BOONE, Iowa – The numbers of laps Damon Murty and Dylan Thornton led differed almost as much as possible but both were winners of Friday night IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s Stock Car qualifying features.
2018 Super Nationals champion Murty passed race-long leader Shelby Williams after two late cautions in the first qualifier at Boone Speedway. Thornton, already set to start the Modified main event from the pole, led the distance in the caution-free 25-lap nightcap.
Top four finishers in each feature advance to the outside row of the championship show. Murty’s son Dallon, the defending Super Nationals king, and Kaden Reynolds have already locked in front row starts.
Williams and Murty ran 1-2 the first 24-1/2 laps with Austin Brauner in third much of that distance. The Platte Center, Neb., pilot exited after bringing out the first of those two late yellows with hard-charging Kelly Shryock moving up and into his spot for the restart.
Murty finally saw his opportunity, passing Williams on the backstretch on the final lap. Shryock also got by to complete his run to second from 26th starting. Nick Roberts ran fourth.
“He (Williams) ran a great race. I knew I had to be patient and run the bottom,” said Murty, who will equal the division record with his 17th career main event start. “We’ve had a heck of a career out of this deal. Once I get to 300 (weekly career wins) I might step back and help Dallon.”
Last year’s runner-up Thornton likened his car to a rocket ship after rocketing to the checkers in the second qualifier.
Twelfth starting Chanse Hollatz and Austin Meiners were second and third, respectively. Troy Swearingen beat a host of contenders for the final transfer position.
Shryock became a third-time qualifier and Thornton and Hollatz both two-time qualifiers. Williams, Roberts, Meiners and Swearingen will each start their career first Stock Car Big Dance.
SPEED SPORT.TV affiliate IMCA.TV broadcasts the week of the 40th annual IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.