The 2017 Curtain Falls at Quincy Raceways

Despite the chilly temps and stiff breeze, Quincy Raceways went ahead with their 2017 season finale on Sunday afternoon. The decision came mid week to open up the rules to an " open competition " format, with the payout based on car counts. This decision drew in some " out of town " cars, and caused a few locals to stay home. The start time was also moved up , with hot laps scheduled for 2:30. Unfortunately, a problem getting water for the water truck caused a delay, and still it was not possible to obtain enough water. The result was a dust problem, with a southern breeze making for an uncomfortable time in the early part of the program for those in the grandstand, and a vision problem all evening for the competitors. Five classes were on the card, with heat race action beginning just before 4:00. The USAC/IMRA D2 midget heat race saw the car of Austin Archdale take a nasty tumble between turns one and two, ending the night early for the #2 and also the #3 of Sean Coat. Following another track watering session and a candy dash for the kids, it was feature time. First up was the modified 20 lapper. Shaun Deering took off from row one, with Ray Bollinger breaking free from a three wide battle for second. Heat race winner Kevin Morrow had drawn the seventh and final starting spot, but he had moved to fourth when the only caution of the event came out as Charles Baker appeared to have his engine expire on lap five. Deering used the high line around the .29 mile oval, while Bollinger stayed down low. Bollinger pulled alongside the #16 on lap seven, but Deering used his high side momentum to fight off the challenge. By mid race, Deering had opened a sizable lead over Bollinger, while Morrow moved to challenge Chris Spaulding in the Jeff Yates #70 for third. Not only did Spaulding fight off the #28, but he soon ran down Bollinger by using the high line that was working for Deering. On the final circuit, Spaulding charged ahead of Bollinger, claiming the runner up spot to Deering at the checkers. Bollinger finished third ahead of Frankie Wellman and Morrow. Craig Roden finshed in the sixth spot. The remaining six midgets were up next for 20 laps. Front row starter A J Johnson and third starting Sean Murphy crossed the line side by side as lap one was scored. Johnson looped his ride on the slick surface on lap two, and following the single file restart, Andy Baugh powered to the lead. As the cars began to search for moisture in the bottom groove, Johnny Murdock moved to second on the fifth circuit. Baugh built his lead by diving to the bottom of the track in the turns, then powering to a middle line in the straightaways, while Murdock hugged the low side all the way around. With no further cautions, Baugh cruised to his second win in two tries at QR this season. Murdock ran second ahead of Murphy,Jason Allen, Johnson, and Mark McMahill. A dozen sport mods/B mods then came to the oval for 18 laps. A mixup on lap one brought things to a halt, with Chad Hickam getting the worst of the deal, ending his run early. Justin Ebbing started on the pole and led lap one, with another caution one lap later. Back under green, fifth starting Kevin Tomlinson, wheeling the #17 normally driven by Brandon Lennox, jumped to third. The cars fell into a single file line on the bottom of the track, before a trio of mid race cautions slowed the action. After the stoppage on lap eleven, things setlled down. Fourth running George Wilson tried his luck by jumping out of line and testing a higher groove, but he fell behind Tyler Burton before falling back in line. As the checkers waved, it was Ebbing with a flag to flag win. Rick Barlow Jr had started in row 2, moved quickly to second, and picked up the runner up finish. Tomlinson, Burton, and Wilson completed the top five. There were only five entries in the stock car division, with only two QR regulars on hand. After a lap one yellow for polesitter Brian Gaines, who spun his #44G, the 15 laps went non stop. Jimmy Myers put his #007 out front and went unchallenged throughout. Mid Missouri veteran Rick Girard took over the second spot on lap five, but could not reel in the leader, settling for second. Track champion Brian Hoener came home third ahead of Gaines, with Jerry Jansen collecting a DNF with possible suspension damage. The final feature of 2017 saw seven sport compact/hornet cars racing for 15 laps. Jeffrey Delonjay used a pole position start to jump to an early advantage. By lap three, he was well out front, with visting Dakota Girard, David Prim, Jaden Delonjay, and Barry Taft fighting for position. Jaden took third on lap four, and one circuit later, the right front wheel came off the lead car of Jeffrey. Girard and Jaden restarted side by side, with Girard gaining the advantage. Soon, a two car battle for the lead developed between Girard and Taft, while Prim and Jaden Delonjay dueled for third. As the leaders were coming to the white flag, Taft got a run inside the leader, taking over the top spot. Girard tried to fight back as the leaders came through turns three and four on the final lap, and he spun his #0. Taft picked up the win, Jaden Delonjay crossed the stripe in second, ahead of Prim. Girard was able to refire to come home in fourth, with Alvin Cooney and Jordon Jones rounding out the field. With the Gobles having taken the reigns late in the season at Quincy, it appears no firm decisions have been made as far as what will happen in 2018 at the historic facilty, at least as far as classes run, etc. It is just one of many unanswered questions for tracks in my area, and indeed all over the midwest. I have a feeling I will be spending an unusual amount of time searching for info and reporting it here as the off season progresses. But since I am now retired, what else do I have to do?!? One early tidbit is the addition twice per month of the UMP Pro Crate late models at Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il. This could be a big plus for QR if the new owners decide to continue the division. I may have one more race on my 2017 schedule, depending on the weather, but either way, check back often and I will do my best to keep you informed as we await 2018!

Shiverfest Lives Up To Its Name

Trying to ignore temps in the 30's accompinied by a brisk breeze, Darryl and I headed out Saturday for one more trip to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for the 19th edition of what is now known as Shiverfest. It was a marked difference from last years warm temps, but even though it sounds silly, the weather is part of the allure of this show. As a concession to the cold, promoter Mike VanGenderen moved the start times up a bit, with hot laps rolling off at 3:00 for the 117 car field. Again, this was far from a record turn out for the six class program, but many folks do not care to fight the cold, and others think it is simply too hard on engines, etc. But there were more than enough competitors on hand to make an entertaining show, with 33 sport mods topping the bill! A total of 15 heat races were staged along with a pair of B mains for the sport mods which came after the sport compact feature and a few hot laps for a KIDZ MODZ car on hand. All but four of the 29 four cylinder cars on hand took the feature green. for 15 laps. A multi car pile up on the opening circuit eliminated three cars, and back under green, pole sitter Josh Barnes powered to a big lead as a battle developed behind him between Darin ( DJ ) Weisinger Jr., Barry Taft, and Bandon Reu. Taft made contact on lap seven as he moved around Weisinger for second, and just as Weisinger was charging back on lap eight, Michael Hamilton drilled the guardrail between turns three and four. It appeared his throttle may have stuck, and he actually split the steel rail, narrowly avoiding a scary outcome. He appeared uninjured, and track workers went to work to make temporary repairs. The delay added up to about 25 minutes when it surely could have taken much longer. Back to racing, Barnes again pulled out to a big advantage. With five laps to go, Reu took over the third spot and tried to challenge Taft for second. As the checkers waved, it was Barnes scoring a flag to flag win ahead of Taft, Reu. Trent Orwig and Chuck Fullenkamp. A dozen hobby stocks were up next, with Gene Nicklas leading lap one. Dustin Griffiths moved up to challenge on the next trip around, and the duo raced side by side for several laps, with Nicklas using the preferred high line while Griffiths fought down low. With about six laps remaining, Griffiths, who also competed in the stock car division in a different car, took command, then moved to the higher line around the 3/8 mile oval. From there he scored the win, followed by Nicklas, Mike Kincaid, Aaron Martin, and Randy Byerly. The late models were up next, and although only eight cars signed in, it was an interesting mix of UMP crate cars, IMCA spec engines, and I believe one steel block powered machine. Derek Liles and heat race winner Gunner Frank lined up in row one for the 20 lap main event, but it was Tommy Elston powering to the lead as the first lap was scored. The yellow waved for first time late model pilot Aric Becker as he spun in turn four, and on the Delaware restart, Port Byron,Il. driver Chuck Hanna took second from Frank. A yellow for debris came on lap five, then the final stoppage came near the halfway mark when Frank encountered a mechanical problem, possibly clipping the front stretch fence, sliding down into Liles, then coming to a stop on the infield apron. From that point it was green flag racing, with Elston picking up another win. Hanna drove to an impressive runner up finish, holding off a hard charging Liles. Lee Hoover, a new name for me, came home fourth in the #1 machine Kevin Blackburn had raced at Memphis,Mo. earlier this month, and Becker scored a top five in his first late model action. Kelly Pestka ran sixth, with Frank scored seventh. IMCA racer Eric Sanders mave have lost an engine in the heat race, as he pulled to the infield with smoke trailing his #95. It was now stock car time, 15 cars strong. Todd Reitzler used a front row start to lead lap one, with Abe Huls charging to second. Johnny Spaw joined the lead pack on the second go around, and the front trio began to pull away. Huls used the inside line to grab the lead on lap six, and a side by side battle developed for the runner up spot between Reitzler and Spaw. The veteran Spaw took the spot two laps later, and now it was Huls running the bottom, Spaw using a high on corner entry, dive to the bottom move in second, and Reitzler running the high line. The caution waved on lap tweleve, when John Oliver Jr appeared to have a tire go down, and he contacted the fence in turn one. Back under green, Reitzler moved down the track, but there was no catching Huls. Spaw held second ahead of Reitzler, Mike Hughes, back in the stock car ranks after dropping to hobbys for a few weeks, came home fourth and Griffiths was fifth. The sport mod field had been whittled down to 24 cars for the main event. Tanner Klingele bolted to the lead from his pole start, with a three wide battle behind him for second. Austen Becerra took command of the spot on lap two, with row four starter Brandon Lennox moving to fifth. The caution waved on lap three, and I apparently missed a pass, as Becerra was lined up in the top spot for the restart. As he stretched his advantage, Klingele and Sean Wyatt battled behind him. Tenth starting Brayton Carter was on the move, entering the top five as Lennox spun between turns three and four with 13 laps remaining. Carter jumped from fourth to second on the restart, with another caution one lap later. Back to racing, Becerra took the high line and Carter hugged the bottom, but the yellow waved again one lap later. On this restart, Becerra seemed to not take off, jamming up the field, bringing out the yellow. As the cars circled the track, Becerra was pointed to the back of the reallignment. After a bit of discussion, he fell in about three rows from the tail. This put Klingele back out front, ahead of Logan Anderson and Tony Olson. One lap later, Anderson powered to the lead, and one more lap saw Becerra reenter the top five. With seven circuits remaining, Anderson had opened a sizable lead, and Becerra moved to fourth. Five laps left saw Becerra in a three car battle for second with Olson and Tim Warner. Austen secured the runner up spot with four laps left to run down the leader, but Anderson was up to the task. At the checkers it was Anderson, Becerra, Olson, Warner, and Lennox. The final event on the card was the 20 car, 22 lap modified feature. 18 competitors took the green, with Milo Veloz jumping to a big lead from his outside row one start. By lap four, tenth starting Cayden Carter had advanced to fourth, and the yellow flew for debris. On the restart, Carter charged to second, then raced past Veloz for the lead. It had developed into a two car scrum when the caution waved at the halfway mark. Veteran Bruce Hanford had lined up in row six, but now jumped from sixth to third. Hanford, Tyler Madigan, and Kyle Brown battled behind the leaders, when Veloz began trailing smoke out of his machine. Carter opened a straightaway lead as he worked through slower traffic, cruising to the win. Veloz finished second, still trailing smoke, and Hanford, Madigan, and Brown filled out the top five. The action concluded somewhere around 7:30, another efficiently run program. This afternoon, Sunday, I will be heading to Quincy Raceways for what may be my final race of 2017. The Gobles are staging an afternoon program featuring open competition modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, sport compacts and D II midgets, with the purse tied to car counts, and the modifieds possibly racing for a $1,000 to win. Hot laps are scheduled for 2:30, when the temperature is supposed to be in the fifties, so come on out for one more show!

Kirkham,Powers,Lennox and Taft Top Quincy

Despite a late afternoon shower and cold temps, Quincy Raceways managed to pull off an unprecedented Monday night show. At the noon hour, the sun was out, the breeze was blowing, and the temperature was in the high 60's. Everything looked good for the rescheduled Sunday night show. Then as I was preparing to leave home about 4:00, a rogue shower came up, staying with me throughout most of the 35 minute drive to Quincy Raceways, where it was obvious that the rain combined with an already wet surface had put the crew behind the eight ball. There was no doubt that the advertised start time for hot laps of 7:00 was in jeopardy, but nearly all of the small but hearty group of racers and fans hung around for one more night of racing. The exception was the handful of mod lite travellers, who headed for home. As the track crew kept at it, the 7:00 hour came and went, but the .29 mile oval was slowly coming around. The racers helped out with track packing, and eventually the Pro late models came out for hot laps, followed by stock cars, sport mods, and sport compacts. During hot laps it was announced that we would forego heat races and run features only, a concession to the time and uncomfortable chilly breeze, no doubt. However, the number of laps were increased for each of the four classes. First up was a 30 lapper for the late models. Tommy Elston and Denny Woodworth drew the front row, with Elston jumping to the early lead, with Woodworth and Sam Halstead trailing. As the leaders powered down the back stretch, Woodworth headed for the pits, his night done. Elston built a nice lead, while fifth starting Clint Kirkham, wheeling the Charles Vanzandt #80V challenged Halstead for second. On the eighth lap, Clint took the runner up spot, but Elston was well out front. As Tommy tried to put Rudy Zaragoza one lap down, Kirkham was able to close the gap on the leader. Meanwhile, just past the halfway mark, Brandon Savage began to pressure Halstead for third. With Kirkham shadowing the leader, Elston again encountered Zaragoza on lap 22. When he tried to put the #67R another lap down using a highler line in turn one on lap 23, Kirkham found an inside line, overtaking both the lapped car and the leader. From there,he stretched a several car length lead, capturing his first win in a limited 2017 campaign. An unhappy Elston settled for second, while Savage wrestled third away from Halstead. Vance Wilson camd home fifth, with Zaragoza still running at the checkers for sixth. Woodworth was credited with seventh. Next it was stock cars for 20 laps. Jake Powers jumped to the lead from his row one start. As lap one was scored, Beau Taylor was forced to the pits with apparent suspension damage on the right front of his machine. Jerry Jansen kept Powers in his sights, but did not mount a serious challenge as the event went green to checkers with no cautions. Nathan Hays came home third, with Taylor scored fourth. It was win number two of the season for the newlywed Powers. Eight sport mods took the green flag for 30 laps. During a false start on lap one, there was fuel coming from the back of the Mike Goodwin car. He ducked to the work area, but his crew apparently could not locate the missing fuel cell cap, and the race went green with Tanner Klingele inheriting his front row spot. Tanner powered to the early lead, followed by John Renier and row two starter Brandon Lennox. On the next circuit, Lennox moved to second, and things quickly evolved into a two car battle for the lead. As the leaders came upon the car of Gary Stephenson on lap seven, Lennox took an inside line around both the #24S and Klingele, then pulled away to a sizable lead. The only mid race yellow of the night came on lap 13, as visiting Tyler Burton stopped on the top side of turn two. Back under green, Lennox was able to build a big lead as Klingele had his hands full of AJ Tournear, who used every line he could find on the narrow racing surface to try and take the runner up spot. At the checkers it was Lennox with another feature win, followed by Klingele, Tournear, and Renier. I believe it was Stepenson scored fifth, as he dropped out soon after the caution period. The final event of the night was the 25 lap main event for the sport compacts. All but one of the seven entries took the green. Jeffrey Delonjay took the lead from row one, with Darrin Weisinger Jr. in second. Meanwhile Barry Taft was on the move, taking third on lap three, then finally slipping past Weisinger on lap nine after an entertaing duel. While Taft tried to close on the leader, Weisinger headed to the trailer on lap eleven, giving up the third spot. The leader found slower traffic on lap 17 of the non stop event, but it was five circuits later before Taft made his move. The front pair ran side by side for a couple of laps, with Taft scored the leader on lap 23. The checkers waved for Taft, with Delonjay claiming a solid second. Kimberly Abbott found herself running most of the race on open track and finished third, with Jaden Delonjay and Jordon Jones completing the top five. The new owner - operator team at QR has scheduled one more night of circle track racing this coming Sunday, October 29. The featured class is open modifieds for a $1,000 top prize, along with stock cars, sport mods, sport compacts, and D2 midgets. With a less than favorable early forecast, I would advise drivers and fans to check before leaving home, but hopefully mother nature will ease up for one more night. As for me, my Friday night plans for a final visit to Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il. are off, as the $5,000 to win late model show has been cancelled in anticipation of inclement weather. At this time, Shiverfest on Saturday night at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa is still a go, and along with QR, the make up features for the Fall Bash at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa on Sunday starting at noon are possiblities. So bundle up, and lets go racing one more time!

