By Joyce Eisele
BOONE, Iowa (July 24) – It was Christmas in July at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night and Santa himself was there to greet the youngsters. Christmas music filled the air and decorations were around every corner. However, the 90 degree temperatures didn’t feel like the holiday season!
The IMCA STARS Mod Lites kicked off feature racing. At the end of the 15-lap race, it was Mike Kennedy standing in victory lane for the third time this season. Kennedy started 10th and ran down leader Cory Sonner by lap eight, but it wasn’t until that final lap that he was able to make the pass in turn two and go home to secure the win. Sonner had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to fifteenth place starter Joe Glick, who was hard charger of the race.
The Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods were up next for their main event. Bryan Johnson led the field to green and took command. Brett Vanderheiden came calling and took over the number one spot on lap seven but it was short lived. By lap nine the leader was 10th place starter Cam Reimers who had taken advantage of several yellow flag restarts to move his way forward.
When Reimers got that lead established, it was all his from there on out, taking the checkers and his second win of the season. Eleventh place starter Izac Mallicoat tried his best to run down Reimers, but could do no better than second. Third went to Ryan Leeman.
Earlier in the evening, the Northern SportMods ran a Dash for Cash race with the top four in points, plus top finishers in the evening’s heats vying for the $400 prize. Vanderheiden took the win in the 12-lap race.
The IMCA Modifieds went 20 laps for their feature event. Paul Nagle was looking strong as he led from the start. Meanwhile, Jake McBirnie began his quest, moving through the field from starting 12th and into second by lap eight. Nagle held off McBirnie until lap 13, when McBirnie took over the top spot, and then was able to pull away in the final laps and win by nearly a straightaway.
Nagle took second and third went to Nick Roberts.
The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars ran their 20-lap feature next. Scott Davis took over the lead from Ty Hill at lap six. Then all eyes were on the no. 8 of David Smith as he flew along on the topside, mastering the rim of the track as he began to run down the leader. He got the job done with a handful of laps remaining and then went home to the flying checkers and the win.
Brother Devin Smith started 12th and got by Davis in the closing moments as they went second and third, respectively.
Pole sitter Skylar Pruitt jumped to the immediate lead in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock main event. By lap five, it was eighth place starter Eric Stanton charging to the lead, never to give it up. Stanton went on to take the flying checkers and making it win number five for the year.
Young Mike Smith took second after starting 14th and third went to Chad Rigby.
Next Saturday, July 31, will be Salute to Veterans night at the races. This will be the third of a three race series that includes the Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer on July 28, and the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona on July 29. Grandstands will open at 4 p.m. for the festivities. Hot laps are 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.