SOMERTON, Ariz. (Dec. 19, 2022) – Cocopah Speedway will be the place to be for IMCA drivers looking to get a fast start to their 2023 season.
The proof is in the numbers.
Four hundred and fifty-two drivers in five divisions are now pre-entered for January’s IMCA.TV Winter Nationals. The early entries make their way to Cocopah from more than 20 states and three provinces.
“In my wildest dreams, I could imagine having this many pre-entries. In reality, no,” admitted promoter Brad Whitfield. “Racing has changed since the pandemic and more drivers just seem to want to be a part of special events.”
“There’s a real buzz about Winter Nationals this year. For one thing, we’re looking at 70-74 degree temperatures in January while a lot of the country is looking at getting 14 inches of snow this weekend,” he added. “The nightly purses are very good and we have $40,-$45,000 in contingencies from a lot of different sponsors that we’ll add on top of that.”
Friesen Performance IMCA Modified entries numbered 155, with 115 Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, 77 IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, 58 IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and 47 Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts entered as well.
Arizona and California in particular and the West Coast are well represented in early entries. Drivers are Winter Nationals-bound from as far east as Illinois and from as far north as British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Modifieds run for $1,000 to win and a minimum of $150 to start Wednesday, Jan. 4; Thursday, Jan. 5; Friday, Jan. 6; and Saturday, Jan. 7, and again Thursday Jan. 12; Friday, Jan. 13; and Saturday, Jan. 14.
Stock Cars and Northern SportMods race for $750 to win and $100 to start, Hobby Stocks for $500 to win and $100 to start, and Sport Compacts for $275 to win and $50 to start each night at The Diamond in the Desert.
“We are really proud of what we have built here. We live off the IMCA philosophy,” said Whitfield. “We eat, drink and sleep it and have had nothing but success with it.”
IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, Shaw Race Cars Western, EQ Cylinder Heads Southern and Big Daddy Race Cars Southern regional and Arizona State points will be awarded.
Modified and Stock Car feature winners become eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational and B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational, respectively.
Grandstands open at 1 p.m. and racing starts at 3 p.m. each day. All seven race programs will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.
An open practice runs from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 3 at Somerton, with the BMS-sponsored party in the pits to follow.
A second practice session runs from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 11, along with the $1,000 to win Modified and SportMod pit crew challenge and $1,000 to win random draw for starting spot features for Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. A complimentary BBQ party follows.