Quincy Raceways Washed Out, Moved to Monday

After 1/2 inch of rain, cool temps and no sunshine, Quincy Raceways was forced to postpone racing for this Sunday, October 22. However, with the season winding down, the new owners/promoters are going to reschedule for tomorrow night, Monday, October 23, with hot laps begining at 7:00. Last week the races were cancelled after the fans and drivers had arrived, and these folks are holding rain checks. Tomorrows line up is crate late models paying $750.00 to win, stock cars, sport mods, sport compacts, and mod lites, with regular admission prices for anyone who was not there last Sunday. Racing is also scheduled for the following Sunday, October 29, with modifieds replacing late models and midgets instead of mod lites. As of now, the 2017 season will conclude with that race, and as I understand it, tickets from last week can be used on that night for anyone who cannot attend on Monday. So, a rare opportunity for a week night race in October, with sunshine and temps close to 70 degrees in the forecast! As of now, the forecast does not look great for next weekend, so don't pass up this chance if you can make it. See you there!

Kloos, Blackhurst, Bayston Top Jacksonville

Friday night I made my first visit of 2017 to the Jacksonville,Il Speedway . Five classes of cars made up the 100 plus entries for the first of two nights of October racing. We arrived as hot laps were starting at 6:30, and the show moved quickly into race mode. A total of 15 heat races and three B-mains set the fields for feature action, with the Lucas Oil Power I midgets up first for 30 laps on the fairgrounds 1/4 mile. Spencer Bayston sat on the front row and led the opening circuit, with Jake Newman in second. The red flag waved on lap five when Austin Odell flipped his #97x in turn one, just one of many cars to get upside down during the night. Bayston continued to lead, but the yellow came out one lap later, and back under green, Zeb Wise moved to second. On lap ten, as the leader approached slower traffic, the caution flew again, and as the cars circled the oval, Wise headed to the work area with a flat tire. This moved Newman to second, but Tyler Courtney took the spot away on the restart. Tenth starting Logan Seavey was now in fourth, with the final caution coming one lap later. With things finally settled down, Bayston and Courtney put separation on the field, entering lapped traffic just past the halfway mark. With Bayston running the cushion, Courtney made a move on the inside on lap 22 and again one lap later. But a slower car broke his momentum, and Boyston then moved down the track a bit. Courtney drove a bit too hard into turn one on the final lap and had to check up, with Bayston leading flag to flag for the win. Courtney held on for second, followed by Seavey, Tucker Klassmeyer, and Tyler Thomas. The MOWA 410 sprint cars were up next for 25 laps. The 29 car field had been pared down to 20 starters, with Mike Terry Jr and Katlynn Leer on row one. Leer brought out an early red with a flip in turn one. She was able to restart on the tail of the complete restart, but soon retired to the pits. Another pair of yellows marred the opening laps, as Jason Keith set the pace. Sixth starting Jake Blackhurst moved to second on lap five, with fellow row three starter Brad Loyet taking third. Keith had a comfortable lead as he hit slower traffic on lap eight. With Blackhurst and Loyet closing, it qickly became a three car battle, and Loyet grabbed second on lap twelve. Keith suddenly slowed on lap 14, ending his run, turning the top spot over to Loyet. Paul Nienhiser had now advanced to sixth after starting in row nine. The driver of the #9 suffered a flat tire in his heat, then advanced from row five to second in the caution free B-main. Loyet opened a big lead, and was in lapped traffic by lap 20. But with four laps to go, Logan Faucon stopped on the high side of the track, and Loyet looped his ride trying to miss the disabled car, suffering enough damage to end his run. Blackhurst was now out front for the