BOONE, Iowa — Before champions are crowned during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, America’s Racin’ Vacation begins with one of its most popular traditions as the NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude returns to Boone Speedway on Sept. 5-6.
The 12th annual Prelude once again features two full days of racing, giving competitors one final opportunity to compete at Boone before Super Nationals officially gets underway. The unique Double Down format has become a staple of Prelude weekend, rewarding more drivers while helping accommodate the tremendous car counts that continue to define the event.
Should any division exceed 100 entries, competitors will once again be split into twin feature events, a format introduced in 2023 that has proven successful in handling the massive fields.
Saturday’s program features twin $1,500-to-win Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified features and two $1,000-to-win Sunoco IMCA Stock Car mains. The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts are also on the card, racing for $250 to win.
Sunday shifts the spotlight to the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, competing in twin $750-to-win features, and the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, racing for $400 to win. Like Saturday’s divisions, both classes will be split into twin features should entries exceed 100.
The Prelude has become known for producing memorable performances before Super Nationals week officially begins. Last year, Tim Ward and Jeremy Mills captured the Modified features, Jake McBirnie and Austin Meiners earned Stock Car victories, and Dyllan Bonk claimed the Sport Compact main event before weather forced the cancellation of the SportMod and Hobby Stock features.
Ward has made the Prelude his own in recent years, winning a Modified feature every year from 2021 through 2025 while establishing himself as the event’s most successful driver. McBirnie also turned his Prelude success into an unforgettable Super Nationals week last year, following his Prelude Stock Car victory by capturing the Stock Car Big Dance championship.
The Stealth Racing IMCA Mod Lites will once again conduct their complete Super Nationals program during Prelude weekend, with qualifying heats on Saturday before last chance races, the Race of Champions, and the $2,000-to-win championship feature on Sunday.
All competitors must be pre-registered for Super Nationals to compete in the Prelude.
Pit gates open at 11 a.m. both days, grandstands open at 1 p.m., hot laps begin at 1:30 p.m., and racing starts at 3 p.m. Pit passes are $40, while grandstand admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students ages 6-17.
Both days of the 12th annual NAPA Auto Parts Double Down Prelude, along with the entire Sept. 5-12 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, will be broadcast live on IMCA TV.
