6/15/2024
Boone Speedway
Sauerman Takes First Win of the Season, Smith, Reimers, Knutson, and George Return to Victory Lane
It was Farley's Pre-owned Night at the Boone Speedway Saturday, and despite the gloomy forecast of rain/storms, it was no issue for the racing program. Cory Sauerman in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division, got his first win of the year. Doug Smith took the honors in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars for the second time, and also making return visits to Victory Lane were Cam Reimers in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, Eric Knutson in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Ben George in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.
The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm rolled to the track first for their 15 lap feature event.
Scott Bailey led the troops through the first seven laps of the event, but seventh place starter Ben George had quickly risen to challenge him and was able to take command at lap eight. Cory Sonner was reeling in George when the race was halted on lap twelve when David Bailey went for a tumble in corner four. Thankfully, he was okay, and the racing soon returned to green. George continued his command at the front the rest of the way to the checkers, and sealed his third win of the season. Sonner went second, third went to Scott Bailey, Bryan Zehm was fourth, and Joe Glick completed the top five.
The IMCA SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, had more than its share of cautions, and at the conclusion, was under the time limit.
Zander Keeland, the Bakersfield, California driver who is racing in Iowa this summer, was the early leader of the race, but that all ended when he went for a spin on lap six, bringing out what was already the fourth stoppage of the race. Cam Vincent then inherited the lead for the restart, with Ryan Leeman, Dusty Masolini, and tenth place starter Cam Reimers in tow. Another caution flew at lap eight with Vincent still leading, but now Reimers had taken over second. On the restart, Reimers flew around Vincent and into the lead. The yellow rag was not done flying yet, as on lap thirteen it reared its ugly head once again. Reimers was still holding down the number one position but visitor on the night, and defending Super Nationals champion, Jake Sachau was now running second. At this point, the time limit went into effect, and it was going to be called complete when the next caution flew, or the race was completed. This time, it was green the remaining five laps to the checkers, and Reimers was able to get the victory....his third of the season. Sachau had to be content with second place, Leeman took third, Matt Avila hard charged his way from twenty-sixth (dead last) starting spot to take fourth, and Cam Vincent was fifth. Reimers was also the winner of the King of the Hill contest run earlier in the night.
It was 20 laps of IMCA Modified racing, presented by D & E Outside Services up next.
Greg Elliott, Webster City, Iowa led from the drop of the green and was looking strong when at lap twelve, he lost the handle and went for a spin in corner four, bringing out the yellow. Paul Nagle now took over the top spot for the restart of the race, with Joel Bushore, Cory Sauerman, Russ Dickerson, and Jeremy Mills behind him. Another caution flew on lap fourteen, and on the restart of the race, Cory Sauerman threw a successful "white castle" drive through in corner four, and took over the lead. The final circuits saw Sauerman stretch out his lead, and take the comfortable win as the double checkers flew. Thirteenth place starter, Jake McBirnie made a late race rally and finished in second. Third went to Nagle, veteran racer Russ Dickerson was fourth, and Joel Bushore rounded out the top five. Sauerman came from eleventh starting spot to nab his first feature win of the year.
After seeing so many caution filled races earlier, it was refreshing to find the 20 lap Stock Car feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge, go flag to flag!
The opening laps of the race was led by Alan VanGorp, who returned to the racing scene this year after a hiatus. Then Doug Smith made his appearance quickly after starting eighth, and took over the lead on lap six. It was all Smith's race from there on out, as he pulled away to the comfortable win in the rest of the caution free run to the checkers. Jay Schmidt had a great race, starting fifteenth, and dicing through the pack of cars to take the runner up spot. VanGorp took third in his best run of the year, Bryan Snell was fourth, and the winner's brother, Dave Smith, took fifth after starting back in seventeenth starting spot. This was Doug Smith's second feature win of the year.
The finale of the night was 15 laps of Hobby Stock racing, presented by Pickett Salvage.
Joey Young led the field of cars in the first four circuits of the race, but Eric Knutson had been coming hard on the top of the track, and was able to take command on lap five. Knutson would then weather two cautions and take the win....holding off last week's winner, Braden Gifford at the finish. Seth Butler took third place, followed by Wayne Gifford in fourth, and Tom Killen, Jr. in fifth. This was Knutson's second feature win of the year.
Next Saturday night, June 22, will be another weekly racing series with racing in all five IMCA classes. Pits open at 4:30, grandstands at 5, hot laps are 6, with racing at 7.
Media Credit: Motorsports Photography
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele
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