Gundaker Makes Triumphant Return to Quincy

One week after a very low car count at Quincy Raceways, the entry list swelled to 90 on Sunday night. The first visit by the UMP Big Ten super late model series certainly helped, but 21 cars in the UMP modified class was a pleasant surprise. Promoter Ken Dobson made a mid week decision to add the UMP Pro Crate late models to the card, and with late notice, ten cars showed. The night started with Ray Bollinger setting a new modified track qualifying record with a fast lap of 14.218 seconds. Jason Perry then topped the super lates with a lap of 13.303 seconds on a track that would produce multiple grooves throughout the night. 14 heat races followed with an unusual number of cautions, but after a brief intermission, it was feature time. Tommy Elston and Denny Woodworth topped the crate heats and they shared the front row for the 18 lap feature. A lap one mixup forced Trent Grotz to take evasive action, and he suffered front end damage to his # 2HA. Still he managed to restart the event. Back to racing, Woodworth grabbed the lead, but five laps in Elston found an opening under Woodworth and the two raced side by side. A lap six caution set up a Delaware restart, with third running Sam Halstead retiring to the pits at this time. Woodworth was careful to protect the low groove after that as the top two checked out. Denny picked up his second crate win, besting Elston for the second straight wee after Tommy won on opening night. Brandon Savage ran a solid third followed by Guy Taylor,the Vanzandts, Laine and Charles, and Grotz. Next is was IMCA stock car time, with 11 cars on hand. Rudy Zaragoza failed to start the feature with his crate late, but he sat on the pole with his stock car, jumping to an early lead. As he exited turn four on lap two, he suddenly darted sideways - possibly due to a flat tire - jamming up the field. Michael Larsen was caught in no mans land and barrel rolled his # 48 twice in front of the charging pack. As the carnage was being sorted, Michael climbed back in his ride and drove it to the infield, although it may never again be race worthy. Abe Huls and Jerry Jansen also saw their night end with major damage, Zaragoza went to the trailer, and Dean Kratzer took his suddenly sick sounding ride to the pits. With five cars left to restart the 18 lapper, it quickly became a two car race. Brian Hoener eventually broke free, cruising to the win as no more cautions ensued. In his first night out in 2017, Beau Taylor rolled home in second. The UMP modified field was a strong one, but the 20 laps became a caution fest. Following a first lap multi car scrum, Michael Long charged from row three to take the early lead. Meanwhile, Rick Conoyer went to the high groove, charging to the lead on the third circuit. Following a lap seven caution, Long grabbed the lead, but another yellow put Conoyer back out front. A couple cautions on lap eight mixed the field, with Dave Weitholder and Bollinger easing past third running Donovan Lodge. On lap ten, Long did a slide job to take the lead, with Conoyer deciding to jump on the brakes off turn two. Mid pack starter Kevin Blackburn was now on the move, and when the caution waved with six laps remaining, Weitholder was now second and Blackburn third. Still more cautions followed, and with five laps to go, Blackburn took second as Weitholder and Conoyer battled for third. In the closing laps, Weitholder jumped the cushion in turn three, spoiling his good run. Blackburn closed on the leader, and with the crowd standing, Long and the # B4 crossed the line in a virtual dead heat. The scoring loop gave Long the advantage and the win. Conoyer, Lodge, Shaun Deering and Bollinger followed. It was now time for the Scottie 43 late model feature, honoring the Scott family, the original owners of the track. The race was actually 40 laps this year, the 43rd anniversary of the facility. Heat one winner Michael Kloos pulled a four for the invert, putting Rickey Frankel and heat three winner Gordy Gundaker on the front row. Frankel shot to the early lead, with Gundaker and heat two winner Rusty Schlenk hot on his heels. The caution waved for Ron McQueery, and on the Delaware restart, Gundaker chose the inside line in second. As Frankel continued to lead, the hard charging Schlenk rolled a tire off the rim on lap four and headed for the trailer as the yellow waved. Back to racing, it was Frankel and Gundaker in the low groove, third running Kloos up top, and Peery low and Woodworth high dueling for fourth. As slower traffic came into play Gundaker made his move to the lead., while Frankel made contact with Mike Hammerle. A caution just before the half way mark ended the night for Dewayne Kiefer, and on the restart Kloos moved to second. With the front pack now running the low groove, Gundaker opened a nice lead, and the second generation driver, a Quincy fan favorite, took the win and the $2,000 check home to St Charles,Mo. Kloos, Frankel, Woodworth and Jamie Wilson turned in top five performances, while Rusty Griffaw eased past Perry late for sixth. Derek Fetter, Jason Suhre and Matt Shannon complted the top ten. The clock now read nearly 10:00, so I regretfully headed to the car with two races remaining. Austin Howes topped the IMCA sport mod feature over Austen Becerra, Tanner Klingele and Tony Dunker. The IMCA sport compact finale apparently had some upside down action as well, with Brandon Lambert taking the checkers. Quincy Raceways will not be in action next Sunday, Mothers Day, and this will work out well for me, as my middle grandson, Parker will be graduating from high school. So plans for now are to take in the action Friday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. Maybe we will see you there!