Becerra and Delonjay Stay Hot, Perry and Cottom Also Winners at Quincy

    Sunday night at Adams County,Il. Speedway featured a birthday celebration for promoter Jim Lieurence. Free popcorn and reduced beer prices were a part of the festivities. Temperatures finally moderated a bit, and as the sun set and the full moon rose, it was an enjoyable evening. 

   Late in the week, the Hart B Modified portion of the program was cancelled, so four classes would fill out the card. For the first time since the track reopened last season, the growing Street Stocks division led the way with fifteen entries. Oddly, Crate Late Models, UMP Modifieds and Dirtcar 4 Cylinders all turned out thirteen competitors.

   The Late Model class has been operating under a passing points system, but following a driver poll, beginning this week time trial qualifying replaced the draw method for heat race lineups. Jason Perry topped the leader board at 13.826 seconds, while Dave Weitholder paced the Mods at 14.261.

   Hot laps got off to a rocky start when rookie driver Carter Cookson rolled the #7H 4 cylinder after making contact with the tractor tire in turn four. The driver was uninjured, but the car, formerly driven by Mike Hornung Jr. and others was done for the night. Then as the checkered flag flew marking the end of the first 4 cylinder heat race, the #71 of third running Kimberly Abbott took a sharp right turn into the front stretch wall resulting in a rollover. Landing on her wheels, Kimberly appeared to be okay, but she was also out of action for the feature. 

   After an intermission which included a water balloon fight for the youngsters, it was time for feature racing.

   Street Stocks lined up first, fourteen cars for fifteen laps. Robert Cottom sat on the pole, and paced the opening lap. Behind him, Sage Martin, Beau Taylor, and Rudy Zaragoza duked it out for second. By the time Taylor secured the position, Cottom had checked out on the pack. Jake Powers joined the front runners and with five laps to go, it was Taylor, Zaragoza, and Powers racing in close formation behind Cottom. With the white flag displayed, the checkers was replaced with the yellow for a spin by rookie Ryan Aden. Twice more the caution came without a lap scored, and the Delaware restart was then replaced with a single file line up. Cottom then cruised to the flag to flag win, with Taylor taking runner up honors. Zaragoza was third, and Powers narrowly topped Martin for fourth. 

   Late Models would be up next for twenty trips around the .29 mile semi banked oval. The top two in each heat race redrew for their starting spot, with Derek Hollenstine and Jamie Wilson in row one ahead of Tommy Elston and Perry. Seventh starting Braden Bilger was having issues with his #17B and tagged the tail, heading to the pits a few laps in. Perry charged to the lead ahead of Wilson as lap one was scored, then Elston slipped around Wilson on lap two. Perry and Elston had separated from the field before a caution five laps in for Darren Cawthon. Back to racing, the track was slick and black with a serviceable cushion, and the leaders ran the high line nose to tail. Perry was stretching his lead when the yellow again waved with eight laps to go for Austin Poage. Denny Woodworth used the Delaware restart to power to third, and a final caution came with fifteen laps scored. Elston would try his best, but could not get close enough to make a move as Perry picked up his third win in his comeback season. Woodworth followed Elston while Darin Weisinger Jr. was the hard charger, wheeling his new to him ride from an eighth place start to fourth at the checkers. Wilson completed the top five. Hollenstine, Jason Oenning, Cody Maguire, Sam Halstead, and Christian Miles rounded out the top ten.

   Eleven 4 Cylinders were able to make the feature call for fifteen laps. Spencer Coats and Jeffery Delonjay filled out row one, racing side by side as the green flag flew. Coats finally established a lead with Jeffery on his tail in the low groove while brother Jaden Delonjay stayed within striking distance on the top side. A caution flag came with six in the books, and back under green Coats changed his line, moving up the track. Jeffery was able to pull alongside, taking his first lead by a nose with five laps remaining. He then held on for what I believe announcer Doug Mealy said was his seventh feature win in a row! Coats was close in second. Dyllan Bonk came on strong in the second half of the race, driving past Jaden for third after starting in sixth. Kyle Weisenberger completed the top five. Joshua Hawkins made the long tow from Imperial, Missouri and came home in sixth. 

   UMP Modifieds would close out the action, thirteen cars racing eighteen laps. Jacob Rexing and Austen Becerra paced the field, racing side by side before Becerra took command on lap two. Rexing, Mark Burgtorf, and Weitholder battled for second as Becerra drove off from the field. Weitholder moved to second with five laps scored, then the first caution came two laps later. The running order stayed the same, and after another caution with ten in the books, Becerra again pulled well ahead while Rexing challenged Weitholder for second. Once again the white flag flew, I scribbled down the top five, but once again flagman Allen Motley waved the yellow instead of the checkers. This set up a single file green, white, checkers finish. There was, however no change in the running order, with Becerra scoring the win over Weitholder, Rexing , Burgtorf, and Mike Vanderiet Jr. 

   Those final checkers came a few minutes after 9:00. 

   Thanks to JT Promotions and their team for another entertaining Sunday night. Racing at the Broadway Bullring will continue through the month of September with a two day show September 30 - October 1, check the website as their will be some mixing of classes, including an appearance by the Sprint Invaders on August 20. The season is set to end with a Thursday night championship weekend show for the MLRA Late Models on October 12.

   It is crazy to be discussing "post season" racing, but it will be here soon! In the meantime, I plan to continue Racin' Down the Road.

  Correction: The MLRA finale is October 12.

Mother Nature Halts Marshalltown Action

    The oppressive heat and humidity has altered the plans of promoters, racers, and fans alike this week, with several tracks either canceling races altogether or pushing back start times. One venue that stayed the course was the Marshalltown Speedway, where the highly anticipated Dale Defrance Memorial would be held despite less than favorable conditions. One of only two appearances by Late Models at the track in 2023, it would be under the banner of the Hoker Trucking SLMR East division series. The annual event is a staple of the facility, as the Defrance name is synonymous with racing at "Motown." Extra sponsorship dollars swelled the purse in all five classes racing on this night headlined by a Late Model payout of $4,644 to the winner of the feature event. The number 44 was the one campaigned by Dale Defrance during his racing career. The main event would also pay a tidy $720 to start. Four IMCA weekly classes at the track, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, and Hobby Stocks would also be competing for the extra cash.

