Sheppard and Ledford Dominate at Lincoln

    Tuesday we made a return visit to Lincoln Speedway on the Logan County, Il. Fairgrounds for the completion of the Flo Racing Night in America program. The original event on May 7 was postponed as the second Super Late Model heat race came to the track. Thirty six Late Models had qualified, with Hudson O'Neal setting fast time then picking up the win in the first heat before the off and on showers finally created a situation where the show could not be completed by the town curfew. The twenty seven Modifieds in the pits had also qualified, but while the Late Models would pick up their program with heat two, the Modifieds would start over, beginning with time trial qualifying. Twenty seven Mods had turned out for the May show.

   It was a beautiful afternoon and evening and the fans responded as a huge crowd filled the covered grandstands. Unfortunately the driver turnout was not quite as expected. A combination of factors were perhaps at work as an unusually high amount of mechanical issues with transport vehicles seems to be happening - including Sam Seawright who broke down enroute. Also being the same week as the Prairie Dirt Classic may have kept some away, although it would seem like perhaps a good test session before going to Fairbury. Lastly the fact of a poor qualifying position from the May time trials may have been a deterrent. As it was, thirteen of the original thirty six drivers failed to return, while local hot shoe Myles Moos was allowed to join the field and tag the tail of the final heat race. Keeping the original heat race lineups created an interesting situation, as heat two, the first of the night, would roll off with six cars, heat three would see only four starters, and with the addition of Moos and one subtraction, heat four would have nine starters. With just twenty four cars on hand, no B Main was needed, leaving just three heats and the fifty lap feature to entertain the paying customers, many of whom were not in attendance for the original show. 

    I am not sure what the excuse might be for the Modifieds, as only sixteen would sign in even though their portion of the night would be a complete new show with a $2,000 to win top prize. However the stellar announcing crew from Flo Racing did a bang up job of making one set of time trials, five heat races and two features seem like a full night of racing!

   Hudson O'Neal had been the top qualifier and heat one winner back in May, earning him the pole start for the $20,000 to win Late Model headliner. Mike Spatola, Brandon Sheppard, and Bobby Pierce would also capture heat wins to set the first two rows of the main event. Curiously, Brandon Overton, who was locked in to a third row slot did not make the return trip, no explanation given. 

   The Late Model fifty lapper would roll out first. O'Neal would pace lap one ahead of Sheppard, but it was fifth starting Shannon Babb getting a good run on the start and charging to the front on lap two. Sheppard would make it three different cars up front as lap three was scored, and would stay there for forty seven more laps. But the drive would not be an easy one. After getting shuffled back a bit, O'Neal would take second on lap six, and one lap later Pierce would enter the conversation in third. One more time around and the "Smooth Operator" would climb to the runner up spot, just ahead of the first caution for a Moos spin. Austin Howes and Brian Shirley would call it a night at this point. Three more laps were scored before a crash involving Josh Rice and Jake Little would send both to the pits. As the green flag waved, fourth place O'Neal was shuffled back with obvious rear right side damage. Ricky Thornton Jr. was now the man on the move ahead of a yellow flag at lap fourteen for Kyle Bronson. As racing resumed Devin Moran began a march forward, even as Sheppard and Pierce turned the race into a classic two car battle while Babb and Thornton Jr. ran side by side for third. The leaders would close in on the back of the pack on lap twenty seven just as Moos slowed between turns one and two. Sheppard would clip the rear of the Moos ride and continue on, but with nowhere to go Pierce would lock up his brakes and slam into the #84. Pierce would then head for the hot pit to check for damage and take advantage of the misfortune to bolt on a new right rear tire, a very fortuitous decision.  With the "choose cone" restarts used by Flo where each driver behind the leader can pick inside or out, Pierce would line up somewhere around fifteenth. Thornton would charge to second on the restart, but now all eyes were on Pierce. By the time the next stoppage came at lap thirty four for a Spatola spin, Bobby was back up to seventh. He would reenter the top five five laps later, but Sheppard was now well ahead of his nearest challenger. Moran jumped to second at lap forty three as Pierce gained another spot. With an ill timed flat, Thornton Jr. would bring out a final caution six laps from the finish, turning third over to Pierce. That would however be the best the controversial driver could do. "Sheppy" would once again drive off from the field while Moran stayed strong in the runner up position. Tyler Erb would climb six positions to finish fourth and through all the moves, Garrett Alberson would seemingly hold fifth throughout the race. Nick Hoffman came home sixth, topping Babb, the damaged car of O'Neal, and Ryan Gustin. Dennis Erb Jr. made a late charge to complete the top ten. An obvious crowd favorite, up and coming NASCAR star Carson Hocevar would hang around all race as he learns the tricks of the dirt world while moving up nine spots to finish fifteenth. Sheppard, who lives not far down the road in New Berlin emerged from his car to huge applause from the appreciative crowd. 

