With the running of the Junior Knepper 55 indoor midget race at Duquoin, Illinois two weekends ago, the midwest dirt track season came to a close. As it happens, 2018 turned out to be a surprising season for yours truly. Leading up to retirement, I had every intention of scaling back my race chasing, but wound up with my most nights since the 2000 season, with 56. I also set a personal record for tracks attended in a season, visiting 21 different venues.
Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota was my only first time track for the year, and it is a stop I would definitely recommend.
My original home state of Iowa led the way, with 14 stops at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, along with visits to Davenport, 34 Raceway, Knoxville, Columbus Junction, Marshalltown, Vinton, and Tipton, 28 nights total.
Illinois came next, with eleven trips to Quincy Raceways in addition to trips to Tri City Speedway, Jacksonville, Quad City Speedway, Peoria, and La Salle for 20 nights.
My home state of Missouri produced seven nights, including Wheatland, Pevely, Lake Ozark, Scotland County, Springfield, and the Dome in St. Louis.
Fortunately I only experienced a pair of rain outs after leaving home. Stubborn showers wiped out a night at Scotland County before any cars hit the track, and the first try for the UMP Summernational race at Jacksonville was washed out after the late model heats.
Regular readers know that I am first and foremost a late model fan, and I was fortunate in 2018 to take in late model events featuring Lucas Oil late models, World of Outlaw lates, MLRA, SLMR, MARS, UMP weekly and Summernationals, IMCA, including Deery Brothers Summer Series, Lee County crates, and a hybrid set of rules at Springfield.
I also was able to enjoy a variety of 410, 360, and 305 sprints, a handful of midgets shows, and regular doses of modifieds, stock cars, and 4 cylinders - yes, if the racing is close, I like 'em all!
After watching late model racing decline in recent years, we may be seeing a bit of a revival for 2019. As previously reported, 34 Raceway will be adding late models on a semi regular basis under the IMCA banner, with Lee County also being IMCA sanctioned. Independence, Iowa will return to IMCA, and it was recently announced that four tracks in Nebraska will also run IMCA lates weekly, including US 30, Off Road, Boone County, and Junction Motor speedways. And US 30 appears to race on Thursday nights.... I can only assume that the addition of the 604 crate engine package to the IMCA rules is partially aiding this revival. I have heard a couple names mentioned as returning to IMCA, but as of now, only Todd Malmstrom has made it official.
Names also continue to be bandied about for the Fairbury, Illinois area after new majority owner Matt Curl announced his aggressive payout at the legendary UMP Saturday night track.
At least one race is scheduled for West Liberty Raceway for next season, and I am hoping for more. Unable to make the single event there last season, I am anxious to hear to roar of the engines on the big 1/2 mile. Meanwhile, as we wait patiently for the release of the Deery Brothers schedule it is now only eleven weeks until the first green flag is set to fly at Memphis!
Happy New Year, and thanks for reading!
Friday, December 28, 2018
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Another Day, More Shockers
During the height of the racing season, it seems sometimes that I am offering a new blog entry every day. And during the off season, it is often a struggle to report anything of consequence once a month. But as we march through December, we could almost go back to daily entries!
Since Jeff updated several goings on yesterday on the Backstretch, at least two major announcements have been made.
First was a report from Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, that Brian and Marcia Gaylord will take over promoting duties for 2019. Brian and Marcia have been key figures in the weekly operation of the track for several years, and this should be seen as a positive development for the historic fairgrounds track. Seemingly almost as an afterthought in the release was the not totally unexpected announcement that the late model class would be IMCA sanctioned beginning with the upcoming season. The late models have struggled with low car counts since being reintroduced in 2016 as a crate engine class. However, with IMCA adding the GM 604 crate engine option to their weekly rules for next season, along with some changes in the spec engine program, it seems like a positive step for the program. Of course, the return of IMCA late models on a more or less every other Saturday night about 35 miles away at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa gives the Lee County drivers another opportunity during the weekend, while still allowing the crate cars to travel to Quincy Raceways on Sundays to race against the UMP Pro Crate late models!
