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.