   With the T.V. hoopla complete and most of the crowd still around, all sixteen Modifieds came to the track for twenty laps. First heat winner Michael Ledford would shoot to the lead with his row one mate, heat two winner Ray Bollinger in tow. Overall fast qualifier Charlie Mefford would clear Bollinger on lap two. Ledford was clearly the class of the field on this night as he methodically increased his lead to a full straightaway on the black dirt quarter mile by the mid point of the race. With zero cautions slowing the action, Ledford cruised to the win, moving smoothly through slower traffic as needed. Mefford crossed in second while Cole Falloway cleared Bollinger for third. Torrance, California hot shoe Cody Laney rounded out the top five, chased by Kelly Kovski, Matthew Baker, Steven Brooks, Brandon Roberts, and Carter Sinkhorn. Fourteen cars were still around at the checkers. 

   It was just after 9:00 when the final checkers fell. For those who like to spend hours at the track, it may have been a disappointing night, but for those of us hours from home, it was a bonus! Thanks to the staff of Lincoln Speedway and Flo Racing for their help and hospitality. The Flo crowd moves on to Fairbury tonight, then it will be PDC time over the weekend. At this time I am still weighing several good options closer to home for the weekend, so don't forget to check back for more Racin' Down the Road. 

Checkers AND Wreckers Highlight Quincy Action

    Hat tip to my buddy Keith Reed for that headline. More on that later, but first...

   Quincy Raceways switched things up a bit on Sunday night. For the first time this year, 305 Sprints paid a visit to the Bullring. Not to be relegated to a "support class," track owner/promoter Jeff Delonjay issued a challenge to the IMCA Late Models - turn out at least twenty cars and the feature would pay $1,000 to win. Outside parties then came on board, raising the winners' share to a cool $1,750, plus an extra 50 bucks for spots nineteen and twenty. Dirtcar Modifieds, open B Mods, Dirtcar 4 Cylinders, and a Vintage class were set to fill out the card, however Crown Vics were also added late as a non points feature only event, making for a busy night of racing.

   Unfortunately, as is most often the case, adding money to the top of the purse does not necessarily increase car count, so even though a quality field of fourteen Late Models turned out I have no idea if any of the extra money was collected. But on to the racing.

   Despite the early heat from the clear, sunny skies, a very nice crowd filed in, likely boosted by the appearance of the winged warriors.  Things got off to a dramatic start in the first Late Model heat when second running top contender Curtis Glover saw his #30 go up in such a heavy cloud of smoke that the cars behind him stopped on the track, unable to see while disappearing completely from the grandstand side. Spencer Havermale would lead that same race for seven and a quarter laps before drifting high in turn four coming to the checkers allowing Austen Becerra to drive past for the win.

   Ten Vintage cars signed in, all from Missouri representing everything from Sprint/Midget bodies to Model A's to an immaculate Oldsmobile Cutlass kicked off feature racing. All but one took the green flag for twelve laps of non stop racing, led from start to finish by a fifty nine year racing veteran, seventy one year old Kevin Buckley, from Bonne Terre. To the delight of many,  Quincy Raceways Hall of Famer Terry Gallaher was also in the field, but retired early.

   A solid group of seventeen 305 Sprinters were on hand, all but two lining up for twenty laps. Paul Haley charged to the lead from outside row one, taking along fourth starting Braxton Flatt. The yellow flag waved with one lap scored for a Deke Brooks spin. One more lap went in the books before a red flag went Cole Helmerson flipped multiple times in turns one and two. The driver appeared to be okay, his #52H not so much. By the time Cody Wehrle climbed to second on lap five, Haley had checked out to a big lead. Running high on the cushion, he would catch the back of the pack by lap eight but the slower cars stayed low, giving him plenty of room. With no more delays, Haley would cruise to the win, lapping all the way up to the fifth running car. But... as he entered turn one on the cool down lap, he somehow got sideways and toppled upside down! The wrecker then towed the winning car and driver to victory lane, where he never the less celebrated his first Sprint Car win after thirty seven years of racing! I hope he earned enough money to pay for repairs! Wehrle would come home second followed by Flatt, Austin Motley and hometown hero Riley Scott, whose family built, owned, and operated Quincy Raceways for many years. 

   Judging from the now very black track, it seemed the remainder of the races might be of the follow the leader variety, but not so. Twelve IMCA Late Models remained for twenty five laps. Frankie Wellman and Havermale led the field to green. Wellman paced lap one before Havermale nosed ahead on lap two. As he ran the treacherous cushion, Jamie Wilson and ninth starting Becerra began to move forward. Havermale had a commanding lead before the yellow waved at lap ten. following another quick yellow as the field brake checked coming to the green, Becerra used the Delaware restart to grab second while tenth starting Tommy Elston charged to fourth. There would be one more quick caution, then the final fourteen laps would stay green. Quickly Wilson and Becerra moved to the front, soon joined by Elston in a three car breakaway. With just a pair of laps remaining, Becerra crossed over Wilson for the lead exiting turn four only to have Wilson return the favor off turn two. They would take the white flag side by side before Becerra pulled slightly ahead, picking up his second consecutive QR win. Wilson would settle for second in front of Elston, Jake Griffin, and Havermale. Darin Weisinger Jr. ran sixth ahead of Denny Woodworth, Jason Oenning, Wellman, and Logan Cumby. The only traveler in the field was Brady Parmeley, who made the three hour plus haul from Cadet, Missouri.

