Getting Up To Speed With Ben Deatherage

Bob Harris joins the Beyond The Flags podcast to preview the 2025 Harris Clash, returning to Boone Speedway for the first time in over 30 years. Set for June 24, this year’s event features Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods, and—making their debut—the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Bob shares why Boone was chosen for the Clash’s long-awaited return, how the event c...

Ryan Roath joins the Beyond The Flags podcast to talk about his big move from Arizona to Iowa and the heartfelt honor of being selected for the 2025 Salute To Veterans Tour, proudly sporting a United States Coast Guard tribute wrap. He also shares how his racing journey began, his experience in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, and what led to his transition into the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars....

Cassiday Lejeune joins the Beyond The Flags podcast to share his journey from the heart of South Louisiana. From his early days in Karts to competing in the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, Cassiday talks about the long hauls it takes just to get to the track, and gives listeners a taste of his hometown of Abbeville—including a delicious local festival you won’t want to miss. Don’t miss the full interv...

Richard Mills fulfilled a lifelong dream last year—racing in the Pacific Northwest. The Anderson, Texas driver captured a big win at Southern Oregon Speedway during the IMCA Wild West Speedweek with the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, and he would like to return in 2025 as a hired gun. From growing up in the Houston racing scene to making moves in the heart of Texas, Mills shares his journey and the adven...

Chase Aue is back in Friesen Performance IMCA Modified racing! Hear why he stepped away from the sport and what pulled him back after a season off. From stories about baseball and monster truck racing to life in California’s Central Valley, Chase shares it all. Don’t miss the full interview on the Beyond The Flags podcast—available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Start listening now...

Mike Vandermark Jr. was a force to be reckoned with at the 2025 IMCA TV Clash On The Coast—not only winning a feature and never finishing worse than fourth in main event action, but also capturing the overall championship. It was a remarkable achievement for the Michigan native. Hear his story of stepping in part-time for his father, the unique reason behind his #26V, and more! Catch the full inte...

Austin Harnick turned heads at the IMCA TV Clash On The Coast, winning the first two races at Northwest Florida Speedway with the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. The Clare, Michigan racer shares his journey—from starting out in the 4-cylinder ranks to climbing into IMCA Modifieds, plus some must-see spots in the Wolverine State, how a crash nearly derailed his racing career, and more. Catch hi...

Hailing from the Cowboy State of Wyoming, Bart Taylor joins the Beyond The Flags podcast to share his racing journey. The Sheridan racer dives into how he got started in the sport, the successes he’s achieved, and the places he hopes to race in the future. Don’t miss his full story—tune in to the Beyond The Flags podcast on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts! Start listening now at https:/...

Fresh off his 2025 championship run at the Florida Winter Nationals in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, Ronnie Choate is on fire! The Cookeville, Tennessee native made his mark in the Deep South, winning both the Race of Champions and Manufacturer's Dash at Hendry County Motorsports Park, along with a pair of runner-up finishes at the Sugar Bowl. Hear all about Choate’s journey—from h...

Conquering Casa Grande's Ernie Mincy Memorial Early Thaw, Kollin Hibdon strung together an amazing set of runs to win on the final night after several runner-up finishes. Hear his story—from growing up in Southern Nevada to making the move to the Midwest, his emotional win at last year's Dakota Classic Mod Tour, the meaning behind his two-finger salute after a victory, and more! Listen t...

The staff at Central Arizona Raceway have been diligently working to finalize improvements in preparation for the 2025 IMCA TV Winter Nationals, sponsored by Pitt Stop Motorsports. Track promoter Brad Whitfield recently appeared on the podcast to discuss the significant efforts undertaken since September to enhance the facility and the exciting developments occurring at the 3/8-mile track located...

Cave Creek, Arizona transplant Taylor Kuehl is our next guest on the Beyond The Flags podcast, and she has quite a story.  Now living in Ames, Iowa, the 2023 Lady Eagle champion recounts her incredible fall special season in 2024, including winning four out of five Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod events at Central Arizona Raceway.  She also talks about the idea for her unique #2Kuehl nu...

