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!
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