Turkey Bowl Puts a Wrap on 2024

    Saturday we wrapped up our 2024 racing season with our annual pilgrimage to Springfield, Mo. Raceway for the final night of the 18th annual Turkey Bowl. B and A mains for the Midwest Mods, B Mods, A Mods, and Legends, plus a full show for open Late Models would make up a very full card of action in front of a large crowd. Only the Late Models would hot lap, kicking things off about 4:15 on what would slowly become anticipated chilly conditions. At least that is what was on the schedule. But checking once more after arriving in town, hot laps had been pushed back one hour. Perhaps the bright sunshine and stiff breeze would have made track prep more challenging, but whatever the reason, we were gifted with a smooth and fast racing surface helped along by several spritzes of water and a couple of somewhat lengthy "farming" sessions. The good news is there was side by side racing all night long with plenty of passing. The bad news is with 277 cars checked in for the evening, the thirty two race program (complete with a fireworks display!) took about eight hours to complete, with the final checkers waving about 1:12 A.M., leaving us well chilled, but happy. And, hey, we were racing in November! With three other classes having wrapped up competition on Thursday or Friday, the forty nine Super Late Models signed in swelled the weekend car count to a record 404 cars in this the eighteenth year of what had became known as the Turkey Bowl!

   If I may be permitted  small criticisms, I do think the twenty two B main qualifiers could have been staged with fewer laps. Twelve circuits for Legends and Midwest Mods, fifteen for the other divisions seemed a bit long, and having qualified only eight feature starters in the five Late Model heats  (as well as the other classes on prior nights) also seemed a bit light. On the plus side, the vastly improved track lighting, upgraded speaker system and parking attendants were steps in a positive direction. 

   But now, on to the racing. With all qualifying and a brief intermission in the books, twenty four Legend cars would run the first feature, twenty laps around the quick quarter mile. Chance Gilbert would lead the first seven laps after his pole start. Just as Glenn Mitchell grabbed the lead, the first caution came for a spinning Gilbert. Row six starter Jackson Lewis would charge to the front on the restart, while Trenton Simon and Sean Johnson locked in a tight battle for second. A second and final yellow came with five laps to go, but Lewis was not to be denied, making the long tow from Lakeville, Minnesota pay off, collecting the unique Turkey Bowl trophy and getting to set off a firework, as did each feature winner. Simon won the fight for second ahead of Johnson, Mitchell, and Ty Olson. 

   Twenty Midwest A class cars came out next for twenty laps. Mike Striegel started on the pole and was well out front working the inside line. As the race came to the mid point and the leader approached slower traffic, Mark Simon suddenly slowed, bringing out the yellow flag and ending his top five run. Back under green, ninth starting Pete Richardson used the Delaware Style restart to jump from third to the runner up position and began to hound the leader. With the leaders working the low line, Jerad McIntire took his #9X to the cushion, moving quickly to third. As the pack came through the final set of turns to the checkers, McIntire made a final charge, but slipped off the tricky cushion, recovering to cross the line in fifth. However, he apparently did not survive post race tech, earning a DQ. The final rundown had Striegel with the win followed by Richardson, Daniel Anders, Ben Newell, and JC Newell. 

   Track work was followed by the A Mod thirty lapper, twenty cars strong. The star studded field saw Kyle Steffens outrun his row one mate Zack VanderBeek and row two starters Kenny Wallace and Terry Phillips to turn one. On lap six Phillips moved to third ahead of a yellow flag, and he then took second on the Delaware restart. VanderBeek returned the favor following another stoppage with a dozen laps scored. Again the caution came at lap fourteen, and now it was Phillips moving once more to second. California transplant Trevor Fitz was now on the move to fourth after lining up in row six while Chase Holland used the high line to enter the top five. Phillips worked close around the tall inside berm while Steffens preferred a middle groove in the nip and tuck battle. Steffens held the lead by inches with six laps remaining, but Phillips nosed ahead the following trip across the line. In the closing circuits, the second generation hometown star increased his lead, and as the checkers flew it was Phillips scoring his fifth Turkey Bowl crown. Steffens would settle for second in front of VanderBeek, a late charge by Darin Duffy, and Wallace. 

   Another rework of the surface preceded $6,064 to win Late Model headliner. Forty nine entrants had been whittled down to twenty for thirty laps of action. Daniel Hilsabeck and Dillon McCowan brought the field to green. Tony Jackson Jr. followed Hilsabeck as lap one was scored while Justin Zeitner and Ryan Gustin trailed McCowan in the first five. With a lap three restart, McCowan and Gustin took up the chase. Gustin would bring out another yellow as he slowed nine laps in, his run finished. As the green flag waved once again, Jackson Jr. jumped the cushion and was shuffled all the way back to tenth. Logan Martin had started in eleventh, but he powered to third ahead on lap twenty, one circuit before another stoppage for Hilsabeck, who had a tire go down nine laps from payday. McCowan would inherit the lead and survive one more caution on lap twenty three. From there he would cruise to the win, besting Martin, Louisiana driver Clayton Stuckey, Zeitner, and hard charging and row nine starter Dustin Hodges. Hilsabeck was able to bounce back to run sixth, topping Rich Bell, Kylan Garner, Scott Crigler, and John Briggs. 

   B Mods would wrap up the night and the season after seventy six entrants were pared down to twenty for twenty five laps. Pole sitter Ryan Gilmore led early, passed by Glenn Styres ahead of a major pileup that brought out a red flag three laps in. Colson Kirk would grab the front position as racing resumed, pulling well ahead before a second caution with eight in the books. Logan Anderson drove from fifth to second on the restart taking along fellow Iowan Brayton Carter. Talan Willis was working near the front before going over the top of turn four just after the halfway mark to bring a final yellow. Carter would take over the top spot with nine laps to go, pulling away to collect the Turkey in his first visit to Springfield. Kirk finished second, chased by Anderson, Gilmore, and twelfth starting Logan Hickerson from Linden, Tennessee. 

   Before the short trip to our hotel was complete, we were well along with plans for Turkey Bowl XIX in 2025!

   As I type on Monday morning, a pair of phone calls informed me that shockingly Lucas Oil has decided to shut down the iconic MLRA series as of today. This will certainly shake up the mid west Late Model landscape in ways we hesitate to hazard a guess! So grab the popcorn and hold on!

   Although the Racin' Down the Road tour is probably complete for 2024, there is still one major mid west event to go, the indoor Gateway Dirt Nationals at the Dome in St. Louis December 5-7. When that is in the books, we will follow with our 2024 season recap and perhaps a look ahead to 2025. Stay tuned!

Honoring the 2024 Hall of Famers

    Our racing experience this weekend was a bit different. Along with my friend Fred, I was fortunate to be able to attend the annual Iowa Dirt Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This event took place in Webster City, where fourteen very deserving persons received such a special honor. Being present as my good friend and Positively Racing colleague Jeff Broeg delivered his acceptance speech was a highlight of the evening. I have followed and admired Jeffs' media contributions since his teenage days with Hawkeye Racing News, being fortunate to spend the last nearly fifteen years playing a small part on this site, one of his many successful ventures.

   Among the other inductees were a couple of gentlemen for whom I have plenty of admiration. Lynn Richard had a long career as a successful dirt track racer before taking the reins as a co promoter of the struggling dirt track on the Lee County Fairgrounds in Donnellson, Iowa in the 1990s. In short order under his watch, Lynn turned the track into a Saturday night racing destination. Along the way he was a patient and generous employer for many racing enthusiasts, including my son, Brent, who offered up his media skills after working as a writer for Broeg as a teenage racing fan. 

   Doug Haack is likely the most in demand flagman in the state of Iowa, working regular gigs four nights per week in addition to many special events.  More than just waving the sticks, Doug is a no nonsense, take charge field general from his perch above the track, while maintaining respect and friendship from the racers he directs. Although I only met Doug a few years ago, I consider him a part of my racing family. And by the way, he has an awesome collection of photographs from the "old" days of mid west racing.

   Growing up in Keokuk, once known as the "Racing Capital of the World," it is somewhat ironic that I never got to personally know one of my Hometown Heros. Ron Hutcherson was the younger brother of Dick, both being a few years older than yours truly. I spent more than a few nights watching Ron follow in his big brothers footsteps as a force on the Tri State area dirt before heading to the "big time" of ARCA and NASCAR. Ron was inducted posthumously in 2024, having past away just a couple of years ago. 

   Ten other individuals were admitted to the hall on this very special night before a packed house. It was my first time to attend the ceremony, and I look forward to hopefully doing so again. Thanks, Jeff, for the invitation, and congratulations to all the members, past and present.

   Weather permitting, we have one more race on our schedule, the Turkey Bowl at Springfield, Mo. Raceway in two weeks. This is an event we look forward to each season, and if you are so inclined, bundle up and join us there!

Twenty Five Years of Shiverfest in the Books

    With cool temps we felt right at home as the Shiverfest event at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson continued a tradition that began in 1999 as the Grand Millenium Finale before transitioning to Shiverfest the following year. A Halloween celebration for the youngsters as well as a nightcap for Iowa racing, it is a melting pot of competitors from far and wide, including states as far away as Wyoming. Under first year promoters Neal Kohlmorgan and Patrick Profeta, the highly anticipated Hay rack Rides, front stretch Trick or Treating from the gathered race teams, and Box Car Races for the youngsters continued, and oh, by the way, there would be seven divisions of competitive racing!

   One hundred thirty seven cars would be the final tally, a mixture ranging from sixteen Late Models to twenty eight Sport Mods / B Mods.

   Heat race action clicked off in quick fashion, and it was a welcome turn to see qualifying events with as many as ten cars involved, creating some real racing for redraw positions. 

   Intermission included the Box Car Races and some track work, as the late week rain left the three eighths mile oval with a bit of "character," particularly between turns one and two. In fact, most of the caution periods throughout the night began with competitors failing to navigate that set of turns successfully!

   Feature racing began with the American Iron Racing Series rolling out for fifteen laps. Robin Atkins would grab the lead in the early laps, then hold off first Doak Allen Jr., who retired early, then Bart Miller, to notch the win. Atkins pilots a 1967 Ford Fairlane. In fact, the top five finishers were all wheeling FoMoCo products.

   A solid field of twenty Stock Cars signed in, with all but two lining up for twenty laps. John Oliver Jr. has sold his 2024 machine, but was behind the wheel of the Chad Krogmeier #12. Oliver redrew the pole position, then took off, leading row one mate Andrew Burk in an early two car race. The lone yellow flag came on lap four when Leremy Jackson spun on the back chute and had the nose of his #35LJ ripped apart. Back under green, heat one winner Tony Olson in the Kaden Reynolds #1 charged to the runner up spot as Oliver began to put distance on the field. Dustin Griffiths would drive to third on lap seven before giving way to heat two winner Keegan Wells with four laps remaining. Meanwhile, Oliver Jr. would cruise to the win, besting Olson, Wells, Griffiths, and Burk. 

