Looks like I jumped the gun just a bit on the Quincy Raceways schedule. After discussions held at the UMP banquet last weekend, the dates for the two Northern All Stars $2,000 to win events at the speedway have changed. Both Sunday visits have tentatively been moved up one week, with the first visit on April 15, and the second on May 20. This second date make moew sense, as Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il - the track commonly known as
" Granite City" - has a $10,000 to win UMP late model special on Sunday,
May 27. From the sounds of things, the AllStars may be making another stop in the area in 2012, but we will wait for further word on this. In the meantime, the countdown to the 2012 season continues!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Quincy Raceways Releases Schedule
Quincy Raceways released their preliminary 2012 schedule today, Friday January 6. After the banquet on Jan.21, the next event will be the Quincy Mall car show on Saturday and Sunday, March 10 and 11. Three practice nights will be held for all six classes on March 25,27, and 29. The season and points opener is set for Sunday April 1, with racing every Sunday night through September 23. With the switch to UMP late models for 2012, the two Deery Brothers Summer Series races have been replaced by two visits of the Northern All Stars Series. Both events pay $2,000 to win, and are scheduled for April 22 and May 27. In addition the MOWA 410 sprint car series, which enjoyed a successful first season in 2011, will make a stop on July 1. This will be the only night the late models will have off in 2012. Mid season championships will be June 10, season championships on Sept. 16, and a King of the Hill/Front Row Challenge will close things out on Sept. 23. QR has made a wise decision to start racing action one hour earlier during the cooler months/school nights, with hot laps at 4:45 and racing at 5:30 during April, May, and September, while June, July, and August racing will see the action start one hour later. Six classes will compete on regular nights, including UMP late models and modifieds, IMCA stock cars, sport mods, and sport compacts, along with track rules hobby stocks. Stock cars and sport mods will be off on the Northern All Stars nights, while late models and stock cars will sit out when the sprints come to town.
The Positively Racing crew will keep you up to date as more schedules are released, and be sure and check out the special events calender on the home page. " Only " 85 days until my first planned road trip!
The Positively Racing crew will keep you up to date as more schedules are released, and be sure and check out the special events calender on the home page. " Only " 85 days until my first planned road trip!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Year End Review
While my 2011 racing season ended just over two months ago, I like to hold out just in case that one last race comes along. Unfortunately, that last chance turned out to be the Thanksgiving weekend event at the Springfield, Mo. Raceway, which was cancelled by less than favorable weather. Not sure if we could have made the trip, but we were sure looking at it, as it would have made the off season a lot shorter than the 161 days from our last race to a projected March 31 opener.
The cancellation should have been no surprise, as the weatherman was not very cooperative for a large part of the 2011 season. For the second year in a row, I finished with 45 race nights, including three that were rained out before a green flag waved. My travels this season included visits to 13 tracks in four states. Two of those tracks I attended for the first time, I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., and Callaway Raceway in Fulton,Mo. The August visit to Fulton was my 50th track all time, leaving me well behind several of my fellow Positively Racing cohorts. I confess to being a bit of a creature of habit, and over the years, I tended to frequent tracks I enjoyed. I have also spent several years as a track reporter at a couple of different tracks, and served as my son Brents sidekick for several years of Saturday night reporting at Lee County Speedway. In fact, quite a few of those 50 tracks have been added since the turn of the century! Jeff Broeg referred to me as a late model fan in one of his columns, and I confess that the full bodied machines are my first love. In fact, I attended only one event in 2011 that did not include late models, that being the season ender at Scotland County Speedway 60 miles up the road in Memphis,Mo. I was rained out of my only visit to a World of Outlaws show this season, at Independence, Iowa, but I did get to witness shows by the Lucas Oil series, MLRA, ULMA, IMCA weekly and Summer Series, UMP weekly and Summernationals, as well as several non sanctioned high dollar shows, MOWA sprints and Sprint Invaders, and an outstanding USMTS modified show at I-80. In addition to the venues already mentioned, my travels this year also took me to Knoxville, Davenport, West Liberty, West Burlington, and Donnellson, Iowa, Pevely, Mo., Pontoon Beach and Alexander,Illinois, as well as my home base in Quincy,Illinois, where weather held them to only 18 full nights. There were several memorable shows, and I am sure I will leave out some dandies, but Shannon Babbs' late race charge at the May Day Classic at West Liberty, Brian Harris doing the same at the first IMCA Derry Brothers show in more than 25 years at West Liberty, and Don Oneal dominating the last part of the $25,000 to win 80 lapper at I-80, then using late race dramatics to capture the $40,000 top prize at the Knoxville Nationals remain vivid memories.
