wakeeneyspeedway Archives

Olmstead Strong in Hobby Stock Action at WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (Jun. 27, 2025) — Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks headlined Friday night at the historic WaKeeney Speedway. The front row of the main event featured Blake Holmes and Zach Olmstead. Olmstead charged to the early lead but was quickly challenged by Brady Wulf and Holmes. Staying smooth and composed throughout the feature, Olmstead fended off every advance and claimed his 12th win of the season in the B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region. Brady Bencken made a huge run through the field to finish second, with Eric Cross crossing the line third. Higdon Grabs Sport Compact Win The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact main event rolled off with Mitch Conner and Kiowa Higdon on the front row. Higdon jumped out to the early lead and soon found himself under fire from Connor Schwien and Kyle Mortensen. Higdon and Schwien battled closely throughout, with Schwien better in the corners while Higdon maintained the advantage down the straightaways. In the end, it was Kiowa Higdon scoring his first win of the season. Schwien was second, with [Read More]

Walt Prevails on Final SportMod Restart at WaKeeney For Late Race Win

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (May 30, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods had a busy night at WaKeeney Speedway, capped by an exciting feature that saw Blaine Walt emerge victorious after a late restart. Ryan Kirchoff stormed out to an early lead and looked unstoppable, leading the first sixteen laps before contact between a lapped car and Jack Kirchoff brought out the caution. That restart placed Walt on the inside of the front row. Kirchoff got a strong jump and led for a few more laps, but Walt slipped underneath to take the lead. Kirchoff made one last attempt, but Walt held on to claim his fourth win of the season and third at WaKeeney, adding to his sweep of the John Fose Memorial. Kirchoff settled for second, with Cody Gearhart completing the podium. Sproul Dominant in Mod Action Dakota Sproul led every lap of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, commanding the race from start to finish. Late-race contact between Mike Bainter and Kyle Rohleder, who was nursing a soft right rear [Read More]

Sproul Wins Modified Thriller At WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (May 17, 2025) — WaKeeney Speedway brought the curtain down on the John Fose Memorial/Wall of Fame Weekend with a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature that lived up to the occasion. Jeremy Frenier took command early, storming to the lead as the field settled in behind him. But Daniel Gottschalk soon reeled him in, making the pass after a few circuits to take over the top spot. As the race reached the midway point, a four-car shootout began to take shape with Gottschalk, Frenier, Kyle Rohleder, and Dakota Sproul all in the mix. Gottschalk’s time out front was cut short when Rohleder powered to the lead, but Sproul was just hitting his stride. Methodically working the track, Sproul closed in and made a dramatic last lap pass on Rohleder to secure his second Jet Racing Central Region victory of the season. Rohleder settled for second with Frenier rounding out the podium. Walt Steals the Spotlight in SportMod Thriller The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMod feature at WaKeeney Speedway was packed with drama [Read More]

Berry Scores First Career Stock Car Win at WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (May 16, 2025) — The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature on night one of the John Fose Memorial and Wall of Fame Weekend at WaKeeney Speedway delivered a memorable performance to honor one of Kansas racing’s most beloved figures. With a front row led by Bill Brack and Garrett Hager, the 20-lap main event quickly came to life when Brett Berry powered his way through a three-wide opening corner to seize the early lead. From there, the veteran driver from Kinsley held a steady pace despite persistent pressure from rising stars Tathan Burkhart and Kyle Pfeifer. Berry, who has already built a decorated IMCA career with wins in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods, Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, added another division to his list with his first career Stock Car victory in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region. Burkhart stormed through the field from deep in the lineup to finish second and earned hard charger honors by gaining nine spots, while Pfeifer settled into third after a [Read More]

Gottschalk Wins Modified Opener At WaKeeney

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (Apr. 18, 2025) — Daniel Gottschalk made the most of his 2025 debut, outdueling Greg Gustus in a spirited Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature Friday night at WaKeeney Speedway to earn his first score of the year in the Jet Racing Central Region. The race started off with a front row of Greg Gustus and Gottschalk, who battled closely throughout the feature, as each took turns leading at different points. Late in the race, Gottschalk solidified the lead and ran away from Gustus en route to the victoyu. Second was Gustus, while third was Clay Money. Hardcharger in the main event was Brett Berry, who gained seven spots. Burkhart Beats Holzmeister and Pfeifer to Win Stock Car Main The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car finale touched off with a front row of Troy Burkhart and Doug Holzmeister, the duo ran closely throughout the feature until the closing stages, when Holzmeister fell off slightly. Kyle Pfeifer got by Holzmeister late but could not quite make a winning pass on Burkhart. Troy Burkhart grabbed [Read More]

