Becerra Doubles Up, Wells Wins His First Ever, Brown, Birck, Griffiths and Taft Top Lee County

   It was Friday racing once again at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. And despite the "lazy, hazy crazy days of summer," it was Christmas in July at the fairgrounds track. Reduced admission was offered for those bringing an unwrapped gift which would be donated to Toys for Tots. Santa also made an appearance to the delight of the youngsters on hand. In addition, there was plenty of exciting on track action!

   The car count was evenly distributed, with a pair of heat races in each of the six divisions. Those qualifying events clicked off quickly, and after a very brief intermission it was time for feature racing.

   Modifieds would come to the track first, racing for twenty laps. Jarrett Brown would make the trip down from Ainsworth, and he would redraw the pole position. He would pace the opening lap over his row one mate, Dakota Simmons. As those two distanced themselves from the field, an early battle for third saw Bill Roberts Jr., Jadin Fuller and Norwich, North Dakota traveler Zach Dockter run in tight formation. With the twenty laps going caution free, Brown drove off with a full straightaway lead all the way to the checkers. Simmons also held a nice cushion coming home second followed by Roberts Jr., Fuller, and Dockter. 

   Twenty laps would also be the distance for the Stock Car division. Keegan Wells would grab the early lead from row one with Derrick Agee in pursuit. The second time past the flag stand it was Dustin Griffiths easing around Agee just ahead of a yellow flag. One more lap was scored before the caution flag would come for a final time. Now the front runners lined up in formation, working low on the three eighths mile oval in turns one and two and up near the guardrail at the other end. Wells, who just turned eighteen this week, continued to increase his lead over Griffiths. With Agee running the preferred low groove in one and two, Jason See elected to try a different line, entering the turn in the middle, then attempting to dive under Agee. However he contacted the back of the Agee car, sustaining front end damage. He was able to maintain his position, but fell a bit off the pace. An excited Wells would collect his first ever feature win. Griffiths filled the runner up slot in front of Agee, See, and Pete Stodgell. 

   The 4 Cylinder Sport Compact class would run fifteen caution free laps. Barry Taft shot from the pole position and would lead all fifteen circuits for the win. It was anything but easy, however, as hometown driver Brandon Reu raced nose to tail and side by side with the leader throughout. As Taft worked the high side of the track and Reu shadowed him down low, there was an intense four car battle behind them. Eventually Keokuk racer Josh Barnes would move from sixth to claim third, followed closely by Luke Fraise, Kimberly Abbott and Ethan Prim. 

   Keokuk driver Tommy Elston had been on a six race win street at the track before Austen Becerra grabbed the checkers one week ago. This set up another battle this week as Becerra would start the twenty five lap headliner in row one with Elston in row two. The anticipated duel never developed however as Becerra was able to rocket to the lead taking along pole sitter and third generation driver    C. J. Horn. But even Horn was no match for Becerra, who quickly opened a commanding lead that stretched to  a full straightaway by lap ten. Meanwhile Elston settled into third while Jeremy Pundt and rookie Jackson Frankel staged a thrilling back and forth battle for fourth just a few car lengths behind Elston. With the race staying green all the way, Becerra would cruise to a half lap victory over Horn. Elston held off a late charge by Pundt for third with Frankel rounding out the top five. Denny Woodworth would race home in sixth ahead of Darin Weisinger Jr., Spencer Havermale, and Jason Oenning, with Vance Wilson credited with tenth. 

   Patrick Phillips would lead Cole Gillenwater as the opening laps were scored for the fifteen lap Sport Mod feature. On lap three, recently "unretired" Adam Birck would charge to the runner up spot, then use a high side move to nose in front at the flag stand as lap four went in the books. Birck was building a sizable lead when the lone yellow flag was displayed by starter Kevin Eggleston with six laps down. Tyler Heckart would head to the pits after battling inside the top five. Back to racing, Logan Cumby was the man on the move, grabbing third, then jumping to second just past the half way mark. But he was unable to run down Birck, who was on his way to a feature win last week before mechanical woes ended his night. Following the Canton, Mo. driver to the checkers was Cumby, Cole Gillenwater, Brandon Dale and Phillips. 

   Hobby Stocks would put a cap on the action, going at it for fifteen laps. Austin Stalder took the early lead from outside row one with eighth starting Dustin Griffiths moving up to do battle side by side. Griffiths, once again racing in two classes, would be ahead by a nose as lap three was scored. It was now a two car battle with Griffiths racing up against the treacherous cushion while Stalder operated one lane lower on the track. Meanwhile there was a tight four car scrum going on behind the front duo. On one occasion Griffiths drifted up in the crumbs, allowing Stalder to close in, but he quickly recovered to maintain his lead. This was another non stop event on what was a well prepared, smooth and fast surface. Griffiths eventually opened a comfortable lead, taking the win over Stalder. Jason Schutterle would come home third, besting Darin Dezwarte in an unfamiliar #29. Rounding out the top five was a driver we have not seen on the track for many years, Harley Hill of Wayland, Mo. in the Richardson Racing #IB25!

   The fast paced program saw the final checkers fly about 9:50.

   Lee County Speedway racing will return to Saturdays next week, August 3 presented by KP Promotions, Neal Kohlmorgan and Patrick Profeta. And a special reminder, no racing at Adams County, Il. Speedway this Sunday, July 28.

Tyler Erb and Cade Dillard Grab Davenport Deal Hardware

    Monday would be the opening night of a three race visit to Davenport Speedway by the XR Super Series dubbed the "Davenport Deal." The traveling Super Late Models, fresh off a Sunday stop in Spencer, Iowa, would be competing for $15,000 to win. Meanwhile the Modified pre entered competitors would be split into two groups with half racing each of Monday and Tuesday for a $2,000 check ahead of the Wednesday finale paying $20,000 to the winner.

   A solid field of thirty five Super Late Models came through the pit gate, however only twenty three of the thirty one pre entered Modifieds would turn out. 

   The closer we came to the Quad Cities the more threatening the skies became, and as we stood in line at the ticket window a light sprinkle began to fall. We made our way to our seats in the massive covered grandstands just as the Late Models began their hot laps. After two flights had completed their warm ups the next group did not come out and a quick look towards turn one made it obvious why not, as a steady rain had begun to fall. Although it never rained particularly hard, I would guess we were a few short minutes away from "losing" the track. It seems we were doubly lucky, as not only did it stop raining in the nick of time, but reports had it coming down much harder just a short distance away from the speedway. 

  Reworking the track then packing it in with plenty of help from the fifty eight race teams had us up and running about an hour after the posted hot lap time of 6:30. With the fairgrounds facility operating under a rather strict city enforced curfew, this would put race officials under the gun to get the show completed on time, but with cooperation from the drivers, they did just that!

