SOMERTON, Ariz. — It took some bad luck to end Ethan Dotson’s five-race winning streak at the IMCA.tv Winter Nationals at Cocopah Speedway.
After racing hard to win his heat and be in the redraw, Dotson drew the worst starting position possible with a seven. With the high level of talent starting in front of him, a sixth straight victory would be difficult. Losing an engine after 14 laps closed the deal.
Grey Ferrando led a lap before Tripp Gaylord ran the top all the way around the high banks to lead the next 24 laps for the win. Â
Kollin Hobdin chased Gaylord on the top, closed the gap slowly, but didn’t have enough laps to try a move for the lead. Tim Ward was third.
Stock cars put on a show in their 20-lap main when Zachary Madrid and Dallon Murty raced side by side for much of the race, trading the lead several times.
Shelby Williams started 18th and worked his way past both Murty and Madrid for the win, staying on the bottom for both passes. Murty and Madrid settled for podium spots after their exciting duel.
Northern sport mods Friday main involved a disqualification of Chase Alves win, but that ruling was eventually rescinded and Alves was named the winner.
Saturday’s main had cars racing multiple grooves and Ryan Peery used the top to take the lead before moving to the bottom to protect his advantage.
Peery led the whole way to win while Andrew Pearce won the race long battle with Chase Alves for the other two podium spots.
Hobby stocks had another excellent main with Thomas Daffern racing the very top of the oval while Dillon Richards used the low line.
Multiple lead changes saw Daffern have the faster line to win over Richards while Brian Brown was back a few feet for third.
The top five in points in each division earned bonus money. The top point drivers were Ethan Dotson in modifieds, Chanse Hollatz in stock cars. Shane Paris for Northern sport mods and Bobby Horton in hobby stocks.
Riley Clem made it two out of three when he won the mod lites main to conclude eight days of racing.
The 2023 IMCA.tv Winter Nationals is set for Jan. 3-14.
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