4/20/2024
Boone Speedway
McBirnie, Smith, Pestotnik, Gifford and George See Checkers on Cold Night at Boone Speedway
Boone Speedway held its second weekly racing series on Saturday night, and despite the chilling temperatures, 140 drivers checked in for some racing action. Jake McBirnie saw his first checkers of the 2024 season in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division. It was Doug Smith going to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car class. Cory Pestotnik got the monkey off his back and took the win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods. Veteran racer Wayne Gifford was the winner in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Ben George took the win in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.
The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck and Farm kicked off the feature racing with their 15 lap A Main.
When the race went green, pole sitter Ben George immediately jumped to the lead, and Chelsea Ladurini got a good start and tagged in to run second. Unfortunately, her run was cut short very quickly when she took a tumble in corner 2, and her night ended just after lap one went into the books. Thankfully, she was not injured.
When the race restarted, George maintained his lead, and would then hold on to that top spot the remainder of the way to see the checkers fly. Joe Glick started sixth, liked his run at the top of the track, and got by Austin Gray in the closing laps as they finished second and third respectively. Bryan Zehm was fourth, and Mike Kennedy came from sixteenth starting spot, to finish fifth.
The IMCA SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing saw Cory Pestotnik lead all but the two opening laps on his way to victory.
Pestotnik started eighth, weathered three cautions throughout the race, was never truly challenged and made his way to Victory Lane. Pestotnik's last time standing in the winner's circle at Boone came back in May of 2022 and he was a happy camper to get the monkey off his back. Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson started thirteenth and was the runner up. Finishing third was Ryan Leeman, Dylan VanWyk, Oskaloosa, Iowa started fourteenth, and finished in fourth, and Curtis Veber rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services, went 20 laps for their feature event.
It was appearing as if Nick Roberts would make his first appearance in Victory Lane as he shot off to the lead from his outside front row starting spot, and was looking strong as he led the field. A caution flew at lap ten with Roberts still leading, and Cory Sauerman setting in second. When the race restarted, it was still Roberts leading the troops but just two laps later his night would end in a puff of smoke. This brought out a caution as he was unable to clear the track, and it was Jake McBirnie inheriting the lead. McBirnie never relinquished that top spot, and drove it home to his first win of the 2024 season at the speedway. Tim Ward got by Todd Shute in the closing circuits as they went second and third. Cory Sauerman and Russ Dickerson completed the top five.
Iowa's Action Track saw lots of action in the IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge. "The Class too Tough to Tame" saw a gaggle of cars vying through much of the race for position. Early leader was Brian Snell, Coon Rapids, Iowa with Orient, Iowa's Todd VanEaton taking the top spot at lap four. The two would swap back and forth for the lead the next couple of laps and it was Snell on top when a caution flew at lap six. By this time, Doug Smith, who has switched from his previous SportMod class and into the Stock Car division this year, was sitting in third, and anxious for the restart. When the race went green, Smith went to the topside, and flew around Snell to take the lead. From then on it was all Smith as he was gone and went home to the easy win. Todd VanEaton took second place, David Smith took his ride from twelfth starting spot to finish third, and Cody Gustoff and Bryan Snell rounded out the top five spots.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage, was the night cap in their 15 lap main event.
It was hometown veteran racer, Wayne Gifford taking the win after his absence in 2023. He started eighth, took command at lap three, and never looked back. He finished comfortably ahead of tenth place starter Seth Janssen. Tom Killen, Jr. was a close third, with Erik Knutson in fourth, and John Watson started fourteenth, and finished fifth. After an initial no go at the start of the race, the rest of the race went caution free.
Next Saturday, April 27 will be another night of weekly series racing with the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites on tap. Pits open at 3:30, grandstands at 4:30, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele
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