More information is available on Facebook and at www.racecocopahspeedway.com.
Drivers pre entered for IMCA.TV Winter Nationals are:
MODIFIEDS
ONE2-Josh Combs, Roseville CA
.08-Jared Domingos, Santa Maria CA
J11-Josh Wood, Yuma AZ
R5-Robert Jenner, Woodland WA
XX-Jordan Rogotzke, Sanborn MN
X44-Mark Maga, Swan River Manitoba Canada
V13-Grey Ferrando, Stayton OR
X-Rob Gallaher, San Jose CA
00-Tanner Weeks, Plentywood MT
00X-Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield CA
01-Jacob Hobscheidt, Plattsmouth NE
02-Kent Rosevear, Yuma AZ
02LZ-Ellsworth (LZ) Conover, Yuma AZ
02X-Kody Scholpp, Estevan Sask. Canada
03X-Troy Morris Jr., Bakersfield CA
07X-Troy Morris III, Bakersfield CA
09-Michael Leach, Sun River MT
1X-Don Earven, Globe AZ
2H-Bobby Hogge IV, Salinas CA
2X-Judson Maggert, Tripp SD
3AC-Austin Kiefer, Norco CA
3B-Eddie Belec, Arvada CO
4G-Bryan Gray, Yuma AZ
4TW-Tim Ward, Harcourt IA
5-Taylor Johnson, Belgrade MT
5B-Brenda Kirby, New River AZ
5L-Cody Laney, Torrance CA
5M-Zachary Madrid, Phoenix AZ
5T-Jeff Taylor, Locust Grove AR
5X-Brandon Beckendorf, Danube MN
6-Jamie Neumiller, Rapid City SD
7-Sam Hoffman, Three Forks MT
7B-Bryan Brewster, Maricopa AZ
7X-Katelynn Robertson, Reno NV
8-Nate Warren, Phoenix AZ
9-Ken Schrader, Dittmer MO
9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty IA
10-Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake IA
10G-Don Geist, Burlington CO
10RM-Ryan McDaniel, Olivehurst CA
10T-Trevor Geist, Burlington CO
11-Trent Loverude, Courtland MN
11G-Galen Hainline, Susanville CA
11H-Tim Hamilton, Lindsay OK
11P-Steven Pfeifer, Minot ND
11T-Troy Householder, Reliance WY
12-Brett Smith, Merino CO
12LF-Jonathan Mawhinney, Las Vegas NV
13-Jerry Flippo- Bakersfield CA
13K-Kaity Sample, Winnemucca NV
14G-Greg Gustus, Brighton CO
14P-Ryan Porter, Atwater CA
15-Joey Franklin, North Las Vegas NV
15F-Devin Fouquette, St Cloud MN
15J-Jeremy Rickey, Medford OR
15P-Andrew Pearce, Oakley CA
16-Aaron Spangler, Dove Creek CO
16M-Morgan Meyer, San Diego CA
17-Travis Westervelt, Belgrade MT
17B-Dalton Bloom, Creswell OR
18-Miles Beaulieu, Campbell River B.C. Canada
18JT-Jeremy Thornton, Casa Grande AZ
18K-Jacob Pace, Kearny AZ
18M-Ronnie Meyer Jr, Norco CA
18Z-Zane Devilbiss, Farmington NM
19P-Andy Papp, Guatay CA
19M-Dan Menk, Franklin MN
20-Chris Biggs, White City OR
21J-Jon Debenedetti, Rogue River OR
21JR- Michael Egurola Jr, Marana AZ
22-Austen Becerra, Carthage IL
22G-Paul Guglielmoni, Vacaville CA
23-Jesse Evert, Mesa AZ
23C-Chuck Grohnke, Mesa AZ
23N-Jason Noll, Peoria AZ
23R-Russell Allen, Brawley CA
26-Cory Hemphill. Yuma AZ
27-Timothy Allerdings, Prescott Valley AZ
27EH-Sir Lawrence O’Connor, Port Hardy BC Canada
28C-Austin Caruthers, Williston ND
28G-Randy Shafer, Vacaville CA
28GX-Clark Guglielmoni, Vacaville CA
