Heavy and persistent rains throughout the middle part of the week played havoc with racing schedules in the mid west. A planned week day trip to the Dallas County Speedway in Urbana, Missouri saw their USMTS championship series race washed out, and wet grounds also forced cancellation - which later became postponement - of Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. So with Jeff at the wheel and Darryl along, we literally headed across northern Missouri on Saturday with three possible destinations. At about 12:30, promoter Jerry Hoffman announced that the Cash Money late model season championship event at the Springfield Raceway was a go, so we backtracked a bit then headed south to the quarter mile facility tucked in the south west Missouri countryside.
We arrived minutes ahead of the advertised 4:30 hot laps to a bustling pit area with a few late comers still lining pit road. Seven local classes would run in support of the twenty seven late models, making a total of one hundred eighteen cars on hand in front of a sparse crowd on this sunny but chilly early fall evening.
Racing kicked off right at 5:00. The late models, racing for $1,200 to win and an impressive $450 to start the thirty lap feature, were divided into four heat races. The series used a draw for starting spots in the eight lap qualifiers, with the top fourteen in passing points moving to the A main. As a result, we saw plenty of passing in the four heats. Isaac Keeper came from row two to capture heat one over fifth starting Austin Vincent, Jace Parmley, and Brett Testerman, with those two starting fourth and sixth, respectively. Brandon Baldridge turned a pole start into a heat two win ahead of seventh starting Jim Body III, and fourth starter Aaron Scroggins. Heat three was captured by fourth starting Cole Wells in front of seventh starting Jim Body, row twos' Justin Wells, and pole sitter Bobby Maggard. Finally Mitch Keeter gained four spots to win heat four, topping row three mate Dustin Mooneyham, and out side row one starter Chuck Comer. With fourteen more heat races in the books, the remaining thirteen late models lined up for a twelve lap B main qualifying the top four for the big dance. Chris Hawkins came all the way from tenth to take the win in front of Justin Pearish, Scott Fry, and Jaxon Ertel. Point provisionals would go to Tim Petty and Jimmy Vanzandt, rounding out the twenty car lineup for the feature.
Nine Pure Stocks then lined up for their feature race. Pole sitter Karla Lampe followed up her heat one win by leading early before Grayson McKiney drove his #05G to the front to claim the win. Scotty Carter, Kolby Rathbone, and heat two winner Chris Countryman completed the top five.
Intermission came next, and it turned into a long one, as the children in attendance were turned loose in the pit area to trick or treat while the track crew put a dose of water on the track.
Finally we were back to racing. Legends cars were up next, nine strong. Heat winners Jay Reynolds and Trenton Simon shared row one, and it was Simon picking up the win with Reynolds in second. Steve Harshbarger, Steven Harshbarger Jr., and Matthew Bowen rounded out the first five.
The late models were the headline class on this night, and they came to the track next. Mooneyham and Vincent shared row one, with Mooneyham getting the jump. However first the yellow, then the red flag would fly before lap one was scored for a pair of two car collisions in turn three. Ertel would be the only car unable to continue. Mooneyham again took the lead on the restart, and on lap two fourth starting Body III charged to second. Mooneyham had a bit of distance on Body III as they caught slower traffic on lap ten, but the yellow came out again for something that I apparently missed. Keeter moved to second following the Delaware restart ahead of a final caution. With twelve laps in the books, Body III powered around Mooneyham for the lead. Now the first four separated from the pack, with Body III and fourth running Cole Wells using the low line, and second and third place Mooneyham and Keeter on the high side. As the laps clicked off quickly, the younger Body opened a nice advantage, but with eight circuits remaining, Wells jumped to second, preparing to challenge the leader. Body III however remained in control, and four laps later it was Keeter charging to second. At the checkers, it was Body III with the win, followed by Keeter, Wells, Mooneyham, and Body. Parmley topped the next five ahead of Justin Wells, Keeper, Vincent, and Comer.
Along with the winner, points champion Cole Wells, and Rookie of the Year Keeter came to victory lane for their honors as we made our way to the car for the long drive home, regretfully missing another five features!
Up next on the calendar is the annual Turkey Dash at Larry Richardsons' C J Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa next Saturday, November 6. Five classes of IMCA rules cars will be in action, with hot laps tentatively set for 2:00. Check their website for more info. And as previously mentioned, Shiverfest, at the Lee County Speedway was canceled only to be revived for a weather dependent date of November 20. Again, keep an eye on their website or on Facebook for more info. November 20 will also be the date of the annual Turkey Bowl race at Springfield Raceway. So there is still lots of potential for Racin' Down the Road!
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