Saturday at Boone, feature action began early with make-up features in every class. Even with an earlier than usual start time by half an hour, it was a long night of racing with close to 180 cars checked in. It appeared drivers are starting to gear up for Supernationals and wanting to test the waters before "America's Racing Vacation" starts.
The first make-up feature to hit the track right at 7 p.m., was the first of two hobby stock A's. Travis Fenton got to the front early from starting in fifth, and from then on there was no denying him a win. Fenton took the win followed by Alan VanGorp, Daniel Hilsabeck, Dylan Book and Beau Kaplan.
Hobby make-up feature #2, was led early by the J4 of John Yaw, Sr. but moving up from starting back in 10th, Pat Mather got himself positioned in the runner-up spot. On a restart, Mather made the pass into first and following him was Cody Gustoff and Michael Murphy. Murphy would have problems and have to exit the track giving third to Rob Allison. When the checkers flew, it was Mather taking the win, Cody Gustoff in second, third to Rob Allison, Yaw would hang on for fourth, and rounding out the top five was Chris Hupp.
In the Dwarf/Mod Lite make-up feature, it was appearing that a hot driver of late, Joel Huggins was on his way to another feature win as he was leading through half-way. Creston driver Johnny Mordock had other ideas, as he made the pass for the lead and went home for the win.
Huggins settled for second, third went to Josh May, fourth to Jeff Stensland and fifth to Matthew Goodin.
Twenty-four SportMods were scheduled to take the green flag for their make-up feature from last week's rain out. However, only 19 cars made the call. We noted that several cars were missing in the make-up features as "travelers" from last week did not return. Outside front-row starter Cody Warrick took the point position early and from there on, he sailed home to a win.
Scott Davis was charging hard through the pack and managed to get into the runner-up spot. Former hobby stock driver, Randy Roberts garnered third, fourth went to pole-starter
Matt Deml from Owatonna, Minnesota, and fifth was veteran racer Rick Ringgenberg.
The IMCA modified class started 19 cars for the make-up feature. Denny Pittman was able to move to the pole starting spot as designated pole position Stacy Warren opted to drop to the back. Pittman, from Jamacia, Iowa, cashed in as he led flag to flag for his first win of the season.
Bill Davis, Jr. earned the runner-up spot and he was followed by Todd Shute in third. Fourth went to Mike Molle and fifth to Cale Sponsler.
The "Class too Tough to Tame", the IMCA stock cars completed the make-up features for the night. With 28 cars slated to take the starting flag, only 23 would start. One of those cars not returning, was the 59 car of Larry Portis from Nora Springs, Iowa. Larry was involved in a car accident the past week and suffered some rather serious injuries, ending his racing for the season. We wish long-time racer Larry Portis, a full and speedy recovery. Ryan Rose led from the pole as Bryan Snell chased him for several circuits. Newton driver, "The Flying Dutchman" Mike VanGenderen was putting pressure on the two front runners and was able to get by both Snell and leader Ryan Rose to take over the point with five laps to go. It was smooth sailing then for VanGenderen in his bright green and white machine, as he took the win. Trent Murphy made his way into the runner-up position from starting ninth, Rose held on for third, fourth went to Jerry Gifford and fifth went to Bryan Snell.
There was a quick farming session before the regular night of racing brought the first heat of hobby stocks to the surface. We noticed that there was an abundance of visiting drivers on hand; some in all classes, as they tested the waters for the upcoming Supernationals. Two B-mains were run--one in the SportMods and one in the stock cars. When the first regular night's feature pulled onto the track, it was after 11 p.m. with lots of action yet to be seen.
The Dwarf/Mod Lite feature saw a reversal in the final outcome from the make-up feature.
Joel Huggins got the win this time, with Johnny Mordock as runner-up. James May finished in third, Mike Kennedy was fourth and fifth was Ed Zehm who had started back in 10th. I believe this was Huggin's fourth win at Boone in 2009. He has been on a hot streak lately as he won the previous night in Marshalltown where he has earned multiple wins as well.
The Northern SportMods had a bit of trouble even getting their race started as the yellow flew more than once before even one lap was completed. Kent Croskey in the 12c car led early but Boone's Scott Davis was coming quickly to the front. Davis was able to get the lead and would then pull away from Croskey. Later Croskey would exit the contest putting Matthew Meinecke in second place and Northwood, Iowa driver Dan Tenold came from 12th to take over third. At the finish line, Scott Davis was the winner, second was Meinecke, third to Tenold, fourth to Joel Bushore and fifth to make-up feature winner, Cody Warrick.
In the second feature of the night for the IMCA modifieds, it was noted by announcer Bill Hagland, that there were ten previous winners running in the main event. If I recall correctly, those drivers were Denny Pittman (he won the first feature of the night), Skeeter Paris, John Logue, Kelly Lyons, Robert Avery, Todd Shute, Adam Larson, Cale Sponsler, Bill Davis, Jr., and Mike Molle. Would there be a new winner in this feature for the 2009 season? Tonight, it wasn't to be, as Skeeter Paris won for the second time this year. The 48J of Jacob Murray was right behind Paris for the final few laps. Paris would bobble slightly but would recover before Murray could take advantage, as he took the win. Murray was second, and third went to Jammin' Jimmy Gustin from Marshalltown, who had started back in ninth. John Logue proved again what a fantastic racer he is on his hometown track as he finished fourth with a spectacular performance from starting way back in 21st spot. Rounding out the top five was Madrid, Iowa driver, Craig Carlson who was among the top runners all race.
The IMCA stock car feature found cars running three and four wide providing for some exciting action for the fans. During the contest, tight racing was seen between the top running five cars as Wayne Gifford, Jerry Gifford, Mike VanGenderen, Trent Murphy and Josh Brauckman jockeyed for position. With a restart with twelve laps down, brothers Wayne and Jerry Gifford held down 1st and 2nd with Jerry having the advantage. At the checkered flag, Wayne would take the win over brother Jerry, third went to Trent Murpy, fourth to Bryan Trogdon who had started along side Murphy back in 11th starting position, and fifth was Josh Brauckman and sixth went to VanGenderen.
The first of two hobby stock features had 28 cars take the green flag. Chris Hupp led nearly the entire race and came home the winner. Todd Reitzler had a fine run to take second, third went to veteran Randy Embrey who had made his first appearance of the season last week, fourth to Michael Murphy and fifth to Daniel Hilsabeck.
The final feature of the night, the second hobby stock feature ended with Alan VanGorp back in victory lane. He got to the lead early and never looked back. Aaron Rudolph chased him across the finish line for second, third was make-up feature winner Pat Mather, fourth went to Beau Kaplan and fifth was Scott Lograsso.
Racing ended just shortly before 1 a.m. with lots of racing action having been seen over the course of the evening/early morning hours. As I posted the results (see below) in the wee hours of the morning and crawled into bed a bit after 4 a.m., I apologize for not getting this blog written sooner. It makes for a bit more thinking and trying to recall some happenings, but hope it's not too far off!
The 27th Annual IMCA/Speedway Motors Supernationals are fast approaching. We can say we have attended every running since 1988. We have seen many changes over the years as it has grown to the show or "happening" as we often call it, that it is now. I try to catch every race and can hardly bring myself to miss a minute of the action. Make plans to attend at least some of this must-see event that will be held September 7th-12th. Happy racing!!
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