Elston, Eckrich, Brandies, Dale, Griffiths, Fraise and Miller Take LCS Checkers

   Before we begin, we want to offer condolences to the family, friends, fellow workers and on track competitors of the gentlemen injured in the tragic accident at Jacksonville, Illinois Speedway on Friday. Unfortunately there was one fatality involved while another man is hospitalized. This is a stark reminder that the sport we all love is a dangerous one and we must all stay vigilant.   

    After a fourth birthday celebration for great grandson Chester, I arrived at Lee County Speedway just in time for hot laps. American Iron Racing Series cars joined the usual six classes, with a total of eighty eight cars signed in.

    For whatever reasons, many of the participants chose not to hot lap, and as racing began, the track seemed a bit greasy. When a blown engine in an early heat race resulted in an oil spill nearly half way around the three eighths mile D shaped oval, the surface became even less forgiving. As a result there were far more yellow flag stoppages than normal and an abundance of laps spent circling the track trying to get the oil worked in. The result was a rather tedious set of qualifying heats. 

   Then something awesome happened! The sun began to set off turns three and four, a cool (chilly?) breeze picked up, and the moisture buried in the black dirt began to come to the surface, giving us a feature track that produced some good battles. 

   Sport Compacts were a late addition to the program this week, and as a result only five competitors signed in. Brandon Reu grabbed the early lead with Luke Fraise and Barry Taft close behind. Taft moved to second on lap two, doing business in the low groove while Fraise searched higher on the track. Five circuits into the fifteen lapper, the searching paid off, as Fraise powered to the front coming off turn four. On the following lap, Taft was able to slip around Reu for second. With the laps winding down in the non stop event, Taft was trying to set up the leader for a final challenge still running the inside line. Taking one more shot as they entered the final turns, Taft possibly made contact with the tractor tire barrier, spinning and coming to a stop before the finish line. Fraise would drive home the winner, followed by Reu, Ethan Prim, and Harrison Horn.

   The A.I.R.S. fifteen lap feature ran next. Bart Miller jumped ahead early and cruised to the win in his 1962 Ford Galaxie. This would be another non stop event.

   Drawing Hobby Stocks to the track continues to be a tough sell, with only nine entered on this night. David McCalla led the opening lap after starting on the pole, but it was fourth starting Dustin Griffiths charging to the lead the next trip around. The first yellow flag in feature racing came with eight laps scored, and while Griffiths held his lead on the restart, a three wide battle developed for the runner up position. Finally Peyton Stephens took command of the spot in his #623 machine. Griffith cruised to victory followed by Stephens, McCalla, Luke Phillips, and James Pilkington.

   Sport Mods led the way with twenty signed in, and all but one lined up for fifteen laps. Brandon Dale would rocket to the front from row two and lead all fifteen laps. Jim Gillenwater was on the chase early even as Dale opened a sizable lead flying around the top of the track. The caution flag came with four laps scored and even though not a part of the incident, third running Nicholas Profeta rolled to a stop on the backstretch, his run ended with a power issue. Dakota Girard would try to pressure Dale as racing resumed, with the duo pulling away from the pack as the laps clicked off. With the wave of the green flag signaling two laps to go, Dale found himself encountering slower traffic. This gave Girard one last chance, but Dale was not to be denied as the excited second generation driver secured the win and celebrated with a front stretch donut! Kyler Girard finished behind brother Dakota in third with Brayton Carter in the Carter Vandenberg #7V in fourth. Colton Livezey advanced five spots to come home fifth. 

   Now it was Modified time, ten cars for twenty laps. Dustin Kroening and Denny Eckrich filled out the front row, with Eckrich powering to the lead. Blaine Webster would take up the chase of Eckrich on lap two and they would drive off from the field. Meanwhile Kurt Kile found himself in a battle for third, finally taking command of the spot and setting sail for the leaders, leaving Kroening and Daniel Fellows fighting side by side for fourth. Webster made several attempts to dive below Eckrich, but could not find the necessary momentum to complete the pass. As the lap counter went to five to go, Kile had caught the front pair, and one lap later he sailed past Webster for second. Again slower traffic became an issue with two laps remaining, but Eckrich showed his moxie in negotiating those cars at just the right time, picking up the win in another non stop event. Kile would settle for runner up honors, topping Webster, Fellows, and Kroening.  

   The Stock Car class has been a bright spot at LCS in 2024, evidenced once again by a field of nineteen on Saturday. David Brandies sat outside row one and charged to the lead ahead of his row one mate, Abe Huls. As the pack exited turn four to complete the first lap, a mix up brought out the yellow flag. Back under green, Brandies drove away from a tight five car scrum behind him involving Huls, Johnny Spaw, Keegan Wells, Dustin Griffiths, and Beau Taylor. By the time Spaw cleared this group at the halfway mark of the twenty lapper, Brandies had a full straightaway advantage. As the field was set to complete lap sixteen, the yellow flag came as Griffiths made contact with Huls as they battled for third. Griffiths was penalized for the contact and he headed to the trailer with Huls retaining his position. There were still five circuits to race and Brandies' big lead had disappeared. On the Delaware Style restart, Huls shot ahead of Spaw, but had nothing for the leader. The checkers waved for Brandies, Huls, Spaw, Wells, and Taylor. 

   Late Models would wrap up the evening, a short field of eleven racing for twenty five laps. Tommy Elston has been on fire at his home track, and when he lined up outside row one, the "writing was on the wall." Pole sitter Denny Woodworth would stay close early, but soon Elston drove off into the Lee County night. This would be another non stop race, and soon the field was lined up around the low groove, with everyone waiting for the driver in front to make a mistake. Spencer Havermale would be the big mover of the event, gaining for positions to finish fourth. As starter Kevin Eggleston waved the double checkers for the final time, it was Elston with the "easy" win. Woodworth ran second chased by C.J. Horn, Havermale, and up and coming second generation pilot Clay Simpson (#25JR). Jeremy Pundt paced the second group ahead of Nick Marolf, Jason Oenning, Jackson Frankel, Darin Weisinger Jr. and Ron Boyse.

   Thanks once again to Neal, Patrick and crew for their hospitality, especially the always friendly faces at the pit gate! 

   Tonight we will head to Adams County, Il. Speedway for weekly racing, then we will be back there again on Wednesday for the make up UMP Modified extravaganza Chad McCoy Memorial paying $4,545 to win as part of the boosted purse six division program. Hope to see you there!

Adams County Speedway, Il. Sold: Will Race On

    It was a short turn around for the folks from Adams County, Il. Speedway. After hosting what appeared to be a very successful UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour event on Wednesday, the .29 mile "Broadway Bullring" was right back at it on Sunday for Mid Season Championship night. All six regular classes would be in action, with the program moved back one hour due to the heat. With a planned later start to the season plus a few rain outs, the track has only hosted a handful of points races to this point in the schedule. 

   The track crew gave the surface a complete soaking under the blistering sun, so a bit of extra track packing was necessary before hot laps could begin. Before heat race action there was a brief on track ceremony, and at the conclusion it was announced that the facility has been sold. With a potential new owners' plans uncertain, Quincian Jeff Delonjay stepped up and purchased the grounds and operation. Jeff is the owner of Be Dry Roofing and a former racer himself. He and wife Renee are the parents of current racers Jeffrey and Jaden, and the extensive family racing background includes Jeffs' Quincy Raceways Hall of Fame uncle, Henry ( Hank the Crank) Delonjay. The current plan is for the current promotions team to continue to lead the operation while Delonjay works to improve the racing experience for both competitors and fans. Delonjay is an innovator, as anyone who has seen his home made stacker race car hauler can attest, so it is potentially an exciting time for the nearly fifty year old speedway. 

   But in the meantime there was the business of racing to attend to. For likely several reasons, the car count was down a bit on this night, except in the Pro Late Model division, where a solid total of nineteen would sign in. The count was boosted by three entries from the state of Nebraska. For a couple of years the Jorgensen Racing Team, A.J. #47 and Robbie,#41 have made a yearly trek from the Omaha area to eastern Iowa with their IMCA Late Models, visiting different tracks. This week they were joined by Logan Cloudt and his #78 machine. Friday night we watched them compete in Davenport, Iowa, then their Saturday stop at Lee County Speedway was ruined by a late cancellation, and while spending the night in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, they decided to try out Quincy for the first time. 

   The Late Models would need three heat races to set their feature line up, while each of the other four classes had barely enough cars for two qualifiers. The new Crown Vic class was not scheduled on this night.

