This holiday weekend featured a full dose of sprint cars, as we hit the road for the first time in three weeks. Saturday night, Darryl, Fred, and I challenged the forecast and headed south to I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo for their salute to the troops show. Serving and retired military personnel receive free admission, a benefit I know buddy Fred appreciates. For the rest of us, the show is a good value, with the 410 Midwest Open Wheel Sprint Association and UMP late models racing for $2,000 to win, the UMP modifieds for $1,000 top prize, and the Allied Auto Racing Association sportsmen winner collecting $400, all for a $20 ticket. 105 cars checked in the four divisions in what turned out to a long but entertaining night of action. The 28 MOWA cars, in the middle of three straight nights of action, used passing points through three heat races to qualify for their 25 lap feature, while the late models and mods did group qualifying, and the sportsmen I assume used a draw format. Following hot laps, qualifying, and a dozen heat races, the track was torn up and completely reworked during the longer than I want to remember intermission. the result, however, was a perfectly prepared 1/3 mile for the remainder of the night. The dust problem from the early part of the night, with a pesky wind blowing the crumbs in the front stretch bleachers, also was greatly improved.
The MOWA cars then ran a six car, six lap pole dash, although the Friday night winner from Jacksonville,Il Speedway, AJ Bruns lost brakes as he came to the rack, and watched from the infield as Indiana racer Paul May earned the win. A sprint B-main, then a pair of modified B's and we were set for feature racing.
The MOWA 25 lapper was up first,with 22 starters. May jumped out from the pole, and was working slower traffic by lap five. 17 year old talent Paul Nienhauser started second and fell back early, but he was soon pounding the narrow cushion as he began to pick off cars and run down the # 71 of May. Moving into the second spot and getting May in his sights, he jumped the berm in turns one and two on lap 16, flipping his # 9 ride at least five times as the pack of cars somehow avoided his car, which landed on the low side of the high banked oval. For restarts, MOWA not only lines up single file, but they also place lapped cars where they were in the running order. This gave May a two car cushion over now second running Corey Weyant. As the green waved, May checked out again, but Weyant quickly cleared the slower cars, and set sail for the leader. With only the one stoppage, however, May could not be overtaken, leading all 25 laps for the win. Weyant took the runnerup finish, with Bruns coming back to grab third.
Next up, 24 of the 34 UMP mods came to the grid. Ray Walsh and Michael Long made up row one, with Rusty Griffaw and Mike Harrison in row two in what was an incredibly strong field. Long took off as the green waved, with Harrison in tow. On lap three, Griffaw moved to second, two laps later, Kenny Schrader joined the fray in fourth after starting in row four. But this night belonged to Long and the " Festus Flash," Griffaw. While Michael pounded the cushion, Rusty hugged the low groove. Lap after lap, Griffaw would hold the lead off the corner, with Long easing ahead down the chute. The leaders caught slow traffic on lap 13, and Griffaw was scored ahead for lap 14. But two laps later, Griffaw was forced to alter his line for slower traffic, and that was all Long needed to pull away. The 20 laps ticked off caution free, With Harrison and Schrader trailing the top two.
Heat winners Scott Weber and Brandon Sheppard made up row one for the 25 lap late model finale. Sheppard quickly jumped out front, with row two starter Tim Manville in second. Row four starter Randy Korte joined the leaders in fourth on lap five, and slow traffic became a challenge on lap eight.
The first of a handful of yellows waved on lap 16, but each time the third generation racer Sheppard was up to the challenge. Manville and Korte swapped the runnerup spot in the final laps, with Manville second at the checkers. Korte was third, while Dave Jumper charged to fourth ahead of Weber.
With the sportsman main coming to the track, we headed to the car for the long drive home.
Sunday night the scene shifted to Quincy Raceways, with the MOWA series wrapping up their three race weekend. The WAR non winged sprints also came to town, with three of the regular classes, IMCA stock cars, sport mods and sport compacts also on hand.
Before the scheduled program, the 4 cylinder feature from the week before was completed. The race had been suspended with three laps scored after Alex Baker took a nasty flip off turns one and two and was transported to the hospital. The youngster was held overnight, and was in the grandstands Sunday night watching brother Bryce. Alex says his new ride should be ready next week. Track point leader Austen Becerra was out front in his # 2M ride, but Pat Dunker flew around the leader with two laps to go. But as the leaders exited turn four at the checkers, Becerra and Dunker locked horns, with Austen taking the win. Kimberly Abbott and Baker completed the top four. Becerra then prepared his # 22 for the regular show, turning the # 2M over to former track champ Seith Woodruff. Following ten heat races to set the feature lineups for the 77 cars, the track was reworked during an intermission which featured an infield wedding!
