Coming into the racing season, Granite Falls native Tim Ims was looking to improve on his 2011 season.
With two Midwest Modified feature wins at Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo and a current third-place standing at Madison Speedway, Ims is well on his way.
Ims has been racing for five years and after learning the ropes, he's been seeing some success.
"We did alright the first couple years, learning and stuff. The last couple years it's picked up," Ims said. "We've put a lot more time into the car and learned more. The last three years we've been coming along pretty well, having success."
Ims finished 10th overall in 2010 at Fiesta City and seventh in 2011. With his two feature wins to go with a second and a third in five races, he's currently sitting in eighth place overall.
"We missed the first night there and figured some stuff out the second night. It wasn't too great of a night," Ims said. "We went back to the drawing board and figured it out. We're moving up a bit."
At Madison, he's sitting in third overall thanks to a second- and third-place finish in five races.
"We've been in the top two or three over there, but we haven't held on for a win quite yet," Ims said.
Ims said that they've put more time into the car, investing in equipment and tools.
"I bought some car scales, trying different things, listening to the chassis builder, seeing what he has to say and using that as a starting point," Ims said. "Just spending time and taking tips where you can get them."
Racing different tracks on back-to-back nights means there's work to be done on Saturday morning to adjust the car.
"We usually put a lot more bite in for Friday night and take a little out for Saturday," Ims said. "We switch gears Saturday morning. There's a couple hours of work Saturday morning you have to do before you can head out.
"Madison is quite a bit smaller. It's a three-eighths track, where Monte is considered a half mile. Madison is more of a flat-foot track. You can keep on it a lot more, drive a little harder in Madison."
For Ims, racing is also about family time.
"My dad, he's always there. My mom and dad, they are at every race, the whole family. That's kind of what it's about," Ims said. "It brings us together and it's a group thing. We all do our part. Everybody is involved and has their own little thing they do."
But even with family time, Ims has goals he wants to reach.
"I'm hoping to stay out of deals and stay towards the front. Hopefully top last year," Ims said. "We got four wins last year and I would like to get at least five this year. That's kind of my goal."