Going into the holiday weekend, it looked like Friday would be the pick day for racing. But with my regular work schedule, making a Friday night race is problematic at best. Saturday was already set aside for family activities, so there would have been no racing then, even if everything within 200 miles had not been rained out! Sunday presented several possibilities, but a possible trip north did not pan out, so Keagan and I were set for a night at Quincy Raceways to enjoy the MOWA 410 sprint cars. Sunday morning did not look promising, and sure enough, when track workers arrived at the speedway, they quickly saw that the pit area was too wet to support the big haulers, and they pulled the plug about 10:30. Keagan then headed out on vacation, and left to my own devices, I was soon on the phone " just checking " to see if Darryl and Fred might want to take a chance on Mother Nature smiling on Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Il. Promoters Kevin and Tammy Gundaker would be hosting the UMP super late models in a $ 10,000 to win 50 lap event on the 3/8 mile, joined by the UMP modifieds, and UMP Pro Crate late models. With the Show Me 100 being run off on schedule, it was likely some of the heavy hitters would head for Tri City to finish off the weekend. So we shrugged off the 40% rain chances and headed south. The skies improved as we neared the St Louis metro area, and after doing a bit of " tailgating " on pit road, we decided to buy our tickets and find a seat inside.
Tri City always produces good car counts, especially for special events, and Sunday was no exception. The pits were packed with 34 supers, 46 mods, and 35 crates, 115 total cars for the three class program.
Up first was group qualifying for the supers. Brian Birkhofer set the pace early, as he ran in group one, but Shannon Babb soon broke his mark with a lap of 14.730. As qualifying moved along the times moved higher, and Babb topped the field with his mark. Still the track stayed unusually tacky, and the crates ran three heat races with minimal cautions. The late models ran next, with Babb checking out from the pole to capture heat one over Randy Korte. Heat two had a tough time getting started, with three first lap yellows. The third was for third starting Rickey Frankel, and after three attempts, the field was set in single file formation, with Rickey having to start ninth. Scott Bloomquist also had issues, making comtact with the wall, sending him to the infield and the B-main. Dennis Erb Jr. came from sixth to take the win over polesitter Mike Marlar. Brandon Sheppard shot from the pole to take heat three over third starting Bobby Pierce. As the final heat got going, Dewayne Kiefer contacted the back of Billy Moyer in turn four, turning him around and sending both front row starters to the back. Tyler Reddick then took over to outgun Brady Smith for the win. Moyer managed to come back to fourth behind Billy Faust to transfer to the main, with Kiefer was headed for the consy. The UMP ran five heat races, with The " Showstopper " Ray Walsh, and NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader both coming from eighth starting slot to finish in the runner up slots in their respective heats.
In a bit of a complicated formula, the four late model heat winners then came to the track and drew for starting positions in the six lap dash. Drawing first, Babb pulled the number one, and he used the start to lead all six laps, holding off Reddick, earning the pole for the 50 lap finale. One late model B-main was set to transfer seven cars to the " A, and all 18 entrants took the green in the 12 lapper. Springfield, Il driver Brian Dively checked out for an easy win, with Randy Weaver wheeling his # 116 to the runner up spot.
The crates had a bit of trouble getting started in their B-main, but the clicked off ten laps, and the mods followed with two efficiently run B's. In the second of those, Joe Walsh rolled off from row six to take the third and final transfer spot. We had the feeling he could have moved higher, but when he moved into the transfer spot, he wisely tucked his # 98 in the low groove and protected his position.
At this point, only a couple of early renegade sprinkles had landed on the facility, but with darkness came some heavier cloud cover. Perhaps with this in mind, a very short intermission was taken, and the late model headliner was called to the track. Two time track feature winner Craig Smith was added to the 23 qualifiers as a track provisional, and Bloomquist was the 25th starter as the fast in time that had not qualified. Smith never came to staging, so 24 cars lined up for 50 laps and a $ 10,000 top prize on the multiple grooved smooth and tacky track. Babb again took off from the pole, but as the filed passed under the flagstand to complete lap one, a melee ensued, collecting a half dozen or so cars. Michael Kloos appeared to get the worst of things, collecting the front stretch wall. Kloos, Marlar, Kiefer, Moyer and Scott Weber were all unable to continue, while Mark Burgtorf, who did a broadslide into Kiefer rejoined the back of the pack.