single file restart, with Josh Schneiderman in second. With two laps remaining, Joe B Miller moved to the runner up spot, but settled for second behind the victorious Blackhurst. Schneiderman held third ahead of Terry and Nienhiser. The Big Ten super late model championship was up next, with a rather disappointing eleven cars signed in for the $1200 top prize. Michael Kloos and Matt Bailey lined up on row one for 20 laps. The feature was based on passing points as they had attempted to time trial, but the transponder system was not working properly. As the green flag waved, Kloos jumped to the lead, with Bailey and Rusty Griffaw joining him in a three car breakaway. The caution came out on lap eight as Griffaw came to a stop in turn one with rearend suspension damage. The final caution came as racing resumed for a stalled Cody Maguire. Once racing resumed, Kloos opened a comfortable lead, while Bailey stretched his advantage over the third place battle between Jason Suhre and Greg Kimmons. Kloos cruised to the win ahead of Bailey, Kimmons, Suhre, and Vance Wilson. Jeff Ray ran sixth, besting Maguire, Andrew Barnes, and Rudy Zaragoza. Rick Standridge was honored during intermission for 50 years of racing, but he dropped out of the late model feature and was credited with tenth. Two features remained for the UMP street stocks and the Power I micro midgets, but it was nearing 11:00, so we headed for the car, pleased with a solid night of racing in the books. Thanks to Ken Dobson and the Jacksonville staff for their hospitality and the chance at one more late season race. The sprints and midgets along with UMP modifieds will be in action today, Saturday, starting at about 4:00. Next up for me, weather permitting, will be Sunday night at Quincy Raceways, with six classes of racing, including the UMP Pro late models. Hot laps at 6:00. Hope to see you there!

Weathered Out Again

Thursday night Fred and I headed out to the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa for night number one of the Fall Bash hosted by Darkside Promotions. After seeing the "good to go" message on Facebook, we were anticipating a full night of racing on the fairgrounds 1/4 mile. Arriving early, we were pleased to see cars lined up at the gate and the pit area already filling up. As one driver had messaged me earlier, the pit road was a muddy mess, but the parking areas were good, and the track prep crew was hard at work. Between the track condition and the back up of cars on a week night, it soon became obvious that the 6:00 hot lap time was a pipe dream, and we would be in for a long night. It was announced that the drivers would be asked to help roll in the track at 6:30. Then the rumblings began. First a late model drivers wife let us know that they would not be racing on what would likely be a soft and rough track, and they were headed home, to be joined by another late model team. As we walked the pits, we saw another pair of late models pulling out and a two car late model and modified team loading up. Then it was the stock cars loading up. Finally about 7:30, the drivers meeting was called, and about 15 minutes later the announcement came that the majority of drivers did not want to race on the surface as it was, and the Thursday portion of the show would be pushed back and combined with the Friday show, with hot laps set for 5:00. So with over 200 cars in the pits, including at various times 36 late models, the night was over early. Refunds were given to folks in the bleachers and in the pits who were willing to stand in line. Although I would be willing to make the 300 mile round trip to see the show, I had plans in place to take in the Big Ten late model, MOWA sprint car show tonight at Jacksonville,Il. Raceway. Thanks to Darkside for their hospitality and best of luck to all the drivers tonight in Tipton. The sun is shining as I sit at the computer this morning, so hopefully my streak of watching graders and pickups circle the track instead of race cars ends tonight. It is warming up, so everyone head for a track somewhere tonight!