28H-Darrell Hughes II, Decatur TX
28K-Buddy Kniss, Oakley CA
29H-Phillip Shelby, Olivehurst CA
31A-Alyssa Smith, Norco CA
32K-Kevin Lynn, Columbus MT
33-Andrew Wolford, Phoenix AZ
33BY-Braxton Yeager, Green River WY
33Y- Bryson Yeager, Green River WY
33D- PJ Dyle, El Cajon CA
34G- Albert Gill, Central Point OR
35- William (Bill) Miller, Yuma AZ
36- Kenny Wallace, St Louis MO
36H- Joe Haresky, Apple Valley CA
38DT- Dylan Thornton, Orcutt CA
38T- Michael Thing, Campo CA
41- Tim Phillips, Spanaway WA
41A- Adam Hommerding, Lake Havasu City AZ
41L- Danny Lauer, Nipomo CA
42- Paul Culp, Creswell OR
42S- Don Shaw, Ham Lake MN
44- Tyler Weeks, Plentywood MT
44K- Kelsie Foley, Tucson AZ
44T- Tanner Black, Otis KS
45- Ryan Roath, Peoria AZ
45D- Dyllan Ricks, Boyden IA
45H- Jason Hickingbottom, Pocahontas IA
45R- Dale Ricks Jr, Boyden IA
48- Aaron Elwess, Woodland WA
48K- Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump NV
48R- Raymond McSpadden, Buda TX
48W- Cameron Williams, Mohave Valley AZ
49- Erik Laudenschlager, Minot ND
50F- Brandon Farrington, Tucson AZ
55- Marvin Mueller, Yuma AZ
56D- Travis Denning, Sterling IL
58- Devon Reed, Woodland WA
58P- Dennis Pittman, Jamaica IA
59- Danne Perry III, Laughlin NV
61- Chad Stevens, Gilbert AZ
61H- Dalton Houghton, Rosamond CA
66P- Paul Stone, Winton CA
73T- Chris Tuchscherer, Burlington ND
75JR- Chaz Baca Jr, Mesa AZ
77D- Cole Dick, Ramona CA
77- Jason Haug, Salida CO
77T- Tripp Gaylord, Lakewood CO
77X- Austin Kuehl, Cave Creek AZ
80P- John Pierce, San Jose CA
81- Austin Rognlin, Olympia WA
82M- James Anderson, White City OR
87- Chance Hyser, Redmond OR
88- Matt Crafton, Tulare CA
88M- Shawn Maxfield, Delta UT
90- Jason Beaulieu, Campbell River B.C. Canada
91- Brody Spangler, Dove Creek CO
91B- Chris Beaulieu, Campbell River B.C. Canada
91T- Tony Toste, Arroyo Grande CA
92P- John Parmeley, Phoenix AZ
94- Chris Morris, Taylor TX
97TB- Tyson Blood, Tumwater WA
99- Brady Bjella, Williston ND
99X- John Gaynor, Portland OR
110- Tyrone Yazzie, Farmington NM
111- Logan Drake, San Luis Obispo CA
115- Boddie Parker, Vail AZ
118- Steven Daffern, Brawley CA
141- Matt Bonine, Onawa IA
161- Donald Houghton, Rosamond CA
191- Chase Hansen, Myton UT
222- Aaron Turnbull, Estevan Sask. Canada
223- Jake Pike, Pahrump NV
411- Joey Price, Great Falls MT
714- Zackary Fuller, Spanaway WA
742- Larry Sanders, Ardmore OK
911- Vinny Raucci Jr, Las Vegas MN
STOCK CARS
C29- Garrett Corn, Merced CA
E7- Doug Lockwood, Brentwood CA
X- Rob Gallaher, San Jose CA
00- Toby McIntyre, Coos Bay OR
007- Tony Hill, Cortez CO
02X- Larry Brigner, Apache Junction AZ
08- Chase Berkeley, Kettle Falls WA
1- Joe Gallaher, San Jose CA
5G- Tim Gonska, Brainerd MN
5M- Zachary Madrid, Phoenix AZ
6- Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake IA
7J- Fred Ryland, Brentwood CA
7T- Wayne Taylor, Fort Mohave AZ
8- Nate Warren, Phoenix AZ
8J- Leslie Gill, Odessa TX
11S- Donald Schott, Eagle Creek OR
