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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Track Championships Decided Saturday at Lee County Speedway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stevenson is King of the Hill in Quincy

    Eighty two race teams converged at Adams County, Il. Speedway east of Quincy on Sunday night for six classes of racing plus the UMP Modified King of the Hill finale. As I understand it as loosely explained, Modified drivers at the track competing in the special King of the Hill events during the season "bought in" for the opportunity to compete in the ten lap finale on this night. Nine cars took the green flag, with young Drake Stevenson leading flag to flag to claim the title for the second year in a row. This special event took place at the end of heat race action leading into intermission. 

   The order of feature racing was shook up a bit this week, with the Crown Vic fifteen lapper running first rather than at the end of the program. Dakota Damron, grandson of track Hall of Famer Dick Crane put his #77 out front at the drop of the green, survived one yellow flag five laps in and collected the win by a half car length over hard charging Alex Hatfield. The win for Damron came as the track celebrated grandpa Dicks' 77th birthday! Brian Kaylor, Justin Meyer and Jake Etter crossed the line next in the season high thirteen car field. 

Following a rather lengthy delay for a medical issue in the pits, all fourteen IMCA Sport Mods lined up for eighteen trips around the .29 mile oval. Quinton Shelton would lead the opening pair of laps, with sixth starting Logan Cumby grabbing second from Keith Pratt on lap two. Cumby then moved to the front on lap three. Meanwhile visiting Quad Cities area hot shoe Logan Veloz was also on the move, coming from row five to third on lap five. The first of four caution periods came with seven laps scored, and Veloz took advantage of the Delaware Style restart to charge to second. As the race reached the half way mark, Veloz completed his run to the front. Seventh starting Tanner Klingele was also working towards the front, advancing to third ahead of another yellow flag with ten laps in the books. Back under green, Klingele drove to the runner up position and began to put pressure on the leader. Two late cautions were followed by single file restarts, and although Klingele stayed close, Veloz picked up the win in what was only his second visit to the track in 2024. Cumby settled for third, topping Reed Wolfmeyer, and another visitor, Jarrett Franzen from Maquoketa, Iowa. 

   UMP Dirtcar Pro Late Models were next on the card, with all fifteen checked in ready for a twenty five lap feature. Jackson Frankel and Jason Perry sat on row one and it was Perry jumping to the lead. As he slowly pulled away from Frankel, seventh starting Tommy Elston,  sporting his Scott Bloomquist tribute wrap for the final time powered to third on lap four. The veteran Elston and the rookie Frankel then battled side by side for several trips around, Elston working down low and Frankel running the high line. With a lapped car setting a pick, Frankel secured the position even as Perry raced well out front. Seven laps remained on the scoreboard as Perry found himself in heavy traffic behind two cars running side by side for position, and Frankel was able to cut into his dwindling lead. The only caution of the race came with four circuits remaining as Eric Rutherford slowed, setting up a single file restart. Elston was now able to move to second, but by that point Perry was well ahead, and he cruised on to the flag to flag win. Elston, Frankel, Jamie Wilson and Jason Oenning recorded top fives, with Spencer Havermale, Vance Wilson, Jeffrey Delonjay, Denny Woodworth and Braden Bilger completing the top ten. 

   After Matt Diaz needed the wrecker before the green flag waved for the Modifieds, Trevor Neville got the jump on his row one mate Michael Long as the remaining sixteen car star studded field took the green flag for twenty laps. As Neville raced out front, he appeared to misjudge the treacherous tall cushion in turns one and two, and as he completed lap five he drove his #777 to the infield, finished for the night with unknown damage. Long, a multi time track champion at Quincy would inherit the lead and proceed to make a shambles of the action. By the mid point he had a full straightaway lead, and although zero stoppages forced him to negotiate heavy lapped traffic, he was able to maintain his big lead all the way to the checkers. The result was a clean sweep of his events, as he set fast time at 14.029 seconds and added a first heat win to go along with the feature victory in front of the "hometown" crowd. Dave Weitholder came home second chased by sixth starting Austen Becerra, and St. Louis area standouts Kenny Wallace and Rick Conoyer. 