   Late Models would time trial qualify, two cars at a time for two laps with the field split into groups A and B. Tyler Erb would top the first group with a lap of 13.857 around the banked quarter mile. Rather than slowing down as is often the case, the racing surface continued to get faster, and Mike Marlar would lead group B with the overall fastest lap of 13.772 seconds. 

   The rain had left us with a track that was both fast and had a bit of "character," a blame free racing term meaning "choppy." But the drivers in both classes did an excellent job of negotiating the tricky surface, with turns one and two particularly challenging. As a result there was plenty of action and lots of swapping of positions as several drivers took unplanned tours over the top side of the turns!

  The Modifieds would use two sets of heat races and I assume passing points to determine their feature lineup, with lineups for round two in reverse order of the round one finish.

  For Late Models, four heat races would line up straight up by time trial finishes with the top four going to the feature. A pair of B mains qualifying three cars each and a pair of series provisionals would round out the twenty four car starting grid. 

  Following a short intermission all twenty three Modifieds came to the track for thirty laps of action. Minnesota driver Dan Ebert and North Carolina traveler Austin Holcombe filled out row one, but it would be red hot Illinois hot shoe Will Krup charging from row two to the front ahead of Holcombe as lap one went in the books. With Krup quickly opening a lead, Brian Ruhlman claimed second ahead of the first yellow flag with two laps scored. The XR series utilizes side by side restarts with the leader choosing his preferred lane, but Krup continued to run out front ahead of another caution one lap later. Drake Troutman would take up the chase following this restart, and soon eleventh starting Cade Dillard was on the move, advancing to third. With eleven laps scored Krup went off the top of turns one and two, then came spinning back on the track minus a rear wheel, his run over. Now it was Troutman and Dillard lined up side by side with Dillard taking command. Austen Becerra had struggled in both his heat races putting him fifteenth on the starting grid. But come feature time he had his #22 on point, and he entered the top five on lap twenty seven. Two late yellows with three laps to go would bring Dillard back to the field, but he remained in control, taking the opening night win. Ruhlman would charge back to second at the checkers, while Jim Chisholm would give up third to Becerra before rebounding in the closing laps for a podium finish. Happy, Texas driver Rodney Sanders would complete the top five. 

   Late Models would be going at it for forty laps and the $15,000 payday. Erb and Marlar both picked up heat race wins, and they would have row one while Devin Moran and double duty Dillard also parlayed heat victories in to row two starts. Brian Shirley and Cody Laney both took the green flag well behind the field, apparently planning to make an early exit. However a major pile up in turn one of the opening lap saw four cars quickly eliminated while others suffered damage, changing the dynamic of the race as well as the lineup. Following a rather lengthy delay for clean up, the restart found Bobby Pierce, originally twenty second on the grid now outside row six! Back to racing it was Erb in front, trailed first by Marlar, then Dillard, then Marlar again as they battled for second. As they slugged it out Erb was able to open a sizable lead and now the front cars found a home circling the high line around the oval. The second yellow flag came with eighteen laps scored and Dillard retired to the infield, his night ended. Hudson Oneal had been involved in the first lap melee but he was now moving through the field, entering the top five on the restart. As Erb again pulled away, Max Blair powered to second taking along Oneal in third as Marlar seemed to encounter problems, fading back in the pack. The caution came with eleven to go as Oneal and Blair battled for second. A final stoppage at lap thirty five ended a solid run for Logan Seavey and back under green disaster struck Blair as he slipped off the top of the track. In the closing laps Oneal made a run at the leader, but Erb was not to be denied. At the same time, it was now Pierce stealing the show. After racing mostly outside the top ten, he used the lap twenty nine caution to duck to the infield for a tire change as the field was now down to fifteen or so. Back on the track he had a rocket ship, and he quickly picked off car after car, closing to third at the checkers. Nick Hoffman advanced nine positions to claim fourth while Cody Overton ran fifth. Tim McCreadie started in twentieth and came home sixth, besting Carson Ferguson, twenty fourth starting Derrick Stewart, Blair, and Moran. 

   Even with the delay, the final wave of the checkers came around 10:30, putting a cap on a very entertaining night of action at the always racy quarter mile. 

   Tempting as it is to return for night two, I think I need some recovery time from my "racin' vacation!"  But we will be back at it next weekend, and I hope you will follow our lead, get out and enjoy these special summer nights at a dirt track near you!

  

 

  

Erb Jr. Is Quincy MARS Late Model Winner, Krup Tops Modifieds

    It would be a big night of racing at Adams County, Il. Speedway on Sunday as the mid west touring MARS series for Super Late Models and open Modifieds made their only stop at the "Broadway Bullring." A cool $5,000 was awaiting the Late Model victor, with a $2,000 check topping the Mod payout. In addition, all important series championship points would be awarded. Three local classes, Street Stocks, Dirtcar 4 Cylinders, and Crown Vics were also in competition. 

   Twenty six Super Late Models along with twenty open Modifieds were the featured attraction in the eighty three car field. A huge crowd was on hand on what was an absolutely beautiful Sunday night, and an all star group of former Quincy Raceways drivers were spotted in the midway!

   Both MARS classes would time trial qualify with veteran Dennis Erb Jr. topping the Late Models at 12.807 seconds while Will Krup led the Mods at 13.749. 

   Heat races were lined up "straight up" by times, with Erb Jr., Jason Feger and Ryan Unzicker all grabbing Late Model qualifiers from the pole position. Krup from the pole and track regular Austen Becerra from outside row one topped the Mods.

   After a lengthy intermission hampered by a medical call in the pits, it was time for five feature races. 

   Late Models would go first, with all twenty six lining up for forty laps. The top two from the heats would redraw for starting spots and that would put a pair of Quincy natives, Matt Bailey and Rickey Frankel on the front row. Frankel would take the early lead, and the pair would run one, two until lap eight when fourth starting Erb Jr. would take the high line to second and Unzicker following on the inside to third. As Erb pressured the leader, slower traffic became a factor and on lap eleven Frankel was held up by a slower car. Dennis then powered to the lead taking along Unzicker as Frankel fell out of the top five. The first yellow flag came with fourteen laps scored as Clayton Stuckey rolled to a stop in turn three. Following the Delaware Style restart Jason Feger joined the front pack in fourth, as Justin Duty was shuffled from fourth back several positions. As the race crossed the half way mark, Erb and Unzicker gained a bit separation, but three more circuits and they were again in slower traffic. A second caution came with a dozen laps left, and as the field reset, Gordy Gundaker drove to the pits giving up a top ten run. Back under green, Feger moved to third, but just one lap was scored before another caution for local standout Justin Reed. As racing resumed Bailey was shuffled out of the first five, with McKay Wenger and California driver Cody Laney advancing to fourth and fifth. A final yellow flag came with seven laps remaining as Mark Voight slowed with a flat tire after back stretch contact with another car , and as the cars circled the .29 mile oval Laney saw his good run come to an end. This final restart was single file, and Erb went pretty much unchallenged to the checkers for a sweep of the nights' action. Unzicker, Feger, and Wenger followed with Bailey rebounding to fifth. Allan Weisser gained five positions to sixth ahead of Duty, Bob Gardner, eighteenth starting Mitch McGrath and his row nine mate Daniel Adam. 

