The future is bright for Tim Ward, a 14-year-old from Mesa who won the 2008 Barnett Harley DIRTcar Modified Series Total Seal Rookie of the Year Award.

A second-generation racer who made his open-wheel modified debut late in the 2007 campaign at the age of 13, Ward has turned plenty of heads in his first full season of competition in one of the nation's most popular and competitive divisions. His 2008 schedule shows more than 50 starts at tracks throughout the Southwest, including Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix and Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria. "This whole year was a learning experience for me," said Ward, who began his racing career in go-karts at the age of 5 and advanced to mini-sprints in 2006. "I needed to get lap time, and I got a lot of it.

"I feel like we really progressed during the season. I started out just wanting to get top-10s, but I'm getting more top-fives now. If we can keep getting top-fives, hopefully that first win will come."

Ward has come close to breaking into victory lane with his blue-and-yellow No. 4 TW Modified, finishing as high as second at Canyon and third at Manzanita. He's also gained a healthy dose of life racing on the road by following the Barnett Harley Touring Series to tracks in New Mexico and West Texas.

The teenager finished 11th in the Touring Series points standings, clinching the Total Seal Rookie of the Year Award. His accomplishment earned him $250 and a set of gapless piston rings from Total Seal, a Phoenix-based company that is operated by Southwest Late Model Series regular Joey Moriarty.

A ninth-grader at Kino Junior High, Ward credits his parents and sponsors for making his first season of dirt modified racing a success. His father Rick, who ended his own 25-year racing career in 2005, plays an especially large role in Tim's dirt-track efforts.

"My dad's been teaching me a lot," said Ward. "He knows so much from all the years he raced, and I'm just trying to take it all in. He isn't pressuring me to win because he said this is a learning year."

Ward still has more racing ahead of him before the 2008 season comes to a close, including the Barnett Harley Dirt Modified Nationals on Nov. 13-15 at Manzanita Speedway and the Desert Classic at Canyon Speedway Park on Nov. 21-22. Then he can begin looking down the road at a future that he hopes will revolve around racing for a long time to come.

Mesa 14-year-old is fast behind the wheel

Every young athlete dreams of the day when he can compete against his hero. Some are lucky enough to do it. And a few - like San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers did last month against the Jets' Brett Favre - are talented enough to beat the men they once idolized.

That was the case with Mesa's Timothy Alan Ward.

He covered all of the previously mentioned ground when he beat NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Carl Edwards this June at the tender age of 14. Sure, it was just a 21-lap go-kart race at a promotional event, but like his mom will tell you, Edwards didn't lose to anyone else that day.

"It was really cool, but the coolest part was when I got to talk to him," Ward said.

Ward appears humble about this and other achievements in his young racing career. He even looked embarrassed when his mother, Amy Jo Ward, pulled out his picture with Edwards from after that race.

It will be another two years until Ward can lawfully navigate Mesa's streets in an automobile. But that hasn't stopped him from strapping into a modified dirt race car and whipping around a track at more than 80 mph for the past year.

Ward was named 2008 Rookie of the Year by the Barnett Harley Davidson Touring Series as well as by two local raceways - Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix and Canyon Speedway park in Peoria. He earned the same award from the UMP Dirtcar Wild West Region in which he is ranked fourth, and he is ranked 50th out of nearly 3,000 racers in the UMP National Modified points race.

He has four runner-up finishes at main events and several heat wins. Not a bad start for a kid that wants to race for a living one day.

"Mostly I want just to be able to race Dirt or NASCAR or whatever I can professionally," he said.

But it's not all fun and games. In the summer months, Ward and his father, Rick Ward, each spend about three hours a day working on the car. During the school year, his dad assumes most of the labor.

Lucky for Tim, a passion for speed seems to be built into the Ward genes. His father is a former modified dirt car driver with more than 25 years of experience. His older sister has won competitive races before and is dating another driver on the tour.

