DICKINSON, N.D. — Drivers from, or with close ties, to the West Coast have enjoyed their share of success and then some over the course of recent IMCA.tv Dakota Classic Tours.
That trend continued Wednesday night at Dickinson, when Californian Jerry Flippo and Arizonan Zachary Madrid made trips to Southwest Speedway’s victory lane.
Flippo caught Drew Janssen for the lead following a restart at midway then led to the end of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 30-lapper, dogged to the $2,000 checkers by Kyle Strickler.
The 2021 tour champion, Madrid, meanwhile, led all but the first circuit in the 25-lap, IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main, keeping the handle after inadvertent contact with second running and two-time tour winner Rob VanMil late in their battle for a $1,000 payday.
Flippo’s win was his tour career first and second since returning to IMCA action in the Midwest in early May. He’d started fifth and got the best of a four-car battle for second before the fateful lap 15 restart. Janssen and Tanner Black both ran in second before Strickler.
Strickler was able to cut into Flippo’s lead but ran out of laps, finishing 1.4 seconds behind Flippo and just over a tenth of a second in front of Black at the finish. Dan Roedl and 20th starting Tim Ward completed the top five.
“It was awesome,” said Flippo, who had been Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible since winning the Rage Chassis Race of Champions at last September’s IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. “We’ve been working real hard on this car and that’s paid off.”
In front early, Madrid led stock car pole starter Adam Goff before the only caution of that feature waved on lap eight.
VanMil was in second when the next circuit was scored and the two-car battle up front would be a dandy as Goff, Dan Mackenthun and Angel Munoz ran 3-4-5 behind them. The front pair traded paint coming to the line with six to go. Madrid probably held his breath for a second or two before holding off VanMil to the finish.
“We were really good and Rob was really good tonight,” said Madrid, glancing back to see if his left rear tire had gone flat. “I love winning these things. They’re super fun.”
The B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible win was Madrid’s fourth. Hard charger Shelby Williams raced from 17th starting to sixth.
All five nights of the 34th annual Dakota Classic Tour are broadcast by SPEED SPORT TV affiliate IMCA.TV.
Modified Feature Results (30 Laps)
1. Jerry Flippo, 2. Kyle Strickler, 3. Tanner Black, 4. Dan Roedl, 5. Tim Ward, 6. Jason Wolla, 7. Drew Janssen, 8. Ricky Alvarado, 9. Troy Morris III, 10. Jake McBirnie, 11. Brandon Schmitt, 12. Eddie Belec, 13. Kody Scholpp, 14. Travis Hagen, 15. Spencer Wilson, 16. Brady Bjella, 17. Kelsie Foley, 18. Zach Frederick, 19. Cole Czarneski, 20. Cody Peterson, 21. Chris Tuchscherer, 22. Aaron Turnbull, 23. Brandon Clough, 24. Marcus Tomlinson, 25. Kollin Hibdon, 26. Mark Dahl
Stock Car Feature Results (25 Laps)
1. Zachary Madrid, 2. Rob VanMil, 3. Adam Goff, 4. Dan Mackenthun, 5. Angel Munoz; 6. Shelby Williams, 7. Trent Grager, 8. Reid Keller, 9. Troy Heupel, 10. Cole Czarneski, 11. Shawn Strand, 12. Jeremy Swanson, 13. Jordan Zillmer, 14. Brennan Borg, 15. Casey Binstock, 16. Chase Davidson, 17. Kevin Roberts, 18. Alex Kukowski, 19. Cody St. Croix, 20. Bill Brack, 21. Grady Clements, 22. Austin Daae, 23. Luke Krogh, 24. Brendon LaBatte