   Thirty laps would await the Modifieds with Dylan Woodling and Becerra in row one. But it would be third starting Krup out front trailed by Becerra as lap one went in the books. As the front duo raced side by side, Austen would nose ahead on lap four. They would catch the back of the pack at lap nine, and with Krup caught momentarily behind a slower car Becerra was able to open a bit of a lead. A pair of caution periods book ended the half way mark of the race, and back under green Krup charged back to the lead while series points leader Michael Long climbed to third. Lap nineteen saw Long, a hometown hot shoe use a power move off turn four to grab the runner up spot. As Long began to close the gap on Krup there would be a final stoppage with five to go. The field would now go single file and as Indiana racer Ryan Thomas cleared Becerra for third, Krup and Long drove off in a two car battle. The checkers would fly for Krup, while Long would settle for second. Thomas, Becerra, and Woodling would round out the top five. Local star Dave Weitholder gained five positions to sixth chased by Ray Bollinger, Lyndon Whitfill, Zeke McKenzie and Chris Spalding. 

   With pomp, circumstance and television interviews out of the way, it was time for the "local" classes to shine. All but one of the fifteen Dirtcar 4 Cylinders came to the track for fifteen laps of action on a track that now resembled asphalt more than clay. Visiting Jeremy Hancock sat on the pole, and he charged to the lead ahead of outside row one starter Travis Demint. Lap four saw fifth starting Matthew Mackey drive his uniquely lettered #01 to the runner up slot. He then chased Hancock for six more trips around the oval before using an inside move to take over the lead. A single caution came at lap twelve, but it was only a slight delay for Mackey, who powered away to the win. Hancock and Demint followed while Jaden Delonjay topped Dyllan Bonk in a tight battle for fourth. 

   Robert Cottum suffered mechanical failure during his heat race, so he climbed behind the wheel of Alan Cottums' #M2 for what would be an eleven car eighteen lap feature. Rickey Frankel III would get the early lead from row two and pace the field throughout for his first ever main event victory. Beau Taylor would chase Frankel in the opening laps before Ryan Aden Jr. took the position on lap three. Jacob Rexing started in row four on the super slick track and ran the high line while the leaders all worked low around the tire barriers. Rexing was finally able to take the runner up spot with seven circuits to go, then be presented with his best chance at the leader following a lap thirteen single file restart. But Frankel held serve for a flag to flag win. Rexing followed in front of Jake Powers, Aden Jr. and Taylor. 

   Ten Crown Vics made there way to the track to wrap things up. Jacob Jones would turn a pole start into a win followed by tenth starting Brian Kaylor, Steve Meyer, Alex Hatfield, and first timer Glen Wiley.

   Thanks for a fun evening to Jim and Tammy of JT. Promotions, Jeff and Renee Delonjay for the continuing awesome improvements to the facility, and to MARS director Jonathon Clayton and his staff for their help. 

   Tonight I will look to put a wrap on five nights of racing in the six days of my "racin' vacation" with a visit to Davenport Speedway for night one of the XR Super Series trifecta. Super Late Models will race for a $15,000 top prize while Modifieds will compete for $2,000 on their way to a $20,000 finale on Wednesday. Stop and say "Hi" if you see us there!

Dumpert Claims 34 Raceway Dollars

    Saturday we made our second trip of 2024 to 34 Raceway outside West Burlington, Iowa. This special program would see IMCA Late Models racing for $2,000 to win on a night when at least three competing Late Model tracks had the night off. 305 Sprints and Mini Hauler Trucks would complete the tidy three division program before a late addition to the program also brought in IMCA Modifieds competing for a $1,000 top prize. Something we do not see enough off anymore was a $100 bonus paid to each Late Model heat race winner, courtesy this night of a sponsor. 

   Twenty six Late Models showed on the line up board, broken into three ten lap heats. Matt Ryan, Tommy Elston and Mitch Morris picked up the wins. The redraw for the thirty lap main event found Ryan and Jesse Bodin on row one. Ryan would take the early lead over the twenty four car field, hanging on through an early yellow flag. Back under green the leader found himself entering heavy slower traffic about lap twelve, and by now sixth starting Austen Becerra and ninth starting Cory Dumpert were breathing down his neck. On lap fifteen Becerra made his move around Ryan, but as they battled Dumpert emerged out front of the gaggle of front runners and lapped cars. Dumpert began to pull away ahead of another caution three laps from the checkers. Again Cory pulled away, but as the white flag waved for a spinning car in turn four it set up a one lap dash. But even with the late challenges, Dumpert was up to the task, driving home for the win. The Nebraska hotshoe topped Becerra, Ryan, Elston and fellow Nebraskan Alex Banks. 

   Bill Roberts Jr. and Chris Zogg started the Modified fifteen lapper in row one and raced side by side before Zogg took command of the nine car field on lap three. He then cruised to the win by a comfortable margin in the non stop event. Roberts raced home in second ahead of Dustin Smith. 

   Fifteen 305 Sprint Cars raced for twenty five laps around the high banked three eighths mile oval. Dugan Thye started outside row one and survived a pair of cautions as well as one red flag stoppage to pick up the flag to flag win. Cody Wehrle used a restart near the halfway point to grab the runner up spot, then pursued Thye the rest of the way. Like Wehrle, Chase Richards advanced five positions to capture third. 

   Brian Tipps led all twelve circuits to a runaway win in the ten truck Mini Hauler feature. Lyle Timmerman and Sheldon Brockett followed in another non stop event. 

   Racing action concluded several minutes before 10:00 P.M. with just a hint of a sprinkle falling on an otherwise beautiful Saturday night in Southeast Iowa. 

   Tonight we will be back in our usual seats at Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy as the MARS Late Model series comes to town vying for a $5,000 top prize as well as series points. MARS Modifieds, led by series points leader Michael Long of nearby Fowler,Il will chase a $2,000 payday while three local classes, Street Stocks, Dirtcar 4 Cylinders and Crown Vics fill out the card.

Becerra Nabs First Late Model Win at LCS

    When the new promoters of Lee County speedway in Donnellson, Iowa made the decision to switch to Saturday night racing for 2024 they encountered a few obstacles. Among those was the fairgrounds already having been committed for other activities on a handful of Saturdays throughout the race season. It was then decided racing would revert back to Fridays on those occasions. And so it would be on the final two weekends in July, with the 19th featuring free admission for residents of nearby Montrose and Keokuk, courtesy of the Montrose Health Center. UMP Pro Crate Late Models would also contest another Drive for Five event paying $1,000 to the winner. 

   Sixty eight race teams would sign in on a beautiful Friday evening in Southeast Iowa. The D shaped three eighths mile oval was smooth, fast and racy and heat race action clicked off in good time.

