boonespeedway Archives

Salute To Veterans Tour Returns for 2025 with Three July Stops in Iowa

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jun. 27, 2025) — One of IMCA’s most meaningful racing traditions returns for 2025 as the Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Tour powered by Performance Bodies & Parts makes its way through three Iowa tracks this July. Now in its fifth year visiting multiple venues and originally launched in 2017, this year’s tour heads to Clay County Fair Speedway in Spencer on Wednesday, July 23; Kossuth County Speedway in Algona on Thursday, July 24; and Boone Speedway on Saturday, July 26. Each night will showcase Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars, Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern Sport Mods, and Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. Twelve cars—three in each division—will be wrapped in tribute themes that range from honoring military branches to highlighting specific conflicts and events. All 12 wraps will be unveiled through on the Hunting with Heroes Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/huntingwithheroes) on Wednesday, July 23rd, and can be seen before each night’s program in the fan zones where fans can interact with drivers and Veterans alike. “We are always hyper [Read More]

Gustin Grabs Three Wins in One Night at Boone

By Coty Mallicoat BOONE, Iowa (Jun. 21, 2025) — Boone Speedway delivered a jam-packed doubleheader with 188 racecars in the pits for Farley Tire Smackdown and Hawkeye Challenge night. Rain had postponed the June 14 Smackdown program, setting up a rare two-show Saturday — and Jimmy Gustin stole the spotlight with a sweep of three feature victories across two classes. In the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified makeup feature, Gustin jumped from the second row and never looked back. The veteran driver fended off strong runs by Greg Elliott and Trevor Fitz. It was Gustin’s first Modified win of 2025 in the Razor Chassis North Central Region. Switching machines in the infield, Gustin returned for the makeup Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main and wheeled from seventh to the lead. Doug Smith and Devin Smith challenged lap after lap, but Gustin stood tall. The Stock Car finale might have been the race of the night. Jeff Mueller led early with Jay Schmidt in pursuit, but Gustin charged from 12th to the lead as the laps wound down. Jake [Read More]

Harris Clash Postponed to August 5 Due to Weather Forecast

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (Jun. 23, 2025 ) — Due to a gloomy weather forecast, officials have announced that the Harris Clash, originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, at Boone Speedway, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 5. Bob Harris, Boone Speedway staff, and IMCA officials made the decision to help teams save money by avoiding unnecessary travel. The early announcement gives teams time to adjust their plans and refocus for the new date. In light of the schedule change, IMCA officials have also begun working on the return of Iowa Speedweek, with further details on dates and participating tracks to be announced soon.

Skylar Pruitt: From the Horn of Africa to Victory Lane at Stuart

By Ben Deatherage STUART, Iowa (Jun. 13, 2025) — In a town of just 1,700 nestled along Interstate 80, Skylar Pruitt’s story is one of grit, devotion, and second chances. Born and raised in Stuart, Pruitt now races Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks at Stuart International Speedway — the same track his family has been tied to since the late 1970s. But the road that brought him back to the driver’s seat wasn’t a straight one. Racing Blood and a Restart “My family has lived in Stuart or the area our whole lives,” Pruitt said. “They started racing I don’t know when — late ‘70s, early ‘80s — and the bloodline just stayed with me.” He grew up going to the track with his dad Curtis and grandfather Ted. His first taste of speed came on two wheels, not four. “My dad bought me my first dirt bike when I was three. We ran them for a while and then got out of that. I had a full ride with a company, but they went out of [Read More]

Padilla Claims Second Career Cornbelt Clash Crown

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 28, 2025) — Jon Padilla returned to the top of the podium in Cornbelt Clash competition, capturing his second career championship in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites tour following three action-packed nights of racing across central Iowa. The Silvis, Illinois, racer showed consistency and resilience across the May mini-series. He started the week with a sixth-place run at Marshalltown Speedway, surged to victory in round two at Boone Speedway, and sealed the title with a runner-up finish in the finale at Stuart Speedway. The strong results earned Padilla the most points across the three-night swing and another Cornbelt Clash trophy to add to his resume. Austin Gray of Story City, Iowa gave chase throughout the week and finished second in the standings. Gray finished fourth at the opener, ran second to Padilla at Boone, and came home fifth at Stuart. Adel, Iowa’s Colby Oberembt claimed third in the overall standings. He opened the week with a strong third-place finish at MoTown, slipped to eighth at Boone, but rebounded [Read More]