   Chris Spalding and winner the past two weeks, Rick Conoyer would lead the eleven UMP Dirtcar Modifieds to green for twenty laps. They would pace the early laps as quick qualifier Dave Weitholder inched closer in third. Back to racing after a lap six caution, Weitholder took over the runner up position. As the race stayed green, those three remained at the front with some distance separating each from the other. In the closing laps both Weitholder and Conoyer moved within striking distance of the leader. but never close enough to make a serious challenge. Spalding, known locally as "Spidey", led from flag to flag for his first QR win. Weitholder took the runner up spot over Conoyer, Justin Reed, and Jacob Rexing. 

   B Mods would be next, racing for eighteen laps. The caution flag would wave for an original restart, with Cruz Griffaw backed up a row. Drake Stevenson would assume the pole and the lead, with his row one mate, double duty Weitholder in second. The only other caution would come with four laps scored, and back under green Adam Birck would power to third. But it would be the front pair racing nose to tail as the veteran Weitholder waited for the mistake that Stevenson never made. Drake would score the win while Weitholder took bridesmaid honors two races in a row. Birck held third over Griffaw and Josh Dietrich. 

   Dirtcar 4 Cylinders lined up for fifteen trips around the .29 mile oval. Dyllan Bonk and Landon Neisen filled out row one, and they wowed the crowd racing side by side for the first six laps, Neisen scored the leader each time. As they passed under the flag stand completing lap six Neisen got sideways, smacking the concrete wall, ending his night. Bonk then drove away into the Adams County night. Kimberly Abbott charged to second, but was overtaken on lap seven by Gage Elston in a Bonk team car. With no more stoppages, Bonk opened a straightaway plus lead, cruising to the win. Elston, Abbott, Ethan Zumwalt, and Bryce Baker would follow. 

   There were still many in the stands enjoying the much cooler breeze as the Crown Vics lined up, eleven strong for fifteen laps. After a couple early yellows, double duty Jeffrey Delonjay led the opening lap before Jake Etter took over on lap two. That duo gained separation from the pack with a final caution four laps in. Back to racing Etter, who also races a B Mod, gradually pulled away, cruising to the win. Delonjay was runnerup chased by Jacob Jones, Carter Goodwin, and Skipp Dunker.

   It was a long night of racing but with plenty of action. Quincy Raceways will be back at it next Sunday before taking a night off for the Adams County Fair on August 2. Thanks as always to the hard working crew at QR for their generous hospitality. We will now be making the journey on Tuesday to Lincoln, Il. Speedway for the completion of the rain interrupted Flo Racing Night in America event from May. 

   

Johnson, Becerra, Oliver Jr., Klingele, Fraise, and Meeker Grab Donnellson Checkers

    Friday was points racing at Lee County Speedway. The regular five IMCA classes plus Mini Haulers filled out the card. It was to put it mildly a scorchingly hot evening which no doubt had a negative effect on car count, fan attendance, and track conditions. The only saving grace was a somewhat cool(?) breeze that popped up as the evening wore on. Looking at comments on line it would seem that LCS was not the only track affected by the challenging conditions, and I see that 34 Raceway has decided to scrap races for tonight at least partly due to those same elements. 

   But on to the show! Heat races clicked off in less than one hour, and after a short break, it was feature time, where amazingly three of the six money races went flag to flag, with only four yellow flags in the Modifieds and one for the Late Models and Mini Haulers slowing the action!

   Sport Compacts would roll out first, racing for twelve laps. Kimberly Abbott would lead heat winner Luke Fraise through a tight battle before Fraise eased into the top spot on lap five. Fifth starting Tim Schnathorst would move to second two laps later, but by then Fraise had checked out. With no cautions to bunch the field, Luke cruised to the win. Schnathorst held off Brandon Reu for second while Abbott and Bill Bennett completed the top five. 

   Stock Cars came next, racing for twenty laps. A lap one skirmish eliminated heat winner Austin O'Donnell, with outside pole sitter Jathan Fuller leading the way early. John Oliver Jr. suffered a broken rear end while leading the heat, forcing him to the tail of the main event after a quick replacement. He then began to work his way through the pack, and soon it was Fuller, Chad Krogmeier, Oliver Jr., and Cason Keller running nose to tail NASCAR style at the front of the field. As they continued around the inside line, Oliver Jr. moved up a line, charging to second on lap nine, then using a dandy crossover move to grab the lead at the halfway mark, even as Keller saw his night come to an end. Oliver began to pull away as Fuller and Krogmeier battled for the runner up position. Once again, with no stoppages, Oliver Jr. cruised to another victory. Fuller won the duel for second, while Kevin Koontz came home fourth. Jerry Jansen claimed fifth by a tight margin over Scott Jordon, and his #06 began to spew smoke  as the checkers waved. 