   Modifieds would kick off feature racing, going for twenty laps. With Matt Diaz already loaded up and on the road back to Quincy and Levi Smiths' #19J done for the night, only seven cars would take the green flag. However Austen Becerra would turn his #22 over to Smith for the event. Kurt Kile would rocket to the lead from the outside pole position with pole sitter Jadin Fuller and third starting Denny Eckrich on his bumper. Those three broke away from the pack ahead of the only caution period with thirteen laps down. Following the Delaware Style restart Eckrich would gain the advantage over Fuller, then pressure Kile in the closing laps, but Kurt was not to be denied, leading flag to flag for the win. Eckrich, Fuller, Blaine Webster and Smith would chase the Nichols driver to the checkers. 

   Ten Stock Cars would be up next, racing for twenty laps. It would be pole sitter Derrick Agee topping his row one mate Jason Cook early as the top six cars battled side by side and nose to tail in typical Stock Car style. As the race stayed green, Cook was able to stick the nose of his #3D inside Agee to lead lap twelve. As Jason then opened a bit of a lead, positions two through six ran in close fashion. All twenty laps would go with no stops with Cook picking up his first win of the season. Agee came home second while Dustin Griffiths nosed around Beau Taylor late for third. Todd Reitzler would edge Nicholas Profeta to round out the top five. 

   The Late Model headliner would be third in the running order. All sixteen competitors would come to the track, however first time visitor Matt Kay could not take the green flag, retiring with a miss in his engine. Denny Woodworth jumped ahead of his row one mate Sam Halstead to lead lap one, then third starting C.J. Horn grabbed the runner up spot one lap later. Woodworth drove off to a commanding lead while Horn also gained separation in second. Meanwhile Nick Marolf, Tommy Elston and Austen Becerra battled for third, with Ron Boyse soon running down those three. Just before the halfway mark Becerra powered his way to third, now racing closely with Elston to hold that position. Around lap thirteen Horn would slide up in the crumbs in turn four, and Elston and Becerra would drive past to second and third. As one more lap was scored Becerra charged to second and set his sights on Woodworth, whose lead looked insurmountable. But even as the race stayed clean and green Becerra used incredible corner speed to quickly close the gap to the racing Attorney. As lap twenty one was scored Austen powered to the lead, then drove off to I believe his first ever Late Model win in only a handful of career starts. In doing so he broke Elstons' perfect six for six win season at LCS. Woodworth took runner up honors ahead of Elston, Horn and Marolf. Boyse ran sixth besting Spencer Havermale, Jeremy Pundt, Jackson Frankel and Darin Weisinger Jr. 

   While the first three features ran with a total of just one caution, Sport Mods could not keep up the smooth performances. Five yellow flags would mar the fifteen laps, although four came within the first three laps. Jim Gillenwater and recently "unretired" Adam Birck lined up in row one, racing in that order until the lap three restart saw Brandon Dale move to second. By lap five Birck had regained the spot. As the top two pulled well ahead, Birck drove to the lead seven laps in. As Adam opened an advantage the next five cars battled closely and Dale moved to second at lap ten. The yellow flag waved with three laps to go, and as the cars circled the track to get realigned, Birck suddenly pulled his Austen Becerra #122 to the infield with a broken ball joint. This would turn the lead over to Dale for the single file restart. Lurking in the third position, Reed Wolfmeyer decided to try the high line on the speedway and he rocketed all the way to the front, leading just the final two laps. As Dale seemed to slow considerably perhaps with unknown issues Gillenwater rebounded to second and Tyler Heckart also cleared Brandon for third. Kyler Girard would complete the first five. 

   Eight Hobby Stocks would race for fifteen non stop circuits. Jared Miller would pace the first two laps before yielding the top spot to double duty Dustin Griffiths. From there Griffiths would gradually open a more than full straightaway lead as he cruised to the win. Miller crossed the line in second while Daniel Wauters methodically worked his way to third. Des Moines driver Tom Killen Jr. came home fourth in front of Jeremy Dooley. 

   Even though only eight strong, Sport Compacts challenged for best race of the night! Brandon Reu and Barry Taft filled out row one and they would go fifteen laps side by side with only a single caution nine laps in slowing the action. Leading up to that one stoppage Reu had opened a couple car lengths advantage, but as racing resumed Taft again pulled alongside, perhaps just a nose ahead over each of the final four circuits. Side by side they would battle the final lap, with Taft grabbing the checkers first. Luke Fraise would out last Chuck Fullenkamp for third as Ethan Prim out dueled Kimberly Abbott for fifth. 

   With the later Friday night start, racing still wrapped up around 10:45. A reminder that it will again be Friday night racing next week before the action returns to Saturdays in August.

   Thanks as always to Neal, Patrick and the folks at LCS for another night of quality racing!

One and Done at West Liberty in 2024

    The storied half mile oval dirt track in West Liberty, Iowa roared to life on Wednesday night. An auto racing community staple for longer than I can remember, this would be the only scheduled action for 2024. The Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current would be in charge of the special event, staged as part of the Muscatine County Fair. Five divisions of cars would fill out the card, with Late Models running for a $1,500 top prize utilizing SLMR rules. IMCA sanctioning would be in effect for Modifieds, Sport Mods and Stock Cars, and after a bit of back and forth, "outlaw" 4 stocks would complete the card. With no regular season racing at the track this season big car counts might not be expected, but the fast high mile is always worth the trip, especially when there is fair food involved!

   As might be expected, all things considered, the car count was a bit light at fifty eight, with sixteen Modifieds leading the way. 

   Racing kicked off with hot laps at 6:30, and the first qualifying heat rolled out at 6:58 by my time piece. Thirty five minutes later and with zero cautions the eight preliminary events were in the books. 

   Following a brief intermission, the huge crowd settled in for feature racing. A dozen IMCA Northern Sport Mods would line up first, battling for fifteen trips around the fast half mile oval. Shaun Slaughter and Tim Plummer would fill out row one, with Slaughter grabbing the lead as Plummer was shuffled back several positions after getting up in the crumbs off turn two. Plummer would soon recover and after running down the leader he would use an inside move to take over on lap four. With flagman Doug Haack giving the half way signal eight laps in, he would then wave the yellow flag for the first time, bringing Plummer back to the pack. Back under green Plummer would again pull away in his #66 machine before a final caution three laps later for Rusty DeShaw who smacked the turn three wall while battling in the top five. On the restart Slaughter would need to fend off a strong challenge for second from seventh starting Tony Olson. As the checkers flew it was Plummer, Slaughter, Olson, Ryan Walker and Justin Schroeder scoring top fives. 