Meanwhile, former Lee County race director Mike Van Genderen, who recently purchased the Stuart, Iowa Speedway has big news of his own. Always the gambler, MVG is offering a free 2020 chassis for drivers with perfect attendance in his four class program during the upcoming season. Drivers not lucky enough to win the free chassis will also be eligible for 1/2 off a new chassis. This could easily turn in to a six figure commitment for Mike and his sponsors. And then at the end of the release was the real bombshell. Stuart will be abandoning their Friday night program in favor of Wednesday night racing. Apparently the car count at Stuart, particularly in their headline IMCA modified class has lagged behind, and Mike is hoping to jump start things with a mid week IMCA option. As might be expected, there is both excitement and hand wringing on Facebook over the plan. As far as I can tell, the only other Wednesday night option is in Alta, Iowa, some 130 miles away. And of course, there is non sanctioned Wednesday racing at Oskaloosa, Iowa, a track that Van Genderen directed through the 2017 season. Osky does not run " regular " modifieds weekly.
On a personal note, I am now awaiting the release of the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series schedule as well as the Lee County schedule, both of which are due in the next few days. Then I will begin to put together a rough schedule of my own for 2019.
It has been previously reported, but congratulations to Joe Hayes on his newly created position overseeing the IMCA late models - with three " new " tracks including the return of Independence, Iowa - Joe is in a position to really help revive the class. Also kudos to Jeff Curl on his ambitious plans for Fairbury American Legion Speedway, with a $2500 to win, $300 to start weekly UMP late model payout along with $1500 to win UMP mods paying $175 to start. And for those questioning the hobby mod payout of $60 from first to last, I understand that the class was started as a true " learner " class, and all drivers at the original meeting agreed on this purse structure. These are not B mods or sport mods, but older chassis - engine machines.
I am still planning a " year in review " entry, perhaps we will wait until this crazy silly season calms down.
Thanks for reading.
Since Jeff updated several goings on yesterday on the Backstretch, at least two major announcements have been made.
First was a report from Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, that Brian and Marcia Gaylord will take over promoting duties for 2019. Brian and Marcia have been key figures in the weekly operation of the track for several years, and this should be seen as a positive development for the historic fairgrounds track. Seemingly almost as an afterthought in the release was the not totally unexpected announcement that the late model class would be IMCA sanctioned beginning with the upcoming season. The late models have struggled with low car counts since being reintroduced in 2016 as a crate engine class. However, with IMCA adding the GM 604 crate engine option to their weekly rules for next season, along with some changes in the spec engine program, it seems like a positive step for the program. Of course, the return of IMCA late models on a more or less every other Saturday night about 35 miles away at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa gives the Lee County drivers another opportunity during the weekend, while still allowing the crate cars to travel to Quincy Raceways on Sundays to race against the UMP Pro Crate late models!
Meanwhile, former Lee County race director Mike Van Genderen, who recently purchased the Stuart, Iowa Speedway has big news of his own. Always the gambler, MVG is offering a free 2020 chassis for drivers with perfect attendance in his four class program during the upcoming season. Drivers not lucky enough to win the free chassis will also be eligible for 1/2 off a new chassis. This could easily turn in to a six figure commitment for Mike and his sponsors. And then at the end of the release was the real bombshell. Stuart will be abandoning their Friday night program in favor of Wednesday night racing. Apparently the car count at Stuart, particularly in their headline IMCA modified class has lagged behind, and Mike is hoping to jump start things with a mid week IMCA option. As might be expected, there is both excitement and hand wringing on Facebook over the plan. As far as I can tell, the only other Wednesday night option is in Alta, Iowa, some 130 miles away. And of course, there is non sanctioned Wednesday racing at Oskaloosa, Iowa, a track that Van Genderen directed through the 2017 season. Osky does not run " regular " modifieds weekly.
On a personal note, I am now awaiting the release of the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series schedule as well as the Lee County schedule, both of which are due in the next few days. Then I will begin to put together a rough schedule of my own for 2019.
