It rained on us all the way to Boone on Saturday, stopping just before getting to the track. A peek of the track showed it VERY wet, with puddles standing on it. Track workers had prepped the track the night before for the expected rain, sealing it over. By 5:30, the jet dryer was fired up and after several circuits of pushing the water down toward the infield, the farming session began--spring tooth and then repacking. Racing began just before 8 pm, less than a half hour late. Race cars and fans arrived late, but a count of 139 cars was pretty darn good considering the weather. No doubt, many were sitting at home awaiting the text message as to whether or not racing was going to happen.
The Mod Lite feature went flag to flag and was led the entire time by Jeff Stensland. A couple of drivers fighting it out a good distance behind him for position were Joel Keenan and Josh May; Keenan keeping the upper hand as he took the runner up spot over May in third. Fourth went to Mike Kennedy over Dusty Masolini in fifth. This was Stensland's second feature win of 2012.
Three yellows in the first four laps of the IMCA SportMod feature was a bit frustrating, but after that "third time is the charm", the race went the rest of the distance caution free. Taylor Musselman was at the helm through lap seven. That was when Nick Roberts made the pass into the lead, and Eric Elliott followed him into second. Elliott could do no better than to closely chase Roberts across the finish line at the checkers as they finished first and second. Third was Musselman who hung around at the front of the pack, fourth went to Jerry Hinton and Tom Burke was fifth. This was Roberts third regular season feature win plus having also taken the Frostbuster back on April 8. Earlier, a B main had to be run to complete the starting field. It was won by Jason Mallicoat.
The 20-lap Modified feature had a mishap at lap one sending Jimmy Gustin and Mike VanGenderen to the pits for tire changes, and then both tagging the field on the restart. David Brown led the opening laps, then Cale Sponsler changed that, as he took over the helm at lap five. A few laps after a restart at lap nine, contact between cars fighting for third, sent Brown to the pits when contact was made...his night done. Sponsler was out in front and sailing along easily as the laps wound down, and would take it home to the checkers flying. This was Sponsler's second win of the season. Kelly Lyons took the runner up spot, finishing just ahead of third place Jay Noteboom, who had started twelfth, in fourth was Russ Dickerson and fifth was Chad Louk. Going into next week's season championship, it looks as if Jimmy Gustin holds a comfortable 31 point lead over two guys tied for second, Mike VanGenderen and Russ Dickerson.
The IMCA Stock Car feature didn't disappoint, as it seldom does. It is still one of the most competitive classes we see, week in and week out. This one went 18-laps caution free, which adds much to the racing action all over the track. Much of the race up front was between Jay Schmidt and last week's winner, Trent Murphy. Behind them, Wayne Gifford had gotten into third, and behind him was a big battle for fourth place between Todd Fisher, Eric Brown, Jerry Gifford, and Donavon Smith. Murphy had made the pass on Schmidt by lap eight and was appearing to be on his way to back to back victories at the track. Oops! Lap traffic coming into play on the final lap. Schmidt opted for the highside of the track as they came out of turn four, avoiding the lap cars as Murphy tucked it in on the low side. This night, it was the outside lane that worked, and Schmidt snatched away the win as they took the checkers. This was Schmidt's third win at Boone this season. Murphy settled for second over Wayne Gifford in third, fourth was Donavon Smith and Todd Fisher held on to fifth.
Just one Hobby Stock feature was run but it took two B mains to qualify the final four cars to complete the starting line up. Andrew Burg and Craig Graham took those consy wins. Kyle Dirks found himself out in front the entire 12 laps, never to be really challenged in taking his first win this year. Second and third was a different story with Matt Hudsputh winning out over Matt McDonald in a good contest. Fourth was John Watson and fifth went to Aaron Rudolph.
Next week, September 1 is season championship night--ending the regular season at the track. It sure isn't the end of the racing action though! Labor Day, September 3 will be the first of six straight nights of racing in the 30th annual IMCA Super Nationals. It is the 25th straight year the Super Nationals have been at the Boone Speedway and our 25th year of attending. What a change we've seen! Can't wait. If at all possible, try and make at least one night of racing during "America's Racin' Vacation"! It's a real happening! Happy racing!
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