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for twelve IMCA Stock Cars. The yellow flag was displayed before one lap was scored for a multi car mix up in turns three and four that eliminated four competitors. With an original restart, John Oliver Jr. would lead Tom Cannon through lap one, then Dustin Vis took up the chase one lap later. But it was David Brandies on the move, as he was third on lap three, then second on the following circuit. One he climbed to the runner up spot he quickly closed on Oliver, whose lead had shrunk to a front bumper as lap six was scored. With the front pair driving away from the others, Brandies had the top spot with seven in the books. As Brandies then began to pull away, Kaden Reynolds came up to challenge Oliver for second. Lap twelve saw the #1 car take over as runner up, but Brandies remained in command to the checkers. Reynolds, Oliver Jr. and Keegan Wells followed, with Vis narrowly outdistancing Cannon for fifth. 

   All sixteen IMCA Modifieds lined up for twenty laps of action. Jeff "Bone" Larson redrew the pole position, and left little doubt about the outcome of this one. As he quickly opened a nice lead, there was a three car tussle for second. Early on Dylan Thornton and Denny Eckrich raced side by side for the runner up position, with Thornton soon falling to fourth as Ethan Braaksma moved up to challenge Eckrich. By lap seven Braaksma had secured the spot, and with Larson now working slower traffic, Ethan began to quickly cut into his sizable lead. However his potential charge to the front was halted when Scott Brau came to a stop against the turn one wall. Back under green, the top five then put some distance on the rest although Larson faced no more serious challenge. Braaksma crossed the line in second chased by Eckrich, Chris Zogg and Thornton. 

   Seven of the nine car scheduled 4 Stock main event would line up for ten non stop laps. Jake Benischek would make the winning moving entering turn one on the opening lap as he powered from fifth through a gaggle of cars to emerge as the leader down the backstretch. Fourth starting Josh Starr would take up the pursuit of the leader, holding the spot throughout. Cyle Hawkins came home in third followed by Alex Hayes and Trent Labarge. 

   Late Models would cap off the evening by doing battle for twenty laps. Long time West Liberty regular Andy Eckrich would redraw the lucky number one pill, lining up beside Quad City driver Jesse Bodin. Andy would quickly open a commanding lead as third starting Chad Holladay followed in second. Running in third early on, brother Dave Eckrich would suddenly pull to the infield, his night over. A single caution period came just past the mid point as Dustin Schram was crossed up in turn two. With the Delaware Style restart in use, Nick Marolf outgunned Holladay to the first turn to take over the pursuit of the leader. However this race belonged to youngest of the Eckrich trio in action at their "home" track. Marolf would settle for runner up honors while Holladay held third. Bodin won a battle with Matt Ryan for fourth in front of Ron Boyse, Tim Simpson, and Schram, with Dave Eckrich credited with ninth. 

   The final checkers came just a few minutes past 9:00 leaving plenty of time for folks to enjoy the excitement of the midway or get home in good time on a week night! 

   Thanks to the Darkside crew for stepping up to give us a night of racing at the legendary West Liberty Raceway. 

   This is hopefully the beginning of a "racing vacation," as I look forward to a wrap around weekend of action beginning FRIDAY night at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Stay tuned!

Birck Gets His First at Adams County, Elston, Becerra, Cottom, Delonjay Are Repeat Winners

   After a couple nights away from the track, we braved the next heat wave to make the short drive to Adams County, Il. Speedway on Sunday. With the temperature in mind, the JT Promotions team decided to move starting time back one hour. Upon arrival the hard work of the Delonjay team, new owners of the speedway, were apparent. The paint brushes have come out as the enthusiastic new ownership group begins what promises to be many upgrades to the nearly fifty year old facility. 

   With heat and humidity a factor, both cars race teams and fans were slow to file in, but ultimately sixty five cars checked in covering five divisions, with Crown Vics having a scheduled night off. And all things considered, what appeared to be a decent crowd was on hand for the festivities. 

   A leading story line for the evening concerned Jacob Rexing, the two division driver from Brighton, Il. Jacob is a top points contender in both the UMP Dirtcar Modified and Street Stock classes. And while he recorded fast time in the Modifieds, his Street Stock was out of commission, devastating to his championship chase. So local racer Richie Wagy stepped up and loaned his ride to Rexing for the night. While he picked up a runner up finish in the Modified feature, he would score a sixth place run in the #7 Street Stock. 

   It would be that Modified feature that would run first. Only nine cars would be on hand, and it was pole sitter Austen Becerra jumping to the early lead ahead of Rexing, Shawn Deering, and David Weitholder. By the time Weitholder cleared Deering for third at the halfway mark of the twenty lapper, Becerra had a full straightaway lead over Rexing. He would then stretch the margin to a half track before a caution two laps later brought him back to the pack. Weitholder used an inside move following the Delaware Style restart to take the runner up spot, and two more laps were scored before a second caution for debris. Back under green, Becerra again drove off into the night as Weitholder and Rexing battled hard for second. At the checkers it was Becerra, Weitholder, Rexing, Frankie Wellman and Deering. 

   IMCA Northern Sport Mods raced thirteen strong for eighteen laps. Following a Friday victory at Callaway Raceway, outside row one starter Dakota Girard powered to the front ahead of John Reiner. Brother Kyler Girad would come from inside row three to second on the next lap, but it was seventh starting Logan Cumby stealing the runner up spot one lap later. Another trip past the flag stand, and eighth starting Tanner Klingele climbed to third, and those three separated from the pack as the laps continued to click off. On lap eleven, Cumby gained enough momentum to ease into the lead, but one lap later it was Klingele riding high to the front. The first yellow flag came with a dozen laps scored, and back to racing we witnessed a five car breakaway, with Adam Birck and Reed Wolfmeyer joinng the top three. A second caution came with four laps remaining, and being inside five to go the restart would be single file. As Birck moved to third, Cumby mounted a challenge for the lead, and coming through turn three there appeared to be contact between Cumby and Klingele. The result was flat tires for both drivers, and as they ducked to the hot pit, Birck found himself out front. Two more times the yellow flag would fly, but in only his second night of racing in 2024 Birck would find himself visiting victory lane, now behind the wheel of an Austen Becerra ride #122. Dakota Girard would cross the line in second followed by Wolfmeyer, A.J. Tournear, and Lucas Schieferdecker. Klingele and Cumby would work back up to sixth and seventh at the checkers. 

   Dirtcar Pro Crate Late Models would lead the way on this night with seventeen entrants, all lining up for twenty five laps. Jamie Wilson and visiting Jeremy Pundt filled out row one, with Wilson and third starting Jason Perry pacing the field early. With the inside line the preferred one, those two opened an advantage ahead of the first stoppage ten laps in as last weeks' winner Christian Miles slowed with a broken front end. Tommy Elston had lined up in row three, and he powered to third on the restart, then shot all the way to the lead two laps later. Elston began to pull away, with Wilson and Perry battling for second and Denny Woodworth and Jackson Frankel swapping fourth position. With only five laps remaining and Elston negotiating slower traffic, Vance Wilson got turned around on the backstretch creating a narrow miss by the leader. The single file restart was called off when Kruze Miles spun in turn four, and on the next try Jamie Wilson spun at the top of turn two just as Spencer Havermale had issues in turn one. In a rather curious move, both drivers were sent to the back of the restart. Now it was contact that saw Pundt lose a fifth place run on the restart, and once more the yellow would fly. Through it all Elston maintained his cool and his lead, racing to his second Adams County checkers of the season. For the second week in a row Perry was runner up followed by Woodworth, Frankel and Darin Weisinger Jr. Sam Halstead was back to lead the second five, topping Jason Oenning, Braden Bilger, Havermale, and Jeff Dotzert.

