The third annual series of IMCA events features a downsized footprint when the week starts May 2nd in Hanford at Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds. The Hanford 3/8-mile hosts the first two events, followed by Tulare’s same sized track for nights three and four before Merced’s quarter mile finishes the Clash with another pair of events.
Modifieds, Northern Sport Mods, and stock cars are the IMCA sanctioned divisions that will provide the action during the Central California IMCA Clash.
Opening night was originally set for Bakersfield Speedway but the necessary county permit issues could not be handled in time and Hanford stepped up to host the Monday race.
The series was renamed this year to match the location of the race tracks, all considered to be Central California venues. The new plan also makes it easier on race teams fuel wise as prior years had far more spread out facilities.
The series is promoted by Doug Lockwood, general manager of Merced Speedway, and began under difficult conditions in August 2020. Fans were not allowed at the tracks involved.
When asked what led to the series being created, Lockwood said one word, “Covid.”
“I was sitting at home watching all the races that were happening and thought if it’s every going to happen where we get some midweek racing it is now. We put it together in one month, putting it together in July and we raced in August and the first year had no fans.”
“The first year we did six races in six days, then the second year was eight races in nine days and that was a little too much. This year we condensed the travel since fuel prices are so high.”
The format for the series will make heat races very important as the ASCS passing point chart will be used to determine the top twelve or sixteen in points that will move directly to the A main. The top eight in points will redraw for positions in the first four rows. Whether there are three or four heats determines the number of locked in cars.
Sponsors are a big part of the series and this year heat races, hard chargers, iron man, and seventh place finishers all receive additional money due to the support the Clash receives. All sponsor money goes directly to the drivers.
IMCA stock cars have shown significant growth in California and will be part of the series for the first time. Each night’s winning driver will receive $1000 in modifieds, $750 for Northern sport mods, and $600 to the stock car winner.
The Tulare races will pay a bonus to stock cars as it is the Kris Mancebo Memorial. The Mancebo family plus additional sponsors will significantly increase the payout.