If you live anywhere in the mid west, I probably don't need to tell you about the weather we are currently experiencing here in Northeast Missouri and the surrounding area. But we could spend some time talking about finding a race to attend. When the weekend began, my cohorts and I had a list of nine possible destinations in the "less than three hours from home" category for the three days. Cancel, cancel, cancel... could it be? Peoria Speedway, smack in the middle of a three day swing for the MARS series, announced that their quarter mile bullring had taken on the monsoon and came away battered but still standing. So against probably good advice and mostly ignoring the ominous forecast, Fred, Darryl, and I loaded up for the two and a half hour excursion to central Illinois.
True to their word, we found a flooded infield, but a track that looked to be in decent condition. The promoter at Peoria has added fresh dirt to the track since our last visit, and even though it seemed to be in good shape, we worried that the condition might deteriorate, especially with the strong car count. Thirty six Super Late Models and thirty three Open Modifieds topped the bill, along with enough Pro Mods and Hornets for three heats each and eight Kidz Modz to boot.
And although there were a few bumps here and there, the surface held up quite well, although most of the racing took place in the usually dominate inside groove.
Of course, with a traveling series, it was time trials, followed by straight up starts, at least for the Late Models and both Mod classes. So the heat races provided little in the way if drama, at least as far as winners go. All four Late Model heat winners came from the front row, three from the inside pole. And it seemed the same would hold true for the MARS Mods until Ray Bollinger suddenly rolled to a stop in heat four just as he took the white flag. B Mains were much the same, with four front row winners.
The original schedule had the Kids Modz feature rolling off first, but after I assume a peek at the radar it was announced that the MARS main events would go first. So after a quick dose of water (hard to believe, I know,) the Late Models lined up, twenty three strong for forty laps and a $5,098 top prize. The extra $98 was in honor of Garry Swibold, who this special event was named after. Unfortunately his son Cole is still recovering from a medical issue and was not able to compete, but he still had his #98 on hand for pre race ceremonies.
The heat winners had redrawn for their starting spots, and Bob Gardner in the McKinnon Racing #26M and three time Peoria MARS victor Brian Shirley sat in row one ahead of Dennis Erb Jr. and fast qualifier and first heat winner Colby Sheppard.
Six yellow flags would effectively chop up this race, however Shirley remained the dominate car for the first thirty five laps before apparently breaking something in the rear end just five laps from the checkers. A lap two pile up when Sheppard got out of shape exiting turn four sent sixth starting Jason Feger and others to the tail for the restart. Fortunately with the large amount of cautions, drivers were able to make up lost ground throughout the race. When they were able to string together some laps, Gardner and Erb Jr. waged a side by side battle for second while others made moves through the field. Two more cautions by lap fourteen found Feger back up to sixth, while sixteenth starting Justin Duty had run the mostly neglected high line all the way to third. Running in his tracks, Ryan Unzicker had advanced from row six to fourth. Shirley hit slower traffic at lap twenty two and following another yellow two laps later it was Erb Jr. and Unzicker in a war for the runner up spot. Ryan took possession of second at lap thirty, and two laps later under caution both third running Erb Jr. and Feger headed pit side with flat tires. Only Feger would return to action. The yellow came a final time when Shirley slowed on the track, and the field was realigned single file for the final five circuits. Unzicker then drove off into the Illinois night for the win. Tommy Sheppard Jr. drove a steady race and cashed in the runner up spot, the same was true for Jake Little in third. While the high side eventually deserted Duty, he still hung around the claim fourth, topping Allen Weisser. Frank Heckenast Jr. had an eventful race, but finished sixth after taking a series provisional to start twenty first. Mike "Opie" Spatola ran seventh ahead of twentieth starting Mitch McGrath and Rich Bell. Austin Howes, in many ways still a rookie in the Supers captured a B Main, then scored a top ten in the main event. Along with Shirley, hard luck honors should go the veteran Mark Voight who was running inside the top ten when he hit a rut on a restart and was hit by several cars, coming away with an apparent broken wrist. At leaast Shirley was able to collects considerable lap money for leading thirty five circuits, plus a rare $100 bonus for "winning hot laps!" Colby Sheppard would take home the $500 fast time award. This was the first race of the season for the MARS Late Models, and would be the only one of the weekend, with Brownstown, Il. on Friday and East Moline on Sunday both rained out.
As post race ceremonies took place, eleven rows of MARS Modifieds lined up for thirty laps with a $2,098 payoff at stake. Trey Harris and series points leader Michael Long sat in row one in front of Michael Ledford and fast qualifier Mike McKinney after the Modified heat winner redraw. Long shot to the lead, quickly opening a sizable advantage as the pack battled behind him. McKinney was finally able to emerge in second, but before he could attempt to close the gap to Long, the first caution flag waved with thirteen laps scored. By now a couple of renegade raindrops had fallen, and with a pretty good idea of what was coming, the large crowd began an exodus to the parking lot. For a few moments the cars continued to circle the track, but the hand writing was on the wall, and the race was called complete. Long would pick up his second win on the young season and add to his points lead over second place McKinney. Harris would be scored third, besting Ledford and Kyle Hammer. Evan Fink would come home in sixth in front of Treb Jacoby, local driver Mike Chasteen Jr., Josh Allen, and Indiana hot shoe Zeke McKenzie.
Unfortunately the remaining three features will likely be worked into the regular season schedule at the track.
As was predicted and expected, the drive home was something of an adventure, with occasional downpours and awesome displays of lightning, but thankfully the tornado watches failed to create any issues.
Much appreciation to the MARS series for staging a one off weekend race, something most of the other traveling series seem loathe to do, and to the Peoria Speedway crew for going the extra mile to prepare the grounds. I am also pleased that despite the adverse weather, they were rewarded with a strong car count and a large crowd!
Things are getting busy around here with non race activities, so plans going forward are a bit up in the air, although a visit by the MLRA to what will now be opening night at the Adams County, Il. Speedway in Quincy next Sunday is on the "can't miss" list! We certainly have needed the rain, but now let's see the sun for a while!
No comments:
Post a Comment