   Two Street Stocks were absent as ten cars took the green flag for eighteen laps. Robert Cottom sat on the pole position, and from the outset there was little doubt about the outcome. Rudy Zaragoza followed Cottom from row two to second with three yellow flags slowing the action, including one for an over eager hauler driver trying to escape down pit road during racing!. Behind the leader, Jake Powers battled with Zaragoza, finally grabbing second just two laps from the checkers. Rickey Frankel III would trail in fourth while Brandon Boden held off Rexing for fifth. 

   Dirtcar 4 Cylinders would put a wrap on the action, with all but one of fourteen going at it for fifteen laps. After a first lap yellow, Jaden Delonjay took off from the pole with brother Jeffrey in second. Travis Demint  was a visitor this night, and he came from row two to second on lap two, followed by eighth starting Kimberly Abbott charging to third. As Jaden increased his lead, Abbott eased to the runner up spot just ahead of a lap five caution which saw double duty Jeffrey retire to the pits. Demint reclaimed second on the restart and was now able to keep pressure on the leader. One final time the yellow flag flew with five circuits remaining, but Jaden was not to be headed, winning to increase his points lead. Demint was next, besting Abbott, Kyle Weisenberger and Rick Deford.

   Combined with the planned later start and out of car driver introductions for the Late Models, we were in the 11:00 hour when the final checkers waved. 

   Thanks as always to JT Promotions for their continued hospitality. A reminder that next Sunday night, the traveling MARS Super Late Models and Modifieds will visit the Speedway, doing battle for $5,000 and $2,000 respectively. Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders and Crown Vics will also be on the card. Don't miss this one!

The Streak Continues for Elston, Eckrich, Spaw, VanWyk, Griffiths, Reu Also Donnellson Winners

    Bright, sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted drivers, crews and fans as they filtered in to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson on Saturday evening. It was $5.00 adult admission night courtesy of the Iowa Corn Growers Association District 9 as well free entry for military veterans paid by American Ethanol. So one might expect a large gathering and that was indeed the case. A fireworks display scheduled after racing was also icing on the cake!

   A solid field of ninety three race teams in the regular six classes signed in to compete led by eighteen UMP Pro Crate Late Models. 

   With the D shaped three eighths mile oval track in good condition, heat race qualifying action clicked off in good time and following intermission it was time to go feature racing.

   All of the main events had extra money on the line, and the 4 Cylinder class kicked things off with ten of the eleven on hand vying for a $600 top prize. Last weeks' winner Luke Fraise led the field early racing nearly side by side with Barry Taft, who grabbed the lead on lap two. As those two battled, Kimberly Abbott and Brandon Reu began to close in. Halfway through the fifteen laps the top four was tightly bunched. Soon it was Reu in the runner up position working on the bottom of the track. As the white flag waved to signal one more lap, Reu pulled even with the leader, and then used a low side power move to lead from the final corner to the checkers. Taft would settle for second ahead of Fraise, Abbott, and Jeremy Williams. 

   A large group of twenty one Hobby Stocks were on hand, with all but one lining up for fifteen laps and a $1,000 payday. The first caution came before one lap was scored, then Des Moines driver Tom Killen Jr. grabbed the lead ahead of John Richardson. A second caution came with two laps down and on the Delaware Style restart Tucker Richardson charged to the lead. By lap five, one of the hottest Hobby Stockers in southeast Iowa, Dustin Griffiths was out front and together with Tucker Richardson they began to separate from the pack. Three more yellow flags would slow the action, but they proved to be only momentary set backs for Griffiths, who cruised to the win over T. Richardson. David McCalla came on strong late, advancing from a row six start to third, with Killen Jr. and Daniel Waters completing the first five. 

   All fifteen Sport Mods would come to the track for fifteen laps and a shot at the $1,000 winners check. Oskaloosa racer Dylan VanWyk shot to the lead from outside row one and was never headed. Veteran Keokuk driver Jim Gillenwater stayed close early, but VanWyk was too strong on this night, dominating the field. Three stoppages only delayed the outcome, with VanWyk cruising to the win. Gillenwater ran second throughout while Dakota Girard used the final caution with three laps remaining to charge from six to third. Brandon Dale and Tyler Heckart would round out the top five. 

   One Late Model was missing from the starting grid for the twenty five lap, $1,250 to win headliner. A pair of Mendon, Il. drivers, Darin Weisinger Jr. and Denny Woodworth filled out row one, with Woodworth leading Weisinger through the first three circuits. Following a restart, Keokuks' Tommy Elston bolted from third to the top spot. Two more caution periods came in the next four laps, with Weisinger Jr. rebounding to second. He again swapped spots with Woodworth on lap nine, but meanwhile Elston was slowly building a commanding lead. Soon Elston found himself catching the back of the pack, but with his big lead he had no trouble weaving his way through the traffic. He crossed the line first for his sixth consecutive victory at LCS! For the second consecutive week Woodworth was the runner up, with Nick Marolf slipping past Weisinger Jr. for third. Visiting Sellersburg, Indiana racer Patrick Shumaker ran fifth. Veteran Ron Boyse led the second five, topping Dakota Simonsen, Spencer Havermale, Colton Leal and Michael Leal. 

   It was now Stock Car time, fourteen strong for twenty laps and a $1,000 check. Trenton Witt paced the field with fourth starting Johnny Spaw taking over on lap three. Keegan Wells was also on the move, claiming second one lap later. Four yellow flags slowed the action, however the final eight circuits went off under green. In the meantime, there was a great battle behind the leader as Derrick Agee, Wells, David Brandies, and Nicholas Profeta worked side by side and nose to tail for second through fifth. Following a final restart for an oil spill down the front stretch and into turn one, Brandies decided to search the high line around the track, finding speed to charge to second. He then dropped to the low groove, trying to sneak under Spaw, who was effectively using a diamond move in turns three and four with extra speed off the corners to hold the lead. The Cedar Rapids veteran would take Kevin Egglestons' checkers first in front of Brandies, Wells, Agee, and Barton Franks. 

   Modifieds would put a cap on the action, also going twenty laps with a grand on the line. Thirteen cars made the call, although Keokuk hot shoe Daniel Fellows fell out early with a flat tire. Dakota Simmons grabbed the early lead over Matt Diaz, with sixth starting Kurt Kile racing to second on lap two followed closely by eighth starting Denny Eckrich moving to third one lap later. With five laps scored the yellow flag waved for debris on the track, and back under green Eckrich jumped to the front. There were two more stoppages at laps seven and nine, but Eckrich remained in command. He would take the win, his second in a row, by a comfortable margin. Simmons raced home second, besting Kile, Diaz, and Jesse Belez. 