Harris Clash Returns to Boone Speedway for 34th Running on June 24

By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (May 27, 2025) — A tradition unlike any other in IMCA racing makes its long-awaited return to Boone Speedway as the 34th annual Harris Clash presented by Wehr’s Machine & Racing Products is set for Tuesday, June 24. This marks the first time the event has been held at Boone since 1994 and its first appearance in Iowa since 2017. The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods will once again headline the single-day showcase, with the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars making their much-anticipated debut on the Clash card. The prestigious event holds the distinction of being IMCA’s longest-running single-day special, first contested in 1992. “We’ve really put together a number of changes,” said event founder Bob Harris. “Deer Creek Speedway was an awesome facility, but we took a look at moving the event back to Central Iowa. Boone was the right fit. We were there in 1994 and, as everyone knows, it puts on some pretty darn good racing and runs a fast show.” One of the [Read More]

Laney 2-for-2 in 2025 Modified Anniversary Races

By Coty Mallicoat BOONE, Iowa (May 24, 2025) — The 46th Anniversary $2,000-to-win Friesen Performance IMCA Modified main event at ‘Iowa’s Action Track’ Boone Speedway doubled as a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifier, and Cody Laney wasted no time putting on a clinic. The Torrance, Calif., driver powered past Jeremy Mills at the drop of the green and once again attacked the cushion with precision to keep his No. 5 machine in command. The Friday winner at Marshalltown, Laney made it back-to-back wins in the Razor Chassis North Central Region and added his name to the eligibility list to try and qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational at the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Mills followed in second while Jake McBirnie rallied from 10th to grab third. Smith Scores Career Win No. 199 in Stock Car Thriller Veteran racer Kevin Opheim set the tone early in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, ripping the lip to establish a commanding lead. But it didn’t stay that way for long. Lake City’s [Read More]

Burke Charges Top Shelf for First Boone Win Since 2023

By Coty Mallicoat BOONE, Iowa (May 17, 2025) — The Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods delivered the most thrilling battle of the night at Boone Speedway. California’s Braden Claborn jumped to the early advantage, steadily working the bottom of the track while leading the field. But the spotlight shifted to Altoona’s Chris Burke, who rim-rode the cushion and reeled Claborn in after starting five spots back. With a handful of laps left, Burke powered around the outside and into the lead. A late caution bunched the pack, but Burke was flawless on the restart to grab his first win at Boone since 2023. Cory Pestotnik got by Claborn for second, while Claborn settled for third. Schmidt Storms from 12th to Capture Stock Car Win The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car main saw veteran Jay Schmidt rebound from a rough Friday night flip to claim his first EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region win of 2025. Schmidt, who started 12th, made quick work of the field and moved into the top three in short order. He then powered past [Read More]

Three-Night Corn Belt Clash Brings Big Payouts for Mod Lites Across Iowa

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 15, 2025) — The Corn Belt Clash returns with three straight nights of intense Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite action, kicking off on Friday, May 23 at Marshalltown Speedway, continuing Saturday at Boone Speedway, and wrapping up Sunday at Stuart Speedway. “This event has become a staple for Mod Lites,” said Jimmy May, Mod Lite Director. “It’s the fifth year under IMCA, and it’s a great opportunity for drivers to compete at multiple tracks over one weekend while chasing a solid point fund.” Drivers will battle for $500 to win each night with $100 to start. In addition, the Top 20 in overall Clash points will each receive $350, thanks to the generous support of Vessco, Superior Race Cars, and several anonymous sponsors. Peak Decals will provide the big checks for each night’s winners, while Weekend Performance will give $30 cash to every heat race winner. “This point fund is a big motivator for teams to come out and run the entire weekend,” May added. “With three nights of [Read More]

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Anniversary Races Memorial Day Weekend At Three Iowa Tracks — Marshalltown, Boone, and Benton County

By Ben Deatherage VINTON, Iowa (May 14, 2025) — Memorial Day weekend will be a special one in Iowa as three of some of the state’s most prestigious tracks host races to commemorate the 46th Anniversary of Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and the 20th Anniversary of the Karl Chevrolet IMCA Northern SportMods. The weekend kicks off on Friday, May 23 at Marshalltown Speedway, before moving west to Boone Speedway on Saturday night. The action wraps up Sunday at the birthplace of IMCA in Vinton, where Benton County Speedway will host the series finale. Both Friday and Saturday will feature $2,000.00 to win for the IMCA Modifieds and $1,000.00 to win for the IMCA Northern SportMods. On Sunday, the Modifieds will compete for $4,600.00 to win and $400.00 to start, while SportMods will battle for a $2,000.00 top prize and $190.00 to start. “It’s a great honor to keep this Memorial Day tradition going and to recognize the heritage that Benton County Speedway has with the IMCA Modifieds, dating all the way back to 1979,” said [Read More]