A late start to the program and a mid race caution left Quincy Raceways a few laps short of a ( nearly ) complete program on Sunday night as a steady rain shower moved in.
Stung by a too dry early track the week before and with a stiff southeasterly breeze, the track prep crew gave the racing surface a heavy dose of water on Sunday. But there was no sun to help bake the moisture in, so it took an extra long packing session to render the track race ready. The reward was a smooth, lightning fast surface, but the delay left things minutes short of a complete show.
The car count increased for the third consecutive week, aided in part by a change to the stock car class. As an experiment, IMCA points for the class were suspended this week, and UMP and USRA street stocks were welcomed to run their individual rules packages against the IMCA regulars. The result was a doubling of the car count to an even dozen, so we will see what the track decides going forward.
The first feature to run was for the six car IMCA sport compact division. Noticeably absent was Kimberly Abbott, who lost an engine Friday night at Lee County Speedway, and was unable to get any of her cars ready for Sunday. Defending champion Barry Taft shot to the lap one lead from row two, and led all caution free twelve laps. Dylan Schantz and Alyssa Steele staged a race long battle for second, crossing the line in that order, with rookie Quinton Shelton staying close in fourth.
The UMP Pro Crate late models were up next, nine cars for twenty laps. By virtue of his heat race victory, Tommy Elston sat on the pole position, flanked by heat two winner Trevor Gundaker. Elston won the race to turn one, ahead of a lap two caution for Jake Dietrich, who left on the hook after contact left him with front end damage. On the restart, point leader Denny Woodworth powered to third, with first time visitor Andy Minett joining the top four one lap later. Elston began to stretch his lead as Gundaker found himself busy holding off Woodworth. The leader hit slower traffic on lap fourteen, but he had no trouble, actually adding to his lead. With no more cautions, Elston cruised to the win, with Gundaker holding back Woodworth for second. Minett drove a steady race in fourth, with Darin Weisinger Jr. completing the top five. Melvin Linder, Laine Vanzandt, and Brandon Queen battled for sixth, crossing the line in that order.
The stock car eighteen lapper was the race of the night. A full restart was needed when a multi car scrum on the first lap found Pete Stodgell facing the wrong way on the backstretch. Outside polesitter Brandon Rothzen charged ahead with Rudy Zaragoza and third row starter Beau Taylor in hot pursuit. Zaragoza put his UMP car out front on lap five, while Rothzen and Taylor battled side by side for second, Taylor taking the spot on lap eight. Taylor then moved to the lead one lap later, and now it was Zaragoza and Rothzen in a duel for the runner up spot. Taylor had no issues with slower traffic, as Rothzen now followed, but Zaragoza and fourth running Dakota Girard got together with a lapped car, creating a lengthy delay as they ground together. Eventually it was the end of the night for both Zaragoza and Girard. Michael Larsen had been lurking in fifth, and he used the Delaware restart to jump ahead of Rothzen to second, even as the two made contact. As the white flag waved, Rick Girard found his way around Rothzen, and at the checkers it was Taylor ( IMCA ) with his second win of 2019, Larsen ( IMCA ) in second, Girard ( USRA ) third, then Rothzen and Jesse Wegs ( both IMCA ) rounding out the top five.
The UMP modified class was short on cars this week, with six cars set to go sixteen laps. However, Chris Spalding could not get his #29 to fire as his night ended early. As the green flag waved, polesitter Vance Wilson charged into turn one, sliding up the track while outside row one starter Michael Long dove under him for the lead. Wilson returned the favor in the next set of corners before Long took command on the front stretch. Point leader Dave Weitholder was able to ease past Wilson by lap three, but Long used the clear track to open a straightaway lead as the laps clicked off caution free. At the checkers, it was Long with the easy win, followed by Weitholder, Wilson, and Josh Newman.
All seventeen IMCA sport modifieds lined up for eighteen laps of action. Outside row one starter Adam Birck paced the first circuit ahead of Tyler Burton, Bobby Six, and row three starter Austen Becerra. Seventh starting Daniel Fellows entered the top four on lap three. By lap six, Birck was in traffic as Fellows and Becerra began a battle for third. As lap eight was scored, Justin Ebbing looped his ride in turn two, bringing out the first caution, with another couple of cars taking evasive action. As things were being sorted out, what had been off and on sprinkles turned to a steady shower, and radar indicated that the rain was now here to stay. It was quickly announced that the race would be suspended, and resumed in two weeks with eight laps scored. When the rain came, it was Birck, Six, Becerra, Fellows, and Tanner Klingele holding the top five spots.
With only three two person cruisers signed, it had been determined that they would run only a feature, so I am not sure what their fate will be.
Next Sunday night, the MLRA late models will make their first ever appearance at Quincy Raceways in a $3,000 to win event. Stock cars and sport mods are also on the card. For the Missouri based MLRA series, the event will mark the final night of a four race northern swing, going through Stuart, Davenport, and West Liberty, Iowa before finishing in Quincy. With an eye on the weather, we are hoping to take in as much of the long weekend as we can. And for all you Bobby Pierce fans, as of now, the popular youngster has all four races on his schedule!
Monday, April 29, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Easter Sunday: Church, Family, and Racing
Following Sunday services and a non traditional holiday cookout, it was time to go racing, with Quincy Raceways the destination. It has been an odd early season for the folks at QR, with two programs lost to cold, rainy weather and two shows staged with temps in the high 70's, low 80's at race time. Unfortunately, the sunny skies and stiff southerly breeze made for tough conditions before sunset. The .29 mile oval dried out quickly, with the dust already flying towards the grandstands during hot laps. An additional spritz of water helped get us through heat race action for the six classes on the card. Then, with the sun setting, track officials gave the surface a good soaking during intermission. And while it took a considerable amount of time to " run in " the moisture, we were left with a lightning fast track for feature action.
The first main event was for the IMCA stock cars. Early leader Michael Larsen found that a somewhat greasy spot remained at the top of turns three and four, and when he slipped in the corner, week one winner Beau Taylor was there to pounce. But two circuits later, Taylor also bobbled in the same spot, and this time it was Craig Bangert who charged to the lead. Craig was in the #66 car we are used to seeing with Brian Hoener behind the wheel. With Larsen rebounding to third, the chase was on. But the ten laps clicked off caution free, and Bangert held on for his first stock car win in his first start in the division. When Taylor tried one last high side move out of turn four on the final lap, Larsen stuck his nose underneath the #2T to claim second. Pete Stodgell completed the top four.
Next up it was IMCA sport mod action. Polesitter Brandon Lambert led the opening circuit, but by the next trip past the flag stand sixth starting Daniel Fellows had powered to the top spot. Fellows proceeded to open a commanding lead as a four car scrum developed behind him. By lap seven, Daniel had a straightaway advantage, but slower traffic now came into play. Meanwhile, the race for second was now a two car duel between Tanner Klingele and Austen Becerra. Fellows had little trouble with the lapped cars, and as this feature also went caution free, he picked up the " easy " win. As with the stock cars, the runner up position was decided by inches, with Klingele nosing out Becerra. Bobby Six and Lambert also scored top five finishes.
The UMP modifieds had the biggest car count at 14, and it was fast qualifier and heat one winner Micheal Long starting on the pole in his first 2019 visit to the speedway. Outside row one starter Tommy Sheppard Jr., a surprise visitor to the track kept Long in sight early while battling with another long distance traveler, Trey Harris, for second. Harris is racing a car out of the Gary Bentley, A1 Towing stable out of St. Charles, Mo. With a clear track in front, Long built a big lead before the first feature caution on lap nine, when fourth running Vance Wilson spun in turn one. Harris grabbed second on the Delaware restart, and stayed within a few car lengths of the leader. But five laps later, Harris went a little too hot into turn one, spinning to bring out the yellow once again. Back under green, it was now Chris Spalding and Sheppard Jr. fighting for second as Long opened a solid lead. Meanwhile, Harris used the final six laps to charge back towards the front. Following Long across the line was Sheppard Jr., again in a close battle with Spalding. Week one winner Dave Weitholder grabbed fourth, and Harris nipped Wilson for fifth.
