Goings On at Quincy Raceways

After hearing about extensive dirt work going on at Quincy Raceways, I paid a visit to the speedway over the weekend and enjoyed a nice visit with co owner Paul Holtschlag. Although bust on the grader, Paul took time to give my wife and I a tour of the improvements made so far. Recognizing that the track had become a mostly one groove, high side venue, he began by taking about three feet of clay from the top of turns three and four. Some of that dirt was moved to the bottom of the track, as it was determined that the infield was actually higher than the track, resulting in water sometimes finding its way on to the track. The immediate benefit will be the ability to move the barrier tires closer to the infield. The top groove has also been cut down on the straightaways, as the cars coming off turn four were actually higher than the retaining wall. On Saturday, work had begun to cut down turns one and two. All this should get things back to a two and three groove surface. The next project will be to improve drainage in the pit area, a persistent problem in 2010.
Meanwhile, the regular Sunday night starting time has been moved to 6:30, as the earlier start often resulted in a dusty track. With that in mind, efforts will be made to start promptly at the advertised time. While the regular classes of IMCA late models and stock cars, UMP modifields, and track rules hobby stocks will return, a fifth class of Lee County Speedway rules 4 cylinder Wild Things will be added. In addition , the payout will be increased for the mods, $500.00 to win, and hobby stocks, $200.00 to win. The Wild Things will pay $100.00 to win. Payouts for the IMCA classes will stay the same. Grandstand admission will stay the same, while pit passes will be $25.00. Former announcer Doug Mealy will be back behind the mic in 2011 after a stint as chief steward.
While some scheduling plans were discussed, I will wait for official word before commenting on that, but things are shaping up nicely.
I came away most encouraged that Quincy Raceways will be able to put a less than stellar season in the rear view mirror and move forward in 2011.
Meanwhile, the spring calender is already becoming dotted with early season specials. April 1 and April 2 is rumored to be the dates for the Illini 100, a previosly World of Outlaw sanctioned $20,000 to win race apparently moving from Farmer City Raceway to Lasalle Speedway. This follows by one week, the 8 class UMP DirtCar Roundup at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. Easter weekend, April 22 and 23 Tri City Speedway in Granite City,Il. hosts a non sanctioned $ 20,000 to win super late model show. With the Lucas Oil schedule already out, we are already making plans for a May 6 and 7 show at Paducah, Ky International Raceway and a May 13 and 14 weekend at 34 Raceway in West Burlington on Friday the 13th! followed by a Saturday night visit to Lasalle. Memorial Day weekend will feature the Lucas stars at Wheatland, Mo. for the Show Me 100. While I will not be able to make all these shows and still remain A) financially solvent, and B) married, it certainly offers some attractive options as the midwest season gets going. Before that happens, I will try to put the wraps on 2010 with a personal season recap in the near future. Thanks for reading!