   Feature racing began with the Late Models going at it for twenty five circuits. Sam Halstead and Christian Miles made up row one, with Sam jumping to the early lead. The lone caution period came just three laps in when rookie Jackson Frankel went slideways in turns one and two, causing several cars to take evasive action behind him. Back under green, both Denny Woodworth and points leader Jason Perry would drive around Miles, and on the fifth lap Woodworth cleared Halstead for the lead. Along with Tommy Elston, the front four began to distance themselves from the pack. Slower traffic became an issue about lap thirteen, and Perry was able to drive past Halstead for second. Traffic continued to be an issue, with Woodworth staying on the inside line while Perry searched for openings on the high side. As the white flag was displayed, the pair ran side by side with Woodworth holding a slight lead. But in the final set of turns, Perry was able to find a bit of daylight, and he sneaked by to lead only a matter of feet, but at the right time to take the win. Woodworth would be the unfortunate bridesmaid, followed by Halstead, Elston, and Miles well back in fifth. Darin Weisinger Jr. paced the second five in front of Spencer Havermale, Frankel, Vance Wilson, and Braden Bilger. Heat winners were Weisinger, Halstead, and Miles.

   IMCA Sport Mods ran next, for eighteen laps. The yellow flag waved on the first attempt at a start, but from there on, the race stayed green. Logan Cumby started in row three and quickly charged to the lead ahead of Josh Holtman. A.J. Tournear would clear Holtman for the runner up spot with four laps scored. By the time seventh starting Tanner Klingele moved to third five laps in, Cumby had opened a commanding lead. Klingele slipped past Tournear on lap seven, but with clear track ahead, Cumby had a straightaway advantage by the halfway mark. Tournear battled with Reed Wolfmeyer for third, with Wolfmeyer claiming the position ten laps in. As the checkers waved, it was Cumby, Klingele, Wolfmeyer, Tournear, and Holtman. Tournear and Quinton Shelton were heat race winners.

   Only nine UMP Modifieds signed in with Jacob Rexing scoring quick time at 14.56 seconds while also collecting a heat race win. But it would be defending track champion Austen Becerra leading Rexing as lap one of the twenty lap feature was scored. While Rexing operated on the low line, Becerra searched the track, racing down low in turns one and two while pounding the cushion at the other end. Dave Weitholder used the top side to drive  to third on lap five, then began to run down Rexing. Meanwhile Becerra stretched his margin as the field began to get a bit strung out. By mid race Becerra had settled on riding the rim all the way around and had a big lead when the only caution came for a Matt Diaz spin four laps from the checkers. The restart would be single file, but Weitholder gained enough momentum to work past Rexing for second. Becerra cruised to the win to go along with a heat race checkers. Michael Vanderiet Jr. would race home fourth trailed by Chris Spalding. 

   Dirtcar 4 Cylinders would go fifteen caution free laps. Jaden Delonjay outraced brother Jeffrey to turn one, grabbing a lead he would never relinquish. Jeffrey settled into second, while heat winners Kimberly Abbott and Spencer Coats battled door to door for third. While Jaden cruised home to the win with Jeffrey in second, Abbott and Coats swapped positions, with Spencer taking over for good with eleven laps in the books. Rick Deford would hold off Landon Neisen to complete the top five. 

   Street Stocks would put a wrap on the festivities, going at it for eighteen laps. Double duty Rexing outran Rickey Frankel III to lead the opening circuit as heat winners Jake Powers and Rudy Zaragoza battled for third while closing on Frankel in a three car scrum. A pair of yellow flags slowed the action as the race hit halfway. When racing resumed, Robert Cottum used the Delaware Style restart to vault from fifth to second, trading places with Frankel. One more caution came with seven laps to go as Zaragoza and Powers continued an entertaining duel for third. Although Cottum was able to apply some pressure, Rexing stayed out from to the checkers.. Powers win the battle for third while Frankel held on for fifth. 

   Despite the late start, racing wrapped up just before 10:00. Thanks once more to J.T. Promotions for their hospitality. We now look forward to another exciting chapter at 8000 Broadway!

Denning and Zogg Top the List of Davenport Winners

   What better way to celebrate the beginning of summer than a visit to one of our favorite race tracks?! So after some back and forth around noon time Friday, Darryl and I decided to hit the road to Davenport Speedway for weekly racing. In his first year of promoting, long time Street Stock competitor Jeff Struck and his SR Promotions team has been turning out solid car counts in the IMCA Late Model and Modified divisions, making the two and a half hour drive worthwhile. Although it was another scorcher on Friday, there was a nice breeze blowing gently through the massive covered grandstands, and the beautiful full moon that was soon on display helped to light the road on the drive back home. 

   Hot laps kicked off just about ten minutes after the advertised 6:30, but with only about one half of the eighty three drivers in attendance taking warm up laps, the first heat was rolling right at 7:00. By my count it took sixty one minutes for the thirteen qualifiers to go in the books ahead of intermission. The track was perhaps not as racy for the heats as the track crew would like, so a rather extensive and lengthy - thirty minute or so - farming session took place that proved well worth the effort.

   IMCA Sport Mods would navigate the reworked quarter mile, with all but one of the sixteen lining up for fifteen laps. Justin Schroeder would hold the lead as lap one was scored followed by a yellow flag. Back under green, Josh Starr would swap the lead with Schroeder, racing side by side ahead of another caution period with four in the books ending the night for Logan Veloz. Racing once again, it was fifteenth starting Justin Veloz marching all the way to the lead. He then began to open a sizable advantage while Starr took control of second. A final caution came with nine laps down. Back to action, Veloz was rim riding around the oval when he slipped off the top of turn four, losing several positions just four laps from the checkers. Starr was there to grab the lead and the happy driver would collect his first Sport Mod win. Rayce Mullen came home second ahead of Ryan Walker, Veloz, and Perry Gellerstedt. 

    Nostalgia Late Models were on the card this night, with ten signing in. Eight were still running for the twelve lap feature. It took Ray Guss Jr. six laps to come from row four to the front in the non stop event. Stan O'Brien would race home in second.

    All thirteen Outlaw Street Stocks were up next for fifteen laps. Cary Brown would jump from row two to the early lead ahead of Andrew Chelf. It took only four circuits for Tony Von Dresky to power the #4S from row five to the front, and he quickly drove away from the field while Donnie Louck moved to second. A lone caution came with six laps scored, but back to racing again Von Dresky drove off into the night. Equally so, Louck was all alone in the runner up position. When the checkers waved, the front duo were chased by Landen Chrestensen, Brown, and Zach Zuberbier. 

   Like so many tracks along the mighty Mississippi, the Sport Compact class seems to struggle here to turn out cars. Only seven signed in on Friday, although all made the feature call for a dozen laps. Shawn McDermott shot from the pole position to a commanding lead, while Cyle Hawkins moved quickly to second. Soon the seven were strung out around the speedway, and all twelve laps clicked off caution free. Following McDermott and Hawkins across the line it was Dustin Munn, Drew Wise, and thirteen year old rookie Harrison Horn.  

   Eighteen IMCA Modifieds braved the heat to race on Friday, with only veteran Bob Dominacki missing from the twenty lap feature call after appearing to lose an engine in his heat race. Brandon Durbin led lap one before pole sitter Steve Gustaf took command ahead of a lap two caution. When action restarted, Durbin moved back to the lead while Gustaf, Matt Stein, and Charlie Mohr battled three wide for second. As Durbin opened a bit of a cushion now six cars were in a tight scrum close behind. With seven laps scored, Mohr would clear that gaggle of cars to take the runner up spot, then move past Durbin for the lead one lap later. Now it was Chris Zogg on the move, as he claimed second on lap nine. Mohr and Zogg were locked in a tight battle when the yellow flag stopped the action with nine laps remaining. Zogg grabbed the top spot as racing resumed, holding on as a final caution came two laps later. Following this final restart, Durbin briefly retook the runner up spot, but Mohr quickly moved back around the #15D. As that battle played out Zogg opened a nearly full straightaway lead, cruising home to the win. Mohr was strong in second, while Stein barely nipped Durbin at the stripe for third. Mitch Way ran a steady race to round out the first five. 