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for fourteen Dirtcar 4 Cylinder entrants. As the pack entered turns three and four on the opening lap, Travis Demint got sideways, collecting several cars and bringing out the red flag for clean up. This would mean an early exit for Demint and Dyllan Bonk. Back to racing, Spencer Coats powered to the front chased by Landon Neisen and Matthew Mackey. Mackey would take second one lap later. Also on the move was sixth starting Jaden Delonjay, but after charging to third on lap four, he would lose a wheel in turn one, ending his run. As racing resumed, Coats and Mackey would battle side by side for several laps, each taking a turn at being ahead by a bumper. When the final caution came with six circuits left, Mackey was out front for the restart, but Coats would battle back to briefly retake the top spot. But Mackey proved to be too strong as he picked up a hard fought win. Following Coats, Jeremy Hancock eased around Neisen for third on the final lap after starting in fourteenth. And it was twelfth starting Devin Harrell clearing Kyle Weisenberger for fifth also on the final trip around the oval. 

   The Street Stock class was a bit short on cars, with late arriving Robert Cottom bringing the total to nine. However they would stage probably the best race of the night! All would line up for eighteen laps to round out the action. Outside row one starter Jacob Rexing and fourth starting Cottom would shoot to the front, and then begin an epic battle that found them racing side by side, lap after lap, racing hard but never touching. Cottom was ahead by a bumper at the half way point, with Rexing then retaking the spot by a car length. As they came upon a slower car, Cottom was again able to pull alongside Rexing. With just three laps to go, Levi Long looped his ride  setting up a single final dash to the checkers. Again we were treated to a side by side duel and while Cottom nosed ahead briefly it was Rexing fighting back to regain the lead. Going all out on the final lap, Cottom got too high on the turn two cushion, losing two spots. The win went to Rexing followed by Rickey Frankel III, Jake Powers, Cottom and Rudy Zaragoza. 

   The final checkers came just after 9:30. Although there are still four nights of racing on the schedule, next Sunday night will be the season championship events. 

   Thanks as always to JT Promotions and everyone at the track for their hospitality and thank you for reading!

Griffiths Goes Two for Three, Elston, Becerra, Anderson, Abbott Also Winners at Lee County

      Saturday was race night once again at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. A solid and well balanced field of ninety four teams signed in, with all but the Hobby Stocks turning out between fourteen and nineteen cars. There was a full moon rising behind the grandstand, and some of the on track action seemed typical of such an occurrence, with a rollover and resulting fuel spill which needed to be burnt off as well as cars attempting unsuccessfully to drive through the guardrail!

   Still with the usual on time start, it was soon feature time. 

   Modifieds would kick things off, sixteen strong for twenty laps. As the cars came to the track with Austen Becerra starting inside row one, it would seem the race was likely for second. And as it turned out, that would be the case. New Sharon, Iowa standout Zack VanderBeek normally spends his time on the USMTS Modified tour, but made a rare visit to LCS, and he quickly became involved in a tight battle with Kurt Kile for second. Those two swapped the position as Becerra stretched his lead ahead of a pair of caution periods at laps six and seven. With the remaining circuits running caution free, VanderBeek was able to take control of the runner up spot, staying close to the leader. As the front pair passed the scoring loop on lap fourteen, Zack was actually ahead by a nose. But Austen would fight back as they exited turn two, and after changing his line at the other end of the track he was able to open a bit of breathing room when slower traffic came into play. As the double checkers waved, it was Becerra, VanderBeek, Kile, Jadin Fuller and Bill Roberts Jr. filling out the top five. 

   Eighteen Sport Mods lined up to do battle for fifteen laps. Another visiting hot shoe, Logan Anderson would redraw the pole for this one, and he would pace the field ahead of a lap two caution. Back to racing the yellow flag would wave immediately for a multi car pile up in turn two. As the green waved once again, Anderson stretched his margin while Dustin Griffiths in the Goble #55 and "Speedy Bray" Brayton Carter raced side by side behind him. At the same time, Adam Birck and Jim Gillenwater battled closely for fourth. Three more times the caution flag would fly, and following the final single file restart with four laps remaining Carter mounted a strong but unsuccessful attempt to overtake the leader. The final rundown saw Anderson with the first place trophy in front of Carter, Birck, Griffiths and fifteenth starting Cody Agee. 

