I promise I was sober as could be when I watched the Saturday night features at West Liberty Raceways Liberty 100, and was in the same condition when I penned my recap, but unfortunately I mixed up my notes. After rereading my post, I realized I incorrectly credited Darren Miller with a flag to flag win in the open late models. While Darren did indeed pick up an impressive win, lapping up to sixth place, it was about lap 30 when he took the lead from second place finisher Brian Birkhofer.
With that said, lets cross our fingers that the weather forecasts improve enough that Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway helps put a cap on the 2010 season. Hope to see everyone there!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Seeing Double
With the sun shining brightly, Darryl and Fred picked me up Saturday afternoon, and after a mid afternoon meal at the new Dennys at the Fly'n J in Wayland, Mo., we headed north to the West Liberty Raceway for the rescheduled night two of the Liberty 100. This race always gets penciled in as soon as the schedules come out, but the anticipation level was even higher this season with the show split into two late model divisions. Thanks to a detailed internet posting by Kevin Feller - thanks, Kevin, I had the lineups for the evening in hand even though we had not attended night one. On the way north we met the # 44L of Aaron Luke headed towards the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo., but we were hoping that there would be a few " buy ins " to make up for the " no shows. " As it turned out, there were two new cars in the open late model class, with Dave Eckrich, who missed night one while chasing MLRA points, and Paul Parker, from Wisconsin taking a shot from the back of the last chance race. Dave made the show on a track he has raced many times, while Parker failed to transfer to the 50 lap finale. The first night show had 29 entries in each late model class, and on Saturday, there were 27 open cars and 26 IMCA competitors. With one qualified car missing in each class, Chad Simpson in the opens and Ron Brokus in the IMCAs, seven cars were promoted to the feature from each last chance 10 lap event. Jason Utter outdueled Jay Johnson in the opens, while Jay Chenoweth took the IMCA race ahead of Jon Merfeld. Joel Callahan was forced to start both races, and managed to qualify in both, surviving a flat tire in the IMCA version to come all the way back to third. The top six in passing points from night one ran a six lap dash for starting positions, with Darren Miller holding off Brian Birkhofer in the opens, and Ray Guss Jr. besting Miller in IMCA. With the show moving along quickly, Tyler Kelly captured the Flyer feature, while Zach Less topped the B-mods. Scott Walker piloted Matt Greiners # 29 to the stock car win, even as Greiner wheeled his IMCA car to the stock car win in Memphis! The A-mod feature turned in to a runaway win for Ryan Dolan, who had struggled in the dash earlier. Noah Coppess picked his way through the pack for an impressive runner up finish ahead of Jason Schueller. The open lates then took to the track for their 50 lap $3500 to win finale, with national stars Miller - who came out of " retirement " only weeks earlier - and Birkhofer setting on the front row. Brian took the lead at the green, but Darren pulled ahead in his Diercks # 32D out of turn two, and was never headed. A major crash in turn one on lap three took out five cars near the back of the starting order, with Jay Johnson perhaps getting the worst of it. From that point on, the race went green all the way, and Miller lapped all the way up to the sixth place car. Birky held on for second, while Utter made an unbelievable charge from 18th to finish third. Nick Marolf and Chris Simpson completed the top five. Brian Harris, Eckrich brothers Andy and Denny, and Kile brothers Kurt and Kevin rounded out the top ten. The final race of the night was the 50 lap, $3500 to win IMCA main event. The pole position went to three track, Summer Series, and national IMCA champion Guss, with Miller to his right. Although it was a different car on different tires, Miller picked up where he left off. After a scary crash on the front stretch as the filed tried to complete lap one, in which Nate Beuseling landed atop the # 84 of Sam Halstead, this race also went green all the way. If Darren Miller was impressive in the first feature, he was awesome in the finale. Dicing his way through traffic, Miller lapped all but second place Andy Eckrich, and put everyone from seventh on back two laps down! Guss finished third, with Jeff Aikey fourth. Tommy Elston made a second half charge to run fifth, while Mike Garland slipped past Boone Mclaughlin at the end for sixth. Colby Springsteen, Jeremiah Hurst, and Darrell Defrance finished out the first ten.