0 for the Weekend

The weatherman was the big winner this weekend as far as my racing plans went. Friday night I had plans to head to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa for night one of the Fall Extravaganza. However, rains on Thursday night followed by a gloomy rainy day on Friday resulted in the two day show being pushed to Saturday and Sunday. I was already committed to an overnight outing on Saturday in southern Missouri. Although we drove in rain well into Saturday afternoon, the weather to the north was good enough for the show in Donnellson to go on. Sunday I arrived back home in plenty of time to head to Quincy,Illinois Raceways for racing in five divisions, including the crate late models. When I got to the track, the grader was broke down, and the track crew spent the next couple of hours on repairs. Meanwhile track packing continued until about 7:15, when word came down that the track was a lost cause, and the nights events would be cancelled. There had simply been too much rain in the area over the previous three days. By this time, we decided that it would be futile to head for Donnellson, as the hour trip would likely put us in the middle of feature racing given their early start time. So it was back home to watch playoff baseball. With the car count and cheering sections being split between tracks, both were a bit short at Quincy. There were a couple of surprise entries in the late model division, however, with Tegan Evans making the long pull down from Clinton, Iowa, while Jeff Ray made his first visit to Quincy. Jeff typically can be seen racing around central Illinois. Additionally, Denny Woodworth has purchased the car driven previosly by Trent Grotz, and it now sports a #B1, with veteran driver Vance Wilson behind the wheel. The crate lates have been added to the card next Sunday at Quincy along with the D II midgets, modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts. The track is also scheduled to run on Sunday, October 22 before calling it a season. Up next for me is night one of the three night Darkside Fall Bash at Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa this Thursday, October 12. This night will feature topless late models and IMCA stock cars both racing for a $1,500 top prize. Also in action will be modifieds, sport mods, 4 stocks and my first 2 man cruiser race in several seasons. Friday night there are a couple options on the table, including UMP super late models and MOWA sprint cars in Jacksonville,Illinois, and UMP late models and modifieds in support of a $3,000 to win B-modified special at Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il. So far, the weather looks good for any of these excellent choices. The forecast is not good so far for Sunday, but hopefully that will change as the week progresses. The 2017 season is winding down quickly, so try and support the tracks that are still giving us our racing fix!

