story and photo by Dennis Daniel

(Sept. 10, 2011) Boone, IA – Richie Gustin simply dominated the field of 241 IMCA Modifieds in this years Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Cenex.  After scoring an opening night qualifying feature win on Wednesday, earning the pole of the 33 car, 40 lap feature, Gustin went on to lead all 40 laps in his Skyrocket chassis and earn $5,700 for his victory.  “This is awesome,” Gustin said after he took the checkered flags as fans stood and cheered loudly at the packed house at Boone Speedway.  “This is what it’s all about right here,” he said after his victory.

Gustin held off a charge by his brother and defending Super Nationals winner Jimmy Gustin and over several late cautions was able to hold off challenges from Mike VanGenderen and Darin Duffy to pick up the popular victory amid a standing room only crowd on Saturday night.

After taking the lead on lap one from the 3 wide start, R. Gustin set the tone early as he paced the field.  Middle front row starter, J.D. Auringer, in his Karsyn’s Krusaders pink and black Rage chassis, settled into 2nd early on lap one but Eric Daily charged by him on lap 2.  VanGenderen, who started outside of row 2, charged towards the lead, getting by Auringer for 3rd.  Duffy, who started in the 3rd row was also surging toward the front, running just outside the top 5, also running in a Karsy’s Krusaders pink and black Rage chassis.

Up front, R. Gustin had opened a 6 car length lead over Dailey while J. Gustin was quickly charging through the field.  On lap 9, he charged around the top of the track, passing VanGenderen and taking over the 3rd spot.  By lap 12, the leader began to hit lapped traffic, as he was setting a blistering pace during the opening quarter of the race.  J. Gustin charged by Daily, setting his sights on younger brother Richie.  Just as Jimmy caught Richie and began to try to make a pass in traffic, his charge for back-to-back Super National victories ended when his engine blew up.

Withholding the charge by Jimmy, Richie contined to pace the field as the caution flew for the first time on lap 18 to remove the stalled car of Jimmy.  VanGenderen had gotten by Dailey for 2nd, followed by Auringer and Duffy.

With the track conditions changing, the fastest groove around the track was the top cushion.  On the restart, R. Gustin motored away from the field, while Duffy rim rode his way from 5th to second on lap 19.  As the top 3 began to pull away from Daily and Auringer, another caution flew to slow the pace on lap 27.

The restart would show a trend that would follow over the final 13 laps whenever a caution would fly.  Whoever would restart in 3rd, would get the outside starting spot on the Delaware style restart, with the leader alone out front, with the field doubled up behind.  VanGenderen used the outside starting spot to move by Duffy into 2nd, while Auringer got by Dailey for 4th.

With two more cautions slowing the action over the final laps, Duffy and VanGenderen would both trade the 2nd spot, depending on who would restart on the top.  Up front, it was R. Gustin able to pull away and not face any serious challenges for the lead.

Auringer tried to make a move to the bottom groove but he could not make any traction down low, allowing Daily to move back into 4th.  With the final restart on lap 33, Duffy had been running second, followed by VanGenderen, Daily and Auringer.  Once again, the outside starting cars held an advantage and VanGenderen was able to take 2nd, while Duffy tucked in line.  Auringer also got by Dailey on the outside groove and ran in 4th.

Over the final few laps, R. Gustin continued to show the dominance he had on display since opening night on Wednesday night.  He motored away to the win, improving his previous best Super Nationals finish of 4th, and picking up the crown jewel of IMCA Modified racing.

The Saturday finale highlighted a tremendous week of tough racing amongst some of the most talented drivers in open wheel modifieds.  With sunny skies every day and cool late summer evenings, the always packed Boone Speedway was once again showcasing the biggest Modified event of the year.  This year, the 29th running of the Super Nationals, it was Richie Gustin adding to the lore of the Gustin family as the kings of Modified racing.  With Jimmy winning last years race, and other brother Ryan tearing up the USMTS Modified tour this year and likely to be crowned USMTS National Champion, there’s little doubt that the racing Gustins are on top of the Modified world.

Iowa drivers also showed their strength, as the A feature saw 8 different states represented but home state drivers taking the top 8 spots and 9 of the top 10 and 21 of the 33 starting spots.

Main Event “A” —
1. Richie Gustin, Gilman
2. Mike VanGenderen, Newton
3. Darin Duffy, Hazelton
4. J.D. Auringer, Waterloo
5. Eric Dailey, Armstrong
6. Jerry Luloff, Indepenence
7. Randy Havlik, Madrid
8. Jonathan Snyder, Ames
9. Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice, Neb.
10. Jeremy Mills, Garner
11. J.J. Wise, Manley
12. Josh Gilman, Earlham
13. Mark Elliott, Webster City
14. David Murray, Jr., Oberlin, Kan.
15. Dustin Smith, Lake City
16. Todd Shute, Des Moines
17. John Allen, Chanute, Kan.
18. Kevin Sustaire, Emory, Texas
19. Joel Bushore, Boone
20. Josh Ruby, Lakota
21. Brad Pounds, Bakersfield, Calif.
22. Jared Siefert, Green Bay, Wis
23. Scott Olson, Blairsburg
24. Kellen Chadwick, Oakley, Calif.
25. Clint Hatlestad, Glencoe, Minn.
26. Jake Durbin, Perry
27. Don Hagan, Jr., McCook, Neb.
28. Josh Truman, Indianola
29. Jimmy Gustin, Marshalltown
30. Bill Davis, Jr., Des Moines
31. Hank Berry, Sidney, Mont.
32. Josh McGaha, Abilene, Texas
33. Corey Lagroon, Salina, Kan.