BOONE, Iowa — Riley Clem’s first Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lite win of the season came in April at Boone Speedway.
His biggest win of 2024 and of his career in the class came Sunday night at the same location, in the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s main event.
Clem inherited the front spot when leader Dillon Raffurty was unable to answer the call following a red flag delay midway through the 30-lapper, then ran unchallenged the last 15 times around the track, beating Jon Padilla to the checkers by three-plus seconds.
“It was as a great night for sure,” said Clem, a first-time qualifier for the Big Dance and $2,000 richer for his efforts. “I don’t know what happened to (Dillon) but I think we would have had a pretty good run for sure.”
A record 78 Mod Lites vied in the division’s fourth appearance on the card at Super Nationals. Native Californian and Tennessee transplant Clem became the second straight champion from the Volunteer State.
His second-place finish was the third in a row for Padilla, winner of the race of champions earlier in the Sunday program. Johnny Brown won the final qualifying feature and finished third; Jaedon McDowell and Justin Williams completed the top five.
Brown led the first three laps before Raffurty took the high line around him. Clem settled into second after a lap 10 restart.
The race was halted following a two-car tangle on lap 15. Mechanical issues would later deny Raffurty’s bid for a career third Super Nationals crown, putting Clem at the point for the restart.
A pair of New York drivers impressed with their respective plus-19 charges toward the front, Joe Isabell ending in seventh and Kyle Demo in eighth.
Both Saturday and Sunday NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude programs and the entire week of Super Nationals will be broadcast by SPEED SPORT.tv affiliate IMCA.tv.