   Cyle Hawkins claimed heat one in the Compact division, started on the pole of the fifteen lap feature, and drove on to win number one hundred of his 4 Cylinder career. Four yellow flags would slow the action, mostly for debris. Three drivers would trade the runner up spot and take a run at Hawkins, who had built a commanding lead ahead of the final yellow flag with just four laps remaining. Josh Barnes, Spencer Coats, and Chuck Fullenkamp had all held the second position throughout the race, and they would follow Hawkins across the line in that order, with Tim Schnathorst holding off heat two winner Michael Snyder for fifth. Top contender Travis Demint was the only one of the eighteen signed in to miss the feature call. 

   Wisconsin visitor Lance Mish was unable to answer the bell in the Late Model twenty five lapper. The two most dominant drivers at the speedway, pole sitter Austen Becerra and third starting heat two winner Tommy Elston would shoot to the front at the drop of the green. Heat one winner Jeremiah Hurst, wheeling the Joel Callahan #40 would power around rookie Jackson Frankel for third before Frankel looped his ride in turn two on lap three, bringing out the yellow. On the restart, Dubuque hot shoe Ron Klein grabbed third away from Hurst. Elston continued to stalk Becerra, and they crossed the line nearly side by side as lap five was scored. Becerra was still in control, but he smacked the guard rail on lap seven, badly damaging the spoiler on his #22, allowing Elston to take over the top spot. Now Hurst was again on the move, charging to third on lap nine, then second one lap later. With Becerra falling back in his now ill handling car, Klein took third on lap eleven. When the caution came at lap twelve for debris, Becerra decided to call it a night. Back to racing it was Elston and Hurst in a tight battle, with Jeremiah moving to the front on lap fourteen, as eighth starting C. J. Horn advanced to third. One last caution came on the next circuit for a Dustin Smith spin, and Klein retired at that point with front end issues. As the green flag waved once again, Hurst opened a sizable advantage, and with just three laps left Horn cleared Elston for second. Jeremy Pundt drove a steady race to claim fourth, while Frankel rebounded to fifth, nipping veteran Iron Man Darrel Defrance. Smith bounced back to seventh ahead of Austin Poage and Jerry Johnson. Klein was credited with tenth.  

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for the twenty seven Sport Mod / B Mods able to make the call, with Jason Riegel absent. A yellow on the opening lap was followed by four more as several cars had issues on the challenging track. Hazel Green, Wisconsin ace Jason Roth took off from the pole with outside row one starter Brandon Lennox in pursuit. With two laps and three cautions in the books, Dylan VanWyk moved to second. Roth opened a several car length lead, but struggled a bit as he caught a slower car at lap nine. A timely yellow flag created an open track ahead, but Van Wyk powered to the high line and cleared Roth for the lead ten laps in. Dylan then stretched his margin, while Lennox came charging back to second. One final yellow set up a two lap, single file restart, with an excited VanWyk holding on for the win. Lennox claimed second, while double duty Tony Olson ( one of several racing multiple classes), finished third. Tanner Klingele came on strong late, advancing five spots to fourth, topping Jarrett Franzen and a fading Roth. Lennox, Franzen, and Reed Wolfmeyer claimed heat wins. 

   Hobby Stocks turned out sixteen entries. Back to racing after a twenty year layoff, Harley Hill could not make the call for the feature, along with Derek Kirkland, who took a vicious multiple time rollover in his heat race after apparently clipping a tractor tire in turn two. Jason Schutterle led Daniel Campbell early, with undefeated track champion Dustin Griffiths charging to third on lap two. It took just two more trips around the oval for Griffiths to move to the lead and set off on his own. Meanwhile there were good battles behind the leader, as cars raced multiple grooves around the oval. Griffiths held a full straightaway lead before the only stoppage came three circuits short of the fifteen lap distance when a small fire erupted underneath the #H2O of Daniel Wauters. As racing resumed, Griffiths drove on the victory, declaring in the winners' circle it was his fifty second checkers in two divisions this season!Tucker Richardson had the drive of the night, gaining a dozen spots to finish second. followed by Tom Killen Jr., Campbell, and thirteenth starting James Pilkington. Heat winners were Jeremy Dooley and Griffiths.

   The finale of the night and the season was the twenty lap Modified money race for the twenty four car field ( featuring long distance traveler Daniel Miller, Bar Nunn, Wyoming!) Again, the open wheel cars seemed to have extra trouble on the night, with three yellow flags in the first two laps. But the green light would then remain on until the closing laps. Denny Eckrich would lead heat two winner Mark Schulte, then Blaine Webster early, with Schulte back to second and first heat winner Becerra moving from row four to third on lap three. Becerra got a strong run off turn four as lap eight was completed, taking second at the line, then powering to the lead down the front straightaway. Austen was soon in heavy traffic, but was moving through seemingly effortlessly. But four laps from the finish, his #22 showed a broken left front end, with the tire and wheel unable to turn. He was able to muscle the car around the track, but with just three circuits left, the caution flag would wave. Lining up behind the leader, Schulte would take second from Eckrich on the restart, but Becerra remained out front. Then coming to the white flag, Austen nearly lost the handle in turn four, with Schulte and Eckrich making it a three car battle. Somehow Becerra held on for the final lap, a dramatic finish to say the least. Eckrich and Schulte followed, chased by heat three winner Kurt Kile, who came back from an early spin to finish fourth. Garrett Wilson would round out the top five. 

   It was exciting racing, with good turnouts in all classes on a cool but enjoyable Saturday night, made special spent with racing friends from far and wide. Thanks to Neal, Patrick, and everyone at LCS for a seasons' worth of hospitality and a plan for more of the same in 2025!

  Next up, we will journey to Webster City, Iowa to celebrate the much deserved  induction into the Iowa Dirt Racing Hall of Fame of my good friend and Positively Racing, All Iowa Points founder, Jeff Broeg. Then, weather permitting, we have at least one more event on our racing calendar, the Turkey Bowl at Springfield, Mo. Speedway in mid November. If you have not been there, it is worth the trip, but dress warm!

New Tracks a Highlight of Racin' Down the Road

    While the Tri State area race tracks that I have called home, some for sixty years or more, represent my "happy place," every so often it is fun to search out new to me venues. So once or twice per season - often early spring or fall - we take a look at the bucket list and plan an adventure. And when Jeff Broeg offers to do the driving duties, how can I refuse! This spring the road took us to Park Jefferson Speedway, just across the Iowa border into South Dakota, where we were lucky to find a few remaining seats out of the wind in the viewing tower. So after careful consideration the decision was made to head further south this time. 

   With a handful of options available, we decided to make our first stop at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Missouri for Heartland Modified Tour action supported by just one class, E Mods. The plan then was to move further south to Tri State Speedway in Pocola, Ok. for night number four of their annual "Spooker" event. While none  of these three tracks, would be new ones for Jeff, they still represent a chance to see a variety of drivers and facilities.

   Valley Speedway might generously be described as "rustic," but what happens on the track is what is most important, and the racing on what appears to be something close to a one third mile surface was top notch. Jeff has a detailed recap on the Backstretch, but the A Mod main event made the lengthy evening on a chilly night worth the trip. After a mostly uneventful Valley E Mod thirteen car feature won by Brian Meyer, twenty three of the thirty two USRA Modifieds on hand lined up for thirty laps. Paden Phillips shot from the outside pole to lead the first eighteen laps before fourth starting Tyler Hibner took control ahead of the second and final caution of the race. Hibner appeared to be in charge, but sixth starting Gunner Martin methodically moved to the front, and to the delight of the half dozen or so folks sitting around us, the Sugar Creek, Mo. driver squeezed past Hibner as they passed under the white flag. Martin then pulled away down the backstretch for the surprise win. Hibner, Minnesota visitor Keith Foss, Fulton, Mo. ace Ryan Middaugh, and tenth starting Kansas racer Tad Davis completed the first five. Nice visits with super fan Gary Lee and Heartland promoter Trenton Berry helped fill in the dead time, and we were still headed for our hotel before 10:00 P.M.

   Four hours down the road from Grain Valley I scored my first track in the state of Oklahoma. Tri State Speedway was very different from our Friday venue, a facility spread over many acres, all of which was needed for the two hundred seventeen race teams and thousands of spectators on hand for the final night of the four night 45th annual Spooker. Four of the six classes running on Saturday would race complete shows, while Factory Stocks and Stock Cars would contest only last chance races and features. Six B Modified heats and three heats each for twenty nine A Mods and twenty seven Late Models would click off with few cautions on the fast red dirt three eighths mile oval. Unfortunately we were not so lucky come B Main/LCQ time. By the time the qualifiers were complete, the clock had ticked past 11:00, and my joking comment of "intermission time" became a marathon. Front stretch redraws, a costume contest for the remaining youngsters, and track rework caused us to throw in the towel after thirty minutes or so. So unfortunately we were not around for the six main events, none of which had a lap scored before the bewitching hour. Still it was overall a fun time, even if a bit of time management would have definitely improved the experience on both nights!

   We still have a couple of shows on our 2024 schedule, starting this coming Saturday as the legendary Shiverfest event at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa takes center stage. As of now, the forecast looks great, but pro tip, it chills off fast when the sun goes down, so bring extra layers and say "Hi!" if you see us there!

Chad Simpson Is MLRA Champion, Marrant Wins ROY

   Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Il. was the site of championship night for the Lucas Oil MLRA Super Late Model series on Friday. Originally scheduled as a two night event, the Saturday finale was canceled by the promoters due to family issues. It has been a tough season for the Gundaker family run facility as they elected to switch from weekly racing to specials only in 2024 only to see many of their events fall victim to wet conditions. And now family illness will force their season to conclude one day early.  Ironically this second week in October would offer an unseasonably warm and dry day followed by a cool evening, great for late season racing. In addition, the points race has tightened considerably during the last few events, creating an exciting atmosphere in both the grandstands and the pits. The concluding race would pay $7,000 to win, with UMP Modifieds filling out the card with a $1,000 winners' share up for grabs. 

   With a modest field of twenty Super Late Models and twenty five Modifieds, we hoped for a quick show, but unfortunately that would not be the case. Heavy rains, remnants of Hurricane Helene created a soggy infield and a track with as they say "character," but other than perhaps a couple extra flat tires, that only made things a bit more interesting. The real culprit, apparently also blamed on the storms, was a malfunctioning timing loop, which caused qualifying to stretch well beyond the one hour mark. Early on in Modified hot lap/qualifying several cars were checked for transponder issues. ( Note to all tracks  that do time trial group qualifying :if you need to pull a car in to check the transponder, please pull the next in line out for time during the process. NO ONE wants dead time watching track personnel crawl under a car to do the check.) After Late Model driver Chris Fetter turned roughly eight qualifying laps it was decided to finish off the Late Models one at a time. Time trials finally wrapped up about 8:19, then three heat races in each division clicked off in just under thirty minutes. The announcement came that the MLRA thirty lap feature would be up first, but with their heat races just complete, we then had a thirty minute plus intermission as the headline class readied their machines.

