I kicked off 2010 with a visit to the Boone Speedway for their annual Frost Buster. Temperature-wise, we were far from frost. As I entered the infield off of the backstretch, I felt like I was still there attending Super Nationals - it must have been a combination of the weather and the car count (over 160). The only drawback to the day was the constant wind that was blowing. Fortunately for the fans in the main grandstand, the wind was at their back, so the dust was blowing out. The wind did make it seem colder than it actually was though.
I mention dust, but I'm not going there as a form of a complaint. I thought the drivers and the track staff handled the conditions to the best of their ability. I have heard some griping about no "farming" being done during the heat races, but I applaud the decision. At the time we were day racing, and with the wind blowing like it was, all we would have done is waste time trying to work on the track - it would have only stretched the evening out for nothing. By the time the modifieds and the stock cars ran their heats, conditions were tricky, but both classes should be applauded for the effort they made in keeping their heats rolling. "Farming" was completed before the B mains and before the A mains and I thought the evening went as well as it could have in that regard.
In general, the heats were runs without much drama, as were the Bs for the most part. During the A mains, things got a little more dicey, with all classes seeing their share of cautions. From where I was taking pictures in turn three, you could have gathered enough pieces to build a complete modified by the end of the night, but so is the nature of opening night I think. Over all, there was some good racing out there and I rate my evening well worth the visit. I usually do at Boone as there is a lot to watch, and it is a great place to take pictures.
In the sportmod feature, Cody Hennings and Troy Jerovetz started on the front row and controlled the tempo for the feature, which Jerovetz would win. A sixth starting Geoff Olson would finish second with eighth-starting Scott Davis finishing third. Hennings was fourth.
Jimmy Gustin showed there was plenty of track to race on after starting 12th and wining the IMCA modified main. Thirteenth starting Josh Gilman finished second while Jeff Stephens came from 16th for third. In the early stages of this one there was a caution about every four laps until a rhythm got going. A lot of the front started cars dropped back, or out, allowing several drivers to make a charge. In my photos I point out Adam Larson, who was involved in the opening caution and restarted at the back of the field. Larson worked himself back into the top five late in the race was was still moving forward when he "spun" in turns three and four ending an impressive run.
Trent Murphy used his front row starting spot to his advantage in wining the IMCA stock car feature. Murphy is always tough at Boone, and if you give him a front row start, the rest of the field has their work cut out. Mike Van Genderen started third and advanced to second, while eighth starting Damon Murty would finish third. Dustin Smith would come from tenth to finish fourth.
Nick Murty also used his front row start to his advantage in winning the IMCA hobby main. Three of the top four finishers started in the top five (Murty started second, Chris Hupp in 2nd started 3rd, John Watson in 4th started 4th). The third finishing Nyles Godwin was the exception after starting the feature 11th.
All told, it was great night to start the season with. The show was over around 10 p.m. so it wasn't that late of a night. Several drivers were on hand, showing off their new cars for 2010, but I was encouraged by the number of older cars that were being used, and running just as competitively. As a racing fan, my instinct is to want to see everyone pull in with a new car, but in these times, that isn't necessarily possible. The more prudent choice for many is to get as many miles out of the old mount before rolling a new one off the trailer. There were a lot of returning cars at Boone and that's a good thing. I'd rather see pit full of 2008 and 2009 cars, rather than only a quarter full of 2010 cars. To the eye, older cars aren't as exciting, but to the sport, older cars are a hundred times better than no cars at all. See you at the races!
Sportmod Winner - Troy Jerovetz took top honors in the IMCA sportmod feature. - BWJ photo
Modified Winner - Jimmy Gustin topped the IMCA modified feature. - BWJ photo
Stock Car Winner - Trent Murphy won the IMCA stock car feature. - BWJ photo 
Hobby Stock Winner - Nick Murty was the IMCA hobby stock feature winner. - BWJ photo 
Sportmod A Main - Cody Hennings (66) and Troy Jerovetz (01) made up the front row for the IMCA sportmod feature. - BWJ photo
Sportmod A Main - Troy Jerovetz (01) holds off a challenge from Geoff Olson (2G) during the IMCA sportmod feature. - BWJ photo
Modified A Main - Jimmy Gustin (19) works underneath Dan Ratajczak (73) on his way to winning the IMCA modified feature. - BWJ photo
Modified A Main - After an being involved in an opening lap incident, Adam Larson (2L) restarted at the back of the IMCA modified field. By late in the race he was back in the top five, but lost all he gained in this spin in turns three and four. - BWJ photo
Stock A Main - Trent Murphy was dominant in his IMCA stock car feature win. - BWJ photo
Stock A Main - Dustin Smith (85) looks under Mike Van Genderen (57v) trying to gain a position in the IMCA stock car feature. Smith would end up fourth with Van Genderen second. - BWJ photo
Hobby A Main - Nick Murty (99JR) started second and stayed up front in winning the IMCA hobby stock main event. - BWJ photo
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