7/8/2023
Boone Speedway
Schmidt repeats in Stock Cars, Gustin, Anderson, Christensen, and Glick see first checkers
A huge field of 177 cars filled the pits at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night that provided the fans with a full night of racing action. Jay Schmidt repeated an earlier win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, while first time wins went to Jimmy Gustin in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Logan Anderson in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, Riley Christensen in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Joe Glick in the Stealth IMCA STARS Mod Lites. Blake McAllister and Logan Wurr took the honors in the 2-person Cruisers.
The Mod Lites, sponsored by Carquest Auto Truck and Farm, ran a 15 lap feature, which did not start well. As the race went green, two cars rolled over coming out of turn two, and the race was red flagged until the chaos was cleared. Thankfully, the drivers, Mike Kennedy and Garrison Anderson, were both okay.
When the race did get back underway, it saw Joe Glick lead the entire fifteen laps to capture his first feature win of the season. Josh May, started eleventh, and got past Randy Bryan in the closing moments as they finished second and third respectively. Fourth went to Bryan Zehm, and a close fifth was Austin Gray.
Earlier, the Mod Lites ran a King of the Hill contest paying $500 and a "title" belt trophy. The final round saw Josh May take home the money and the belt, winning out over Jason Toppenberg, David Bailey, and Bryan Zehm.
The SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, did not start off well either, as it too was red flagged before the first lap was scored. Pole sitter Matt Avila, and outside front row starter Jessiah Taylor made contact which sent Avila tumbling before a lap was completed. Avila was okay.
When the race went green, it was Dusty Lynch grabbing the top spot, but he quickly had company breathing down his neck. Fourteen year old Gage Hilgenberg, and Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson joined Lynch for a three-way breakaway. A caution at lap seven, bunched the field for the restart, and Anderson, who had made his way into second place, was anxious to see the green fly. It took until lap fourteen before Anderson was able to make the pass for the lead, but then he pulled away in the closing laps, and scored the comfortable win. Lynch finished as the runner up, Greenfield, Iowa's David Schwartz came from eleventh starting spot to take third, fourth went to Hunter Longnecker, and Curtis Veber completed the top five. Anderson saw the winner's circle for the first time this season at the track.
The D & E Outside Services IMCA Modified ran their 20 lap main event next, with Jimmy Gustin taking the checkers. Gustin took over the lead from Kaden Cochrun, Bakersfield, California racer on lap five, and never looked back. Gustin would have to withstand four cautions but held the top position throughout the restarts, and took his ride to Victory Lane for the first time this year. Paul Nagle finished second, third went to Lakewood, Colorado driver Tripp Gaylord, who started fourteenth, fourth was Kaden Cochrun, and hometown racer Izac Mallicoat was fifth.
The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge 104 ran a 20 lap feature, and it was Jay Schmidt leading from start to finish. He was challenged most of the race by Troy Jerovetz, sometimes in a tight battle, but without touching, and Jerovetz had to be content with his second place run. Third went to twelfth place starter Donavon Smith, Rod Richards was fourth, and Jeff Mueller came from fourteenth starting spot to round out the top five. This was Schmidt's second win of the season.
The Pickett Auto Salvage IMCA Hobby Stocks went 15 laps for their feature event.
Riley Christensen, Audubon, Iowa led all but the opening lap to take his first win at the speedway. John Watson made his way from starting ninth to take second place. Seth Butler finished in third spot, fourth was eleventh place starter, Tom Killen, Jr., and Chris Hupp completed the top five.
Next Saturday, July 15, the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites will once again be in action. The IMCA Stock Cars will also run a King of the Hill. Pits open at 4:30, Grandstands 5:30, Hot Laps 6, and racing at 7.
Photo Credit: Motorsports Photography
Article Credit: Josh Reynolds