As racing resumed, Babb again checked out, but on lap four, Brian Shirley pounded the turn three wall, sliding back into the groove. Again Burgtorf had nowhere to go, and slid into Shirley. Even so, Mark suffered no serious damage, continuing on, with Shirley leaving on the hook. The remaining 18 cars restarted with 47 laps to go, and never again did the caution wave. Although Babb led the distance, the racing was intense behind him. Reddick applied pressure early, but Brady Smith was the man on the move. Starting Eighth, the Wisconsin ace eventually worked his way around Sheppard, Erb, Pierce, and finally Reddick to claim the runner up finish. Pierce was able to get by Reddick late to finish third, with Erb running a stead race to take fifth. That may have felt like a win for Erb, who has had a spate of blown engines of late. Sheppard and Weaver had a spirited duel in the middle stages of the race for sixth before Sheppard took the spot, and Ryan Unzicker and Bloomquist ran side by side lap after lap, swapping the eighth spot, with Unzicker ahead at the checkers. Korte held off Burgtorf for tenth, with Babb the remaining cars.
As the post race interview of the top three was conducted, a few more sprinkles dotted the landscape. There were still two features to run and it was just coming up on 10:30, but we elected to try to beat the weather and head for home. As it was, we did get an hour or so up the road before yet another monsoon made for an adventurous trip home. Checking the results, I see that for super late model ace Matt Taylor took the crate win, and not surprisingly Ray Walsh took home the $1,000 top modified prize. Quincy regular Dave Weitholder was forced to make an early exit from the mod finale, while Tri City point leader and QR regular Michael Long was a spectator on Sunday, unable to repair an engine that gave out on him on the final lap Friday night at Tri City, costing him a win.
Thanks to the Gundakers for an efficient, well run show before a large crowd and threatening skies.
The long range forecast does not sound good for next weekend, but hopefully we will be able to do some
" Racin' Down the Road."
Monday, May 27, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Reed Keeps Streak Alive at Quincy
Justin Reed used a lap 20 pass of Mark Burgtorf to capture the win in the 30 lap UMP late model feature Sunday night at Quincy Raceways. Justin also kept a fun streak going as there has now been five different late model winners in five nights of racing.
A strange combination of strong storms to the north, dry, windy conditions at the track and a lot of as yet unplanted fields combined to hold down both the car and fan count at the Broadway Bullring. A season low 62 cars signed in, and amazingly the late model count was the lowest of all at ten. Still the 30 lap finale was probably the best race of the night. Burgtorf, now reportedly in a Victory Circle chassis, set quick time at 14.418 seconds, then rolled a " one " to put himself on the pole of the ten lap fast car dash. Mark picked up the win, earning the pole for the feature, and a shot at a sweep. When the green flag waved, he won the drag race to turn one over outside polesitter Jason Perry, and quickly moved to the low groove, which has been the quick way around the .29 mile oval all season. The third starting Reed moved into second, but soon realized Mark was not likely to make a mistake . Justin has been trying to work the top side in the last couple of features, and he soon headed to the high groove. As he ran up top basically by himself, he soon found some bite out of turn two. He was able to pull alongside Burgtorf several times, but would lose momentum in the super slick turn four. But 20 laps in, he was able to clear the #7B on the backstretch to grab the lead.
Perry also tried to move up the track, but could not overtake Burgtorf, and in the closing laps, point leader Denny Woodworth muscled his way around to nab third. Heat race winner Robby Warner completed the first five.
The UMP modifieds have enjoyed no such parity, as Steven Delonjay picked up his fourth main event win in five nights of action. He outgunned fast qualifier Michael Long at the start, and withstood a challenge from Dave Weitholder to pick up the win. Robbie Reed, Long, and Shawn Deering turned in top five runs.