The 19 car MOWA field was up first and the race was red flagged on lap one, when Jimmy Light suffered a wild flip off turn one, ending his night. A handful of cautions slowed the 25 lapper, but Jerrod Hull was on a rail in his # 12 sprinter and he held off all challenges to lead the distance. Joey Moughan battled throughout the middle stages of the race with veteran Jim Moughan, finally claiming the third spot. On the final lap, he slipped past Weyant to finish in the second spot, while Nienhauser brought out another # 9 ride and claimed fourth. Weyant skipped his on track interview as he hustled back to the pit area to prepare his # 99 to run the non wing faetre, as well. He was the only driver who chose to run both classes.
The IMCA sport mod 18 lapper was next, and it featured some side by side action along with a bunch of crash and bang action. Aaron Brocksieck took off from the front row, with Bobby Anders moving in to challenge on lap four. Anders edged ahead on lap six, one lap later, Joey Gower suddenly found himself backwards on the backstretch where he was hit hard by Sean Wyatt. At the same time, Tim Anders, wheeling Nathan Anders #19 was almost overlooked upside down off turn two. Back to action, Bobby Anders and Tony Dunker were locked in a side by side duel, when contact sent both to the hot pit. Dunker was able to rejoin the filed, while Anders was done for the night. With the time limit in effect for the third straight week, the remaining cars clicked off the final six laps. Brocksieck took his first sport mod trophy to go along with numerous hobby stock and stock car wins. Brad Holtmeyer overcame three miscues during the night to take second, and Trevor Hagerbaumer came back from a trip to the hot pit for a podium finish in third. Dunker crossed the line in fifth, ending his 34 race streak of top two finishes.
The non wing sprinters saw Chris Parkinson take off from the pole, leading the first ten laps. Wismiller put his #1 around, but a yellow flag negated the pass. Meanwhile, Weyant had started last in the 18 car pack, and was now up to sixth. On the restart, he vaulted to fourth, on lap twelve he took third, and on lap 15, he had cleared Parkinson, as Wismiller held the lead. A lap 17 yellow bunched the field, and the three leaders ran nearly side by side at the flagstand completing lap 22. When the checkers waved, it was Wismiller on top, with Weyant finishing a sucessfule weekend in second, and Parkinson third.
The IMCA stock car drivers have been grumbling a bit about always running the first feature on the reworked race track on Sunday nights, but last night, they had a slick, black surface for their 18 lapper. A Season high 13 cars took the green, with Nathan Hayes jumping to the lead. Hayes set a fast pace, but Brandon Savage picked his way to second in the tight pack, and grabbed the pint on lap seven. The yellow waved on lap eight for a spin by second running Beau Taylor, triggering a handful of mid race cautions. Savage stretched his lead each time, and he became the first two time stock car winner of 2014. Jake Powers collected a season best second ahead of Jim Lynch, Abe Huls, and visiting Shane Watts.
The final race on a long night was the regular 15 lap sport compact main event. Baker held the top for three laps, but it was Becerra on top as lap four was scored. Dunker moved to second on lap six, and the ten cars clicked off 15 caution free laps. Becerra took his 13th straight win, two wins on this night in two different cars! Dunker, Woodruff, and Baker crossed the stripe in that order behind Austen.
It was a very long but full night of racing in front of a crowd estimated at 2500.
The new promotion team at QR has things headed in a positive direction, with improvements in the racing surface and the concessions among the most obvious to long time fans. Getting the shows completed in a timely manner would seem to be the next big challenge, as things are looking up at the storied facility.
My personal calender is filling up with non racing events for the next few weekends, but we will carve out time for racing as we can, and hopefully will see you Racin' Down the Road!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Pierce Conquers the Big 10
Bobby Pierce topped a solid field of 26 super late models to take home the $2,000 top prize Sunday night at Quincy Raceways. the race was the first of two stops in 2014 at QR for the Big Ten late model series, a ten race tour at four tracks in central Illinois.The largest crowd of the season was on hand as the track paid tribute to the late Albert Scott, who built and opened the track which is now in its 40th season - thus the Scottie 40.
