By NICK SCHWIEN

nschwien@dailynews.net

BOONE, Iowa -- It easily could take some time to explain what Bryan LaRiviere went through Tuesday night at the IMCA Super Nationals in Boone.

Instead, he kept it to the point.

"From the highest of highest to the lowest of lows in 30 minutes," LaRiviere said.

The Northern sport mod driver who is leading the national points race in the class, was upbeat after his heat race Tuesday. Going from inside the third row to the point will do that to a person.

"It was one of the late heat races after farming, and I felt confident because it was going to be slick," LaRiviere said about the win. "I knew it was going to be racy. I got a good start and got out front. It worked good until about two laps to go. Then I lost my side bite, but we held on."

The win in the heat race put LaRiviere into the A-main, where the top 10 finishers would lock themselves into Saturday night's finale without having to wait to see if they finished in the top 30 in points for the week and a shot at last-chance qualifiers today. That will decide the final 10 spots in Saturday's feature.

LaRiviere's win came in the 19th of 20 heats, and he had little time to repair the left rear quarter panel that was damaged when another driver got into him in the heat.

But the panel was fixed with the help of Xtreme Motorsports teammates, and LaRiviere made it to the track on time, where he started near the back after drawing the 15th spot after his feature win.

Josh Rice of Minneapolis started right behind LaRiviere in the A-main. They raced side-by-side for several laps after LaRiviere made his way back up from 19th place.

"That's the bad thing about it. I was on the brakes the first five laps,"  LaRiviere said. "I started 15th, and I didn't go to 19th because I was on the gas. It's a 20-lap race, and you have to be there at the end. I was racing Rice side-by-side. Those other guys were out of control."

LaRiviere showcased the poise and driving skill that has led him atop the national points race, moving into 10th place -- and a transfer position -- before things went terribly wrong.

He was bumped again while crossing the start-finish line, then fell back to 12th after taking the high line through turns one and two. In between turns three and four, LaRiviere couldn't avoid a spun car. The two hit front-ends, and LaRiviere flattened his right front tire.

Track officials dropped the black flag, ending his night despite having nowhere else to go on the track.

"I was already committed to running high," LaRiviere said. "Everyone else was running the middle and cutting across. I was just trying to make good, round circles. I just came up to that guy too fast."

The heat race was brutal for several drivers. Only 14 of the 20 cars finished the rough-and-tumble race. LaRiviere finished 14th, and Rice was 12th.

"I think there were some people driving overly aggressive," LaRiviere said. "No matter where you start or where you finish, they're taking the top 10, and you still have to finish. If you're not there at the checkered flag, why even be out there? That was my mindset: Keep my nose clean, and I'll be there at the end and make the top 10."