Annual Salute to Veterans race expands, adds Spencer, Boone dates

ALGONA, Iowa – Veterans and drivers in multiple IMCA divisions take their turns in the spotlight as the successful Hunting With Heroes Salute to Veterans Race expands from a one night special to a three-night tour this July. 

IMCA Modifieds race for at least $3,000 and up to $3,500 to win in three Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying features as the Salute to Veterans tour travels to Clay County Fair Speedway on July 28, Kossuth County Speedway on July 29 and Boone Speedway on July 31.  

IMCA Sunoco Stock Car features pay $2,250 to win at Spencer, $3,500 at Algona and $1,000 at Boone and are B & B Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifiers. Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods race for $1,250 to win at Clay County, $1,500 at Kossuth County and $1,000 at Boone, while IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks run for $1,000 to win the first two nights and for $600 in the finale.

Total purse for the three nights will be more than $85,000 and all feature winners receive custom carved wooden trophies created by Anthony Martin, medically retired Army, from Logs4heroes. 

Veterans and widows of veterans will receive free admission to each race program, plus free meals, free beverages, gifts, can coozies, fans, miniature flags, and $20 gift cards each night.  

“These aren’t just race nights, they are celebrations of our country, veterans, patriots and wounded warriors,” said Jason Becker with Hunting With Heroes. “Our goal is to reach as many veterans as possible by providing great racing, amazingly patriotic environments and by giving over $75,000 in gifts, food, meals, drinks and prizes to our deserving Veterans.”  

Pre-race activities begin at 4 p.m. each night with a fan zone, live music, giveaways and complimentary meals for veterans. live national anthems, and recognition of veterans and law enforcement personnel. 

Sixty-plus veterans will be selected at random each night and paired with drivers in Salute to Veterans feature events that make them eligible to win a variety of grand prizes, including guns, tools and premium meats.  

Salute to Veterans themed cars of Jared Boumeester, Colby Fett, Jeff Larson, Nick Meyer, Loren Pesicka, Cam Reimers, Todd Shute, Kelly Shryock and David Smith will be on display before they’re on the track each night as well. 

Hot laps are at 7 p.m. with racing to follow at Spencer and Algona. Boone hot laps at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. 

Hunting With Heroes is a volunteer-run 501C3 charitable organization that has served thousands of local and visiting veterans in its 11 years of existence, many of whom were injured while serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. The Salute to Veterans race got its start with a single event and one patriotic car at the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona four years ago, and has expanded this highly successful event to a three-race tour to mark the fifth anniversary. 

Find more information about the event and charity at https://www.facebook.com/huntingwithheroes