Father and son Bob and Jeff Scott, who kept the track going after Alberts retirement, where on hand, as were many former employees. Some of the current staff dressed in retro fashion, the heat winners carried the checkered flag as was the custom in days gone by. A 1970s era AMC Javelin pace car led the feature parade laps.
The first feature of the night, the IMCA stock cars, took to the track after the .29 mile oval was totally reworked during the lengthy intermission. Unfortunately, the surface was still a bit slimy, and the normally smooth running class suffered several cautions during their 18 lap main event. In search of his first stock car feature win, Nathan Hays held the top spot through the first half of the race. Terry Houston led briefly following a lap nine restart, but he lost the handle on the # 97 on lap 12. Jim Lynch was able to use the lap 12 restart to grab the top spot. Hayes stayed in the hunt, and may have been inches ahead as the white flag waved, but Lynch pulled away for his first win of the season at QR. Hayes took the runnerup spot, with Beau Taylor solid in third ahead of brother in law Brandon Savage in fourth. Jake Powers completed the top five. Abe Huls saw his night end early after contact in the opening laps.
Next up was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lap finale. 16 of the 17 cars signed in took the green, as Trent Grotz was on the trailer following hot laps. Charles VanZandt took the early lead , with Joey Gower taking over one lap later. Gower was into slower traffice when the caution fest began in earnest on lap nine. Several drivers took runs at Gower only to bobble and fall off the pace. A side by side duel with Gower hugging the low groove and Bobby Anders on the cushion ended when Anders slowed with three laps to go. The time limit once again brought the race to an early end, but Tony Dunker once again stayed out of trouble, and as the checkers waved, he made it 35 straight features with a top two finish. Following Gower and Dunker was last weeks winner Brad Holtmeyer, Tanner Klingele, and a smoking # 65 driven by Cody Henderson.
Next up was the late model headliner. Three heat races and a B-main had pared the 26 car field to 20 starters. The invert roll was a "two," putting heat two winner Denny Woodworth on the pole, flanked by Pierce. If the surface was still slimy, the late models failed to notice, running 40 caution free laps! The 17 year old Pierce went straight to the cushion, and soon built a straightaway lead, He was in traffic by lap seven, and even though he became a bit more conservative after 25 laps or so, he still lapped up to the fourth place finisher. Behind the # 32 , however, there was no shortage of action. Woodworth kept up the chase early before Mark Burgtorf found his line. Mark had told me before the night began that he found some engine issues after last weeks race, and he was not sure his power plant would survive the night. The # 7B did more than "survive," as the veteran powered his way to the second spot. As in his heat,though, he found himself searching for Pierce, who maintained a comfortable margin to the checkers. Brandon Sheppard was chasing the front duo in the star studded first heat race when a misstep took him out of a transfer spot and into the consy. An easy win in the 12 lapper earned him the 15th starting spot, and he charged all the way to third in the feature without benefit of a caution. Woodworth was the last car on the lead lap, while third heat winner Justin Reed claimed fifth. Kevin Weaver saw his top five run end on lap 31, as he pulled his brand new Rocket car to the infield. Brian Dively led the second five, followed by Texas hot shoe Allen Murry, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin, and Jim Moon. Big Ten series point leader Ryan Little finished 12th.
The UMP modifieds were up next for 25 laps. 14 of 16 entrants took the green flag, with Jacob Poel, visiting again from his home in Spring Lake, Michigan jumping to the lead in search of his second QR win of the young season. Poel held a good sized lead when the caution waved on lap five for third running Shawn Deering, who lost a drive shaft. When racing resumed, fellow front row starter and defending track champion Steven Delonjay began to apply heavy pressure, leading lap six. Poel rebounded, and the two raced side by side until the yellow flew again on lap 11. On the restart, Delonjay began to build a lead, and nabbed his first checkers of 2014. Poel held off hard charging Michael Long, who started in row seven after falling from his heat event. Dave Weitholder claimed fourth, and Randy Lines checked in all the way from Marion, Indiana, grabbing fifth.