Tim is named after two NASCAR legends, Tim Richmond and Alan Kulwicki. It's safe to say that racing is a Ward family affair.

"When I found out I had a son, I knew he'd be a racer," his mom said.

And so he is.

Ward began racing dirt go-karts at the age of five. At 12, he graduated to Modified Midget dirt cars. In 2007, he won the AMMA Non-winged Championship and later that year took his first shot at Modified Dirt.

In his first Modified race, Ward did something he hasn't since - crash. While Tim didn't sustain any injuries or seriously damage his car, the incident did raise some concern.

Tim's dad said that some of the other drivers "got vocal after the crash that they didn't want him out there."

The next youngest drivers on the tour were 17 and 18, and after that a 25-year-old.

Tim learned from his mistake, and the other drivers began to respect him.

"They saw that I was smooth," Tim said.

One of Tim's strengths, his dad said, is that he "stays on the right front," which means that he doesn't slide his car much on the dirt track and also maintains a line on every turn.

But for Tim, there's not much to it. "I just go out there and drive," he said.

Results for March 25, 2009

It was opening night of the 2009 racing season at Prescott Valley Raceway and almost 80 drivers showed up to put on a great show for the fans who liked it a lot. Even the cold weather didn't damper their spirit as they cheered on their favorite drivers.

19 IMCA Modifieds were called to staging for the 20 lap feature but only 17 could make the call and before the green Alex Staffords new mount stalled and she had to leave the track. That left 16 hard chargers to do battle. The drivers were very anxious to get racing again and the restart flew right away as a three car pile up in turn four started the race. Both George Fronsman and Phil Baillie had to pit. At the green Jim Collinsworth took the lead from the pole position. Lap three young Tim Ward took over and showed why he is the current IMCA National points leader. Lap three saw two yellows for minor spins and fender benders. Brandon Eichelberger got to the runner up spot at lap five and went after Ward. From lap four to lap 10 it was all green and fast with Ward taking the big win. Second to Eichelberger who started in the 13th spot. Third to Bill Slocum ahead of Wayne Devault and George Stange. Finishing out the top ten were Chris Weimer, Baillie, Fronsman, Jeff Sheppard Jr and Blake Walters. Heats went to John Morris Jr, Sheppard Jr and Baillie.

The NADCAR Dwarf cars really were ready to race as they fielded 33 cars. 4 heats, two semis and a main event was on tap for them. Mike Dunn jumped into the lead first from his outside pole spot of the 21 starters. The first six laps he fought off hard charges from Matt Decker. Then at lap seven Decker spun and was collected by Helen Henesey finding nowhere to go. This gave second to Mike Moyer who took the second spot until lap eleven when another Dunn, Steve, got around him. Mike Dunn continued to charge out front as Steve Dunn tried to reel him in. Lap seventeen saw a yellow as two cars got together setting up a three lap shoot out to the checkereds. Mike Dunn took the win ahead of Steve Dunn, Fred Defibaugh, Pat Henesey and Rick Smith. The two semis went to Butch Dunn and Dan Durnez and the heats were won by Mike Dunn, Matt Decker, Pat Henesey and Rick Smith.

Hobby Stocks are always fan pleasers and the first night was no exception. Dave Barnes, one of the three Barnes in the race, took control right away. Lap one saw an early yellow as new driver Robin Mayberry spun and then left the track. Brad Auringer returned to the Hobbys and was a close second to Dave Barnes all the way until lap six when Tim Berner took second and headed for Dave Barnes. By this time the leaders were already lapping cars and making some scary moves around the mostly new drivers. Another yellow flew at lap fourteen when Ethan Englers Hot Rod Lincoln lost a wheel coming out of turn four. With six to go it was Barnes, Berner and Brad Auringer and they finished that way. Fourth went to Duke Barnes ahead of Mike Parry. Rounding out the top ten were Amanda Baillie, Zack Seitzer, Randy Auringer, D.J. Reilly and Donnie Barnes. Heats were won by Brad Auringer and Dave Barnes.

