA Modified Tour

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (July 1, 2024) – After looking over the names, new co-promoter Byron Fichter could have used any number of words to describe pre-entry lists for the upcoming Dakota Classic IMCA Modified Tour. But it turned out he only needed one: “Stacked.” Fichter and partner Aaron Turnbull take over at the helm of the 35th annual tour, which travels to six tracks in North Dakota and Saskatchewan July 6-11. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds race for $2,000 to win, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for $1,000 to win each night Saturday, July 6 at Jamestown Speedway with following dates Sunday, July 7 at Nodak Speedway in Minot; Monday, July 8 at Estevan Motor Speedway; Tuesday, July 9 at Williston Basin Speedway; Wednesday, July 10 at Southwest Speedway in Dickinson; and Thursday, July 11 at Dacotah Speedway in Mandan. “We’ve got former tour champions, former national champions and former Super Nationals champions pre-registered,” said Fichter, listing the likes of four-time tour king Hank Berry, 2023 tour champions Tim Ward – also champion at Super Nationals – and Rob [Read More]