 Modifieds would be the "bad boys," with most of the problems coming at the back of the pack on the somewhat tricky surface. Fisher Reese paced the opening circuit before Jace Whitt and heat two winner Mark Burgtorf drove to the front using the high line on lap two. Austen Becerra lined up in row four, but charged to third the next trip around the three eighths mile oval. As the top three pulled away from the field, Becerra moved to second just ahead of the first caution with six laps scored. Back to racing Austen powered to the front, then began to drive away, leaving Whitt and Burgtorf to fight for second. Becerra was on cruise control before the yellow flag waved three times in the final four of the twenty laps, during which time third running Whitt retired to the pits. The final rundown saw Becerra pick up the win and Burgtorf hold off a late charge by Adam Shelman for second. First heat winner Bill Roberts was fourth while Brian Reed would record a fifth place finish. 

   Ron Boyse saw his night end on the first lap of his heat race, and he would be the only one of the dozen Late Models absent from the feature lineup. When Nick Leary elected to start at the tail it would be Jason Oenning and heat two winner Jay Johnson bringing the field to green for twenty five laps. Johnson quickly opened a sizable lead ahead of the only caution with nine in the books. Denny Woodworth had been running in second, but he was shuffled back to fifth on the Delaware Style restart, with eighth starting Spencer Havermale taking up the chase. After once again building a commanding lead, Johnson soon had Havermale closing fast as the laps wound down. With just four circuits remaining, the leaders would come upon a slower car, and while Johnson was able to maneuver around, Havermale suddenly fell off the pace after clipping one of the tractor tires and folding under the nose of his #7H. While Jay then drove off to the win, Havermale would fall to fourth behind the hard charging duo of row five starters, Jake Griffin and Tommy Elston. Woodworth would round out the top five. First heat winner Darin Weisinger Jr. would come next after a tight battle with Curtis Glover. Oenning, Jeremy Pundt, and Leary would round out the finishers. 

   For all intents, the Sport Mod fifteen lapper was over when the green flag waved. Tanner Klingele was a rocket from outside row one, charging ahead of Brandon Lambert. Cole Gillenwater drove to second on lap two, but by then Klingele was well out front. Jim Gillenwater moved to third on lap three. Klingele completed the heat and feature sweep ahead of Cole Gillenwater. Lambert would get back around Jim Gillenwater for third while Grady Jones claimed fifth in the non stop event. 

   Ten laps for the ten Mini Haulers would put a cap on the night. Nick Wilkerson and Tate Kronfieldt would pick up heat wins, but it would be Austin Poage and Jim Hooper pacing the feature field to green. Following a first lap caution and an original restart, Poage would lead Colton Meeker for a pair of laps. Then Meeker would take command on lap three, and two circuits later Wilkerson would move to second. Those two would drive off from the pack in a tight nose to tail formation. Wilkerson waited for the mistake that never came as Meeker picked up his first ever feature win. Three Missouri drivers would chase the Iowa Boys, as Poage would race home third ahead of Cody Webster and Derek Hooper.

   The final checkered flag waved by Darin Weisinger would come just minutes past 9:30, a very welcome outcome. Thanks as always to Darin and his crew for their gracious hospitality. Just a reminder, Lee County will take next week off before returning to action on July 31. Yours truly will next be at Quincy Raceways tomorrow, Sunday before a return trip Tuesday to Lincoln, Il. Speedway for the completion of the May 7 Flo Racing Night in America rainout. 

Tight Battles, Late Passes Highlight Quincy Action

    Quincy Raceways was back in action on Sunday, six regular classes in competition. It was Quincy Auto Supply Night with discounted tickets available which helped swell the large gathering. Sixty seven cars checked in on a warm, humid night. The green, white, checkers format for hot laps got things off to a fine start, with heat race action firing off near 6:30 and clicking off in a timely fashion. 

   A bit of track work came during intermission, and it was quickly time for feature racing. 

   Dirtcar Street Stocks were up first and even with a couple of first timers on hand this class continues to struggle with car count. Nick Proehl made the trip from Colona, Il. and paced lap one before giving way to Jacob Rexing. With the race staying green throughout the fifteen laps, Rexing opened about a half lap lead. Proehl held second until slowing dramatically on the final circuit with a flat tire. He would then drop to fourth, with Brandon Boden and Richie Wagy filling out the podium while Don Hoffstadt brought his sharp looking Dodge home in fifth. 