   All but one, Adam Tischauser, lined up for the main event. Heat winners Tony Jackson Jr., Chris Simpson, Chad Simpson and fast timer Kayden Clatt would fill out the top two rows. In search of a third straight and fifth overall series championship, Chad would start the night atop the points while brother Chris held a slim five point advantage over Tony for second. All three were still on the hunt for the $20,000 championship payday. Chris would grab the early lead with Tony, Kayden and Chad in pursuit. Following a lap three caution Chad would move to third. Three more yellow flags would slow the action, and after the final restart eleven laps in only a dozen cars remained on the track. The final nineteen circuits saw Jackson Jr. in hot pursuit of the leader, nearly completing the pass on a couple of occasions. But even as Chris would bounce off the turn two concrete in the later laps he was able to slightly increase his margin, taking a flag to flag win. Chad would, by his own words drive a "conservative" race, ensuring the series title. Rickey Frankel gained eight positions to come home fourth, while series Rookie of the Year Aaron Marrant came from tenth to complete the top five. Trevor Gundaker, Jeff Herzog and Steve Stultz rounded out the cars running at the checkers, with Lane Ehlert and Allen Middendorf credited with ninth and tenth. 

   With post race and season ending ceremonies complete, twenty three Modifieds would line up for twenty five laps. Unfortunately, the open wheelers seemed unable to negotiate the tricky surface, and after a half dozen or so yellow flags in the first half of the event we took our leave as the clock ticked past 10:30. Up to that point it had been Danny Ems holding off Kenny Wallace in a battle of #36s', but results show Wallace grabbing the win over Ems, fast qualifier Ryan Hamilton, Jacob Steinkoenig and Rick Stevenson. Ems, Wallace and Hamilton were heat race winners. 

   Several upcoming improvements to the facilities at Tri City were announced for the upcoming off season - they still have a B Modified Bash coming up in two weeks, and a return to weekly racing is also scheduled for 2025.

    Plans for yours truly for next weekend remain up in the air, but be sure and check back to see which direction I will be Racin' Down the Road in search of some dirt track action!

Becerra Times Two, Reitzler, Van Wyk, Griffiths, Delonjay Tops at Harvest Hustle

    Following a cancellation following overnight and early morning rains on Friday, the annual Harvest Hustle event at Lee County Speedway was reduced to a one night show on Saturday. There were no such issues on Saturday as unseasonably warm temperatures and a stiff breeze greeted us at our late afternoon arrival. 

   One hundred and four race teams signed in to do battle in six classes on the super fast three eighths mile D shaped oval. Fifteen heat races clicked off in a timely fashion, and only the hybrid Sport Mod/B Mod division required a B Main to whittle their thirty competitors down to twenty four for the feature.

   Following intermission and the awarding of Junior Fan Club prizes, a short field of seven Hobby Stocks lined up for fifteen laps. Dustin Griffiths lined up outside row two, grabbed the lead on the opening circuit, then led all fifteen caution free laps to continue his 2024 unbeaten streak at the speedway. Shane Richardson cleared James Pilkington for second on lap three, but could not run down Griffiths, who opened a half lap lead by the end. Having returned from a lengthy "retirement," Harley Hill ran fourth after an entertaining top five battle with Aaron Martin. 

   Fifteen laps was also the distance for the Limited Mod main event. Cody Agee and Logan Anderson brought the field to green, running in that order ahead of a lap three caution. Following the Delaware Style restart, Dylan VanWyk charged from fourth to the runner up position with another yellow flag waving one lap later. Back to racing, the leaders ran three wide as Van Wyk grabbed the lead. Agee would go over the treacherous turn four cushion allowing both Anderson and Mexico, Missouri racer Parker Smith to drive by. With the race staying green the rest of the way, VanWyk opened a commanding lead. He would catch the back of the pack with just two laps remaining, but he worked the traffic smoothly to collect the win. Anderson, Smith, Brandon Lennox and Agee would complete the first five. 

   Sixteen Stock Cars would go at it for twenty laps. Derrick Agee outgunned Todd Reitzler as the green flag flew, but a yellow flag would set up an original restart. This time it was Reitzler gaining the advantage from the outside pole. Racing around the top of the track, Reitzler opened a lead before he also went over the cushion in turn four allowing Agee to erase his advantage. As the race hit the half way mark, Johnny Spaw began to close on the top two. Two more times the caution flag would be displayed with six then four laps remaining. On the final restart Reitzler appeared to pick up the pace, and he drove on to a flag to flag victory. Agee and Spaw were trailed by a back and forth battle between Abe Huls and Jason See to round out the first five positions. 

   The rules were also relaxed in the 4 cylinder Compact division, and eighteen cars checked in. Outside row one starter Jaden Delonjay and fourth starting Travis Demint would pace the opening circuit before the red flag would fly for an accident on the front stretch. Harrison Horn clipped the guardrail, then did a complete rollover in his #58 machine. He was uninjured, and soon it was back to racing. Delonjay would open up a lead as the next five cars battled side by side and nose to tail behind him. A final stoppage came at lap five as Joey Laws and Kimberly Abbott got together, eliminating both cars from the action. Brandon Reu would join the leaders in third as racing resumed, now chasing Jeffery Delonjay in second. While Jaden again extended his lead Jeffery would dart to the infield on lap ten of the fifteen lapper. Jaden would drive off for the win ahead of a close battle for second between Reu and Demint. Cincinnati, Ohio visitors Jack and Joe Pflum would bookend fifth place Barry Taft at the checkers.  

   A solid field of eighteen Late Models lined up to contest twenty five laps. Dustin Smith in the Leroy Brenner #53 and Freeport, Il. driver Mike Fryer paced the field. Smith would lead lap one ahead of track regular Darin Weisinger Jr., but fifth starting Quad City ace Evan Miller would pick up the chase on lap two. Miller would move to the front out of turn four as lap five was scored, and one lap later Austen Becerra would drive to third while Jackson Frankel powered his new ride to fourth. Those three soon gained separation from the pack, and on lap eleven Becerra cleared Smith for second. Miller was working the inside line as Becerra pounded the cushion. The first yellow came at the mid point as Weisinger Jr. saw his #11 go up in smoke. Back under green the top three again pulled ahead and Becerra began to hound Miller lap after lap. With just five laps left Becerra worked a partially successful slide job exiting turn two with Miller making contact with the left rear of his car. Both maintained control as the yellow waved a final time one lap later. With a final wave of the green by starter Kevin Eggleston Becerra drove away for the win. Miller would take the runner up spot in front of Frankel. Sport Mod hot shoe Logan Anderson made I believe his first Late Model start wheeling the Travis Denning #56D and turned in an impressive run coming from row six to fourth at the checkers. Denny Woodworth gained four positions to complete the top five. C. J. Horn advanced seven spots to sixth besting Tommy Elston, Jeffery Delonjay, Gary Webb, and first time visitor Fryer. 

   Modifieds would round out the action, fifteen strong for twenty laps. Becerra redrew the outside pole position, and as the saying goes, "that was all she wrote." He would open a sizable lead over pole sitter Dakota Simmons and former track promoter Mike Van Genderen ahead of a caution period with three in the books. As the green flag again waved, Becerra pulled away and seventh starting Kurt Kile charged to second. By the halfway nark, Austen had caught slower traffic, but he was now working with a full straightaway advantage. He would extend that lead to a full half lap before the yellow would wave a final time as Van Genderen tagged the turn one guardrail flattening a tire during a close battle with Robbie Reed for third. This yellow would replace the white flag to set up a green, white, checkers finish. It was no issue for Becerra, who collected win number two for the night. Reed cleared Kile for second in the closing laps, Simmons outran Jesse Belez for fourth. 

   The final checkers on the crisp, well run show waved just past 10:00 P.M. Thanks as always to Neal, Patrick and the LCS crew for their hospitality. We now await one final show at the track for 2024, the highly anticipated Shiverfest event on Saturday, October 26. The now legendary program, drawing cars from several states features trick or treating and hay rack rides for the youngsters and exciting racing for all, so don't miss out! In the meantime, there is still plenty of racing throughout the mid west, so check back to see where we show up next!

One Hundred and Seventy Nine Race Teams Highlight Fall Bash Night One

    Thursday we traveled north for night number one of the Darkside Promotions annual Fall Bash at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa. Five divisions would be in action for the opening night, including four IMCA classes,  Late Models, Stock Cars, Modifieds and Sport Mods as well as open 4 Stocks, with both Late Models and Modifieds racing for a $1,000 top prize. Additionally the Late Models would compete for twenty eight laps in their feature in memory of long time car owner and driver Brad Coin. This would be the only night for Late Models, while the other divisions would race two more times, accumulating points towards the awarding of a championship belt. Additionally a Modified points fund upwards of $12,000 would be awarded. 

   There would be no hot laps on this night, with heat race action kicking off moments after the 6:30 advertised start time. It would take twenty three heat races and seven B Mains to set feature fields for the huge one hundred and seventy nine cars checked in. An outstanding group of fifty Modifieds needed six heats and three B mains to trim their field to twenty four!

   Following the qualifying events, the first feature hit the track with no sign of an intermission, likely to the delight of the large crowd, as the eighty plus degree daytime temps had descended quickly into fall sweatshirt conditions.

   With no B Main required, Late Models would be up first as all twenty cars lined up to decide who would claim the championship belt. The luck of the redraw left long time fans with a bit of deja vu, as the front row found a pair of Iowa legends, National Dirt Late Model Hall Of Famers, on the front row. Gary Webb would pull the number one pill, while semi retired Ray Guss Jr. would line up to his outside. Ray was behind the wheel of the Joe Beal #77 for the night. Guss would jump to the early lead but the pack would have a hard time stringing laps together in the opening laps. After very minimal caution periods in all preliminaries, the yellow flag would fly four times in the first four circuits. With the jitters finally over, fourth starting Jeremiah Hurst put the Joel Callahan #40 out front. As Guss settled into the runner up spot, Matt Ryan and Mitch Morris battled for the third position. The laps now clicked off to the halfway mark as Guss, Ryan and Morris duked it out, and by the time Ryan took control of second sixteen laps in, Hurst had opened a nearly straightaway advantage. But a fifth and final yellow flag would bring Jeremiah back to the pack, and as racing resumed the top two dueled nose to tail and side by side, while Morris, Guss and third heat winner but twelfth starting Nick Marolf contested third behind them. Hurst maintained a slim lead as starter Doug Haack displayed the white flag, but down the backstretch for the final time, a slower car meant the leaders had to pick their line. Turn four saw contact between Ryan and Hurst, with Matt leading a scant few feet to take the checkers first. Jeremiah voiced his displeasure with the contact in victory lane, but it was the #07 claiming the belt between the two heat race winners. Guss topped the battle for third over Marolf and Morris. Steve Johnson led the second five, besting Fred Remley, Webb, Bobby Hansen, and T.J. Fortmann. 

   As the crowd buzzed over the dramatic finish, 4 Stocks lined up for a dozen laps. Alex Hayes charged ahead from the pole taking along fourth starting Cyle Hawkins. A side by side battle saw Hawkins use the inside groove on the constantly shifting fast line to move to the lead with four laps scored. Hayes would fight back to lead lap five, but it would be Hawkins out front at the crossed flags. Slower traffic came into play just ahead of a lone caution eight laps in. As the field restarted, Hayes dropped out, possibly with a tire issue. Hawkins would hold on for the win ahead of Dustin Forbes, eighth starting Shawn McDermott, Mitch Bielenberg and home town racer Josh Starr.

