Odds and Ends

Although the weatherman has kept me on the sidelines for the last ten days, there is still some news on the local racing scene. This Saturday marks the third Racers Reunion in my hometown of Keokuk, Iowa. The event this year promises to be the biggest yet, with vintage race cars driven by Keokuk legends such as Ramo Stott, Don White and Ernie Derr. Those drivers, as well as many others should be on hand as well. There will also be a Benny Parsons car , and the SuperBird club is scheduled to be on hand with many of the classic machines, including the # 7 hemi that Ramo wheeled at Daytona and Talladega. In addition, there will be cars that competed on the area short tracks over the years, some current cars and drivers, and a healthy display of racing memorabilia. The event begins at 9:00 Saturday June 19 at the River City Mall at 3rd and Main Streets in downtown Keokuk. If you are anywhere near the area, it is an event worth attending.
Quincy Raceways will try once again this Sunday night to get in a night of racing, but there is a host of special events coming up in the near future. Sunday, June 27 will be the third annual IMCA Stock Car Shootout, paying $1,000 to the winner of the main event. Last years show drew over 30 cars from five states, with local driver Aaron Brocksieck besting the strong field. The IMCA late models, UMP modifieds and hobby stocks will also be on the card for regular admission price of $10.
On Sunday, July 11 the UMP Summernationals make a stop at the .29 mile oval for a $6,000 to win show. The 2009 edition at QR was won by Shannon Babb over Billy Moyer.
And with the rain out of the IMCA Derry Brothers Summer Series Titan Wheel Shootout $3,000 to win show last Sunday, the track owners moved quickly to set a reschedule date. In doing so, they secured a coveted date, Friday, September 3. The date precedes by one day the Summer Series show at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, and should result in a strong car count for both tracks. The series will then have Sunday off to regroup before the Labor Day show at the Boone Supernationals. The Quincy race combines what has been a midsummer points show with a Labor Day weekend Sunday show, and the combination will be a " can't miss " event. It will pay $300 to start, and hot lap time has been moved to 7:00 PM with racing at 7:30. UMP mods and hobby stocks will also be on the card.
So far the forecast for this weekend looks good, so I will start with the Racers Reunion and see where the weekend takes me. If you get the chance, stop and say " Hi, " but for sure, take in some weekend racing!