Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Archives

Dream comes true for qualifying feature winner Efkamp

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 5) – When Brian Efkamp takes the green flag for the final time in his racing career Saturday night, he’ll do so from the middle of the front row of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championship race for Northern SportMods. Efkamp, from Ankeny, won the first of two qualifying features during the Tuesday evening program at Boone Speedway. He had started sixth, took over the front spot when leader Justin Addison got into the back stretch wall, then held onto the point through a series of cautions that slowed the 25-lapper. Tyler Soppe of Sherrill and Tony Olson of Cedar Rapids headed the pursuit but had to settle for second and third, respectively. “I can’t believe it. This is just a dream come true,” Efkamp said during the post-race interview, admitting that his thoughts turned to family during caution periods and adding that winning the final race of his career on Saturday would be another dream come true. Efkamp was IMCA’s national Stock Car champion in 1989. He’ll [Read More]

There’s no keeping up with Jones in race for Super Nationals Sport Compact crown

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 5) – After failing to qualify for the main event in his first IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s outing last September, Devin Jones returned to Boone Speedway with a chip on his shoulder. He went home with the championship trophy and a check for $250. “It’s almost unreal,” said Jones, who passed long-time leader Barry Taft on the backstretch with two circuits left in the 25-lapper and then led to the Tuesday night checkers. “It took me a while to find the right line but once I did, that’s where I was going.” Taft had started outside the third row, eked ahead briefly following an early restart and passed Mitchell Bielenberg for good just before midway. The 10th starting Jones was up to third by lap 15 and found himself running second when the 16th lap was scored. It was a two-car race for the crown with five laps left. “I kind of followed him for a bit before I thought ‘This was the lap,’” Jones said. “I passed [Read More]

Brandon Esparza

Phoenix, Ariz., driver Brandon Esparza makes more than his Super Nationals debut during Tuesday’s Sport Compact program at Boone. He’ll be racing for the first time in any class. Buddy and IMCA Modified driver John Parmeley built the car for Esparza, who was on the crew that came to Super Nationals last year. “I told him I was jealous and wanted to race, too,” Esparza said. “John built this car a couple months ago and when we picked it up I was thinking it was for someone else. Then John told me it was mine for Boone.” He’d practiced at ET Motorsports Park in his home state before getting in Sunday and Monday hot laps at Boone. “This is an inexpensive class to get started in. It’s been a fun experience,” said Esparza, particularly encouraged by his second hot lap outing. “I realize I’m a long shot but I want to have fun.” He’s already given thought to selling this car and applying the proceeds to an IMCA Hobby Stock next season.

Sport Compact champion crowned tonight

BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 5) – The first champion of the 35th annual IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s will be crowned this evening, as Sport Compacts take the Tuesday stage at Boone Speedway. A pair of qualifying features for Northern SportMods determine the front eight cars in both the middle and outside rows of Saturday’s championship night starting grid. A single qualifier for the Hobby Stocks sets the first eight cars on the outside row of the big show on Saturday. In addition to the Sport Compact program, heats, qualifying features and “B races for Hobby Stocks and Northern SportMods, hot laps are on the schedule for Modifieds and Stock Cars. Qualifying for both Mods and Stocks begins Wednesday. * The wrap on the opening night program at Super Nationals: 59 races totaling 515 laps were completed at 10:30 p.m.

Tuesday Schedule of Events

DRIVERS MEETING – 1 pm TRACK PREP (Northern SportMod Best Appearing Cars on display in Fan Zone) FIRST RACE – 2 pm SPORT COMPACT HOT LAPS (0 to 49) 10 – SPORTMOD HEATS (8 laps) TRACK PREP SPORT COMPACT HOT LAPS (50 & ABOVE) 10 – SPORTMOD HEATS (8 laps) TRACK PREP MODIFIED HOT LAPS (90 & ABOVE) 10 – SPORT COMPACT HEATS (6 laps) TRACK PREP MODIFIED HOT LAPS (89 to 60) 10 – HOBBY STOCK HEATS (8 laps) TRACK PREP (Monday Hobby Stock/SportMod winners in Fan Zone) MODIFIED HOT LAPS (59 to 30) 5 – SPORT COMPACT B’s (8 laps) SPORTMOD “A1” (25 laps) TRACK PREP MODIFIED HOT LAPS (29 to 0) 4 – HOBBY STOCK HEATS (8 laps) SPORT COMPACT “A” (25 laps) TRACK PREP STOCK CAR HOT LAPS (50 & ABOVE) 4 – SPORTMOD B’s (8 laps) SPORTMOD “A2” (25 laps) TRACK PREP STOCK CAR HOT LAPS (49 to 0) 2 – HOBBY STOCK B’s (8 laps) HOBBY STOCK “A” (25 laps) 5 [Read More]

Casey’s wristbands can be redeemed for fountain drink

BOONE, Iowa – Both week-long and Saturday-only Casey’s General Store pit admission wristbands can be redeemed for a 32 ounce fountain drink on the way home from the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. The offer is good at any participating Casey’s between Sept. 10-16. Casey’s is the official convenience store of IMCA and presenting sponsor of Super Nationals.

IMCA focused on best event in Super Nationals history

BOONE, Iowa – Drivers and fans won’t see a lot of changes in the facility or the format when they pull into Boone Speedway for the Sept. 4-9 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. And IMCA President Brett Root believes that’s a good thing. “There are no race night changes. There were no major changes to the speedway since last year’s Super Nationals. This year we can focus on logistics and putting on the best event possible,” he said. “We are positioned to putting on the best event in the 35-year history of Super Nationals.” Southern SportMods joined the opening night card when they were added to the program last year and the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models moved to Thursday. The pit area and hot pit viewing area have been expanded, with new spectator seating added on both sides of the track in recent seasons. With those improvements in place, Root and all of the IMCA Racing nation are next hoping for a more weather-friendly event this September. “Weather is always [Read More]