Mini Stocks were few in number but big on excitement as Rob Butcher led it all 20 laps. After only one lap Mitch Mohler Jr. looped it in turn four and his car refused to go so he was towed to the pits. John Wilson Jr. was second all the way and Kent Ewart was third until lap fourteen when Mike Markley took the spot from him. With only four laps to go Joe Parry caused a yellow and the race slowed. Butcher took the big win ahead of Wilson Jr, Markley, Ewart and Russ Cron. 6th thru tenth were James McElderry, Levin Barber, Parry, Cathie Crippen and Mohler Jr. Winning heats were Ewart and Markley.

MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. (April 17-18) – A pair of early season point leaders ventured to Mohave Valley Raceway to pick up weekend Rotating Right Wild West IMCA Modified Southern Tour victories.
Tim Ward, the top driver in national, ButlerBuilt Western Region and Smiley’s Racing Products Arizona state standings, trumped the Friday field. Ricky Alvarado, first in the series point chase, took the Saturday checkers.
Both wins paid $1,000. Ward got onto the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot with his opening night showing; Alvarado is already vote eligible.
Just 15 years old, Ward drove like a veteran in holding Alvarado at bay for most of the 30-lap Friday feature.
The front pair broke away from the pack and while little more than a car length the two, Alvarado was never able to get much closer.
Phil Penney, Paul Stone and Jeff Sheppard Jr. rounded out the top five. Bill Meyer came out of his “B” race to finish sixth, 15 spots ahead of where he took the initial green flag.
Roles were reversed on Saturday, as Alvarado took charge early and Ward looked for a way to the front from second.
A late caution set up a green, white checkered finish. Justen Yeager used the higher line to sneak past Ward and chased Alvarado across the finish line.
Ryan Cotrell and Perry Miser followed Ward.
Top five runner Sonny Wahl saw his engine expire on the 10th circuit, but the field maneuvered around him and Wahl steered off without further incident.

BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA (April 19, 2009); Tim Ward of Mesa, Arizona went on to be the youngest driver to go to victory lane in the Wild West Modified Tour. Ward held off two time tour champion, Ricky Alvarado for his win. And Iowa's Phil Penney took the third position. Paul Stone and Jeffry Sheppard rounded out the top 5. 42 cars signed in. 25 cars started the feature and 24 finished.

After running in the runner up position the night before, Ricky Alvarado took his Allen Autosports IMCA Modified to the winners circle for the nineteenth time in his career in the Wild West Modified Tour. Alvarado held off Justen Yeager and Tim Ward for the win. Local drivers, Ryan Cotrell and Perry Misner rounded out the top 5. 40 cars checked in and 24 cars started the main.

