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.
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