Pestotnik, Gifford among IMCA winners at Boone

Hobby Stock, Mod Lite, Modified, Northern SportMod, Results, Stock Car

Cory Pestotnik returned to victory lane at Boone Speedway Saturday night, following his impressive run to the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod checkers. (Photo by Bruce Badgley, Motorsports Photography)

By Joyce Eisele

BOONE, Iowa (April 20, 2024) – Boone Speedway held its second weekly racing series on Saturday night, and despite the chilling temperatures, 140 drivers checked in for racing action.

Jake McBirnie saw his first checkers of the 2024 season in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds. It was Doug Smith going to victory lane in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Cory Pestotnik got the monkey off his back and took the win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods. Veteran Wayne Gifford was the winner in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Ben George took the win in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites.

Mod Lites kicked off feature racing with their 15 lap “A” main.

When the race went green, pole sitter George immediately jumped to the lead while Chelsea Ladurini got a good start and tagged in to run second. Unfortunately, her run was cut short very quickly when she took a tumble in corner two and her night ended just after lap one went into the books.

When the race restarted, George maintained his lead and held onto the top spot the remainder of the way to see the checkers fly. Joe Glick started sixth, liked his run at the top of the track, and got by Austin Gray in the closing laps as they finished second and third, respectively.

The SportMod 18-lap feature saw Pestotnik lead all but the two opening laps on his way to victory. 

Pestotnik started eighth, weathered three cautions throughout the race, was never truly challenged and made his way to victory lane. Pestotnik’s last time standing in the winner’s circle at Boone came back in May of 2022 and he was understandably a happy camper.

Logan Anderson started 13th and was the runner-up. Finishing third was Ryan Leeman.

Modifieds went 20 laps for their feature event. 

It appeared as if Nick Roberts would make his first appearance in victory lane as he shot off to the lead from his outside front row starting spot. Caution flew at lap 10 with Roberts still leading and Cory Sauerman setting in second.

When the race restarted, it was still Roberts leading the troops but just two laps later his night would end in a puff of smoke. This brought out another caution as he was unable to clear the track and it was McBirnie inheriting the lead.

McBirnie never relinquished that top spot and drove it home to his first win of the 2024 season at the speedway. Tim Ward got by Todd Shute in the closing circuits as they went second and third.

Iowa’s Action Track saw lots of action in the Stock Car 20-lap feature. The Class too Tough to Tame saw a gaggle of cars vying through much of the race for position. Early leader was Brian Snell with Todd VanEaton taking the top spot at lap four.

The two swapped back and forth for the lead the next couple of laps and it was Snell on top when a caution flew at lap six. By this time Smith was sitting in third and anxious for the restart.

When the race went green, Smith went to the topside and flew around Snell to take the lead. From then on it was all Smith as he was gone and went home to the easy win. VanEaton took second place and David Smith took his ride from 12th starting to third.  

Hobby Stocks were the nightcap in their 15-lap main event.

It was hometown racer Gifford taking the win after his absence in 2023.  He started eighth, took command at lap three, and never looked back. He finished comfortably ahead of 10th place starter Seth Janssen. Tom Killen Jr. was a close third.

After an initial no-go at the start of the race, the rest of the race went caution free. 

Veteran Wayne Gifford prevailed in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature on a chilly Saturday night at Boone Speedway. (Photo by Bruce Badgley, Motorsports Photography)

Saturday, April 27 will be another night of IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing with the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Mod Lites on tap. Pits open at 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 5 p.m. and racing at 6 p.m.  

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