The 2020 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals Fueled by Casey’s is underway and already providing great racing to Boone, Iowa once again. Racing began on Monday and will conclude Saturday night, September 12th. This is the 33rd time the event is held in Boone.
Racing from the IMCA categories will take place. This includes cars in the Hobby Stocks, Stock Cars, SportMods and Modifieds. These drivers from all over will take to the track in Iowa for a week long celebration of their season and to have a chance for the big show on Saturday night.
IMCA Super Nationals
For one week in the middle of Iowa, racers and fans alike flock for the annual IMCA Super Nationals. Drivers from all over the country battle all week long for a chance at the big trophy. It’s one of the hardest events to qualify for. The event is a long week of racing to lock yourself into the Saturday night show. Every time a driver hits the track they are looking for points.
This weekend is bound to be special in Boone. Drivers from all over are trying to get into a feature race on Saturday night. The IMCA Hobby Stocks, Modifieds, Stock Cars and SportMods are looking for positions in the Saturday show each time out. It creates drama and excitement. Anything a racing fan wants, they get it at the Super Nationals and this year will be no different.
After running a typical show, drivers get to clinch spots in the Saturday feature based on their finishing order. These races set the field for the Saturday night show.
A large car count will be on hand for the 38th running of the large grassroots event. On the Saturday before the Super Nationals, Boone Speedway held their Prelude to the Super Nationals race. 412 cars were on hand for the event, largest in Prelude history.
Not only is it a big week for grassroots racing but it is just as important for the town of Boone. Out in the middle of Iowa sits the famed track and when over 500 cars show up for a week long it boosts the economy in the town. During the race season and especially Super Nationals week, Boone’s economy is pumped with millions of dollars into the local economy. This only makes the state of Iowa grow but also the face for the IMCA in Boone.
Racing in Iowa is important and it shows with the Knoxville Nationals and the Super Nationals. Drivers and fans want to come to Iowa. Boone is that site and continues to be for the weekly racers every week.
COVID-19 Changes
Obviously, this year has taken on a different feel and look to the event. With the global pandemic, the stands will be less. Fans generally fill the Boone Speedway each night. This year’s edition will only consist of 50 percent capacity. In addition, many after event activities and fan zone area has been eliminated from this year.
In the IMCA press release about the Super Nationals, the event will not hold activities in the indoor pit area VIP areas, Tiki Hut, daily vendor and VIP sign-in and registration, all fan zone activities, including autograph sessions and post-race events, and all pre-race tech inspection. But just because there isn’t as many off-track activities, it hasn’t slow the on track action.
In a release IMCA President Brett Root stated, “At the end of the day, all the off-track activities are where issues present themselves. From a competitor’s standpoint, we have reduced much of the risk. We are emphasizing to our drivers that we don’t want groups of more than 10 people in a pit area, or people in pit areas where they don’t belong.”
Punching Tickets
Drivers are clinching spots into the big show and many already have. Racing began on Monday for the IMCA Super Nationals. Teams with large haulers and major sponsors are always the favorite. But it’s the story of the little guy that makes the show exciting.
A story like that of SportMod racer Garrett Nelson form Osceola, Iowa. This is Nelson’s third season racing a SportMod and his first ever try at running the Super Nationals. It’s not, however, his first trip to Boone Speedway or the IMCA Super Nationals.
“This event means a lot to me. I’ve been watching it for years and also helped several drivers during this event,” Nelson said. “In my third year racing an IMCA SportMod and finally giving it a shot, making the show means a ton.
“Running on a fraction of a budget as a lot of these guys and making the show makes me proud that I can do as much, if not more. Hopefully people realize that budget racers can have just as good of a chance as anyone else on any given night.”
Nelson was apart of opening night on Monday in Boone and what an evening it was. Monday night, Nelson locked himself into the big show on Saturday night with an 8th place finish in the feature. After starting 25th and working his way through traffic, the young driver clinched a spot in the dance in his very first start in the Super Nationals.
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“I didn’t realize I was in the transfer spot until about 10 laps left when I looked up at scoreboard and saw I was in 8th. Then I knew I had to hit my marks and not mess up,” Nelson said. “Being in the tech tent for the first time was pretty intimidating but when the head official walked over and congratulated me on making the show was a surreal feeling. I never thought I’d make the show in my first year trying.”
Nelson will have a chance come Saturday night to compete for the large check. For him, being a part of this race means so much.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Nelson said about being on the track. “Racing against 162 others cars going for 30 A-Main starting spots is an incredible challenge. With the talent level here, every time you’re on the track you have to be on your A-game and give it all you got every lap.”
Schedules for the Week
Racing gets going again on Wednesday at 2pm when the Stock Cars hit the track. Then more Hobby Stocks and SportMods will be in action looking for more spots in the dance. The final feature of the night will see Modifieds take to the Boone Speedway.
The schedule then shortens on Thursday and Friday. Stock Cars and Modifieds are on track each day and they will set the final few spots of the A-Main to be ran on Saturday night.
Modifieds and Stock Cars will lock in the final six starting spots of the A-Main to open the night. Then it will be a full slate for the Race of Champions event. Following those races will be the A-Mains.
Saturday night, the A-Mains start with Hobby Stock and SportMods. Then following the Race of Champions features the Stock Cars and Modifieds will run their features to close out the 2020 Super Nationals.
More information on the Super Nationals can be found here.