The IMCA stock cars had more than there usual number of cautions, and the action was slam, bam, entertaining action. Terry Houston found the top spot and stayed ahead of the back and forth action. Five time hobby stock champion Steve Carlin enjoyed his best stock car finish in the runner up slot, with Brandon Savage fighting overheating issues to come home third.
The IMCA Sport Mods were on good behavior on Sunday, but the outcome was the same. Jim Gillenwater snagged the early lead and held on until lap 12, when Tony Dunker moved past for the lead and the win. Bobby Anders trailed Gillenwater in third.
The IMCA Sport Compacts finished up the evenings events, with 13 of 14 cars taking the green. Much improved Laine VanZandt followed up a heat race win with his first feature win of the season. Austen Becerra fough through a smoking car to finish second. Kimberly Abbott was running third with two laps to go when a mixup with a lapped car sent her spinning. However, she continued on without stopping, and her fifth place finish was good enough to put her atop the points. Pat Dunker completed the top three.
Racing action was completed before darkness set in!
This coming Sunday, the UMP late models will have the night off, as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the five division holiday program.
A strange combination of strong storms to the north, dry, windy conditions at the track and a lot of as yet unplanted fields combined to hold down both the car and fan count at the Broadway Bullring. A season low 62 cars signed in, and amazingly the late model count was the lowest of all at ten. Still the 30 lap finale was probably the best race of the night. Burgtorf, now reportedly in a Victory Circle chassis, set quick time at 14.418 seconds, then rolled a " one " to put himself on the pole of the ten lap fast car dash. Mark picked up the win, earning the pole for the feature, and a shot at a sweep. When the green flag waved, he won the drag race to turn one over outside polesitter Jason Perry, and quickly moved to the low groove, which has been the quick way around the .29 mile oval all season. The third starting Reed moved into second, but soon realized Mark was not likely to make a mistake . Justin has been trying to work the top side in the last couple of features, and he soon headed to the high groove. As he ran up top basically by himself, he soon found some bite out of turn two. He was able to pull alongside Burgtorf several times, but would lose momentum in the super slick turn four. But 20 laps in, he was able to clear the #7B on the backstretch to grab the lead.
Perry also tried to move up the track, but could not overtake Burgtorf, and in the closing laps, point leader Denny Woodworth muscled his way around to nab third. Heat race winner Robby Warner completed the first five.
The UMP modifieds have enjoyed no such parity, as Steven Delonjay picked up his fourth main event win in five nights of action. He outgunned fast qualifier Michael Long at the start, and withstood a challenge from Dave Weitholder to pick up the win. Robbie Reed, Long, and Shawn Deering turned in top five runs.
The IMCA stock cars had more than there usual number of cautions, and the action was slam, bam, entertaining action. Terry Houston found the top spot and stayed ahead of the back and forth action. Five time hobby stock champion Steve Carlin enjoyed his best stock car finish in the runner up slot, with Brandon Savage fighting overheating issues to come home third.
The IMCA Sport Mods were on good behavior on Sunday, but the outcome was the same. Jim Gillenwater snagged the early lead and held on until lap 12, when Tony Dunker moved past for the lead and the win. Bobby Anders trailed Gillenwater in third.
The IMCA Sport Compacts finished up the evenings events, with 13 of 14 cars taking the green. Much improved Laine VanZandt followed up a heat race win with his first feature win of the season. Austen Becerra fough through a smoking car to finish second. Kimberly Abbott was running third with two laps to go when a mixup with a lapped car sent her spinning. However, she continued on without stopping, and her fifth place finish was good enough to put her atop the points. Pat Dunker completed the top three.
Racing action was completed before darkness set in!