The final event of the long night was the 12 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. The Baker brothers held the front row, as 11 of 13 competitors took the green, including the aforementioned Jeff Scott in the Ciltrak Promotion team " house" car. Bryce Baker led lap one, with Austen Becerra taking over on lap two. With three laps scored and Becerra once again in charge, Alex Baker slipped the cushion in turns one and tow, rolling his # 27X multiple times. As the safety crew attended to the youngster, it became obvious there would be a lengthy delay, and given the hour and the situation, it was decided to resume the race next week. Eventually Alex was extricated form his ride and was transported to the local hospital. He was held over night, but was due to be released sometime today, Monday.
Despite the unfortunate ending, it was a special night of racing at QR, as the " Broadway Bullring" experience is getting better each night.
Next Sunday the late models will have the night off as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the holiday show. With only three races under my belt in this month of May, I hope to venture out over the weekend, so maybe I will see you Racin' Down the Road.
Father and son Bob and Jeff Scott, who kept the track going after Alberts retirement, where on hand, as were many former employees. Some of the current staff dressed in retro fashion, the heat winners carried the checkered flag as was the custom in days gone by. A 1970s era AMC Javelin pace car led the feature parade laps.
The first feature of the night, the IMCA stock cars, took to the track after the .29 mile oval was totally reworked during the lengthy intermission. Unfortunately, the surface was still a bit slimy, and the normally smooth running class suffered several cautions during their 18 lap main event. In search of his first stock car feature win, Nathan Hays held the top spot through the first half of the race. Terry Houston led briefly following a lap nine restart, but he lost the handle on the # 97 on lap 12. Jim Lynch was able to use the lap 12 restart to grab the top spot. Hayes stayed in the hunt, and may have been inches ahead as the white flag waved, but Lynch pulled away for his first win of the season at QR. Hayes took the runnerup spot, with Beau Taylor solid in third ahead of brother in law Brandon Savage in fourth. Jake Powers completed the top five. Abe Huls saw his night end early after contact in the opening laps.
Next up was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lap finale. 16 of the 17 cars signed in took the green, as Trent Grotz was on the trailer following hot laps. Charles VanZandt took the early lead , with Joey Gower taking over one lap later. Gower was into slower traffice when the caution fest began in earnest on lap nine. Several drivers took runs at Gower only to bobble and fall off the pace. A side by side duel with Gower hugging the low groove and Bobby Anders on the cushion ended when Anders slowed with three laps to go. The time limit once again brought the race to an early end, but Tony Dunker once again stayed out of trouble, and as the checkers waved, he made it 35 straight features with a top two finish. Following Gower and Dunker was last weeks winner Brad Holtmeyer, Tanner Klingele, and a smoking # 65 driven by Cody Henderson.
Next up was the late model headliner. Three heat races and a B-main had pared the 26 car field to 20 starters. The invert roll was a "two," putting heat two winner Denny Woodworth on the pole, flanked by Pierce. If the surface was still slimy, the late models failed to notice, running 40 caution free laps! The 17 year old Pierce went straight to the cushion, and soon built a straightaway lead, He was in traffic by lap seven, and even though he became a bit more conservative after 25 laps or so, he still lapped up to the fourth place finisher. Behind the # 32 , however, there was no shortage of action. Woodworth kept up the chase early before Mark Burgtorf found his line. Mark had told me before the night began that he found some engine issues after last weeks race, and he was not sure his power plant would survive the night. The # 7B did more than "survive," as the veteran powered his way to the second spot. As in his heat,though, he found himself searching for Pierce, who maintained a comfortable margin to the checkers. Brandon Sheppard was chasing the front duo in the star studded first heat race when a misstep took him out of a transfer spot and into the consy. An easy win in the 12 lapper earned him the 15th starting spot, and he charged all the way to third in the feature without benefit of a caution. Woodworth was the last car on the lead lap, while third heat winner Justin Reed claimed fifth. Kevin Weaver saw his top five run end on lap 31, as he pulled his brand new Rocket car to the infield. Brian Dively led the second five, followed by Texas hot shoe Allen Murry, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin, and Jim Moon. Big Ten series point leader Ryan Little finished 12th.
The UMP modifieds were up next for 25 laps. 14 of 16 entrants took the green flag, with Jacob Poel, visiting again from his home in Spring Lake, Michigan jumping to the lead in search of his second QR win of the young season. Poel held a good sized lead when the caution waved on lap five for third running Shawn Deering, who lost a drive shaft. When racing resumed, fellow front row starter and defending track champion Steven Delonjay began to apply heavy pressure, leading lap six. Poel rebounded, and the two raced side by side until the yellow flew again on lap 11. On the restart, Delonjay began to build a lead, and nabbed his first checkers of 2014. Poel held off hard charging Michael Long, who started in row seven after falling from his heat event. Dave Weitholder claimed fourth, and Randy Lines checked in all the way from Marion, Indiana, grabbing fifth.
