4/7/2019
Boone Speedway
Boone Speedway Frostbuster Wins to Thornton, Schmidt, Schmitt, Thompson, and Stanton
The Boone Speedway hosted the final edition of the 2019 IMCA Frostbuster specials on Saturday night with a packed pit of 187 race cars. Joining the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, and IMCA Hobby Stocks were the RaceSaver Sprints.
Feature racing began with the IMCA Northern SportMods running their 25-lap main event. Brandon Schmitt, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, made his trip worth while, and took home the $1,000 prize and the Frostbuster win. Schmitt started on the outside pole and immediately grabbed the lead. From then on, he would lead the entire race on his way to victory lane. Hometown driver Jake McBirnie ran second much of the race, but could only follow Schmitt across the finish line a distant runner up. Third went to eighth place starter Hunter Longnecker, fourth was Keokuk, Iowa racer, Daniel Fellows, and Matt Looft came from ninth, to complete the top five.
The RaceSaver Sprints found Tyler Thompson, last year’s track champion, back in the winner’s circle. Thompson lead the 20-lap feature flag to flag on his way to victory. Second went to Mike Houseman, third was Bennet, Nebraska racer Trevor Grossenbacher, fourth went to Mark Vanderheiden, Papillion, Nebraska and yet another Nebraskan, Nathan Weiler out of Lavista, Nebraska rounded out the top five.
There was a stout field of 53 IMCA Modifieds vying for a Frostbuster crown. Their feature event had to be whittled down to a 24-car starting field for their A main. Jimmy Gustin leaped to the lead from his pole starting position, only to have it snatched away by hot shoe Ricky Thornton at lap three. From there on, Thornton motored off to take the easy win, and the $1,000 prize. Gustin held on to finish second, the defending IMCA Super National’s Champion Jeff Aikey, took third, Kyle Brown finished in fourth, and Josh Gilman was fifth.
Forty-seven IMCA Stock Cars came to play for a chance at a Frostbuster win. They also ran a 25-lap feature that was action packed as always in the popular class. Buck Schafroth, Orient, Iowa lead the opening laps, but fifth place starter, Jay Schmidt, defending track champion, had other ideas. Schmidt took command on lap three, and held off the stout field chasing him, taking the feature win. Donavon Smith took the runner up spot, while brother Devin Smith came from twelfth starting spot to capture third place, fourth went to Elijah Zevenbergen, and early leader Buck Schafroth finished fifth.
Capping off the night’s racing was 25-laps of IMCA Hobby Stock action. Eric Stanton started on the pole, and led this final feature from start to finish, pulling away for the easy win. Adam Ayers won the battle with Worthington, Minnesota racer Keeran Sampson, as they went second and third respectively. Daniel Smith took fourth place, and Tim Gonska, Brainerd, Minnesota went home with a fifth place finish.
Next Saturday night, April 13, will be the track points season opener at the Boone Speedway. The IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks and the Mod Lites will be in action. Hot laps are scheduled for 5:45 and the green flag drops at 6:30.
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele