Racin' on the Home Tracks

While a large part of the racing community spent last weekend at Knoxville watching sprint cars, Darryl, Fred and I stayed closer to home and took in some IMCA action. Saturday afternoon we loaded up and headed for 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. It had been too long since I had visited one of my favorite tracks, and it was good to be back in familiar surroundings. We were fortunate to run into Dick Wood in the parking lot, and the Donnellson business man was gracious enough to offer us some free grandstand tickets. Dick is a diehard race fan, and the father of former late model and modified ace Jody Wood. Thanks, Dick!
Even though Jeff and Amy Laue were offering reduced grandstand admission, local racing was a tough sell up against the Knoxville finals, state fairs in all directions, and the very popular West Point, Iowa sweet corn festival. Still the bleachers filled up nicely, with most arriving a bit late probably due to the high heat. The pits were also a bit sparse, with I believe a total of 96 cars in the six competing classes, but the on track action made up for the smaller than normal fields.
After a dominating heat race win, Quad City area modified ace Jeff Morris took off from the front row in the 20 lap feature, and looked strong before going pitside quickly during a lap two caution. That incident saw Brandon Rothzen caught up in an accident in which he was facing backwards in turn two. Brandon was forced to restart at the back of the 19 car field, and it looked as though his night would not turn out well. However he had his black # 33 hooked up, and on the restart he began picking off cars in bunches. By lap 11 he was up to third, when a caution period allowed him to line up behind the leader with the Delaware restart. Moving to the runnerup spot on the restart, he swapped the lead with Dusty Kraklio before taking the top spot for good on lap 15. Kraklio then held off point leader Scott Hogan for second behind a very happy Rothzen.
The 17 car IMCA stock car feature ran second, and thet ran a high pressure non stop event. Brett Timmerman held the top spot until lap 16, when Jim Redman eased ahead. On the white flag lap, Timmerman was able to get under Redman and reclaim the lead for his first ever stock car win. Point leader Jeff Mueller dropped out on lap nine with a flat tire after advancing to the sixth position.
The KIDZ MODZ ran next, with a sparse six car field. Again the race went non stop,with Logan Moody claiming the win. There was a seven year old competitor in this beginner class!
As with the modifieds, only two caution periods marred the hobby stock 18 car finale. Matt Gavin took a convincing win in his # 45.
12 IMCA late models took the green flag, and while front row starters Matt Bailey and Tom Bowling,Jr. swapped the top spot back and forth, eighth starting Rob Toland moved forfard quickly. As the season has gone on, I was beginning to think I was a bad luck omen for " Rocket " Rob, as he has had no luck at all when I have seen him race, save for the opening weekend of Summer Series events. The hex was off on Saturday, however, as he powered his red # 39 to a win going away from the pack in another flag to flag feature. Bowling held on for second, while Keith Pratt made a second half charge to grab third. Bailey edged Tom Goble for third. Point lead Joey Gower, of Quincy finished two spots behind Gary Russell, who is now just one marker behind. With no late models this coming week at 34, the title will come down to championship night. Best of luck to these two fine drivers!
With the four cylinder feature heading to the track, we headed to the car, and the dash clock read 9:40 when I fired up the Impala. Thanks to the staff at 34 for an entertaing and efficent show that got us all back home before the midnight hour!
Sunday night offered up weekly racing at Quincy Raceways, with the UMP Pro Crate late models added to the four division card. Again, the car count was a bit less than one might like, it is obvious the " dog days " are upon us.
Abe Huls began the night with a slim lead in the IMCA stock cars, but overheating issues sent him pitside late in the 20 lapper. Meanwhile, his closest rival, Terry Houston, took advantage, claiming his second checkered flag of 2010, and moving within one point of the top spot.
The 18 car UMP modified field weathered several early cautions, before finding their rhythm. Steven Delonjay used a front row starting spot, courtesy of a win in the dash to lead all 25 laps for his second win of the year at QR. Michael Long came into the night undefeated in eight feature starts this season, and although he quickly moved to the second slot, he could not find a way past the second generation driver. Point leader Jared Schlipman turned in a third place run, even though his crew chief father Terry was away at the Sprint Cup race in Michigan.
Track semi regular IMCA late model pilot Dustin Griffin brought his crate late model to the track on Sunday and took top honors in the visiting class. Another second generation driver, Gordy Gundaker took the runner up spot in a class that boasted two 11 year old drivers.
Only ten IMCA late models signed in on Sunday, but the action was fast and furious. Keith Pratt, who made a late charge through the pack Saturday at 34 Raceway made his move earlier on Sunday, and overtook Dustin Neese for the top spot on lap six. While Keith checked out for his first win of 2010, the top two point contenders both found themselves spinning at some point in the 30 lapper. While Joey Gower took the runnerup slot, point leader Denny Woodworth recovered to nab third, and number two point man Jason Perry claimed fourth. The late model lawyer holds an eith point lead with two nights of points racing remaining.
Quincy Raceways will host the rescheduled Titan Wheel Shootout for the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series paying $3,000 to win on Friday, September 3, with Lee County Speedway in Donnellson hosting the series the following night with a possible $5,000 top prize if the winning driver has been a Lee County regular in 2010.
Scotland County Speedway in Memphis,Mo. reopened this past Saturday night under the direction of new promoter Rick Girard. Talking to some racers who were there, it sounds like Rick had a successful opening night, with 75 cars in five classes and a nice crowd in the grandstand. Memphis will be racing again this weekend, off on August 28, then back in action on Saturdays in September.
This weekend, we are leaning towards the UMP Monster Midwest Series race at Highland, Il. Speedway, a track I have not visited before. Sunday night should find us back at Quincy Raceways. Be sure and take in some racing this weekend. The season is winding down fast!