   The "race of the night" belonged to the 4 cylinder Sport Compact division. All fifteen cars came to the track to battle for fifteen trips around the three eighths mile oval. Barry Taft and Kimberly Abbott filled row one with Abbott leading the way early on. Behind those two running nose to tail there were two packs of cars running three wide for position. Soon hometown driver Brandon Reu took command of third and set sail for the leaders just as the yellow flag waved with six laps scored. On the Delaware Style restart Reu eased around Taft for second and as they circled the track it was a three wide battle for the top spot. Taft was actually ahead by a nose as lap nine went in the books with Abbott inches in front the next time around. One last time the caution came with five laps to go, and still it was a three wide scrum for position. As the laps wound down Luke Fraise entered the picture, looking for an opening that never appeared. Kimberly Abbott would pick up her first feature checkers of the year while Taft bested Reu for second. Fraise was right there in fourth while Keokuks' Josh Barnes completed the first five. 

   Racing in two classes each week keeps Dustin Griffiths plenty busy, but on this night he really stretched things out by competing in three divisions! After racing to a fourth place finish in the Sport Mods, the Hedrick, Iowa driver sat on the pole for the ten car fifteen lap Hobby Stock money race. Winning is never "easy" they say, but Dustin came as close as possible, as he was never seriously challenged in keeping his Lee County Hobby Stock undefeated streak alive. Only two yellow flags four laps apart kept him in the same area code as his competitors. Shane Richardson would come from row four to take runner up honors ahead of Tom Killen Jr. and fellow Hedrick driver James Pilkington. Billy Stanford was involved in a three car accident at the half way mark, but after a quick trip to the work area rebounded to claim fifth. 

   A nice field of sixteen UMP Pro Crate Late Models checked in for the twenty five lap main event. Points leader Tommy Elston had the side wraps of his car replaced with a replica Scott Bloomquist #0 in honor of the legendary National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer who lost his life Friday in a private plane crash on his property in Tennessee. Elston would start in row two behind last weeks' first time winner Jackson Frankel and Darin Weisinger Jr. Those three would drive off from the pack with Frankel and Weisinger battling hard for the lead while Elston lurked close behind. On lap eight Elston was able to slip around Weisinger for second, setting his sights on seventeen year old Frankel. At about the mid point of the race Frankel came upon a slower car and checked up briefly allowing the veteran Elston to drive by on the outside. With zero yellow flags during the event Tommy gradually stretched his advantage, picking up win number eight of the year at the fairgrounds track. After starting third Donnellson racer Jeremy Pundt would rebound late to close quickly on Frankel before settling for third ahead of Weisinger Jr. and C. J. Horn. Spencer Havermale came from tenth to six chased by Denny Woodworth, Vance Wilson, Ron Boyse and Sam Halstead. 

   Stock Cars would put a wrap on the night, with all but one of the nineteen drivers on hand taking the green flag. Mike McClure would be on the sidelines while Nicholas Profeta made the start in the Stanford #52 Hobby Stock, retiring by the only caution on lap two. It was outside row one starter Tanner Allen leading at that point, but on the restart pole sitter Derrick Agee put his brand new #14 out front ahead of Allen, tenth starting Dustin Griffiths and Dustin Vis. With Agee in command, Allen and Griffiths fought for the second position as Kevin Egglestons' crossed flags signaled the half way mark. With ten laps still showing on the scoreboard, Griffiths charged from third to first, then built a sizable lead leaving Allen and Agee to duke it out for the runner up slot. Griffiths would cruise to his second win and third top five on the night as Agee won the duel for second over Allen. Vis ran fourth topping Milan, Illinois visitor Andrew Burk. 

   Once again it was a good night of racing staged by rookie promoters Neal Kohlmorgan and Patrick Profeta, with the final checkers coming about 10:30. Racing at the fairgrounds will resume next Saturday night.

Unzicker Tops the MARS Invasion at East Moline

    Sunday we switched things up, heading up the road to the East Moline Speedway for the first time since Late Model racer turned promoter Chuck Hanna took the reins there. The occasion was a visit by the MARS Racing Series, with their Late Model division headlining the program capped by a $5,000 to win 40 lap feature event. Five of the regular classes that run weekly at the Rock Island County fairgrounds facility were also on the card along with the American Iron Racing Series. Since taking over prior to the 2023 season, Hanna and his team have made several improvements, most notably adding high quality black dirt to and somewhat reshaping the high banked quarter mile track to bring back multi groove racing, particularly in turns three and four, which had mostly become a follow the leader set of turns. It did seem to me as though the tire barrier was out a bit far in those turns, but then there is no work for bleacher - sitting "track experts!"

   Hot laps kicked off right at the advertised time of 4:30, and clicked off quickly with basically one set of warm ups for all but the Late Models. So even with two car at a time two lap Late Model qualifying, heat race action began in less than an hour. 

   As might be expected for the final night of a three race swing (following Sycamore Speedway and 100 laps at Macon Speedway),  the car count for the headline division was a bit short. Several of the top MARS contenders were absent, with both McKay Wenger and Mark Voigt sidelined with engine woes. Also, Allen Weisser, who was third in the points chase entering this event was a no show. Fortunately there was enough participation by "local" drivers to give us an acceptable field of eighteen competitors.

   Number two points man Ryan Unzicker topped qualifying, turning a lap of 13.471 seconds around the high banked quarter mile. Late Model time trials had been sandwiched in during hot laps for the other divisions, so after a few idle minutes for television commercials (ugh!), opening ceremonies led us into a pair of eight lap MARS heat races. A heat one lap two caution for National Late Model Dirt Hall of Famer (and East Moline legend) Gary Webb forced him to restart at the tail and put him behind the eight ball all night. Pole sitter Unzicker would lead this one until the final set of turns, when third starting Garrett Alberson in the locally based Roberts Motorsports #58 came charging by to take the win. Series points leader Jason Feger and Daniel Adam would follow the front pair. Alberson, who calls Las Cruces, New Mexico home, and crew had made the 420 plus mile tow in from the North -South 100 Lucas Oil race in Florence, Kentucky the night before. 

   Heat two also saw a local favorite encounter issues, as contact between Matt Ryan and Bob Gardner left Matt with body damage on his #07. He would later be the first to drop out of the main event. Bunbury, West Australia driver Kye Blight would capture this race from the pole, topping his front row mate Jake Little, seventh starting Molalla, Oregon racer Justin Duty and Iowan Chris Simpson. 

   Even though temperatures were mild for an early August evening, the sunshine baring down made for somewhat slick track conditions, particularly in the previously mentioned turns three and four, with some of the smaller tired classes struggling a bit at that end of the oval. So with heat races for all ninety one cars complete, facility workers took about thirty minutes to manicure the surface, giving us a smooth, racy surface as the Late Models came track side for their main event. 

   The top two from the heats redrew for their starting positions, with Unzicker and Alberson sitting in row one followed by Little and Blight. The rest of the field lined straight up by heat race finish. Unzicker shot to the early lead with Alberson close behind. Slower traffic came into play about lap eleven( this place could use a scoreboard!) This would allow Alberson to briefly pull alongside the leader down the backstretch in what was at this point a two car battle. After this first encounter with lapped cars, Unzicker had clear track ahead, and he was able to stretch out to a more comfortable lead until he would again be in traffic around the twenty lap mark. Still the #24 pilot was patient and smooth as he negotiated his way through, and was aided by a few drivers pulling to the infield as they went a lap down. With Unzicker in command and the flag man reaching for the white, he instead had to grab the yellow cloth for the first and only time as seventh running Daniel Adam rolled to a stop on the backstretch. With the wrecker hooked to the rear of his #75, he would take a hit in the points chase, now being scored fourteenth in the final rundown. The final pair of laps would kick off single file, and although Alberson would now have one more shot, Unzicker would race home for his second victory of the weekend. Feger would take advantage of the restart after making a late move from fifth to fourth, he was now able to clear Little for a podium finish in third. Blight would complete the top five. Duty started and finished in sixth, while Rich Bell gained five positions in a second Adam car to run seventh. Simpson broke even in eighth, and row five starters Bob Gardner and Dale Markham filled out the top ten. With Camden Gardner returning to the track for the final two laps after spending much of the race in the infield, there were fourteen cars running as the checkers waved. 

   As post race interviews were under way, Fred and I made our way to the parking lot, pleased with our latest adventure. The MARS folks seemed happy as well, and judging by the very large crowd in attendance, I would expect a return visit to East Moline Speedway by the series in 2025. 

  Special thanks to MARS series director Jonathon Clayton as well as the staff at East Moline, including the very friendly young ladies at the pit shack!

   Next up? Stay tuned, and we shall see!

Griffiths Doubles Up, Fraise Repeats, Frankel Wins his First at Lee County Speedway

    Dirt track racing action returned to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson on Saturday night with all six regular classes in competition. A balanced field of seventy three cars checked in on a very pleasant evening. Eleven heat races clicked off in just about one hour, with only a pair of yellow flags slowing the action, and with intermission complete, it was time to go feature racing. 

   Modifieds would be up first, with all thirteen cars lining up for twenty laps. On the first green flag attempt, Bill Roberts Jr. was crossed up in turns one and two and was hit by Levi Smith, ending the night for Roberts. Going back to an original restart, pole sitter Austen Becerra shot to the lead ahead of Dakota Simmons and Denny Eckrich. As lap two was scored, Eckrich moved to second, taking along Kurt Kile in third. Kile and Eckrich swapped the runner up spot before Denny took control, leaving Kile and Simmons to battle side by side for third. Slower traffic came into play around the half way mark, but Becerra was up to the challenge. With no other stoppages, Austen cruised to the win with only Eckrich, Kile, Simmons and Daniel Fellows on the lead lap. 

   Sport Mods would be next in the running order, sixteen strong for fifteen laps. Kyler Girard would power from outside row one to pace the field ahead of Cole Gillenwater and Adam Birck. Birck would move to second on the next trip around, and the first caution would come with fours laps in the books. Back to racing, Birck was all over the leader, finally executing a slide job in turns three and four on lap seven. But Girard was not to be denied as he completed a successful crossover move to retain the lead. With the front pair locked in a tight duel, visiting Trevor Drake, Brighton, Missouri, and Brandon Dale closed the gap to give us a four car scrum. A second caution came with just four laps remaining, and on the restart Birck grabbed the lead. But on the following lap he contacted the guardrail in turn four, then rolled to a stop in turn two with a flat tire ending his run. This would put Girard back out front with only two circuits remaining, while Dale would take command of the runner up position. But as the leaders entered the final set of turns, Girard missed his mark, going high on the track and Dale was able to drive underneath the #00 to pick up a surprising win. Girard would settle for second, trailed by Drake, Cole Gillenwater and Cole Vanderwal.

   With the fans still buzzing, a short field of seven Sport Compacts lined up for fifteen laps. Luke Fraise grab the top spot as Barry Taft, Brandon Reu and Caleb Giese raced three wide just behind the leader. Lap five saw Reu snatch the lead away, leaving Fraise and Taft to battle for second. With only three laps remaining Fraise was able to find extra speed, moving in to challenge Reu, and as flagman Kevin Eggleston displayed the "two to go" sign, Luke made an inside move out of turn four to retake the lead and the win. The victory made it two feature wins in a row for the Houghton driver. Reu, Taft, Giese and Ethan Prim would round out the top five. 

   Eleven Hobby Stocks battled for fifteen laps. Front row starters James Pilkington and Darin DeZwarte paced lap one, with sixth starting Dustin Griffiths taking second on lap two. The next trip past the flag stand, Griffiths shot to the front ahead of Pilkington and a three wide battle for third. A lone yellow flag came with five laps scored, and back under the green flag, Shane Richardson charged to second with Luke Phillips following in third. Seven laps were left when Richardson bobbled, allowing Phillips to take up the chase, but by this time Griffiths was long gone. He would cruise to the victory, continuing his undefeated streak in the Hobby Stock division at the track in 2024! Phillips crossed the line in second while Richardson nosed out David McCalla for third. Pilkington completed the first five. 

   It was now Late Model time, ten cars for twenty five laps. This would turn out to be a barn burner! Spencer Havermale was the early leader with rookie Jackson Frankel easing around Christian Miles for second on lap two. Working the high line, Frankel then powered to the lead off turn four as lap three went in the books while point leader Tommy Elston moved to third. Elston then cleared Miles for second on lap six, but by now Frankel had built a sizable lead. As the race stayed green, Elston slowly cut into the margin to the front. Around the halfway mark Darin Weisinger Jr. raced his way to third, and three laps later the leaders came back to the pack as the yellow waved for a slowing Ed Hollenbeck. Back to racing Frankel and Elston raced nose to tail with the rookie holding his line on the bottom in turns one and two, then working the high side at the other end. Elston waited for the mistake that never came, with an excited Frankel picking up his first ever Late Model win. Elston took second topping Weisinger Jr., Jeremy Pundt, and Havemale. Vance Wilson ran sixth in front of Ron Boyse and Kruze Miles. Christian Miles and Hollenbeck were credited with the final spots. 