   Jeff "Bone" Larson and Jeff Mueller would bring the twenty four Stock Cars to green, racing for twenty laps. They would take off in that order with Gage Neal in third. Again yellow flags would interrupt the action, five times in total. While the inside line seemed the fastest way around, several times Larson would drift high in turns three and four, opening the door for Mueller, who could not quite complete the pass. As Larson finally settled on the bottom, one driver was making the higher line work. Dallon Murty had started in the eleventh position, and found the higher grooves his only opportunity to move forward. With four laps remaining he had climbed to fourth and had a run going that may have taken him to second, but a yellow flag left him restarting on the inside of the Delaware Style line up. Two more cautions marred the closing laps, but Larson held on for a flag to flag win in the Lee Kinsella #21. Mueller came home second while Murty nipped Neal for third. Winton, California driver Paul Stone wheeled his #66 to a fifth place finish. 

   Thirty one Hobby Stocks checked in and twenty four lined up for fifteen feature laps. Following an original restart, outside pole sitter Jordon Miles powered to the lead ahead of third starting Bradly Graham. Miles found the top line around the high banked quarter mile to his liking while Graham worked down low. Restarting after a lap two yellow, Miles opened a nice lead before a caution with ten circuits in brought him back to the pack. Once more the caution came, but it was of no consequence as Miles took a flag to flag victory. Graham held the runner up slot all the way, as Corey VanDerwilt advanced seven spots to slip around Daniel Wauters in the closing laps for third. Randy LaMar started and finished fifth. 

   We were now facing our self imposed 10:30 curfew, so with thirty four races down in just four hours and two to go, we headed for the parking lot. Sport Mod action saw veteran Tony Olson redraw poorly, but move up ten spots to claim the twenty lap win over Jason Roth, Tyler Bannister, Jarrett Franzen and Justin Veloz. 

   The twenty five lap Modified finale went to Torrance, California hot shoe Cody Laney after starting in row three. The next three in line at the checkers all climbed seven positions, fellow Californian Dylan Thornton in second followed by Zack VanderBeek and Drew Janssen. Tom Berry Jr. would top that, starting fourteenth and coming home in fifth. 

   As mentioned, the Fall Bash will continue for the next two nights on the quick quarter mile. Thanks to Ryan, Timmy and the entire Darkside crew not only for their hospitality, but for presenting an ultra competitive and lightning fast program. 

   Plans for the next two nights should find yours truly closer to home at Lee County Speedway for the annual Harvest Hustle. Six classes of cars will compete in separate shows with plenty of cash and bragging rights on the line. The weather looks great, so I hope you will attend one of these great fall specials!

  

First Time Winners at Quincy Raceways Finale

    The season began as Adams County, Il. Speedway but on Sunday the final 2024 checkered flag waved over Quincy Raceways. In such an unprecedented and crazy year, it seemed only appropriate that first time winners would be in victory lane on this final night. UMP Dirtcar Modified champion Austen Becerra would tow his #22 Late Model to the track for the first time and drive away from the field for his first Quincy win in that division. Multiple time track champion Justin Reed drove the Begley #B4 to victory in the Modified class for the first time. Dyllan Bonk debuted a sharp looking #98, winning the most hotly contested race of the night in the Dirtcar 4 Cylinder class, and former track champ Terry Houston came out atop the first year Crown Vic division. The hybrid Sport Mod, Bmod, E Mod mash up on this night saw Tanner Klingele make it four wins in a row, while Jake Powers added to his victory total in the Street Stocks.

   Although things started well, it was a bit of a rocky night for the new promotions team, with intermission followed by the back stretch lights temporarily going out, a delay for a medical call in the grandstands, and more than the usual number of spins and crashes as drivers raced with full abandon on this closing night. 

   Responding to somewhat dwindling car counts of late in the Sport Mod class, on this night drivers competing at other venues as a B Mod or E Mod were welcomed to the speedway. Fifteen competitors checked in, and they would open feature racing with a scheduled fifteen lapper. Tanner Klingele redrew the pole position and as he paced the parade laps, the back stretch went dark. Fortunately track officials had brought in some extra portable lights, and with some redirection racing began, with the bank of lights eventually coming back to full strength. An early caution period was followed by a four car pile up on the front stretch. Back to racing, Klingele would open a commanding lead ahead of another yellow flag with twelve laps scored. As the field reset, the red light came on for the medical call to the stands. With the time limit now in play, the race ended with a two lap green, white, checkers. Klingele drove on to his fourth consecutive win to close out the season. Visiting B Mod second generation hot shoe Damian Kiefer ran second ahead of A.J. Tournear, fifteenth starting Michael Goodwin, and former track champion Eddie Dieker in a Dave Weitholder #05 machine. 

   Dave Weitholder and Justin Reed lined up in row one for a fifteen lap main event. The caution flag flew as the field attempted to complete lap one, and back under green, the two veteran drivers took off from the pack. Behind the leaders, Shawn Deering and Frankie Wellman battled side by side for third. A final stop came with eight laps in the books, and back to racing Reed and Weitholder again raced well ahead of the field. The checkers waved over Reed, followed by Weitholder, Wellman, Deering and Joey Gower. 

   It was now Late Model time, battling for twenty five circuits. With Vance Wilson already headed home, ten cars were left to take the green flag. Rookie Jackson Frankel shot to the front with Austen Becerra and Denny Woodworth in pursuit. On lap four Frankel misjudged the cushion in turn one, falling to third behind Becerra and Woodworth. The first caution came at lap seven for Matt Kay, and by the half way point of the race Becerra was checking out. At lap fifteen a second and final yellow flag came for Bill Berghaus, and back to racing heavy contact between Frankel and Woodworth ended the night for Jackson, while Denny continued on with sheet metal damage. Becerra cruised to the win ahead of Woodworth, Darin Weisinger Jr., Jason Oenning and Sam Halstead. Jeffery Delonjay, Mark Enk and Berghaus rounded out the cars still running at the checkers. 

 Again the Street Stock class was short on entries, but quickly an intense three car battled developed between Rudy Zaragoza, Jake Powers and Beau Taylor. As Powers and Zaragoza ripped around the .29 mile oval, Jake moved to the lead on lap six. Zaragoza then jumped the tricky turn one and two cushion, allowing Powers to pull well out front. A single caution five laps from the finish brought Powers back to the pack, but he had no problem driving to the fifteen lap win. Zaragoza came home second while Brandon Boden outgunned Taylor for third. Braydon Rich completed the top five. 

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for the 4 Cylinder main event. Following the original start being called back by a caution flag, Spencer Coats, Dyllan Bonk and Jaden Delonjay did a three car breakaway from the field. Coats and Bonk battled side by side while Delonjay lurked behind looking for an opening. With Bonk edging ahead by a nose, the lone yellow flag came with nine laps scored. Back to racing, Delonjay moved around Coats on lap eleven, but he could not overtake Bonk, who drove the #98 to victory lane to the delight of his considerable cheering section. Delonjay took runner up honors over Coats while Kimberly Abbott made a late race move to fourth. Landon Neisen completed the first five. 

   Houston grabbed the final checkered flag of 2024 with a win in the combined Crown Vic, Mini Hauler Truck division. While the Mini Haulers were a late addition to the lineup, only three signed in, so they were mixed in with the dozen Crown Vics. Glen Wiley chased Houston to the checkers trailed by Alex Hatfield, Jordon Zummalt and Brian Kaylor. Randy Ronner in ninth was the top finishing Mini Hauler. 

   While the on track action in Quincy for 2024 is complete, this will be an off season yielding lots of rumors mixed with hard news. Considerable updates are planned for the 50 year old facility, and indications are that 2025 will be celebrated for a half century of operation. And of course the big decision, not yet official will be the regular night of operation for racing. Along with our other travels, I will do my best to keep up with any announcements coming from new owners Jeff and Renee Delonjay and new promoter Chance Bailey, so stay tuned!

   A class reunion for good ol' Keokuk High and some family activities will keep me away from the track for possibly two weekends, but our season is far from over, so check back for updates along the way and thanks for reading!

Alberson Doubles Up at Corn State Nationals

    Saturday it was back to Davenport for night two of the Corn State Nationals. Once again MLRA Super Late Models would be the featured division, this time vying for a $10,000 top prize. IMCA Modifieds were looking for a $5,000 payday, and a late sponsor stepped up to swell the late added IMCA Sport Mods purse to a $1,000 winners share. Outlaw Street Stocks would once again try for a $500 payoff. 

   The total car count for the evening sat at ninety two, four higher than the opening night show. Thirty six Super Late Models topped the bill, with five new entrants off setting three drop outs. The early cancellation of the MARS Late Model program brought in a handful of hard chargers, including World of Outlaw points leader Brandon Sheppard. The IMCA Modified count sat at a healthy thirty one, while the Sport Mod numbers fell by eight to seventeen and the Outlaw Street Stocks continued their soft turnout with eight signed in. 

    I had seen a post earlier in the day that hot laps had been moved up by 45 minutes, however this did not seem to be the case as action kicked off at the original time of 6:30. Whether a bogus post or track officials were wary of the rain falling in all directions, I am unsure. But although we drove through a  worrisome shower on the way north, and rain eventually stopped racing just to the north in Maquoketa, only a few renegade drops dotted the pavement in Davenport. 

    Late Models again time trial qualified two at a time, and the early draw proved most fortunate, as the first car out, Tyler Bruening would set overall quick time at 13.449 seconds. Four heat races would then set the first eight rows of the Late Model feature. Only the third eight lapper bucked the trend of front row winners. Pole sitters Bruening and Garrett Alberson captured heats one and two, but it was Dennis Erb Jr. breaking through for the win in heat three. Sheppard then powered from outside row one to top the final qualifier. Once again a pair of B mains set the next three rows, with victories going to Tim Simpson and Curt Schroeder. On this night the provisional starters increased by two, giving us a twenty six car starting field. 

    IMCA Modifieds staged three eight lap heats to determine their feature line up, with wins going to double duty Chris Simpson, temporarily out of retirement Bruce Hanford and Ben Chapman.

    Things seemed to be moving along at a smoother pace than on Friday, but once again their was a lengthy delay ahead of the features for track prep. And when cars finally hit the track, it was the eight Street Stocks give the assignment of rolling in the surface after a  heavy dose of water had been added.

    By the time the green flag waved for the fifteen lap Street Stock feature, only six cars remained on the track. Cary Brown took the early lead ahead of Blake Woodruff and Jesse Owen as those three battled for position. As the race approached the mid point, Woodruff moved to the front and began to stretch his advantage. The caution flag would come with four laps remaining, and back to racing Owen drove to the high line in turn one as Woodruff moved up the track, and contact between the two sent Owen over the top of the cushion, bringing the yellow flag out once again. After clean up only two cars were left on the track for the final four circuits. Cary Brown would find himself with his second win in two nights while Tyler Roth crossed the line in second. 

