New promoter adding to, checking off his to-do list at Boone County Raceway

ALBION, Neb. – Ron Sutton has been busy adding to and checking off the to-do list since taking over as promoter at Boone County Raceway.

Five IMCA divisions are on Friday night programs at Albion. Opening night at the 3/8-mile clay oval is April 24.

“We’re putting up a new catch fence off turns three and four. We won’t be adding dirt to the racing sur­face but we want to reshape the corners,” said Sutton, who raced in both the Stock Car and Late Model classes before helping with track prep at Boone County. “We’re going to remove the infield tires and replace them with a dirt berm.”

IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds return to Albion for a 21st consecutive season in 2015. They were joined by IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks in 2010, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods in 2011, Mach-1 Sport Compacts in 2012 and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars in 2013.

“The IMCA rule package stays consistent from year to year,” noted Sutton. “Drivers are familiar with IMCA rules and procedures. They can go to any IMCA sanctioned track and race because they know they are legal.”

Boone County is part of IMCA’s Jet Racing Central Region for Modifieds, the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region for Stock Cars and the Big Daddy Race Cars Northern Region for Hobby Stocks. The IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing point season continues through Aug. 14.

The inaugural Shane Thome Memorial is July 14 during the county fair. The Modified winner that evening earns $2,000 along with a berth on the ballot for the upcoming Fast Shafts All-Star Invita­tional.

“We’re really excited about the Thome Memorial. I think it’s going to be a great event,” Sutton said. “The fair board really stepped up and is offering an $18,000 purse for all the classes that will run that night.”