   As good as the Late Model feature was, the Stock Car finale had an even more dramatic outcome. Trenton Witt led lap one, with Corey Strothman and Dustin Griffiths in tow. A multi car pile up on lap two would eliminate four of the sixteen starters. Back under green, it was Strothman and Griffiths driving away from the pack. With lots of bumpin' and bangin' going on behind them, Strothman and Griffiths gained breathing room. Eventually David Brandies cleared the pack to move to third, but it remained a two car battle. Strothman stayed in charge, but as the laps wound down the leaders caught the back of the pack. Although the move over flag was out, a pair of cars were racing for position in the same lower groove as Strothman. Entering the final set of turns, Griffiths switched to the top groove, then used his momentum to squeak past Strothman in a photo finish of .003 seconds for his second feature win of the night. Brandies took third with Keegan Wells and Jason Cook also in the top five.  

   With the track officials once again on top of their game, the final double checkers waved before 9:30, putting a cap on an entertaining night of racing!

Woodworth, Conoyer, Cottom, Cumby, Demint and Delonjay are Quincy Winners

    After taking a week off in deference to the county fair a handful of miles up I-72, Adams County, Il. Speedway roared back to life on Sunday, August 4. Count 'em, all six classes were in action as the track heads into the final couple of months of an eventful and seemingly successful 2024 season. It was $5.00 admission night for those who purchased tickets at Quincy Auto Supply. There were giveaways as well as drink specials adding to the festivities.

   With plenty of "fireworks" on and off the track as well as social media, I felt obligated to check the calendar to confirm that it was for sure August 4, not July 4! But in keeping with the spirit of "Positively Racing," we will concentrate (mostly) on the actual racing and results.

   Preparing a dirt track on 90 degree afternoons for early starts is for sure a tricky venture, and unfortunately on this Sunday a bit too much water added after hot lap/time trials pushed the program back several minutes. There was a nice field of seventy seven cars in the six divisions competing in front of a large crowd and the field was balanced well enough to offer a pair of heat races in all but the Late Model division which managed to squeeze out three qualifiers. Following a rather lengthy intermission in which the UMP Modified drivers came to the track apron to be introduced to the crowd, it was finally feature time. 

   An even dozen Dirtcar UMP Modifieds lined up for twenty laps, with fast timer and heat one winner Rick Conoyer on the pole, flanked by heat two victor Austen Becerra. Conoyer led the opening lap with Dave Weitholder slipping past Becerra to be scored in second. The only yellow flag of the race came with a pair of laps in the books, and back to racing Becerra used the Delaware Style restart to power to the runner up position. He then drove around Conoyer on lap four, and those two began to ease away from the pack, Becerra pounding the cushion while Conoyer operated in the low groove. As Conoyer continued to apply pressure, Becerra tried different lines, looking for his "sweet spot." With just two laps remaining, Austen rode a bit too high off turn two and got in the crumbs on the backstretch. This momentary stumble was all Conoyer needed to grab the lead, and he then held on for a clean sweep for the evening. Becerra recovered to take second followed by Weitholder, Jacob Rexing and Kenny Wallace. 

   Spencer Havermale was a scratch, leaving us with sixteen UMP Pro Crate Late Models to race for twenty five circuits. Heat one winner Tommy Elston redrew the pole position with Darin Weisinger Jr. alongside. They ran one, two early, while seventh starting Denny Woodworth worked his way to third on lap three before giving up the spot one lap later to Jamie Wilson. Woodworth would retake the position, then clear Weisinger for second on lap seven. By then Elston had built a sizable lead, but the first caution would erase that margin. Another quick caution and a red flag to clean up a multi car scrum would soon follow. Finally putting together a green flag run, Elston and Woodworth pulled away, both locked in the inside line. A caution for debris came with thirteen in the books and now it was a single file restart with Woodworth changing tactics, trying to overtake Elston by running a higher line. With seven laps remaining Woodworth was able to execute a crossover move and grab the lead. He then moved back to the low groove and now it was Elstons' turn to move up the track. One more bout of carnage came with two laps to go, but the racing attorney remained in command, picking up his first win of the season after a bunch of runner up finishes. Elston, Jamie Wilson, tenth starting Jason Oenning and Jeffrey Delonjay completed the top five followed by Terry Wilson, Weisinger Jr., Austin Poage, and Eric Rutherford. Braden Bilger was credited with tenth. There were plenty of damaged race cars and I imagine a few hurt feelings when this one was over.