As we look ahead to 2012, there are a lot of changes afoot, as we might have expected given the economic struggles of the past year. Quincy Raceways got things started by ending their 14 year late model affiliation with IMCA by announcing a switch to ULMA sanction, then a change in the ownership group followed by another change to UMP late models, all within a span of a few days. At this time, I am cautiously optimistic that car counts in the premier division will increase, especially after track officials announced that the late model feature will now pay $1,000 to win. It looks as though a small number of QR regulars may opt to race away from home with IMCA, but there appears to be at least an equal number of area drivers " coming home. " Plus there are 12-15 UMP cars within 100 miles of Quincy, and with Shepps Speedway in Alexander switching to a Friday night program, hopefully we will see the weekly travelers that we have not seen the last few seasons with IMCA. QR will also host UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and sport mods, as well as track rules hobby stocks and 4 cylinder Wild Things. QR track photographer Dewaine Hulett has been named race director at the Lee County Speedway under new owners Dave and Yvonne Sapp, and they are going to kick off 2012 with a 4 cylinder show on Saturday Feb. 11. Check the website for details. It also sounds as though LCS and 34 Raceway in West Burlington are looking to work together in 2012, which should be good for the tracks and fans alike. At this time, there appears to be nothing shaking at Memphis, Mo, or 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo, as well as Jacksonville,Il., Bloomfield, and Eldon, Ia.All these venues are within 100 miles of my home, and there has also been nothing announced for Columbus Junction, Iowa, which sets about 104 miles away. So that is eleven tracks - including Fulton - within a two hour drive, six of which are not scheduled to open at this time. It would sure be nice to see at least a couple of these tracks running, as I have certainly seen some great racing at all of them over the years!
As the schedules are being released we are trying to put together a working schedule for 2012. With the time it takes to travel to and from many tracks, most of the weekday races require two vacation days, so most of our traveling will again occur on the weekends, and we will have to pick and choose those week night races carefully. But for now, we are focused on Saturday, March 31, with the second night of the World of Outlaws Illini 100 to the east at Farmer City,Il, the UMP opening night to the south in Pevely, Mo., and the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series opener to the north in Farley, Iowa. I have a feeling the weatherman will have a lot to say about our choice. Quincy Raceways is scheduled to open the UMP late model era the following night, Sunday, April 1. The QR banquet is three weeks away, on Saturday January 21, so I will hopefully have some gossip and maybe some real news to report at that time! Until then, Happy New Year, and heres to a successful racing season in 2012!
The cancellation should have been no surprise, as the weatherman was not very cooperative for a large part of the 2011 season. For the second year in a row, I finished with 45 race nights, including three that were rained out before a green flag waved. My travels this season included visits to 13 tracks in four states. Two of those tracks I attended for the first time, I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., and Callaway Raceway in Fulton,Mo. The August visit to Fulton was my 50th track all time, leaving me well behind several of my fellow Positively Racing cohorts. I confess to being a bit of a creature of habit, and over the years, I tended to frequent tracks I enjoyed. I have also spent several years as a track reporter at a couple of different tracks, and served as my son Brents sidekick for several years of Saturday night reporting at Lee County Speedway. In fact, quite a few of those 50 tracks have been added since the turn of the century! Jeff Broeg referred to me as a late model fan in one of his columns, and I confess that the full bodied machines are my first love. In fact, I attended only one event in 2011 that did not include late models, that being the season ender at Scotland County Speedway 60 miles up the road in Memphis,Mo. I was rained out of my only visit to a World of Outlaws show this season, at Independence, Iowa, but I did get to witness shows by the Lucas Oil series, MLRA, ULMA, IMCA weekly and Summer Series, UMP weekly and Summernationals, as well as several non sanctioned high dollar shows, MOWA sprints and Sprint Invaders, and an outstanding USMTS modified show at I-80. In addition to the venues already mentioned, my travels this year also took me to Knoxville, Davenport, West Liberty, West Burlington, and Donnellson, Iowa, Pevely, Mo., Pontoon Beach and Alexander,Illinois, as well as my home base in Quincy,Illinois, where weather held them to only 18 full nights. There were several memorable shows, and I am sure I will leave out some dandies, but Shannon Babbs' late race charge at the May Day Classic at West Liberty, Brian Harris doing the same at the first IMCA Derry Brothers show in more than 25 years at West Liberty, and Don Oneal dominating the last part of the $25,000 to win 80 lapper at I-80, then using late race dramatics to capture the $40,000 top prize at the Knoxville Nationals remain vivid memories.
As we look ahead to 2012, there are a lot of changes afoot, as we might have expected given the economic struggles of the past year. Quincy Raceways got things started by ending their 14 year late model affiliation with IMCA by announcing a switch to ULMA sanction, then a change in the ownership group followed by another change to UMP late models, all within a span of a few days. At this time, I am cautiously optimistic that car counts in the premier division will increase, especially after track officials announced that the late model feature will now pay $1,000 to win. It looks as though a small number of QR regulars may opt to race away from home with IMCA, but there appears to be at least an equal number of area drivers " coming home. " Plus there are 12-15 UMP cars within 100 miles of Quincy, and with Shepps Speedway in Alexander switching to a Friday night program, hopefully we will see the weekly travelers that we have not seen the last few seasons with IMCA. QR will also host UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and sport mods, as well as track rules hobby stocks and 4 cylinder Wild Things. QR track photographer Dewaine Hulett has been named race director at the Lee County Speedway under new owners Dave and Yvonne Sapp, and they are going to kick off 2012 with a 4 cylinder show on Saturday Feb. 11. Check the website for details. It also sounds as though LCS and 34 Raceway in West Burlington are looking to work together in 2012, which should be good for the tracks and fans alike. At this time, there appears to be nothing shaking at Memphis, Mo, or 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo, as well as Jacksonville,Il., Bloomfield, and Eldon, Ia.All these venues are within 100 miles of my home, and there has also been nothing announced for Columbus Junction, Iowa, which sets about 104 miles away. So that is eleven tracks - including Fulton - within a two hour drive, six of which are not scheduled to open at this time. It would sure be nice to see at least a couple of these tracks running, as I have certainly seen some great racing at all of them over the years!
