The Randolph County Raceway in Moberly, Missouri was scheduled to host the final race of the Malvern Bank Hoker Trucking SLMR east division in this, their inaugural season. Non sanctioned B mods and 4 cylinders, two of the weekly classes promoter Jason Goble featured in 2020 would also be in competition backing up the super late models. With the entire Quincy Raceways schedule moved to the high banked facility just outside Moberly, this would be the only Saturday night circle track race on the RCR schedule. The race would also be the final one to decide the series champion.
After watching dreary skies mixed with intermittent rain showers throughout the morning and early afternoon, we headed for the speedway hoping for the best. Although the radar showed most of the rain had exited the area, a light mist began to fall soon after our arrival. The threatening weather as well as very cool temperatures did nothing to aid the car or fan count, but the show must go on!
Hot laps began just before the advertised time of 6:00, with late model qualifying immediately following. The B mods then lined up for a pair of heat races, with Cale Turner and Dalton Keith picking up wins. Keith had made the two plus hour tow from Lebanon, Missouri. Next up it was four cylinders for a pair of six lap heats. Jeremy Bell and Isaiah Penton took the wins.
The late models then came to the track for a pair of eight lap qualifiers. Andy Eckrich sat on the pole of heat one, got the jump on his row one mate Charlie McKenna, and raced to the win. Jeff Tharp and Tad Pospisil came next ahead of Jason Hahne, Zach Zeitner, Brandon Queen, and Curt Schroeder. Polesitter Darrel Defrance led the distance in heat two, winning by a large margin. Joel Callahan held off the persistent challenge of Cory Dumpert for third, while Dave Eckrich cleared Justin Kay late for fourth. Matt Ryan and track regular Chase Breid completed the running order.
During the intermission, the mist turned to drizzle, then to a steady shower. The B mods had been called to staging for their feature, but they were soon sent back to their trailers. While track officials and the heartiest of fans waited, the rain refused to let up, and the haulers began to file through the back gate. With the track likely lost, the plug was pulled on the show, a disappointing end to a fine first season for the SLMR eastern division.
Randolph County Raceway has two more events on their 2020 schedule. Next Saturday night they will host a Demolition Derby. Then on Sunday, October 18, the MLRA super late models will wrap up their season as well as that of RCR. This will cap a three race weekend for the series, following two nights of action at Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. This will be the third stop at Moberly for the MLRA this season, with Shannon Babb victorious in June and Ryan Gustin picking up a win in September.
Looking ahead to next weekend, our plans are to attend both Friday and Saturday nights of the Fall Extravaganza at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa where the 4 cylinder sport compacts will be featured in a $3,000 to win showdown on Saturday. The clock is ticking on 2020 racing, don't miss out!
No comments:
Post a Comment