Heavy rains and terrible flooding in nearby Ames during the week, did not stop the racing at the Boone Speedway as they continued their scheduled season without a cancellation. New faces and old faces visited Victory Lane, a new way of starting each race was implemented when the "cone rule" was put in force, and the evening would end with an unusual circumstance occurring in the infield area.
The Mod Lite feature ran their feature event immediately after the regular farming took place during "halftime". A driver who has had much success at the track got back in the winner's circle as Troy Hudson picked up the win. We are still trying to recognize Hudson in his new ride, the #4+1, instead of his familiar bright orange #5 from previous seasons. Hudson began the race sitting on the pole, and led the entire circuits to take his first win at Boone this year. Joel Huggins let a second place finish slip through his fingers when he spun between turns one and two after the white flag flew, giving second over to Ed Zehm. Jeff Stensland, Colby Oberembt, and Dusty Masolini finished third through fifth, in that order.
Twenty-nine IMCA Northern SportMods checked into the pits, calling for a B Main to complete their feature starting field. Tara Longnecker took that checkered flag. This race would go green to checkered. Five cars raced closely upfront in the late going of the 18-lapper. It was Randy Roberts, Daniel Tasler, Eric Elliott, Jeremy Embrey and point leader, Scott Davis going at it. On the final lap as the cars rounded turn four, Eric Elliott would find himself the unfortunate car sideways and lose his second place position. The fortunate driver in the situation, was third running Jeremy Embrey as he avoided the situation and raced to the checkers for the win. Randy Roberts held on for a second place finish, Scott Davis grabbed third, fourth went to Daniel Tasler and fifth was Jared Timmerman. Elliott recovered enough to take seventh, behind the sixth place car of Ty Luellen.
All seventeen IMCA Modifieds on hand took the start for their A main. Mike Molle was flying in his 33M ride and Tim Stevens was trying hard to take over that top spot as they raced wheel-to-wheel. Just past halfway of the 20-lap feature, it was Scott Baker who came calling after Stevens dropped back. Baker made the pass for first around Molle who in turn, was also passed by Cale Sponsler. When the checkers flew, Baker took his second win of the year at the track, Sponser was second, and Kelly Lyons slipped by Molle as they finished third and fourth. Rounding out the top five was Jammin' Jimmy Gustin. This was another race completed without a yellow flag flying, making for "hold on and hang on" racing!
Now to the IMCA Stock Car feature. Their starting grid needed to be filled in by also running a B Main as twenty-nine of the "Class Too Tough To Tame" were on hand. Trent Murphy triumphed in that consy. Dave Baugh who has recently made his appearance back at the Boone Speedway, sat on the pole position with Kevin Shaw along side. Behind Baugh was Brian Irvine who was piloting the O1U car normally driven by Chris Ullrich, but with a taped on #26B. Irvine positioned himself quickly into the runner-up spot as he dogged Baugh and on lap ten, took the lead. Meanwhile,Ryan Rose was waging a battle with Kevin Shaw and Josh Daniels behind the leaders. Upon seeing the green held high, Irvine then drove off of turn one and into the pits, which handed the lead back to Baugh. Baugh would then keep the lead and take his first win at the track. Ryan Rose was scored in the runner-up spot, while Kevin Shaw finished with a good run, in third. Fourth went to Josh Daniels and Jeff Harkrider was fifth.
The first of two A features for the IMCA Hobby Stock class now took to the track. A first time winner also enjoyed the spoils as Brandon Brinton took the checkers first. Brinton led most of the 12-lap event and Donnie Gustoff came from starting 10th, to finish in second. Third went to the 63 of Cory Tasler, fourth was John Yaw, Sr. and John Watson finished fifth.
Before the final A for the Hobby Stocks came to the track, we noticed Brian Irvine being pushed to the infield, which led to much speculation about a possible promoter claim taking place. We had witnessed Irvine pulling off the track while leading with two laps to go for two consecutive weeks, but later we were told that he had also done it the week we were not in attendance due to being at the Nationwide race at the Iowa Speedway.
Back to racing as the final feature in the Hobby Stocks came to the track. Point leader Michael Murphy chalked up another win to add to his numerous victories this year at Boone Speedway. Early leader was Leonard Loftus battling to stay ahead of the 4JW of Justin Maschke. Murphy put his 25M in the lead at lap seven of the 12-lap affair, and sailed home to the win from there. Loftus hung on to second place and Jesse Hopkins garnered a third place finish. Fourth went to Michael Peterson and fifth was Chris Hupp. The 4JW of Maschke faded late to take sixth.
As racing was completed, we noticed a mass of people waiting at the pit entrance to cross the track into the infield. Speculation again arose as to what was happening. After gathering our belongings and heading to the vehicle, we heard an announcement on the loud speaker, and curiosity made us return to the grandstand area. We were told that Robert Lawton had used his option of a promoter claim and taken Brian Irvine's motor. Our understanding was, all other drivers that were in the A main stock car race, were able to toss in a dollar with their name on it, all monies put in a pot, and a winner for the motor drawn from said pot. It has been many years since we have seen a promoter claim, but we have seen it. It is stated in the IMCA rules that that option is in place; an uncommon occurrence, but not unheard of.
The cone rule mentioned earlier seemed to work in keeping cars in line and eliminating "jump starts" as there was not one "no-start" on the evening. A cone was positioned coming out of turn four and cars approached the cone for the start of each race. No car was to pass another until they had passed the cone. Rumor was this rule will continue and even be used during the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals.
The schedule of events for the Boone Speedway shows that you can vote for your favorite driver next week, August 21st, in addition to all of the regular divisions of racing in action. Further details and full results can be found at http://www.raceboone.com/ and if anyone would like to check the IMCA rules, they can be found at http://www.imca.com/. Happy racing!
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