As the schedules are being released we are trying to put together a working schedule for 2012. With the time it takes to travel to and from many tracks, most of the weekday races require two vacation days, so most of our traveling will again occur on the weekends, and we will have to pick and choose those week night races carefully. But for now, we are focused on Saturday, March 31, with the second night of the World of Outlaws Illini 100 to the east at Farmer City,Il, the UMP opening night to the south in Pevely, Mo., and the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series opener to the north in Farley, Iowa. I have a feeling the weatherman will have a lot to say about our choice. Quincy Raceways is scheduled to open the UMP late model era the following night, Sunday, April 1. The QR banquet is three weeks away, on Saturday January 21, so I will hopefully have some gossip and maybe some real news to report at that time! Until then, Happy New Year, and heres to a successful racing season in 2012!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Here We Go Again
A couple of weeks ago, Quincy Raceways issued a press release stating their intention to switch their late model sanction to the Missouri based ULMA . United Late Model Association. The ULMA began as a steel block engine based group designed for the lower budget late model competitor. In the last couple of seasons, they have modified their rules to allow for the crate late models as well as the IMCA type spec engine cars to also compete. With Callaway Raceway in Fulton,Mo. a sanctioned track, and 24 Raceway in Moberly,Mo. set to come on board in 2012, it seemed like a decent fit for QR if they were indeed going to switch from IMCA. Still, I decided to hold off commenting on the switch, as some close to the situation seemed to be hedging their bets as it were as to the final outcome. On this past Tuesday, co owner Paul Holtschlag held a drivers only meeting at his riverfront Quincy restaurant to discuss the move. He also used the occasion to announce an ownership change at the .29 mile 37 year old oval. Tony Rhinberger, a member of the ownership group since the Scott family sold the track five years ago is no longer involved as an owner, with the facility now jointly owned by his father Bob Rhinberger and Holtschlag .
Bob has been a vital part of the tracks management team for the last five years, and was a long time employee during the Scott years, and has purchased his sons interest.
The actual subject of the meeting was which way to go with the late model sanction for 2012, and after some discussion, it was decided to go with the UMP option. UMP - United Midwest Promoters - is headedquartered in North Carolina, but enjoys its strongest presence in the midwest, with Illinois featuring numerous late model venues. The open engine sanction was apparently the choice of more than 80 percent of those in attendance at the meeting. It is my understanding that those who hang onto their IMCA spec engines would still be able to compete under the UMP rules package. Indeed, under the right track conditions, the lower horsepowered machines could be competitive on the QR oval. Still, I would expect that most of the locals who make the switch will be looking to upgrade their power plants, especially if the are looking to perhaps travel to other larger UMP tracks such as Pontoon Beach, Il. and Pevely,Mo. With Stve Shepards Shepps Speedway in Alexander,Il switching to Friday nights in 2012 - no word yet on whether or not they will run the super late models - QR looks to be the only Sunday night sanctioned track in the region, and it is hoped that will help to draw out of town cars. Unlike IMCA, the UMP points formula allows drivers to count points earned at any sanctioned track to be added towards their national total, much like the old NASCAR weekly racing series of which QR was a long time member. While QR may lose a couple of local late models due to the switch, there are also a couple of locals who have been doing the UMP thing in recent seasons, so at worst the weekly car count should increase slightly - at best, an infusion of new drivers will increase the weekly " wow " factor. The track has enjoyed a 14 year run with IMCA, and I am sure I will not be the only one who will miss the Deery Brothers Summer Series events during the season. Whether QR will look to rejoin the UMP Summernationals tour remains to be seen.
Whether more changes are coming it is hard to say - as of now, the lineup is UMP late models and modifieds, IMCA stock cars and sport mods, and non sanctioned hobby stocks and 4 cylinders, although there has been talk of a possible 4 cylinder sanction.
Since QR late model drivers have been strong supporters of the 34 Raceway late model program in recent seasons, the owners of the West Burlington, Iowa facility took the opportunity to assure everyone that they will continue to sanction IMCA late models in 2012.
What is often a slow news cycle for Tri State racing has been anything but thus far, starting with the sale of the racing operation at Lee County Speedway. In addition, rumors abound at tracks in Independence and Maquoketa, Iowa just to name a couple. Keep checking back at Positively Racing.com and we will try to keep you up to speed on what figures to be a busy off season.