The final event of the long night was the 12 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. The Baker brothers held the front row, as 11 of 13 competitors took the green, including the aforementioned Jeff Scott in the Ciltrak Promotion team " house" car. Bryce Baker led lap one, with Austen Becerra taking over on lap two. With three laps scored and Becerra once again in charge, Alex Baker slipped the cushion in turns one and tow, rolling his # 27X multiple times. As the safety crew attended to the youngster, it became obvious there would be a lengthy delay, and given the hour and the situation, it was decided to resume the race next week. Eventually Alex was extricated form his ride and was transported to the local hospital. He was held over night, but was due to be released sometime today, Monday.
Despite the unfortunate ending, it was a special night of racing at QR, as the " Broadway Bullring" experience is getting better each night.
Next Sunday the late models will have the night off as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the holiday show. With only three races under my belt in this month of May, I hope to venture out over the weekend, so maybe I will see you Racin' Down the Road.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Back Where I Belong
Sunday night I was back in my regular spot at Quincy Raceways for a full night of racing featuring a $200.00 top prize for the IMCA Sport Compacts. I applaud the new promoters at QR for giving each of the classes more than one shot at some extra cash throughout the season. Last week it was the IMCA stock cars, with Iowa driver John Oliver Jr. rolling in to town to grab the $500.00 check. This week, however, it was business as usual, with defending track champion Austen Becerra taking control on lap two and taking the checkers in the non stop 20 lap event by a large margin. Even though Austen was wheeling the car he normally runs in Iowa rather than his QR car, he still collected his tenth straight feature win at the bullring. Skip Dunker and Kimberly Abbott staged an entertaining battle for the runner up spot, with Dunker winning that battle. Brandon Lambert and Bryce Baker completed the top five. Alex Baker kept us entertained in the grandstands, as he could not get his new engine to fire, and wound up watching his brother while his ride set at home. A member of my extended family, Alyssa Steele, has been turning heads at Lee County Speedway, and the 16 year old journeyed to QR on Sunday for the first time, but broke in the heat race.
As is normal, the IMCA stock car feature ran first, and the ten car field went 18 exciting laps without a caution period. Brandon Savage has struggled in the early weeks of 2014, and cost himself a heat race win with a turn two bobble. But the draw redraw format worked in his favor, as he picked up a front row starting spot for the feature. The new daddy quickly charged to the lead, and pulled away as his pursuers diced it up on the somewhat slick surface which was reworked at intermission. By the time Terry Houston cleared the pack in second, Savage had a big lead, and he coasted to win number one of 2014. Houston claimed second, while heat one winner Beau Taylor led a four car pack in third. Defending champion Abe Huls emerged fourth after a duel with Jim Lynch, who rounded out the top five.
The second feature of the night was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lapper. The sport mods continue to struggle at QR, with cautions flags too frequent to count turning the race into a " when will it end" sort of event. With the time limit expired, the remaining cars put on their longest green flag run of about five laps before another yellow on the white flag circuit ended the fray. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, reportedly in his final season behind the wheel, muscled the # 6 machine of Bobby Six through the many cautions. But second generation driver Brad Holtmeyer worked the top side of the track, and when it came in, he powered to the lead with three laps to go and picked up his first ever feature victory. Tony Dunker extended his incredible streak of top two finishes to I believe 34 or 35, as he also slipped around Gillenwater. Bobby anders and Tanner Klingele completed the top five.
Fourteen UMP late models checked in, including long time track regular Michael Larsen, who debuted a # 48 machine. " Taco" has been a regular in hobby stocks and stock cars, and when he took a turn behind the wheel of Kevin Tomlinsons late model a couple years back, it became his goal to have one of his own. Last weeks feature winner, Rickey Frankel, set quick time at 13.755 seconds, but rolled a three for the dash invert. He then chased front row starter Justin Reed in the ten lap event, which set the 30 lap feature lineup. While Reed shot to the early lead, Denny Woodworth came from row two to take up the chase. The two leaders ran side by side for a few laps before contact sent Denny spinning and brought out the first caution of the race. Both drivers were sent to the tail, turning the lead over to Frankel. When racing resumed, Frankel protected the lower line, and it was now Mark Burgtorf taking up the chase. Mark put his # 7B in the high groove as he has so many times, ans seemed poised to take the lead when the caution flew again on lap 28. With three laps remaining, Burgtorf could not regain his momentum, and Frankel became the first back to back late model feature winner since August of 2012.