12- BJ Wild, Redmond OR
13- Clay Arseneau, Litchfield Park AZ
15- Speedy Madrid, Phoenix AZ
15M- Mike Shepherd, Atwater CA
17L- Nick Langer, Glendale AZ
18- Bobby Labonte, Charlotte NC
18M- Noah Geer, Mohave Valley AZ
19D- Tim Doyle, Chandler AZ
19J- Jay Schmidt, Tama IA
20- Brandon Schilling, Marana AZ
21- Jim Horejsi, Marshall MN
22- Chaz Baca Jr, Mesa AZ
22S- Scott Foster, Oakley CA
23GC- Grady Clements, Chino Valley AZ
23JC- Jerry Clements, Chino Valley AZ
23JR- Chris McCurdy Jr, Phoenix AZ
23K- Kersey Ferrando, Stayton OR
23SR- Chris McCurdy Sr, Phoenix AZ
24R- Dillon Richards, Danube MN
25A- Andrea McCain, South Haven MN
25L- Nathan Lemons, Farmington NM
27- Buddy Wade, Congress AZ
31- Shawn Parish, Price UT
31T- Tom Smith, Norco CA
32J- Austin Jahnz, Lewisville MN
38T- Dylan Thornton, Orcutt CA
40J- Jason Doyle, Marion IA
40JR- Bubba Stafford, Wittmann AZ
41L- Lorne Hommerding, Lake Havasu City AZ
42F- Jerry Flippo, Bakersfield CA
44- Austin VanHoff, Chowchilla CA
45- Tiana Wild, Redmond OR
46- Jason Berg, Bismarck ND
51J- Gary Everett, Phoenix AZ
55- Scott Sluka, Casa Grande AZ
57- Brandon LaBatte, Weyburn Sask. Canada
57X- Patrick Humphrey, Molalla OR
57B- Brandon Phillips, Green River WY
66P- Paul Stone, Winton CA
68- Damon Richards, Rising City NE
68L- Steve Livingston, Gypsum CO
70D- Ramond Doyle, Chandler AZ
73S- Steve Stone, Winton CA
74J- Jason Josselyn, Alamogordo NM
74M- Miranda Scott, Bakersfield CA
75C- Bo Partain, Casa Grande AZ
76- Peter Terwilleger, Moab UT
76M- Marie Curtis, Winnemucca NV
78B- Andrew Burg, Maricopa AZ
82- Shelby Williams, Bonham TX
83- Brian Fitzgibbons, Ramona CA
84- Robby Jeppesen, Atwater CA
87- Curt Lund, Redwood Falls MN
88- Kevin Roberts, Gresham OR
91- Chris Boulware, Phoenix AZ
95- Steven Worstell, Kennewick WA
115- Mark Madrid Jr, Laveen AZ
121- Cody Humphrey, Mulino OR
160- Brody Humphrey, Molalla OR
174- Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield CA
714- Rick Diaz, Los Banos CA
NORTHERN SPORTMODS
D11- Dustin Wood, Yuma AZ
DR89- Duane Rogers, Imperial CA
MM5- Matt Ruf, Grand Junction CO
Z28- Ty Weidner, Chandler AZ
0- Dakota Girard, Moberly MO
00- Kyler Girard, Moberly MO
00T- Crystal Hemphill, Yuma AZ
04B- Bobby Horton, Yuma AZ
04J- Joshua Cordova, Yuma AZ
09W- Joe Wabsis, Pahrump NV
1S- Brad Shelton, Fort Morgan CO
1Z- Mike Ziegler, Brush CO
2M- Matt Sanders, Brookings OR
3- Miles Morris, Yuma AZ
3D- Dale Ottman, Yuma AZ
3G- Chuck Golden, Pittsburg CA
3JW- Jake Whitfield, Casa Grande AZ
4- Garrett Jernagen, Bakersfield CA
4D- Danny Concelman, Peyton CO
4J- Jayson Aldridge, Lakeside CA
4M- Emali VanHoff, Chowchilla CA
5C- Chandler Dodge, Casa Grande AZ
6A- Aries King, Pahrump NV
7- Jason Spruell- Cortez CO
7AP- Joel Dean, Pahrump NV
7J- Jesse Johnson Jr, Laveen AZ
7JX- Fred Ryland, Brentwood CA
7K- David Kilpela, Lakeside CA
7P- Lloyd Stover, Bird City KS
7X- Casey Murdoch, Glendale AZ
7JR- Mike Ficklin Jr, Oroville CA
7SR- Mike Ficklin Sr, Oroville CA