   All but one of the dozen IMCA Northern Sport Mods lined up for eighteen laps. Todd Wolfmeyer and Olivia Hoffman led the opening circuit. A.J. Tournear powered to second on lap two, then to the front two laps later. Meanwhile seventh starting Tanner Klingele was on the move, climbing to second on lap five. Reed Wolfmeyer and Adam Birck charged from rows four and five to join the hunt, and as the race approached the half way mark, Klingeke snagged the lead followed in second by Reed Wolfmeyer. The first caution came with six laps to go, and back to racing Birck moved to third. The yellow flag came again two laps later and as racing resumed a turn four mix up brought out the red flag as Jordan Zumwalt got upside down. The final restart was single file and Klingele raced home to the win. Reed Wolfmeyer . Birck, Tournear, and Coal Valley, Il. driver T.J. Patz completed the top five. 

   Dyllan Bonk won the drag race to turn one over Landon Neisen as the Dirtcar 4 Cylinders came to the track for fifteen laps. They would race nose to tail in the early laps ahead of an entertaining battle between Austin Harris, Kenny Butterfield, and Devin Harrell. As the laps clicked off in the non stop event, Bonk began to pull away, even as Harris and Butterfield closed the gap to Neisen. The final two laps saw both Harris and Butterfield move to second and third, but there would be no catching Bonk. Neisen crossed the line in fourth while Harrell rounded out the top five. 

   The IMCA Late Model class continues to turn out strong numbers, with seventeen competitors checked in. Missing from the starting grid was Logan Cumby, who saw his #8C erupt in a cloud of smoke in his heat race. Heat winners Frankie Wellman and Jason Oenning would pace lap one, with Jeffrey Delonjay moving to second on lap two. Disaster was averted on lap three when Spencer Havermale stalled at the entrance of turn one, as somehow everyone managed to avoid contact. Jake Griffin lined up in row four but now used the Delaware Style restart to jump to third. Delonjay would drive to the front on lap six with Griffin taking the runner up spot one lap later. With eight laps remaining twelfth starting Austen Becerra had entered the picture in third. Griffin took over the lead one lap later and with just five laps to go Becerra cleared Delonjay for second. He then moved up to challenge for the lead and the front duo ran side by side before Becerra nosed ahead two laps from the checkers. He would then hold on for the hard fought win. Griffin, Delonjay, Jackson Frankel, and Oenning would complete the first five. Travis Denning would claim sixth in front of Tommy Elston, Jamie Wilson, Curtis Glover, and Darin Weisinger Jr. Becerra advanced eleven positions while Frankel and Denning moved up seven and Griffin six in the wild and wooly event. 

   Justin Reed was a scratch in the Dirtcar Modified twenty lapper. Chris Spalding shot to the lead over Dave Weitholder, only to see Weitholder drive to the front on lap two. Rick Conoyer eased around Spalding on lap four as the three front runners pulled away from the pack. The yellow came with five laps scored, but it would take four more circuits before Conoyer nosed ahead of Weitholder at the line. Rick began to increase his lead and now double duty Rexing moved up to challenge Spalding for third. Twice more the yellow flag would fly, creating an open track for the leader. On the final restart with four laps to go, Spading used the Delaware lineup to clear Weitholder for second. Chasing those three would be Rexing in fourth and Shawn Deering close behind. The win would be the second in a row for Conoyer. 

   Double duty Jeffrey Delonjay would come from row four to grab the Crown Vic feature win. Braxton Dieker ran second followed by Alex Hatfield, Skipp Dunker, and Carter Goodwin. 

   Thanks again to the Delonjays' and their crew for their hospitality and a fun place to spend Sunday nights!

   Quincy Raceways will mix it up a bit next Sunday as the lineup will include 305 Sprints, IMCA Late Models, Dirtcar Modifieds, B Mods, Dirtcar 4 Cylinders, and Vintage cars. Hope to see you there!

Sheppard Corrals Slocum Honors, Burgtorf and Becerra Also Winners

    After the 18th annual Slocum 50 was rained out in April, the event was moved to become a part of the yearly visit by the Lucas Oil Late Model series on Thursday, July 9. This would be the second consecutive Thursday for racing at 34 Raceway, west of West Burlington, Iowa. The highlight of the traveling series would be the $15, 000 to win main event. IMCA Late Models and IMCA Modifieds, weekly staples at the 3/8 mile high banked facility would also be in action with $1,000 to win features. 

   Although hard rains prior to race time fell throughout the area, the race grounds remained dry with a beautiful rainbow and in fact the sun shone brightly before setting off turn two. Although a bit late arriving, likely due to the weather, a great and enthusiastic crowd would eventually file in.

  Twenty nine Super Late Models came through the pit gate backed up by twenty two IMCA Late Models and a rather disappointing eleven IMCA Modifieds. The evening began with Lucas Oil time trials, and it would be the first car out, Brandon Overton, who would set overall quick time at 14.796 seconds, about three tenths off the track record for Late Models. Brandon Sheppard would pace group B at 15.015.