Abbott Wins First of 2017 at Quincy

Race night number three of the long weekend found me at Quincy Raceways, where four of the regular classes were joined by the USAC/IMRA DII Midgets. With three nights of racing at Tri City and two at Scotland County, car counts were down a bit, but the action was still hot and heavy on a crisp fall evening. With heat races in the books, the IMCA stock car feature ran first. Four cars took the green flag, with Jesse Wegs on the trailer after he pulled out of the heat race in a cloud of smoke. The .29 mile oval had been reworked at intermission, with turn one still a bit slippery. Jerry Jansen looped his ride on the opening lap to necessitate a restart. Brian Hoener charged to the lead, with Abe Huls in pursuit. However, Abe lost the handle on the #30C also in turn one, recovering before he spun, but dropping to third. He quickly rebounded to the runner up spot, but with no more cautions, he could not run down Hoener. Jansen and newly wed Jake Powers ran door to door for several laps, with Powers eventually taking command of the third spot. The midgets ran next, with all nine on hand taking the green for 20 laps. Following a false start, Chance McDermand took the early lead. On the third circuit, Andy Baugh powered to the lead, and one lap later Mitchell Davis moved to second. Davis was mounting a challenge to Baugh as the pair encountered slower traffic on lap eleven, however Davis got caught behind a lapped car on lap twelve, allowing Baugh to stretch his advantage. With no caution periods, Baugh cruised to the checkers. Davis held the runner up spot ahead of McDermand and Broc Hunnell. The UMP modified 20 lap finale was up next. Late arrival Dugan Thye jouned the back of the pack. A caution on the opening lap saw Bill Roberts restarting at the tail of the field. Dave Weitholder charged from row two to lead the opening circuit, ahead of row one starter Shaun Deering. The next yellow came on lap three for a spinning Thye. One lap later the yellow waved for a spinning Tim Ippensen. Roberts joined Ippensen at the tail, while Russ Coultas, who spun to avoid, was allowed to keep his spot. After a false start caution for debris, Joey Gower used the Delaware restart to take over the runner up spot. Weitholder was stretching his lead ahead of a lap nine caution for a spinning Roberts. Back under green, Deering overtook Gower on lap eleven using the high line around the track. With Weitholder running the inside line, Deering was closing fast when another debris caution came on lap 17. A final caution for Mark Enk came with only two laps remaining. On the green, white, checkers finish, Deering again climbed to the top side and made the last lap pass for the win. Weitholder settled for second followed by Gower, Spencer Havermale and Thye. The IMCA sport compacts were up next for 15 laps. Track champion Craig Bangert had pulled out of his heat race and was a no show for the feature. Meanwhile, Kimberly Abbott, who did not start her heat, atgged the tail of the now nine car feature. Jeffrey Delonjay paced the opening circuit from his front row start. Abbott Charged to third by lap three, and took over second three laps later. Following a lap seven caution for Wayne Chamblee, Delonjay and Abbott began to distance themselves from the pack. Kimberly used a top side pass to take the lead on lap ten, then held on for the win. It was the first victory of the year at her home track for the 2016 track champion. Delonjay came home second ahead of Darin Weisinger Jr., David Prim, and Jaden Delonjay. The final feature was the 18 lapper for the IMCA sport mods. Brandon Lennox came from outside row two to lead lap one, while Austin Howes in the Kevin Tomlinson #49 rebounded to lead lap two. The first stoppage then came for a spinning Mike Goodwin. Back under green, Howes looped his car on lap four. Lennox opened a big lead, as a four car battle for second developed between Tanner Klingele, Bobby Six, Austen Becerra, and Daniel Fellows. Becerra took the spot on lap ten, and a lap twelve yellow for John Renier wiped out a big Lennox advantage. When racing resumed, Becerra used a slide job to try to gain the top spot, but Lennox fought back on the lower line. The two ran side by side on lap 14 ahead of another yellow for Renier. As racing resumed. Howes charged back to third, and this time the slide job in turn four saw Becerra take the lead. Austen then held on for his fifth win of the last two weekends. Lennox held off Howes for second, Klingele was fourth, and Six ran fifth. The final checkers waved about 9:00. Despite the story that the QR scoreboard could not be repaired, the new track owners found out otherwise, and the crowd broke into applause as track announcer Doug Mealy pointed this out. Jacob Jones was making his first start in the comapct class, just turning laps, when he suddenly found himself with his first win. One by one, three leaders fell by the wayside, until onlt Todd Jensen and Jones remained. But coming to the checkers, Jensens car stalled out before he could get to the finish line, leaving Jones the surprise winner! Quincy Raceways is scheduled to run for the next three Sunday nights, with the UMP Pro Crate late models on tap October 8. They will now be running for a $700.00 top prize. Modifieds, stock cars, sport mods, and sport compacts will also be on the card. Next on my schedule will be Friday night action of the two day special at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. After a family event on Saturday, I hope to be back at Quincy Raceways on Sunday. There is still plenty of racing in the Tri State area through October, so take adavantage and help out these promoters who are feeding our racing fix!