By Ben Deatherage
BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2026) — Willy Kirk charged from 15th to take the lead late in the second qualifier, while Mike Smith dominated the opener Monday during the first night of Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifying at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway.
Both 25-lap qualifiers set positions in the inside column for Saturday’s Big Dance, with the top four finishers in each locking themselves into the championship feature.
Tony Johnson jumped to the front at the start of the second qualifier and paced the opening circuits before 2024 Independence Motor Speedway track champion Cole Suckow began applying pressure.
Suckow completed the pass for the lead on lap four and started to check out while a spirited battle developed for second. Jacob Tacheny eventually secured the runner-up position before a caution slowed the field on lap nine.
Suckow again pulled away following the restart, but cautions just before the halfway point repeatedly brought the field back to him.
Once an extended green flag run developed, Kirk began making his presence felt. The 2022 National Rookie of the Year and three-time defending South Dakota State champion caught Suckow on lap 17 and immediately challenged for the lead.
Suckow fought to keep the Salix driver behind him, but Kirk edged ahead at the line on lap 19 after starting 15th.
The battle behind Kirk intensified as 2026 Tougher Than Dirt Tour champion Payce Herrera, who started 24th, charged into second on lap 21 just before another caution slowed the field.
Kirk was strong on the restart while Herrera and Suckow fought for the runner-up spot. Kirk took care of business over the remaining circuits to secure the qualifier victory and a starting spot in Saturday’s Big Dance.
Suckow finished second. Johnson originally crossed the line third but was disqualified for a digital tachometer infraction.
That moved Herrera, who charged from 24th, to third. Bill Kirk Memorial winner Caleb Woodard advanced from 28th to fourth, earning the final transfer position into the Big Dance.
Wisconsin’s Cory Kemkes, the 2023 Outagamie Speedway track champion, was credited with fifth.
Lake City, Iowa’s Mike Smith wasted little time taking command of the opening 25-lap qualifier, grabbing the lead on the first circuit and beginning to distance himself from the field. Smith entered the night with an impressive résumé at Boone, having captured the track championship in both 2025 and 2026.
The Lake City driver, who was also last year’s National Rookie of the Year and won the 2026 IMCA TV Clash on the Coast championship, remained firmly in control through the race’s cautions and dominated the remainder of the distance to secure the victory and a spot in the inside column of the Big Dance.
Brett Thomas finished second, while 2019 Sports Park Raceway track champion Hunter Longnecker was third.
Two-time reigning Murray County Speedway track champion Brayden Ahlers of Minnesota finished fourth to claim the final lock-in position.
David Schwartz completed the top five, finishing one spot shy of securing a starting position in Saturday’s Big Dance.
Will Wolf earned hard charger honors after racing from 28th to 10th.
There were 181 Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods in attendance.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Advantage Racing TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 3 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
Mike Smith celebrates in the NAPA Auto Parts Fan Zone after winning a Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod qualifier during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s at Boone Speedway on Sept. 7. The victory earned the Lake City, Iowa driver a starting spot in the inside column of the Big Dance. (Photo by Byron Fichter Fotography)