It’s Roberts in a thriller at Boone, David Smith prevails in brotherly battle

David Smith outran brothers Devin and Donavon in winning Saturday’s IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature at Boone Speedway. (Photo by Nick Woolley)

By Joyce Eisele

BOONE, Iowa (May 29) – The racers came out in full force for Saturday night racing at the Boone Speedway with 169 cars packing the pits and all IMCA regular classes would find first time winners on the season. The IMCA STARS Mod Lites were in town for a national event series race, as part of the Corn Belt Clash.  

It was a thrilling finish to the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature that saw amazing crisscross moves during the race.  Nick Roberts started sixth and had the top spot by lap four, content to let the pack behind sort itself out.  Tim Ward came from 12th starting into second and began applying pressure quickly, and Kyle Brown was also in the picture. 

Then the show really began when Roberts and Ward made some spectacular crisscross moves out of turn two with Brown sticking his nose into the mix as well.  Several more crossover moves had the crowd excited as the laps wore down, with Roberts always managing to come out on top.

He held on to take the checkers in the closing moments with Ward taking a close second and Brown right there in third.  Fourth went to Jake McBirnie, who started 11th, and Cory Sauerman rounded out the top five.  Roberts took his first win at Boone this season.

It was definitely the Smith brothers show in the IMCA Stock Car 20-lap feature event.  David Smith chased down early leader Anthony Goldsberry to take over the top spot just after the halfway portion, then brothers Devin and Donavon both fell in line behind.  

David pulled away in the final laps to take the easy win, trailed by Devin Smith in second, followed by brother Donavon in third place.  Justin Nehring finished fourth and Jeff Mueller completed the top five. The race went flag to flag.

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks also completed their 15-lap feature without a caution. Carter Koop led the opening laps of the race, but quickly had Eric Knutson to contend with.  The two crossed the finish line on lap seven in a near dead heat, but by lap eight, Knutson had gained the upper hand.

The closing laps found Knutson distance himself from the pack and take a comfortable win.  It was a fight to the finish behind him however of a pack of three cars.  Eric Stanton, Carter Koop, and Solomon Bennett went 2-3-4 respectively in a very close finish.  Aaron Rudolph rounded out the top five.  This was also Knutson’s first regular season win, though he won the early April Frostbuster special.

Forty-two Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods were in competition and Cory Pestotnik started third and had the lead by lap three. Cam Reimers tucked in behind him and became a constant threat as the race wore on.

Several yellows flew during the event and a caution at lap 15 became leader Pestotnik’s undoing. As the race restarted with Pestotnik in command, he had Reimers and now Tony Olson lurking close behind.  By lap 16, Olson had made the pass and was scored the leader.  He held hold the top spot the remaining distance to the flying checkers and the win. 

The closing moments also saw Johnathon Logue slip by Pestotnik to capture the runner-up spot.  Following third place Pestotnik were Cam Reimers in fourth and Izac Mallicoat in fifth. Olson started 12th on the field to take home his first-ever feature win at the speedway.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites had a great field of 30 for their National event.  Austin Gray would lead the entire 25-lap feature, pulling away to a sizeable lead to take the checkers. Joe Glick chased the leader for most of the race, but finished a distant second.  Third place finisher was Josh May, Mike Kennedy started 10th and crossed the finish line in fourth place and Bryan Zehm was fifth at the checkers.

However, there were a couple of post-race disqualifications that changed up the official finishing order. Gray was disqualified as was fourth place finisher Mike Kennedy.  This handed the win over to Glick, moved May into second place, Zehm to third, Jon Braathun took fourth, and Cory Sonner came all the way from 21st starting to be awarded fifth.  This was Glick’s first win at the track in 2021.

Next week, June 5, will begin the summer race schedule with hot laps at 6 p.m.  and racing at 7 p.m.