   Despite the three hour plus drive, we try each season to fit in a visit to the quarter mile high banks for racing action that never disappoints as well as a chance to visit with Positively Racing cohorts, the Eiseles, and several other racing friends we don't get to visit with often enough!

   And despite a forecast that offered a possibility of storms, we rolled the dice, figuring we could at least enjoy some good Sugarfire barbeque along the way. Unfortunately that turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Soon after arriving at the track, the scorching sunny skies gave way to clouds accompanied by a stiff breeze which dropped the temps from the upper nineties by about fifteen degrees. In fact more than one person in what was a pretty sizable crowd donned long sleeves!

   Track personnel were no doubt watching the radar and we could here the pit P.A. letting the one hundred and sixty three drivers know that once hot laps began we would be going non stop and the Late Model forty four lap main event would be moved to the front of the feature action. 

   The rain held off through hot laps, time trial qualifying for the twenty seven Late Models, and three of four Sport Mod heats. A couple of sprinkles fell, then looking beyond turn three, there it came. Sheets of rain, a complete deluge soaking everyone as we all made a mad dash for cover. It took only a short time before the announcement was made that the track was "lost" and the program would be run from the beginning next Friday night. Personally, I was thirty five for thirty five in complete race programs in 2023, so I guess I was due for a rain out. 

  Even though unsuccessful, we want to thank J Van and the staff at the speedway for their efforts and to Dick and Joyce for saving us prime seating. 

  As of now, we plan on Sunday night racing at Adams County, Il. Speedway, a whole lot closer to home!

 

Long is Hometown Mars Modified Victor, Wilson, Cottom, Klingele, Delonjay Also Winners

    Our three race weekend concluded with trip number ten to Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy. Topping the card this week would be the second 2023 stop for the MARS Modified series. $2,000 would be on the line for the "open" engine cars, with heavy participation by our weekly UMP Modified teams. The other four regular classes, Crate Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks, and 4 Cylinder Compacts would fill out the line up. 

   A somewhat smaller than expected Modified turnout of twenty one still topped the field of seventy five competitors. Kyle Steffens had been the victor when the series came through town in May, but he was a no show on this night. "The Kentuckian" Josh Harris was the last of those to qualify and he turned the .29 mile oval in a top lap of 13.587 seconds. The top two finishers from the three eight lap heat races redrew for feature starting spots, and it was middle heat winner and series points leader Tyler Nicely on the pole with Harris alongside. Josh had finished runner up to track regular Austen Becerra in heat one. Becerra lined up in row two beside Jacob Rexing with third heat winner Michael Long and and Steve Meyer in row three.

   Thirty laps would be the distance on a track that was smooth and slick, and seemingly bottom groove dominate. Nicely grabbed the early lead ahead of Rexing before Harris moved to second about lap six. With slower traffic already in play, the first caution came with nine in the books. Back under green, Long moved to third and Becerra followed in fourth. Another yellow flag came two laps later, and now Long moved to the high side, charging to second on lap thirteen, then to the front one lap later. Nicely then moved up to shadow Long, but Harris drove to second on the bottom line. Soon Becerra made it a three car scrum for second, but I missed whatever happened between turns three and four that resulted in both Harris and Becerra stopped on the track. Per the MARS "no judgement" rule, both of the stopped cars were sent to the tail of the lead lap cars. Two more cautions came, the last with eight laps remaining. Those yellow flags presented the only challenge to Long, as the hometown driver checked out, cruising to the win. He had debuted a brand new car the night previous at Pevely, Mo., where he ran second to Harris, so he now has a first and a second with the sharp looking #18L. Nicely held the top spot in the points chase with a runner up finish, while Kenny Wallace advanced four positions to round out the podium. Trevor Neville took the Hard Charger bonus by quietly climbing nine spots to fourth, while Harris rebounded to fifth. Dave Weitholder, Mike Chasteen Jr., Rexing, Mike Vanderiet Jr., and Rick Conoyer completed the top ten. 

   Before the Modified headliner, fourteen Crate Late Models battled for twenty laps. Denny Woodworth and Jamie Wilson would fill out row one and lead the pack before Jason Perry slipped around Woodworth for second on lap three. The surprise entrant for the night was former hot shoe Keith Pratt subbing for Derek Hollenstine in the #21 car. Although the "Kool Kat" had raced but one time in the last six seasons, he showed no rust, ripping the high side from his row four starting spot and advancing as high as fourth, even as those in front of him stayed lower on the track. As Wilson caught the back of the pack, the lone caution came with seven to go for first time visitor Scott Bergen. On the restart, Woodworth climbed the ladder, taking back second from Perry. In the closing laps he pulled nearly even with the catfishing Wilson, and looked ready for a last lap move. However he found a slower car in his preferred line and that gave Wilson all he needed to pick up his first win after coming back from semi retirement. Perry was also able to take advantage of the lapped car to sneak into the runner up spot at the checkers. Braden Bilger and Tommy Elston completed the top five. Rookie Christian Miles started eleventh and drove to sixth, followed by Pratt, fourteenth starting Cody Maguire, Darin Weisinger Jr., and Jason Oenning.

   Richie Wagy was unable to make the feature call with his new sharp looking #7, so ten Street Stocks lined up for fifteen laps. Front row starters Jake Powers and Robert Cottom led lap one ahead of the only caution. Sage Martin grabbed second on the Delaware restart, but on lap four Cottom drove by on the high side. Seemingly in control, Powers suddenly headed for the trailer with brake issues ending his run. Inheriting the lead, Cottom drove off from the pack for the victory. Martin was impressive in second, chased by Rudy Zaragoza, Kale Foster, and Brandon Boden.