Several drivers competed in both late model classes. In addition to Miller , Andy Eckrich, and Callahan, Hurst, Mclaughlin, Johnson, and Jonathon Brauns did double duty, although Brauns in his # 22B was turning practice laps only with the IMCA cars. Rob Toland ran the IMCA portion in a backup car borrowed from open driver Rich Bell. A couple of night one cars had substitute drivers, with Andy Nezworski filling in for Matt Ryan in # 07, while Gary Webb took a turn in Rick Dralles'# 4D. Both made the big show.
Miller collected a $1,000 bonus for winning both main events. With an equal turnout of cars in both classes, it will be interesting to see what Simmons Promotions has in store for West Liberty in 2011. With over 140 cars on hand, we were pleasantly surprised to be leaving the grounds by 10:45, although the good feeling was tempered by the notion that we may have seen our last race of 2010. We had already made plans to attend Shiverfest this coming Saturday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, but we also knew that the likelihood of yet another dry weekend was a long shot, and as I write this, the forecast does not look too favorable. Hopefully, the rain will hold off, and there will be one more night of racin' down the road in 2011. Hope to see you there!
Several drivers competed in both late model classes. In addition to Miller , Andy Eckrich, and Callahan, Hurst, Mclaughlin, Johnson, and Jonathon Brauns did double duty, although Brauns in his # 22B was turning practice laps only with the IMCA cars. Rob Toland ran the IMCA portion in a backup car borrowed from open driver Rich Bell. A couple of night one cars had substitute drivers, with Andy Nezworski filling in for Matt Ryan in # 07, while Gary Webb took a turn in Rick Dralles'# 4D. Both made the big show.
Miller collected a $1,000 bonus for winning both main events. With an equal turnout of cars in both classes, it will be interesting to see what Simmons Promotions has in store for West Liberty in 2011. With over 140 cars on hand, we were pleasantly surprised to be leaving the grounds by 10:45, although the good feeling was tempered by the notion that we may have seen our last race of 2010. We had already made plans to attend Shiverfest this coming Saturday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, but we also knew that the likelihood of yet another dry weekend was a long shot, and as I write this, the forecast does not look too favorable. Hopefully, the rain will hold off, and there will be one more night of racin' down the road in 2011. Hope to see you there!
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Last Double Header Weekend?
Saturday morning Keagan and I along with Rick Coats and his son Spencer loaded a mountain of warm clothes in the Impala and headed for Knoxville, Iowa for the final night of the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals. After the Saturday night rainout last year that sent us home without seeing the 100 lap finale, we were happy to take the cold temps as long as clear skies were part of the deal. We arrived at the track before noon, but seemed to keep busy until the grandstands opened at 5:00. Keagan correctly pointed out that you can have a great time at this show before an engine ever fires. Wandering the pits, checking out all the collectables, attending the autograph session, taking in the auction all only feeds the anticipation of the big show. Keagan cut loose with some of his " hard earned " money to purchase a Brian Birkhofer diecast car, which Brian was gracious enough to autograph. When race time arrived 52 cars prepared to do battle for the
$40,000 top prize, while a couple of other competitors remained on the trailer. Quincy racer Rickey Frankel was dominating the 15 lap C-main when the engine began to go sour in his # 33F. Rickey held on for second to Oregon driver John Duty, but he was not able to take his spot in the B- main. Another Quincy driver, Mark Burgtorf had the fifth starting slot in the 20 lap 24 car B-main, which would see six cars transfer to the big dance. Mark ran in a transfer spot for most of the race, holding off Iowa hotshoes Chris Simpson and Andy Eckrich. As the laps wound down, Simpson found his way around Burgtorf, who finished one spot away from a transfer. Jimmy Mars took the win over a field that would have made for a great A- Main on another day. The bad luck for Quincy drivers continued in the IMCA modified main event. We had hoped things were looking up when Michael Long started on the front row in the Jim Gillenwater owned # 18L. Michael jumped out to an early lead, but soon found himself going backwards, eventually retiring from the race, which was captured by former late model pilot Darin Duffy. The late model 100 lapper was historic in the fact that unarguably the two most successful late model drivers of this era lined up side by side on the front row. Predictably, Scott Bloomquist powered to the early lead, bit before long it was Billy Moyer in the drivers seat. While several drivers made runs at the top spot during the caution marred race, it seemed like any time Billy was challenged, he could reach down for a little extra speed. In the end, the Iowa native lapped up to the 12th place car, winning the biggest race in his native state for the first time.