The UMP Pro Crate late models had a disappointing four cars sign in, so it was a twelve lap feature for them. The team cars of Denny Woodworth and Melvin Linder started on the front, and Melvin used the preferred high line to hold off the " boss " for the first lap. Denny nosed ahead on the next lap, with Linder leading laps three through six before Woodworth took command for good. The caution free event saw Woodworth take his second win of the season, followed by Linder, Darin Weisinger Jr., and rookie late model pilot Jake Dietrich, up from the sport compact ranks.
Dylan Schantz sat on the pole for the IMCA sport compact main event, and for a while it looked like he might score a flag to flag win, as several cars battled behind him. But on lap eight, defending track champion Barry Taft used a crossover move out of turn four to grab the lead. Two circuits later, the hottest four cylinder driver in the area, Jacob Houston was able to move past Schantz for second, but he could not reel in the leader in the final two laps of yet another caution free race. At the checkers it was Taft, Houston, Schantz, Kim Abbott, and Alyssa Steele.
Cumby and Wentura closed out the night with a win in the two person cruiser class.
Quincy Raceways will host weekly racing next Sunday, and in two weeks the high powered MLRA late models will make their first ever visit to the track for a $3,000 top prize. The date is May 5, and it will be the final race of a four day swing for the series, ending at Quincy after three nights of action in Iowa. The IMCA stock cars and IMCA sport mods will also run that evening.
In the meantime, there is no shortage of racing events in the area, so load up the car and head for your favorite track next weekend!
The first main event was for the IMCA stock cars. Early leader Michael Larsen found that a somewhat greasy spot remained at the top of turns three and four, and when he slipped in the corner, week one winner Beau Taylor was there to pounce. But two circuits later, Taylor also bobbled in the same spot, and this time it was Craig Bangert who charged to the lead. Craig was in the #66 car we are used to seeing with Brian Hoener behind the wheel. With Larsen rebounding to third, the chase was on. But the ten laps clicked off caution free, and Bangert held on for his first stock car win in his first start in the division. When Taylor tried one last high side move out of turn four on the final lap, Larsen stuck his nose underneath the #2T to claim second. Pete Stodgell completed the top four.
Next up it was IMCA sport mod action. Polesitter Brandon Lambert led the opening circuit, but by the next trip past the flag stand sixth starting Daniel Fellows had powered to the top spot. Fellows proceeded to open a commanding lead as a four car scrum developed behind him. By lap seven, Daniel had a straightaway advantage, but slower traffic now came into play. Meanwhile, the race for second was now a two car duel between Tanner Klingele and Austen Becerra. Fellows had little trouble with the lapped cars, and as this feature also went caution free, he picked up the " easy " win. As with the stock cars, the runner up position was decided by inches, with Klingele nosing out Becerra. Bobby Six and Lambert also scored top five finishes.
The UMP modifieds had the biggest car count at 14, and it was fast qualifier and heat one winner Micheal Long starting on the pole in his first 2019 visit to the speedway. Outside row one starter Tommy Sheppard Jr., a surprise visitor to the track kept Long in sight early while battling with another long distance traveler, Trey Harris, for second. Harris is racing a car out of the Gary Bentley, A1 Towing stable out of St. Charles, Mo. With a clear track in front, Long built a big lead before the first feature caution on lap nine, when fourth running Vance Wilson spun in turn one. Harris grabbed second on the Delaware restart, and stayed within a few car lengths of the leader. But five laps later, Harris went a little too hot into turn one, spinning to bring out the yellow once again. Back under green, it was now Chris Spalding and Sheppard Jr. fighting for second as Long opened a solid lead. Meanwhile, Harris used the final six laps to charge back towards the front. Following Long across the line was Sheppard Jr., again in a close battle with Spalding. Week one winner Dave Weitholder grabbed fourth, and Harris nipped Wilson for fifth.
The UMP Pro Crate late models had a disappointing four cars sign in, so it was a twelve lap feature for them. The team cars of Denny Woodworth and Melvin Linder started on the front, and Melvin used the preferred high line to hold off the " boss " for the first lap. Denny nosed ahead on the next lap, with Linder leading laps three through six before Woodworth took command for good. The caution free event saw Woodworth take his second win of the season, followed by Linder, Darin Weisinger Jr., and rookie late model pilot Jake Dietrich, up from the sport compact ranks.
Dylan Schantz sat on the pole for the IMCA sport compact main event, and for a while it looked like he might score a flag to flag win, as several cars battled behind him. But on lap eight, defending track champion Barry Taft used a crossover move out of turn four to grab the lead. Two circuits later, the hottest four cylinder driver in the area, Jacob Houston was able to move past Schantz for second, but he could not reel in the leader in the final two laps of yet another caution free race. At the checkers it was Taft, Houston, Schantz, Kim Abbott, and Alyssa Steele.
Cumby and Wentura closed out the night with a win in the two person cruiser class.
Quincy Raceways will host weekly racing next Sunday, and in two weeks the high powered MLRA late models will make their first ever visit to the track for a $3,000 top prize. The date is May 5, and it will be the final race of a four day swing for the series, ending at Quincy after three nights of action in Iowa. The IMCA stock cars and IMCA sport mods will also run that evening.
In the meantime, there is no shortage of racing events in the area, so load up the car and head for your favorite track next weekend!
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Pierce Wows 'Em at Slocum 50
Under sunny skies and in front of a huge crowd, the eleventh annual Slocum 50 race featuring the MLRA late models took place Saturday at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The event, staged to honor the memory of popular racer Brent Slocum, who was killed in a pit accident at his hometown track in 2005 paid a whopping $10,555 ( in honor of his #5) to the race winner.
Along with 14 305 sprint cars and 16 IMCA stock cars, 37 high powered late models signed in to do battle on the high banked 3/8 mile oval, now in its 53rd season of operation.
In order to draw as many " big " names as possible, a time trial qualifying format is used for the late models, and the cars went out two at a time, grouped with the cars in their heat race, which was determined by a pill draw at the gate. The ten lap heats were then lined up with the top qualifier on the pole and so on. As you might expect, all four heat winners came from the front row. Fastest overall timer, Chad Simpson, who turned a top lap of 15.296 seconds, claimed heat one ahead of Payton Looney, Dennis Erb Jr., and Will Vaught. Polesitter Ryan Unzicker ran first in heat two over Jordon Yaggy, Hudson Oneal, and Jay Johnson. The race was first yellowed when Oneal spun on the opening lap. Then outside row one starter JC Wyman brought out the red flag when he rolled his #4 car off turn two. He was uninjured, and returned as a provisional starter in the feature. Shannon Babb led all ten laps of heat three, besting Rickey Frankel, Tyler Erb, and Chris Simpson. Unfortunately Frankel needed a push back to his pit after the race and he was unable to make the feature call. Bobby Pierce was victorious in the final ten lapper, topping Brian Shirley, Garrett Albertson in Earl Pearsons back up Lucas Oil car, and Mitch McGrath.