   Sport Mods were next, all except Kruze Miles of the sixteen on hand, racing for eighteen circuits. Dakota Girard paced the field early, chased first by Lucas Schieferdecker, then seventh starting Reed Wolfmeier. Two laps in the yellow flag waved, and back to racing rows four and five starters Tanner Klingele, Logan Cumby, and Adam Birck were quickly picking off cars, moving to third, fourth, and fifth positions. With just four laps to go, Klingele charged to second ahead of a second caution. At this point, announcer Doug Mealy pointed out that the Wolfmeier car had front suspension damage, but he stayed on the track and muscled his #2W to the checkers. On the restart, Birck spun in turn one, but the caution had already waved for Jim Powell, who had issues in turn four. On this final restart, Klingele moved to the top of the track, each lap cutting the lead held by Girard. At the checkers it was another Adams County Speedway photo finish, with Klingele ahead by .059 seconds at the line. After leading from the drop of the green, Girard was forced to settle for second. Cumby, Birck, and Wolfmeier filled out the top five. 

   Compacts would close out the show, thirteen cars for fifteen laps. A false start, a first lap yellow, then we were off and racing. Jaden Delonjay led a three wide group under the flag stand as lap one was scored, with Kyle Weisenberger and brother Jeffery Delonjay alongside. Jeffery took over second on lap three, then grabbed the lead three laps later. A final yellow came seven laps in, and Weisenberger moved to second on the restart. Delonjay drove off into the night for the win. Weisenberger scored an impressive runner up finish ahead of Jaden, Travis Demint, and ninth starting Dyllan Bonk. 

   The final checkers waved about 9:30. Thanks to Jim, Tammy, and the staff for a full night of hard racing at the Broadway Bullring. 

   Up next? Not sure at this point, but check back often and be sure and give my Positively Racing colleagues a read, as well!

Seven Front Row Starters Top Lee County Action

    When 34 Raceway scheduled the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Cars visit on Friday, July 21, Lee County Speedway decided to pivot to Saturday night racing for the weekend. So "Saturday Night Thunder in the Heartland" was temporarily resurrected with a  - count 'em - seven class program. Leading the way was round six of the IMCA Late Model $1,000 to win Drive for Five. The other three regular IMCA divisions, Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sport Mods would be in action along with the non sanctioned Sport Compacts, Mini Hauler Trucks plus a visit by the American Iron Racing Series "classic" race cars.  With the switch in race nights, only the Mini Haulers would be competing for track points, although state and national points would be on the line for the IMCA classes. It was then decided that with no points offered for Compacts the rules would be opened up to non LCS legal cars for this night only. Start times were moved up and that would hopefully aid in still getting the program over at a reasonable time as the fairgrounds facility rests at the edge of town with the sound of race cars likely heard from border to border and beyond. With no track points on the line, starting line ups would be done in a draw, redraw fashion. 

   Although some sprinkles fell as cars began to check in, the skies soon cleared and it was a beautiful evening for racing. Despite the early threat of rain, one hundred and two race teams rolled through the pit gate, led by twenty of the always entertaining A.I.R.S. cars. Figuring out makes, models, and years is always a challenge, but it took a close inspection for me to make a guess at the #86 Willys driven by Dan Jordan. No way I would have known it was a 1954!

   As expected at Lee County, hot laps began right on time at 6:15, and the fifteen qualifying heat races clicked off in timely fashion ahead of an as advertised ten minute intermission. First time visitor Joey Franklin would watch from the sidelines after losing the engine in his #33 Late Model during hot laps. 

   A.I.R.S. would kick off feature racing, twenty strong for fifteen laps. Three caution periods would slow the pace, set early by second generation driver Doak Allen, Jr. After an early side by side battle, Bart Miller eased his #501 1962 Ford to the front. His only challenge from that point would be the yellow flags bringing him back to the pack. Owen Hayes eventually worked his Thunderbird into second, again after a duel with Allen. The field avoided a final stoppage with a  multi car mix up in turn four coming to the white flag, but the running order was scrambled from third on back, with Jake Hayes in his Packard and Dominac McNabb completing the top five.

   All thirteen Stock Cars made the call for eighteen laps. Jason Cook shot to the lead from the outside pole, with fourth starting John Oliver Jr. alongside. Cook set up shop in the inside line while Oliver did business on the increasingly narrow and close to the wall cushion. Along with Jeremy Pundt, those three worked side by side and nose to tail, swapping positions lap after lap in what was easily the race of the night. The second of two cautions came with eight laps to go when fourth place visitor Andrew Schroeder spun in turns three and four. In the closing laps Cook was able to open a slight lead while Oliver rettook second from Pundt on the final circuit. Dakota Simonsen advanced seven spots to finish fourth and Austin Schrage rounded out the top five.

   The Modified count was down, but the quality was solid. Columbus Junction regular Jarrett Brown made the trip south pay off with a flag to flag victory. He shot to the front from the pole position, taking his row one mate Chris Zogg along in tow. With no yellow flags to slow the action, Brown opened a near straightaway lead by the halfway mark of the eighteen lapper. Zogg held a comfortable margin over third place Austen Becerra to the end, while Jadin Fuller and Zack Rawlins also turned in top five finishes. 

   The remaining sixteen Late Models came to the track for twenty five laps, with Jeff Guengerich ducking to the infield on the parade lap. Tommy Elston and Denny Woodworth made up row one, and although Elston got the jump at the green, it was Woodworth out front all the way. Row two starters Jeremy Pundt and Greg Kastli ran third and fourth as those four were some distance from each other but all well ahead of the rest of the field. Woodworth caught the back of the pack around the mid point of the race, and began working patiently through the cars often running side by side for position. As the laps clicked off, he soon tucked in behind tenth running Gary Webb as they navigated the inside groove. Elston was able to close within a few car lengths, but soon ran out of laps in another non stop event. Rookie Christian Miles turned in a solid performance in fifth ahead of last weeks' winner C.J. Horn. In only his second night in a Late Model, Josh Foster moved up six spots to seventh in front of Sam Halstead. Darin Weisinger Jr. came home ninth in his new pink highlighted #11, while Webb wheeled the #6 formerly driven by son Brian to complete the top ten. 