Thanks for reading!
Bob has been a vital part of the tracks management team for the last five years, and was a long time employee during the Scott years, and has purchased his sons interest.
The actual subject of the meeting was which way to go with the late model sanction for 2012, and after some discussion, it was decided to go with the UMP option. UMP - United Midwest Promoters - is headedquartered in North Carolina, but enjoys its strongest presence in the midwest, with Illinois featuring numerous late model venues. The open engine sanction was apparently the choice of more than 80 percent of those in attendance at the meeting. It is my understanding that those who hang onto their IMCA spec engines would still be able to compete under the UMP rules package. Indeed, under the right track conditions, the lower horsepowered machines could be competitive on the QR oval. Still, I would expect that most of the locals who make the switch will be looking to upgrade their power plants, especially if the are looking to perhaps travel to other larger UMP tracks such as Pontoon Beach, Il. and Pevely,Mo. With Stve Shepards Shepps Speedway in Alexander,Il switching to Friday nights in 2012 - no word yet on whether or not they will run the super late models - QR looks to be the only Sunday night sanctioned track in the region, and it is hoped that will help to draw out of town cars. Unlike IMCA, the UMP points formula allows drivers to count points earned at any sanctioned track to be added towards their national total, much like the old NASCAR weekly racing series of which QR was a long time member. While QR may lose a couple of local late models due to the switch, there are also a couple of locals who have been doing the UMP thing in recent seasons, so at worst the weekly car count should increase slightly - at best, an infusion of new drivers will increase the weekly " wow " factor. The track has enjoyed a 14 year run with IMCA, and I am sure I will not be the only one who will miss the Deery Brothers Summer Series events during the season. Whether QR will look to rejoin the UMP Summernationals tour remains to be seen.
Whether more changes are coming it is hard to say - as of now, the lineup is UMP late models and modifieds, IMCA stock cars and sport mods, and non sanctioned hobby stocks and 4 cylinders, although there has been talk of a possible 4 cylinder sanction.
Since QR late model drivers have been strong supporters of the 34 Raceway late model program in recent seasons, the owners of the West Burlington, Iowa facility took the opportunity to assure everyone that they will continue to sanction IMCA late models in 2012.
What is often a slow news cycle for Tri State racing has been anything but thus far, starting with the sale of the racing operation at Lee County Speedway. In addition, rumors abound at tracks in Independence and Maquoketa, Iowa just to name a couple. Keep checking back at Positively Racing.com and we will try to keep you up to speed on what figures to be a busy off season.
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
More Change A Comin'
We call this the silly season of racing, a time when rumors and tall tales abound. However in some cases, the proper expression may be " where there's smoke, there's fire." A meeting was held Tuesday night in Quincy for the late model racers concerning the 2012 season. Nothing will be official until later this week, but it sounds as though big changes may be coming, despite the press release issued last week. When the final plans are made, I will update on this site, so check back at the end of the week. Thanks for reading.
Monday, October 24, 2011
One For The Road
Saturday night, Darryl, Fred and I took off for what is likely our last race night of 2011. The occasion was night number two of the Fall Nationals at Memphis, Mo. With season long promoter Rick Girard and the Scotland County fairboard parting ways, IMCA modified racer Brandon Savage stepped up to try his hand at promoting. Brandon is a third generation racer, with his uncles, Lance and Corrie Stott, and his Hall of Fame grandfather, the legendary Ramo Stott having circled the tracks before him. In fact, Ramo, who promoted a race or two along the way, was on present for the weekend to help out however he could. Although I am not privy to the books, I would guess that the weekend was successful one for Brandon, and his " significant other, " Nikki, as the Saturday night crowd was a good one, and the car count came in at 103 after 90 teams raced on Friday. In addition, the weather man was most kind, even holding back the few raindrops that fell after the show concluded just prior to 10:30. Five classes of cars competed on the smooth, fast track, which still had plenty of moisture at the end of the night. The only hiccup in the program was a 37 minute late start to hot laps as it took a bit longer than planned to run in the track. But the wait proved worth the time it took.
The top six cars in each division were locked into the first three rows of the Saturday features based on Fridays main events. Everyone else ran hear races, and in the case of the stock cars, a B- main, to fill out the field. Only the stocks had drivers fail to qualify, as the 103 cars were spread pretty evenly throughout the five classes. Of course, there were a few that could not make the call come feature time in the other classes. The heat races ran off without incident except for Sport Mod heat two, when Rusty Sands lost nearly the entire drive train from under his # 5s as he came down the front chute. It took the track crew several minutes to try and collect all the small parts the were scattered all the way to turn two.
The SportMod 18 lap feature ran first, with Friday winner Chris Larson in a car purchased very recently by his team on the pole. But it was Scott Vanbuskirk grabbing the early lead. The race was red flagged for a scary crash coming out of turn two Rick Paulsen. His # 28P rode the backstretch guard rail, rolling several times. While Paulsen was uninjured, his race car was a total mess. In fact it took his crew and a very good wrecker driver what seemed like forever to wedge it into his enclosed trailer. Hopefully the driver who towed down from Tripoli, Iowa will be back on the track in 2012.