This coming Sunday, the UMP late models will have the night off, as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the five division holiday program.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
T Darb and the Highside Hustler top Davenport
Friday afternoon, I had a rare opportunity to get out of work early. Knowing this a few weeks in advance, I had been trolling the track schedules looking for a good Friday night race to take in. I had not updated my schedules when the Cornbelt clash was rescheduled at Davenport, but an internet posting jogged my memory. But is was only when I checked the track website that I realized the IMCA late models would also be running on the big half mile. So I talked buddy Fred into driving provided I actually did get off early. Luckily, Fred, Darryl and I were on the road for the three hour drive from Quincy about 3:20. The skies looked somewhat threatening until we passed the Burlington area, then it lightened up, and so did our mood. Along the way, we debated what the late model car count would be, settling for somewhere between 18-20 in each class. As it turned out, 22 open lates and 16 IMCA were signed in, headlinging the five division program, all running on the half mile track.
Defending Corn Belt champion and current point leader Chad Simpson, who I had already seen capture two events in 2013 smacked the wall in turns one and two in hot laps, but even so, when he was announced as lining up outside row one in heat two, I looked at the guys and said " Uh oh." Before we got that far, Brian Harris was a no show for heat one, as the # 15R would not go into gear. Skip Frey outdueled Justin Kay to top that ten lapper, and when the green waved in heat two Simpson smacked the wall in the same spot, ending his night. Andy Eckrich picked up the win, with Feger coming from the last starting spot to second, making him the passing points leader. Rich Bell nabbed heat three - all three heats were won from the pole - with Matt Furman matching Feger by coming from seventh to second. Feger rolled a " five " for the dash invert, giving Bell and Andy Eckrich the front row. Bell led the first five circuits before slowing coming out of turn two on the final lap. Eckrich took the checkers, setting up a shot at a sweep.
In IMCA action, Andy Nezworski took off from the outside pole and led 9 1/2 laps of heat one before polesitter Stephan Kammerer slipped past for the win. Ray Guss Jr and Mike Garland made early exits, setting up a long run to the front come feature time. A fist lap melee in heat two sent Mike Zemo Jr pitside with damage. When racing resumed, Justin Kay continued the trend, taking the win from the pole, with fourth starting Tom Darbyshire in the runnerup slot.
Late model and 4 cylinder veteran Joe Zrostlik used a borrowed ride to pick up the 4 stock feature win, besting an eight car field. Joe said he will have his late model race ready soon. Jeremy Marquez easily topped the five car street stock main.
The IMCA late models were up next,with Nezworski and Spencer Diercks setting up front. Nezworski put his # 47 out front at the green, with Darbyshire charging from row two to the second spot. Tom stayed close, making numerous attempts at the pass in turns one and two. On lap 14 of the 20 lapper, he made the pass stick, then cruised to the win in the non stop event. Nezworski held off Nate Beuseling for third, while Mike Murphy moved up five spots to fourth. Justin Kay rounded out the top five. Guss Jr came from the back to sixth, with Diercks,Kammerer,Gary Webb in the Jeff Stevens # 11, and Joe Ross completing the top ten. In his post race interview, Darbyshire professed his fondness for the big half mile.
The IMCA modified field was 16 strong, and Rich Smith paced the field early in the AJ Fike # 10, with Brandon Rothzen in close pursuit, while Steve Stewart held third. Hotshoe Bob Dominacki pulled out on lap five running mid pack, and three laps later, Rothzen went to the infield. On the following lap, Smith slowed in turn two, ending his night and bringing out the caution. With the leader out, a side by side restart allowed Kelly Meyer to get the jump on Stewart. Two laps from the finish, Meyer contacted the turn two wall, ending his run, and setting up a side by side two lap dash for the checkers. This time, Stewart snagged the lead and the win.