   A very slick track greeted the seventeen Sport Mods, but they did a nice job, completing eighteen laps with only a pair of  yellow flags slowing the race. Jim Gillenwater continued the front row domination, leading from start to finish for the win. Following a lap two caution, Brandon Dale, Shane Paris in a Matt Mayo #13, and Brayton Carter staged a great battle behind the leader. Back to green after a second and final stoppage on lap six, Carter used the Delaware restart to claim the runner up spot. As the front cars fell in line around the inside tire barrier, Gillenwater gradually increased his lead. Carter, Paris, and Dale continued their pursuit, while the Bakersfield, California pilot Mayo charged from outside row six to a top five finish. 

   All except Cincinnati, Ohio driver Jack Pflum took the green flag as fifteen Compacts battled for fifteen laps. Again, the front row was the place to start, as Spencer Coats jumped to the lead chased by third starting Josh Starr, and Jeff Delonjay. Chuck Fullenkamp entered the fray , grabbing third on lap three. Meanwhile Coats opened a huge lead before a single caution brought him back to the pack just after halfway. Back to racing Delonjay moved to second as Starr dropped a bit off the pace. But it was all Coats, as he cruised to his first ever feature win, celebrating in victory lane. Delonjay held second over Fullenkamp, Starr, and Luke Fraise.  

   With the Mini Haulers in staging, we headed for the parking lot, but I see the theme of the night continued as Jeff Bockes took the win from the pole position. Tim Wagner, Sheldon Brocket, Jim Ruble, and Roger Brockett collected top fives. 

   Thanks to the Gaylords and crew for another efficient and well run program. 

   It looks as though the rain has cleared the area, so tonight, Sunday, we will head to Adams County, Il. Speedway near Quincy where the MARS Modified series will highlight the five division program with a $2,000 to win main event. Hope you can join us there!

Feger Goes Flag to Flag for MARS Win at Jacksonville

    Friday we made our first visit since 2019 to the Jacksonville, Il. Speedway. It would be the only appearance of the season for Super Late Models, with the MARS stars and cars rolling in to town as part of the highly anticipated Francis "Wild Man" Kelly Memorial. "Wild Man" was a racing legend throughout western Illinois from the 1950's through the 1970's, and sales of the 9th annual event T shirts alone are a testament to his enduring popularity among friends, family, and those who may have merely heard the stories of his dominance. In addition to Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, and 305 Sprint Cars would be on hand to entertain the crowd. Additionally, this would be the first visit to the Morgan County Fairgrounds quarter mile oval for the MARS Late Models, a track where Sprint Cars are king, particularly those of the 410 C.I. variety.

   Twenty three Late Models would headline the fifty nine total cars on hand, and surprise entrant Drake "The Kid" Troutman would establish a new track record for the full fendered division with a lap of 11.796 seconds in qualifying. Hometown driver Ryan Blakeman would top the Modifieds at 13.387 ticks of the clock. Unfortunately the racing surface began to deteriorate during hot laps, and despite efforts by the track crew, it would remain challenging throughout the night. No doubt this was partially due to activities during the recently completed county fair, but the result was quite a few yellow flags and race cars indeed of maintenance before the series rolls into I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. on Saturday night. 

  In the first Late Model heat the caution waved for a lap one spin with Jason Feger having to restart deep in the field. On the restart second running Blaze Burwell got crossed up in turn four of the tight quarter mile stacking up the on coming pack with contact resulting in him getting upside down. Before racing resumed, Burwell, Rusty Griffaw, and Tucker Finch all headed to the pits. This proved crucial to the final outcome, as Feger now restarted in second, chased Troutman to the checkers and became part of the six car redraw for the feature. Heat number two saw a great back and forth battle between Jake Little and Late Model rookie Mike Harrison, with Harrison flying around Little as the pair exited turn four coming to the checkers. Heat three had far less drama, as pole sitter Ryan Unzicker outlasted Tony Jackson Jr. for the win.

   Two heat races in each of the other three classes set the feature fields and the track crew then went to work in a partially successful attempt at improving the racing surface. 

   305s kicked off the feature events, with all twelve entrants lining up for twenty laps of racing.  Heat two winner and his runner up John Barnard and Joe Jiannoni brought the field to green and paced lap one. Patrick Ryan then moved to the second as Joey Moughan began to work his way forward from his row three start. As he began to close on the leader, Moughan bobbled in turn three, falling to third. With the race staying green, Barnard caught the back of the pack on lap twelve, and was soon in the middle of cars fighting for position. As a result, he was forced to abandon his route around the tire barrier and use multiple grooves to try and weave through the slower cars. Ryan used the opportunity to close the margin and was soon alongside the leader even as Moughan recovered to make it a three car scrum. Those top three were able to drive to a clear track and as they powered out of turn four on lap eighteen, Moughan made a dandy move to charge from third to first. He then held on for a very popular win in the non stop event. Ryan would clear Barnard for second, with heat one winner Kyle Barker and Jiannoni completing the top five. 

   It was still daylight when the Late Models came to the track for the forty lap $5,000 to win headliner. Despite the heat race carnage, only California driver Cody Laney was absent from the lineup. There were, however, a handful of drivers who did basically a start and park, with a $500 incentive to turn a few laps. Although it seemed like more, my notes show five yellow flags slowing the event. The results will also show that after redrawing the outside pole position, Jason Feger led the full forty laps. Both of those statements would however not do justice to what was a very entertaining and interesting race. Pole sitter Little would chase Feger early on, but as he ran third behind the leader and third starting Harrison in lapped traffic contact on lap ten sent him head on towards the turn two wall, effectively ending his chances. Unzicker used the Delaware restart to claim second before a Doug Tye miscue collected Austin Howes to bring another yellow one lap later. The next stoppage was at lap fifteen for Rich Dawson, and back under green Harrison pulled a slider to take back the runner up spot. Mike then pulled alongside Feger and looked poised to grab the lead when the caution waved for Clayton Stuckey. The final yellow flag came at the halfway mark as a jam up on the restart saw Justin White get out of shape. Now there were only eleven cars left to battle for the final twenty laps, and they would click off caution free. Feger again shot ahead as Unzicker and Harrison dueled for second. With Unzicker finally securing the spot he move in to challenge for the lead. Feger was searching for the fast way around the oval and was dominate in turns one and two while Unzicker would pull alongside in three and four. Harrison was also not giving up and as the laps wound down he was able to mount one final challenge for second. This allowed Feger to open the smallest of cushions and he increased his series points lead with the win. Unzicker held on over Harrison  in the battle for second, while Jackson Jr. and twelfth starting Bob Gardner rounded out the top five. Kye Blight flirted with a top five before coming home in sixth,followed by sixteenth starting Burwell, and eighteenth starting Brian Diveley. But it was twenty first starting Joseph Hughs who picked up the $200 hard charger bonus even though he was last in the running order. White was credited with tenth. 