A pair of twelve lap B mains added six cars to the feature grid. The first saw Kyle Bronson outrun Chase Junghans and Logan Martin, who appeared to receive " congratulations " from Jonathon Brauns, who he tussled with for the final qualifying spot. The second consy went to Jesse Stovall ahead of Brandon Sheppard and Dave Eckrich. Jeremy Grady and Justin Reed joined Wyman as provisional starters in the 50 lap finale.
First up was the twenty lapper for the 305 sprint cars. Harold Pohren grabbed the early lead, holding on through the only caution of the event on lap three. Meanwhile, Paul Nienhiser began to close in on the leader as that pair separated themselves from the pack. Nienhiser charged around Pohren at the halfway mark, then opened a commanding lead as the race stayed green. Following the top two at the checkers were Tanner Gebhardt, Brayden Gaylord, and Daniel Berquist.
The late models were up next, with the straight up from the heat finishes lineup putting Chad Simpson and Babb in row one, with Unzicker and Pierce in row two. Babb shot in front of Simpson as lap one was scored, however the caution waved on the next circuit as Bronson spun in turn one, then headed to the trailer. Back to racing, it was Babb, Simpson, and Pierce the top three, and all three were separated by several car lengths, while Unzicker and Shirley battled for fourth. The caution came again on lap eleven as Johnson and Sheppard appeared to make contact, a break for Babb who was nearing slower traffic. As racing resumed, Pierce was riding the turn four wall, which had already proved treacherous for several drivers who hit the cushion wrong and were sucked into said concrete. Pierce was able to use his momentum to set up Simpson for a turn two slide job, giving him the runner up spot on lap fourteen. He began to reel in the leader, while Shirley found his way to third. But on lap seventeen, Pierce tagged the wall a bit too hard, losing several car lengths to Babb. As Simpson rebounded to third, the final caution came at lap eighteen. Now Chad reclaimed the runner up slot at lap twenty, and began to apply pressure to the leader. Three laps after the halfway mark, Babb jumped the unforgiving cushion while negotiating heavy traffic, and Simpson shot to the lead. Three more laps found Pierce in second, although Chad now had what looked like a comfortable lead. As the race entered the final ten laps, Pierce was closing in on the leader, still running the high side while Simpson worked a lower line. With traffic again in play, Bobby powered to the top spot with seven circuits remaining. Simpson did not have an answer, as an excited Pierce came to victory lane to become a three time winner of the Slocum 50. Simpson settled for runner up honors, with Babb also grabbing a podium finish. Chris Simpson and Uzicker completed the first five, as Shirley disappeared from the scene in the closing laps. The second five was led by Albertson, besting Erb Jr., Vaught, Junghans, and Stovall. The finishing spots behind the top three are my best guess as I have not yet seen official results.
The IMCA stock car feature was up next, and based on their heat races, it was shaping up to be a dandy. However, grandson Keagan had to be at work Sunday morning in Columbia, Missouri, so we headed to the car for the ninety minute drive home so he could catch a few ZZZ's. I did get partial results for the stock cars, with John Oliver Jr. capturing the win over Abe Huls and David Brandies.
It is true that we often think the last race we saw was the best, but quite simply, if you did not enjoy the 2019 version of the Slocum 50, you must not be a late model fan! Thanks to Brad and Jessie for their hospitality, to their crew for a well run program, and to the Slocum family and supporters for their efforts to continue to honor Brents' memory in such a special way.
Enjoy your Easter, and if you still have the racing bug, maybe I will see you Sunday night at Quincy Raceways.
Along with 14 305 sprint cars and 16 IMCA stock cars, 37 high powered late models signed in to do battle on the high banked 3/8 mile oval, now in its 53rd season of operation.
In order to draw as many " big " names as possible, a time trial qualifying format is used for the late models, and the cars went out two at a time, grouped with the cars in their heat race, which was determined by a pill draw at the gate. The ten lap heats were then lined up with the top qualifier on the pole and so on. As you might expect, all four heat winners came from the front row. Fastest overall timer, Chad Simpson, who turned a top lap of 15.296 seconds, claimed heat one ahead of Payton Looney, Dennis Erb Jr., and Will Vaught. Polesitter Ryan Unzicker ran first in heat two over Jordon Yaggy, Hudson Oneal, and Jay Johnson. The race was first yellowed when Oneal spun on the opening lap. Then outside row one starter JC Wyman brought out the red flag when he rolled his #4 car off turn two. He was uninjured, and returned as a provisional starter in the feature. Shannon Babb led all ten laps of heat three, besting Rickey Frankel, Tyler Erb, and Chris Simpson. Unfortunately Frankel needed a push back to his pit after the race and he was unable to make the feature call. Bobby Pierce was victorious in the final ten lapper, topping Brian Shirley, Garrett Albertson in Earl Pearsons back up Lucas Oil car, and Mitch McGrath.
A pair of twelve lap B mains added six cars to the feature grid. The first saw Kyle Bronson outrun Chase Junghans and Logan Martin, who appeared to receive " congratulations " from Jonathon Brauns, who he tussled with for the final qualifying spot. The second consy went to Jesse Stovall ahead of Brandon Sheppard and Dave Eckrich. Jeremy Grady and Justin Reed joined Wyman as provisional starters in the 50 lap finale.
First up was the twenty lapper for the 305 sprint cars. Harold Pohren grabbed the early lead, holding on through the only caution of the event on lap three. Meanwhile, Paul Nienhiser began to close in on the leader as that pair separated themselves from the pack. Nienhiser charged around Pohren at the halfway mark, then opened a commanding lead as the race stayed green. Following the top two at the checkers were Tanner Gebhardt, Brayden Gaylord, and Daniel Berquist.
The late models were up next, with the straight up from the heat finishes lineup putting Chad Simpson and Babb in row one, with Unzicker and Pierce in row two. Babb shot in front of Simpson as lap one was scored, however the caution waved on the next circuit as Bronson spun in turn one, then headed to the trailer. Back to racing, it was Babb, Simpson, and Pierce the top three, and all three were separated by several car lengths, while Unzicker and Shirley battled for fourth. The caution came again on lap eleven as Johnson and Sheppard appeared to make contact, a break for Babb who was nearing slower traffic. As racing resumed, Pierce was riding the turn four wall, which had already proved treacherous for several drivers who hit the cushion wrong and were sucked into said concrete. Pierce was able to use his momentum to set up Simpson for a turn two slide job, giving him the runner up spot on lap fourteen. He began to reel in the leader, while Shirley found his way to third. But on lap seventeen, Pierce tagged the wall a bit too hard, losing several car lengths to Babb. As Simpson rebounded to third, the final caution came at lap eighteen. Now Chad reclaimed the runner up slot at lap twenty, and began to apply pressure to the leader. Three laps after the halfway mark, Babb jumped the unforgiving cushion while negotiating heavy traffic, and Simpson shot to the lead. Three more laps found Pierce in second, although Chad now had what looked like a comfortable lead. As the race entered the final ten laps, Pierce was closing in on the leader, still running the high side while Simpson worked a lower line. With traffic again in play, Bobby powered to the top spot with seven circuits remaining. Simpson did not have an answer, as an excited Pierce came to victory lane to become a three time winner of the Slocum 50. Simpson settled for runner up honors, with Babb also grabbing a podium finish. Chris Simpson and Uzicker completed the first five, as Shirley disappeared from the scene in the closing laps. The second five was led by Albertson, besting Erb Jr., Vaught, Junghans, and Stovall. The finishing spots behind the top three are my best guess as I have not yet seen official results.
The IMCA stock car feature was up next, and based on their heat races, it was shaping up to be a dandy. However, grandson Keagan had to be at work Sunday morning in Columbia, Missouri, so we headed to the car for the ninety minute drive home so he could catch a few ZZZ's. I did get partial results for the stock cars, with John Oliver Jr. capturing the win over Abe Huls and David Brandies.
It is true that we often think the last race we saw was the best, but quite simply, if you did not enjoy the 2019 version of the Slocum 50, you must not be a late model fan! Thanks to Brad and Jessie for their hospitality, to their crew for a well run program, and to the Slocum family and supporters for their efforts to continue to honor Brents' memory in such a special way.
Enjoy your Easter, and if you still have the racing bug, maybe I will see you Sunday night at Quincy Raceways.
Junghans Collects $5,000 at Davenport
After losing their Rebel 5K season opener to weather, the DRT Trak Racing group opened their multi track, multi sanction 2019 season Friday night at the Davenport Speedway. Racing was set for the reworked historic 1/2 mile featuring the MLRA late models competing for thirty laps and a $5,000 top prize. Twenty six high powered late models checked in to do battle, with A and B modifieds and street stocks in support on a cool, windy evening.
Car counts were perhaps a bit less than hoped for, but although it is a fan favorite, many modern day racers are not fond of the 1/2 mile experience. In addition, the passing points format is employed by the MLRA at the majority of its shows and while again it is popular with fans, many of the " high dollar " teams simply avoid these shows, preferring the " fastest time trial qualifier starts up front " method.
At any rate, there were plenty of high quality competitors in the pit area. Three ten lap heats set the feature field, while the B main to fill out the remainder of the twenty four car starting grid was scrapped after Spencer Diercks saw his night end in hot laps and Justin Kay was an early exit in his heat. Will Vaught ran away from the field in heat one, Jordon Yaggy edged Bobby Pierce in heat two, and Chase Junghans dominated the final qualifier.
Street stocks opened the main event action, with Jeff Strunk Jr. c powering from third to first midway through the ten lapper, then cruising to the win.
The late models rolled off next, with Junghans ( pronounced Younghans ), and Vaught leading the field to green. Vaught stumbled a bit on the start, with row two starters Hudson Oneal and Yaggy chasing Junghans across the line as lap one was scored. Fifth starting Pierce also slipped past Vaught, who recovered in fifth. On the third trip around the oval, Yaggy cleared Oneal for the runner up spot., and two more circuits saw Pierce also move past Hudson for third at the flag stand. As the race stayed green, the leaders caught the back of the field on lap twelve, and things began to get interesting. Yaggy began to reel in the leader even as Pierce was applying pressure to his #77 machine. With that pair running side by side, the first yellow flag waved at the halfway mark with Jeremy Grady coming to a stop in turn three. It was not a good ending for the veteran from Story City, Iowa, as his car left the track with a wrecker hooked to each end of his sharp looking orange #43. The Delaware restart had Junghans out front, with Pierce on the inside and Yaggy to his right in row two. But as the green flag flew, Pierce failed to come up to speed, slowing in turn one with one and possibly two flat tires, bringing out the second and final caution. As the field reset for a pair of courtesy laps, Pierce somewhat surprisingly - and with a roar from the large crowd - rejoined the race at the tail of what was now a twenty one car field. With the benefit of a clear track, Junghans opened a lead, while Oneal beat Yaggy into turn one. After lurking just outside the top five, seventh starting Chad Simpson and eleventh starting brother Chris used the restart to advance to fourth and fifth, respectively. As the laps clicked off, all eyes were now on Pierce, who showed the benefit of fresh tires on the slicked off track, gaining five positions on the start, then picking off cars at a steady rate into the top ten, setting up an entertaining battle with Brian Shirley. Meanwhile, Junghans again caught the back of the pack in the closing laps, but navigated his #18 smoothly through the traffic, leading all thirty laps to collect the win. The victory built on what has been a strong start to the season for the Kansas driver who has been competing with the World of Outlaw late model series. Oneal, nicknamed the " New Deal " in a nod to father Don, ran a steady race to come home second, while Yaggy made his season debut in third. Chad Simpson, back running his own team after his long time car owners, the Brinkmans retired, started his campaign as the defending series champion in fourth, while Chris Simpson completed the top five. Vaught led the second five, with Pierce outdueling Shirley for seventh. Jesse Stovall ran ninth, while Kyle Bronson rebounded from a heat race DNF, started in row twelve and came home in tenth.
The sport mods were up next, but a red flag situation on lap nine of the twelve lap event sent us heading for the car, even as the A mods sat in staging.
Thanks to Bob Wagener and Carrie Rouse for their hospitality, we hope to cover several of their races in 2019, including stops at one of our favorite venues, the West Liberty Raceway. DRT Trak will be at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa tonight for a show featuring the Deery Brothers IMCA late models.
Meanwhile, we will be rejoining the MLRA cars and stars at the eleventh annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, as they vie for a $10,555 top prize. IMCA stock cars and 305 sprints will also be on the card.
Thanks for reading!
Car counts were perhaps a bit less than hoped for, but although it is a fan favorite, many modern day racers are not fond of the 1/2 mile experience. In addition, the passing points format is employed by the MLRA at the majority of its shows and while again it is popular with fans, many of the " high dollar " teams simply avoid these shows, preferring the " fastest time trial qualifier starts up front " method.
At any rate, there were plenty of high quality competitors in the pit area. Three ten lap heats set the feature field, while the B main to fill out the remainder of the twenty four car starting grid was scrapped after Spencer Diercks saw his night end in hot laps and Justin Kay was an early exit in his heat. Will Vaught ran away from the field in heat one, Jordon Yaggy edged Bobby Pierce in heat two, and Chase Junghans dominated the final qualifier.
Street stocks opened the main event action, with Jeff Strunk Jr. c powering from third to first midway through the ten lapper, then cruising to the win.
The late models rolled off next, with Junghans ( pronounced Younghans ), and Vaught leading the field to green. Vaught stumbled a bit on the start, with row two starters Hudson Oneal and Yaggy chasing Junghans across the line as lap one was scored. Fifth starting Pierce also slipped past Vaught, who recovered in fifth. On the third trip around the oval, Yaggy cleared Oneal for the runner up spot., and two more circuits saw Pierce also move past Hudson for third at the flag stand. As the race stayed green, the leaders caught the back of the field on lap twelve, and things began to get interesting. Yaggy began to reel in the leader even as Pierce was applying pressure to his #77 machine. With that pair running side by side, the first yellow flag waved at the halfway mark with Jeremy Grady coming to a stop in turn three. It was not a good ending for the veteran from Story City, Iowa, as his car left the track with a wrecker hooked to each end of his sharp looking orange #43. The Delaware restart had Junghans out front, with Pierce on the inside and Yaggy to his right in row two. But as the green flag flew, Pierce failed to come up to speed, slowing in turn one with one and possibly two flat tires, bringing out the second and final caution. As the field reset for a pair of courtesy laps, Pierce somewhat surprisingly - and with a roar from the large crowd - rejoined the race at the tail of what was now a twenty one car field. With the benefit of a clear track, Junghans opened a lead, while Oneal beat Yaggy into turn one. After lurking just outside the top five, seventh starting Chad Simpson and eleventh starting brother Chris used the restart to advance to fourth and fifth, respectively. As the laps clicked off, all eyes were now on Pierce, who showed the benefit of fresh tires on the slicked off track, gaining five positions on the start, then picking off cars at a steady rate into the top ten, setting up an entertaining battle with Brian Shirley. Meanwhile, Junghans again caught the back of the pack in the closing laps, but navigated his #18 smoothly through the traffic, leading all thirty laps to collect the win. The victory built on what has been a strong start to the season for the Kansas driver who has been competing with the World of Outlaw late model series. Oneal, nicknamed the " New Deal " in a nod to father Don, ran a steady race to come home second, while Yaggy made his season debut in third. Chad Simpson, back running his own team after his long time car owners, the Brinkmans retired, started his campaign as the defending series champion in fourth, while Chris Simpson completed the top five. Vaught led the second five, with Pierce outdueling Shirley for seventh. Jesse Stovall ran ninth, while Kyle Bronson rebounded from a heat race DNF, started in row twelve and came home in tenth.