Gottschalk finds fastest line at Fose Memorial

WaKEENEY, Kan. (Sept. 14, 2024) – After starting 11th, Daniel Gottschalk admitted he didn’t think he’d be a contender at WaKeeney Speedway’s inaugural John Fose Memorial. After being involved in an early-race scuffle and restarting in the back row of the 20-car Friesen Performance IMCA Modified field, he was even more skeptical. Then he found the fast line. Gottschalk raced to the first of what would become two weekend feature wins – he’d also top Sunday’s season championship night show at RPM Speedway – and earn $1,527 along with Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility with the Saturday checkers. “To be honest, with Dylan (Sherfick) starting out front, I didn’t know if anyone had a shot at catching him,” said Gottschalk. “But it all worked out.” Gottschalk found his speed on the lower line while Kyle Rohleder, who’d also been involved in that early incident and restarted at the back, took a higher line in his own charge toward the front. Wheeling the 2021 VanderBuilt Chassis that had taken him to a top three finish [Read More]

Sherfick defends home turf in Friday Buzzard Bash Dash

By Sheldon Wickwar WaKEENEY, Kan. (April 19, 2024) – Dylan Sherfick defended his home turf Friday night at WaKeeney Speedway, earning $1,000 and becoming Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible while doing so. The hometown hotshoe counts the 2015 crown at WaKeeney among his eight career Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track titles and clearly had the fastest car from the drop of the green in the Buzzard Bash Dash main event. The 20-lap feature started with a front row of Sherfick and John Burrow, and once the field got going Sherfick made like he was shot out of a cannon and built a huge lead right off the bat. Once he entered lapped traffic Sherfick did not slow down and not even an always fast Jeremy Frenier could reel him in. Frenier, Brett Berry, Daniel Gottschalk and Dakota Sproul would complete the top five. Eighty-four race teams contended Friday night with Troy Burkhart topping the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Morgan Olmstead leading the way to the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Blaine Walt [Read More]

WaKeeney opens with IMCA Blizzard Bash Dash

WaKEENEY, Kan. (April 9, 2024) – The green flag flies again this season at WaKeeney Speedway, with five IMCA divisions running at the Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20 Buzzard Bash Dash. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds run for $1,000 to win, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for $750 to win and both IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods for $600 to win each night. Modified winners become eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, Stock Car winners for the B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational. Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts run Friday only for $200 to win. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, Kansas State and track points will be awarded for both draw/redraw shows. Entry fee for the weekend is $100 for Modifieds, $75 for Stock Cars, $50 for SportMods and Hobby Stocks, and $20 for Sport Compacts. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. Friday. The grandstand opens at 5:30 p.m. with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the pits open [Read More]

WaKeeney adds to IMCA history with 2024 sanction

WaKEENEY, Kan. (March 13, 2024) – A Kansas track rich in IMCA racing history writes another new chapter beginning in 2024. WaKeeney Speedway hosts five dates for five sanctioned divisions this season, beginning with the April 19-20 Buzzard Bash Dash. Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts all return to the 3/8-mile clay oval in northwest Kansas. IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional, state and track points are also to be awarded at June 6, July 11 and Sept. 14 shows. “A lot of IMCA national champions have come from this area and raced at WaKeeney,” observed promoter and former Stock Car driver B.J. Wagoner, citing David Murray Jr., John Fose and Doug Holzmeister. “A handful of special events have been held here in recent seasons, most recently last August, and the racing surface is in pretty good shape. More than anything, we’ve got some cleanup to do around the facility to be ready for opening night.” WaKeeney first [Read More]

URSS slated for Western Kansas doubleheader June 27, 28

COLBY, Kan. – The Mel Hambelton Ford Racing POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series is slated to take on a doubleheader weekend June 27 and 28. Lucas Oil POWRi United Rebel Sprint Series drivers will head to Thomas County Speedway in Colby, Kan., on Saturday, June 27. Racing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. General admission is $15 with kids 12 and under free. On Sunday, June 28, competitors will head east on I-70 to WaKeeney Speedway complete the doubleheader weekend. With the Sprint Cars will be IMCA Kansas Thunder Racing Series Modifieds, Sports Mods, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. Racing will begin at 6 p.m.. General admission is $15 with kids 12 and under free. Both events pay $700 to win and $200 to start, and were originally scheduled for late-May, but restrictions in effect forced the postponement to a later date.