   Following the lengthy post race festivities, UMP Modifieds lined up for twenty laps. Although we had not yet hit the 9:30 hour, we were pleased with what we had seen, so at the next caution flag we headed for the parking lot. Apparently we missed a battle for the win, as Tim Luttrell came from row three to top heat two winner Cody Zobrist, Blakeman, heat one winner Zach Taylor, and Audrey Gerberding for top honors. The Zobrist and Taylor names (and numbers) look quite familiar so I can only assume there is another generation to carry on great family traditions!

   Megan Irwin bested the Street Stock field in front of heat winners Rudy Zaragoza and Terry Reed, with Jake Powers Jarret Duff also scoring top fives.

   Thanks to former Quincy Raceways and current Jacksonville Speedway promoter Kenny Dobson and his staff for their hospitality.

   The rest of the weekend will find us in familiar territory for more special events. Tonight, Lee County Speedway in Donnellson will stage a rare Saturday night mid summer event with another IMCA Late Model Drive for Five $1,000 to win headlining a seven class program including the unique American Iron Racing Series.  And on Sunday, Adams County,Il. Speedway in Quincy will feature the MARS Modified series with a $2,000 to win main event along with Crate Late Models, IMCA Sport Mods, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinder Compacts. We hope to see you at one or both of these shows!

  

Elston, Becerra, Zaragoza, Cumby, and Delonjay Grab Quincy Checkers

    Sunday found us back at Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy for another installment of the King of the Crates Late Model Special paying a cool $1,000 to the feature winner. In addition, UMP Modifieds, IMCA Northern Sport Mods, and non sanctioned Street Stocks and 4 Cylinder Compacts would fill out the line up. 

   Despite a less than encouraging forecast, the rain moved south, the skies cleared, and it was a beautiful evening to be at the track. Both car counts and attendance may have been affected by that same forecast, but still a solid count of seventy race teams signed in topped by nineteen UMP Modifieds. 

   Several of those Modifieds cracked the fourteen second mark in time trials, with Dave Weitholder leading the way with a quick lap of 13.830 seconds. A combination of draw and point invert for Sport Mods would set the heat race lineups for the remaining classes, and those eleven qualifying events clicked off in good time, marred by a three DQs in the Compact division.

   Following a lengthy intermission during which the track was regroomed it was the Street Stocks coming to the track to kick off feature action. Four drivers were racing for the first time in 2023, giving us eleven competitors battling for fifteen laps. Sage Martin and traveler Ryan Arnett sat on row one, with Arnett leading the way early. Following a lap two caution, defending track champion Rudy Zaragoza moved to second, then he pounded the cushion to the lead on lap five. Rudy narrowly avoided disaster twelve laps in when Wes Mayfield, out for the first time this year, lost the handle on his #21M as the leader attempted to put him a lap down. Despite solid contact, Zaragoza kept his car rolling to maintain the lead even as the yellow flag wiped out his big advantage. Zaragoza took off as racing resumed, cruising to the win. Arnett rebounded to nip Jake Powers at the line for second while Martin and Brandon Boden completed the top five.   

  Late Models would be next, all fourteen entrants going for twenty laps. Tommy Elston and Denny Woodworth paced the field with Elston using the inside line to pull away from second running Jason Perry. Elston held a comfortable lead until he came upon three cars racing for position further back in the field. As he patiently picked his way around that trio, Perry was able to close the gap considerably. Finally Elston cleared the #42 of Patrick Shumaker and with no cautions to slow the action, he held a several car length margin as he drove to the win for the second time in two weeks. Perry was strong in second with Jamie Wilson third. Rookie Christian Miles gained five positions for a career best fourth followed by Woodworth. Braden Bilger led the second five, topping Sam Halstead, first time visitor Shaun Horstmann, Shumaker, and Jason Oenning. 

   Weitholder and Rick Conoyer led eighteen Modifieds to the green for eighteen laps. Austen Becerra chased those two, moving to third on lap four, then clearing Conoyer for second two laps later. Weitholder had opened a sizable lead, but a lap eight caution brought him back to the pack. A turn four jam up on the restart brought another yellow, then a red flag as two cars were hooked together. After a considerable delay as the cars were separated the race would stay green the rest of the way. Weitholder was committed to the high line while Becerra drove around the inside tire barrier, and the two top contenders ran side by side lap after lap. With twelve in the books Becerra finally nosed ahead out of turn four then slowly added to his lead all the way to the checkers. Meanwhile Mike Vanderiet Jr. and Conoyer staged their own side by side battle for third, with Vanderiet claiming the spot. Siloam Springs, Arkansas visitor Willie Gammill rounded out the top five. 

   It was another caution plagued Sport Mod feature, with six stoppages during the eighteen laps resulting first in a single file restart, then the time limit invoked. Amazingly, once the drivers were told over the raceceivers that time had expired, the final five laps went caution free. Patrick Phillips was the early leader, with first Josh Holtman, then Logan Cumby in pursuit. At the halfway mark Cumby was able to muscle inside Philips to the lead in turn four just ahead of three quick yellows. Reed Wolfmeyer advanced from row four to second during those three restarts before losing the spot to high flying Adam Birck in the closing laps. Ninth starting Tanner Klingele and Holtman also scored top five finishes. 