The sport mods were up next, but a red flag situation on lap nine of the twelve lap event sent us heading for the car, even as the A mods sat in staging.
Thanks to Bob Wagener and Carrie Rouse for their hospitality, we hope to cover several of their races in 2019, including stops at one of our favorite venues, the West Liberty Raceway. DRT Trak will be at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa tonight for a show featuring the Deery Brothers IMCA late models.
Meanwhile, we will be rejoining the MLRA cars and stars at the eleventh annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, as they vie for a $10,555 top prize. IMCA stock cars and 305 sprints will also be on the card.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Houston Worst to First at Donnellson
By all accounts it was not a pleasant night weather wise Friday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. But with every track within 200 miles pulling the plug, it was business as usual at the 3/8 mile oval. It was opening points night for four of the five classes on the card, as late model points will begin I believe in May, and the 305 sprints, which were originally on the schedule, had their opener moved to next Friday. There was a solid turnout of cars on such a cold evening, with 76 teams signed in, but as might have been expected, there was plenty of seating to be had in the grandstands.
In recognition of the weather, no intermission followed the dozen heat races, with the twenty car IMCA sport compact feature rolling to the track for fifteen laps of action. Jotting down the lineup, I quickly noticed that Jacob Houston, already a two time winner this season at LCS, and a heat race winner earlier in the program was scheduled to start in row ten. As we speculated on the reason, it was announced that he had been disqualified from his heat win for a tire infraction. Meanwhile, Brandon Reu and Chuck Fullenkamp made up row one, and they ran the first pair of laps side by side even as Houston charged into the top ten. Denny Berghahn made the trip from Plattsmouth, Nebraraska, captured a heat win, started in row three, and grabbed the lead on lap three. As the race stayed green, Houston entered the top five on lap six, then charged to second on lap seven. At this point, Berghahn enjoyed about a ten car length advantage, but slower traffic was not his friend, and Houston was able to complete his run from last to first on lap eleven. The race was then a battle for second between Berghahn and Fullenkamp. With no cautions slowing the race, Houston cruised to his fourth consecutive win to open 2019. Fullenkamp won the battle for second followed by Berghahn, Barry Taft, and Reu.
Eighteen IMCA sport mods were up next for eighteen scheduled laps. Unfortunately, yellow fever took over, with the race eventually hitting the time limit, needing a pair of green, white, checkers attempts with about fifteen laps scored. Adam Birck used his outside pole starting spot to lead the early laps ahead of Brayton Carter and row four starter Austen Becerra. With Birck hugging the low line and Carter running the middle, an entertaining duel was interrupted by a lap four caution. Back under green, Brandon Dale began a battle with Becerra, with ninth starting Sean Wyatt cracking the top five. The top two pulled slightly away from the pack, but following a lap six caution, Carter grabbed the lead, and Daniel Fellows joined the fray in fourth. On lap nine, Dale smacked the turn four guardrail, and showed some displeasure with another car before heading to the pits. Three ( or four?) more caution periods in the next couple of laps took us to the time limit as Becerra tried to challenge Birck for second. On the first attempt at green, white, checkers, Fellows spun his #11. On the next try, Birck used the low line to pull even with Carter, but fell just inches short at the checkers. Becerra claimed third, Wyatt was fourth, and James Roose came home in fifth.
IMCA stock cars were up next, with all but one of the thirteen competitors taking the green. Front row starters Jeremy Pundt and Michael Larsen battled side by side on the opening circuit as tenth starting Abe Huls cracked the top five. The caution waved on lap two, and as Pundt took off on the restart, a three way scrum developed for second between Jason Cook, in the 3D, Huls, and Damon Murty. The caution waved again on lap seven, and now it was Murty on the high line challenging the bottom hugging Pundt for first. As Jeremy moved slightly ahead, Huls followed in his tracks to again challenge Murty. The three car battle continued, and Huls changed his line to the high side in turns three and four, then tucking in low behind Pundt in turns one and two. Behind the leader, Cook, Huls, and Murty continued to battle, with Beau Taylor looking for racing room behind them. Pundt refused to give up the preferred low line, taking the flag to flag twenty lap win. Huls, Cook, Murty, and Taylor followed in that order.
Ten late models signed in, with an encouraging four " rookies " in the field. Former sport compact driver Jake Dietrich was unable to make the call for the twenty lapper after he made contact with the turn two guardrail in his heat. Ray Raker and Tommy Elston redrew the front two starting spots, and raced side by side ahead of a lap two caution for debris from Rakers' #07. Brandon Queen went for a spin on the restart, but the race stayed green from that point on. Elston powered past Raker on the restart, and drove away from the field even as there was plenty of action behind him. First it was Brian Harris up to challenge for second on lap three, then fifth starting Jay Johnson cleared Harris and Raker on lap five. At the halfway mark, Port Byron, Illinois driver Chuck Hanna began to pressure Harris, even as Elston opened a full straightaway advantage. A great battle continued between Johnson, Harris, and Hanna and they crossed the line in that order behind Elston, who scored his second win of 2019. Sam Halstead completed the top five. Queen rebounded for sixth ahead of Raker, Solon, Iowa driver Stacy Griffis, and Blaire Barton, in his first night out in his #7 machine.
As the fifteen car IMCA modified field lined up for the twenty lap finale, we three well chilled fans decided to make our way to the car. Results show that Jeff Waterman came from mid pack to pick up the win over Dennis Laviene, John Oliver Jr., Andrew Schroeder, and Austin Howes.
Thanks to Brian and Marcie Gaylord and staff for working in less than ideal conditions to put on a program for those of us brave enough ( or crazy enough!) to enjoy a Friday night of racing action. After much debate, we have decided to wimp out on Saturday night racing this week. At this point, I am hoping the forecast changes and we can open the Sprint Invader season on Sunday at Quincy Raceways. UMP modifieds and IMCA sport compacts are also on the card, so hopefully I will see you there!
In recognition of the weather, no intermission followed the dozen heat races, with the twenty car IMCA sport compact feature rolling to the track for fifteen laps of action. Jotting down the lineup, I quickly noticed that Jacob Houston, already a two time winner this season at LCS, and a heat race winner earlier in the program was scheduled to start in row ten. As we speculated on the reason, it was announced that he had been disqualified from his heat win for a tire infraction. Meanwhile, Brandon Reu and Chuck Fullenkamp made up row one, and they ran the first pair of laps side by side even as Houston charged into the top ten. Denny Berghahn made the trip from Plattsmouth, Nebraraska, captured a heat win, started in row three, and grabbed the lead on lap three. As the race stayed green, Houston entered the top five on lap six, then charged to second on lap seven. At this point, Berghahn enjoyed about a ten car length advantage, but slower traffic was not his friend, and Houston was able to complete his run from last to first on lap eleven. The race was then a battle for second between Berghahn and Fullenkamp. With no cautions slowing the race, Houston cruised to his fourth consecutive win to open 2019. Fullenkamp won the battle for second followed by Berghahn, Barry Taft, and Reu.