   IMCA Late Models would cap off the evening, and sporting the largest car count on the night, all nineteen came to the track for twenty five laps. Joe Ross and Travis Denning filled out the front row with Ross pacing the opening circuit. Denning then took over one lap later. As Travis began to stretch his lead, again there was a tight pack of six cars racing back and forth behind the front runner. With five in the books, Evan Miller had climbed from row four to clear the pack in second. Two laps later Andy Nezworski showed some muscle, grabbing third after starting in tenth. The top three then began a chase, Denning running the treacherous cushion, Miller about one lane lower and Nezworski operating low around the tire barrier. By lap nine Matt Ryan was on the move, after lining up in row six he entered the top five. Things began to get interesting around the mid point of the non stop finale as Denning caught the tail of the field. Meanwhile, Ryan continued to pick off cars, clearing Mike Goben for fourth, then easing past Nezworski at lap fifteen. By now Miller had reeled in the leader in what was shaping up to be a tight battle. Each lap Miller would move close to Denning exiting turn four, but lose ground in one and two, where Denning had a decided advantage. As those two kept each other occupied, Ryan closed the gap, making for a three car chase. But with no stops Denning made zero mistakes, driving home for a hard fought win. Miller crossed in the runner up spot chased by Ryan, Nezworski, and Goben. Joe Beal led the second five in front of Kasey Williams, C.J.Horn, rookie third generation racer Cruz Birkhofer, and ageless wonder Gary Webb.

   The final checkers came just before 10:00, putting a wrap on a solid show. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a sparse gathering on hand to witness it, as the intense heat no doubt scared off many. But as stated earlier, it was actually a rather pleasant evening with the breeze wafting through and the ice cream truck on the grounds offering up tasty frozen treats!

   Hopefully Mother Nature will cooperate today as we make plans for a visit to Lee County Speedway where the Late Models will contest another $1,000 to win Drive for Five qualifier. Wherever you are, turn off the T.V., and head to a track near you!

  

  

McLaughlin Breaks the Streak as the Hell Tour Invades Adams County, Il. Speedway

    Wednesday night, June 19, the UMP Summernationals "Hell Tour" made its' yearly stop at Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy. Once again, the Summit Modifieds joined the Late Models as a touring mini series. IMCA Sport Mods and the just started Crown Vic division filled out the card on a scorching evening. As seems to often be the case, rain claimed two of the first five series events last week, with Tyler Erb the victor in the three races run. Tyler, of course grabbed the win when the MLRA Late Models made a stop in Quincy exactly one  month prior and added to his historic streak by picking up the win Tuesday night in Davenport, Iowa. His four wins in a row is the most to start the tour since Billy Moyer began the 1996 series by capturing the first six events. Amazingly, the ageless wonder Moyer is back on the tour in 2024.

   And it was Moyer who posted the fastest overall lap in time trial qualifying at 13.264 seconds in his Todd Cooney Motorsports ride. With the thirty two Late Model entries split into two divisions, the group B fast timer was Erb at 13.471 and at that point I imagine UMP officials had that "here we go again" feeling. In fact, when I arrived at the track, I was told that the group providing special prizes for the spectator drawings had used part of their money to put a bounty on Erb (was it $150?) and in the drivers meeting, UMP head honcho Sam Driggers announced a $900 bounty on the young man from New Waverly, Texas. As it turned out, all of those dollars would be paid out on top of the $5,000 winners share.

   The boiling summer sun was bearing down on the .29 mile oval, and Steve Grotz and his crew were doing all they could to keep moisture in the racing surface. Although an interesting combination of a bit slimy yet dusty early, eventually it became hard, slick and smooth as most drivers prefer, and by the end of the night resembled asphalt more than dirt! In most cases, the "time 'em and start the fast ones up front" format gives you follow the leader heat races, but that was not the case on Wednesday. Heat one saw Mooresville, North Carolina driver Max McLaughlin come from row two to take the win, more on the twenty four year old later. A favorite at the Quincy track, Jason Feger claimed heat two from the pole position. Things got interesting in the third eight lapper. Erb and his row one mate Tyler Clem were battling for the lead with two laps to go when contact between them resulted in Erb stopping on the track to bring out the yellow flag. Officials then ruled that both drivers would restart from the tail of the remaining five car field. Georgia driver Garrett Smith would inherit the lead and go on to the win, while Erb picked up the fourth and final transfer position over Clem. Earlier in the event Memphis, Missouri driver and former Quincy Modified ace Austin Howes was running in a feature qualifying spot when he suddenly slowed in turn four with a still undiagnosed issue with his #17A. St. Louis area racer Daryn Klein would go the distance to claim the final heat.

   This would leave sixteen cars eligible for the ten lap Last Chance race, with only two of the thirteen who took the green flag moving on. It was a quick ending for Doug Tye, who rolled his #4D in turn one on the start as a result of a multi car mix up. Fortunately, he was uninjured. Quincy driver Rickey Frankel came from inside row two to claim the win over outside row one starter Clem. Three UMP and one promoters pick would make up the remaining four provisional starter for the main event, with Darin Weisinger Jr. getting the track selection after bringing his "outlaw" #11  car to the event. 

   The Summit Modified $1,500 to win twenty five lapper turned out twenty two of the best Modifieds in the mid west. Kentuckian Tyler Nicely had the overall quick time at 13.990 seconds. Three heat races would set the feature line up, with Nicely, Adams County part time competitor Trevor Neville, and popular former NASCAR racer Kenny Wallace all taking wins from the front row. 

  Two heats for the IMCA Sport Mods and one for the Crown Vics, a brief intermission for the huge crowd, and it was soon feature time. 

   The Modifieds would roll off first with all but two making the call. Neville and Wallace would redraw the front row, and Wallace would shoot to the lap one lead. Quincy native Michael Long would line up in position four and power to second on the next trip around. By about lap six, Long, who has become one of the best Mod drivers in the nation, was side by side for the lead, and he would drive past Wallace followed by Neville one lap later. Nicely would rebound and join the front duo on lap eight, then slip around Neville on lap ten and begin to run down the leader. With Long running in the remaining moisture low on the track, Nicely was poised to take over the lead from the high line when the yellow flag would fly with eleven laps in the books for local hot shoe Dave Weitholder. It was a disappointing end to the night for the multi time track champion, whose car would seemingly not go into gear at the start of his heat race relegating him to the final starting spot in the money race.  During the caution he would drive to the trailer, his night over early. The yellow would come again on the restart, but then we would stay green to the checkers. Long was able to build a bit of a lead now as Nicely and Neville battled side by side for second. With six laps remaining, Nicely finally took control of the position, and by now slower traffic ahead was becoming an issue. With just a pair of laps to go Long was able to use an inside move to put a car between himself and Nicely, and that would be all he needed to secure the win. Neville would finish in third ahead of Hunt Gossum and Wallace. Austen Becerra gained two spots to sixth followed by Rick Conoyer, track regular Jacob Rexing, Lucas Lee, and Steve Meyer Jr. 

   It was now Late Model time, thirty laps for twenty two cars and the $5,000 payday. A pair of #10s,  Smith and Klein would fill out the front row from the heat winner redraw with Feger and McLaughlin behind in row two. Klein would grab the lead on the start with McLaughlin close behind. Klein was hugging the still moist inside groove while McLaughlin searched one lane higher. Starting on lap six, the pair ran side by side before Max was able to secure the lead on lap eight. He would then pull well ahead and as the race neared the halfway mark Feger charged to the runner up position. With the race staying green, slower traffic came into play about lap eighteen, and McLaughlin got into the marbles at the top of turn four allowing Feger to close . Still in command, McLaughlin again got too high in turn two  with just seven circuits left and again Feger was able to close. As the laps wound down, Jason was right on the bumper of the #22*, getting close enough to show his front bumper on occasion, but McLaughlin was up to the challenge. He would claim the surprise win in his final night on the tour before heading back south with his G.R. Smith owned Late Model.  As he admitted in victory lane, he has limited experience in a dirt Late Model, and is best known as a Modified ace, while also garnering national attention competing in several NASCAR divisions. Feger would settle for second in the non stop event, while young Clayton Stuckey would gain five spots to finish third. Klein and Will Roland completed the top five. Spencer Diercks would be the last car through the pit gates, and he would turn in a six place run, topping fourteenth starting Erb, Moyer, rising star Dillon McCowan, and Allen Weisser. 

   With the crowd still buzzing, all thirteen IMCA Sport Mods lined up for eighteen laps. Keokuk, Iowa youngster Nicholas Profeta sat on the pole, and he drove off into the early lead. Track regular Reed Wolfmeyer started outside row two and quickly tucked in behind Profeta. On lap eight, Wolfmeyer was able to pull alongside the front runner, although it took four more circuits before Wolfmeyer was able to make the winning pass. The only caution flag came with four laps to go, and the field was restarted single file. This posed only a minor inconvenience for Reed, who drove off into the Illinois night for the win. His only regret was that it was not a "points night!" Profeta held on for second in front of Logan Cumby, Dakota Girard, and Tanner Klingele.

   Rather surprisingly, much of the large gathering stayed around to watch the six car, twelve lap Crown Vic finale. On this special night, Sport Compact champion and Late Model rookie Jeffrey Delonjay climbed in the #32 and took the win over Steve Meyer and Jake Etter.

   It was great to see such a turnout of cars and fans on a night when air conditioning and a recliner would have been a solid alternative. Thanks as always to Jim, Tammy and their crew for their hospitality and to the UMP folks for bringing their game to town! The Summernational parade moves on to Spoon River Speedway on Thursday before heading south to the St. Louis area for a pair of events. While we will not be at those races, we are busy planning our "first days of summer" events. So stay tuned!

  

Elston Stays Hot, Eckrich, Agee, VanWyk, Reu, and Griffiths Also Winners at LCS

    Lee County Speedway was our destination for Saturday night racing. The regular six classes were on the card on this Fathers' Day weekend. It was a warm evening, and when the sun broke through late, the track became hard and slick, adding a challenging dimension to handling a race car! A couple late arrivals raised the final count to seventy five entrants in the six divisions. 

   Hot laps kicked off a few minutes past the 6:00 target, but the first heat race hit the track at about 6:34, and fifty five minutes later, the eleven qualifiers were in the books. 

  Following about a twenty minute intermission the slow to staging Sport Mods lined up, all but two of the seventeen on hand racing for fifteen laps. As Kevin Eggleston waved the green flag he quickly replaced it with a yellow for a multi car scrum on the front stretch. Nicholas Profeta shot to the lead on the original restart while Patrick Phillips and Tyler Heckart raced side by side for second. Heckart fell back a bit on lap two as Phillips grabbed the position and Dylan VanWyk advanced from his sixth starting spot to third. As Profeta continued to race around the very bottom of the three eighths mile oval, VanWyk used the high line to take second on lap four. Another caution came with five laps scored and when racing resumed, VanWyk continued his top side drive to the front. Dakota Girard found extra speed and charged to third with the caution again displayed. A final caution came when Dakota was involved in a stoppage that sent both him and brother Kyler to the tail for a last restart. When the green flag waved Profeta got shuffled back in the scramble for positions.. At the checkers it was VanWyk with the win followed by Phillips, Brandon Dale, Profeta, and eleventh starting Grinnell, Iowa visitor Will Wolf.

   Sport Compacts were next to the grid with all ten entries making the call. This one was never in doubt as Brandon Reu charged from row two to lead all fifteen laps. Luke Fraise gave up the runner up spot to Barry Taft on lap two. Following the only yellow flag stoppage, Kimberly Abbott, starting eighth, moved up to challenge Taft, who was piloting a #26 machine. As those two did battle, Reu drove off, cruising to the win. Taft won the duel for second over Abbott, while Fraise topped Ethan Prim to round out the first five. 

   The late appearance of C.J. Horn swelled the Pro Late Model count to sixteen, and all but Sam Halstead lined up for twenty five laps. The chatter on this night concerned the plain black car with a pair of  "twos" hastily applied to the drivers door. Modified ace Austen Becerra was the surprise pilot, and after a heat race win, he redrew the pole position alongside rookie Spencer Havermale. While Austen rocketed to the lead, third starting Tommy Elston followed in second. Along with Havermale, they quickly put distance on the field, themselves well spread apart and running the preferred inside groove. With slower traffic coming into play as the race neared the halfway mark, Elston began to swiftly close the gap on the leader. With thirteen in the books, Tommy put his #54 out front and began to stretch his advantage. With the laps winding down to four to go in what proved to be a non stop event, Becerra was having problems clearing a lapped car, and soon Havermale was on his rear bumper. Elston sailed to the victory as Becerra edged Havermale for the runner up honors. Havermales' teammate, Vance Wilson slipped around Darn Weisinger Jr. for fourth. Second generation driver Clay Simpson made his first visit to LCS in 2024 and wheeled his #25Jr from a row seven start to sixth, besting rookie Jackson Frankel, Denny Woodworth, his teammate Jason Oenning, and Jeremy Pundt. The win marked perhaps four in a row for Elston at LCS?

   Blaine Bryant would be the lone Stock Car missing from the twelve as they prepared for twenty laps of action. Veteran Johnny Spaw sat on the pole, and quickly pulled well out front ahead of Casen Keller and double duty Dustin Griffiths. As Griffiths took over the second spot with four laps scored, an intense four car battle developed for third. By the time Derrick Agee broke out from that pack, Spaw was nearly out of sight. But with eight circuits counted, Tom Cannon got crossed up in turn four, sliding into the infield, then drove back to the apron to bring out a yellow flag. Back to green flag racing, Griffiths made a rare mistake, spinning in turn two to bring another caution. Again Spaw pulled well ahead, but a final stoppage came with seven laps to go. And this time Agee was able to find traction on the bottom of the speedway. Soon the high riding Spaw dropped down to try and protect his lead, but Agee managed to nose ahead with just three laps remaining. The Missouri driver then held on for a hard fought win over Spaw. Nicholas Profeta picked up his second top five of the night in third, while Griffiths worked his way back to out gun Keegan Wells for fourth. 

   As has been the case whenever tried, Hobby Stocks continue to struggle with car counts anywhere close to the Mississippi River, and only six signed in for the night. Pole sitter Tucker Richardson and third starting Griffiths drove off from the rest ahead of a single caution period three laps in. Back to racing, Griffiths used a low side move on lap four to take the lead, then stayed out front for the final eleven circuits. Richardson stayed close, waiting for a mistake that never came. Meanwhile Austin Stalder and James Pilkington had a see saw battle for third, crossing the line in that order. Darin DeZwarte was the only other car running as the checkers waved. 

   Fourteen Modifieds would put a wrap on the action, going at it for twenty laps. Denny Eckrich sat on the pole, and was determined to use that advantage to the fullest. As he paced the field, Dustin Kroening and Las Vegas, Nevada visitor Jonathon Mawhinney duked it out for second. Jonathon is apparently one of several drivers traveling the mid west to try his luck at some new and different tracks. Six laps in, he took command of the runner up spot but was well behind Eckrich. At the same time, Kurt Kile and Blaine Webster dueled back and forth behind the top three. With the race staying green, the front runners soon found themselves fighting slower traffic. But both Eckrich and Mawhinney had built a nice cushion when four cars fighting for the third spot came upon a lapped one exiting turn two. With nowhere to go, the slower car spun onto the apron, triggering the yellow flag. With the final wave of the green, Mawhinney was shuffled back while Kile found a hole, charging from sixth to second behind Eckrich at the checkers. Kroening followed, Jadin Fuller came home in fourth, and Mawhinney held off Webster for fifth. 

   The well paced program came to a close about 9:30, allowing even those with youngsters to stay until the end! Thanks as always to Neal, Patrick, and their crew for a fun Saturday night.

   Adams County, Il. Speedway will be idle on this Fathers' Day to prepare for the UMP Summer National Hell Tour invasion on Wednesday, as both the traveling Late Models and Summit Modifieds will come to town, supported by IMCA Sport Mods and their fledgling Crown Vic division. Hope to see you there!

Oliver Jr. Doubles Up, Leighton SLMR Victor at C.J.

    Friday night found us navigating the back roads of Henry and Louisa Counties as we wound our way around the closed Highway 92 to C.J. Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa. It was opening night in 1970 when I made my first visit to the Louisa County Fairgrounds during the heyday of the Mississippi Valley Speed Club racing every other Saturday on the big half mile. Although there have been changes over the seasons, including the track shortened to something close to a four tenths mile, the grandstands and the atmosphere within have remained constant over our many trips there. One of the recent changes involves the first year in charge of rookie promoter Dan Keltner. The former racer heads up four IMCA sanctioned divisions racing on Friday nights with those classes also involved in a dual points championship with Lee County Speedway. 

   The extra excitement on this night was the yearly visit by the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Racing series (SLMR) as part of the 3rd annual Tony Stewart Tribute. Chad Holladay was the 2022 winner while Derrick Stewart took a popular win one year ago. $3,000 would await the 2024 victor.

   Twenty seven Late Models checked in to do battle in front of a large turnout of enthusiastic fans. The car count in the regular divisions was down fifteen or so, likely in part to the special fair races in Eldon, Iowa, an area where several of the weekly CJ competitors call home. 

   Hot laps kicked off right at the advertised 7:00 PM, and we quickly moved to Late Model time trials. Transponder issues slowed the process, with several drivers needing to come back out when their cars did not trip the timer. With qualifying for groups A and B complete, Chad Holladay sat first overall with a lap of 19.224 seconds. The track was in "hammer down" condition for heat race action, and all four SLMR eight lappers were won from the front row despite the six car invert. Chad Simpson in a Jay Johnson #93, Justin Kay, Darrel Defrance, and Curt Schroeder picked up wins. Charlie McKenna appeared to blow the engine in his #22 in heat race two, but he would later take a provisional start in the feature behind the wheel of the Ron Boyse #74. Luke Goedert was running in a qualifying position in heat four when he slowed and ducked to the infield. Fortunately he was able to make the show with a third place run in the B main, which was won by outside row one starter Jason Hahne. Local driver Johnathan Huston was racing in a transfer spot in that B main before mechanical issues took him down.

   With heat races complete, the ten minute intermission ahead of the Late Model B main stretched to about twenty five minutes with some special activities, but no extra track prep. After the Stock Car main event we would have another unofficial intermission, more on that later. 

   All but one of the thirteen Stock Cars lined up for sixteen laps. Fourth starting Kirk Kinsley shot to the early lead, while eighth starting Corey Strothman charged through the field to the runner up spot in what quickly became a two car breakaway. Strothman had a nose out front as lap four was scored then ran side by side with Kinsley on lap five. Meanwhile John Oliver Jr. had lined up in tenth, drove to fourth on lap four, then took third one lap later. Strothman opened a sizable lead, but the only caution period of the race came at the half way mark. Oliver Jr. capitalized on the Delaware Style restart to move to second, and by lap eleven was side by side with Strothman for the lead. From there the third generation racer eased ahead, holding on for the win. Strothman settled for second followed by Kinsley, Chad Krogmeier, and Norman Bean. 

   Following his post race interview we were waiting for Oliver to exit his Stock Car and climb in the #55 Sport Mod when suddenly the bank of lights on the backstretch went dark. Of course with the newer style lights, it is not simply a matter of flipping a breaker. A cool down period is required, which takes several minutes after whatever the issue that is first corrected. I will confess that I did not time the delay, but it for sure qualified as a second intermission. 

   When racing resumed, all nine Sport Mods prepared for sixteen laps. Pole sitter Randy Farrell paced the opening circuit, with fourth starting Tyler Heckart hot on his tail. Tyler moved to the front one lap later and soon had a nice lead. At the same time, Oliver Jr. was battling with Nick Aupperle for second, with John securing the position on lap five. Using a diamond high to low move in turns one and two then hugging the inside line in turns three and four, Oliver quickly closed in on the leader. Oliver actually crossed the line out front on lap eight, but a yellow flag negated the pass, putting Heckart back on top for the restart. With Oliver showing his nose, Heckart moved down the track in three and four to hold the top spot, but he got up in the marbles in turn two on lap eleven, and Oliver was able to drive by for the lead. Oliver was cruising out front when the white flag waved, but a spinning car brought out a final yellow leaving us with a green, white, checkers finish. There was no change in the running order over those two laps, with Oliver taking a second win. Heckart came home next chased by Aupperle, Levi Gaunt, and Todd Hansen. If I heard Oliver correctly in his post race interview, he said this was the first time he had won in both classes on the same night.

   Now it was Late Model time, twenty three cars going at it for twenty five trips around. The combination points from time trials and heat races saw Nick Marolf and Dave Eckrich sitting in row one. Eckrich shot to the lead, with Holladay coming from row two to second. With three laps down, contact on the front stretch sent Marolf sideways in front of the field, and he was able to wrestle his #33 to the apron, narrowly averting disaster. Although no one actually stopped, understandably the yellow flag waved, and Marolf was allowed to restart in fourth. He then fell back on the restart, likely with damage to his car, while fifth and sixth running Bill Leighton and Justin Kay moved to third and fourth. On lap eight, Kay saw his run come to an end with mechanical woes. The top three of Eckrich, Holladay, and Leighton had checked out by lap nine, but a yellow for Derrick Stewart brought another caution and ended his night. Leighton powered to second on the restart, then just ahead of the crossed flags signaling the halfway mark, he drove around Eckrich on the top side of turn four to take the lead. Two more times the caution would come, but each time Leighton would pull away. Tenth starting Andy Eckrich was now the man on the move, taking fourth on the lap fourteen restart, then third two laps later, taking along Chad Simpson and Dylan Thornton in the top five. On the final restart with four laps to go, Andy would clear older brother Dave for second while Holladay appeared to have issues, falling back through the pack. At the checkers, it was Leighton, making the long tow from Lavista, Nebraska, in victory lane. Andy and Dave would follow, with Thornton and Jeff Tharp grabbing top fives. Chad Simpson paced the next group ahead of Marolf, J.C. Wyman, Hahne, and Tim Simpson.

   Two more features were on the card, but the clock now showed 11:00, so we regretfully headed for the exit. Checking results shows the hottest driver in the state, Nathan Ballard came from ninth to top the Hobby Stocks, while Kyle Madden claimed the Modified finale. 

   Thanks to Dan Keltner and his crew for their hospitality and overcoming the brown out to give us an exciting night of racing!

   Tonight we will be staying close to home with a visit to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for six divisions of racing. The weather is great, so wherever you are, get off the couch, turn off the streaming, and take in a race - in person!

  

  

  

Indee Comes Alive with Monday Madness

    Our Monday night destination was a second visit in 2024 to Independence, Iowa Motor Speedway. This would be my first look at the Indee Monday Madness series, a seemingly successful experiment by co promoters Mike VanGenderen and Dana Benning. On this cool and sunny evening a solid field of one hundred and one cars signed in for the six division program in front of what seemed to me a decent sized crowd for a Monday program.The second year Pro Late Model series would top the bill along with five IMCA classes, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts.

   As expected for a show at this venue, everything was ready to go at the advertised time, with hot laps kicking off at 6:45, and remarkably heat races just fifteen minutes later. And true to form, the fifteen qualifying races clicked off in just under an hour. 

   MVG and his crew then did pretty much a full rework of the three eighths mile semi banked surface, and it was about 8:30 when the first feature green flag waved for the Sport Compacts. Fifteen laps would be the distance with all thirteen cars making the call. Jaice Tuttle would shoot from the pole to lead the opening laps, battling with his row one mate Lucas Rick. Rick would lead lap three and was still out front when a single caution period came with seven laps scored. Back under green Rick gradually stretched his advantage, cruising to the win. Tuttle came home second chased by Robert Rundle, ninth starting Jake Anderson, and Tyler Mannion.

   The Pro Late Models would be up next with twenty five laps the distance for the sixteen competitors. Second generation hot shoe Bobby Hansen and National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Jeff Aikey filled out the front row. But it would be third starting Logan Duffy, the winner in my previous visit here in April who would lead lap one, even as Aikey went off the top of turn four and found himself at the back of the pack as he climbed back to the racing surface. Sean Johnson had lined up alongside Duffy, and he then moved to the lead as those two began to distance themselves from the pack. Running the preferred high line around the oval, the leaders began to encounter the back of the pack near the halfway mark ahead of the first yellow flag. With fourteen laps in the books, Nick Marolf gave up his top five run when he slowed on the speedway to bring out the caution flag. Back to racing, Matt Ryan and ninth starting Greg Kastli were on the move, advancing to third and fourth positions. Two laps later a final caution came, but this would be only a minor setback for Johnson. When racing resumed he drove away to a convincing win while Duffy also put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Ryan and Kastli held their spots, while Andy Nezworski came forward late to score a top five. J.D. Auringer gained seven positions to finish in sixth ahead of Zach Less, a rebound from Marolf, Dakota Simonsen, and Hansen. Johnson would collect a cool grand for the win on his hometown track.

   Eighteen cars answered the bell for the twenty lap Stock Car money race. Tom Schmitt and Dustin Vis sat on row one, and they raced side by side for the opening circuits, joined by row two starter Rowdee VanGenderen on lap three. Using the top line around the speedway, Rowdee powered past both cars to grab the lead on lap four. With the very top of the track seemingly the fast way around, the top three ran that line NASCAR style, nose to tail and pulled away from the action back further on the track. As the laps wound down and no yellow flag in sight a few drivers decided to try their luck dropping to the middle groove. This proved a wise move for ninth starting Damon Murty, who was able to pick off several cars. With the race staying green all the way to the checkers, VanGenderen, the soon to be high school senior, picked up the win and the $1,000 payday. Schmitt finished on his bumper with Vis in third. Murty was closing fast in fourth while Jarod Weepie debuted a new car and nosed out John Oliver Jr. for fifth.

   Things were moving along nicely, with a total of three yellow flags in the first three features, then the IMCA Modifieds took their turn and things turned quickly. Not counting the waved off start when a brake check stacked cars up entering turn three, a total of seven yellow flags plagued the twenty lapper. Bret Ramsey paced lap one from the outside pole before heading to the hot pit with a flat tire during a caution period two laps in. By now fifth starting Dallon Murty had charged to the runner up spot, and as racing resumed he took over the reigns. Time and again the second generation phenom would drive off from the pack only to have another stoppage return him to the field. Meanwhile there was lots of action behind the leader with the twenty car field slicing, dicing, and slide jobbing for positions as much as the frequent stops would allow. Troy Cordes lined up in row six and by the time seven laps were scored he was in the second spot for a restart. Behind him double duty Jeff Aikey was headed to the front, sliding past Patrick Flannagan for third then using a high side move to clear Cordes for the runner up position. Just as the white flag waved, a car sliding off the front stretch brought the seventh caution, setting up a green, white checkers finish. It was of little consequence to Murty, who may have burned up much of his $1,000 check in fuel costs with all the extra laps! Aikey held onto second over Cordes while Adam Shelman cleared Flannagan late for fourth. 

   The clock was now ticking close to 10:00 P.M., so we regretfully decided to head to the car with two events left. A check on the drive home showed Bradly Graham a Hobby Stock winner, while Cole Suckow advanced ten positions to top the Sport Mods.

   Thanks as always to MVG and Dana for their hospitality and for a well run show, and to Jeff for allowing us to tag along.

   Next on the schedule is our first visit of 2024 to C.J. Speedway in Columbus Junction on Friday, as the SLMR Late Models join the four weekly IMCA classes. For those who may not be aware, Highway 92 from  Highway 27 at Ainsworth Jct. into Columbus Junction is temporarily closed, so plan accordingly, and if you see me at the track, be sure and say "Hi!."

Free Admission Packs the Stands at Lee County

    Saturday night we made our second visit of 2024 to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. This would be another Drive for Five qualifier for the UMP Pro Late Models as well as the second night of dual points with CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction for the shared classes of Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. Sport Compacts would fill out the six divisions at LCS. Co promoters Patrick Profeta and Neal Kohlmorgan created considerable chatter by announcing on Friday that it would be free admission for the Saturday night show. In addition, an extra $2,000 was added to the total purse. The temperature was a bit more pleasant than we experienced on Friday, and the skies fluctuated between sunny and cloudy as race time approached, even as tracks a few hours both north and south were forced to cancel.

   As might be expected, there was a big turnout of fans, and by the looks of things, some monies were made up at the concession stand! The car turnout was a bit down, also to be expected, but the track was multi groove and racy throughout with a fast cushion and lots of action. 

   Hot laps began shortly after 6:00, and the first of a dozen heat races hit the three eighths mile D shaped oval a few ticks after 6:30. A short intermission followed, and soon it was feature time. 

   Sport Mods rolled out first, thirteen strong for fifteen laps. Veteran Jim Gillenwater shot to the lead from the outside pole, hit his marks perfectly and led the entire distance for the win. First Kyler Girard, then Brandon Dale tried to keep up with the #10 car, but Gillenwater had opened a commanding lead before the lone caution came three laps from the finish. Back to racing Dale was able to apply some pressure, but Gillenwater was up to the challenge, claiming victory. Girard came home third followed by Patrick Phillips. Tyler Heckart battled early with Logan Cumby before securing fifth. 

  The Sport Compact class was down a bit with nine checking in. Kimberly Abbott charged to the initial lead from the outside pole, followed by her row one mate, Blaine Lambert. Brandon Reu lined up in position three, but powered around the two front runners on the second trip around. From there he cruised to the win in the non stop fifteen lap event. Abbott took runner up honors ahead of Jaden Delonjay, David Prim, and Lambert.

   Stock Cars again had the biggest turn out with seventeen checking in. Keegan Wells had engine woes in his heat race and was the only one not making the call for the twenty lap money race. A multi car mixup as the green flag waved halted the action, with heat two winner Dustin Vis heading to the trailer. On the restart, front row starters Tanner Allen and Beau Taylor jumped ahead, battling until Johnny Spaw found a way around Taylor on lap six. Allen was not giving up the low line around the speedway, so Spaw and Taylor worked the top side in pursuit. Lap eight saw Spaw with enough momentum to power past Allen, who then also jumped to the high side. A second and final caution for debris came with six to go, and when the green flag flew Taylor was slow to fire off, falling to sixth. It was now Spaw and Allen running in tight formation, but the wily veteran Spaw kept his #00 out front all the way. Allen settled for second, besting eighth starting Andrew Burk, ninth starting double duty Nicholas Profeta, and Taylor. 

   With the hammer down track, it looked like a daunting task for red hot Tommy Elston to come from row five in the ten car twenty five lap Late Model Drive for Five qualifier. In fact it was rookie Jackson Frankel (son of former hot shoe Jason) who jumped out front with another second generation ace Darin Weisinger Jr., in tow. On the second time past starter Kevin Eggleston, seventh starting Denny Woodworth drove around Nick Marolf and Jeremy Pundt to third and Weisinger Jr. slipped past Frankel for the lead. Woodworth continued his advance, moving to second on lap four, and one lap later it was Elston moving to fourth. Woodworth secured the top spot on lap six as the front four pulled away from the pack. On lap nine, Elston found another gear, driving from fourth to the runner up spot. Much like the Stock Cars, Woodworth was holding the inside groove while Elston did business on the cushion. As Tommy drove to the front at lap twelve, Frankel shredded a right rear tire to bring out the only yellow flag. Elston drove away from Woodworth on the restart as Weisinger Jr. and Marolf battled behind the front duo. When the checkers flew, it was Elston again in victory lane ahead of Woodworth, Marolf, Weisinger Jr., Pundt, Jeffery Delonjay, Sam Halstead, and rookie Carter Johnson, North Liberty, Ia. Both Frankel and Vance Wilson watched the finish from the trailer. 

   Hobby Stocks totaled nine, and they scrapped for fifteen circuits. Pole sitter Jeremy Dooley was the early leader, but it was Dustin Griffiths, wheeling a #22 machine, taking over on lap two, taking along John Richardson in the #IB25. A single caution waved with three in the books, and when racing resumed, Griffiths maintained the lead as four cars raced four wide for second. Quickly Cedar Rapids pilot David McCalla secured the position, then set sail for the leader. The front two pulled away as John Richardson, Tucker Richardson, and Billy Stanford swapped the third position. Although McCalla stayed on his rear bumper, it was Griffiths in victory lane. John bested Tucker for third, while Stanford rounded out the top five. 

   Modifieds put a cap on the night, ten strong for twenty laps. Heat two winner Daniel Fellows held the pole position, and he charged to the lead ahead of fourth starting Blaine Webster. The first caution came for Matt Diaz with four laps scored, and on the restart Diaz appeared to lose the rear end in the #28D, bringing a second and last caution. Dakota Simmons jumped to second as racing resumed, but lost the spot to Webster two laps later. Now it was eighth starting Kurt Kile on the move, claiming third on lap seven. As the crossed flags signaled the half way mark, the top three raced well out front, and one lap later Kile flew to second. With Fellows riding the high line, Kile was gaining ground with a diamond move in turns one and two, while following Daniel up top at the other end. Kile had his best shot at the lead as the pair raced side by side down the backstretch about lap sixteen, but Fellows prevailed, and captured a hard fought win. Webster was third, while Jadin Fuller cleared Simmons late for fourth.

   There was still a hint of daylight off turns three and four when the final checkers waved about 9:20, capping a solid night of action. Thanks to Kohlmorgan and Profeta for their hospitality, and to the staff and drivers for a well run, entertaining show. Apologies for the late posting of the coverage, but it was an early call to St. Louis this morning to watch my Redbirds defeat the Colorado Rockies! It finally appears summer is here, and there is more than enough racing to go around, so get out, hit the tracks, and check back often here at Positively Racing!

McCowan Takes MLRA Thriller Over Pearson Jr.

    After a weekend washout in April, the Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) and Callaway Raceway outside Fulton, Missouri were able to come together on a reschedule date Friday, June 7. While nearby Lake Ozark Speedway was not able to match up on the reboot, Springfield Raceway jumped on board to give the series the much sought after two days of racing. This would be the first visit by the southwest Missouri based series to the Callaway quarter mile speed plant, and there would be a $5,000 check awaiting the winner. The MLRA season has been plagued with a total of nine rain outs thus far, several of which were on our pre season schedule, so we were anxious for our first two hour plus, two lane visit to Callaway since 2022. On this night, three of the Weekly Friday night Callaway Poweri sanctioned classes, Pure Stocks, Super Stocks, and B Mods would fill out the card. Multi time champion Chad Simpson would come into the night as the MLRA points leader. 

   A nice field of thirty two Super Late Models paced the seventy nine cars through the pit gate. Things got off to a bit of a late start, with hot laps broken down into extra small groups. By the time the MLRA group rolled out for time trials, the stands had filled out nicely on what began as a very warm evening. Overall fast time for the two groups went to Ainsworth, Iowa hot shoe Derrick Stewart with a time of 14.522 seconds around the big quarter mile. Only long time competitor Rick Kimberling was unable to make the call after appearing to lose an engine during warm ups.

  Four Late Model heats were captured by Stewart, fellow Iowan Chris Simpson, Jacksonville, Florida driver Earl Pearson Jr. racing for Iowas' Jason Rauen, and Arkansas veteran Kyle Beard. The original pair of B mains was wisely combined into one twelve lapper, won by Broseley, Mo. racer Mason Oberkramer. Two provisional starters would fill out the twenty four car starting field.

   Two heats each for the Super Stocks and Pure Stocks set their feature lineups, while the twenty one B Mods contested three heats and then a five car consy which transferred the top two for an eighteen car main.

   Following a late intermission, the Late Model thirty lap headliner was moved up to first in the feature order. By now the track was lightning fast with a bit of "character" at both ends, just enough to keep drivers up on the wheel. Incredibly, the race went green to checkers caution free, and was for sure an "edge of your seat." classic. Chris Simpson and Stewart paced the field from row one, with Pearson Jr. charging around Stewart as lap one was scored. Sixth starting Dillon McCowan slipped around Stewart for third on lap three. By lap nine the front runners had caught the tail of the pack, and Pearson used the heavy traffic to drive the low line around Simpson for the lead, even as Chris made contact with a lapped car in turn one. Quickly the top three put distance on the pack, and ABOUT lap fourteen ( no scoreboard!), McCowan also used the non stop traffic to clear Simpson for second. Now it was a battle between the wily veteran Pearson and McCowan, with Earl extending his lead slightly in clean air and Dillon swiftly closing the gap in traffic. Pearson stayed true to the very bottom of the track and around lap twenty seven McCowan found enough momentum on the high side to make the pass for the lead. Still the race was far from over, and the duo took the white flag nearly side by side. But McCowan had the fast line down the backstretch, and he held on to pick up the thrilling victory over Pearson. Chris Simpson came home third, while Stewart was fourth after a race long battle with Gordy Gundaker completing the top five. Younger brother Trevor Gundaker paced the second five, ahead of Louisiana youngster Clayton Stuckey, points leader Chad Simpson, Beard, and Centralia, Mo. driver Dustin Hodges. 

   With the clock approaching 10:30 and a line of showers headed our way, we headed for the parking lot. A check of results showed Darin Porter ( Pure Stocks), Ted Welschmeyer (Super Stocks), and Brandon Lennox (B Mods) also collecting feature wins. 

   It was likely the most highly contested and most entertaining Late Model feature we have seen so far in 2024, as despite some shortcomings, Callaway is for sure a racy track. This little bullring is well hidden from civilization on the gravel back roads, special thanks to Trace Westling for easy to follow directions.

   This morning we are watching the weather, with a return visit to Lee County Speedway in mind, where there is free admission tonight June 8 for the six division program. Then tomorrow, we will switch gears and head to St. Louis for Cardinals baseball. 

   Thanks for reading and keep Racin' Down the Road!

Familiar Faces and First Time Winners at Adams County, Il. Speedway

   Sunday afternoon we were back at Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy. Despite the rains that canceled Kart racing on Saturday, improved conditions on Sunday allowed the track crew to whip the racing surface into excellent condition. So even though the clouds moved in early on, it was a beautiful night for racing - except for an invasion of cicadas, especially on and near pit road! I did notice however as the sun set they seemed to disappear. But enough about that!

   The final car count was seventy five - sixty nine in the regular five divisions with six showing up for the opening night of the Crown Vic class. Curiously, the IMCA Sport Mods, the top division in 2023 turned out just eight cars. Putting our heads together, we came up with at least another half dozen or so that are currently in need of repair, so perhaps the shortage will correct its self.  

   Only the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds are using time trial qualifying now, and it was Success, Mississippi hot shoe Chase Holland picking up the $50 bonus with a quick lap of 13.838 seconds around the .29 mile oval. Heat racing clicked off in good time, and after a medical call in the grandstands halted the Crown Vic heat one lap from the finish, we were ready for feature racing.

   DIRTcar Pro Crate Late Models kicked things off, battling for twenty five laps. Only rookie Kruze Miles, who blew his engine in hot laps was absent from the fourteen car field. Veterans Denny Woodworth and Tommy Elston filled out row one, with Elston grabbing the early lead. Young Christian Miles joined the party on lap two, and ran side by side with Woodworth for several laps while chasing the leader. By lap five Woodworth had claimed the position, working the low line around the track as Elston ripped the cushion. As those two pulled away from the pack, Darin Weisinger Jr. made a strong move to third before slipping off the top off turn two, falling to sixth ahead of the first caution nineteen laps in for Sam Halstead. Miles was shuffled well back from his fourth place run on the restart before a second yellow flag two laps later for an Eric Rutherford spin. On the single file restart, contact from Spencer Havermale left Miles with broken suspension and found Havermale sent to the tail for the final green flag. In the closing circuits, both low riding Jason Perry and rim riding Jamie Wilson were able to squeeze past Woodworth, but there would be no catching Elston, who claimed his second win of the weekend. Braden Bilger completed the first five followed by birthday boy Jason Oenning, Weisinger Jr., Jeffrey Delonjay, Terry Wilson, and Mark Enk. Wilson was the hard charger after lining up in the twelfth position.

   One benefit of the low count in the Sport Mods was the often caution plagued class ripped off eighteen laps with zero stops. Patrick Phillips sat on the pole position and survived challenges to pick up his first ACS win of the season. Early on it was AJ Tournear and and Reed Wolfmeyer battling for the runner up spot. Soon we had a five car breakaway with Phillips hugging the low line, Tournear in second and Wolfmeyer pounding the cushion, Tanner Klingele working the bottom, and Logan Cumby upstairs. With just five laps to go, Wolfmeyer found a way around Tournear and he quickly closed on the front runner. Phillips held on for the win by less than a full second over Wolfmeyer, while Cumby, Klingele, and Tournear filled out the first five spots.

   Next up it was all but one of the seventeen Modifieds racing for twenty laps. It was Holland jumping to the lead ahead of a pair of early cautions. With five green flag laps, Holland, Dave Weitholder, and Trevor Neville drove away in a three car scrum, with Austen Becerra joining the party in fourth after starting in seventh. Another caution came at the half way mark, then two laps later Neville used a slide job to take over second. After three more trips around, Neville was set to execute a slider on Holland in turn one, but Holland crossed him back over out of turn two to retain the lead. However Neville again did another slider in turns three and four, and this time it stuck. Holland then drifted a bit high in turn two, with Weitholder powering to second. With the battle behind him, Neville pulled away, cruising to his second consecutive win at the speedway. Weitholder, Holland and Becerra, followed, with Jacob Rexing nosing Justin Reed in the Begley #B4 to round out the top five. 

   Eleven of the dozen Street Stocks battled for fifteen laps. Jake Powers made his return to the track and led early on, while Rudy Zaragoza, Robert Cottum, and Jacob Rexing ran three wide at times for second. Cottom cleared that group and grabbed the lead on lap four ahead of the first of two cautions on lap seven. Powers was able to retake the lead as he swapped spots with Cottom, but Robert was ahead by a nose when the final yellow flag waved four laps from the end. With the top five running in close formation, the last restart went single file. Cottom held on for the victory over Powers, Zaragoza, Rexing, and Rickey Frankel III.

   Fifteen laps would be on the docket for the DIRTcar 4 Cylinders. Travis Demint finished second in his heat race, but was a no show for the feature, along with double duty Kruze Miles, who rolled his ride on the first lap of his heat after losing his brakes. Outside row one starter Matthew Mackey paced the fourteen car field, with another double duty driver, Jeffrey Delonjay jumping to second on lap three. However, Delonjay, the defending series champion, would go off the top of turn two and drive to the trailer. Mackey built a commanding lead before Jaden Delonjay powered to the runner up spot in a new #3. Following the first of two stoppages, Mackey and Delonjay raced nose to tail for the top spot. With five laps left Kimberly Abbott went for a wild ride on the backstretch before smacking the tire barrier in turn four, bringing out that final yellow flag. Back to racing, Delonjay worked high and low, but could not overtake the front runner, with Mackey crossing the line less than a car length ahead. Spencer Coats gained nine positions to finish third in front of Jeremy Lee and Jordon Delonjay. 

   The Crown Vics were set to go for a dozen laps, and I must confess that I headed for the car after the third caution. A future trivia answer will be that Jacob Jones drove his black #32 to the first ever win at the track. 

   Thanks as always to Jim and Tammy, celebrating their forty fifth wedding anniversary at the track, for their hospitality. Racing season is hopefully now kicking into high gear, so check the schedules and enjoy some dirt track racing!

Familiar Faces In Victory Lane at Donnellson

   As the volatile spring weather created havoc with race schedules throughout the region, the newly formed team of Neal Kohlmorgan and Patrick Profeta - KP Promotions - saw their initial attempts at presenting racing at the Lee County Speedway washed out. The two former racers will present mostly Saturday night action, a change from the regular Friday night events of the last several decades. With the Fairgrounds previously reserved for some Saturdays, a handful of weekly shows will take place on Fridays, but the bulk of the schedule will feature Saturday night racing. For this initial season, only the Late Models carry a sanction, competing under the UMP Dirtcar banner, also the Sunday sanctioning body at Adams County, Il. Speedway in Quincy. Other regular classes at the track are unsanctioned Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.

    With the calendar flipping to June, only a pair of race nights had been logged, one night of regular classes, and one Sprint Car special, but already it would be time for the dual points fund season in four of the classes to begin. Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks would be able to accrue points at both Lee County and CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction during a ten race at each track summer series with a generous payout at the end. To qualify, competitors would need to race at least eight nights at each facility. It will be interesting to see how many drivers take advantage of the opportunity.

   Tonight would also be "Drive for Five" qualifier for the Late Models, the mini series with a $5,000 to win climax at the end of the season.

   Overnight and early morning showers once again threatened, but LCS missed the worst of it, allowing racing to proceed. Still there was plenty of mud to go around in the pits when I arrived but when most other tracks within 150 miles were forced to cancel both the grandstands and the pit area saw the hard work of the track crew pay off. With some later arrivals,a  final total of ninety five cars rolled through the gates. Hot laps kicked off just a bit after the advertised time of 6:00, but under the skillful direction of flagman Kevin Eggleston we were racing just a few ticks after 6:30. 

   Fourteen heat races clicked off in fine fashion before considerable time was spent manicuring the racing surface. Considering all the rain that had fallen, the three eighths mile oval was holding up in fine fashion, but the track crew surely wanted the best conditions possible for the six feature races. 

   Sport Mods would roll off first with all twenty cars contesting fifteen laps. Trevor Tanner would bust out to the early lead ahead of Tyler Heckart, eighth starting Dylan VanWyk and Logan Cumby. That group quickly separated from the pack ahead of the first caution at lap four. At this time Heckart ducked to the hot pit for service, and on the Delaware Style restart, Cumby charged to the lead, taking along VanWyk in second. Jim Gillenwater and Logan Anderson now joined the front pack ahead of a multi car mess in turn two at lap seven. Back under green, Gillenwater brought out a yellow flag as he went spinning with five to go. One more lap was scored before the red flag came out for a five car pile up in turn three. The delay had little effect on Cumby who dominated the final circuits, cruising to the win. VanWyk ran second ahead of twelfth starting Anderson and Brandon Dale. Heckart recovered from his early troubles, powering back to fifth at the checkers. 

   Fifteen Sport Compacts came to the track for fifteen laps, but Blaine Lambert was forced to give up his row one start when his #18L would not refire. This would move hometown driver Brandon Reu to the outside pole, and he would quickly grab a lead he would never relinquish. An entertaining five way battle behind Reu was interrupted when Barry Taft lost a right rear wheel around the halfway mark of the fifteen lapper. Back to racing, Tim Schnathorst took command of the runner up spot and we now had a tight two car duel up front. But Reu was solid in taking the win over Schnathorst. Dyllan Bonk made the trip from Hannibal, Mo. to capture third ahead of Luke Fraise and Darin Smith. 

   Twenty three Stock Cars checked in on Saturday, a much larger than normal total for Lee County. Twenty one of them took the green flag for twenty laps. One of the missing was Kase Kohlmorgan, who flipped his sharp looking #17 in turn two during his heat race. David Brandies shot to the lead from outside row one ahead of Derrick Agee and an intense battle for third. Following a caution four laps in, Tanner Allen climbed to second and again a group of four waged war behind the front duo. A big lead for Brandies was wiped out when the yellow flew for a tractor tire kicked onto the surface eight laps in. Back under green for one lap and the red flag was displayed as Dustin Griffiths flipped end over end hard in the apparently tricky second turn. The caution would come out two more times, negating a three wide tussle for second, and finally on the white flag lap as Dave Wada went up in smoke. At the same time, fourth running Johnny Spaw headed to the trailer. Brandies cruised through the green, white, checkers finish, topping Agee over Allen by one tenth of a second. Dustin Vis wheeled #34 from seventeenth to fourth, and Keegan Wells nipped Nicholas Profeta for fifth.

   The twelve car twenty lap Modified feature went a bit smoother. Blaine Webster opened a commanding lead early while Dakota Simmons also drove off in second. Austen Becerra lined up in row four before charging to third on lap seven. At the same time, contact between Kurt Kile and Charlie Mohr ended the night for Kile and sent Mohr to the tail for questionable driving. A three wide scrum for the runner up spot on the restart saw Daniel Fellows take the spot coming from fourth. But following a second and final caution about lap nine, Becerra claimed the position. It was now a two car race, and with thirteen in the books, Becerra shot past Webster for the lead. Austen then stretched his advantage, cruising to the win. Webster and Fellows came next, while Mohr rebounded to fourth in front of Simmons.

   The Hobby Stock count climbed to eleven, but the show belonged to double duty Dustin Griffiths. Starting on the pole, he powered off with his row one mate Preston McDonald in second. Kudos to Shane Richardson, who looped his ride off turn two while working on McDonald, but kept going. Behind Griffiths there were numerous good battles for second as the fifteen laps clicked off caution free. Daniel Wauters worked his way methodically from row five to the runner up spot on lap eight, but was unable to run down the leader. Tucker Richardson took third over Jason Schutterle. Tom Killen Jr. made the haul from Des Moines, started scratch on the field, and drove to fifth at the checkers. So it was both a good and bad night for Griffiths and his #10G machines!

   UMP Pro Crate Late Models would close out the program, fourteen strong racing twenty five laps. Ageless Ron Boyse drew the pole position and rocketed to a big lead over Late Model rookie Spencer Havermale and veteran Sam Halstead. The front duo gained separation ahead of a lap four caution for Jeremy Pundt. Jay Johnson was running with the front pack, but spun on the restart, collecting Terry Wilson and Pundt, both of whom headed to the trailer along with Ray Raker. Back under green, ninth starting Tommy Elston charged to fourth as Boyse and Havermale again pulled away from the pack. Elston soon took over third, then a caution for debris just before the halfway mark brought the front runners back to the field. With just ten laps remaining, Havermale slipped around Boyse for the lead, but drifted too high in turn four, falling to third. It was now a battle between Boyse and Elston, with Tommy taking the top spot on lap sixteen. One final yellow came a lap later as Vance Wilson appeared to lose an engine. With the green flag waving, Elston pulled away to a convincing win. Havermale rebounded to edge Boyse for second, while a late charge from Denny Woodworth saw him gain seven positions to fourth. Josh Foster sneaked past Halstead for fifth in front of  Darin Weisinger Jr., Jackson Frankel, Jason Oenning, and Johnson. 

   The long night of racing concluded about 10:45, with most of the nice sized crowd sticking around until the end. It was my first trip to LCS in 2024, and it was great seeing so many friendly faces! Thanks to Patrick, Neal, and the crew for their hospitality. Amazingly, as I type this Sunday morning, the sun is out and it looks like Adams County, Il. Speedway is a "go" for tonight. If you see me wandering around there, say "Hi!"