BOONE, Iowa — Hard to believe but Jon Padilla believes Boone Speedway isn’t as easy to get around as he made it look.
Padilla led all 12 laps of Sunday’s STARS Mod Lite Race of Champions, cruising to the checkers nearly three seconds ahead of Ed Griggs
“This track is really tricky to get around,” Padilla declared from victory lane. “I’m still trying to get it figured out.”
“With day racing, the track changes so much it’s hard to guess what you’re going to get,” continued the Silvis, Ill., driver, runner-up in both 2022 and 2023 IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s main events as well as last year’s RoC. “We’re going to work on something in the middle for the feature (tonight). I’ve got a lot to move up if I can do anything but I’m going to give it hell.”
Two-time RoC winner Dillon Raffurty raced from 10th in repeating his third place finish from the 2023 Race of Champions. Randy Bryan and Blake Wilson completed the top five.
2024 track, series and state champions or point leaders, and former Super Nationals champions and race of champions winners were eligible to qualify for the 12-lap race.
Night two of the NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude and the week of Super Nationals are broadcast by SPEEDSPORT.tv affiliate IMCA.TV.
Feature Finish (12 Laps)
1. Jon Padilla, Silvis, Ill.; 2. Ed Griggs, Pleasant Hill, Mo.; 3. Dillon Raffurty, Kansas City, Mo.; 4. Randy Bryan, Ames; 5. Blake Wilson, Mabelvale, Ark.; 6. Riley Clem, Wildersville, Tenn.; 7. Joe Glick, Madrid; 8. James Rollins, Arkadelphia, Ark.; 9. Ronnie Choate, Cookesville, Tenn.; 10. Jeromy Wilson, Mabelvale, Ark.; 11. Josh May, Des Moines.