The 40 lap Cornbelt clash feature rounded out the card, with Andy Eckrich taking the early lead. By lap three, Feger had moved to second, and the caution waved two laps later for Frey.It would be the only stoppage in the race. On the restart, seventh starting Guss Jr cracked the top five, two laps later he moved to fourth. By lap 15, the leaders were running side by side, and with a little help from lapped traffic, Feger secured the lead. Meanwhile, eighth starting Denny Eckrich was on the move, taking fourth away from Guss Jr. On lap 25, Denny took the third spot, but he could not run down baby brother Andy in second. Guss Jr, overtook Kay for fourth on lap 33, and the top five was now set. Jake Meier and Rick Wendling had a great duel for sixth, with Jake taking the spot. Feger managed to lap all the cars up to those two. Mike Fryer, Dave Eckrich, and Diercks completed the top ten. It was a popular win for the personable driver from Bloomington,Il driver, who is currently under suspension from UMP due to tire issues.
Although more than a half dozen of the drivers in attendance have both open and IMCA cars, only Guss Jr. Kay, and Diercks elected to run both class. Kay and Diercks logged 80 laps on the big track, Ray over 70!
It was my first visit to Davenport in a couple of years, and was a fun night of racing. The temps stayed warm, the stiff breeze was no problem, and we were on the road home by 10:30. Hopefully I can make another visit in 2013.
Meanwhile the forecast is a bit ominous as Keagan and I prepare to head to Quincy Raceways tonight, Sunday, for weekly UMP and IMCA action. Hope to see you as we are Racin' Down the Road!
Defending Corn Belt champion and current point leader Chad Simpson, who I had already seen capture two events in 2013 smacked the wall in turns one and two in hot laps, but even so, when he was announced as lining up outside row one in heat two, I looked at the guys and said " Uh oh." Before we got that far, Brian Harris was a no show for heat one, as the # 15R would not go into gear. Skip Frey outdueled Justin Kay to top that ten lapper, and when the green waved in heat two Simpson smacked the wall in the same spot, ending his night. Andy Eckrich picked up the win, with Feger coming from the last starting spot to second, making him the passing points leader. Rich Bell nabbed heat three - all three heats were won from the pole - with Matt Furman matching Feger by coming from seventh to second. Feger rolled a " five " for the dash invert, giving Bell and Andy Eckrich the front row. Bell led the first five circuits before slowing coming out of turn two on the final lap. Eckrich took the checkers, setting up a shot at a sweep.
In IMCA action, Andy Nezworski took off from the outside pole and led 9 1/2 laps of heat one before polesitter Stephan Kammerer slipped past for the win. Ray Guss Jr and Mike Garland made early exits, setting up a long run to the front come feature time. A fist lap melee in heat two sent Mike Zemo Jr pitside with damage. When racing resumed, Justin Kay continued the trend, taking the win from the pole, with fourth starting Tom Darbyshire in the runnerup slot.
Late model and 4 cylinder veteran Joe Zrostlik used a borrowed ride to pick up the 4 stock feature win, besting an eight car field. Joe said he will have his late model race ready soon. Jeremy Marquez easily topped the five car street stock main.
The IMCA late models were up next,with Nezworski and Spencer Diercks setting up front. Nezworski put his # 47 out front at the green, with Darbyshire charging from row two to the second spot. Tom stayed close, making numerous attempts at the pass in turns one and two. On lap 14 of the 20 lapper, he made the pass stick, then cruised to the win in the non stop event. Nezworski held off Nate Beuseling for third, while Mike Murphy moved up five spots to fourth. Justin Kay rounded out the top five. Guss Jr came from the back to sixth, with Diercks,Kammerer,Gary Webb in the Jeff Stevens # 11, and Joe Ross completing the top ten. In his post race interview, Darbyshire professed his fondness for the big half mile.
The IMCA modified field was 16 strong, and Rich Smith paced the field early in the AJ Fike # 10, with Brandon Rothzen in close pursuit, while Steve Stewart held third. Hotshoe Bob Dominacki pulled out on lap five running mid pack, and three laps later, Rothzen went to the infield. On the following lap, Smith slowed in turn two, ending his night and bringing out the caution. With the leader out, a side by side restart allowed Kelly Meyer to get the jump on Stewart. Two laps from the finish, Meyer contacted the turn two wall, ending his run, and setting up a side by side two lap dash for the checkers. This time, Stewart snagged the lead and the win.