" Kid Rocket " Josh Richards was the last to make a run, and for the second time in three years, he filled the bridesmaid spot. Darrell Lanigan drove a consistent race to take third, while Steve Francis nabbed fourth. Will Vaught started 22nd and made a late charge to capture fifth ahead of shannon Babb, who had climbed as high as second mid race. Jimmy Mars came from the B-main to finish seventh,and 2008 winner Tim McCreadie was eighth. Another former winner, Brady Smith slipped past 18 year old Austin Hubbard to complete the top ten. While it was not the most exciting of the national finals, there is always something special about the race that keeps everyone talking for days after. With a cup of coffee and a splash of fuel, we headed home to get some sleep before the late afternoon scheduled show at Quincy Raceways.
There had been a buzz in the pits at Knoxville that Quincy might well see a big influx of UMP modifieds, as Sunday would be the final night for UMP points, with QR the only track racing. In addition, a combination rules package that would allow crate and steel block late models to compete with the local IMCA cars for a $1,000 top prize for 15 or more cars, a similar gimmick for stock cars and hobby stocks, and a visit from the Ill-Mo winged sprints offered the possibility of a full pit area. But as is so often the case late in the season, the cars did not show, at least not in the numbers hoped for.
Three crate late models and one steel block were part of an 11 car field that also included the season debut of veteran IMCA racer Fred Remley. Vance Wilson had been a QR regular the first half of the season before joining the
United Late Model Association mid season, and winding up as their champion. With the title in the bag, Vance came back and took a flag to flag win for his first late model win at the track were he has won a modified championship. Season points runnerup Jason Perry was alongside Wilson at the checkers. Evan Fink wheeled his crate car to a third place run in a car Jason Frankel piloted earlier this season. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished fourth ahead of Robbie Warner, and 11 year old Jake Griffin, who did double duty in his crate late model and UMP modified.
Only ten modifieds checked inm but one of the two travelers, Jim Black, from Bonne Terre, Mo. took the win. National point contender Devin Gilpin made the trip from Columbus, Indiana, and was running in the front pack before jumping the cushion and retiring early. Although the hobby stocks from QR and Lee county Speedway out up a challenge, it was the IMCA stock cars in the top three spots in the combo class, with track champ Terry Houston nabbing the win. Phil Heavelow made the trip from Buckner, Mo. to take a flag to flag win in the Lightning Sprints. With the early start, the final checkers flew about 7:15. With a small pit and grandstand turnout, QR owners canceled next weeks scheduled finale to begin plans for what will hopefully be a drier 2011 season.
With family activities this weekend, it does not look like I will be able to attend scheduled events at Lee County Speedway or Quad City Speedway,
but hopefully I will be able to get in a couple more shows after that. the forecast looks great for this weekend, so don't waste a chance to take in some racing.