Burgtorf followed in second, with Jason Perry, Jim Moon, and Jamie Wilson filling out the top five.
Kudos to young Alan Westling, racing his # 20 late model even though he suffered a broken wrist on Saturday in an accident at I-55 Raceway. Oh, to be young again...
The UMP modified division at Quincy is known for its tough competition, and when Nascar veteran Kenny Wallace shows up, the field is that much better. Wallace and defending track champion Steven Delonjay sat on the front row for the 25 lapper, and Wallace shot to the lead at the green. The first caution waved on lap four, bunching the field, and Michael Long was on the move with his sights set on the top two. Michael, who with wife Shannon welcomed son number three earlier in the week, climbed as hign as third before a flat tire ended his run on lap ten. One lap later, the leaders were side by side, but Wallace found something extra, pulling out to about a five car length lead. The leaders caught slower traffic on lap 20, but Wallace was up to the task, and collected unbelievably, his first ever win at QR. Delonjay held second, while Dave Weitholder shook off his hard luck with a third place run. Keith Pratt picked up fourth, and Shawn Deering, who fought suspension issued early in the night, came from the back to nab fifth.
By my count, that was three feature race cautions, not counting the sport mods, thanks in no small way to a very well prepared racing surface.
There is some illness in my family keeping me close to home, but I hope to be back at Quincy Raceways next Sunday, as the Big 10 UMP late models mini series will be feature in a $2,000 to win 40 lap main event, the " Scottie 40," in memory of the tracks founder Albert Scott. The race is part of the 40th anniversary season of the cathedral of commotion known affectionately as the Broadway Bullring. I hope to see you there, or somewhere Racin' Down the Road.
As is normal, the IMCA stock car feature ran first, and the ten car field went 18 exciting laps without a caution period. Brandon Savage has struggled in the early weeks of 2014, and cost himself a heat race win with a turn two bobble. But the draw redraw format worked in his favor, as he picked up a front row starting spot for the feature. The new daddy quickly charged to the lead, and pulled away as his pursuers diced it up on the somewhat slick surface which was reworked at intermission. By the time Terry Houston cleared the pack in second, Savage had a big lead, and he coasted to win number one of 2014. Houston claimed second, while heat one winner Beau Taylor led a four car pack in third. Defending champion Abe Huls emerged fourth after a duel with Jim Lynch, who rounded out the top five.
The second feature of the night was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lapper. The sport mods continue to struggle at QR, with cautions flags too frequent to count turning the race into a " when will it end" sort of event. With the time limit expired, the remaining cars put on their longest green flag run of about five laps before another yellow on the white flag circuit ended the fray. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, reportedly in his final season behind the wheel, muscled the # 6 machine of Bobby Six through the many cautions. But second generation driver Brad Holtmeyer worked the top side of the track, and when it came in, he powered to the lead with three laps to go and picked up his first ever feature victory. Tony Dunker extended his incredible streak of top two finishes to I believe 34 or 35, as he also slipped around Gillenwater. Bobby anders and Tanner Klingele completed the top five.
Fourteen UMP late models checked in, including long time track regular Michael Larsen, who debuted a # 48 machine. " Taco" has been a regular in hobby stocks and stock cars, and when he took a turn behind the wheel of Kevin Tomlinsons late model a couple years back, it became his goal to have one of his own. Last weeks feature winner, Rickey Frankel, set quick time at 13.755 seconds, but rolled a three for the dash invert. He then chased front row starter Justin Reed in the ten lap event, which set the 30 lap feature lineup. While Reed shot to the early lead, Denny Woodworth came from row two to take up the chase. The two leaders ran side by side for a few laps before contact sent Denny spinning and brought out the first caution of the race. Both drivers were sent to the tail, turning the lead over to Frankel. When racing resumed, Frankel protected the lower line, and it was now Mark Burgtorf taking up the chase. Mark put his # 7B in the high groove as he has so many times, ans seemed poised to take the lead when the caution flew again on lap 28. With three laps remaining, Burgtorf could not regain his momentum, and Frankel became the first back to back late model feature winner since August of 2012.