The 40 lap Cornbelt clash feature rounded out the card, with Andy Eckrich taking the early lead. By lap three, Feger had moved to second, and the caution waved two laps later for Frey.It would be the only stoppage in the race. On the restart, seventh starting Guss Jr cracked the top five, two laps later he moved to fourth. By lap 15, the leaders were running side by side, and with a little help from lapped traffic, Feger secured the lead. Meanwhile, eighth starting Denny Eckrich was on the move, taking fourth away from Guss Jr. On lap 25, Denny took the third spot, but he could not run down baby brother Andy in second. Guss Jr, overtook Kay for fourth on lap 33, and the top five was now set. Jake Meier and Rick Wendling had a great duel for sixth, with Jake taking the spot. Feger managed to lap all the cars up to those two. Mike Fryer, Dave Eckrich, and Diercks completed the top ten. It was a popular win for the personable driver from Bloomington,Il driver, who is currently under suspension from UMP due to tire issues.
Although more than a half dozen of the drivers in attendance have both open and IMCA cars, only Guss Jr. Kay, and Diercks elected to run both class. Kay and Diercks logged 80 laps on the big track, Ray over 70!
It was my first visit to Davenport in a couple of years, and was a fun night of racing. The temps stayed warm, the stiff breeze was no problem, and we were on the road home by 10:30. Hopefully I can make another visit in 2013.
Meanwhile the forecast is a bit ominous as Keagan and I prepare to head to Quincy Raceways tonight, Sunday, for weekly UMP and IMCA action. Hope to see you as we are Racin' Down the Road!
Monday, May 13, 2013
" Rocket Shep " On Top at Quincy
After being rained out three times last week and taking this Saturday off for family time, it was good to get back in the saddle Sunday at Quincy Raceways. A nice total of 76 cars in five classes checked in, led by 18 UMP late models. Brandon Sheppard checking in was something of a surprise, although the third generation racer visited the Bullring several times in 2012 before being hired on the drive the Rocket house car. After a foray into NASCAR, Josh Richards is back in the # 1 ride, and Brandon and his # B5 stopped by for some Sunday action. The youngster started things off by setting quick time of 13.89 seconds, but then rolled a six, putting himself outside row three in the fast dash. Opening night feature winner Jerry Lierly charged from row two to capture that ten lap event, earning the pole for the 30 lap finale with Dustin Griffin alongside. Jim Moon, who had everyone talking about his controversial tire cheating commentary on the internet, and Michael Long picked up the heat race wins. The feature began with a restart, as Moon spun in turn four, spoiling a row four start and collecting Clint Kirkham in the process. When the green flew, Lierly easily outpowered Griffin, making his first visit to his " home " track this season. Sheppard followed Lierly through, and the chase was on. By the time the caution waved for Long on lap five, the front two were locked in a battle, and Moon was already up to seventh. For whatever reason, attrition was high on a track that was not particularly dry or rough, and the leaders did not have much traffic to negotiate. Coming out of turn four on lap 22, things turned dramatic. Some say Lierly bobbled a bit and appeared to slow ever so slightly, some say Sheppard honked the chrome horn. Perhaps fortunately, I was jotting down a note and did not see the alleged contact, so I can honestly defer judgement - when I looked up, Jerry was sideways off the front stretch. On the restart, Sheppard led the Delaware start with Griffin in second. A disgruntled Lierly came back up to speed, then after not moving up, appeared to slow and wait for the oncoming leader. He failed to make contact, but Griffin spun as a result. Officials gace Dustin his runnerup spot back, and Jerry headed for the trailer. Brandon cruised to the finish, with Griffin second. For the second week in a row, Moon came from the back to finish third. Denny Woodworth took over the track point lead with a fourth place run, and rookie Jared Schlipman started and finished fifth.
