It sure didn't feel like a late May Saturday night at the Boone Speedway. It was overcast with a stiff north wind blowing right at the grandstand, and coat and blanket weather. The temperature hovered at 60 degrees when the gates opened, and fell lower as the night wore on. At least 15 new cars checked into the pits, several from western Iowa and Missouri that brought the car count to 139.
Ed Zehm took his first Mod Lite feature win in the 15-lap feature. He had a sizable lead when a yellow flew at lap thirteen, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. He was able to avoid the threats behind him and snap up his first win of the season at Boone. David Schmalzried, who had chased Zehm in the latter portion of the race, held off Josh May at the line as they finished second and third. Fourth was James May and Randy Bryan finished fifth.
Jake McBirnie won for the second week in a row, taking the 18-lap SportMod A main victory. He took the helm from rookie Dusty Masolini with eight laps in the books, and was then content at the front of the herd, while Masolini and Ben Wilson battled for the runner up spot. McBirnie took the win by a comfortable margin but it was a close one for second, Masolini just winning out over Wilson who finished third. Jerry Hinton ran at the front of the pack for most of the race, and had a fourth place finish and Chad Ryerson claimed fifth. The race went flag-to-flag.....the only feature of the night to do so.
There was an exciting finish in the 12-lap Hobby Stock feature. Solomon Bennett, who had scored a win at Boone back on April 25, was looking to be headed to Victory Lane again. However, there were two cars moving through the pack quickly from starting back in rows four and five. Andrew Burg had caught up with the leader, and Eric Stanton was running third. A yellow at lap four, drew the three even closer for the restart. Bennett however, kept his lead, pedaling for all his worth to keep them at bay. As the white flag flew, Burg tried a move to the outside of Bennett, scraping the front stretch wall. Bennett held his ground but Burg wasn't quite done yet. As they came out of turn four looking at the checkers, Burg surged around him on the outside in one last push, this time making it work and beating him to the finish line. Burg got the win, and Bennett finished what had to be a disappointing second. Third went to Eric Stanton, fourth was Daniel Haggen and rounding out the top five was Cody Gustoff who had started thirteenth on the grid. This was Burg's second Saturday night season win of the year and also was coming off of a Memorial Day win at the speedway.
The IMCA Modifieds had to endure five cautions before they completed their 20-lap feature. Devin Havlik led most of the race, hoping to repeat his victory from May 23rd. Meanwhile behind him the familiar #19 was on the move as Jimmy Gustin began his quest to reel in the leader. He did just that and was no doubt happy to see the final yellow of the session fly at lap eleven....drawing him to restart right behind Havlik. Havlik didn't get rattled though, keeping hold of the top spot, and fending off Gustin's attempts. Gustin was persistent though, and finally was successful when Havlik made the slightest of bobbles as they raced to the flagstand as lap seventeen was scored. Gustin took over and took command of the race the rest of the way to the checkers flying. Havlik had to be content with second on this night. Veteran John Logue finished in third, fourth went to the Flying Dutchman, Mike VanGenderen who had started tenth, and completing the top five was nineteenth place starter, hometown boy, Scott Davis. Gustin, who is leading points, started in twelfth spot, and took his third win of the regular season, plus also snatching the Frostbuster special back on April 4.
The IMCA Stock Cars ended the night's racing with their 18-lap feature event. Trent Murphy got to the top spot by lap eight, shooting through the pack from starting tenth. Jay Schmidt came from fourteenth spot to chase the leader, and Donavon Smith threw his hat in the ring, riding in third. However, there would be no change in the running order even with a late caution flag....as Murphy took the win, followed by Schmidt in second and Smith in third. Fourth place finisher was "Hot Rod" Richards and Chris Pruitt made it to fifth from his twelfth starting place. This was Murphy's first win of the track's point season, but also won the Frostbuster special.
Racing continues next Saturday night at the speedway. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30. Check out the racing calendar at www.postivelyracing.com and find a race somewhere to attend. We all need to keep supporting the dirt track scene in our area. Next up on our agenda will be the Deery Brothers Late Model series at the Marshalltown Speedway on Tuesday, June 2. It's always fun to see the late models on the high banks. We will be hoping that the weather is more comfortable and DRY for the upcoming busy race schedule.
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