$40,000 top prize, while a couple of other competitors remained on the trailer. Quincy racer Rickey Frankel was dominating the 15 lap C-main when the engine began to go sour in his # 33F. Rickey held on for second to Oregon driver John Duty, but he was not able to take his spot in the B- main. Another Quincy driver, Mark Burgtorf had the fifth starting slot in the 20 lap 24 car B-main, which would see six cars transfer to the big dance. Mark ran in a transfer spot for most of the race, holding off Iowa hotshoes Chris Simpson and Andy Eckrich. As the laps wound down, Simpson found his way around Burgtorf, who finished one spot away from a transfer. Jimmy Mars took the win over a field that would have made for a great A- Main on another day. The bad luck for Quincy drivers continued in the IMCA modified main event. We had hoped things were looking up when Michael Long started on the front row in the Jim Gillenwater owned # 18L. Michael jumped out to an early lead, but soon found himself going backwards, eventually retiring from the race, which was captured by former late model pilot Darin Duffy. The late model 100 lapper was historic in the fact that unarguably the two most successful late model drivers of this era lined up side by side on the front row. Predictably, Scott Bloomquist powered to the early lead, bit before long it was Billy Moyer in the drivers seat. While several drivers made runs at the top spot during the caution marred race, it seemed like any time Billy was challenged, he could reach down for a little extra speed. In the end, the Iowa native lapped up to the 12th place car, winning the biggest race in his native state for the first time.
" Kid Rocket " Josh Richards was the last to make a run, and for the second time in three years, he filled the bridesmaid spot. Darrell Lanigan drove a consistent race to take third, while Steve Francis nabbed fourth. Will Vaught started 22nd and made a late charge to capture fifth ahead of shannon Babb, who had climbed as high as second mid race. Jimmy Mars came from the B-main to finish seventh,and 2008 winner Tim McCreadie was eighth. Another former winner, Brady Smith slipped past 18 year old Austin Hubbard to complete the top ten. While it was not the most exciting of the national finals, there is always something special about the race that keeps everyone talking for days after. With a cup of coffee and a splash of fuel, we headed home to get some sleep before the late afternoon scheduled show at Quincy Raceways.
There had been a buzz in the pits at Knoxville that Quincy might well see a big influx of UMP modifieds, as Sunday would be the final night for UMP points, with QR the only track racing. In addition, a combination rules package that would allow crate and steel block late models to compete with the local IMCA cars for a $1,000 top prize for 15 or more cars, a similar gimmick for stock cars and hobby stocks, and a visit from the Ill-Mo winged sprints offered the possibility of a full pit area. But as is so often the case late in the season, the cars did not show, at least not in the numbers hoped for.
Three crate late models and one steel block were part of an 11 car field that also included the season debut of veteran IMCA racer Fred Remley. Vance Wilson had been a QR regular the first half of the season before joining the
United Late Model Association mid season, and winding up as their champion. With the title in the bag, Vance came back and took a flag to flag win for his first late model win at the track were he has won a modified championship. Season points runnerup Jason Perry was alongside Wilson at the checkers. Evan Fink wheeled his crate car to a third place run in a car Jason Frankel piloted earlier this season. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished fourth ahead of Robbie Warner, and 11 year old Jake Griffin, who did double duty in his crate late model and UMP modified.
Only ten modifieds checked inm but one of the two travelers, Jim Black, from Bonne Terre, Mo. took the win. National point contender Devin Gilpin made the trip from Columbus, Indiana, and was running in the front pack before jumping the cushion and retiring early. Although the hobby stocks from QR and Lee county Speedway out up a challenge, it was the IMCA stock cars in the top three spots in the combo class, with track champ Terry Houston nabbing the win. Phil Heavelow made the trip from Buckner, Mo. to take a flag to flag win in the Lightning Sprints. With the early start, the final checkers flew about 7:15. With a small pit and grandstand turnout, QR owners canceled next weeks scheduled finale to begin plans for what will hopefully be a drier 2011 season.
With family activities this weekend, it does not look like I will be able to attend scheduled events at Lee County Speedway or Quad City Speedway,
but hopefully I will be able to get in a couple more shows after that. the forecast looks great for this weekend, so don't waste a chance to take in some racing.
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