Eighteen IMCA sport mods were up next for eighteen scheduled laps. Unfortunately, yellow fever took over, with the race eventually hitting the time limit, needing a pair of green, white, checkers attempts with about fifteen laps scored. Adam Birck used his outside pole starting spot to lead the early laps ahead of Brayton Carter and row four starter Austen Becerra. With Birck hugging the low line and Carter running the middle, an entertaining duel was interrupted by a lap four caution. Back under green, Brandon Dale began a battle with Becerra, with ninth starting Sean Wyatt cracking the top five. The top two pulled slightly away from the pack, but following a lap six caution, Carter grabbed the lead, and Daniel Fellows joined the fray in fourth. On lap nine, Dale smacked the turn four guardrail, and showed some displeasure with another car before heading to the pits. Three ( or four?) more caution periods in the next couple of laps took us to the time limit as Becerra tried to challenge Birck for second. On the first attempt at green, white, checkers, Fellows spun his #11. On the next try, Birck used the low line to pull even with Carter, but fell just inches short at the checkers. Becerra claimed third, Wyatt was fourth, and James Roose came home in fifth.
IMCA stock cars were up next, with all but one of the thirteen competitors taking the green. Front row starters Jeremy Pundt and Michael Larsen battled side by side on the opening circuit as tenth starting Abe Huls cracked the top five. The caution waved on lap two, and as Pundt took off on the restart, a three way scrum developed for second between Jason Cook, in the 3D, Huls, and Damon Murty. The caution waved again on lap seven, and now it was Murty on the high line challenging the bottom hugging Pundt for first. As Jeremy moved slightly ahead, Huls followed in his tracks to again challenge Murty. The three car battle continued, and Huls changed his line to the high side in turns three and four, then tucking in low behind Pundt in turns one and two. Behind the leader, Cook, Huls, and Murty continued to battle, with Beau Taylor looking for racing room behind them. Pundt refused to give up the preferred low line, taking the flag to flag twenty lap win. Huls, Cook, Murty, and Taylor followed in that order.
Ten late models signed in, with an encouraging four " rookies " in the field. Former sport compact driver Jake Dietrich was unable to make the call for the twenty lapper after he made contact with the turn two guardrail in his heat. Ray Raker and Tommy Elston redrew the front two starting spots, and raced side by side ahead of a lap two caution for debris from Rakers' #07. Brandon Queen went for a spin on the restart, but the race stayed green from that point on. Elston powered past Raker on the restart, and drove away from the field even as there was plenty of action behind him. First it was Brian Harris up to challenge for second on lap three, then fifth starting Jay Johnson cleared Harris and Raker on lap five. At the halfway mark, Port Byron, Illinois driver Chuck Hanna began to pressure Harris, even as Elston opened a full straightaway advantage. A great battle continued between Johnson, Harris, and Hanna and they crossed the line in that order behind Elston, who scored his second win of 2019. Sam Halstead completed the top five. Queen rebounded for sixth ahead of Raker, Solon, Iowa driver Stacy Griffis, and Blaire Barton, in his first night out in his #7 machine.
As the fifteen car IMCA modified field lined up for the twenty lap finale, we three well chilled fans decided to make our way to the car. Results show that Jeff Waterman came from mid pack to pick up the win over Dennis Laviene, John Oliver Jr., Andrew Schroeder, and Austin Howes.
Thanks to Brian and Marcie Gaylord and staff for working in less than ideal conditions to put on a program for those of us brave enough ( or crazy enough!) to enjoy a Friday night of racing action. After much debate, we have decided to wimp out on Saturday night racing this week. At this point, I am hoping the forecast changes and we can open the Sprint Invader season on Sunday at Quincy Raceways. UMP modifieds and IMCA sport compacts are also on the card, so hopefully I will see you there!
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Opening Night at Quincy
Seven days earlier when we pulled in to LaSalle Speedway, the temperature read 37 degrees. This Sunday afternoon as I pulled down pit road for the Quincy Raceways opener, my Equinox registered 78 degrees! Gotta love mid west weather!
Just a couple of days earlier, it did not look good for Sunday racing, with high percentage chances of steady rains in the Quincy area. And sure enough, the sunny skies turned ominous by feature time, with the dark clouds building to the north. Just as quickly however, the clouds circled past the speedway, settling to the south, giving us a lightning show as track officials hurried the show along.
Five of the six rotating classes at the track were on the opening night card, with the two man cruiser debut still two weeks away. The car count was surely less than hoped for, but the track held up surprisingly well, even needing an extra dose of water after the first couple of heat races.
IMCA sport mods were the first to take the feature green. Nathan Bringer jumped to the early lead from the outside pole position, with defending track champ Adam Birck and Austen Becerra charging from row four to second and third one lap later. As those three put distance on the field, Birck and Becerra swapped positions back and forth with Becerra clearing Birck on lap five. Becerra then moved up to challenge Bringer, grabbing the lead on lap seven. Birck followed, nabbing the runner up spot one lap later. As Becerra opened a commanding lead, Tanner Klingele joined the party, moving to third on the eleventh circuit of the eighteen lapper. With the race staying green the entire way, Becerra scored an " easy " win. Birck came home second, followed by Klingele, Bringer, and Bobby Six, sporting a brand new ride with duct tape numbers, while promising a new wrap for next week.
The IMCA stock cars turned out only four competitors, coming to the track for twelve laps. Michael Larsen set the pace early with heat winner Beau Taylor in pursuit, both running high on the track. Five laps in, Larsen suddenly slowed coming out of turn four, heading to the pits, turning the lead over to Taylor. Just when it looked like Taylor would cruise to the win, he began slowing, while Jesse Weggs began to close the gap. Once again the race went caution free, and Weggs could not quite get close enough to challenge for the win. Taylor picked up the win, but needed assistance from the push truck to get to the scale, then back to his pit. Weggs settled for runner up honors, with Brandon Boden in third.
Tommy Elston cruised to the win in the UMP Pro Crate heat race, but the fifteen lap feature was a different story. Elston lined up on the pole with Denny Woodworth alongside, and it was Woodworth jumping out to the lap one lead. As the defending track champion began to stretch his lead, his teammate Melvin Linder brought out the first feature yellow with a turn four spin on lap two. The late model lawyer was undeterred, charging out to a comfortable margin as racing resumed. When the checkers waved, Woodworth had a nearly straightaway lead over Elston. Visiting Tucker Finch ran third, with Darin Weisinger Jr. debuting his new late model in fourth. Linder came home in fifth.
As the lightning flashed, the UMP modifieds came to the track for fifteen laps. Polesitter Ryan Meyer, out of semi retirement with a sharp looking #82M grabbed the lead even as the field stacked up behind him in turns one and two. The yellow waved the next time around as St. Louis area visitor Earl Pryor spun in turn two. 2018 champion Dave Weitholder powered to second on the restart, then slipped around Meyer exiting turn four. As Meyer ran his favored high line, Josh Newman slipped under him for second on lap four. By then Weitholder had a sizable lead, but he looped his #05 in turn four on the fifth curcuit, bringing out the caution. Back under green, it was Newman and Meyer up front while Weitholder seemed stuck in traffic. But he was up to fourth on lap eight, then cleared Pryor for third two laps later. On the twelfth circuit he drove around Meyer for second, but Meyer fought back as the pair ran side by side. Finally Weitholder took the spot, and on the final lap he mounted a challenge for the lead. Coming to the checkers, Newman stayed in the middle of the track and Weitholder was able to generate enough momentum down low to put his nose out front by inches at the line. Following the lead duo, it was Meyer, Pryor, and Chris Spaulding collecting top fives.