The first feature of the night was probably the best, as we had a nice total of 15 IMCA stock cars on hand. The caution waved several times early, with Michael Larsen leading early. Veteran Jim Powell went pitside while running second, and defending track champ Terry Houston pulled off on lap four. Abe Huls was in the second slot and coming fast when he went first to the hot pit and then the trailer on lap six. On the restart, Brandon Savage left the track while sitting fourth. Beau Taylor then powered his # 2T to the lead and began to stretch things out. As he did, Donnellson, Iowa driver Jim Lynch began his charge, and when Jake Powers spun while running third on lap 18, it set up a two lap dash. Taylor held on until the final turn when he drifted up to the middle groove, and Lynch slipped past by a nose at the checkers.
The IMCA Sport Mods class was only 12 strong, but still fell victim to the time limit. In fact, the had to click off about ten laps after time expired to get to the 16 lap mark. Tony Dunker took over the top spot on lap three and cruised to the win over Jeff Delonjay and Joe Bliven.
Skip Dunker, Tonys brother also visited victory lane in the IMCA Sport Compacts cruising to the 12 lap win after second running Austen Becerra fell out on lap four. Craig Bangert and Kimberly Abbott chased Dunker to the flag.
Only 15 of the 17 entrants in the UMP modified class took the feature green, and after a false start, Dave Weitholder shot to the lead in pursuit of his first win of 2013. Michael Long was pressuring Dave when he appeared to go a bit too hard into turn one, looping his # 18L. With Michael out of the picture, two time winner Steven Delonjay took up the chase, and the front two staged a great side by side duel for a half dozen circuits. Steven took over on lap 14, holding on for his third win in four tries. Jake Griffin, who raced the asphalt in Lebanon, Mo on Saturday night made a great, late charge to second. Weitholder held off fast qualifier Kenny Wallace to take third, and Long came back to fifth. Wallace, who is becoming a semi regular at QR, told us the he will be competing in the NASCAR Nationwide race this coming weekend.
The weatherman is not sounding like our friend again this coming weekend, so we will see if there will be any Racin' Down the Road.
The first feature of the night was probably the best, as we had a nice total of 15 IMCA stock cars on hand. The caution waved several times early, with Michael Larsen leading early. Veteran Jim Powell went pitside while running second, and defending track champ Terry Houston pulled off on lap four. Abe Huls was in the second slot and coming fast when he went first to the hot pit and then the trailer on lap six. On the restart, Brandon Savage left the track while sitting fourth. Beau Taylor then powered his # 2T to the lead and began to stretch things out. As he did, Donnellson, Iowa driver Jim Lynch began his charge, and when Jake Powers spun while running third on lap 18, it set up a two lap dash. Taylor held on until the final turn when he drifted up to the middle groove, and Lynch slipped past by a nose at the checkers.
The IMCA Sport Mods class was only 12 strong, but still fell victim to the time limit. In fact, the had to click off about ten laps after time expired to get to the 16 lap mark. Tony Dunker took over the top spot on lap three and cruised to the win over Jeff Delonjay and Joe Bliven.
Skip Dunker, Tonys brother also visited victory lane in the IMCA Sport Compacts cruising to the 12 lap win after second running Austen Becerra fell out on lap four. Craig Bangert and Kimberly Abbott chased Dunker to the flag.
Only 15 of the 17 entrants in the UMP modified class took the feature green, and after a false start, Dave Weitholder shot to the lead in pursuit of his first win of 2013. Michael Long was pressuring Dave when he appeared to go a bit too hard into turn one, looping his # 18L. With Michael out of the picture, two time winner Steven Delonjay took up the chase, and the front two staged a great side by side duel for a half dozen circuits. Steven took over on lap 14, holding on for his third win in four tries. Jake Griffin, who raced the asphalt in Lebanon, Mo on Saturday night made a great, late charge to second. Weitholder held off fast qualifier Kenny Wallace to take third, and Long came back to fifth. Wallace, who is becoming a semi regular at QR, told us the he will be competing in the NASCAR Nationwide race this coming weekend.
The weatherman is not sounding like our friend again this coming weekend, so we will see if there will be any Racin' Down the Road.
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