   Compacts would round out the action, with only eight cars left to battle for fifteen circuits. With Jeffery Delonjay lining up outside row one, the only battles for position would occur behind him. Fellow front row starter Landon Neisen chased Delonjay early before Dyllan Bonk powered to second on lap four. With Bonk solidly in second and the laps winding down, the power plant in his #2B apparently gave up with just two laps to go , a cloud of smoke billowing behind his ride. Neisen then crossed the line in second in front of Kimberly Abbott, Jeremy Carroll, and Jimmy Dutlinger. 

   The final checkers waved just ahead of 9:30.

   Next Sunday night the MARS Modified Series will roll into the Bullring, with a $2,000 to win event. along with Crate Late Models, Street Stocks, Sport Mods, and 4 Cylinders.

Racing Beats the Rain At LCS on Free Admission Night

    Friday night the folks at Kohlmorgan Hauling in Keokuk stepped up to offer free grandstand admission to the weekly program at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Racing fans turned out in large numbers despite a somewhat sketchy weather forecast, and there was a solid turnout of race teams rolling through the pit gate. Vintage cars joined the regular five division card consisting of the four IMCA classes, Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Sport Mods along with non sanctioned Sport Compacts.

   Track officials indicated before the show started that they planned to roll quickly through the program, and true to their word, all but the vintage finals wrapped up before 9:45, beating whatever rain may have come around later. 

   Davenport Speedway was hit by rain, with their program cancelling as cars were checking in, and LCS promoter Brian Gaylords' phone lit up with a trio of Late Model competitors letting him know they were heading south hoping to make it to Donnellson before feature time. With Late Models moved to last in the regular class running order, all three made it in time to take their heat race starting spots. One Compact racer was also on the lineup board, but apparently never completed the trip. 

  Vintage heats were not yet complete before the first feature, Sport Mods, was called to staging. The turnout in this class was a bit light, perhaps the ominous forecast held all counts down some, but a dozen cars lined up for eighteen laps. Jim Gillenwater and Brandon Lambert sat on row one, with Logan Cumby slipping to second behind Gillenwater as lap one was scored. John Oliver Jr. charged from row four to ease past Cumby for second on lap two, and the front duo soon put distance on the pack. Gillenwater maintained a nice lead as the laps clicked off, but Oliver was able to move to his rear bumper before bobbling slightly in turn two twelve laps in. At the same time, Reed Wolfmeyer, Nicholas Profeta, and Brandon Dale were locked in an intense battle behind the top three. Oliver recovered and nosed his #55 to the inside of the leader on the white flag lap, but Gillenwater held on to pick up the win in the non stop event. Oliver Jr., Cumby, Profeta, Dale, and Wolfmeyer came next. Kudos to Josh Holtman, who committed a rare spin early on but kept his #5 rolling to avoid a caution!

   Thankfully and wisely, victory lane celebrations were kept to a minimum, and right away all but Rex Widmer of thirteen cars took the Modified feature green for eighteen circuits. Matt Diaz and Mitch Boles brought the field to green, with fourth starting Blaine Webster leading Boles early. Heat winners Austen Becerra and Denny Eckrich lined up in row five of the points invert, but Becerra was in the top five by the end of lap two. The first of an unfortunate five caution flags came on lap three, and back to racing Becerra jumped to third and Eckrich climbed to fifth. Following another yellow, Becerra drove to the front on lap eight using the inside line. Eckrich continued his charge, gaining third by the halfway mark. With seven to go, it was near disaster on the backstretch, as Brian Reed looked to be heading to the pits and may have heard a warning on his raceceiver, as he suddenly stopped in front of the leaders. Fortunately, there was no contact ahead of the caution. Eckrich moved to second on the restart but was soon locked in an intense side by side battle with Webster for second. A final stoppage as the white flag waved set up a green, white, checkers finish. Beccera stayed in control for the win, chased by Eckrich, Webster, Mark Burgtorf, and Bill Roberts Jr. 

   Now it would be Stock Cars, eleven strong for another eighteen lapper. Part of the nights' sponsor, Neal Kohlmorgan paced lap one before a yellow flag restart saw fifth starting Chad Krogmeier grab the lead. With two laps down, Beau Taylor and Derrick Agee suddenly spun together in turn four to bring a caution. Oddly, only Taylor went to the tail, with Agee realigning in second. Back to racing tenth starting Oliver Jr. advanced to third. Soon we had a three car scrum between Krogmeier, Agee, and Oliver. As Oliver nosed inside Agee for second, Krogmeier opened a bit of a cushion. With just two to go, Oliver moved to the rear bumper of the #12, then once again catfished inside the leader in turn three coming to the white flag. Oliver Jr. then completed a successful evening with another Stock Car victory. Krogmeier led sixteen laps, but settled for second ahead of Agee, Jason Cook, and Jeremy Pundt. 

   Twelve Sport Compacts would battle for fifteen trips around the three eighths mile D shaped oval. Josh Barnes sat on the pole, took off at the green flag, and led all the way. Only one yellow flag slowed the action. Dyllan Bonk cleared an early three wide battle for the runner up position. Barry Taft took up the chase, with Kimberly Abbott and Chevy Barnes dueling behind Bonk as the race went past halfway. With Bonk slipping back a bit, Barnes was on cruise control all the way to the checkers. Taft, Abbott, Chevy Barnes, and Luke Fraise completed the top five. 

   Sixteen IMCA Late Models would wrap up regular racing, going for twenty five laps on the ultra smooth, slick, multi groove surface. Ray Raker set the pace early in front of third starting C. J. Horn and Sean Johnson. Horn moved to first and Johnson took up the chase in second on lap five as Tommy Elston in fourth and Andy Nezworski in sixth began to pick off cars. The lone caution came for debris with nine laps scored. Raker rebounded to battle with Johnson for second as racing resumed, even as Horn began to pull well ahead. With just ten laps remaining, Johnson finally cleared Raker for second, then tried to close on the leader as Elston powered to third. But this race belonged to Horn, who won for the third time in 2023 at LCS. Johnson was solid in second while Elston settled in third. Nezworski crossed the line in fourth while Denny Woodworth completed the top five. Raker fell to sixth, chased by double duty Jeremy Pundt, visiting Evan Miller, Sam Halstead, and Christian Miles.