The final event of the night was the twelve lap main for the IMCA sport compacts, with all but one of the nine entrants taking the green. Polesitter and defending champ Barry Taft outran Kimberly Abbott to pace the first lap. Dylan Schantz cleared Abbott and took up the chase one lap later. Kimberly fought back to second on lap three, with Jeffrey Delonjay following in third. Delonjay then took the runner up spot on lap four, while Alyssa Steele grabbed fourth just before the halfway mark. But on lap seven, the Delonjay machine erupted in a ball of flames. While the fire went out quickly, fluid and engine parts were scattered down the front straightaway into turn one, bringing out the red flag. During the delay, Steele needed a push to the work area, and she did not return to the track, while Quinton Shelton was able to make some needed repairs. The final five laps saw Abbott apply heavy pressure to Taft, but she was unable to make the pass. Shelton rebounded to finish third, with David Prim in fourth the final car still running at the checkers.
With the threatening weather, track officials waved the final checkers just before 8:00.
Next Sunday night the Sprint Invaders will open their championship season at QR, with the UMP modifieds and IMCA sport compacts also in action. There is also a host of specials mixed in with weekly shows firing up next weekend, and we will keep an eye on the weather forecasts while hoping for our first three race weekend of 2019.
Just a couple of days earlier, it did not look good for Sunday racing, with high percentage chances of steady rains in the Quincy area. And sure enough, the sunny skies turned ominous by feature time, with the dark clouds building to the north. Just as quickly however, the clouds circled past the speedway, settling to the south, giving us a lightning show as track officials hurried the show along.
Five of the six rotating classes at the track were on the opening night card, with the two man cruiser debut still two weeks away. The car count was surely less than hoped for, but the track held up surprisingly well, even needing an extra dose of water after the first couple of heat races.
IMCA sport mods were the first to take the feature green. Nathan Bringer jumped to the early lead from the outside pole position, with defending track champ Adam Birck and Austen Becerra charging from row four to second and third one lap later. As those three put distance on the field, Birck and Becerra swapped positions back and forth with Becerra clearing Birck on lap five. Becerra then moved up to challenge Bringer, grabbing the lead on lap seven. Birck followed, nabbing the runner up spot one lap later. As Becerra opened a commanding lead, Tanner Klingele joined the party, moving to third on the eleventh circuit of the eighteen lapper. With the race staying green the entire way, Becerra scored an " easy " win. Birck came home second, followed by Klingele, Bringer, and Bobby Six, sporting a brand new ride with duct tape numbers, while promising a new wrap for next week.
The IMCA stock cars turned out only four competitors, coming to the track for twelve laps. Michael Larsen set the pace early with heat winner Beau Taylor in pursuit, both running high on the track. Five laps in, Larsen suddenly slowed coming out of turn four, heading to the pits, turning the lead over to Taylor. Just when it looked like Taylor would cruise to the win, he began slowing, while Jesse Weggs began to close the gap. Once again the race went caution free, and Weggs could not quite get close enough to challenge for the win. Taylor picked up the win, but needed assistance from the push truck to get to the scale, then back to his pit. Weggs settled for runner up honors, with Brandon Boden in third.
Tommy Elston cruised to the win in the UMP Pro Crate heat race, but the fifteen lap feature was a different story. Elston lined up on the pole with Denny Woodworth alongside, and it was Woodworth jumping out to the lap one lead. As the defending track champion began to stretch his lead, his teammate Melvin Linder brought out the first feature yellow with a turn four spin on lap two. The late model lawyer was undeterred, charging out to a comfortable margin as racing resumed. When the checkers waved, Woodworth had a nearly straightaway lead over Elston. Visiting Tucker Finch ran third, with Darin Weisinger Jr. debuting his new late model in fourth. Linder came home in fifth.
As the lightning flashed, the UMP modifieds came to the track for fifteen laps. Polesitter Ryan Meyer, out of semi retirement with a sharp looking #82M grabbed the lead even as the field stacked up behind him in turns one and two. The yellow waved the next time around as St. Louis area visitor Earl Pryor spun in turn two. 2018 champion Dave Weitholder powered to second on the restart, then slipped around Meyer exiting turn four. As Meyer ran his favored high line, Josh Newman slipped under him for second on lap four. By then Weitholder had a sizable lead, but he looped his #05 in turn four on the fifth curcuit, bringing out the caution. Back under green, it was Newman and Meyer up front while Weitholder seemed stuck in traffic. But he was up to fourth on lap eight, then cleared Pryor for third two laps later. On the twelfth circuit he drove around Meyer for second, but Meyer fought back as the pair ran side by side. Finally Weitholder took the spot, and on the final lap he mounted a challenge for the lead. Coming to the checkers, Newman stayed in the middle of the track and Weitholder was able to generate enough momentum down low to put his nose out front by inches at the line. Following the lead duo, it was Meyer, Pryor, and Chris Spaulding collecting top fives.
The final event of the night was the twelve lap main for the IMCA sport compacts, with all but one of the nine entrants taking the green. Polesitter and defending champ Barry Taft outran Kimberly Abbott to pace the first lap. Dylan Schantz cleared Abbott and took up the chase one lap later. Kimberly fought back to second on lap three, with Jeffrey Delonjay following in third. Delonjay then took the runner up spot on lap four, while Alyssa Steele grabbed fourth just before the halfway mark. But on lap seven, the Delonjay machine erupted in a ball of flames. While the fire went out quickly, fluid and engine parts were scattered down the front straightaway into turn one, bringing out the red flag. During the delay, Steele needed a push to the work area, and she did not return to the track, while Quinton Shelton was able to make some needed repairs. The final five laps saw Abbott apply heavy pressure to Taft, but she was unable to make the pass. Shelton rebounded to finish third, with David Prim in fourth the final car still running at the checkers.
With the threatening weather, track officials waved the final checkers just before 8:00.
Next Sunday night the Sprint Invaders will open their championship season at QR, with the UMP modifieds and IMCA sport compacts also in action. There is also a host of specials mixed in with weekly shows firing up next weekend, and we will keep an eye on the weather forecasts while hoping for our first three race weekend of 2019.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Terbo Tops at LaSalle
Ignoring the chilly temps, we headed north Sunday for the Thaw Brawl at Tony Izzos' LaSalle,Il. Speedway. The annual event was originally set up as a two day show, Friday and Saturday night, with the headline late model and modified classes sanctioned by the Michigan based American Ethanol series. With a practice night scheduled for Thursday, many drivers arrived to prepare for the long weekend. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans, with the schedule changed to a Friday night practice, with afternoon racing for Saturday, highlighted by the late models racing for a $5,000 top prize, followed by a Sunday afternoon program featuring late models chasing a $15,000 payday. Again, rain overnight on Friday and Saturday morning resulted in a one day show. with hot laps and qualifying at 1:00 PM followed by racing at 3:00 PM. The AE modifieds would be dueling for $1,500 to win, with the program filled out with IMCA modifieds paying $1,000 to win and IMCA sport mods racing for a $500 prize.
Racing in March in the midwest is always a roll of the dice, especially with big money on the line, and staging a Sunday afternoon show certainly adds to the gamble. On a day when the temperature struggled to top 40 degrees and a stiff breeze remained steady, there was still a nice sized crowd on hand.
Action got under way shortly after 1:00 with hot laps for the 32 American Ethanol late models and 21 AE modifieds, following by two cars at a time two lap time trials for those classes. Bobby Pierce topped the late models with a lap of 12.834 seconds around the quarter mile, while Frank Marshall topped the mods. A partial invert had the fastest qualifier in each heat race grouping staring third. The IMCA classes then hot lapped, and it was now heat race time.
