McBirnie Rallies Late for Boone Salute to Veterans Tour Victory

Feature, Hobby Stock, Mod Lite, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Jake McBirnie celebrates in victory lane after winning the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on the final night of the Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts on July 25 at Boone Speedway. The Boone, Iowa driver earned his third Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season and captured his fourth career Salute to Veterans Tour triumph. (Photo by Icon Images Photography)

By Jane Burd

BOONE, Iowa (July 25, 2026) — Jake McBirnie battled past early leader Chaz Baca Jr. following a pair of late cautions to win Saturday night’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature, closing out the three-night Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts at Boone Speedway.

Baca controlled the opening 20 laps while fending off challenges from McBirnie and Cole Czarneski before trouble struck on lap 21 when Czarneski lost power and was collected by Trevor Fitz, bringing out the first caution of the race. A second yellow followed shortly after when Jeremy Mills spun following contact with Owen Barnhill.

McBirnie capitalized on the ensuing restart, taking command and racing away to the victory.

Joel Rust charged from 16th to finish second, Baca settled for third, Ronn Lauritzen advanced from 21st to fourth to earn hard charger honors, and Todd Shute completed the top five.

The Boone driver earned his third Razor Chassis North Central Region victory of the season, including his second at Boone Speedway. The feature also served as a Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational qualifier, but McBirnie was already on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify for the event at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.

The victory was his fourth career Salute to Veterans Tour triumph, all coming at Boone Speedway, with his most recent tour win there coming in 2024.

Sachau Leads Every Lap in SportMods

Jake Sachau was never challenged in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature, leading all 20 laps for another Salute to Veterans Tour victory.

The race was halted by a red flag after the opening lap when Tony Olson flipped following contact on the frontstretch. Olson and the other drivers involved were uninjured.

Following the restart, Sachau quickly established control while Caleb Woodard and Mike Smith battled for second until both encountered problems late, allowing Payce Herrera to move into the runner-up position.

Herrera finished second ahead of Smith, Woodard, and Trevor Noonan. Dayton Swatek earned hard charger honors after advancing from 24th to eighth.

Sachau’s victory was his 13th of the season, sixth at Boone Speedway and third Salute to Veterans Tour triumph of 2026, including his second straight Boone tour victory after also winning earlier in the week at Spencer.

Gustin Cruises to First Tour Win

Jimmy Gustin grabbed the lead after the opening three laps of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature and never looked back.

John Oliver Jr. finished second, Kaden Reynolds crossed the stripe third, Blake Lehman was fourth, and Devin Smith advanced from 12th to fifth to earn hard charger honors.

The Marshalltown driver collected his sixth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, fourth at Boone Speedway, and first career Salute to Veterans Tour triumph.

The feature also served as a B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Stock Car Invitational qualifier, earning Gustin eligibility to attempt to qualify for the event at the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in September.

Knutson Collects Hobby Stock Victory

Eric Knutson took over the lead on lap six and went on to capture the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.

Andrew Burg finished second ahead of Keith Burg, while Dylan Nelson charged from 18th to fourth to earn hard charger honors. Seth Butler completed the top five.

Knutson’s victory was his ninth B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region win of 2026, sixth at Boone Speedway and first career Salute to Veterans Tour victory.

Gray Charges to Mod Lite Win

Austin Gray raced from eighth to the front to capture the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature.

Bryan Zehm finished second, Josh May was third, Colby Oberembt fourth and Garrison Anderson rounded out the top five.

The Story City driver earned his fifth victory of the season and fourth at Boone Speedway in 2026.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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