By Ben Deatherage
Photo Credit: Byron Fichter
SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 12, 2023) – Night number five of the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals saw four drivers make their first trips of 2023 to victory lane at Cocopah Speedway.
Thursday’s 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature was a caution-free affair and Nebraskan Jacob Hobscheidt conquered the field after dealing with traffic at midway, earning $1,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility.
Jeremy Mills was the runner-up, with third going Andrew Pearce.
Gregory Muirhead led from the start of the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event. Zachary Madrid challenged the Texas racer shortly after a lap four restart, the first of five stoppages during the contest.
With two to go, the green flag waved for the final time, Gregory got on the gas and took his carriage to victory lane. The $750 checkers were accompanied by B & B Racing Chassis All-Star qualifying eligibility.
Curt Lund finished second, followed by 20th starting Chase Berkeley.
Miles Morris mastered the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Morris went practically untouched the entire 25-lap distance despite a handful of cautions.
Defending Winter Nationals champion Shane Paris was second, with Casey Murdoch getting third.
The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks had quite the race, with several lead changes and numerous challenges.
Thomas Daffern led to lap 16, when Zack Tate chased him down and overtook him. Daffern grabbed P1 on lap 18, Tate took it back on the 20th circuit and the next time around, Brandon Bombardo got to the point.
The Minnesota chauffeur then held on to win his first feature of the 2023 campaign. Tate and Daffern were second and third, respectively.
David Jones had a brilliant outing in winning for the second time this season at Somerton, dominating the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact main event. Kevin Reuter and Hudson Morris were next across the stripe.
Two-hundred-plus entries from all over North America were in the pits for the fifth straight night of Winter Nationals action.
The final installments if the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals are Friday and Saturday, Jan. 13 and 14.