Number 42 Takes Scottie 42

 Mother Nature decided to behave this Sunday long enough for Quincy Raceways to stage the rescheduled Scottie 42, the third annual event honoring the man who conceived and built Quincy Raceways 42 seasons ago.
 A nice field of 80 cars signed in, highlighted by 26 UMP late models, tying the number from the original Scottie 40 two years ago. Unfortunately, persistent rains over the last couple of weeks left the racing surface somewhat soft and rough.
 NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace was one of a handful of visiting UMP modified racers who came in part to try and collect the now $400.00 bounty on undefeated Michael Long. Indeed, a $900.00 payday was available to the driver breaking Michaels season long win streak. Wallace started off on the right foot, setting quick time at 14.426 seconds.
 Late model time trials were up next, and Dustin Griffin turned a blistering lap of 13.010 seconds around the choppy .29 mile oval. Out for the first time in 2016, Cliff Powell saw his night end in qualifying as a plume of smoke trailed his # 6 machine. A similar puff of smoke also marked the end of the night for Troy,Mo. driver Derek Fetter. The track bit Keith Pratt, who climbed the backstretch guardrail, but Keith who set quick time last week before the rains came,was able to continue his evening.
 Before heat race action, the track crew spent some time trying to smooth out the surface, but track conditions in the heats resulted in some crashes and some displays of temper. Tanner Klingele had engine problems early with this IMCA sport mod, borrowed the # 96 Lear machine, and was involved in a heat race crash.
 The three late model heats were entertaining, even though all were won from the front row, all by track " regulars. " Justin Reed took heat one over Griffin, Jason Perry, and Dewayne Kiefer. McKay Wenger, who is making the trip from Fairbury,Il on Sundays in 2016 as he chases UMP national points, took the second ten lapper ahead of Daryn Klein, Chuck Mitchell, and Mark Burgtorf. Denny Woodworth was victorious in the final heat. San Antonio,Texas driver Alan Murray pulled a dandy slide job on Michael Kloos for the second spot, but Kloos came back in turn four of the final lap to take second. Brian Diveley came home fourth.
 Following the dozen heat races, the track crew went to work with the grader, and by feature time, the track conditions were improving.
 Abe Huls moved quickly to the front in the IMCA stock car feature, and built a straightaway lead to cruise to the win in the non stop event. Jacksonville,Il driver Rodolfo Zaragoza turned in a season best runnerup finish, also running well ahead of the pack until Brandon Savage broke free in third. But Brandon appeared to have some suspension damage and settled for third. Visitors Dean Kratzer and Chase Klenk completed the top five.
 Nine of the ten UMP mods took the green flag for 25 laps. Michael Long chargedto the front as the green waved, and challenger Rick Conoyer retired on the backstretch. The yellow waved on lap three as Spencer Havermale stalled out. On the restart contact between visiting Ray Bollinger and Dave  Weitholder left Bollinger with a flat tire. He was a bit slow out of the hot pit, and with the green flag set to fly, he spun his # 77 on the backstretch, allowing himself to restart at the back of the pack. Wallace and Weitholder battled for second, as Bollinger moved quickly up to fourth. Wallace finally secured the runner up spot on lap six and set sail after Long. But on lap 16 he appeared to break a wheel, sending him high in the air as he flipped his # 36, landing upside down. The car caught fire, but quick work by the track crew and even other drivers got the car upright and the fire out. Kenny claimed to be uninjured. Back to racing, Weitholder came to a stop on the backstretch, bringing out one more caution. As the laps wound down, the now second running Bollinger made a run at Long, but he could not get close enough, as Michael kept his undefeated streak alive. Bollinger, Weitholder, Shawn Deering, and Russ Coultas completed the five cars running at the checkers.
 It was now late model time, with 23 starters lined up for 42 laps. Outside row one starter Woodworth held a slim lead as lap one was scored, but polesitter Griffin led lap two. A lap three caution for a tractor tire on the track reset the field in a Delaware start, and back to green Justin Reed powered to second, and then to the lead using the high side of the oval. The yellow waved again for double duty Weitholder, and back to racing, Wenger and Griffin swapped the second spot, with Wenger finally securing the spot. By lap ten, traffic had become a factor, and by lap 13 Wenger had closed the gap in a two car battle. It was just past the half way point when McKay grabbed the lead. aided by Reed bouncing through a rough spot on the backstretch. The caution came out one lap later, and Mark Burgtorf, who started in row six and spent most of the first half of the race languishing around tenth had suddenly charged to fifth. With the advantage of the Delaware restart, the veteran jumped to fourth, by lap 27 he was up to third. Two circuits later, he took the second spot, and quickly began to run down the leader. In the post race interview, Wenger said his car was running hot and his right rear tire was giving out, but he maintained enough advantage over Burgtorf to take his second checkers of the season at QR. He also called the win the biggest of his career. For Mark, he now has two runner up finishes to go with one Scottie title. Reed, Woodworth, and Griffin rounded out the first five. The remaining six cars on the track in order were Gordy Gundaker, Jim Moon, Greg Kimmons, Diveley, Bo Brockway, and Reid Millard.
  Two features remained, but an early Monday morning approaching sent me to the car when a lap five caution slowed the IMCA sport mod finale. Nathan Bringer took the win over rookie Justin Ebbing and Levi Long. The IMCA sport compact main event went to Brandon Reu ahead of the Lamberts, Brandon and Casey.
 Next Sunday all five classes will be back in action at Quincy Raceways for a regular show.