BOONE, Iowa – Johnathon Logue and Brett Berry claimed front row starting spots for the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s Northern sportmod finale with qualifier wins Wednesday night at Boone Speedway.
The top-eight finishers from the first of the two qualifiers run Wednesday will fill the middle row for Saturday’s feature, while the first eight across the finish line in the second qualifier earned starting positions in the outside row for the championship feature.
In the first 25-lap Northern sportmod qualifier, Logan Anderson led the field to the green flag and pulled into the lead in the first corner. However, the caution flag waved before the lap could be completed for two cars stopped in turn one.
A complete restart followed, but Anderson was again able to pull into the lead as the field roared into turn one. Anderson quickly caught the tail of the field and began the process of lapping cars.
The red flag was displayed with 18 laps left when Justin Bell nearly flipped his car in turn two. Bell was unhurt in the incident, but his car needed to be towed from the racing surface.
Anderson maintained his lead on the restart, but the field only completed a lap before the caution flag waved again for an incident in turn two. At that point Logue, who started seventh, had made his way up to third.
When racing resumed Logue made his move, going from third to first by the time the field rocketed into turn three. Once in front Logue quickly stretched his lead, pulling away from the pack and quickly catching the tail of the field.
One final caution with four laps left couldn’t slow Logue down as he led the remainder of the race to earn a front row starting position in Saturday’s championship finale.
“Hats off to my pit crew guys. They just bust their butts on this thing,” said Logue, the defending Super Nationals champion in the Northern sportmod class. “The track conditions, I mean what can you do? I just can’t thank Boone Speedway enough and IMCA. Everyone involved that made this thing happen.”
Others earning starting positions in Saturday’s finale from the first qualifier included Steve Clancy, Anderson, Ben Chapman, Alec Fett, Bo Partain, Brian Baker and Brent Curran.
The second qualifier was a caution plagued affair, with the first caution flag waving for an incident in turn one after one lap was completed. Polesitter Ty Rogers held the lead at that point with Berry hot on his heels during the ensuing restart.
Berry moved to the outside entering turn one on the third circuit and was able to get alongside Rogers. Berry completed the pass coming out of turn four to take the lead. The caution flag soon followed for a multi-car incident in turns one and two.
After the first attempt at a restart ended with cars spun in turn four before getting to the start/finish line, the next restart was made single file. Berry took full advantage to jump into the lead, but behind him Tony Olson had moved into second after starting 12th
Another caution waved laps left for a multi-car incident in turn four. During the restart Olson dove to the bottom under Berry to challenge for the lead, but Berry held the position via the momentum on the top.
Olson tried again to challenge Berry as they battled through traffic with 12 laps left, but Berry held off every challenge. Cautions with eight laps left and six laps left didn’t change the outcome as Berry held on to win the qualifier and earn a front row starting spot for Saturday’s feature.
“I saw him (Olson) about every lap and I know he’s good. I’ve watched him since I was a kid,” Berry said. “It’s crazy. I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”
Joining Berry in Saturday’s finale from Wednesday’s finale Northern sportmod qualifier are Olson, Rogers, Josh Sink, Tim Eaton (from 20th), Tim Stallbaumer, Travis Burger and Charlie Stevens.
The finishes:
First Qualifier: Johnathon Logue, Steve Clancy, Logan Anderson, Ben Chapman, Alec Fett, Bo Partain, Brian Baker, Brent Curran, Austin Schrage, Cma Reimers, Colton Nelson, Tyler Watts, Chris Wright, Brian Schrage, Jason Roth, Joey Klemish, Carter VanDenBerg, Tyler Sobiesczyk, Rocky Caudle, Curtis Veber, Brandon Tharp, Ryan Leeman, Jared Whiting, Kamren Gruber, Justin Bell, Dale Ricks Jr., Chris Frisbie, Jake Hagemann.
Second Qualifier: Brett Berry, Tony Olson, Ty Rogers, Josh Sink, Tim Eaton, Tim Stallbaumer, Travis Burger, Charlie Stevens, Adam Birck, Jared Boumeester, Doug Cook, Chad Shaw, Guy Ahlwardt, Mike Adam, Chad Ryerson, Josh Most, Dylan VanWyk, Adam Vrbka, Hunter Longnecker, Jim Gillenwater, Cole Suckow, Tyler Soppe, Zach Davis, Jeff Lloyd, Brett Thomas, Zech Norgaard, Cole Haddix, Cory Pestotnik, Lee Horky.
All six nights of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s on Sept. 7-12 will be broadcast live via SPEED SPORT TV affiliate IMCA.TV.