   Heat race drama in IMCA heat three saw a two car spin in turn four coming to the white flag. Running in a top four redraw position, Sam Halstead had nowhere to go, and the hard contact eliminated him from competition for the night. Lucas Oil heat two saw Shannon Babb spin in that same corner on the opening lap taking out himself as well as two other cars. Babb also was done for the night. Further issues would whittle the field to just two cars as the checkers waved. 

   Overton, Carson Ferguson, Sheppard, and Rickey Thornton Jr. would capture heat wins while Clay Stuckey grabbed B main honors. The Smith brothers, Brenden and Brody would grab the two provisional starting spots for the fifty lap money race. 

   Pole sitter Overton would beat Sheppard to turn one as those two soon separated themselves from the field. Soon Thornton Jr. would join the leaders, and with the race staying green they would catch slower traffic about lap fourteen. Overton would gain a bit of separation moving through the lapped cars as Sheppard now had a battle on his hands for second. The first yellow flag would come after thirty one laps as fifth running Josh Rice ducked to the work area. Back under green Overton would again pull away from the battle for second. Soon Sheppard would close in on the leader as Devin Moran moved in to challenge for third. With just thirteen laps to go Sheppard, running the inside line around the high banks eased past the leader while Moran powered to third. Even as Overton stayed close on the high side, Moran made it a three car scrum for the lead. Devin would charge to second about lap forty two and one lap later the second and final caution would come for Hudson Oneal. This would set up a single file seven lap dash to the checkers. Despite pressure from Moran and Overton, B Shepp would hang on for his first Slocum victory, unofficially jumping to the series points lead in the process. Moran, Overton, Max Blair, and Thornton Jr. would record top fives, trailed by Brian Shirley, Ferguson, Kyle Bronson, and the Simpson brothers, Chad and Chris, who would be the hard charger, gaining eight spots. 

   With all the post race television hoopla finally complete, the IMCA Late Models would lineup twenty strong for twenty five laps. Jeremy Pundt and Mark Burgtorf would redraw the front row and take off in that order before a first lap caution ended the night for Cody Washburne. Pundt would again lead the original restart with C.J. Horn slipping around Burgtorf on lap two. Travis Denning would also clear Burgtorf on lap five, but Mark would retake the position one lap later. As Pundt opened a comfortable lead, Burgtorf moved up to challenge Horn for second. around lap ten. As the race stayed green, the wily veteran Burgtorf cleared Horn with just four laps to go and set off after the leader. When the front duo came through turns three and four to the "two to go" signal, Burgtorf charged to his first lead of the race. He then held on for an emotional win. Pundt settled for runner up honors over Horn. Mitch Boles won a late battle with eleventh starting Tommy Elston for fourth. Denning, Jay Johnson, Andy Nezworski, Dustin Smith, and row nine starter Cruz Birkhofer would round out the top ten. 

   IMCA Modifieds would close out the action. A first lap four car pile up in turn three would end the night early for Andrew Hamburg and Bill Roberts Jr. Dennis Laveine would rocket to the lead as racing resumed with Austen Becerra on his heels. Running the top line, Becerra powered to the lead on lap three while Jace Eckrich entered the conversation in third. Following a quick yellow flag Eckrich would use the Delaware Style restart to move to second. After a lap five caution Becerra would open a sizable advantage while Eckrich also gained clearance ahead of a great three car battle between Laveine, Kolton Osborn, and Logan Anderson for third. One final time the caution would come at the halfway mark and the field would now go single file. But there would be no catching Becerra, who cruised to the win. Eckrich held the runner up spot while Anderson claimed third. Osborn nipped Laveine at the line in a tight scrum for fourth. Tom Bowling Jr., Blaine Bryant, and Matthew Lundry would follow in that order.  

   It was a solid night of racing on a well prepared track. Special thanks to Brad, Jessi, and all the crew for a memorable night honoring a great friend. 

   We will take a couple night s off then be back at Quincy Raceways for weekly racing on Sunday. 

Quincy Raceways Gets Back in Action

    After going zero for the month of June, Quincy Raceways officials, fans, and drivers were eager to get back to action. July 5 was an off day on the original schedule, but an unfortunate stretch of weather related cancellations resulted in a change of plans. All six regular divisions were in action with extra money coming in from outside sources for the Crown Vics. Start times were backed up one hour in reaction to the anticipated heat. 

   Heat race action rolled off in a timely fashion, and following the late model dash and intermission it was feature time. 

   Crown Vics kicked off the main events, thirteen strong for a dozen laps. Following a pair of early cautions, Carter Goodwin pulled out to a commanding lead. But with four laps to go, Goodwin came in contact with a slower car, ending his run. Alex Hatfield inherited the lead for the restart, then held off Jaden Delonjay to pick up the win. A multi car mix up on the final lap scrambled the finish but Brian Kaylor held on for third in front of Skipp Dunker and Richie Berghager.

   Sixteen IMCA Late Models checked in with all making the twenty five lap feature call. Jackson Frankel and Denny Woodworth brought the field to green. Frankel paced the opening circuit before Woodworth slipped around him to lead lap two. Austen Becerra (4th) and Tommy Elston (3rd) powered to second and third ahead of a lap ten caution for a Ryan Aden Jr. spin. Elston would clear Becerra for second at the half way mark. The yellow flag would fly again at lap fourteen and as the cars worked to realign the red flag came out for a medical issue in the pits. When racing resumed, Woodworth and Elston gained separation from the pack, Woodworth running a middle line while Elston worked low on the .29 mile oval. As those two battled Becerra began to gain ground, and with just two laps remaining he cleared Elston for second. But there would be no catching the Late Model Lawyer, as Woodworth picked up his first feature win of the season. Following Becerra and Elston it was visiting Travis Denning in fourth and Frankel in fifth. Jamie Wilson started and finished sixth while Jason Perry did the same in seventh. Jake Griffin, Curtis Glover, and Jeffrey Delonjay completed the top ten. 

   "Yellow Fever" then became the dominating theme as the two Modified classes were next. Twenty laps of UMP Dirtcar Modified racing produced five yellows, one of which eventually turned red. Wentzville, Missouri driver Rick Conoyer sat on the pole of the thirteen entries and made his visit pay off, leading from start to finish. The first stoppage came with just two laps scored and on the restart third running Justin Reed got sideways in turn four stacking up the field, necessitating the yellow to red to clear the track. Three more quick cautions resulted in a single file restart, with Conoyer and double duty Jacob Rexing driving away from the pack. Only six cars remained at the end. Visiting Ken Schrader topped a battle with Shawn Deering for third while Dave Weitholder came back from a hot pit visit to claim fifth. 

   Seven was the number of cautions in the eleven car twenty lap IMCA Northern Sport Mod money race. Once again it was a flag to flag win through the carnage for Reed Wolfmeyer. Alec Cain and Tanner Klingele waged an entertaining battle for the runner up spot before Cain went too hot into turns three and four, smacking the concrete, ending his run twelve laps in. Finally with five laps to go the realignment went single file, staying green to the finish. Klingele applied heavy pressure to the leader, but Wolfmeyer held on for the victory. Josh Dietrich and Todd Wolfmeyer were the remaining survivors of the calamity.

   The struggling Street Stock class produced only four entries. Jacob Rexing ran away in the ten lap non stop event, winning by about a half lap. Brandon Boden drove past George Wilson for second with James Stanton rounding out the field. 

   Dirtcar 4 Cylinders wrapped up the on track action. Spencer Coats and Dyllan Bonk brought the remaining nine of the ten car field to green for fifteen laps. Bonk charged ahead while Landon Neisen eased around Coats for second. Contact between those two ended the night for both top contenders in the only stoppage of the race. Bonk would fly away to a half track lead, picking up the win. Kimberly Abbott was steady in second, topping visitors Tim Westenhaver Jr. and Bryan Gregg as attrition took the rest of the field.

   Much of the large gathering stayed around for the fireworks show after the races. 

   Thanks as always to Jeff, Renee and their staff for their hospitality. QR will be back in action next Sunday for regular six class racing with discount tickets offered at Quincy Auto Supply. 

   Next up for yours truly is the rescheduled Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway, the April rainout making it a part of the annual visit by the Lucas Oil Late Model series. IMCA Late Models and IMCA Modifieds will fill out the spectacular card. This is a Thursday, July 9 event, with no other close by racing. The Thursday night special last week at 34 drew a field of thirty two IMCA Late Models and twenty five IMCA Mods. Pair that with the stars and cars of the Lucas Oil series and the Slocum 50 tradition and you have got a "can't miss" event! See you there!

Lee County Beats the Storms on Friday

    Friday was Midwest Auto Collision Night at Lee County Speedway, with free admission for military, past and present. The regular six classes were in action while K.A.R.A., the Keokuk Auto Racers Association was once again on hand to stage their second Australian Pursuit, this time for the Mini Hauler division. Also at intermission there was a candy/quarter dash and bicycles giveaway for the kids and fireworks to wrap up the night. It was indeed a full night of action!

   Once again conditions were far from comfortable, at least at the beginning of the evening, but for those who stuck around until fireworks time, the nearby storms dropped the temperature to a very pleasant level.

   The swampy conditions I know did affect the car count a bit, but still there were enough hearty souls to give us a pair of heat races in all except the Mini Hauler class. Once again the crowd was treated to a special visit by former NASCAR star Kenny Schrader wheeling his #9 Modified.

   Heat races rolled off quickly and Nick Wilkerson picked up the Australian Pursuit as we headed to intermission.

