The big sign at the pit gate says it all: “No Cry Babies Allowed.” That’s the theme of the IMCA Speedway Motors Boone Super Nationals; perhaps the most amazing, epic, impossible event in all motorsports.
Six nights of racing on a third-mile dirt track, featuring 825 cars across six divisions, including qualifying nights that featured 480 cars each night and 72 races.
Trust me on this one: Until you’ve seen it, you can’t really believe it.

Most of all, this race dispels many myths about modern dirt racing. No matter what anyone argues, no matter what they claim, dirt racing does not have to be a dirty, dusty, slick, dull, rubber-down parade.

But it works, playing out before a grandstand packed with hard-core, fun-loving and enthusiastic fans. People wedge themselves into every available square foot of Boone Speedway to watch and cheer as action leads to Saturday night’s 40-lap Super Nationals finale, the most coveted and prestigious race in IMCA-modified racing.
Most of all, this race dispels many myths about modern dirt racing. No matter what anyone argues, no matter what they claim, dirt racing does not have to be a dirty, dusty, slick, dull, rubber-down parade.
Everybody knows that race cars wear out a dirt track. But what can you do about it? Here at Boone, they don’t just wring their hands and shrug their shoulders; they do something about it.
A typical qualifying night calls for 40 heat races — that’s not a typo, it really is 40 — which are a critical part of the qualifying process. After 10 races, a dozen John Deere tractors rush onto the Speedway to “farm” the surface, quickly digging up, watering and packing the track.
In about 10 minutes, the track is ready for more racing, with a fresh, racy surface awaiting the next 10 heats.
It goes to prove that old adage: If you haven’t solved a problem, maybe you haven’t been trying hard enough. As dirt tracks turn slick and dusty before our eyes, maybe we should all come to Boone and watch a group of people who have solved the problem.
Aside from phenomenal track prep, the truly amazing element of this event is the racing itself. On a typical night at a short track race, it’s common to see at least one caution flag in every heat race. Yet here at Boone, you can see five, 10, maybe 20 heats go without a caution.
Why is that? Because if you cause a yellow here, you are done. One spin, and you’re out. Racers will howl in protest at such a draconian rule, but guess what? It works. The racing here is tough, hard-nosed and amazingly clean.
Watching this event made me realize how much time I’ve spent this summer watching cars rumble slowly around the track under caution. Cautions are a slow, boring interlude to what should be an exciting experience. It isn’t a reach today to note that with more cars and more support divisions, cautions are draining the excitement out of too many racing programs.
Think about that the next time somebody gets a bad start or slides over the bank, and pulls to a stop to bring out a caution, giving them a do-over.
Again, it doesn’t have to be that way. If you don’t believe me, come to Boone and see for yourself.
Saturday’s 40-lap Super Nationals finale was action packed and filled with drama. There was not one moment where cars were not side by side all over the race track, fighting for position. Eric Daily started 30th and was going for the lead on lap 37, but a brush with the backstretch wall dashed his hopes. The race winner, Kevin Stoa, was as animated and excited as this year’s winners at Daytona and Indianapolis.
The final myth this race dispels is that racing today is all about the money. This race—remember, it attracted 306 modifieds for the headline event — paid $2,000, and the top four have to sell their engines to the track for $550 each.
In a tough economy, with diesel fuel still over four bucks, 306 racers traveled hundreds—or even thousands — of miles to race for a $2,000 top prize. Why? Pride. If you win the Super Nationals, it validates your career as a modified racer.
The Super Nationals is unlike any event I’ve ever witnessed. In many ways, it’s the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in many years. Dirt-track racing, when done right, can be spectacularly successful and entertaining.
Don’t believe me? Come to Boone, and see for yourself.