By this time, Jim Gillenwater, who had started in row five, had moved to third, but the veteran driver spun on the restart, winding up deep in the pack. As Van buskirk continued to lead, Gillenwater quickly recovered to move back inside the top five, but he again bobbled at the white flag.
" Local " favorite, Brandon Dale shadowed the leader the second half of the race to take runner up honors to the delight of the crowd. Larson drove a steady race to capture third ahead of Curtis Vanderwall and Gillenwater.
The 4 cylinder cars ran next, with 14 cars taking the green. It was Friday winner Nick Wilkerson of Yarmouth, Iowa setting the pace, with the first yellow on lap eight. As the laps wound down, Adam Gates, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was making a charge in his # 007. Coming to the white flag, he appeared to break a fuel line, as his ride erupted in flames, ending his third place run. Wilkerson took a flag to flag win over Micheal Grossman, Craig Bangert, Kimberly Abbott and William Michel.
The 24 car stock car feature had a little trouble getting rolling with a lap two caution followed by two false starts. Matt Greiner led lap one before Grinnell, Iowa hotshoe Todd Reitzler took over. From then on, it was a two car battle as the # 22 and # 29 swapped the lead, but mostly ran side by side, low on the oval, not touching. As they came to the white, Greiner had the edge, and the Washington, Iowa racer held on for a photo finish win. Terry Houston had worked his way through the pack and caught the top two, but had nowhere to make a move with the front pair side by side. Beau Taylor rolled home fourth ahead of Mike Harward. The 15 lap hobby stock main endured a couple of early yellows with Clayton Crump jumping out front. On lap eight, Bobby Anders took over in the Mayfield - Anders # 21. From there the Quincy Raceways regular was in charge. with Crump, Brandon Symmonds, Andrew Hustead, and Council Bluffs, Iowas David Orr completing the first five. Anders and Mayfield have already announced plans to field a Sport Mod for 2012.
The final event of the night, and our final race of the season was the 25 lap A modified main event, paying $1200.00 to win. In addition, sponsor money had been raced to the point that the highest finishing IMCA legal car would receive a $550.00 bonus and the second highest IMCA would pocket an extra $250.00. Sixteen cars took the green, with second row qualifier Donovan Lodge and two class driver Beau Taylor on the trailer. Friday winner JD Auringer from Waterloo, Iowa, an IMCA car, took the early lead. Quincy Raceways track champion Steven Delonjay took up the chase, while fellow Quincian Michael Long began his charge from row six. When the caution flew on lap six, Long had moved to fourth. By lap nine, Delonjay had slowed, as he had a tire quickly going flat, and Long moved to second. As Michael tried to work the top side of the track where he normally makes his living, Delonjay adjusted to the flat and moved back to second on the bottom of the track as the top side " went away. " When the caution waved on lap 17, Steven went to the infield to change the tire, and Long was back in second. With two laps to go and the leaders fighting lapped cars, Long tried to move under Auringer in turn three. Apparently misjudging just a bit, Michael got into the back of the # 00, winding up in the infield. From there JD was in charge, taking the win and the top bonus for a $1750.00 payday. Davenport, Iowa veteran Bruce Hanford styaed close to the front and nabbed second, Dave Weitholder started 16th and finished third. Steve Stewart was fourth, and Jeff Waterman snared the other IMCA bonus with a fifth place showing. Delonjay charged all the way back to sixth.
It was a good finish to what was a frustrating season in many ways, but we will save that for a later blog.
I was able to offer congratulations to Keokuk, Iowa resident Dave Sapp, the new owner of the Lee County Speedway racing operation. Dave was on hand as car owner of the # 105 Sport Mod driven by John Oliver Jr. Dave has already retained Dwaine Hulett as his 2012 race director. The y also indicated the will be featuring IMCA sanctioning in all five regular classes. No word yet if there will be any late model shows at the fairgrounds facility in 2012.
Several days ago, I received what I thought was the determination on next seasons plans for the late model class at Quincy Raceways. Now it seems there has been some rethinking, so I will pass along information when a final decision is made.
Leading the way, the Lucas Oil late model series has released their 2012 schedule, and although we know there may be some tweaking, it looks as though we Tri Staters will have to do some traveling to see the Lucas stars next season. At least before September, when the series will again sanction the Late Model Nationals.
If you can squeeze in another race, wherever you are, do so for me, as my next race is ONLY 23 weeks away!
The top six cars in each division were locked into the first three rows of the Saturday features based on Fridays main events. Everyone else ran hear races, and in the case of the stock cars, a B- main, to fill out the field. Only the stocks had drivers fail to qualify, as the 103 cars were spread pretty evenly throughout the five classes. Of course, there were a few that could not make the call come feature time in the other classes. The heat races ran off without incident except for Sport Mod heat two, when Rusty Sands lost nearly the entire drive train from under his # 5s as he came down the front chute. It took the track crew several minutes to try and collect all the small parts the were scattered all the way to turn two.
The SportMod 18 lap feature ran first, with Friday winner Chris Larson in a car purchased very recently by his team on the pole. But it was Scott Vanbuskirk grabbing the early lead. The race was red flagged for a scary crash coming out of turn two Rick Paulsen. His # 28P rode the backstretch guard rail, rolling several times. While Paulsen was uninjured, his race car was a total mess. In fact it took his crew and a very good wrecker driver what seemed like forever to wedge it into his enclosed trailer. Hopefully the driver who towed down from Tripoli, Iowa will be back on the track in 2012.
By this time, Jim Gillenwater, who had started in row five, had moved to third, but the veteran driver spun on the restart, winding up deep in the pack. As Van buskirk continued to lead, Gillenwater quickly recovered to move back inside the top five, but he again bobbled at the white flag.
" Local " favorite, Brandon Dale shadowed the leader the second half of the race to take runner up honors to the delight of the crowd. Larson drove a steady race to capture third ahead of Curtis Vanderwall and Gillenwater.
The 4 cylinder cars ran next, with 14 cars taking the green. It was Friday winner Nick Wilkerson of Yarmouth, Iowa setting the pace, with the first yellow on lap eight. As the laps wound down, Adam Gates, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa was making a charge in his # 007. Coming to the white flag, he appeared to break a fuel line, as his ride erupted in flames, ending his third place run. Wilkerson took a flag to flag win over Micheal Grossman, Craig Bangert, Kimberly Abbott and William Michel.
The 24 car stock car feature had a little trouble getting rolling with a lap two caution followed by two false starts. Matt Greiner led lap one before Grinnell, Iowa hotshoe Todd Reitzler took over. From then on, it was a two car battle as the # 22 and # 29 swapped the lead, but mostly ran side by side, low on the oval, not touching. As they came to the white, Greiner had the edge, and the Washington, Iowa racer held on for a photo finish win. Terry Houston had worked his way through the pack and caught the top two, but had nowhere to make a move with the front pair side by side. Beau Taylor rolled home fourth ahead of Mike Harward. The 15 lap hobby stock main endured a couple of early yellows with Clayton Crump jumping out front. On lap eight, Bobby Anders took over in the Mayfield - Anders # 21. From there the Quincy Raceways regular was in charge. with Crump, Brandon Symmonds, Andrew Hustead, and Council Bluffs, Iowas David Orr completing the first five. Anders and Mayfield have already announced plans to field a Sport Mod for 2012.
The final event of the night, and our final race of the season was the 25 lap A modified main event, paying $1200.00 to win. In addition, sponsor money had been raced to the point that the highest finishing IMCA legal car would receive a $550.00 bonus and the second highest IMCA would pocket an extra $250.00. Sixteen cars took the green, with second row qualifier Donovan Lodge and two class driver Beau Taylor on the trailer. Friday winner JD Auringer from Waterloo, Iowa, an IMCA car, took the early lead. Quincy Raceways track champion Steven Delonjay took up the chase, while fellow Quincian Michael Long began his charge from row six. When the caution flew on lap six, Long had moved to fourth. By lap nine, Delonjay had slowed, as he had a tire quickly going flat, and Long moved to second. As Michael tried to work the top side of the track where he normally makes his living, Delonjay adjusted to the flat and moved back to second on the bottom of the track as the top side " went away. " When the caution waved on lap 17, Steven went to the infield to change the tire, and Long was back in second. With two laps to go and the leaders fighting lapped cars, Long tried to move under Auringer in turn three. Apparently misjudging just a bit, Michael got into the back of the # 00, winding up in the infield. From there JD was in charge, taking the win and the top bonus for a $1750.00 payday. Davenport, Iowa veteran Bruce Hanford styaed close to the front and nabbed second, Dave Weitholder started 16th and finished third. Steve Stewart was fourth, and Jeff Waterman snared the other IMCA bonus with a fifth place showing. Delonjay charged all the way back to sixth.
It was a good finish to what was a frustrating season in many ways, but we will save that for a later blog.
I was able to offer congratulations to Keokuk, Iowa resident Dave Sapp, the new owner of the Lee County Speedway racing operation. Dave was on hand as car owner of the # 105 Sport Mod driven by John Oliver Jr. Dave has already retained Dwaine Hulett as his 2012 race director. The y also indicated the will be featuring IMCA sanctioning in all five regular classes. No word yet if there will be any late model shows at the fairgrounds facility in 2012.
Several days ago, I received what I thought was the determination on next seasons plans for the late model class at Quincy Raceways. Now it seems there has been some rethinking, so I will pass along information when a final decision is made.
Leading the way, the Lucas Oil late model series has released their 2012 schedule, and although we know there may be some tweaking, it looks as though we Tri Staters will have to do some traveling to see the Lucas stars next season. At least before September, when the series will again sanction the Late Model Nationals.
If you can squeeze in another race, wherever you are, do so for me, as my next race is ONLY 23 weeks away!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Chad and Andy Share the Twins
Saturday night Darryl, Fred,and I made our annual trip to the West Liberty Raceway for the finals of the Liberty 100. This race has always been a favorite of mine, but since they split the format last season, running 50 laps each for open late models and IMCA late models, it has moved near the top of the list. Saturday night was made even better by absolutely perfect weather. And whether it was the warm evening, the race format, or both, it was the largest crowd I have seen at Liberty in several seasons., and that was good to see!
As with most places we have journeyed in 2011, the car count was down a bit from last season, but there was still 18 open lates and 23 IMCA lates back for the finals. The only real downer was the fact that the program was about one hour late getting started as the track crew over watered the big 1/2 mile. but even then, things got going at the regular Saturday night start time.
In addition to the late models, both regular track modified classes were on the card, as well as IMCA Sport Compacts and the mod lites.
After the feature fields were set with assorted heats, last chance races and fast dashes, the 4 cylinder 12 lap finale ran first.
After 50 plus years of racing, it is not often I see something I have not seen before, but on lap seven, Brad Chandler lost a left rear wheel while leading the race. What was different was the fact that not only did Chandler continue to run, but he held his lead. Then, with two to go, second running Ryan Walker also threw a shoe, bringing out the caution. At that point Chandler was sent pitside in accordance with track policy. On the restart, 74 year old Wayne Noble grabbed the lead and took the checkers. Although I have yet to see official results, sources say Wayne was DQ'd in tech and Jordon Walker was awarded the win. If this info is incorrect, I apologize.
Next out was the seven car mod lite main. Rob Guss took an easy win in the 15 lapper, with Jonathon Houston blowing up one of the 1000 cc power plants while running second.
The IMCA modified 20 lapper turned in to a caution plagued affair, and after early leader Larry Herring dropped out with engine woes, second generation driver Chris Horn, from Marion took his first dirt modified feature win. Many of you will remember his father, Fred, a late model ace in the 1970s and 1980s.
The open late models rolled out next for their 50 lap, $3500 to win extravaganza. Outside pole sitter Chad Simpson snatched the lead from polesitter Brian Harris coming out of turn two on the first lap, and never looked back. Simpson began lapping slower cars by lap seven before the first caution on lap eight. At this point Jill George, who received the loudest applause in pre race introductions, became the first casualty of the event. The race then went clean and green until lap 285, when Wayne Brau slowed in turn four. Even though the side by side restart method was employed on restarts, Simpson retained the lead each time. By lap 42, Harris seemed to be closing, but he jumped the cushion a bit, ending his challenge. Chad picked up the flag to flag win, with Harris second all the way. Chris Simpson shared in the family success by running third, and the Eckrich brothers took the next three spots, with Denny, Andy, and Dave crossing the stripe in that order. Rounding out the lead lap cars were Joel Callahan and Kurt Kile, while Rich Bell and Todd Hormel completed the top ten.
The open modified 25 lapper came next, with polesitter Todd Hansen leading the first lap before veteran Bruce Hanford took over from a row two start, taking outside polesitter Scott Dickey with him. Brad Dubil had motor issues early in the night, and started 24th on the grid. Ten laps later, he had moved up ten spots , only to retire to the pits. The first caution came on lap 13 for Hansen, who appeared to blow his engine. On the restart, Johnny Spaw, who had dropped back several spots, charged to second. Two laps later the yellow waved again, and on the third try at a restart, Spaw grabbed the lead. On lap 18, double duty Kurt Kile took the runnerup spot, and he mounted a challenge on Spaw, but came up short. A jubilant Spaw noted that it was his first mod win at Liberty, ending a long dry spell after many pro stock wins in the late 1980s.
The finale of the evening and the season was the IMCA 50 lap $3500 to win feature race. Dash winner Ray Guss Jr., a newly named member of the dirt racing Hall of Fame, and Denny Eckrich sat on the front row. The first yellow came on lap four for Tyler Breuning, and Guss held the top spot over Andy Eckrich. Meanwhile, 18th starting Mike Murphy Jr. had advanced six spots. Two laps after the restart, third running Denny Eckrich stopped on the track, and by now, Murphy was up to fifth, while Tommy Elston took over third, and 15 starting Justin Kay in the # 21H normally driven by Brian Harris moved to eighth. The race stayed green until lap 18, and by now Murphy was fourth, and Nick Marolf had moved from 13th to sixth. On the restart, Marolf shot to fourth, while Murphy fell to seventh. When the caution came out on lap 20, Mike Klinkhammer, the 16th starter, moved to sixth. Six laps later, double duty driver Joel Callahan slipped past Andy Eckrich for second. On lap 31 the caution came again, and Murphy was back to fourth. If you are wondering about my point, we often hear that there is nor enough passing with IMCA late models. Well this race sure debunked that myth! Following this last restart, Eckrich and Callahan waged a fierce battle for second, with Andy taking the spot back on lap 38. Two laps later, the youngest of the Eckrich brothers charged past Guss to take a lead he would not give up. Guss held on for second ahead of Callahan, Marolf, and Murphy, while colby Springsteen took sixth. The rest of the top ten included Kinkhammer, Elston, Gary Webb, and Kay.
This was for sure one of our best nights of 2011, and makes me wish the season was not coming down to the final night. Still there are some opportunities to see good racing, so make some plans this weekend as I hope to!
As with most places we have journeyed in 2011, the car count was down a bit from last season, but there was still 18 open lates and 23 IMCA lates back for the finals. The only real downer was the fact that the program was about one hour late getting started as the track crew over watered the big 1/2 mile. but even then, things got going at the regular Saturday night start time.
In addition to the late models, both regular track modified classes were on the card, as well as IMCA Sport Compacts and the mod lites.
After the feature fields were set with assorted heats, last chance races and fast dashes, the 4 cylinder 12 lap finale ran first.
After 50 plus years of racing, it is not often I see something I have not seen before, but on lap seven, Brad Chandler lost a left rear wheel while leading the race. What was different was the fact that not only did Chandler continue to run, but he held his lead. Then, with two to go, second running Ryan Walker also threw a shoe, bringing out the caution. At that point Chandler was sent pitside in accordance with track policy. On the restart, 74 year old Wayne Noble grabbed the lead and took the checkers. Although I have yet to see official results, sources say Wayne was DQ'd in tech and Jordon Walker was awarded the win. If this info is incorrect, I apologize.
Next out was the seven car mod lite main. Rob Guss took an easy win in the 15 lapper, with Jonathon Houston blowing up one of the 1000 cc power plants while running second.
The IMCA modified 20 lapper turned in to a caution plagued affair, and after early leader Larry Herring dropped out with engine woes, second generation driver Chris Horn, from Marion took his first dirt modified feature win. Many of you will remember his father, Fred, a late model ace in the 1970s and 1980s.
The open late models rolled out next for their 50 lap, $3500 to win extravaganza. Outside pole sitter Chad Simpson snatched the lead from polesitter Brian Harris coming out of turn two on the first lap, and never looked back. Simpson began lapping slower cars by lap seven before the first caution on lap eight. At this point Jill George, who received the loudest applause in pre race introductions, became the first casualty of the event. The race then went clean and green until lap 285, when Wayne Brau slowed in turn four. Even though the side by side restart method was employed on restarts, Simpson retained the lead each time. By lap 42, Harris seemed to be closing, but he jumped the cushion a bit, ending his challenge. Chad picked up the flag to flag win, with Harris second all the way. Chris Simpson shared in the family success by running third, and the Eckrich brothers took the next three spots, with Denny, Andy, and Dave crossing the stripe in that order. Rounding out the lead lap cars were Joel Callahan and Kurt Kile, while Rich Bell and Todd Hormel completed the top ten.
The open modified 25 lapper came next, with polesitter Todd Hansen leading the first lap before veteran Bruce Hanford took over from a row two start, taking outside polesitter Scott Dickey with him. Brad Dubil had motor issues early in the night, and started 24th on the grid. Ten laps later, he had moved up ten spots , only to retire to the pits. The first caution came on lap 13 for Hansen, who appeared to blow his engine. On the restart, Johnny Spaw, who had dropped back several spots, charged to second. Two laps later the yellow waved again, and on the third try at a restart, Spaw grabbed the lead. On lap 18, double duty Kurt Kile took the runnerup spot, and he mounted a challenge on Spaw, but came up short. A jubilant Spaw noted that it was his first mod win at Liberty, ending a long dry spell after many pro stock wins in the late 1980s.
The finale of the evening and the season was the IMCA 50 lap $3500 to win feature race. Dash winner Ray Guss Jr., a newly named member of the dirt racing Hall of Fame, and Denny Eckrich sat on the front row. The first yellow came on lap four for Tyler Breuning, and Guss held the top spot over Andy Eckrich. Meanwhile, 18th starting Mike Murphy Jr. had advanced six spots. Two laps after the restart, third running Denny Eckrich stopped on the track, and by now, Murphy was up to fifth, while Tommy Elston took over third, and 15 starting Justin Kay in the # 21H normally driven by Brian Harris moved to eighth. The race stayed green until lap 18, and by now Murphy was fourth, and Nick Marolf had moved from 13th to sixth. On the restart, Marolf shot to fourth, while Murphy fell to seventh. When the caution came out on lap 20, Mike Klinkhammer, the 16th starter, moved to sixth. Six laps later, double duty driver Joel Callahan slipped past Andy Eckrich for second. On lap 31 the caution came again, and Murphy was back to fourth. If you are wondering about my point, we often hear that there is nor enough passing with IMCA late models. Well this race sure debunked that myth! Following this last restart, Eckrich and Callahan waged a fierce battle for second, with Andy taking the spot back on lap 38. Two laps later, the youngest of the Eckrich brothers charged past Guss to take a lead he would not give up. Guss held on for second ahead of Callahan, Marolf, and Murphy, while colby Springsteen took sixth. The rest of the top ten included Kinkhammer, Elston, Gary Webb, and Kay.
This was for sure one of our best nights of 2011, and makes me wish the season was not coming down to the final night. Still there are some opportunities to see good racing, so make some plans this weekend as I hope to!
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