On Friday, December 20th, 2024, Bill Martin served his last day as the Director of Media & Public Relations with IMCA after serving in the role since 1997.  On that special day, we got a chance to talk to Bill about his incredible career, his path to becoming a publicist, some of his fond memories, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and much more!  Don't miss an episode of the Beyond The Flags...

Seabeck, Washington's Craig Moore is our next Beyond The Flags Podcast guest.  Hear Craig's story from his beginnings in racing, the Northwest Nationals at Grays Harbor Raceway, the health of Friesen Performance IMCA Modified racing in Washington State, the "ghost town" of Seabeck, and more! Don't miss an episode of the Beyond The Flags podcast! You can catch it on a varie...

Nic Savaglio, the Gilbert, Arizona racer, is brimming with excitement as he gears up to tackle the competition in 2025 in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Originally from the Badger State of Wisconsin, his season will start in January at the IMCA.tv Winter Nationals at Central Arizona Raceway and the Ernie Mincy Early Thaw Series in the second half of the...

2024 was an incredible year for Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock pilot Kaylb Brunssen! Hailing from the Ice Cream Capital of the World, he claimed the South Dakota state title and track championships at Wagner and Park Jefferson International Speedways. He also won the South Dakota Fall Nationals at Interstate Speedway in October. In this interview, we'll delve into his rise to racing, his 2025 plans,...

What do dirt track racing and MMA fight have in common? More than you would think. Our next guest, Chris Tuchscherer, is here to discuss the mental similarities of what it takes to prepare and compete in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified scene. He also covers the science of track preparation, his big win during Thanksgiving weekend at Central Arizona Raceway, the ultra-competitive racing ranks...

Tom Duncan made a significant mark in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod scene in the West with his remarkable 2024 season. He captured the Nevada state title, finished runner-up in the National Rookie of the Year points, and won the track championships at Winnemucca Regional Raceway and Fallon's Rattlesnake Raceway. Listen to his journey, from growing up at Manzanita Speedway to...

Cody Williams' 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, marked by a series of wins. He emerged victorious at the IMCA.TV Winter Nationals at Cocopah Speedway, claimed track titles at Dodge City Raceway Park and Salina Speedway, and triumphed at the Spring Nationals at Beatrice Speedway and the Osborne County Fair Race. His impressive tally of over 30 feature wins further underscored hi...

Geoff Morris joins us on the Beyond The Flags podcast to bring a little flavor from north of the border.  Representing Metchosin, British Columbia, the pilot of the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds #52 tells of his transition from asphalt to dirt racing, life on Vancouver Island, the challenges of traveling to the mainland to race, and more! Don't miss an episode of the Beyond The Flags pod...

Payce Herrera, the 2024 Junior National champion and National and the B&B Racing Chassis Southern Region Rookie of the Year in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, joins the Beyond The Flags podcast. From Price, Utah, the sixteen-year-old had a fantastic season, accumulating over twenty Hobby Stock wins and scoring the Utah state championship. Listen about his journey from an early age in the Mach-1...

2024 has been a year of conquest for Dylan Thornton.  Originally from Santa Maria, California, but now residing in Belle Plaine, Iowa, Thornton won the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey's in both the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Sunoco IMCA Late Models which compliments his Sunoco IMCA Stock Car triumph at the event the year prior.  In addition to that success, he...

Saturday, September 28th, 2024, will long go down as a historical moment in the racing career of Andy Obertello.  This was the date the Hollister, California chauffeur won the Pettit Shootout at Ocean Speedway, one of the crown jewel events in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds.  Obertello, in this interview, discusses following in his father's footst...

Tom Berry Jr. returned to his native Pacific Northwest for the first time since 2016 and won the $10,000 to win Skagit Aggregates Survive The 55 at Skagit Speedway on September 28th. In this interview, you'll feel a strong connection to his journey, from a kid from Medford, Oregon, to moving to his current hometown of Marshalltown, Iowa., becoming a National Champion in the Friesen Performanc...

Gavyn Manning is an emerging in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds among the competitors in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region.  The Bakersfield, California tells us about his championship season at Bakersfield Speedway, his success at Santa Maria earlier this year, his hope of making it to the IMCA TV Winter Nationals at Cocopah Speedway, and more! Don't miss an episode of the Beyond The...