Burgtorf followed in second, with Jason Perry, Jim Moon, and Jamie Wilson filling out the top five.
Kudos to young Alan Westling, racing his # 20 late model even though he suffered a broken wrist on Saturday in an accident at I-55 Raceway. Oh, to be young again...
The UMP modified division at Quincy is known for its tough competition, and when Nascar veteran Kenny Wallace shows up, the field is that much better. Wallace and defending track champion Steven Delonjay sat on the front row for the 25 lapper, and Wallace shot to the lead at the green. The first caution waved on lap four, bunching the field, and Michael Long was on the move with his sights set on the top two. Michael, who with wife Shannon welcomed son number three earlier in the week, climbed as hign as third before a flat tire ended his run on lap ten. One lap later, the leaders were side by side, but Wallace found something extra, pulling out to about a five car length lead. The leaders caught slower traffic on lap 20, but Wallace was up to the task, and collected unbelievably, his first ever win at QR. Delonjay held second, while Dave Weitholder shook off his hard luck with a third place run. Keith Pratt picked up fourth, and Shawn Deering, who fought suspension issued early in the night, came from the back to nab fifth.
By my count, that was three feature race cautions, not counting the sport mods, thanks in no small way to a very well prepared racing surface.
There is some illness in my family keeping me close to home, but I hope to be back at Quincy Raceways next Sunday, as the Big 10 UMP late models mini series will be feature in a $2,000 to win 40 lap main event, the " Scottie 40," in memory of the tracks founder Albert Scott. The race is part of the 40th anniversary season of the cathedral of commotion known affectionately as the Broadway Bullring. I hope to see you there, or somewhere Racin' Down the Road.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Kay On Top By Hugging The Bottom
Sunday night Darryl, Fred, and I switched up and made the three hour trip north to Quad City Speedway in East Moline,Il for our second IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series event of 2014. While late model racing in our area is now mostly of the unlimited engine UMP variety, which I do truly enjoy, I still have a fond affection for the cars and stars of IMCA. And although I hesitate to call the high banks of East Moline one of my favorite tracks - only because nearly every track I have been to is a " favorite," the action is always fast and furious, with the unforgiving outside concrete wall just waiting for a rim riding driver to make a mistake on the treacherous cushion. I might add that if you have never been to the fairgrounds 1/4 mile facility, it is worth the trip, but spend at least a few laps watching from the lower level, as it as close as you can get to being in the action without strapping in a race car!
Partly because of that lurking concrete, many drivers shy away from trips to the Sunday night facility, so we were more than pleased to see 31 late models roll through the pit gate. Add in 23 IMCA modifieds, 14 street stocks and 18 IMRA midgets, and the large crowd was in for a full night of racing on a surprisingly chilly evening. The late model heats ran second on the grid, with Joel Callahan slowing while leading heat one and going pitside. Mike Zemo Jr then took the checkers. In the second ten lapper, Justin Kay used a last corner pass of Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle ride to pick up the win. The third heat featured an entertaining duel, with track regulars Mike Murphy Jr on the high side, and Todd Malmstrom running the low line, with Todd grabbing the win. Jeff Aikey led the distance in the final heat race. With only the top three qualified from the heats - was that ever announced? - two B-mains added eight more to the 58 lap feature field. Rob Toland and Matt Ryan picked up the wins in the two 12 lappers. A hard charger provisional - track regular Mike Cothron, and three point provisionals, including series ironman Darrell Defrance filled out the 24 car starting grid.
As I made my way back to the pit area, the street stock feature came to the track, with Rob Nylin taking the win in a race I am sorry I did not witness. I was back in my seat for the 20 lap mod finale. After a couple of early cautions, the race stayed green for about 17 fast paced laps on an increasingly slick though smooth surface. Greg Durbin was doing a splendid job negotiating lapped traffic while holding off former late model driver Jason Bahrs when the caution waved again with three laps remaining. With Durbin running the low line, Bahrs tried a middle groove move in the final turn for the win. Unfortunately for the veteran, the # 96 broke loose, spinning him in front of the charging pack. Although he escaped unscathed, his potential good finish evaporated. Doug Crampton powered to the runnerup finish, with Brian Bushong third.