   Racing concluded shortly after 10:00 with most folks staying around for the fireworks. Thanks as always to co promoters Neal Kohlmorgan and Patrick Profeta for their hospitality and hard work. Just a reminder, there will be no racing next week with the Lee County Fair taking center stage with other activities. The track will then host a pair of Friday night races to wrap up the month of July before returning to Saturday night action in August.

Becerra Tops McCoy Memorial, Miles, Rexing, Phillips, Delonjay and Jones Also Winners

    Friday night we kicked off the unofficial second half of our 2024 racing season with another visit to Adams County, Il. Speedway. Not on the original schedule, this would be the second attempt to make up  the rained out Chad McCoy Memorial featuring UMP Modifieds battling for a top prize of $4,545 after being postponed first over Memorial Day weekend and then this past Wednesday. The other five regular divisions at the track were also on the card, with extra dollars on the line as well. McCoy was a Modified competitor driving a #45 machine and was also a relative of promoters Jim and Tammy Lieurance, so this event holds special meaning for their family. 

   Sunny skies and a stiff breeze would greet the drivers, crews and fans as they arrived at the .29 mile semi banked "Broadway Bullring" just east of Quincy. The quick switch from Wednesday to Friday no doubt had a negative effect on overall car count, with many drivers committed to their "home track," but the same cannot be said for the crowd, which while somewhat late arriving blossomed into a large gathering by race time.

   With opening ceremonies complete, the eighteen Modifieds took their hot lap/qualifying session with former track champion Michael Long topping the field with a 13.814 second trip around the .29 mile oval. 

   A late start, a medical call, several overanxious drivers drawing yellow flags in the heat races and a rather lengthy intermission in which several driver donated door panels were auctioned off, but then it was feature time!

   UMP Pro Crate Late Models would go first a dozen strong for twenty five laps. Second year driver Christian Miles and  Denny Woodworth filled out the front row, but as lap one was scored it was Miles ahead with fourth starting Jason Perry in tow. Those two quickly put some distance on the field with the veteran Perry covering Miles like an ugly sweater. Lap after lap Jason waited for the youngster to make a mistake, pulling alongside in the low groove on several occasions while Christian raced in the middle of the oval. As the laps wound down in what would be a non stop thriller, slower traffic came into play and Perry would also have to contend with an oncoming Woodworth. Miles made zero mistakes, crossing the stripe first to pick up his first ever feature win. Perry, Woodworth, Tommy Elston and Jeffrey Delonjay would round out the top five. Next in line came Braden Bilger, Jamie Wilson, Jackson Frankel, Darin Weisinger Jr., and Jason Oenning. 

   The Dirtcar UMP Modified headliner would go next, with all eighteen cars lining up for forty five laps. Two yellow flags slowed the action before a lap was scored, but after that we were off and running! Starting on the pole after his heat race win, Long shot well out front of a three wide battle for second. Five laps in, Austen Becerra cleared that group and set sail for the leader. A yellow flag with six laps down brought Long back to the field, and back to racing it was Michael and Austen driving away from the pack. With Long holding about a four car length advantage the veteran duo pounded the growing cushion in turns one and two while navigating the middle line at the other end. Slower traffic became an issue about lap sixteen, and Becerra was now closing in on the leader. When they came upon a pair of competitors racing side by side for position, Becerra was able to dive under Long and muscle his way into the lead. A final quick yellow left us with fifteen to go, and back to racing Long got shuffled back a bit while Ofallon, Mo. driver Treb Jacoby found extra speed and charged from third to the lead. As Long recovered, it was now Jacoby out front with Becerra and Long in hot pursuit. With just a pair of laps remaining, Becerra looked ready to pounce, but he bobbled a bit exiting turn two and it looked like clear sailing for the leader. However as they entered the final set of turns, Jacoby left a lower lane open and Becerra used extra muscle this time with an exchange of paint as he nosed ahead of Jacoby at the finish line. A mix of cheers and boos greeted the #22 as he made his way to victory lane, but Becerra firmly stated his feelings when he said they were racing for $4500! Trailing Jacoby and Long, it was track regulars Dave Weitholder and Jacob Rexing. Missouri racers Steve Picou, Drake Stevenson, Mike Vanderiet Jr. and Tyler Worley came next, with Quincian Shawn Deering rounding out the top ten. 

   The Sport Mod class ran "open rules" for this special event, with thirteen cars battling for twenty laps. The caution flag came for the only time before lap one was in the books. As the green flag waved once more, outside pole sitter Reed Wolfmeyer led his row one mate Logan Cumby before third starting Patrick Phillips took up the chase on lap two. As Wolfmeyer and Phillips pulled away Cumby held third and there were intense three car battles for fourth through six and further back seventh through ninth. Fourteen laps were scored when heavy traffic became a factor and while Phillips had been dogging the leader all race long, he now was able to move to the lead just five from the checkers. Showing good speed, Phillips opened a lead as Cumby moved in to challenge Wolfmeyer for second, completing the pass on the final circuit. Matthew Edler made the trip from St. Louis to take fourth ahead of Tanner Klingele.

   The Crown Vic class is showing some growth, with a season high eight cars signed in. Jacob Jones, one of five cars in the Delonjay racing stables would take the win in the twelve lap feature, topping Jake Etter and Dakota Damron. 

   A small group of nine Street Stocks were on hand, with heat one winner Levi Long failing to make the eighteen lap feature call. Murrayville, Il. visitor Cody Kitselman sat on the pole alongside former track champion Eddie Dieker, who dug out his helmet for a ride in the Jake Powers #0. Kitselman powered to the lead taking along third starting Jacob Rexing. Racing side by side, Rexing drove to the lead on lap five and began to build his lead. As Rexing drove off into the Adams County night, Rudy Zaragoza cleared Kitselman for second. They would come to the checkers in that order, with Beau Taylor fourth in his IMCA #2T. Dieker won a tight battle with Rickey Frankel III to claim fifth. 

   Dirtcar 4 Cylinders would put a wrap on the racing action, with a small field of eight lining up for fifteen laps. Jaden Delonjay would shoot to the front from row two followed by Barry Taft. Pole sitter Jordon Delonjay would slip around Taft on the second trip around the oval. With five laps scored, the only caution would come, and it would be the leader now stopped on the track, his run over. On the restart, Double duty Jeffrey Delonjay would power to the lead in a "new" #32D. Jordon would follow all the way to the checkers. Kimberly Abbott used a final lap pass to claim third, besting Taft and Landon Neisen. 

   There was still a fireworks display to come, but we were now in the 11:00 hour, so it was go time for me! 