   IMCA Stock Cars would roll out first in the feature lineup. Chad Krogmeier would lead Casen Keller as lap one of twenty was scored. John Oliver Jr. was on the move, charging from row four in the draw redraw thirteen car lineup to third on lap two. The lone caution came at lap four as a spin by Jathan Fuller collected Jake Powers and Corey Strothman, eliminating all three contenders. Oliver Jr. grabbed the runner up spot on the Delaware Style restart, then overtook the leader coming to the flag stand one lap later. The #05 then pulled away in front of a battle between Krogmeier and Keller. Oliver Jr. cruised to the win while Krogmeier nipped Keller at the line for second. David McCalla and Leremy Jackson rounded out the top five. 

   IMCA Modifieds would be up next, eleven strong for twenty laps. After starter Kevin Eggleston called back the original start, the race remained clean and green to the checkers. Bill Roberts Jr. paced the opening circuit in front of Jace Eckrich while seventh starting Austen Becerra powered to third. Eckrich would move to the lead on lap two and Becerra would take second one lap later. The frontrunners would pull away from the pack with Becerra changing lines looking for the opening he needed. As the white flag waved a slower car running in his preferred lane temporarily boxed Eckrich giving Becerra one last shot at the lead. As the duo exited turn four Jace would hold on for the hard fought win. Mark Burgtorf was steady all race long in third chased by Roberts Jr. Dakota Simmons held off Schrader for fifth. 

   Fourteen IMCA Late Models lined up for twenty five laps. The move of the race came in the infield when Tommy Elston redrew the pole position. The Keokuk veteran would lead all twenty five laps. Twice the yellow flag would bring him back to the pack, but on each occasion he would drive away to a commanding lead. Sam Halstead and Rickey Frankel III would battle back and forth early for the runner up position. Two time winner Jake Griffin drew the number seven pill, advancing to third on lap nine. Meanwhile a gaggle of cars raced closely for position behind the top three of Elston, Frankel III and Griffin. The final caution came at lap sixteen as Frankel III slowed with steam rolling from his #33. His cousin Jackson Frankel would inherit the third spot, then use the Delaware restart to move to second as eighth starting Curtis Glover charged from seventh to fourth. Once more Elston pulled away for by my count his third LCS win of the season followed by Jackson Frankel, Griffin, Glover, and C.J. Horn. Mitch Boles, Darin Weisinger Jr., Ron Boyse, Carter Johnson, and Kruze Miles would complete the top ten. 

   Twenty laps would decide the eleven car IMCA Northern Sport Mod winner. Before lap one was complete the yellow flag would fly as Olivia Hoffman and Grady Jones would come together in turn three, eliminating both cars. Pole sitter Cole Gillenwater would lead fourth starting Brandon Dale ahead of a second and final caution with one lap scored as rookie Kindel Droege had issues on the backstretch. Gillenwater would begin to stretch his lead as Bryson Eckrich moved up to challenge Dale for second, three second generation hot shoes setting the pace. Besides close racing we were now being treated(?) to some intense lightning strikes seemingly not too far north of the speedway as well as a welcome cool breeze and a noticeable drop in temperatures. As it turned out the track racing fifty plus miles to the northeast saw their program washed out mid race, so we were the lucky ones! In any event, Gillenwater would open a straightaway advantage to cruise to victory. Eckrich won the battle for second over Dale, while Brandon Lambert and Chevy Barnes also collected top five finishes.  

   Track officials now went into a much appreciated hurry up mode, dispensing with post race activities, parade laps, etc. as the Mini Haulers came to the track for ten laps of racing. One caution with two laps in the books would slow the action, but it was merely a small distraction for pole sitter and eventual winner Nick Wilkerson, who missed a clean sweep with a second place heat race finish. Nick would drive away to the feature win over heat winner Dawson Tipps, Hayden Delzell, Larry Hooper, and Jason Delzell, the only survivors of the seven truck field. 

   IMCA Sport Compacts would wrap up racing, eleven cars cut to a ten lap main event. Tim Schnathorst would redraw the front row pole and lead all laps as the race went non stop green to checkers. Kimberly Abbott would challenge the leader before rare mechanical issues ended her pursuit in the early laps. Brandon Reu would work from row three to the runner up spot by lap three, soon applying pressure to Schnathorst. Several car lengths would separate the two leaders even as Reu worked hard to close the gap. As the final checkers of the night waved, it was Schnathorst with the win over Reu and Luke Fraise. Ethan Prim had a solid run in fourth while visiting Paige Sanders, Montezuma, Iowa rounded out the first five.

   Thanks once again to the Weisinger family and their capable team for a fun Friday night!

    Regular racing will at LCS will take a pause next week as the Mohrfield Sprint Invaders take center stage during Iowas' oldest county fair. 

   We will enjoy family activities and celebrate our nations' birthday today along with the big block party and legendary fireworks display in our former hometown of Lagrange, Missouri, then be back in our regular seats Sunday as Quincy Raceways recovers from a complete washout in June. Race times have been backed up one hour on Sunday, check the track Facebook page for details. Hope to see you there!