   It was now Late Model time, and perhaps to further "run in" the racing surface, the field would circle the quarter mile oval many times before the green flag would finally start the action. Bruening would take off from the pole with Erb Jr., Sheppard, Alberson and series points leader Chad Simpson in hot pursuit. Tyler Erb would soon join the chase in fifth, and the lead pack caught slower traffic about lap nine. Bruening had opened a nice cushion when the only yellow of the race came a dozen laps in. Top contenders Simpson and Dillon McCowan sat in the infield as the green flag waved once again. Bruening continued to pace the field while Alberson and Sheppard battled behind him and Tyler Erb and Dustin Sorensen contested fourth before Dustin slipped off the top of the tricky turn three. By lap twenty two of the forty lapper, Alberson had closed the gap on the front runner, and one lap later he was scored the leader. Slower traffic again came into play around lap twenty five, as Sheppard cleared Bruening for second. Working the lapped traffic to perfection, Alberson pulled away temporarily, but by lap thirty three Sheppard had found speed on the high line of the track and moved in to make a challenge for the top spot. However Alberson was not giving up, and seven laps later he completed a Davenport sweep to go along with his runner up finish Thursday at Tipton. Sheppard would complete his strong run in second followed by Bruening in third, both making their only appearance of the three night swing. Tyler Erb and another "newcomer," McKay Wenger in the Quad City based Curless Racing #99 would round out the top five. Tony Jackson Jr. gained four positions to sixth ahead of Trevor Gundaker, Frank Heckenast Jr., Sorensen and Erb Jr. 

   Although we had not set a "hard" curfew, it was now approaching 10:30, and with all three of us facing early Sunday commitments, we decided to head for the car and catch the televised action on the drive home. 

   The Sport Mod main event clicked off in fine fashion, with Tony Olson bringing home the win from the pole position in front of Friday winner Logan Veloz, Rayce Mullen, Cole Stchter and California racer Tyler Bannister. Olson and Veloz would trade the top two spots from the Friday finish while Mullen collected his second top five.  

   Thirty one laps would be the distance for the IMCA Modified finale. Austen Becerra charged to the front from outside row one and led the majority of the race. Becerra was ripping around the top of the speedway and soon had Ben Chapman alongside racing the inside line. With a liberal dose of caution periods, fifth starting Trevor Fitz soon took up the chase, also working down low. Although Becerra attempted to switch his line, his #22 did not seem to like the low groove, and eventually Fitz found his way to the front. The Camarillo, California driver who has been a 2024 regular on the Iowa ovals would pick up the $5,000 check, besting Becerra, Chapman, Eric Barnes and twelfth starting Chris Zogg. 

   It was an entertaining end to our three day northern swing, and now the plan is to wrap up our long racing weekend close to home tonight at the "reborn" Quincy Raceways.

   Thanks to SR Promotions and their team as well as MLRA officials for a fun Saturday night, and a special thanks to Tina at the pit shack for her friendly assistance. Also thanks to Jeff for hauling two old guys up and down the road! 

  The clock is ticking on 2024, so get to a track near you soon!

Alberson Tops Night one of the Corn State Nationals

     On Friday we followed the MLRA Late Models as they began their two night "Corn State Nationals" on the quarter mile at the famed Davenport Speedway. This opening night event would match the $5,000 prize from the night before. Also on the Friday card were IMCA Late Models and IMCA Modifieds, both competing for a $1,000 to win plus Outlaw Street Stocks racing for a $500 top prize.

    The addition of several competitors swelled the Super Late Model count to thirty four, backed by nineteen IMCA Late Models, twenty five IMCA Sport Mods and nine Outlaw Street Stocks. The time trial format on this night saw two cars at a time trip the clock, and qualifying went smoothly with Las Cruses, New Mexico driver Garrett Alberson pacing the field with a lap of 13.780 seconds. Alberson, who wheels the Quad City based Roberts Motorsports #58 would later make a clean sweep of the evenings' events, but unlike Tyler Erb the night previous, his pathway there was not an easy one. 

   Four ten lap heat races would set the first eight rows of the feature line up for the MLRA stars, with Alberson, Dillon McCowan, surprise entrant Dennis Erb Jr. and Frank Heckenast Jr. all collecting wins from the pole position. A pair of B mains added to the field, with Chris Simpson rebounding from heat race woes and Arizona racer Steve Stultz both victorious from outside row one. Two series provisionals would round out the twenty four car field. 

   As we had seen previously, there seemed to be some glitches in the MLRA procedures, but with all preliminary action in the books, the track crew went to work prepping the surface for feature racing. A generous helping of H2O required quite a bit of track packing before the Sport Mods could line up for fifteen laps, and by now it was "check your watch time" with the ever present city curfew looming.    

   Fortunately the full field of twenty five were on their best behavior. Jason Roth would shoot to the early lead ahead of Todd Dykema, with fifth starting Logan Veloz taking up the chase on lap two. Along with Tony Olson, those four would soon separate from the pack, catching slower traffic on lap six. As Dykema slipped back a bit, Veloz grabbed the lead just past the halfway mark. A pair of yellow flags came with ten laps scored, and following the Delaware Style restart Olson climbed to second while twelfth starting Brayton Carter threw his hat in the ring in fourth. Veloz would then race to the checkers first, followed by Olson, Roth, Carter and Rayce Mullen. 

   With the time crunch in evidence, post race festivities were postponed until all racing was completed, and the two dozen high powered Late Models came to the track for thirty laps. The first attempt at a start was called off when young Kayden Clatt spun in turn one. As luck would have it, that would be the only caution period of the race. Alberson powered to the lead only to be overtaken by Erb Jr. on lap two. Off like a shot, Erb Jr. quickly opened a commanding lead, catching the tail of the field on lap eight. Flying around the top of the speedway, the leader worked the lapped cars to perfection, with the best battle going on between Heckenast Jr. and Dustin Sorensen for third. But as the lap counter clicked past twenty and to the surprise of the gathered onlookers, Alberson began to quickly reel in the front runner. With five circuits remaining, he was in a position to challenge for the top spot, and on lap twenty seven he executed a successful slide job to clear Erb Jr. for the lead. Garrett would then drive on to the win in front of Erb Jr., Heckenast Jr., series points leader Chad Simpson and Sorensen. Tyler Erb would gain five spots to finish sixth, topping McCowan, Hilsabeck, Tony Jackson Jr., and Wisconsin visitor Chad Mahder.

    Again, to the surprise ( and relief, I would think), of all, the post race hoopla was postponed as the Street Stocks came to the track for fifteen scheduled laps. Jesse Owen led Cary Brown ahead of a caution flag with one lap in the books. Back under green it was Allen Provenzano coming from his row four start to the front, taking along Landen Chrestensen in second. Chrestensen would soon move to the lead and as the front duo raced hard, apparent contact sent the leader for a 360 degree spin, bringing out a yellow flag with five laps to go. I am not exactly sure what then transpired, but suddenly all the cars headed for the pits and the race was called complete and the two front runners disqualified. This would give the victory to Brown over Blake Woodruff and Owen. 

   Only the IMCA Late Model event remained, with all but Matt Ryan lining up for twenty five laps. Pole sitter Jay Johnson charged ahead of his row one mate, Bryce Garnhart. The first caution came on lap three, and back to racing Johnson maintained his lead in front of a four car scrum for second involving Garnhart, Cruz Birkhofer, Nebraska visitor Cory Dumpert and row seven starter Travis Denning. Seven laps in Dumpert finally cleared that group for second with Denning taking command of third. By lap ten the top three were nose to tail and side by side, with Denning moving to the runner up position. He continued his charge, clearing Johnson for the lead one lap later. Dumpert would soon move to second, but by then Denning had stretched out to a considerable advantage. As the laps wound down tenth starting Jesse Bodin began to make his presence felt, and with only a pair of laps remaining he cleared Dumpert for second just ahead of a late caution. One more lap was scored before the yellow flag waved a final time, but despite Denning again brought back to the field, he remained out front for the green, white, checkers finish. Dumpert would regain the runner up spot at the checkers trailed by Bodin, Evan Miller and Joe Beal. Birkhofer finished where he started in sixth, besting Mitch Morris, fifteenth starting Chris Lawrence, Anthony Guss and Johnson.

   Again, major kudos to the track staff for managing to complete the program in fine fashion against the ticking clock. Thanks to SR Promotions for their hospitality, with a special shout out to the very friendly and helpful lady at the pit shack! Tonight we will head back to Davenport for night two of the Corn State Nationals, and night three of four of our planned "racing staycation."

Erb Claims MLRA Hawkeye Land 40, Janssen, Richards and Bannister Also Tops at Tipton

   Thursday night we joined the MLRA Late Models as they began a three night competition in the Hawkeye state. This opening night venue, dubbed the Hawkeye Land 40, would be the quarter mile Cedar County Fairgrounds Raceway in Tipton, Iowa, nine miles north of Interstate 80 in the east central part of the state. Three IMCA classes, Modifieds, Sport Mods and Stock Cars would fill out the card. $5,000 would go to the Late Model winner, $1,000 to the Modified victor, a $750 top prize for Stock Cars and $500 for first place in the Sport Mods. The event was Co promoted by Kay Promotions and Darkside Promotions.

   A manageable total of eighty nine cars signed in for racing led by twenty nine Super Late Models and twenty seven Modifieds, with hot laps kicking off right on time at 6:30. However, the first glitch appeared when officials encountered problems with the automatic timing loop. As a result, the Late Models had to qualify one car at a time under the stop watch as opposed to the usual three or so. Overall fast time and the accompanying $500 bonus went to Texas racer Tyler Erb. The other classes would use a draw - redraw format for heat race action.

    Drama ensued during Late Model time trials when series points leader Chad Simpson was unable to complete a lap due to rear end issues with his #25. But when heat race time came, it was brother Chris Simpson who found his #32 unable to make the call. Fortunately, his back up machine was already qualified with Jason Rauen set for competition. With Chris vying for the series championship, Rauen would turn the wheel over, giving up a front row start in the first eight lapper. It would seem that this would present no problem, with Rauen out and the others moving up. But for whatever reason, after a considerable delay, cars were added and deleted, apparently based on times. Eventually we went racing, with the four heats captured by Erb, Jeff Herzog, Garrett Alberson and Dillon McCowan, all from the front row of the "straight up" starts. Both Simpsons found themselves starting near the back of heat three, and that produced some of the best racing of the night as they battled side by side for the fourth and final qualifying position. Chad would find himself failing to make the transfer, however his outside row one start in the twelve lap B main would result in a victory, putting him inside row nine for the forty lap finale. 

   Heat race action was followed by a few minutes of down time as the track crew manicured the top of turn two, then it was feature time.

   IMCA Northern Sport Mods would go first, sixteen cars for twenty laps. Pole sitter Ryan Reed would pace the opening circuit with his row one mate Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, California, taking over the next trip under the flag stand. Fourth starting Justin Becker would take up the chase on lap three ahead of a pair of yellow flags on laps three and four. As the field reset, ninth starting Jarrett Franzen had already entered the top five for the Delaware Style restart. Franzen moved to fourth as Becker used a slide job to grab the lead. But Bannister quickly retook the top spot. Still on the move, Franzen powered to third on lap seven, then to the runner up position one lap later. The race stayed green until lap sixteen, when a final caution reset the field one more time. With the leaders mostly glued to the inside groove, Tony Olson worked the high line to try and improve his fourth position. As the checkers waved, it was Bannister with the win ahead of Franzen, Becker, Olson and Reed. 

