CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — The second of eight nights of the Pitt Motorsports IMCATV Winter Nationals enjoyed much improved weather at Central Arizona Raceway.
Thursday was sunny with light breeze, the opposite of opening night’s wind and rain.
The format was unchanged and the five IMCA divisions put 217 cars in the pit area to challenge the three-eighths-mile high banks.
Stock cars started poorly when a large part of the field tangled in turn two on the first attempt to start.
What followed was entirely different.
A dramatic three car battle for the win went down to the checkers for a slim win by Todd Heinrich by edging Gary Pesicka and Gabriel Deschamp after many laps of intense racing. Fargo driver Heinrich’s photo finish win resulted from a mid-race low line turn two pass to take the lead.
Ethan Braaksma used a smooth turn four slider with seven laps remaining to win the modified main. Braaksma chased Jonathan Mawhinney for many laps before getting in position for the slider.
Brandon Beckendorf finished second and Jonathan Mawhinney third in the excellent race.
Northern sport mods were dominated by Robbie Thome with his flag-to-flag control of the main. Gabriel Deschamp was second and Kaden Woodie took third.
Dillon Richards made it two for two in hobby stocks wins with ease, followed across the line by Dillon Thompson as the Nebraska pair matched Wednesday’s finish. Blake Luinenburg was third.
Sport compact racing also had a repeat winner in Billy Foultz won again over Gilbert Aldape and Kaylee De Vries.
Friday will be round three of eight and can be followed on SPEED SPORT affiliate IMCA.TV.
