Van Genderen, Smith score Super Nationals qualifying wins

Van Genderen

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 8) – They both ended their night in victory lane, but IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s qualifying feature wins by Mike Van Genderen and Dylan Smith were anything but similar.

Van Genderen ran away from everybody in winning the first Modified 25-lapper at Boone Speedway, negotiating heavy lapped traffic much of the way and then holding off Kelly Shryock following a late restart.

The champion at Super Nationals in 2013, Smith was challenged by fellow Nebraskan Jordan Grabouski, who snuck ahead briefly on lap 19 before relinquishing the front spot the next time around.

Top four finishers in each feature advance to the Saturday night main event.

Scott Drake and Dean Abbey, brother of Super Nationals Southern SportMod champion Jeffrey Abbey, were scored next behind Van Genderen and Shryock. Hunter Marriott and Corey Dripps completed the top four in the second feature rescheduled from Wednesday because of inclement weather.

John Logue and Ricky Thornton Jr. were disqualified from third and fifth place finishes, respectively, in the first qualifier after failing right front suspension in post-race tech.

Shryock will start his career 11th, and first Super Nationals main event since 2006, on Saturday.

Drake is in for the eighth time, Dripps and Smith both for the fifth and Grabouski and Van Genderen both for the fourth. Marriott makes his third big dance start, Abbey his first.

1st qualifying feature – 1. Mike Van Genderen, Newton; 2. Kelly Shryock, Fertile; 3. Scott Drake, Joplin, Mo.; 4. Dean Abbey, Roanoke, Texas; 5. Ricky Alvarado, Grand Junction, Colo.; 6. Cody Leonard, Sinton, Texas; 7. Josh Long, Little Suamico, Wis.; 8. Richard Michael Jr., Ischua, N.Y.; 9. Racer Hulin, Laurel; 10. Eric Tomlinson, Waco, Texas; 11. Sean Jerovetz, Sobieski, Wis.; 12. Brandon Hood, McGregor, Texas; 13. J.J. Scott, Iowa City; 14. Craig Reetz, Dunlap; 15. Brad Smith, Horseheads, N.Y.; 16. Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 17. Dustin Andersen, Omaha, Neb.; 18. Loren Pesicka, Jr., Burt; 19. Anthony Roth, Columbus, Neb.; 20. Michael Albertsen, Audubon; 21. Clint Wendel, Mason City; 22. Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 23. Ryan Ruter, Kanawha; 24. Jeff Schroyer, Elkhorn, Neb.; 25. Scott Hogan, Vinton; 26. Cory Sample, Winnemucca, Nev.; 27. Travis Hatcher, Honey Creek; 28. Clay Sellard, Bucklin, Kan.; 29. John Logue Jr., Boone; 30. Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, Ariz.

2nd qualifying feature – 1. Dylan Smith, Osceola, Neb.; 2. Jordan Grabouski, Beatrice, Neb.; 3. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo.; 4. Corey Dripps, Reinbeck; 5. Lance Mari, Imperial , Calif.; 6. Dustin Smith, Lake City; 7. Chad Porter, Madison Lake, Minn.; 8. Drew Armstrong, Alexander, Ark.; 9. Jason Wolla, Ray, N.D.; 10. David Brown, Kellogg; 11. Mitch Morris, Long Grove; 12. Jerry Hoffman, Oronogo, Mo.; 13. Nick Link, Rolla, Kan.; 14. Ryan McDaniel, Olivehurst, Calif.; 15. Trent Loverude, New Ulm, Minn.; 16. Tommy Fain, Abilene, Texas; 17. Cody Knecht, Whittemore; 18. Brian Knoell, Falun, Kan.; 19. Justin O’Brien, West Union; 20. Josh Truman, Indianola; 21. Joel Bushore, Boone; 22. Albert Wolfgram, Boone; 23. Kellen Chadwick, Oakley, Calif.; 24. Josh Beaulieu, Bemidji, Minn.; 25. Ty Rogers, Somerton, Ariz.; 26. Robert Davis, Searcy, Ark.; 27. Kyle Brown, Madrid; 28. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 29. Jay Steffens, North Platte, Neb.; 30. Dakota Hayden, Wilton.