   Thanks as always to Jim and Tammy of JT Promotions for their hospitality. Tonight we will head to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, then hopefully back to Adams County on Sunday, where Dennis G. Woodworth, Attorney at Law (Denny to race fans) will be sponsoring a reduced admission night.

Wilson, Becerra, Cottum, Wolfmeyer, Jones and " Fireworks" at Adams County, Il. Speedway

 Perched in our usual spot above turn one at Adams County, Il. Speedway, there was still lots of chatter regarding the long awaited change of ownership of the forty nine year old speed plant. For the time being, it seems it will be business as usual, with the JT Promotions team headed up by Jim and Tammy Lieurance handling day to day and race night operations. New owner Jeff Delonjay is laser focused on making physical improvements to the grounds, and he has already identified several areas that will be addressed. A former racer himself and the father of two regular competitors at Quincy as well as other tracks in the area, Jeff has a successful local business, Be Dry Roofing and will surely use both his business expertise as well as local connections to guide the raceway to greater heights. 

   But in the mean time, there was on track action on this Sunday evening. And boy, was there some action! But more on that later. 

   Things got off to a bit of a late start with track personnel attempting to keep moisture in the racing surface as bright sunshine and a steady breeze kept things challenging. Car counts were a bit light, likely some drivers are holding out for the higher paying make up Chad McCoy special on Wednesday. 

   UMP Modifieds are the only class at the track using time trial qualifying and there was a bit of drama early as top contender Dave Weitholder exited the track before turning a qualifying lap, relegating him to the tail of his heat race. Jacob Rexing topped the board with a lap of 13.937 seconds around the .29 mile oval. 

   Following heat race action there was a lengthy intermission during which drivers brought their helmets to the stands to collect money for the victims of the Jacksonville Speedway tragedy, with over $2,000 raised.

   Finally it was feature time with the UMP Pro Crate Late Models up first, eleven cars for twenty five laps. Braden Bilger and Jamie Wilson filled out row one, with Wilson shooting to the lead. Last weeks' winner Jason Perry powered to second on lap two with Denny Woodworth following in third one lap later. As Perry attempted to run down the leader he appeared to make contact with the front stretch concrete, damaging his spoiler while dropping to fifth. By the mid point of the race, Wilson had opened a big lead while Woodworth ran by himself in second and rookie Jackson Frankel did the same in third. The first battle on the speedway was an entertaining one between Bilger and Tommy Elston for fourth. All twenty five laps clicked off non stop with Wilson collecting his second win of the season. Woodworth, Frankel, Bilger, and Elston followed in that order. Spencer Havermale topped the second five while Perry wrestled his damaged car in seventh. Next came Jason Oenning, Darin Weisinger Jr., Jeffrey Delonjay, and Eric Rutherford.

   Ten IMCA Sport Mods lined up for eighteen laps. Lucas Schieferdecker came from row two to pace the field ahead of a yellow flag with two laps scored. Back to racing A.J. Tournear charged to the lead with Logan Cumby coming from row four to second two laps later. Heading into turn three there was a four wide scramble for fourth, with Reed Wolfmeyer finally claiming the spot seven laps in. Tournear and Cumby were taking the low line around the oval while seventh starting Wolfmeyer was ripping around the top. As the laps wound down to six to go it was now a three car battle for the lead. As Wolfmeyer moved past Cumby one lap later, Tanner Klingele joined the party in fourth. Two more trips around and Wolfmeyer shot to the lead, again running the high line. At the same time, Klingele cleared Cumby for third. As Wolfmeyer crossed the stripe for the win, Klingele nosed out Tournear for second. Cumby and Josh Holtman completed the top five. 

   All fourteen UMP Mods came to the track for twenty laps. Rexing and Austen Becerra paced the field with Austen grabbing the lap one lead. While Rick Conoyer and visiting Steve Picou battled for third, eighth starting Weitholder entered the top five. With five laps down we had the first of multiple caution periods. Back under green, Weitholder jumped to third and began to challenge Rexing for second. Five more laps clicked off before the next yellow flag, and on the restart Becerra stumbled, falling back several positions. However the caution came for a double spin, putting Becerra back to the front for the restart. Three more caution periods marred the on track action. During green flag runs, Rexing and Weitholder had a great battle for second, and with Dave finally securing the position he was then able to close on the leader. For the final seven circuits it was a nip and tuck two car duel, Weitholder racing around the low line and Becerra running in the middle groove. Becerra held on for the win with Weitholder settling for second. Conoyer out ran Rexing for third. Frankie Wellman recovered from a mid race trip to the tail to come home in fifth. 

   There were a dozen Dirtcar 4 Cylinders on hand, and they were scheduled for fifteen laps. Two of the three Delonjay team drivers, Jaden and Jordan sat on row one. Jaden took the lead with brother Jeffrey grabbing second. On lap four Matthew Mackey moved to the runner up spot, with Dyllan Bonk also moving in to challenge Jeffrey for third. Meanwhile Jaden opened a sizable lead ahead of a yellow flag with seven laps scored. As racing resumed, Mackey was able to pull alongside the leader and we were treated to an old fashioned slam bang battle. As the front pair rubbed and raced, Jeffrey and Bonk closed in to make it a four car scrum, and when they entered turn one in a pile Bonk was squeezed below the tire barrier, driving through the infield. Suddenly the yellow light came on, and now things got ugly. I will not offer up details of which I am uncertain, but soon the red flag was turned on, security was on the move, and the lights and sirens of Adams Countys' finest were racing to the track. After a long delay the remaining cars were sent to the pits with a decision on the resumption of the race to come later. Four Cylinder drama at its finest!

   Finally the Street Stocks were sent to the speedway, ten strong for eighteen laps. Double duty Rexing sat on the pole with Monmouth, Oregon traveler James Whitehouse alongside. With Rexing claiming the early lead, Rickey Frankel III and Robert Cottum battled for second. The leaders lined up around the bottom line ahead of a yellow flag with seven laps remaining. Back to racing Cottum went to the high side looking for some extra grip to finally slip around Rexing for the lead. One more caution period came when Frankel and Jake Powers got together while fighting for fourth, ending the run for Frankel. The final restart was single file, and Cottum remained in charge to grab the checkers. Rexing was runner up, with Brandon Boden strong in third. Rudy Zaragoza was scored fourth while Powers made a great recovery to fifth.

   One new Crown Vic made it seven checked in, and they would go for fifteen laps. Jacob Jones would shoot to the lead from his pole start and go mostly unchallenged for a flag to flag win. Jake Etter, Steve Meyer, Dakota Damron and Alex Hatfield collected top five finishes. 

   As mentioned earlier, the track will come back to life Wednesday for the Chad McCoy Memorial featuring Modifieds racing for a $4,545 payday. All other regular classes will be in action racing for increased purses as well. And it was announced that next Sunday races will be $5.00 admission courtesy of Dennis Woodworth, Attorney at Law.