BOONE, Iowa (Aug. 5) – Six IMCA Modified drivers can now add the title of All-Star to their racing resumes.
Half a dozen first-time starters have been elected to the field of 10 for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, to be held Friday night, Sept. 11 during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals at Boone Speedway.
New All-Stars include the top two rookies in the open wheeled ranks, Gabe Tucker of Carbon, Texas, and Tim Ward of Mesa, Ariz.
Also appearing in their career first Fast Shafts race will be Chris Bragg of Springtown, Texas; Rich Lewerke of Garner, Iowa; Brian Mullen of Seymour, Wis.; and Jeff Taylor of Cave City, Ark.
Completing the field will be two-time race winner David Murray Jr. of Oberlin, Kan., and a trio of second-time All-Stars: Dale Caswell of Central Square, N.Y., eighth in the 2005 race; Kevin Stoa of Salisbury, N.C., fifth in 2006; and Ricky Alvarado of Delta, Colo., fourth last year.
Two drivers were elected from each of the five ButlerBuilt Modified regions, in electronic balloting through the IMCA website from June 1-July 31.
Ward and Alvarado will make the trip to Boone from the Western Region, Tucker and Bragg from the South Central, Murray and Taylor from the Central, Lewerke and Mullen from the North Central and Caswell and Stoa from the Eastern.
More than 39,000 ballots, with two votes for drivers in each region, were cast. Caswell and Stoa led the way overall and in the Eastern Region with 13,855 and 13,663 votes, respectively.
The 90-plus All-Star candidates included 2008 regional and state champions, and the winners of designated specials and special series events paying $1,000 or more held from June of 2008 through this May.
Tucker and Bragg both topped first-of-the-month features boasting four figure prizes at Boyd Raceway. Ward, son of long-time IMCA Modified driver Rick Ward, was a Rotating Right Wild West Modified Southern Tour winner at Mohave Valley Raceway.
Lewerke won five qualifying events, in Iowa, North Dakota and Arizona, along with the title at Canyon Speedway Park’s Winter Challenge Series. Mullen was a winner at Luxemburg Speedway’s Badger State Showdown. Taylor ventured outside his home region to win the Western Region Nationals at Ocean Speedway.
Winner of the 2004 and 2007 All-Star races, Murray was first across the finish line in eight qualifiers, among them three Larry Shaw Racing Blood, Sweat and Tears Series features and the Duel In The Desert at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Caswell collected his second straight regional crown last season. Stoa is a two-time and defending Super Nationals champion.
Alvarado racked up 11 qualifying event wins, seven of them on the 2008 or 2009 EQ Cylinder Heads Wild West Northern Tour circuits, and was champion of the 2008 series.
The 2009 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational pays $1,000 to win and is a qualifying event for the 2010 ballot. Roddy Ranch Racing LLC will pay $50 to the leader of each lap.

Tim Ward

MESA, Ariz. – IMCA’s youngest regional rookie of the year brought more than half a lifetime of experience into his first Modified season.
Still shy of his 16th birthday, Tim Ward paced rookie drivers in the ButlerBuilt Western Region. A four-time feature winner, the Westwood
High School sophomore also garnered Prescott Valley Raceway track and Smiley’s Racing Products State honors this year.

The son of long-time Modified driver and former regional champion Rick Ward, he put the $1,000 Rotating Right Wild West Southern Tour
victory at Mohave Valley Raceway, which put him on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational, at the top of his 2009 list of
achievements.

“Dad ran a Modified for 25 years so of course I wanted to be in one,” said Ward. “There was really a challenge in changing to the sanction
this year. I competed with a lot of the same drivers last year and because Dad raced IMCA like forever, I was already familiar with the
rules and procedures.”

Ward raced a go-kart for three years, winged and non-winged mini-sprints for three years, then non-sanctioned Modifieds for a single
season before entering the IMCA fray.

“The go-kart was about tires. With the mini-sprint, you’d just put your foot to the floor and go,” he said. “In the Modified, there’s more suspension, pedal and the driver to work with.”

HIS CREW: Parents Rick and Amy, grandfather Ron Broemmer, Frank LaFrance, Gary Innis, Jerry McCurdy and Kim Pratt.

HIS SPONSORS: Grandparents Ron and Cindy Broemmer; Lafrance Motorsports, AZ Metal Tech and BTS Air Conditioning and Heating, all
of Phoenix; Beebe’s Powder Coating of Taylor,Az; Flancers Restaurant of Gilbert; Prattster Graphics, Etchdog.com, Fry’s Food Stores and
Shell Service Station, all of Mesa; and AZ Etch Works.com of Paloma, Ill.

Bill Martin-Director of Public Relations
International Motor Contest Association
1800 West D Street
Vinton, Iowa 52349
Phone: 319 472-2201, ext. 213
Fax: 319 472-2218
E-mail: bmartin@imca.com
Web: www.imca.com

Mesa 14-year-old is fast behind the wheel

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