By Ben Deatherage
Photo Credit: Byron Fichter
SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2023) – Despite the date, the Friday night IMCA.TV Winter Nationals was a lucky one for a quintet of IMCA drivers, the feature winners in their respective main events.
The third different leader in his Friday the 13th feature, Kollin Hibdon took charge in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified headliner just before midway and led to the finish for his second $1,000 payday of the 2023 Winter Nationals.
Already Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible, Hibdon crossed the stripe ahead of Thursday winner Jacob Hobscheidt and Jake Pike, who had swapped the lead over the first eight circuits with Tony Toste.
The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars had a thriller of a 25-lap feature as Curt Lund dominated much of the way before Dylan Thornton propelled himself into the lead on lap 20. His first career IMCA.TV Winter Nationals win paid $750 and landed the California native B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility.
Lund was P2 while grabbing third was Jerry Flippo.
Matthew Mayo led the charge early for the 25-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod finale. Eventually, fellow Bakersfield, Calif., gasser Tyler Bannister slid in front for the lead.
Bannister had to deal with a late caution and some traffic, but it wasn’t enough to deter him from paying a visit to victory lane. Mayo was the runner-up, followed by Shane Paris in third.
Ryan Dimick led the first time around the track in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock show, then saw opening night winner Thomas Daffern drive by and lead to the checkers.
Joshua Cordova beat Brandon Bombardo for second.
Billy Foultz tamed the field in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Foultz went practically unchallenged for the main event win, getting some company in the last few circuits keeping Kevin Reuter behind him for the triumph.
Mike Giorgianni placed third.
Entries topped 200 for the sixth straight night of the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals.