There is no question that race fans - make that fanatics - will do things in the early spring and late fall that they likely would not consider in say, mid July. This past Saturday was a prime example. I spent the morning hours setting up and serving food for my church at a farm auction outside of town. As we were set up in an open shed, I was more than aware that temps were unable to get past 40 and the wind was howling. But when I left home at 7:30, I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. had not yet canceled racing for the evening. So at 11:00, as my shift neared its end, I made the call and got the answer I was looking for - racing was still on. So even though the forecast showed a 70% chance of rain at race time, I called two of my faithful companions from Quincy, and at 2:15 we met up in Taylor,Mo. for the
2 1/2 hour trip to the super fast 1/3 mile south of St.Louis. A rain shower along the way generated one more phone call, but as we cruised on south, the rain stopped and the temperature eased a bit higher. Things got even better as we arrived at the track, and before the sun went down, it made a surprise appearance. We fully expected a soft, rough track - with all the moisture we have seen, how could it not be? Amazingly, however, the track was tacky and fast, and the racing was three wide much of the night. With a sparse crowd, a threatening forecast, and the river which often floods the only way in and out of the facility on the rise, Ray Marler and crew wasted no time. Indeed, the first late model heat rolled off ten minutes before scheduled race time, and the action went non stop from there. 27 UMP late models checked in, to go along with an unusually small count of 18 UMP modifieds, 30 AARA sportsmen, and 12 Pro 4's. The regular position dashes were eliminated, as a roll of the die determined the feature inverts after the heats were completed. The three late model heats went to Tim Rataczyk
( pronounced Rattacheck ), Craig Smith, and Mark Miner. Dewayne Kiefer nabbed the consy, and the 24 car field was set for the 25 lap feature. The Pro 4 feature complete, the late models rolled out second, much to our delight! With defending track champion Brian Collins on the pole, common opinion had the battle being for second. Collins seemed to have missed on his set up, and began falling back gradually. Meanwhile Rataczyk was on a rail, and looked like the man to beat in his # 112. Coming from the third row, however, Mark Voigt soon had his # 30 pointed to the front, and as lap 20 approached, the veteran racer starting his 30th season took the top spot. It was his second victory of the weekend, as he came out on top the night before in Belleville, Il. Rataczyk held on to second, followed by Tim Manville, Smith. and Michael Kloos fifth. The second five consisted of Miner, Dave Jumper, Jeff Beyers, Collins and Brandon Sheppard. The modifieds came quickly to the speedway, but with the temps dropping and the rain coming, we headed for the car after the second caution period. Reports had Bobby Bittle and Rusty Griffaw in a race long battle with Bittle grabbing the win, in a reverse of the finish at Belleville. We were happy to be in the car at 9:07 for the rainy drive home, and as we learned Sunday, the rains hit the track ten minutes after the conclusion of the Sportsman feature at 9:40. As I mentioned last time, Pevely is an outstanding facility, easily worth tackling the St Louis area traffic, and I hope to make two or three more visits in 2010. With some obligations this Saturday, my next scheduled race is the opener at Quincy Raceways this Sunday, April 4. IMCA late models, UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and hobby stocks are on the card, with hot laps at 5:00 and racing at 5:30. As of this writing, there are still some soft spots on the track and in the pits, so Tuesday nights practice has been postponed. Plans are now to have three consecutive nights of test and tune beginning on Wednesday. The following weekend. April 10 and 11 is set up as a great racing weekend in this part of the world, with IMCA late model Summer Series races at 34 Raceway in West Burlington and Quincy. Should the weather man interfere, the third annual Illini 100 at Farmer City, Il. will be an option. This has been a favorite of ours the first two years it has run, but will take a back seat to the Summer Series shows. Be sure and mark the opening weekend of IMCA late model points on your schedule. Lee County Speedway will begin their second year of " Drive for Five, " on Friday,April 23 and the following night 34 Raceway has announced it will be free admission for all! Then you can visit Quincy Raceways to cap off a racin' weekend. Wherever you are, take in some racing this weekend, spring is finally here!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Racin' Down the Road
It's time to share a few thoughts as I wait for the first day of spring snow to leave the ground here in Northeast Missouri. The 2010 racing season began for me last weekend with the Quincy Raceway car show at the Quincy Mall.
Something close to 40 cars were on display, and the bench racing season was in full swing. There was a healthy total of 11 IMCA late models on hand, although the car drawing the most attention may have been the # 08 crate late model of 11 year old Jake Griffin. Amazingly, this will be Jakes second season in this class, as last year he competed at Tri City Speedway in Granite City,Il and Spoon River Speedway in Banner,Il., as well as the Monster Midwest show at his hometown track in Quincy. The word is that he may be competing in a UMP modified at Quincy Raceway this season, as well. Much of what was rumor at the January banquet was confirmed at the weekend event, including a scheduled opening night of Easter Sunday, April 4. Several practice nights, including next Saturday, March 27 have been set, but we will need to see a drastic change in the weather for track crews to be able to prepare the .29 mile oval. After listening to drivers and fans, track owners Tony and Paul have decided to bump up starting times to 5:00 PM hot laps and 5:30 PM race time. The hope is that this will increase out of town participation, especially in the late model and stock car classes, where Iowa travelers could help boost car counts. This could be of particular benefit early on, as the Deery Brothers Summer Series comes to town on Sunday, April 11.Genenbacher Racing had all three of their late models on display, as they have added former IMCA national champion Jason Frankel to the team, which also includes " Wild Willy " Bill Genenbacher, and up and coming Jason Perry. Defending points champion Lonnie Bailey showed off his familiar read # 25, but son Matt has opted for an entirely new color scheme on his # 52. 14 time track champion Mark Burgtorf confirmed that he is going after a fifth IMCA Deery Brothers championship, and also indicated his attendance at his home track may be sporadic in 2010. Mark will also be campaigning an open motor car ,with both cars being Pierce chassis, and also following son Cale in his sports schedule. Although Gower Racing did not have any cars at the show, I was able to visit with driver Joeys father Joe, who caught me up on their activities. They have purchased a Mastersbilt by Mars machine, and are looking for to working with both Jimmy Mars and Brian Birkhofer. In addition to racing at home, they hope to make some trips to West Liberty Raceway, and hookup with Mars for some " hands on " assistance. At this time, they have three late models in their stable, including two set up for QR.
Plans were all set for three of us to witness our first on track action of the season on Saturday at the 2nd UMP DirtCar Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri. Those plans were changed on Wednesday, when UMP and track officials decided the grounds were simply too soggy for the large number of race teams and campers expected for the eight class, three day event. Postponed from last October, it has now been reset for the third weekend in October. Having witnessed the inaugural running of the show, I have already penciled the October date on my racing calender - yes, I really do keep one! As things stand now, we are hoping to make the trip to Pevely next Saturday night, March 27 for their regular season opener. The weekly $10.00 show at the 1/3rd miles oval features UMP late models, UMP modifieds, AARA sportsmen and Pro 4's ( hornets. ) I have never left Ken Schrader and Ray Marlers hign banked oval disappointed, so if you get the chance, the trip is worth it!
An E-mail from promoter Terry Hoenig of the Lee County Speedway in donnellson, Iowastated that he will honor the $5.00 off rain checks from last seasons rain shortened Shiverfest event at either of the tracks opening two shows. Opening night was originally set for Friday, April 23, with the first installment of the Drive For Five IMCA late models, but a $ 2,000. to win IMCA modified show has been added on April 16.
Perhaps the most talked about race of the early season in this area is the 2nd annual Slocum 50 Memorial Deery Brothers race at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa on Saturday, April 10. Due to tremendous support, the 50 lap race will pay $3,000 to win and perhaps even more important, $500 to start. Brent and his team were always strong advocates of a payout that was more focused throughout the field, and he would be proud of the solid start money at a race in his honor. Hopefully by the time this big weekend rolls around, spring will be here to stay, and we will have a few races under our belt. See you at the track!
Something close to 40 cars were on display, and the bench racing season was in full swing. There was a healthy total of 11 IMCA late models on hand, although the car drawing the most attention may have been the # 08 crate late model of 11 year old Jake Griffin. Amazingly, this will be Jakes second season in this class, as last year he competed at Tri City Speedway in Granite City,Il and Spoon River Speedway in Banner,Il., as well as the Monster Midwest show at his hometown track in Quincy. The word is that he may be competing in a UMP modified at Quincy Raceway this season, as well. Much of what was rumor at the January banquet was confirmed at the weekend event, including a scheduled opening night of Easter Sunday, April 4. Several practice nights, including next Saturday, March 27 have been set, but we will need to see a drastic change in the weather for track crews to be able to prepare the .29 mile oval. After listening to drivers and fans, track owners Tony and Paul have decided to bump up starting times to 5:00 PM hot laps and 5:30 PM race time. The hope is that this will increase out of town participation, especially in the late model and stock car classes, where Iowa travelers could help boost car counts. This could be of particular benefit early on, as the Deery Brothers Summer Series comes to town on Sunday, April 11.Genenbacher Racing had all three of their late models on display, as they have added former IMCA national champion Jason Frankel to the team, which also includes " Wild Willy " Bill Genenbacher, and up and coming Jason Perry. Defending points champion Lonnie Bailey showed off his familiar read # 25, but son Matt has opted for an entirely new color scheme on his # 52. 14 time track champion Mark Burgtorf confirmed that he is going after a fifth IMCA Deery Brothers championship, and also indicated his attendance at his home track may be sporadic in 2010. Mark will also be campaigning an open motor car ,with both cars being Pierce chassis, and also following son Cale in his sports schedule. Although Gower Racing did not have any cars at the show, I was able to visit with driver Joeys father Joe, who caught me up on their activities. They have purchased a Mastersbilt by Mars machine, and are looking for to working with both Jimmy Mars and Brian Birkhofer. In addition to racing at home, they hope to make some trips to West Liberty Raceway, and hookup with Mars for some " hands on " assistance. At this time, they have three late models in their stable, including two set up for QR.
Plans were all set for three of us to witness our first on track action of the season on Saturday at the 2nd UMP DirtCar Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri. Those plans were changed on Wednesday, when UMP and track officials decided the grounds were simply too soggy for the large number of race teams and campers expected for the eight class, three day event. Postponed from last October, it has now been reset for the third weekend in October. Having witnessed the inaugural running of the show, I have already penciled the October date on my racing calender - yes, I really do keep one! As things stand now, we are hoping to make the trip to Pevely next Saturday night, March 27 for their regular season opener. The weekly $10.00 show at the 1/3rd miles oval features UMP late models, UMP modifieds, AARA sportsmen and Pro 4's ( hornets. ) I have never left Ken Schrader and Ray Marlers hign banked oval disappointed, so if you get the chance, the trip is worth it!
An E-mail from promoter Terry Hoenig of the Lee County Speedway in donnellson, Iowastated that he will honor the $5.00 off rain checks from last seasons rain shortened Shiverfest event at either of the tracks opening two shows. Opening night was originally set for Friday, April 23, with the first installment of the Drive For Five IMCA late models, but a $ 2,000. to win IMCA modified show has been added on April 16.
Perhaps the most talked about race of the early season in this area is the 2nd annual Slocum 50 Memorial Deery Brothers race at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa on Saturday, April 10. Due to tremendous support, the 50 lap race will pay $3,000 to win and perhaps even more important, $500 to start. Brent and his team were always strong advocates of a payout that was more focused throughout the field, and he would be proud of the solid start money at a race in his honor. Hopefully by the time this big weekend rolls around, spring will be here to stay, and we will have a few races under our belt. See you at the track!
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