   Erb and Alberson would bring the twenty four car MLRA field to green. However the pace setter appeared not to fire in turn four, stacking up the field with cars back in the pack facing all directions. In fact the #67 of Jimmy Vanzandt wound up partially underneath the #15C of Curt Schroeder. The delay to clean things up was a lengthy one, but when racing resumed only Vanzandt could not continue. With Erb out front of Alberson and Herzog, the yellow flag would fly three more times in the first six laps. But from then on, it was green flag racing. Early on it was Alberson and McCowan battling side by side foe second before McCowan fell back a bit and Frank Heckenast Jr. took over the third spot. The leaders caught the back of the pack about lap fourteen, and as the race neared the halfway point Alberson pulled alongside Erb on a couple of occasions. However he was unable to make the pass, and as the laps clicked off Erb gradually increased his advantage. The big mover in the second half of the race was fifteenth starting Tony Jackson Jr. He was able to overtake row seven starter Chris Simpson in the closing laps, crossing the line in fourth behind Erb, Alberson and Heckenast Jr. McCowan faded to sixth, finishing ahead of Dylan Thornton, Chad Simpson, Daniel Hilsabeck and Aaron Marrant. 

   With post race activities finally complete, sixteen IMCA Stock Cars lined up for twenty laps. Second generation driver Casey Shelliam raced side by side with third starting Riley Hanson in the opening lap, then led the field through an early caution. It was fifth starting Gage Neal soon claiming the runner up spot, but the driver on the move was ninth starting Braden Richards who put his #11R out front about lap five. Following another yellow flag, an intense four car battle developed behind Richards ahead of a final caution for a spinning Shelliam with six laps scored. Now it was Dustin Vis moving up to challenge the leader while tenth starting Joe Zrostlik charged to third. As the laps clicked off, Richards drove off from the field, cruising to the win over Vis, Zrostlik and Neal. Matt Picray eased ahead of Hanson to round out the first five. 

   IMCA Modified action closed out the night racing for twenty five circuits. Drew Janssen redrew the pole position, and that proved to be the move of the race. Following a first lap mix up, Janssen would lead throughout to pick up the win. Another Bakersfield, California racer Jerry Flippo, who along with Janssen and Ryan Maitland picked up a heat race win, would finish in the runner up slot after a row two start. Matt Werner filled out the podium ahead of a pair of hard chargers. Jeff "Bone" Larson gained eight spots to finish fourth, while Jeremiah Hurst came from inside row thirteen all the way to fifth. 

   The track was fast all night, treating the large crowd to plenty of action. An added bonus for us was the discovery that long time Late Model racer Bob Helm and his family were sitting behind us in the grandstands, and Bob regaled us with great stories throughout the night. His family was on hand to watch grandson Dalon Helm, who now calls the state of Oklahoma home race his Late Model #4X. 

   Thanks to Brenda and the Kay Promotions team as well as Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current with Darkside Promotions for their hospitality. The Darkside group now moves to Maquoketa Speedway for the Kelly Meyer Challenge and All Star Classic over the next two nights. We will follow the MLRA Late Models to Davenport Speedway for the two night Corn State Nationals paying $5,000 to win on Friday with a $10,000 top prize on Saturday. The weather looks great, so turn off the television, get off the couch and head to a race track near you!

It's Back! Quincy Raceways Wins to Woodworth, Weitholder, Zaragoza, Klingele, Abbott, Johnson

   Sunday evening marked the return of the iconic "Quincy Raceways" moniker to the historic race track on the far east side of Quincy, Il. New owner Jeff Delonjay and promoter Chance Bailey kicked off the latest chapter at the fifty year old speedway. With many improvements, some complete and many others underway, it was a bit of a different atmosphere. While the kitchen undergoes renovations, there were food trucks on hand, and as the new owner works towards a liquor license, personal coolers were in abundance! But most importantly, there were six divisions of race cars pitside, ready to do battle, with passing points the order of the day now that the points season has concluded.

   Not unexpectedly with no points and one day after the conclusion of Super Nationals, the car count was a bit light. But Steve Grotz and his crew had the .29 mile oval in tip top shape, and even with several obstacles in their way, the promotions team hit the ground running in fine fashion. Hot laps kicked off RIGHT ON TIME at 5:30 followed by heat race action. Intermission came at 7:00 P.M., and with most of the technical issues out of the way, feature racing kicked off about 7:35 in front of a nice sized crowd on an increasingly chilly evening.  

  Late Models were up first, with several participating in the optional "Topless" night, giving the cars a bit of an odd look, perhaps hearkening back to the long ago days of racing convertibles! Beginning a theme for the night, the caution waved on the first lap as Mark Enk went sideways in turn one after contact from another car. On the original restart, Denny Woodworth charged from inside row three to lead the opening lap, a position he never relinquished. A second and final yellow flag came with one lap scored as Vance Wilson exited the speedway, and it was followed by twenty four laps of green flag racing. Front row starters Tommy Elston and Jason Perry, sporting an apparent new ride, chased the Racing Attorney throughout. In the early portion of the race, Elston stayed close running high on the track while Woodworth stayed glued to the bottom. But the low line proved fastest, and soon it was Woodworth, Elston, Perry and Sam Halstead in the Barton #7B racing around the inside tire barriers, while fifth place Jackson Frankel attempted to gain ground in a higher line. Eventually Woodworth drove off to a full straightaway lead, cruising to the win. Following the top five it was Jeffery Delonjay, also in a "new" ride, chased by Jason Oenning and Matthew Kay. Terry Wilson and Enk were credited with the next two spots. Last weeks' winner, Braden Bilger went up in smoke on the first lap of his heat race and was done for the night. 

 Modifieds came next, fourteen cars for twenty laps. A brake check as the cars came to the green flag stopped the action, and on the restart pole sitter Dave Weitholder shot to the front ahead of his row one mate Justin Reed and Rick Conoyer. As Weitholder held the top spot, Reed and Conoyer battled, with Rick moving to second on lap three. As Weitholder and Conoyer pulled away, Rick was able to use an inside move to grab the top spot on lap nine. But one lap later, a pair of slower cars got together in in turn one, and with nowhere to go, Conoyer slammed into the #1LH of Lane Huff. While the cars of Huff and Matt Diaz were going on the hook, track workers removed the front bumper from the Conoyer #14, and he was able to restart at the back of the field. This put Weitholder back out front ahead of Reed and seventh starting Steve Meyer. Back under green, Meyer missed his mark exiting turn two, fading out of the top five. "New" flagman Joe Bliven would wave the white flag, then replace it with the yellow as Jadin Fuller spun in turn four, ending his night. This would set up a green, white, checkers single file finish, but Weitholder was up to the task, picking up the win over Reed, Michael Vanderiet Jr., Shawn Deering and a rebound by Conoyer.

   Only four cars signed in for Street Stock action, and they would run a non stop fifteen lap feature. Rudy Zaragoza would lead all fifteen circuits, gradually pulling away from Jake Powers and Codey Smith. Brandon Boden was an early exit with mechanical issues.

   The theme of first lap cautions resumed in the Sport Mod fifteen lapper, as Michael Goodwin looped his new looking #1 machine. Back to racing, Tanner Klingele drove to the front from his pole position followed by third starting A.J. Tournear. A three car mix up came with one lap scored, but from that point the green light remained on. Klingele was able to hold serve, while Tournear did the same in second. Logan Cumby rebounded from a sick engine in hot laps and his heat race to start in the back and race his way to third. Quinton Shelton and Cody Henderson completed the top five. 

    As the track was being cleared from post race festivities for the Sport Mods, Landon Neisen would come charging through the pit gate with his #05 4 Cylinder on his open trailer. Track officials took just an extra couple minutes to allow Landon to drive through the pits and tag the tail of the twelve lap 4 Cylinder feature. What a story that would have been had he come through for a win. But that would not be the case on this night. Visiting Danny Oates and Spencer Coats filled out row one, with Coats taking the early lead in front of Jaden Delonjay. Kimberly Abbott started in row three, and eased around Delonjay for second on lap three. She then moved up to challenge for the lead, taking command with an inside move on lap five. Soon it was a two car battle, and although Coats stayed close he was unable to mount a serious challenge, with Kimberly picking up the win in the non stop event. Coats took runner up honors ahead of Delonjay, Devin Harrell and Coosada, Alabama driver Jay Kunce. 

   Crown Vics would round out the program, ten cars for twelve laps. Again it was a caution calling off the original start. Dalton Tournear grabbed the early lead as racing resumed, but the yellow flag would wave again on lap two. Yet another caution came on the restart and then red flag was displayed as there was an apparent injury in the grandstands perhaps from a flying mud clod off the track. With a possible lengthy delay coming, I headed for the parking lot, with the clock reading 9:00 straight up as I started my vehicle. My Race Pass results show Austin Johnson taking the win, besting Jacob Jones and Jordon Zummalt. 

   All in all I would say it was a successful first night for the new regime with things moving along at a steady pace. Thanks to the Delonjays, Chance and crew for their hospitality on Sunday! 

   There will be one more night of racing for Quincy Raceways this season, as the six regular classes will be in action next Sunday, September 15. Note that the Extreme Midgets were removed from the original schedule for that night, with the new group still getting settled in. Although the 2024 season is winding down, there is still plenty of racing to be had, and I am hoping to rejoin the MLRA Late Model series as they visit the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa on Thursday followed by two nights at Davenport Speedway. Both of these venues produce excellent racing, hope to see you there!

MLRA Invades Moberly for 4th Annual Weiner Nationals

    Once again it was a carnival atmosphere at Moberly, Missouri Motorsports Park for the 4th running of the "Weiner Nationals." MLRA Late Models would headline the racing with a $10,000 to win feature event. Sandwiched in amongst an Elvis impersonator, a $1,000 to win hot dog eating contest, entertainment by singer Ruby Leigh and more, the four regular classes from the tracks' unique Trophy Tuesday Poweri summer series would also be in action featuring qualified competitors from among the top dozen or so points earners. This is the 4th year of what is a one of a kind event in mid west short track racing at the facility now owned by part time racer Reid Millard. Moberly Motorsports Park operates as a non profit facility with each Weiner Nationals earmarking a specific charity. The 2024 version would raise money for the Cars4Heroes campaign with the presentation of a car made during the evening. 

   There was already a sizable crowd on hand when we arrived several minutes before the advertised hot lap time. However extra track prep pushed things back about 45 minutes with the extra watering proving beneficial as a stiff  - and very cool - northerly breeze pushed dust into the packed grandstands throughout the evening. The Poweri classes were limited to hot lap/qualifying with fifteen lap features for all except Hornets who staged a ten lap event. 

