BOONE, Iowa — One almost feels sorry for Dallon Murty and Zack VanderBeek because they missed the great battles for transfer spots behind them.
Both Murty and VanderBeek led start to finish in fast and furious Modified qualifying features Thursday night at Boone Speedway. Middle row starting spots in Saturday’s IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s Big Dance were at stake and top four finishing spots at a premium.
The first qualifier ran green the last 10 circuits and Murty took the checkers ahead of Jake McBirnie, winner of the B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational earlier in the program, Chris Abelson and Kollin Hibdon.
VanderBeek was equally impressive in topping the nightcap, ahead of Jeremy Mills, 12th starting Ricky Alvarado and Johnny Whitman.
“We hadn’t had the best of luck this week,” said two-time Super Nationals Stock Car champion Murty. “I had a good run here a couple weeks ago so I came in with a lot of confidence but the stars aligned to put something together here.”
On the outside looking in when that feature was scored were defending champion Tim Ward in fifth, 2007 champion Todd Shute in sixth and 2018 champion Jeff Aikey in eighth.
VanderBeek was first pursued by Whitman, then by Mills the last 15 laps before taking his win. Alvarado raced his way into the top four before midway.
“We were in the right place at the right time. The car felt really good and I think we have the right piece for Saturday,” VanderBeek said after starting outside pole and finding the fast line from the get-go. “You had to make sure you stayed in that lane of rubber and not slide out of it and give those guys the opportunity to get around you.”
“This whole deal is so tough. You’ve got be to good and wait for your opportunities,” he added, “and capitalize on them when you do. There are a lot of fast cars that won’s be in the show on Saturday so we’ll count our blessings, thank the good Lord above and carry on.”
Cody Laney ended that race in fifth.
Two more Modifieds ran Thursday, putting that division’s total at 225 and helping nudge the Super Nationals car count record to 1,036.
The complete week of Super Nationals is broadcast by SPEED SPORT.TV affiliate IMCA.TV.
The finishes:
First feature: Dallon Murty, Jake McBirnie, Chris Abelson, Kollin Hibdon, Tim Ward, Todd Shute, Mitchell Hunt, Jeff Aikey, Cody Brill, Cody Leonard, Jeff Larson, Nick Meyer, Justin O’Brien, Ryan Gillmore, JD Auringer, Anthony Roth, Robby Sawyer, Mike Van Genderen, Kaylin Lopez, Jesse Richter, Eddie Belec, Chris Morris, Brandon Leeman, Richie Gustin, Trey Kline, Bryson Yeager, Jacob Snyder, Jed Freiburger, Tim Czarneski, Kyle Brown.
Second feature: Zack VanderBeek, Jeremy Mills, Ricky Alvarado, Johnny Whitman, Cody Laney, Ryan McDaniel, Skyler Woods, Darrell Hughes II, Jeff Reay, Bob Moore, Kyle Robinson, Kyle Heckman, Lucas Lamberies, Brandon Beckendorf, Jeff Stephens, Devon Reed, Johnathon Logue, Grey Ferrando, John Webb, Cory Sample, Dakota Sproul, Tanner Black, Rob Charapata, Jimmy Gustin, Greg Gustus, Braxton Yeager, Curtis Barnes, Cory Sauerman, Jaxon Saathoff.