8AZ- Cody Ashcraft, Casa Grande AZ
8T- Ty Rogers, Yuma AZ
8W- Kenny Wyman Jr, Marshalltown IA
9- Nic Savaglio, Gilbert AZ
9FJB- Chris Evans, National City CA
11B- Brian Baker, Taft CA
11P- Preston Martin, Coalinga CA
12I- Isaac Sanders, Brookings OR
12W- Branden Wilson, Central Point OR
13C- Shane Paris, Muscatine IA
13M- Matthew Mayo, Bakersfield CA
14- Tony Acierno, Arvada CO
14E- Justin Erickson, Glendale AZ
14RT- Jake Triska, El Cajon CA
17- Christopher Frisbee, Boone IA
17A- Adam Baker, Taft CA
19- Trevor Tiffee, Yreka CA
19D- Tim Doyle, Chandler AZ
19P- Mike Pridgeon, Ramona CA
20- Brandon Schilling, Marana AZ
20AZ- Joey McCullough, Goodyear AZ
20X- Brayden Ahlers, Slayton MN
21- Cameron Meyer, Pierce NE
21H- Jeff Hunter, Henderson CO
21P- Ryan Peery, Yreka CA
21PX- David Pearson, Ridgecrest CA
21R- Cam Reimers, Kelley IA
22K- Joey Klemish, Cortez CO
22R- Frankie Romo, Imperial CA
22S- Scott Foster, Oakley CA
22T- Tanner Thomas, Atwater CA
25- Ben Reierson, Arlington MN
25R- Brent Reierson, Arlington MN
25X- Andy Clower, Laveen AZ
27- Jeremy Smith, Vail AZ
27C- Nick Posey, Coolidge AZ
28- David Pitt, Rock Springs WY
28K- Chester Kniss, Antioch CA
29- Darren Schatz, Williston ND
31- Jim Robinson, Yuma AZ
33Y- David Jones, Yuma AZ
35- Slade Pitt, Rock Springs WY
39R- John Rebstock, Franklin MN
41- Bill Lundock, Golden CO
42- Nathan Speten, Wilton ND
43- Waylon Hale, Mancos CO
46- Jackson Harpole, Farmington NM
46N- Jonathan Hagio, Prunedale CA
47- Steven Luecht, National City CA
47P- Ron Pegues, Brawley CA
51- Jason Bannister, Bakersfield CA
54J- Douglas Hilkemann, Brunswick NE
55C- Brian Carey, Aztec NM
57CT- Chris Toth, Holtville CA
60- Darren Sage, Yuma AZ
60S- Lester Sage, Cortez CO
62H- Reid Hilpipre, Pocahontas IA
66- Gage Curran, Coolidge AZ
69- Nathan Rolfe, Atwater CA
71- Lupe Gomez, Floresville TX
72- Craig Zinke Sr, Stanfield AZ
74- Levi Kiefer, Bakersfield CA
75- Andrew Peckham, Grass Valley CA
77J- Jimmy Wilson, Cortez CO
86- Phillip Shelby, Atwater CA
86J- Jared Weston, Red Oak IA
87X- Steven Biggerstaff, Red Oak IA
94- Matt Rice, Arizona City AZ
96E- Clay Erickson, Glendale AZ
97- Julie Keeler, Farmington NM
97- Jason Keeler Farmington NM
99L- Haylee Little, Pahrump NV
111B- Eric Bassett, Mankato MN
118- Rick Spangler, Grand Junction CO
127- Jacob Mallet Jr, Oakley CA
144- Jimmy Davy, Yuma AZ
151- Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield CA
184- Riley Jeppesen, Atwater CA
216- Camron Spangler, Dove Creek CO
303- Kyler Reynolds, Surprise AZ
316- Brandyn Johnson, Mesa, AZ
413- Tate Johnson, Homestead MT
413H- Kelly Henderson, Minot ND
HOBBY STOCKS
D18- Cody Daffern, Brawley CA
J3K- Jaeden Strandberg, Worthington MN
0-Sonny Mari, Imperial CA
03- Payton Harazin, Redwood Falls MN
04C- Frank Cordova, Yuma AZ
04J- Bobby Horton, Yuma AZ
04W- Wynona Ragland, Seeley CA
08- Camron Spruell, Cortez CO
1X- Bobby Gallaher, San Jose CA
2 ND- Steve Bitting Jr., Phoenix AZ