   Richie Wagy was a Street Stock scratch, leaving us with a fourteen car eighteen lap shootout. Levi Long spun from the pole as the field entered turn one for the first time, collecting another pair of cars. The original restart saw outside row one starter Robert Cottom jump to the lead over Rudy Zaragoza and double duty Jacob Rexing. A second and final caution came with one lap in the books, and back to racing the top three drove off from the pack. Zaragoza and Rexing battled hard, allowing Cottom to open a bit of breathing room. On the final lap Cottom came upon a gaggle of slower cars, drifted too high on the backstretch, and in his own words "almost ran out of talent." But he recovered to take the win, chased by Zaragoza, Rexing, Jake Powers, and Rickey Frankel III. 

   Twelve IMCA Northern Sport Mods came to the track next for eighteen circuits. John Reiner led lap one, giving way to Logan Cumby the next time around the .29 mile oval. Meanwhile Tanner Klingele and Adam Birck came from rows four and five to battle for third. Birck cleared Renier for second on lap three with the first caution coming with six laps scored. A.J. Tournear was third at this point, and he charged to the runner up spot on the restart while Klingele and Birck again did battle behind the front pair. Eight laps in Klingele moved to second, then it was Birck the runner up one lap later. Following a lap twelve stoppage, Birck and Klingele again raced side by side behind Cumby, with Birck finally gaining enough separation to go to work on the leader in the closing laps. As he appeared ready to pounce on the top side, a final caution came with sixteen laps scored. The final restart went single file, with Cumby in command to the checkers. Birck, Klingele and Tournear followed, with Reed Wolfmeyer rounding out the first five. 

   Ten Dirtcar 4 Cylinders were scheduled for fifteen laps. Travis Demint led both the first and last trip past the flag stand, but there was lots going on in between! Lap four saw Demint, Spencer Coats and Jaden Delonjay racing three wide for the lead, with first Coats then Delonjay out front for the next two circuits. A yellow flag with seven remaining saw Coats again jump ahead, but one lap later apparent contact found Coats going off the top of turn two. With both Coats and Delonjay restarting at the tail, Demint was again the leader. Back to racing another "incident" brought out the black flag and gave us a single file restart. Another caution eleven laps in, and the time limit was hit with Demint declared the winner. Kimberly Abbott avoided the carnage to come home second while Jaden Delonjay worked his way back to third. Landon Neisen and Jordon Delonjay also recorded top five finishes. 

   It was now creeping up on 10:30 as I headed for the parking lot with the Crown Vic feature coming trackside to close out the action. My Race Pass shows double duty Jeffrey Delonjay the winner over Jacob Jones in the twelve lap finale. A season high eleven cars signed in for the fledgling division.

   Thanks once again to the Lieurance and Delonjay families for their hospitality and for the very positive ongoing improvements to the facilities. Oh, and in case you missed it the main topic of conversation at the 49 year old Raceway was the announcement this week that there will be a switch to Friday night racing in 2025! And... there is lots more to come, so stay tuned!

Wells, Griffiths, Birck Double Up, Elston, Madden, Fraise Also Winners at Lee County

    It was the final Drive for Five UMP Pro Crate Late Model qualifier as racing returned to Saturday nights at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. In addition, the other five regular classes, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts were in action. Veterans, emergency personnel and seniors received free admission to the grandstands as well as those seventeen and under. Everyone one else came through the front gate for only a five dollar bill.

   Last week at the speedway, Stock Car racer Keegan Wells picked up his first ever feature win. On Saturday it looked as though he would need to settle for a runner up finish, as one of Iowas' best, Dustin Griffiths was well out front and cruising towards the checkers. But Yogi Berras "it ain't over 'till its over" came into play, as Griffiths slowed dramatically with just two laps remaining. Dustin later stated that he could feel his right rear tire going down, and before the final checkers, it was pretty much shredded off the rim. And there was Wells, ready to pounce, as he ran down the leader and picked up win number two in his brief career. Griffiths somehow wrestled his disabled ride home in second behind Wells for the second consecutive week, with Beau Taylor closing fast in third. Nicholas Profeta and Kelly Buckallew completed the first five. All twenty laps clicked off caution free.

