The Last Double Header Weekend?

Saturday morning Keagan and I along with Rick Coats and his son Spencer loaded a mountain of warm clothes in the Impala and headed for Knoxville, Iowa for the final night of the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals. After the Saturday night rainout last year that sent us home without seeing the 100 lap finale, we were happy to take the cold temps as long as clear skies were part of the deal. We arrived at the track before noon, but seemed to keep busy until the grandstands opened at 5:00. Keagan correctly pointed out that you can have a great time at this show before an engine ever fires. Wandering the pits, checking out all the collectables, attending the autograph session, taking in the auction all only feeds the anticipation of the big show. Keagan cut loose with some of his " hard earned " money to purchase a Brian Birkhofer diecast car, which Brian was gracious enough to autograph. When race time arrived 52 cars prepared to do battle for the
$40,000 top prize, while a couple of other competitors remained on the trailer. Quincy racer Rickey Frankel was dominating the 15 lap C-main when the engine began to go sour in his # 33F. Rickey held on for second to Oregon driver John Duty, but he was not able to take his spot in the B- main. Another Quincy driver, Mark Burgtorf had the fifth starting slot in the 20 lap 24 car B-main, which would see six cars transfer to the big dance. Mark ran in a transfer spot for most of the race, holding off Iowa hotshoes Chris Simpson and Andy Eckrich. As the laps wound down, Simpson found his way around Burgtorf, who finished one spot away from a transfer. Jimmy Mars took the win over a field that would have made for a great A- Main on another day. The bad luck for Quincy drivers continued in the IMCA modified main event. We had hoped things were looking up when Michael Long started on the front row in the Jim Gillenwater owned # 18L. Michael jumped out to an early lead, but soon found himself going backwards, eventually retiring from the race, which was captured by former late model pilot Darin Duffy. The late model 100 lapper was historic in the fact that unarguably the two most successful late model drivers of this era lined up side by side on the front row. Predictably, Scott Bloomquist powered to the early lead, bit before long it was Billy Moyer in the drivers seat. While several drivers made runs at the top spot during the caution marred race, it seemed like any time Billy was challenged, he could reach down for a little extra speed. In the end, the Iowa native lapped up to the 12th place car, winning the biggest race in his native state for the first time.
" Kid Rocket " Josh Richards was the last to make a run, and for the second time in three years, he filled the bridesmaid spot. Darrell Lanigan drove a consistent race to take third, while Steve Francis nabbed fourth. Will Vaught started 22nd and made a late charge to capture fifth ahead of shannon Babb, who had climbed as high as second mid race. Jimmy Mars came from the B-main to finish seventh,and 2008 winner Tim McCreadie was eighth. Another former winner, Brady Smith slipped past 18 year old Austin Hubbard to complete the top ten. While it was not the most exciting of the national finals, there is always something special about the race that keeps everyone talking for days after. With a cup of coffee and a splash of fuel, we headed home to get some sleep before the late afternoon scheduled show at Quincy Raceways.
There had been a buzz in the pits at Knoxville that Quincy might well see a big influx of UMP modifieds, as Sunday would be the final night for UMP points, with QR the only track racing. In addition, a combination rules package that would allow crate and steel block late models to compete with the local IMCA cars for a $1,000 top prize for 15 or more cars, a similar gimmick for stock cars and hobby stocks, and a visit from the Ill-Mo winged sprints offered the possibility of a full pit area. But as is so often the case late in the season, the cars did not show, at least not in the numbers hoped for.
Three crate late models and one steel block were part of an 11 car field that also included the season debut of veteran IMCA racer Fred Remley. Vance Wilson had been a QR regular the first half of the season before joining the
United Late Model Association mid season, and winding up as their champion. With the title in the bag, Vance came back and took a flag to flag win for his first late model win at the track were he has won a modified championship. Season points runnerup Jason Perry was alongside Wilson at the checkers. Evan Fink wheeled his crate car to a third place run in a car Jason Frankel piloted earlier this season. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished fourth ahead of Robbie Warner, and 11 year old Jake Griffin, who did double duty in his crate late model and UMP modified.
Only ten modifieds checked inm but one of the two travelers, Jim Black, from Bonne Terre, Mo. took the win. National point contender Devin Gilpin made the trip from Columbus, Indiana, and was running in the front pack before jumping the cushion and retiring early. Although the hobby stocks from QR and Lee county Speedway out up a challenge, it was the IMCA stock cars in the top three spots in the combo class, with track champ Terry Houston nabbing the win. Phil Heavelow made the trip from Buckner, Mo. to take a flag to flag win in the Lightning Sprints. With the early start, the final checkers flew about 7:15. With a small pit and grandstand turnout, QR owners canceled next weeks scheduled finale to begin plans for what will hopefully be a drier 2011 season.
With family activities this weekend, it does not look like I will be able to attend scheduled events at Lee County Speedway or Quad City Speedway,
but hopefully I will be able to get in a couple more shows after that. the forecast looks great for this weekend, so don't waste a chance to take in some racing.