   MLRA ran two lap time trials, with points leader Chad Simpson the overall fast timer with a lap of 16.686 seconds around the high banked four tenths mile oval. Four eight lap heat races were contested, with Billy Moyer Sr., Gordy Gundaker, Simpson and Aaron Marrant all winning from the front row. A B main was scheduled, but with three early scratches it was dropped, and twenty seven cars took the green flag for thirty laps and the $10,000 top prize. As a bit of house keeping, there were twenty one MLRA Late Models on hand, with nine of the eleven invited Poweri Late Model competitors "double dipping," to create a thirty car field for the headline division. 

   Nine of the eleven Poweri Late Models took the green flag as the first of the five features. The red flag would fly at the end of lap one as a three car pile up in turn four resulted in Ashley Lancaster doing a complete roll over. She was uninjured, but the accident ended her two class effort. Chad Walter had charged from outside row one to the early lead ahead of fast qualifier Matt Becker. Walter opened a big lead before a lap five caution reset the field. Chase Breid briefly grabbed the runner up spot on the restart, with Becker retaking the spot on lap seven. One more lap was scored before a final caution, then the final seven laps went caution free. Walter cruised to a convincing win followed by Becker, Breid, Trace Melloway and Curt Potter. 

   Thirteen B Mods came next. Cody Agee shot to the front from outside row one taking along pole sitter Dawson David in second. The front pair quickly put distance on the field before a caution at the mid point brought them back to the pack. Chris Spalding mounted a challenge as racing resumed, but the race belonged to Agee. David held off Spalding for second followed by Derrick Agee and Clayton Smith. 

   After some more extra curriculars eleven Hornets lined up for their main event. Kyle Burton sat outside row one and he paced the early laps chased by Jeremy Bell and Ryan Lewis. The only caution came with two laps scored, and back under green Burton and Bell raced in tight formation, Bell grabbed the lead as they crossed under the flag stand on lap eight, then held on to the checkers. But something apparently went awry in tech, as Bell is listed a a DQ in the final rundown. This put Burton on top, with Lewis, Chaz Bell, Emery Crow, and Tony Bell completing the first five. 

   Only eight A Mods were still running come feature time. Following a pair of false starts, the front row was moved back to row two and we went racing. Jon Melloway took the lead with the yellow flag waving with two laps down. On the restart fifth starting Ryan Middaugh powered to the lead, taking along Preston Dawson in second. Middaugh drove off into the Randolph County night, and with just a pair of laps to go, Chris Spalding charged to the runner up position. At the checkers it was Middaugh, Spalding, Richard Kimberling, a fading Dawson and Kelly Smith scoring top fives. 

   Driver introductions and a fireworks display with a couple of welcomed warming fireballs preceded the nights' finale. Moyer and Chad Simpson filled out row one, but after Chad fired off a bit early the start was called back and he was moved back to row two, putting Marrant alongside the ageless veteran Moyer. Moyer paced the field as the green flag flew, and early on brothers Chad and Chris Simpson swapped the runner up spot. With those three quickly gaining separation, slower traffic came into play by lap six, light at first, then 5 o'clock freeway heavy by lap eight. Eleven laps in Moyer was momentarily caught behind one of the slower cars and Chad sailed around for the lead. Moyer fought back to the lead one lap later when contact with a lapped car slowed Chad for a bit. The caution flag then waved, giving the leaders a clear track ahead. As the green flag waved on the Delaware Style restart, Chad attempted a slider in turn two, but Moyer crossed him back over. In turn four Simpson repeated the move, and this time was successful, retaking the lead. Slower traffic again came into play about lap twenty three but Simpson was patient and smooth, holding onto his lead. A final yellow flag came with four laps to go as Marrant was forced out of a top ten run with a flat tire. The field then went single file on the restart, but Dillon McCowan found extra speed and cleared Moyer for second. However this race belonged to Simpson, who crossed the line with a healthy advantage. It was McCowan, Moyer, Tony Jackson Jr. and Chris Simpson recording top fives. Trevor Gundaker outran brother Gordy for sixth, while Jeff Herzog gained eight positions to finish eighth. Mason Oberkramer was next, and Arkansas racer Jon Kirby started 26th and advanced sixteen positions to round out the top ten. Although My Race Pass results showed seventeenth on back as "did not start," that was incorrect, as twenty seven cars took the initial green. In a rather curious but mostly insignificant scoring decision, Richard Kimberling actually took the first green flag, pulled off as the start was called back, then was scored behind Kyle Graves, one of the three non starters. Just a little fodder for you stat geeks (like me)!

   Even with a late start and all the hoopla, the final checkers came just after 10:30, a marked improvement over past Weiner National events. As a side note, apparently the Oscar Meyer "Weinermobile" was involved in an accident somewhere along the line, and was unable to make an appearance, likely a disappointment to the many youngsters in the big crowd. 

   With family activities planned we will likely not be at the track until next Sunday, but hopefully everyone will find a race to attend this week! Enjoy the holiday!

Becerra Doubles Up - Takes Drive For Five Victory at Lee County

    Saturday night the regular season wrapped up at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson with the running of the UMP Dirtcar Pro Crate Late Model "Drive for Five" finale. Drivers had the opportunity to chase a $5,000 payday in the fifty lap feature by attending a predetermined number of the $1,000 to win qualifying events throughout the season. Competitors in action on this night not eligible for the top prize could still take home $2,000 with a win. Nine names appeared on the list of those vying for the five grand. All six regular weekly classes were on the card for this final night of action ahead of the fall specials in October. Rains earlier in the week caused extra track prep, but everything was good to go by race time.

   Due to a number of factors, car counts were down across the board, with many track regulars at or headed for the IMCA Super Nationals at Boone.

   It took a bit of track packing by the competitors, but action still kicked off about 7:10, with heat race action clicking off quickly aided by zero yellow flags, leading us into feature racing.

   Hobby Stocks were up first for fifteen laps, and Dustin Griffiths kept his unbeaten streak in tact. The veteran driver jumped from row two on the opening lap, then cruised to yet another main event win in the non stop race. Darin DeZwarte took runner up honors while Jason Schutterle nosed out James Pilkington in a tight battle for third. Visiting Paul Markhardt, Barneveld, Wisconsin completed the top five. 

   Sport Compacts came next with fifteen laps again the distance. Barry Taft powered to the early lead followed by Kimberly Abbott. The first caution of the night came two laps in for debris. Back under green, Taft methodically opened a commanding lead until a second yellow flag with just one lap to go when Harrison Horn stopped near the turn four guardrail. This set up a green, white, checkers finish and Abbott mounted a strong challenge, racing side by side with Taft. As starter Kevin Eggleston waved the double checkers, it was Taft with a half car length advantage over Abbott in the closest finish of the night. Blaine Lambert grabbed third followed by Robert Harding Jr. 

   Cole Gillenwater paced the opening circuit of fifteen for the Sport Mods, with Tom Bowling Jr. driving by to the front on lap two. The veteran Burlington driver then held serve throughout another non stop event. Gillenwater recorded his best finish in second, besting Cole Vanderwal, visitor Jackson Carey, Nashua, Iowa, and Jason Van Zomeren. 

   The twenty lap Stock Car feature saw outside front row starter Beau Taylor rocket to the front as the green flag waved with fourth starting Dustin Griffiths in pursuit. As Taylor stretched his lead, pole sitter Kelly Buckallew continued to hound Griffiths in the battle for second. With no yellow flags to slow the event, Taylor continued to hit his marks, opening more than a full straightaway lead as he collected his first ever Lee County feature win. Griffiths closed out another strong night with his runner up effort followed by Buckallew, visiting Dalton Markhardt and Jeff Hollenbeck. 

   Austen Becerra suffered the loss of his father, Tony, a former top notch racer himself, during the week. Austen had his Modified adorned with a #2 in the shape of a snake, a tribute to the design on Dads' Hobby Stock. Driving with even more of a purpose, he quickly shot to the lead in the twenty lap event. Donnellson driver Levi Smith gave chase on lap one before Jarrett Brown took up the pursuit one lap later. Again the race remained caution free, and as the laps wound down Austen had opened a full straightaway advantage. When the checkers flew, it was Becerra with an emotional victory. Brown crossed the line in second chased by Smith, Dakota Simmons and Matt Diaz. 

   The headline event of the night, the fifty lap Drive for Five finale would cap off the evening. As the cars came to the track, the #33 of top contender Nick Marolf would not fire and he was pushed to the pits unable to take advantage of his row two starting spot. Denny Woodworth and rookie Jackson Frankel filled out the front row. Denny would pace the opening lap before Jackson took command on lap two. Austen Becerra had lined up in third and on lap three he drove around Woodworth for second. Along with Frankel, the top two pulled well ahead of the pack running nose to tail and side by side before Becerra used an inside move to grab the lead on lap twelve. As Becerra built his lead, Frankel stopped in turn three on lap sixteen with a flat tire. For this special event, crews were allowed to come to the infield to make repairs under yellow, and Frankel quickly rejoined the tail of the field. On the restart, third running Darin Weisinger Jr. got shuffled back in the pack, although I could not tell if there was contact involved. One lap was scored then as contact sent Jeremy Pundt spinning in turn three. Back to close quarters racing, Spencer Havermale spun into the infield off turn two with the race staying green. Again Becerra checked out from the field ahead of the scheduled "competition caution" at lap twenty five. This was a fifteen minute break in which teams were allowed to make adjustments on their cars on the front straightaway. Most anything could be done, but if a driver changed tires, he would have to restart in the rear of the field, so everyone elected to stay with the tires they had. Only eight cars were around for the restart, and once more Becerra proved to be the class of the field on this night. No more did the caution wave in the final twenty five laps, and with five to go he was enjoying a half lap lead! Austen would drive home to his second win of the night, collecting $2,000 as he was not eligible for the big money. C.J. Horn muscled his way from row four to the runner up position trailed by Woodworth, track champion Tommy Elston and Weisinger Jr. Pundt, Frankel, and rookie Jayden Johnson in his first night racing Lee County rounded out the finishing cars. 

   The rains during the week had made for a "heavy" speed dominate track, putting passing at a premium all night long. Still it was a fun night of racing, and a big thanks to Neal, Patrick and the crew for doing the extra work to make racing possible. Although the fairgrounds will be busy in September, it will be October before circle track racing returns. Friday and Saturday, October 4 and 5 will feature all classes in two separate shows dubbed the "Harvest Hustle," and October 26 will be something like year twenty six for the event known now as "Shiverfest." 

  

   

Season Championships at Adams County,Il. Speedway - What's Next?

    Sunday was season championship racing at Adams County, Il. Speedway in Quincy,Il. Car Counts were a bit light as more than a few drivers prep their equipment for the IMCA Super Nationals next week. But there was still plenty of good racing going on with a couple of track championships still to be decided. Excessively high heat combined with a stiff breeze made for challenging conditions resulting in a track that quickly became dry slick and with a bit of what the drivers refer to as "character!"