    But before Griffiths could stake a claim as a "hard luck" driver, he was able to come back strong in the Hobby Stock division. Starting in row three, he grabbed the lead from Corey VanDerwilt on lap two, then drove off to a nearly one half lap lead to top the non stop fifteen lap finale, matching his win from last week. Eighth starting David McCalla battled with VanDerwilt for most of the race before securing the runner up position. Jeremy Dooley and Jason Schutterle rounded out the top five. 

   Feature racing began on this very warm evening with Modifieds going at it for twenty laps. Pole sitter Kyle Madden, Oxford, Iowa, in a rare visit to the track, and Dakota Simmons filled out row one. They would battle side by side in the early laps while seventh starting Kurt Kile worked his way to third. Madden had opened a nice lead as the race reached the half way mark, but four circuits later Simmons had closed the gap. At lap seventeen, the duo again were racing side by side with Kile taking advantage to close quickly in third. Again the race went green to checkers with no caution flags, and as the front three passed beneath starter Kevin Egglestons' double checkers, it was Madden, Simmons, and Kile all within a couple car lengths. Derek Walker made the trip down from Riverside, Iowa to capture fourth ahead of Donnellson racer Levi Smith. For Simmons, it was his second runner up finish in a row at the track.

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for the 4 Cylinder Sport Compacts around the D shaped three eighths mile oval. Pole sitter Chuck Fullenkamp and row two starting Hannibal, Mo. visitor Dyllan Bonk would be neck and neck as lap one was scored, with Bonk slightly ahead the next time around. Defending track champion Brandon Reu would line up in row four, but quickly charge to second on lap three. Soon the front pair was joined by Luke Fraise as the race passed the half way point. With seven circuits still to go, Fraise used a power move to go from third to first, although Bonk and Reu continued to stay close. Four laps remaining showed on the scoreboard when Bonk suddenly slowed and pulled to the infield, his run over. Again this race went caution free, with Fraise opening a bit of a lead in the closing laps. Reu would take second chased by Barry Taft, Kimberly Abbott, and Elvaston, Il. youngster Ethan Prim. 

   Logan Cumby shot from the pole to pace the Sport Mods opening lap, taking along his row one mate Kyler Girard, and Adam Birck. Birck, wheeling the Austen Becerra owned #122 would drive to second on lap two, then join Cumby as they left the pack behind. Five circuits in, Birck used an inside move off turn four to jump to the front, then he methodically opened a commanding lead. Girard recovered to run down Cumby, grabbing the runner up spot three laps from the end of the fifteen lap event. Once again, there were no yellow flags to slow the action, with Birck picking up his second consecutive checkers. Girard was second, topping Cumby, Brandon Dale, and Jim Gillenwater.

   With lots of racing around the state of Iowa this night, the Late Model field was a bit short, but still produced good racing. But when defending champion and six time feature winner Tommy Elston picked up a heat race win and started outside row one in the feature, it was a matter of his #54 holding strong for twenty five laps. Veteran driver Vance Wilson held down second early before third generation hot shoe C. J. Horn took up the chase with five laps scored. But by then Elston had checked out and the racing was further back as sixth starting Denny Woodworth found a groove to his liking and charged to third. The first of only two yellow flags in all six main events came with ten laps scored, when heavy contact sent Jeremy Pundt spinning in turn two. Following the Delaware Style restart, Woodworth cleared Horn for second, but only one more lap was run before the second and final yellow following more contact sent Pundt to the trailer with damage and Spencer Havermale to the infield. Horn this time won the battle for second, and although he closed the gap on Elston a bit in turns three and four, the Keokuk driver was a rocket off turn two, picking up win number seven at the fairgrounds in 2024. Horn, Woodworth, Darin Weisinger Jr., Wilson, and Ron Boyse were the only cars still on track at the finish. 

   With the earlier Saturday starting time and the amazing lack of caution periods, racing was completed by around 9:20! Thanks as always to Neal, Patrick and the ladies at the pit shack for their continued hospitality. 

   Tonight we are off to Adams County, Il. Speedway in Quincy for six divisions of competition. There was big news from the new owners of the facility yesterday, did you hear it!?! Yes or no, head to the track tonight or if you cannot make it, check back at this site tomorrow for more.