By Ben Deatherage
BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 5, 2025) – Boone’s Jake McBirnie rebounded from Thursday’s heartbreak to win Friday’s Sunoco IMCA Stock Car Qualifier 5 at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, locking himself into the outside row of Saturday’s Big Dance at Boone Speedway.
Louisiana’s Shawn Graham led the opening circuits before Californian Paul Stone took over on lap 10. Stone, a five-time Merced Speedway track champion including back-to-back Stock Car titles, appeared in control while McBirnie steadily reeled him in aboard the Mike Kennedy-owned no. 822. McBirnie stalked Stone through the middle stages, waiting for a mistake, and got his break on lap 21 when Stone tangled with a lapped car and spun, handing the lead to the Boone driver.
Already a winner of both the NAPA Auto Parts Prelude and B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational earlier in the week, McBirnie survived a green-white-checkered finish after a late pileup and pulled away for the victory.
2006 National champion David Smith finished second, while 2024 Wisconsin State Modified champion Cole Czarneski was awarded third after Dusty Van Horn was disqualified in post-race tech for a shock infraction. Three-time EQ Cylinder Heads Southern Region champion Westin Abbey charged all the way from 30th starting to secure the final transfer in fourth.
Damon Murty of Chelsea charged from 23rd starting to win Qualifier 6, securing his place along with three others on the outside row of Saturday’s Big Dance.
California’s Troy Foulger paced the early laps before cautions on laps three and 10 slowed the field. Foulger, the 2023 California State Stock Car champion, came under pressure from Oregon transplant Dillon Solum but held his ground until lap 16, when Craig Reetz powered around the top to take over.
Reetz, a three-time Friesen Performance IMCA Modified track champion at Shelby County Speedway, was immediately challenged by Murty. The 2005 National Stock Car champion and 2018 Super Nationals winner surged into the lead on lap 18 and quickly checked out.
A three-car battle raged for second in the closing laps, with Foulger edging ahead for runner-up honors, Solum finishing third, and Reetz holding on for the fourth and final transfer spot.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch the replay with a monthly IMCA TV Replay Subscription for $24.99/month, and don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
Jake McBirnie rebounded from Thursday’s heartbreak to win Friday’s fifth Sunoco IMCA Stock Car qualifier at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s on Sept. 5. (Photo by Byron Fichter Fotography)