It has been previously reported, but congratulations to Joe Hayes on his newly created position overseeing the IMCA late models - with three " new " tracks including the return of Independence, Iowa - Joe is in a position to really help revive the class. Also kudos to Jeff Curl on his ambitious plans for Fairbury American Legion Speedway, with a $2500 to win, $300 to start weekly UMP late model payout along with $1500 to win UMP mods paying $175 to start. And for those questioning the hobby mod payout of $60 from first to last, I understand that the class was started as a true " learner " class, and all drivers at the original meeting agreed on this purse structure. These are not B mods or sport mods, but older chassis - engine machines.
I am still planning a " year in review " entry, perhaps we will wait until this crazy silly season calms down.
Thanks for reading.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
2018 Season Wraps at the Dome
Friday morning, we loaded up the car and headed for The Dome at Americas Center for the middle night of the Dirt in December Gateway Dirt Nationals. Although tonight, Saturday is the big dollar night for the super late models, modifieds, and for the first time in the three year history of the event, the midgets, Friday night offers up a ton of races, and the opportunity to see mostly everyone entered for the weekend before a few decide to throw in the towel. So the night number two show makes sense for someone like me, who enjoys watching drivers I rarely if ever get to see otherwise. I skipped this indoor event on the 1/5 mile the first year, partly because I was a bit skeptical, but mostly because a dreadful weather forecast that indeed delivered an ice storm made the drive north treacherous on Saturday night. But the lure of 94 late models and about an equal number of modifieds changed my mind in 2017, and even a seven hour show left a mostly good impression.
So with a chance to ride shotgun this season and make a return visit to Sugarfire for some outstanding barbeque, I was all in.
The addition of the all star field of midgets, 54 strong, meant the modifieds would be cut to 54 also, by invitation. The late model pre entry sheet came in at 110, with 93 actually making the trip. I am guessing that possibly three of the late models headed home after Thursday night qualifying, but we were still blessed(?) with something close to 200 race cars. With the format used, this meant a total of 32 races, starting after midget qualifying, which was scheduled at I believe 2:30.
We should have realized the time it would take to complete a show of this magnitude, although I must say that an apparent lack of urgency added an hour or more to the program. But, hey, we were racing 2 plus hours from home in comfortable conditions at a time of the year when the alternative was being home on the sofa, so...
As expected on the tight 1/5 mile track, it was the midgets that offered up the best racing, with Christopher Bell and Tyler Courtney taking home $3,000 each for their 20 lap efforts capping a complete program of heats and B mains ahead of the twin features. The six modified heats had run on Thursday, so a pair of B's set the remainder of the 20 car fields for their dual 20 lap $3,000 to win main events. Josh Harris and hometown hero Kenny Wallace scored the wins.
A pair of 20 lap 20 car $5,000 to win features capped a late model night of a dozen heat races, followed by two C mains and two B mains. Polesitter Brandon Sheppard in his family owned #B5 held off early pressure from Jason Welshan, then Tim McCreadie to score the win in the first feature. Veteran Billy Moyer looked like he had something for Sheppard before a lap twelve caution got Sheppard out of traffic. Moyer then settled into fourth, holding off a persistant Jonathon Davenport. Ironically, it was Billy Moyer Jr. who brought out the caution when he slammed the turn three outside barrier.
Chad Zobrist led the opening three laps of the finale before sixth starting Shannon Babb and fourth starting Bobby Pierce overtook him running high and low off turn two at the same time. A bobble by Babb allowed Zobrist to briefly regain the lead, but Shannon continued to wow the post midnight large crowd by retaking the spot before he plowed the turn two barrier with 13 laps to go. It was now Pierce out front, and Don Oneal in son Hudsons' #71 jumped to the runner up spot after starting eighth. Zobrist and Oneal swapped the spot, and with two laps remaining, the last of many cautions waved for a multi car pileup in turns three and four following a restart. One last green flag saw Pierce hold on for the win. Oneal held off Zobrist for third, followed by Jeff Herzog and Cameron Marlar. Babb, who had restarted in 16th after his lap eight troubles, made it back to sixth at the checkers. The top four from each of these features will make up the first four rows on Saturday, with last chance races filling out the field.
There was much to like about the night of racing, and honestly quite a bit on the other side, but by the time the 2019 version comes along, the good will likely outweigh the bad.
