On another warm Sunday afternoon, Quincy Raceways said "goodbye" to a successful 2025 season with a six division program. Starting one hour earlier with mid summer like temps along with a stiff breeze created some dust issues early, but several extra watering sessions and a setting sun left us with a racy track come feature time. The car count was on the low side, so despite continuing good weather it may be time to look ahead to 2026.
The first full season of the Crown Vic class should be deemed a success, and they led off feature racing with a twelve lap event. Season points champ Jake Etter lined up on the pole position, pacing the field early while being stalked by his row one mate Alex Hatfield. As the leaders exited turn four on lap five, Hatfield suddenly slowed with a flat tire, creating a bottleneck of pursuers as the yellow flag waved. Back to racing it was heat winner Jacob Jones taking up the chase, but Etter remained in control to pick up the win. Matt Little came home third ahead of Braxton Dieker and Josh Little. Announcer Doug Mealy revealed that Etter will be moving up to the Limited Mod class next year, a perfect outcome for a "starter" class.
Devin Harrell paced lap one of the 4 Cylinder fifteen lapper. One lap later, seventh starting Jaden Delonjay charged to second. Jaden went upside down last week in his #3, pulled one of the #32 machines out of the garage only to have it quit in the heat race. With the gremlins worked out, he then staged a great back and forth battle with Harrell, finally taking the lead for good on lap six. As he then stretched his lead, heat winner Dyllan Bonk cleared Harrell for second with four laps to go and began to reel in the leader. But with the race going caution free, he ran out of time, crossing the line in the runner up spot behind Delonjay. Harrell finished third in front of Kimberly Abbott and Matthew Brogdon.
Street Stocks also went fifteen laps. In an interesting twist, point champion Jake Powers and Eddie Dieker switched rides for the night, with Jake in the Wes Mayfield owned #00 and Eddie in Powers' #0. They would share the front row, swapping the lead ahead of a yellow flag with two laps scored. Again each led a lap before the caution came again with four in the books. As racing resumed it was Powers out front while heat winner Rudy Zaragoza eased around Dieker for second. A final caution came just past the half way mark, but Powers drove off to a convincing win, incredibly his first of the season at QR. Zaragoza took second followed by Dieker, Brandon Boden and Kyle Weisenberger.
According to his Facebook post, Tommy Elston had plans to attend a concert today. But when it was cancelled, he loaded up and headed to Q.R. That proved a wise decision, as he walked off with the Pro Late Model twenty lapper, making him two for two features this weekend in his brand new #54. With the race going non stop, he methodically opened more than a full straightaway lead over fast timer and heat winner, 2025 champion Denny Woodworth. Jason Oenning edged Jeffrey Delonjay in a close battle for third chased by Frankie Wellman and Sam Halstead. The night was a short one for Jamie Wilson who left the track behind the wrecker during time trials.
Fifteen laps would be the distance for the UMP Modifieds. Heat winner Dave Weitholder and fast qualifier Austen Becerra lined up in row one, crossing the stripe in a near dead heat as lap one was scored. Lap two belonged to Weitholder ahead of a yellow flag. The two veterans drove off in a two car battle, Weitholder working the low line while Becerra pounded the high side. With eight laps remaining Austen was able to sneak inside the #05 and grab the lead. With the race seemingly in hand, the caution came as third running Lane Huff clipped an inside tire in turns one and two sending his car at a nearly 90 degree angle before coming back down on its' wheels. Surprisingly he was able to continue. Becerra held on following a single file restart, collecting the win. Weitholder topped Shawn Deering, Huff and Kirkland Cunningham behind Becerra.
The final race of the season saw eleven B Mods come to the track for fifteen laps. Fast timer and first heat winner Drake Stevenson sat on the pole with heat two winner double duty Weitholder alongside. Weitholder continued to cat fish around the bottom of the track while Stevenson worked up top of the .29 mile oval. Drake maintained a slim lead with Dave pulling even with five laps to go. With a slower car to negotiate, Weitholder eased ahead the next time around while first time Quincy visitor Brody Mosher took advantage to join the front runners. As the final checkers flew, it was Weitholder, Stevenson, Mosher, Tanner Klingele and visiting Jake Allen filling out the top five.
Quincy Raceways owners Jeff and Renee Delonjay will embark on a new chapter at the speedway in 2026 with a switch to Friday night racing with Sunday as a rain date. Once again I want to thank them for their hospitality all season long.
Up next for yours truly will be this coming Friday night back at Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa for night number one of the Harvest Hustle with big money on the line for the six regular classes. Hope to see you there!
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