Story By: EVAN CANFIELD / IMCA – WYALUSING, PA – After a successful 2021 season that saw 35 drivers compete over eight races on the NY/PENN IMCA Modified Series, the 2022 season is shaping up to be bigger and better than last year. With a stout 11-race schedule, this season is full of high expectations.
A number of new tracks and new faces have drivers, teams, officials and fans eager to get the season started.
The season will kick off early for the open-wheeled machines, as they make their first appearance at the Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey on March 26th. This will be the first IMCA-sanctioned race ever held in the Garden State. Not only is this a big race for the series, but it has also gained national attention with $2,000 going to the winner. So far, drivers from Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Iowa and Missouri have all pre-registered for this event. Drivers such as AJ Ward (second in 2021 IMCA National Points), Cody Thompson (2021 IMCA National Rookie of the Year) and short track legend Ken Schrader are all expected to be in attendance against the series top drivers. This race will also be live on the FloRacing platform.
Following the big weekend in New Jersey, the series will head to Virgil, NY’s Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park on April 30th. This will be a homecoming of sorts, as the facility has not run an IMCA-sanctioned event in many years. Once one of the premier tracks for IMCA Modifieds in the Northeast, any drivers who call the Empire State home are excited to make the return.
The third race of the schedule takes place at the Penn Can Speedway in Susquehanna, PA on May 22nd. The site of three events in 2021 that saw three different winners, a return to the clay oval is one many are looking forward to.
On June 10th, The Hill Speedway in Monroeton, PA will play host to the action. A home track for many Pennsylvania drivers, this race can be unpredictable as many of the competitors run very well around the tight bullring.
The fifth race of the season will be back at the Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park for the second annual Sean Lias Memorial. Honoring one of the best IMCA Modified drivers to come out of the Northeast, the $1,037 payday is one that everyone will be gunning for.
Celebrating our country’s freedom on July 3rd, the series will take to the Bradford Speedway in Bradford, PA for the first time. A track that was highly recommended by competitors and fans, this is one of the most highly anticipated races of the 2022 season.
The series heads back to The Hill Speedway on July 10th for the second annual Billy Maynard Memorial. Celebrating the life of Northern Pennsylvania driver and IMCA supporter Billy Maynard, this is a special race for many involved. Billy’s son, Jake, is a current competitor on the series, as well as the series promoter. Billy’s wisdom and support towards the creation of this series is what has helped lead to its success. His respect from the competitors of the IMCA Modified division makes this a race that everyone wants to win.
After a short break, the series heads back into action on August 13th at the Clinton County Speedway in Mill Hall, PA. This will once again be a new stop for the NY/PENN IMCA Modified Series in 2022, although the facility has held similar races in the past. Many of the series regulars are looking forward to getting to the 3/8 mile oval as it is very well suited for this style of racing.
The following race on the season will be back at the Penn Can Speedway for the “King of the Can” Weekend. The season finale at the Pennsylvania facility, everyone hopes to be the one sitting on the throne when it’s all said and done. Last year, Michigan driver Brody Bowser made the best of a long trip to score the victory.
The final race of the year will take place back at the only New York track on the schedule, Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park on September, 24th. The third and final stop at the track will help settle the points champion with a $1,022 payday to the winner.
The only track on the schedule without a date is a stop at the Bloomsburg Fair Speedway in Bloomsburg, PA. Originally set for July 29th, scheduling conflicts for the Fairgrounds have put the date on hold. The race in 2021 at the newly renovated facility was one of the best races of the season. This makes a return to the track one that many drivers and fans have circled on their calendars. Once a date has been confirmed, series and track officials will make an announcement about the event.
With exciting new venues and many new faces joining the series, the schedule wouldn’t be complete without some amazing payouts. Ten of the 11 races on the schedule for 2022 will pay $1,000 or more to the winner. Not only does that make for a good payout for the winner, it also puts them on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Race at The IMCA Supernationals in Boone, IA.
In addition to the high-paying races, Allstar Performance has added an extra bonus for four of the races over the course of the season. The races at Bridgeport Speedway, Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park’s Sean Lias Memorial, The Hill Speedway’s Billy Maynard Memorial, and the Clinton County Speedway event will all be a part of the “Allstar Challenge”. If any driver can win three of those four races, they will pocket an extra $500. If you can score two of those victories, you get $250. If nobody is able to win the challenge, the money will be spread amongst the top 10 in the final points standings. A $50 gift certificate will also be drawn at random at the conclusion of each event throughout the season.
Series sponsors who are returning in 2022 include Velocita-USA, who has once again sponsored to give the the series champion a new firesuit. The drivers who finish second and third in the final points standings will receive 50% off on a new suit, as well as a driver picked at random who doesn’t win the Billy Maynard Memorial at The Hill Speedway. Midosa USA also returns to the series, as heat race winners will receive $30 throughout the season. Force Flow Pressure Services returns as well for the Hard Charger Award. This will pay $40 for the driver who advances the most positions during each feature.
2022 NY/PENN IMCA Modified Series Schedule:
March 26th – Bridgeport Speedway, $2000 to win
April 30th – Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park, $1,000 to win
May 22nd – Penn Can Speedway, $1,000 to win
June 10th – The Hill Speedway, $750 to win
June 25th – Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park, $1,037 to win
July 3rd – Bradford Speedway, $1,000 to win
July 8th – The Hill Speedway, $1,069 to win
August 13th – Clinton County Speedway, $1,000 to win
September 17th – Penn Can Speedway, $1,000 to win
September 24th – Skyline Raceway Motorsports Park, $1,022 to win
TBD – Bloomsburg Fair Raceway, $1,000 to win