A Long Night of Great Racing at Shiverfest

With an unofficial car count of 174, our final race of the year in the state of Iowa was a dandy. Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa has become something of a one day version of the Boone Supernationals. There is really no sensible reason, in either case, for that many cars to show up to race for the amount of money paid out, and yet year after year, the pits are full of  many of the top cars and stars of  IMCA. With the warm start to the day yesterday and no threat of rain (or snow), the pits swelled to the largest car count in several years. And although it was a somewhat late arriving crowd, eventually the front gate became a strong one, as well.
 There will be many stories and articles about the actual 36 races that took place, and I confess that I left my big notebook at home and decided to just enjoy the racing as well as a last visit of 2014 with many friends and family, however I would like to share a few thoughts about the event.
 First of all, congratulations to all the drivers, especially the winners, Cayden Carter in modifieds and stock cars - Jason Cook took the stock car checkers but did not make it through post race tech - Dustin Griffths in hobby stocks, Michael Grossman in sport compacts, and Quincy Raceways regular Joey Gower in sport mods. The racing was superior , with only the hobby stock feature something of a runaway despite being the race plagued with the most cautions. It was good to see Dan Keltner back at the track after being checked out at the hospital following his wild ride in which he flipped over the turns one and two guardrail in the sport mod feature. Also hoping that John Whelen is not too sore today after flipping his sport compact multiple times in the closing laps of the sport compact main event. And kudos to Dave Sapp and race director Mike Van Genderen on a nearly perfect racing surface. This was my third visit to LCS this season, and these guys have had an A plus track all three times. And the pace of shows at Donnellson should be a template for every track in the midwest to follow! Get 'em on the track, get 'off, and get the next ones on!
 I would not want to be too critical of any facility that could offer up 174 race teams on the last Saturday in October in the state of Iowa for a $10.00 ticket, but there were a few things rattling around in my head during the very few minutes of downtime. If my fading memory serves, Shiverfest used to be a late afternoon race - hot laps around the 3:30 or 4:00 hour? I realize things like trick or treating on the track and kids box car races - both important and enjoyable events - have been added, but could they happen two hours earlier? Yesterday was probably as warm as the weather will ever be in Southeast Iowa in late October, but... From personal experience, I know the tower in Donnellson is a pretty comfortable place to watch racing, but despite the fact that the " big guy, " aka the LCS flagman stayed true to his habit of wearing short pants, the announcers might have noticed that folks in the stands did indeed have coats, gloves, and blankets in use. Forget what the thermometer says, it was cold. Part of the original allure of Shiverfest was to start around 4:00, and walk out about 9:00 before the temps dropped to 11:30 levels. Again, I realize that they were likely preplanned, but 32 races would have been moneys worth, 30 minutes devoted to " special " races, not necessarily a crowd favorite. One thing that is both a blessing and a curse at LCS is the fact that the races come in such rapid fire succession that it is nearly impossible to announce the starting lineups before the roar of the engines drowns out the PA. Sometimes an early yellow flag offers up time to offer up more information. I like to think I am fairly knowledgeable concerning area drivers, but there were many cars on this night that I will be surprised to see in the results who the driver was. I have found over the years at many different tracks that I prefer one announcer over two. Too often, a two man team seems to get bogged down with idle conversation or a comedy routine. Maybe I am just too much of a " facts" guy?
 With all that said, Shiverfest 2015 has more or less been confirmed, and the Good Lord willing, I will be there to watch was has truly become a staple of midwest racing.
  I am not sure if my 2014 race season is over, but either way, thanks for reading and check back in as I will be sending out thoughts and opinions as we anxiously await another race season.