3- Tanner Benson, Phoenix AZ
3D- Dale Ottman, Yuma AZ
3D- Nathan Deragon, Peoria AZ
3S- Misty Welborn, Catro Valley CA
5AZ- Zack Tate, Coolidge AZ
5C- Chandler Dodge, Casa Grande AZ
6- Jacob Rowley, Riverdale UT
7- Matt Schlamann, Yuma AZ
7MJ- Mylee JoAnn Goldwich-Rhames, Farmington NM
8- Kenzie Olsen, Gilbert AZ
9M- Tony Miller, Desert Hills AZ
12K- Eric Knutson, Slater IA
14- Tristan Grape, Columbus NE
18- Brycen Daffern, Brawley CA
18K- Emily Kruse, Apache Junction AZ
18M- Charles McDaniel Sr, Phoenix AZ
21T- Scott Tenney, Yuma AZ
23- Tayte Harazin, Redwood Falls MN
23B- Jordan Ahlers, Slayton MN
27- Sid Tenney, Delta CO
32- Wes Jahnz, St James MN
33- Jason Duggins, Farmington NM
36B- Enzo Deckers, Yuma AZ
42F- Les Friend, Galt CA
43- John Thomas, Strasburg CO
49W- Kade Dimick, Moab UT
51B- Brandon Bombardo, New Prague MN
53- Mark Merlen, Helper UT
54- James Turnesky, Union NE
59- Daniel Pittman,Jamaica IA
68V- Joe Vlasity, Phoenix AZ
69- Vinny Raucci Sr, Las Vegas NV
76- Wayne Ragland, Seeley CA
77- Jenna Wilson, Cortez CO
77W- Cody Williams, Minneapolis KS
79J- Joey Jock, Mesa AZ
81- Thomas Daffern, Phoenix AZ
81M- Charles McDaniel Jr, Phoenix AZ
81X- James Daffern, Brawley CA
85- Joe Peterson, Chandler AZ
92- David Hunt, Lakeside CA
96- Darrin Biggs, Chandler AZ
99- Nick Biggs, Mesa AZ
171- Andy Peace, Meadow UT
249W- Ryan Dimick, Price UT
349W- Shane Weybright, Price UT
357- Brett Vanous, Quasqueton IA
925- Hannah Miller, Desert Hills AZ
SPORT COMPACTS
D2- Jason Hollingsworth, Wellton AZ
D3- Rhidesia Hollingsworth, Wellton AZ
K8T- Katie Barthel, Ignacio CO
M07- Maci Constance, Descanso CA
W30- David Jones, Yuma AZ
W30- Tim Whitehead, Yuma AZ
04C- Frank Cordova, Yuma AZ
04F- Francisco Cordova, Yuma AZ
04W- Wynona Ragland Seeley CA
08- Camron Spruell, Cortez CO
08W- DJ Werkmeister, Apache Junction AZ
Hudson Morris, Yuma AZ
5- Oliver Monson, Thornton IA
6- Steve Carter, Phoenix AZ
7T- Wayne Taylor, Fort Mohave AZ
12DD- Dave Daniels, Colorado Springs CO
13- Mike Giorgiani, Sedona AZ
14- Rick Bishop, Three Forks MT
15A- Ally Luna-Richey, Medford OR
17- Jason Hollingsworth, Wellton AZ
17SG- Stephanie Spangler, Dove Creek CO
18K- Jaden Pace, Kearny AZ
19- Billy Foultz, Descanso CA
19J- June Rudin, Imperial CA
21- Josh Werkmeister, Apache Junction AZ
22- Chris Niemi, Santee CA
22A- Amanda McAllister, Alpine CA
23- Mitchell Niemi, Conway AR
27- Zackery Conyers, Lakeside CA
31- Kevin Reuter, Chula Vista CA
33- Maleigha Estrada, Yuma AZ
34- Robert Cody, Bloomfield NM
35- Ryan Brooks, Yuma AZ
36B- Enzo Deckers, Yuma AZ
40- Jacob Cordova, Yuma AZ
41- Brian Kerwin, Yuma AZ
47- Andrew Schmitz, Hemet CA
51- Jaxon Sanchez, Imperial CA
61- Austin Kayton, Homestead MT
61S- Storm Halstead-Kern, Phoenix AZ
68- Santiago Lopez, Chula Vista CA
76- Wayne Ragland, Seeley CA
86B- Beau Smith, Imperial CA
88Y- Daniel Ysker, Windom MN
89- Benjamin Pendleton, Yuma AZ
94- Billy Ayres Jr, Phoenix AZ
711- Payce Herrera, Price UT