Sad News

The racing off season has been a sad one for race fans in the area. Three men who were involved in area dirt track racing in different ways have passed from this life recently. It was not until recently that I learned that David Guymon, from Keokuk, Iowa passed away on September 28. David was a fixture along with his wife in their bag chairs behind the turn one bleachers most Sunday nights at Quincy Raceways. Although in failing health, he was always ready to talk racing until the engines fired. Although Quincy may have been his " home track, " he could be seen in the bleachers at many tracks such as West Liberty, Iowa, and Wheatland, Mo. He kept close tabs on his favorite driver, Tommy Elston. His death came one day before the season finale at QR. Unfortunately, as with so many race track friends, we lose touch during the off season and did not hear of his passing for several months. Loyal fans like David are special, and he will be missed.
On January 8, a true dirt track legend departed this world. Ernie Derr, one of the " Keokuk Comets, " died at age 92. Ernie was the king of the original IMCA, winning over 300 sanctioned features in the 50's, 60's and 70s. Along the way, he collected 12 IMCA  national championships, and captured many other events, including several USAC checkers. Ernie lived across the street from my elementary school, and I remember well taking a detour down the alley to peek in his immaculate garage after school to get a peek at his 1963 Pontiac # 1. Memories of him duking  it out with fellow hometowners Ramo Stott, Dick Hutcherson, and Don White will always be special for me. His passing garnered national attention and was accompanied by much deserved praise.
 Just yesterday, January 20, I received an e-mail from crewman Paul Jones that Hannibal, Missouri racer Jim Brown had passed away at the too young age of 54. Jim had raced for 30 plus years, wheeling the sharp looking # 83 bomber/hobby stock at Quincy Raceways until the class was discontinued. The veteran then turned his attention to the Randolph County Raceway in Moberly, Mo., where he captured the 2013 hobby stock championship. He spent his Sunday nights in 2013 as a spectator at Quincy, and always took time to stop and update me on his Saturday night at Moberly. Jim was a rare type who was both proud when he did well, but had no trouble admitting if he messed up. I think he was pleased that we made it to Moberly last season to watch him race, and he was also proud of his track title.
 Although these three men followed different paths to the race track, they were all an important part of our dirt track family and will be remembered often and missed dearly. RIP, David, Ernie, and Jim.

Countdown to 2014

  As the calender turns to 2014, it is time to start thinking in serious terms about the upcoming dirt track season. My wife thinks I am jumping the gun, but scheduling vacation days at my workplace can be tough, so I am always happy to have series and track schedules out before January 1. The traveling series have done a good job this off season, and as a result, I have been able to piece together a preliminary line up. And despite the skepticism of my racing companions, opening night for me is set for March 15. This is the projected opener for Montgomery County Speedway, the 1/4 mile high banked track near the junction of I-70 and Highway 19 in east central Missouri. After an abbreviated schedule last season, the facility is set to resume a full time schedule in 2014, with colorful UMP late model driver Jim Moon taking over the reigns. With help from another late model pilot, Trace Westling, the Moonman will be staging Saturday night racing featuring four classes including  UMP late models, modifieds, B-modifieds, and sportsman/street stocks. Moon seems to have done his homework, and although he will not be allowed to sell alcohol per his lease, there is room for optimism that he will be successful.
 We are also considering an early season visit to one of our favorite venues, Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, near Calvert City, Kentucky. The 3/8 mile super wide oval has been silent since previous owner Sherri Heckenast pulled the plug in I believe 2009. Once billed as the " Taj Mahal of Racing," the facility sold at auction last summer to a pair of Kentucky business men looking to restore it to premier status. They have scheduled a weekend of racing sanctioned by the fledgling NDRL series at the end of March. It appears this will be our only chance to catch an NDRL show in 2014, as this is as close as it comes to our area. Unfortunately, LaSalle, Il also has a big weekend of UMP racing on the same dates, so the weatherman may be called on to make our decision.
 My " home " track of Quincy,Il Raceways will also be under new management in 2014. Last Chance Promotions, led by frontman Ken Dobson has leased the .29 mile oval, with a car show the weekend of March 15 and 16 at the Quincy Mall, followed by an opening date of April 6. They have released a tentative schedule, and an ambitious one, at that. There will be several $2,000 to win UMP late model specials, starting with the 40th anniversary 40 lap Scottie 40 on April 20, honoring the founder and long time owner of the facility. In addition, Dobson scored a major coup in securing a much earlier date for the annual UMP Summernationals show. The tour will stop by during the first full week, on Thursday, June 19, sandwiched between Spoon River Speedway and Tri City Speedway in Granite City,Il.  While QR is giving the late models a few nights off, they have a nice slate of other specials planned, including MOWA, Sprint Invaders, and ASCS  sprinters. Last Chance Promotions will also be in charge of the race programs in Jacksonville, and Lincoln,Il.
  Saturday, April 19 is the date for the 5th annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway. For the first time, the race will not be an IMCA event, with a co sanction by the ALMS, MARS, and Cornbelt series. The race will pay a whopping $10,555 to win. Although some folks lamented the change, I know without a doubt that Brent would have loved the idea of a high dollar big motor race on his home track. 34 will only host one other late model show this season, a UMP Summernationals race on July.
 Late model racing will return to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for the first time in a while in 2014. The MLRA series will make an appearance on Friday, June 13, one night after a stop at the big half mile in Oskaloosa.
  In addition, there are a handful of Deery Brothers Summer Series and Lucas Oil races that will hopefully be a part of our early season schedule.
 Check out the schedule section on the Positively Racing home page and lets make this a successful spring for all our area tracks.
  Happy New Year from all of us at Racin' Down the Road!