The late models ran three heat races, topped by Brian Shirley, Kyle Bronson, and Jason Feger, who grabbed the only heat not won from outside row one. Will Krup and Allen Weisser, who missed his late model heat when his car would not fire, captured the mod heats. Ricky Thornton and Tim Hamburg took IMCA wins, while Tyler Soppe was the sport mod heat winner.
Ricky Weiss claimed the late model consy to round out preliminary events.
During a rather lengthy intermission, track workers reworked an understandably somewhat treacherous surface, and it would then be 21 late models lining up for 75 laps of action.
Regardless of what had taken place before, or what would come after, the late model feature was easily worth the price of admission! Polesitter Kyle Bronson led lap one, with row two inside starter Shirley pacing lap two. It was Bronson back ahead as lap three was scored, then Shirley on lap four ahead of the first caution, with Scott Schmitt retiring from the action. Back to racing, Shirley opened a nice lead, with seventh starting Chris Simpson beginning a move towards the front. Hudson Oneal brought out the next yellow about lap fourteen, and Feger briefly rebounded to second on the restart before Bronson retook the spot. Eighth starting Pierce now moved up to challenge Simpson for fourth. As Feger stumbled on the very tricky high line in turn two, Bronson began to close on the leader. Behind the lead duo, there was plenty of position swapping, and when the front pair caught slower traffic, Bronson grabbed the lead. But just as quickly, Shirley was back in front. Ahead of a caution period for Brandon Thirlby, Simpson had grabbed second with Dennis Erb Jr. joining the lead pack. Shannon Babb saw his run end following a pair of restarts, and Bronson then tagged the turn two wall, with his day finished. Shirley again opened a sizable lead, but soon slowed, eventually heading to the pits. He returned to the track after a tire change, but retired after a couple more laps, turning the lead over to Simpson with still 30 laps to go. Back under green, Rusty Schlenk looped his ride in turn two, ending the day for himself and Frank Heckenast Jr. while Travis Stemler rejoined the pack. As the field came to green, Brandon Sheppard dove to the infield, his day done.
The leaders now hugged the inside line, and it looked as though everyone was prepared to ride it out to the end, BUT... slower traffic came into play, and those cars decided to race the leaders. With Simpson and Pierce searching for a way around Bob Gardner, even getting together at one point, row six starter Tyler Erb went to the top of the track and shot to the lead. Not to be denied, Pierce then climbed to the top and rocketed around the youngster they call Terbo. Now those two found themselves looking for a line around Stemler, Pierce going low as Erb took the high line. Erb emerged the leader at this point, leading only a couple of laps out of 75, but being in front when the checkers waved. Simpson joined the front duo on the podium, and while the action had been particularly intense, all three were complimentary of the track and each other. Following Erb, Pierce, and Simpson, it was Erb Jr., with Weiss coming from sixteenth to fifth. Jeremiah drove a steady race to finish sixth ahead of Thirlby, Rich Bell, Spencer Diercks, and Stemler. Gardner, and Logan Arntz rounded out the dozen cars still running after 75 laps.
With the four of us well chilled, we decided to hang on for the AE mods, but after several caution periods before a lap was scored, we made the decision to head to the warmth of the car. A call on the long ride home from a fan heartier than us informed us that Weisser topped Marshall in the event, while Thornton took IMCA honors. I am still awaiting official results for the sport mods.
Thanks go out to Izzo and crew for going the extra mile to stage the race when canceling would have been the easy and safe thing to do, as this will no doubt be one of the top races we will see in 2019.
Hopefully the prospect of warmer weather will allow the racing season to now kick into high gear as we turn the page to April.
Racing in March in the midwest is always a roll of the dice, especially with big money on the line, and staging a Sunday afternoon show certainly adds to the gamble. On a day when the temperature struggled to top 40 degrees and a stiff breeze remained steady, there was still a nice sized crowd on hand.
Action got under way shortly after 1:00 with hot laps for the 32 American Ethanol late models and 21 AE modifieds, following by two cars at a time two lap time trials for those classes. Bobby Pierce topped the late models with a lap of 12.834 seconds around the quarter mile, while Frank Marshall topped the mods. A partial invert had the fastest qualifier in each heat race grouping staring third. The IMCA classes then hot lapped, and it was now heat race time.
The late models ran three heat races, topped by Brian Shirley, Kyle Bronson, and Jason Feger, who grabbed the only heat not won from outside row one. Will Krup and Allen Weisser, who missed his late model heat when his car would not fire, captured the mod heats. Ricky Thornton and Tim Hamburg took IMCA wins, while Tyler Soppe was the sport mod heat winner.
Ricky Weiss claimed the late model consy to round out preliminary events.
During a rather lengthy intermission, track workers reworked an understandably somewhat treacherous surface, and it would then be 21 late models lining up for 75 laps of action.
Regardless of what had taken place before, or what would come after, the late model feature was easily worth the price of admission! Polesitter Kyle Bronson led lap one, with row two inside starter Shirley pacing lap two. It was Bronson back ahead as lap three was scored, then Shirley on lap four ahead of the first caution, with Scott Schmitt retiring from the action. Back to racing, Shirley opened a nice lead, with seventh starting Chris Simpson beginning a move towards the front. Hudson Oneal brought out the next yellow about lap fourteen, and Feger briefly rebounded to second on the restart before Bronson retook the spot. Eighth starting Pierce now moved up to challenge Simpson for fourth. As Feger stumbled on the very tricky high line in turn two, Bronson began to close on the leader. Behind the lead duo, there was plenty of position swapping, and when the front pair caught slower traffic, Bronson grabbed the lead. But just as quickly, Shirley was back in front. Ahead of a caution period for Brandon Thirlby, Simpson had grabbed second with Dennis Erb Jr. joining the lead pack. Shannon Babb saw his run end following a pair of restarts, and Bronson then tagged the turn two wall, with his day finished. Shirley again opened a sizable lead, but soon slowed, eventually heading to the pits. He returned to the track after a tire change, but retired after a couple more laps, turning the lead over to Simpson with still 30 laps to go. Back under green, Rusty Schlenk looped his ride in turn two, ending the day for himself and Frank Heckenast Jr. while Travis Stemler rejoined the pack. As the field came to green, Brandon Sheppard dove to the infield, his day done.
The leaders now hugged the inside line, and it looked as though everyone was prepared to ride it out to the end, BUT... slower traffic came into play, and those cars decided to race the leaders. With Simpson and Pierce searching for a way around Bob Gardner, even getting together at one point, row six starter Tyler Erb went to the top of the track and shot to the lead. Not to be denied, Pierce then climbed to the top and rocketed around the youngster they call Terbo. Now those two found themselves looking for a line around Stemler, Pierce going low as Erb took the high line. Erb emerged the leader at this point, leading only a couple of laps out of 75, but being in front when the checkers waved. Simpson joined the front duo on the podium, and while the action had been particularly intense, all three were complimentary of the track and each other. Following Erb, Pierce, and Simpson, it was Erb Jr., with Weiss coming from sixteenth to fifth. Jeremiah drove a steady race to finish sixth ahead of Thirlby, Rich Bell, Spencer Diercks, and Stemler. Gardner, and Logan Arntz rounded out the dozen cars still running after 75 laps.
With the four of us well chilled, we decided to hang on for the AE mods, but after several caution periods before a lap was scored, we made the decision to head to the warmth of the car. A call on the long ride home from a fan heartier than us informed us that Weisser topped Marshall in the event, while Thornton took IMCA honors. I am still awaiting official results for the sport mods.
Thanks go out to Izzo and crew for going the extra mile to stage the race when canceling would have been the easy and safe thing to do, as this will no doubt be one of the top races we will see in 2019.
Hopefully the prospect of warmer weather will allow the racing season to now kick into high gear as we turn the page to April.
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