   Thanks to the ultra competent staff at LCS for a solid night of racing under tough conditions. An important note for Donnellson fans, there will be no racing next Friday as the track will be in action on Saturday, July 22, instead. Also racing will kick off one hour earlier, check LCS social media for details!

Davenport Number One at ...Davenport

   Tuesday evening the Lucas Oil Late Model Series made their yearly stop at Ricky and Brenda Kays' Davenport Speedway. The 2022 version of this race was one of the recent classics at the quarter mile oval, with Hudson Oneal back to defend his win, now the Rocket House Car driver for the Mark Richards Racing team.   

   Thirty one other drivers had the same idea, checking in alongside sixteen IMCA Late Models and a bit less than expected fifteen IMCA Modifieds.

   It was a warm and humid early evening when we arrived at the track, with temps soon falling into the comfortable range. Once again, Kay and his team had the oval in excellent racing condition, even as turns one and two became a veritable land mine in qualifying, with the developing cushion mere inches from the top. In fact in one sequence which brought a roar from the considerable gathering, all three time trial competitors on the track at the same time followed each other three wheeling it over the top. "If your friend jumped off the bridge, would you do it to?" was ringing in my ears!

  Once the eventful qualifying sessions were ended, Devin Moran set atop the board with a quick lap of 13.330 seconds, about a tenth and a half off the track record. 

   Heat races winners in both Late Model classes came from the pole position until the final one when the high flying youngster from Pennsylvania, Drake Troutman rolled around the top of the oval to grab the win after lining up in row two. His "devil may care" style has quickly made him a budding fan favorite here in the mid west. In a stroke of misfortune, area favorite Chad Simpson was running in a transfer position in heat two, dove to the inside of turn three on the final lap looking to gain a position, appeared to lose the handle and rolled to a stop with his #25. Chad was then the only no show for the B main, his night ending early. It was a tough break for the Iowa racer who has already recorded an MLRA series win at the track back in April. 

   Eric Barnes from row one and sixth starting Matt Werner captured Modified heats before pole sitter Frank Heckenast Jr. topped the six cars moving to the money race in the Lucas Oil B main.

   All sixteen IMCA Late Models would then line up for twenty five trips around the banked quarter mile. While pole sitter Nick Marolf jumped ahead at the green, it was fifth starting Joe Beal in front as lap one was scored. Marolf then retook the spot one lap later, but as lap three went in the books, it was now seventh starting Andy Nezworski in charge. As Nez began to stretch his lead, the front cars all settled in around the bottom groove except Justin Kay , who set out trying the high line. He reentered the top five after initially falling back from a row two start, then fell to sixth as the lone caution came for Matt Ryan with ten laps down. Mike Goben began the race in row six, but was the man on the move on the restart, powering to third, while Kay followed in fourth. But it was Nezworski and Beal separating from the pack as the laps wound down. Slower traffic came into play with four to go, but the veteran Nezworski used the back markers to increase his lead. Andy picked up the win, trailed by Beal, Goben, Kay, and Marolf. Jaden Fryer ran next in front of East Moline Speedway promoter Chuck Hanna, third generation racer C.J. Horn, Chance Huston, and Ryan. 

   The obligatory "farming" session then took place, once again successfully leaving us with a multi groove surface for the $10,000 to win forty lap headliner.

   Heat one and three winners, Moran and Jonathon Davenport brought the field of twenty four to the delayed green as officials gave several laps to Tyler Bruening who ducked to the work area during parade laps, trying without success to remedy an unknown issue with his #16. As racing began, Moran led Davenport and heat two winner Ricky Thornton Jr. through lap one. Davenport then took over for five circuits, with Moran riding the top of the track back to the lead on lap six. With Davenport back in front, the lone caution came a dozen laps in, with fifth running Chris Simpson exiting the track. Thornton used the Delaware restart to grab second, and followed Davenport as they put distance on the pack. Traffic became a factor just past the halfway point, but J.D. was seemingly on cruise control. With the laps quickly winding down, it was now eighth starting Hudson Oneal gaining ground as he closed on Thornton for second. He took the spot on lap thirty and soon began to gain on the leader. But with no further cautions he soon ran out of laps, as Davenport closed the deal by several car lengths. Thornton and Oneal followed, while hard charging Brian Shirley picked his way from the sixteenth starting spot to a solid top five. Garrett Alberson wheeled the 'hometown" Roberts Motorsports entry home in sixth, topping Tim McCreadie, Brandon Overton, Troutman, and Max Blair.  

   Following the made for T.V. post race hoopla, Modifieds lined up for twenty laps to close out the show. National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Jeff Aikey shot to the early lead, taking along young Charlie Mohr and Jordon Hicks. The yellow flag waved for Mohr, who looped his #99 two laps in. A second and final caution came on the restart as Bill Roberts Jr. slowed on the backstretch. Sixth starting Werner drove to the runner up spot as racing resumed, and on lap four cleared Aikey for the lead. Mitch Morris rebounded to second with seven in the books. Werner was working the middle line of the still multi grooved surface as Morris scampered around the bottom and Aikey worked the top. Brad Dierks joined the battle for second, shadowing Morris in the low line. With eight laps to go, Aikey slipped, falling back a bit. But there would be no real challenge for Werner, as he cruised to the win. Dierks gained six spots as the runner up, followed by Morris, eleventh starting Scotte Lemke, and a rebounding Aikey, as a scramble in the final laps made for some late position swaps. 

   As always, it was an efficient and enjoyable show at the historic speedway. Thanks again to Ricky and Brenda for their hospitality and to Chad for the shuttle service. We look forward to another visit to the track in two weeks, July 25, as the MARS Late Models come to town.

