Tuesday, September 4, 2012

IMCA Supernationals Day #2 Notebook

Day two of the Speedway Motors IMCA Supernationals held in Boone, Iowa got off to a much better start on Tuesday as clear skies graced the facilities.  On the slate would be the last chance qualifying for IMCA hobby stocks, more qualifying for IMCA sportmods, and a complete show for the IMCA sport compacts. 

I was able to witness two and a half of the four qualifying features that were to be run.  The first of those would be the first of two for the IMCA sportmods.  Outside front row starter Austin Moyer got the jump and early lead on the field.  Following an early yellow, youngster Sam Wieben challenged Moyer on the inside as the two raced wheel to wheel for the top spot.  Moyer would regain the advantage a lap later while Ben Kates dove under Nick Carlson for the third spot. 

The second of seven caution periods would come on lap ten of the twenty-five lap race, once again bunching up the field.  Cory Rose, a Boone Speedway regular, was methodically working his way towards the front.  After starting sixteenth, Rose found himself in the top five before the halfway mark of the race.  With nine laps to go and following a restart, Rose took his machine to the top side to make the pass on Wieben for the runner-up position.  A late restart gave Rose one more chance, but it would be Austin Moyer taking the win in the first qualifying feature for the sportmods.  Cory Rose, Ben Kates, Sam Wieben, Tyler Heetland, Brandon Leeman, Nick Carlson, and Kaid Calhoon rounded out the top eight qualifiers for Saturday's main event.

The second feature of the night belonged to the IMCA sport compacts.  I believe it was announced 55 cars were on hand with only thirty of them making the feature, a three-wide start on top of that.  Brad Chandler would take over the top spot on lap two.  This race too would have its share of cautions, with the most important being the third one.  Race leader Brad Chandler appeared to miss a shift on the restart as a few cars scattered to pass him.  Mick Rykhus would inherit the lead with Tyler Whalen taking the second spot after starting 24th.  The fifth and final caution would wave, and on this restart Chandler would begin to make up ground.  Restarting fifth, he would quickly move to third after Rykhus pushed high.  Chandler would duck to the inside of Whalen to snare the second position and begin to reel in new race leader Jacob Ellithorpe.  Ellithorpe was able to maintain a small advantage in the late stages and held on to pick up the thrilling victory.  Chandler settled for second, Rykhus was third, Whalen fourth, and Cameron Meyer rounded out the top five.

The third feature to hit the track was the second IMCA sportmod race.  While I had every intention of staying for it, I decided it was time to go after witnessing six yellow flags and one red flag.  The red flag was displayed when Brian Miller wheel-hopped another car and made contact with Tara Longnecker's machine as they both slammed into the outside wall exiting turn two.  Luckily both drivers were okay and walked away.  When I departed for home Jesse Sobbing was leading.  After a quick glance at the IMCA website, it appears that Nick Roberts made a pass on Sobbing to pick up the win.  Sobbing settled for second, Doug Cook was third, Max Harder fourth, and Troy Jerovitz secured the fifth spot.  Six through eight that qualified for Saturday were Clint Luellen, Josh Legg, and Laini Schwartz. 

An IMCA hobby stock feature was yet to be run when I made my way to my vehicle.  No results have been posted for that event yet. 

Wednesday marks the beginning of qualifying for the IMCA stock cars and modifieds as well as provides sportmod drivers in the top thirty in points accumulated one last chance to qualify for Saturday.  With that said, it's time this guy calls it a night in order to get ready for another action-packed night at the Boone Speedway!

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