Waiting Patiently

Whatever we race fans did to make the weatherman mad, we need to apologize right away!  The 2015 season is not exactly off to a strong start here in the midwest. Last season, we journeyed to Columbia,Mo. on March 14 to watch our Canton High School Tigers, including grandson Keagan, capture the 3rd place trophy at the state basketball tournament on March 14. One day later, Fred and I headed to the Montgomery County , Mo 1/4 mile for our first race of the year. This year the Tigers headed back to state minus Keagan,  and brought back a fourth place trophy, but there was no racing that weekend, to be sure. Early on I was bemoaning the fact that I would not be able to get the following Friday off work to head to Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City for the World of Outlaw late models - as it turned out, that race was cancelled, anyway, with snow and rain in western Kentucky. Last weekend, the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis was able to get in two nights of action, with 82 and 94 cars respectively in what was apparently some good racing action. Also, the Highland,Il Speedway hosted their lid lifter on Saturday with 14 UMP late models. But Friday night was a late work night for yours truly, and Saturday I came down with my spring cold, which is still hanging on. It would not have mattered, however, as this weekend so far has featured only the words " postponed " and " cancelled." The Illini 100 at Farmer City,Il, two complete shows for the WoO late models has been pushed back three weeks. The 40 lap UMP late models series running Friday in Belleville,Il and Saturday at Highland will now try to take to the track next weekend. And the two day spring special for Friday and Saturday at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Ia was first moved to Saturday and Sunday, and now is set as a one day show starting at 5:00 PM on Sunday. At last report rain was a threat on Sunday. In addition to Belleville and Highland next weekend, the Thaw Brawl for UMP late models is scheduled at LaSalle,Il, a race Darryl and I attended in 2014, the National Sprint League will debut at 34 Raceway in West Burlington,Ia, and the UMP late models will top the card at Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il and I -55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. But next week is also Easter weekend, and so I will most likely not be at any of those events, should they take place. So, it looks like the latest first race in many years for this fan will be the Deery Brothers IMCA late models at the West Liberty Raceway on Saturday, April 11. We will hopefully hit the ground running, however, as the following night will be opening night of season two for the Ciltrak promotion team at Quincy Raceways. And the following weekend will be the " can't miss " Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway followed by night number two at Quincy. So come on, Mother Nature, it's past time to go racing!
 For the time being, I will be watching Quincy Raceways most famous teenager,  16 year old Jake Griffin as he competes today, Saturday , in his first NASCAR Camping World truck series race at Martinsville Speedway. The redhead will be wheeling the Mittler Brothers # 63 machine normally driven by another area product and former Quincy Raceways regular, Lagrange ,Mo native and current Troy, Mo resident, Justin Jennings. Jake has moved from karts thru Kidz Modz, and both dirt and asphalt late models and modifieds. I have had the pleasure of watching the personable young man step up his program, and was fortunate enough to be at Montgomery County to see his first late model win, as well as his first QR victory, which came in his # 08 modified. Good luck, Jake!
 With all the area tracks having there scheduled pretty well set, there are some very special event I hope to attend in 2015. The second annual Albert Scott tribute race - this year the Scotty 41 at QR, featuring the UMP Big 10 late model series will take place the day of Keagans high school graduation. That could turn into a juggling act! The UMP Summernationals have a Sunday night stop in Quincy on June 21, and of course the biggest show in the history of the track will be on Thursday, July 23. The World of Outlaw late models roll into town along with the MOWA 410 sprint cars, with Steve Kinser competing in the sprints! Promoter Ken Dobson has plans to turns this night into an event to remember and is lining up the sponsorship to do just that! We will highlight many special events around the Tri States as we go along, including the Keokuk, Iowa Racers Reunion on June 20, but be sure and check out the Positively Racing calender when making your plans. But don't forget that weekly racing is what keeps our dirt tracks going, so attend as much as you can.
 Hopefully I will be back in a couple of weeks with some race results and recaps, until then, grab your jacket, and go racing!