   Next up for yours truly will be the free admission night this Friday at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, as IMCA Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, and non sanctioned Sport Compacts along with vintage cars do battle. The track has been off for the past two weeks, so it is time to get your racing fix, and this week it is free to do so, courtesy of our friends at Kohlmorgan Hauling of Keokuk. So come on out, stop by and say "Hi!"

  

Elston Breaks Through, Rexing, Cottom, Birck, Delonjay Tops at Quincy

    After an eleven day mid season break hampered by a lingering sinus infection, I rejoined the racing world Sunday night at Adams County, Il. Speedway. With Street Stocks a late add from a scheduled night off, seventy four teams signed in for action, topped by eighteen UMP Modifieds.

   The only class using time trial qualifying, Rick Conoyer topped the leader board with a lap of 13.801 seconds. Dave Weitholder dove to the infield following his second qualifying lap with a puff of smoke from his #05 spelling disaster. Soon the multi time track champion was loaded up and headed for the shop, only to return before the end of heat racing with a back up race car. 

   With heat races and intermission out of the way, it was time for the five money events. The track had taken rubber early in the evening, shining black and smooth by feature time, and the added water only seem to drift down the banking of the mostly dust free surface. 

   Crate Late Models would run first with heat winners Tommy Elston and Jeremy Pundt lining up in row one. Elston quickly assumed the lead over Jason Oenning. By the halfway mark of the twenty lapper, the Keokuk, Iowa veteran had stretched his advantage to more than a full straightaway. Just five laps from the checkers, the yellow flag waved for a Darren Cawthon spin, bringing Tommy back to the pack. In his first visit to the track in 2023, Pundt used the Delaware restart to charge to second, while defending track champion Denny Woodworth rebounded from an ordinary fifth place run by vaulting to third, then overtaking Pundt for second. Two more laps were scored before a second caution, but Elston remained well in control, finally, in his words, getting the monkey off his back, with I believe  his first feature win of 2023. Woodworth held off Pundt for second, trailed by Oenning and Braden Bilger. A late race shake up saw Darin Weisinger Jr. come home in sixth followed by Jeff Dotzert, Cody Maguire, Christian Miles, and Derek Hollenstine. 

   UMP Mods would be up next for eighteen laps. Two of the heat winners, St. Louis area racers Conoyer and Jacob Rexing sat on the front row, while heat three winner Austen Becerra powered to second behind Conoyer on the start. Rexing moved to the lead on lap two, then he and Becerra ran side by side, lap after lap after lap, Becerra around the tires and Rexing in the middle line. As the pair battled hard, Chris Spalding came from row three looking for a seat at the table. Soon a recharged Conoyer and Mark Burgtorf joined the five car party up front. Four laps from the finish, in a rare mistake Becerra went off the track bringing out the yellow flag sending him to the tail. Conoyer then moved to second before a final caution one lap later for Drake Stevenson. The final three lap restart was single file, with Rexing driving off for the $1,000 payday. Conoyer topped Spalding and Burgtorf, while Becerra rebounded to complete the top five, and Weitholder wheeled his back up ride from row eight to sixth. 

   Fifteen 4 cylinders checked in, with all but two coming to the track for fifteen circuits. Again it was heat winners Kimberly Abbott and Jimmy Dutlinger setting up front. They were quickly joined by Jeffery Delonjay, who moved to second behind the well traveled Dutlinger on lap two. Meanwhile Abbott, Landon Neisen, and Dyllan Bonk waged a tight battle for third before Bonk suddenly exited the track on lap five as Delonjay grabbed the lead. A single caution came with ten in the books for a grinding crash that left Doug White with a badly damaged ride. The Delaware restart presented no problems for Delonjay, who cruised to his fifth Adams County win of the season. It was a four car scramble behind Jeffery, with Neisen showing speed in moving to second. Spencer Coats was involved in a heat race crash, started twelfth on the grid, then charged to third at the checkers. Dutlinger fell to fourth, with Jaden Delonjay coming on late to claim fifth. 

   A season high twelve Street Stocks signed in, with several first timers in the field. But it was two familiar faces, heat winners Rudy Zaragoza and Robert Cottom pacing the fifteen lapper. A first lap spin by Kale Foster set up an original restart, with Rudy and Robert setting off in a side by side duel. Cottom eased ahead on lap two, gradually stretching his margin by the mid race mark. The yellow flag flew with eight laps down as Ryan Aden was unable to clear the speedway. With the race back to green for one lap, point leader Jake Powers drove to second. One more lap and the caution came for a spin by rookie driver Hunter Bergen who was making his first Quincy start. A red flag waved two laps later as two cars came together in turn three and there was a brief delay as the ambulance was called to the pit area. All this was merely a momentary delay for Cottom, who picked up the win over Powers, Zaragoza, Sage Martin, and Alan Cottom. 

   IMCA Northern Sport Mods would round out the show, fifteen cars for eighteen laps. The IMCA invert saw Josh Holtman and Quinton Shelton leading the charge to green. Holtman grabbed the top spot, with heat winner Logan Cumby in pursuit. Following a lap two caution for debris, seventh starting Adam Birck moved to the runner up spot. Birck then used the high line to take the lead ahead of a lap five stoppage. One more lap brought another yellow, and now it was point leader Tanner Klingele on the move, taking third after lining up in row five. Two more cautions slowed the action, but Birck stayed in control, picking up his second ACS checkers of the year. Holtman was impressive with a season best second, while first heat winner A. J. Tournear made a late charge to third, topping Cumby and Reed Wolfmeyer, Klingele falling to sixth.  

  The final checkers waved ahead of the 9:30 hour. 

   It was announced that the MLRA event at the track, rained out last Sunday, has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 12 ahead of the two night championship finale at Tri City Speedway, Pontoon Beach, Illinois. 

   With an eye on the weather, next up for us will be the Lucas Oil Late Model event tomorrow, Tuesday at Ricky and Brenda Kays' Davenport Speedway, where IMCA Late Models and IMCA Modifieds will fill out an outstanding night of racing. Hope to see you there!