4/13/2024
Boone Speedway
Alvarado claims season opener, along with Opheim, Reimers, Smith, and Clem
Boone Speedway began its regular Saturday series of racing on Saturday night, marking the 57th consecutive year at Iowa's Action Track. Out of state drivers claimed two of the opening points night victories, Colorado's Ricky Alvarado in the IMCA Modified, and Riley Clem, who hails from California in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. A veteran racer in the IMCA Stock Cars, Kevin Opheim found Victory Lane, as did Cam Reimers in the IMCA Northern SportMod class, and young Mike Smith continues to amaze in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. One hundred fifty-two racers checked in for the fun filled night of racing.
Things kicked off with the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, presented by Car Quest Auto, Truck and Farm and their 15 lap main event. As the race went green, it was Josh May holding down the top spot, but that didn't last long as Riley Clem, Bakersfield, California took over at lap three. From there on, it was Clem's race as he raced home to the checkers with hardly a challenge. There was a lot of action going on behind him however, as May, Bryan Zehm, Murfreesboro, Tennessee racer Jaedon McDowell, and Austin Gray were locked in a tight battle for position. With just two laps remaining, May was suddenly off power and out of the challenge, leaving the others to battle it out. As the checkers flew, it was Clem taking the easy win, Gray came home in second, third went to Bryan Zehm, McDowell was fourth, and Joe Glick came from eleventh starting spot, to claim third.
The IMCA Friesen Performance SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing, went 18 laps for their A Main. Cam Reimers started eleventh on the field, avoided some on track incidents, and reeled in then leader Hunter Longnecker, and took command with six laps to go. Reimers hung out on the top of the track in the final circuits and pulled away to take the comfortable win. Following a distant second place was Minot, North Dakota's Robby Rosselli. Cole Fenske started eighth, and took third place. Hunter Longnecker, Woodward, Iowa was third, followed by early leader Mitch Morris, St. Charles, Iowa in fifth.
It was looking as if Texas racer Tommy Fain, who hails from Abilene, was going to get a win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock car feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge. He led through halfway of the 20 lap event, as he continued to hold off the hard charging Jeff Mueller. Mueller was able to nab the lead at lap twelve just before a caution flew. On the restart, cars got shuffled around as the race returned to green, Mueller holding the lead, and now veteran racer Kevin Opheim was on the scene, and running second. Lap 15 saw Opheim take command and hold on the last handful of laps to see the checkers first. David Smith, got by Mueller in the closing laps as they went second and third respectively. Buck Schafroth, Orient, Iowa, was fourth, and Miciah Hidlebaugh, Menlo, Iowa came from thirteenth to finish fifth.
It was 20 laps of IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature racing, presented by D & E Outside Services up next.
Jake McBirnie grabbed the lead on the start, holding off Hotchkiss, Colorado's Ricky Alvarado in his WW1 Weekend Warrior ride. By the time lap two was in the books, Alvarado had the lead. From there on to the finish, he would would ride the precariously thin line at the rim of the track, and come home to the win. Tim Ward, started twelfth, chased the leader in the closing laps but had to settle for second place. Third went to Boone's own Izac Mallicoat, fourth was Jake McBirnie, and "Jammin" Jimmy Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa completed the top five.
The night cap was 15 laps of IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock racing, presented by Pickett Salvage.
Eric Stanton looked strong as he led from the get go, jumping to the immediate lead from starting on the outside front row. Solomon Bennett chased the leader but by lap five it was twelfth place starter, Mike Smith making his presence known and on Bennett's tail. At lap eight, Smith got around Bennett, and set his sights on the leader. One more lap, and the lead was Smith's. The final laps were all Smith as he sailed home to yet another of his numerous wins at the track. Stanton took the runner up spot. A distant third went to eleventh place starter Seth Butler, fourth to Seth Janssen, and Bennett fell back to finish fifth.
Next Saturday night will be another regular weekly racing series with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites on tap. Pits open at 3:30, grandstand at 4:30, hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele
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