On a non racing related note, while waiting in line at Sugarfire, Jeff Broeg struck up a conversation with up and coming country music star and dirt late model fan Dylan Scott. He was more than gracious with photo ops, and even took a selfie with this old man as we stood in line to enter the Dome, and he made some new fans along the way!
With my 2018 season likely over, I will take a look back at my travels and offer up some 2019 thoughts soon. In the mean time, the news keeps coming. 34 Raceway owners Brad Stevens and Jessi Mynatt confirmed the rumor last night that the track would be going back to weekly late model racing in 2019, with IMCA sanctioning being a mild surprise. And today, the MLRA has released a more or less complete schedule for 2019, with several dates that look favorable for Racin' Down the Road! So now, we will set the clocks for March... Thanks for reading.
So with a chance to ride shotgun this season and make a return visit to Sugarfire for some outstanding barbeque, I was all in.
The addition of the all star field of midgets, 54 strong, meant the modifieds would be cut to 54 also, by invitation. The late model pre entry sheet came in at 110, with 93 actually making the trip. I am guessing that possibly three of the late models headed home after Thursday night qualifying, but we were still blessed(?) with something close to 200 race cars. With the format used, this meant a total of 32 races, starting after midget qualifying, which was scheduled at I believe 2:30.
We should have realized the time it would take to complete a show of this magnitude, although I must say that an apparent lack of urgency added an hour or more to the program. But, hey, we were racing 2 plus hours from home in comfortable conditions at a time of the year when the alternative was being home on the sofa, so...
As expected on the tight 1/5 mile track, it was the midgets that offered up the best racing, with Christopher Bell and Tyler Courtney taking home $3,000 each for their 20 lap efforts capping a complete program of heats and B mains ahead of the twin features. The six modified heats had run on Thursday, so a pair of B's set the remainder of the 20 car fields for their dual 20 lap $3,000 to win main events. Josh Harris and hometown hero Kenny Wallace scored the wins.
A pair of 20 lap 20 car $5,000 to win features capped a late model night of a dozen heat races, followed by two C mains and two B mains. Polesitter Brandon Sheppard in his family owned #B5 held off early pressure from Jason Welshan, then Tim McCreadie to score the win in the first feature. Veteran Billy Moyer looked like he had something for Sheppard before a lap twelve caution got Sheppard out of traffic. Moyer then settled into fourth, holding off a persistant Jonathon Davenport. Ironically, it was Billy Moyer Jr. who brought out the caution when he slammed the turn three outside barrier.
Chad Zobrist led the opening three laps of the finale before sixth starting Shannon Babb and fourth starting Bobby Pierce overtook him running high and low off turn two at the same time. A bobble by Babb allowed Zobrist to briefly regain the lead, but Shannon continued to wow the post midnight large crowd by retaking the spot before he plowed the turn two barrier with 13 laps to go. It was now Pierce out front, and Don Oneal in son Hudsons' #71 jumped to the runner up spot after starting eighth. Zobrist and Oneal swapped the spot, and with two laps remaining, the last of many cautions waved for a multi car pileup in turns three and four following a restart. One last green flag saw Pierce hold on for the win. Oneal held off Zobrist for third, followed by Jeff Herzog and Cameron Marlar. Babb, who had restarted in 16th after his lap eight troubles, made it back to sixth at the checkers. The top four from each of these features will make up the first four rows on Saturday, with last chance races filling out the field.
There was much to like about the night of racing, and honestly quite a bit on the other side, but by the time the 2019 version comes along, the good will likely outweigh the bad.
On a non racing related note, while waiting in line at Sugarfire, Jeff Broeg struck up a conversation with up and coming country music star and dirt late model fan Dylan Scott. He was more than gracious with photo ops, and even took a selfie with this old man as we stood in line to enter the Dome, and he made some new fans along the way!
With my 2018 season likely over, I will take a look back at my travels and offer up some 2019 thoughts soon. In the mean time, the news keeps coming. 34 Raceway owners Brad Stevens and Jessi Mynatt confirmed the rumor last night that the track would be going back to weekly late model racing in 2019, with IMCA sanctioning being a mild surprise. And today, the MLRA has released a more or less complete schedule for 2019, with several dates that look favorable for Racin' Down the Road! So now, we will set the clocks for March... Thanks for reading.
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