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!