   With heat race action in the books it was soon feature time. IMCA Northern Sport Mods ran first, nine cars for eighteen laps. A first lap yellow for a spin was followed immediately by a red flag situation involving multiple cars. Finally the first lap went in the books, with Quinton Shelton leading Gene Kay. By the next trip past the flag stand it was A.J. Tournear out front with Lucas Schieferdecker in pursuit. On the move was ninth starting Tanner Klingele, as he charged to second just ahead of a spin by Schieferdecker brought out another yellow flag at lap seven. Following the restart, Klingele overtook Tournear for the lead, with a final caution as lap eight was scored. Logan Cumby, in a backup car took second on the restart before Tournear regained the spot, and with Cumby dropping to fourth, Reed Wolfmeyer moved up to challenge for second. The battle for the runner up spot allowed Klingele to pull well ahead and he cruised to the win and his first track championship. Wolfmeyer won the battle for second ahead of Tournear, Cumby and Shelton. 

   A surprising six Street Stocks checked in, but they would never the less race for eighteen laps. The track title already belonged to Jacob Rexing as he lined up on the pole position, but he was looking for more. Jacob jumped to the lead with first Rickey Frankel III, then Rudy Zaragoza in pursuit. With Rexing well out front, Frankel and Zaragoza continued to swap the spot before Rickey suddenly headed for the trailer with six laps to go. Rexing would take the win by a full straightaway, with only Zaragoza and Levi Long still running as the checkers flew. 

   Dirtcar Pro Crate Late Models turned out a dozen plus one for their twenty five lap finale. It would be number two points man Tommy Elston on the pole with points leader Jason Perry directly behind. That duo quickly took off running the inside line on the ever slickening .29 mile oval. As Elston gradually increased his lead, Denny Woodworth decided to try a higher line on the track, and he quickly advanced from fifth to third while gaining on second running Perry. After seeing Woodworth drive by, Jackson Frankel also moved up the track and drove around Spencer Havermale for fourth. But with no yellow flags, Elston cruised to his third Quincy and I believe twelfth overall victory of 2024. Perry would follow, gaining enough points to secure the championship. Woodworth, Frankel and Havermale rounded out the top five followed by Braden Bilger, Jamie Wilson, Jason Oenning, Sam Halstead, and Jeffery Delonjay. 

   Dirtcar UMP Modifieds topped the entrants with seventeen, and only first time visitor Cleatus Coats failed to make the twenty lap feature call. Fast qualifier Dave Weitholder shot from row two to lead double duty Rexing and Austen Becerra as lap one was scored. Becerra would take second on the following circuit, and soon Trevor Neville was in the mix in fourth. A pair of caution periods came with five laps down as cars running towards the back of the pack struggled with the slick surface. Back to racing Neville used the Delaware Style restart to charge from third to the lead. Just past the halfway mark, fifth running Frankie Wellman looped his ride and back under green it was twelfth starting Rick Conoyer on the move to fourth as Becerra drove around Weitholder for second. There were still five cars in the mix when Becerra made a power move high off turn two to take the lead four laps from the checkers even as Neville got in the loose stuff and fell to fourth. After taking the top spot, Becerra drove off for the win and his third consecutive track title. Conoyer completed his charge by nipping Weitholder by a fender at the finish line, while Neville and Rexing filled out the top five. 

   Ten Dirtcar 4 Cylinders signed in, and they would go fifteen laps. Nick Johnson made the trip from Bartonville and he took the early lead over track champion Jaden Delonjay and Matthew Mackey. As lap two went in the books, they raced three wide for the lead. By the next time past the stripe Mackey was in control while Johnson and Delonjay continued their side by side duel. Johnson would eventually take command of the runner up spot, and just prior to half way Spencer Coats moved to third. A pair of yellow flag events came with three laps remaining, but Mackey was up to the task, holding on for another victory adding to his national points total. Johnson claimed second in front of Coats, Delonjay and Landon Neisen. 

   Crown Vics sat in staging as I made my way to the parking lot. Reports show Glen Wiley taking the win in the eight car field.

   As for the "What's Next?" It was announced during the evening that third year promoters Jim and Tammy Lieurence - JT Promotions - will be stepping away following next Sundays' program. All we know for sure at this time it that the track is now once again officially Quincy Raceways with the Delonjay family ready to take control. Physical improvements continue to be made to the facility with vast updates promised during the off season. There has as of this posting been no official announcement regarding the remaining two September races scheduled after next week, so I would refer you to the new "Quincy Raceways" page for updates.As I am unsure of my plans for next week, I will take this opportunity to thank Jim, Tammy and their staff for their hospitality to all of our Positively Racing team during their time at the helm and wish them good luck and good health going forward. And on behalf of myself and my colleagues, we look forward to working with Jeff, Renee and their team going forward!

Track Championships Decided Saturday at Lee County Speedway

    Saturday was free admission night at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, courtesy of Kohlmorgan Hauling. In addition, it was season points championship night for the six regular divisions. The top points earner in four of those classes was already decided before feature racing began, with the Stock Car and Modified champions still to be determined.

   With heat race action clicking off quickly and following a brief intermission, the large crowd settled in for main event action.

   First up would be the 4 cylinder Sport Compact division, with eleven of the dozen cars on hand lining up for fifteen laps. Michael Grossman would charge to the early lead with Barry Taft on his heels. Taft would jump to the front on lap two and one circuit later point champ Brandon Reu would move up to challenge Grossman for second. Reu would secure the position on lap four. But by this point Taft had a nice lead and as Reu and Grossman slugged it out, Luke Fraise arrived to make it a three car scrum. The only yellow flag of the event came at lap seven as Kimberly Abbott lost power near the turn three guardrail, her run over. Back to racing Taft continued to lead as Ethan Prim joined Grossman, Reu and Fraise in a tight battle for second. Reu would hold the spot by inches as lap eleven was scored and he quickly reeled in the leader. Lap thirteen saw the front pair racing side by side, with Taft ahead by a nose at the white flag. But it was Reu powering to the top spot on the final lap to collect the feature win to go alongside his track championship. Taft would take second followed closely by Fraise, Grossman and Prim.

   The Hobby Stock division was super short, with only five cars checking in. Dustin Griffiths came into the night undefeated in feature racing at the track in 2024. Although he started on the pole position, it was his row one mate Darin DeZwarte who jumped out front, holding the lead until lap five. Up to that point, Griffiths had been trying to sneak to the front on the inside, but then switched to a higher line and drove around DeZwarte. With no yellow flags to slow his march, Griffiths powered to a full straightaway victory, keeping his unbeaten streak alive while claiming the track championship. Jason Schutterle ran third until the final set of turns when he sneaked around DeZwarte to claim second. Jeremy Dooley and James Pilkington would round out the field. 

   Brandon Dale had already secured the track title as the fourteen Sport Mods came to the track for fifteen laps of racing. Dylan VanWyk shot from the pole, opening a sizable early advantage as Cole Gillenwater and Adam Birck battled for second. The caution flag waved with three laps in the books, and back under green Birck charged to second. But just one more lap was scored before Birck rolled to a stop with an unknown mechanical issue. As the field reset, fourth running Jim Gillenwater also retired to the pits. As racing resumed eighth starting Dale now found the runner up position even as VanWyk again pulled well out front. Slower traffic became a challenge for the leader with about five circuits remaining, but VanWyk was up to the task, cruising to a full straightaway plus win. Dale came next in front of Cole Gillenwater, Lenexa, Kansas visitor Will Wolf and Moberly, Missouri racer Charlie Rindom.

   The UMP Pro Crate Late Model class was also a bit light, with nine competitors taking the green flag. Outside row one starter Tommy Elston was already the declared champion, and he would work behind and alongside pole sitter Darin Weisinger Jr. before grabbing the lead on lap three. As Elston built his lead, the lone stoppage came at lap twelve for debris. Jeremy Pundt had been rolling around in the fifth position, but when racing resumed he charged quickly to third around the top side of the three eighths mile oval. Elston once again opened a comfortable lead while Weisinger Jr., Pundt, Denny Woodworth and Spencer Havermale raced behind in tight formation. Gradually Weisinger Jr. and Pundt separated themselves from the pack as they dueled for second. With only a pair of laps remaining Pundt again used a high side move to take the runner up slot. The final rundown would see Elston collect his ninth Lee County feature win of the season trailed by Pundt, Weisinger Jr., Woodworth and Havermale. Jackson Frankel, Vance Wilson and Ron Boyse would round out the cars running at the end, with Jason Oenning a victim of a mechanical breakdown around mid race after getting a late start due to a flat tire as the drivers were recognized ahead of the green flag.

   Stock Cars took the prize for largest turnout, with twenty signed in. And all made the twenty lap feature call. Unfortunately a pile up in turn two of the opening lap eliminated Leremy Jackson and visiting hot shoe Damon Murty who was curiously in an unfamiliar car with his #99D taped over a #8. Austin Schrage paced the field on the restart ahead of points leader Nicholas Profeta and David Brandies, who was wheeling a second #23 out of the Keegan Wells stable. Those three raced side by side, soon joined by Dustin Griffiths in a four car scrum. Brandies had the front on lap four, but two more trips past the flag stand and it was Griffiths in the lead. Those two began to pull away as five cars worked tightly bunched for the next positions. Slower traffic came into play at the half way point, but Griffiths disposed of them with no issues. Only five laps remained on the scoreboard when the caution flag waved for a spinning car. At the same time, Profeta stopped backwards in turn three. Although the spinner was able to continue, Nicholas needed the wrecker, rear end issues ending his shot at the track title with a sixteenth place finish. Coming in to the event just seven points behind, at this point Griffiths really only needed to finish the race to secure a second championship. But he obviously had more in mind. While the #23 team cars ran nose to tail and side by side behind him, Dustin raced home with both the feature win and the track title. Brandies outgunned Wells for second while Beau Taylor topped Schrage for fourth.

   The nightcap would feature all but one of twelve Modifieds going at it for twenty trips around the oval. Jadin Fuller won the race to turn one ahead of pole sitter Daniel Fellows followed closely by points leader Kurt Kile. Soon the front runners spread out, with Blaine Webster and Dakota Simmons filling out the top five. Again it was the leaders catching the back of the pack at the mid point, and as the race stayed green Fellows and Kile began to close on Fuller. With lapped traffic cleared, Fuller again showed his strength, pulling well ahead. With only five laps to go, Fellows began his charge around the top of the track, running high on the narrow cushion as he closed in on the leader. Pushing just a bit too hard, he contacted the turn one guardrail, but recovered to hold on to the runner up spot. As Fellows fought to keep his momentum off turn two with the laps winding down, Fuller was able to maintain his advantage all the way to the flying double checkers of Kevin Eggleston. Kile made a late charge, nipping Fellows at the line for second while also securing the class championship. Webster and Simmons were steady in completing the top five. 

   Racing action wound up around 10:00 P,M. Next Saturday night, August 31 will be the Drive for Five finale for Late Models. Qualified drivers - those who participated in the required amount of the $1,000 to win preliminary events throughout the season - will battle for a $5,000 top prize. A winner not meeting the requirements would still take home a cool $2,000. The rain date for this special event will be Saturday, September 7. Check the track website or Facebook page for more details. Non racing happenings will fill the month of September, with the oval roaring back to life with three big nights of racing in October!