58 laps, in honor of the late Hershel Roberts was the feature assignment for the 24 starters in the $3,000 to win headline event. Kay had the pole position, with rim riding Jason Rauen to his outside. I will admit that I lost track of the lap count early on, but two things can be said with certainty. Kay was in control the entire distance as he hugged the low groove, and no fewer than a half dozen drivers were able to make legitimate runs at the leader. Rauen, Murphy, Brian Harris, Zemo, and Callahan all made strong runs forward, only to fade throughout the race. Callahan may have been most impressive after starting in row eight. As the laps wound down, it was Aikey who saved something for the end. Kay was obviously not giving up the low side, so the veteran Aikey took to the high side, with his momentum actually pulling him alongside Kay on a couple of occasions. Eventually a slight bobble cost him ever so slightly, and the result was as entertaining a race as you could imagine where the leader led flag to flag. Kay picked up his fourth Summer Series career win, leading Aikey, Callahan, Murphy, and 2013 series champion Harris to top five runs. Zemo led the second five, edging Malmstrom, Tyler Breuning, Andy Eckrich, and Ryan.
With a long drive home ahead of us, we headed out before the midget main event.
Special thanks to Brad Hines and the QCS staff for their hospitality, and well run show.
Also, congrats to Rickey Frankel on his first UMP late model feature win of the season at Quincy Raceways, where we will be next Sunday night.
Partly because of that lurking concrete, many drivers shy away from trips to the Sunday night facility, so we were more than pleased to see 31 late models roll through the pit gate. Add in 23 IMCA modifieds, 14 street stocks and 18 IMRA midgets, and the large crowd was in for a full night of racing on a surprisingly chilly evening. The late model heats ran second on the grid, with Joel Callahan slowing while leading heat one and going pitside. Mike Zemo Jr then took the checkers. In the second ten lapper, Justin Kay used a last corner pass of Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle ride to pick up the win. The third heat featured an entertaining duel, with track regulars Mike Murphy Jr on the high side, and Todd Malmstrom running the low line, with Todd grabbing the win. Jeff Aikey led the distance in the final heat race. With only the top three qualified from the heats - was that ever announced? - two B-mains added eight more to the 58 lap feature field. Rob Toland and Matt Ryan picked up the wins in the two 12 lappers. A hard charger provisional - track regular Mike Cothron, and three point provisionals, including series ironman Darrell Defrance filled out the 24 car starting grid.
As I made my way back to the pit area, the street stock feature came to the track, with Rob Nylin taking the win in a race I am sorry I did not witness. I was back in my seat for the 20 lap mod finale. After a couple of early cautions, the race stayed green for about 17 fast paced laps on an increasingly slick though smooth surface. Greg Durbin was doing a splendid job negotiating lapped traffic while holding off former late model driver Jason Bahrs when the caution waved again with three laps remaining. With Durbin running the low line, Bahrs tried a middle groove move in the final turn for the win. Unfortunately for the veteran, the # 96 broke loose, spinning him in front of the charging pack. Although he escaped unscathed, his potential good finish evaporated. Doug Crampton powered to the runnerup finish, with Brian Bushong third.
58 laps, in honor of the late Hershel Roberts was the feature assignment for the 24 starters in the $3,000 to win headline event. Kay had the pole position, with rim riding Jason Rauen to his outside. I will admit that I lost track of the lap count early on, but two things can be said with certainty. Kay was in control the entire distance as he hugged the low groove, and no fewer than a half dozen drivers were able to make legitimate runs at the leader. Rauen, Murphy, Brian Harris, Zemo, and Callahan all made strong runs forward, only to fade throughout the race. Callahan may have been most impressive after starting in row eight. As the laps wound down, it was Aikey who saved something for the end. Kay was obviously not giving up the low side, so the veteran Aikey took to the high side, with his momentum actually pulling him alongside Kay on a couple of occasions. Eventually a slight bobble cost him ever so slightly, and the result was as entertaining a race as you could imagine where the leader led flag to flag. Kay picked up his fourth Summer Series career win, leading Aikey, Callahan, Murphy, and 2013 series champion Harris to top five runs. Zemo led the second five, edging Malmstrom, Tyler Breuning, Andy Eckrich, and Ryan.
With a long drive home ahead of us, we headed out before the midget main event.
Special thanks to Brad Hines and the QCS staff for their hospitality, and well run show.
Also, congrats to Rickey Frankel on his first UMP late model feature win of the season at Quincy Raceways, where we will be next Sunday night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
