BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 13) – Ricky Thornton Jr. raced to wins at the beginning and the end of a history-making week, Donavon Smith and Johnathon Logue became three-time champions while Nathan Ballard motored to his first title at the 2020 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
In all, 834 cars – including 245 Modifieds and an event record 207 Stock Cars – saw action during a socially distanced week at Boone Speedway that also saw more than its share of rain and rescheduled race programs.
The Sunday conclusion for what is always the biggest event on the IMCA schedule was the first for the Modifieds since 1996 and first-ever for the Stock Cars, Northern SportMods and Hobby Stocks.
Thornton earned $3,000 when he repeated as Late Model champion on Labor Day, qualified for the Stock Car feature, won the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational on Friday and then became the first driver to win two championships at the same Super Nationals by running away from the rest of the field after midway of the $7,000 to win Modified main event.
Last-chance qualifier, Smith raced from 25th starting and took the lead with two laps left in winning his third Stock Car crown in his record 14th straight main event appearance. Smith, who took home a career-best $5,000 paycheck, had reigned at Boone in 2009 and 2012.
Also the 2014 and 2019 Northern SportMod champion, Logue scored a rare double by winning the BSB Manufacturing Race of Champions.
He led the last eight laps in topping the caution-free ROC, calling the eagle trophy that went with the checkers the addition to his race shop collection he’s always wanted, then led the last 27 circuits in the 30-lap main event to collect $3,000.
Ballard outran defending race winner Dylan Nelson in leading start to finish of the Hobby Stock main, following the fast high line to the $2,000 victory.
Jesse Sobbing traded the lead with Troy Cordes in one of the most competitive events of the entire week, winning the Harris Auto Racing Modified Race of Champions and $1,700 following a dash to the finish line.
Another two-division star, Kelly Shryock took home $1,175 for his Sunoco Race Fuels Race of Champions Stock Car win.
And Cody Nielsen led the last 10 times around the track in winning the Stephenville Starter Race of Champions for Hobby Stocks.
Tuesday’s scheduled Sport Compact main event was lost to rain.
Twenty-three states were represented at Super Nationals, where a purse of $300,000-plus was complemented by bonuses from IMCA.TV and more than $60,000 in contingencies were awarded.
