6 Weeks and Counting

Saturday night, February 12 marked the beginning of the final countdown to the 2011 racing season with the running of the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. That little bit of TV racing that I would likely ignore in mid summer is a treasured event at this time of year. Combined with daily reports via Facebook from the Florida dirt tracks and weekend temperatures in the 40's, and I find myself getting revved up even more. Congratulations to "local " drivers Michael Long and Dave Weitholder on making several of the UMP modified shows at Volusia Speedway, where Iowa hotshoe Ryan Gustin has picked up a win and a runnerup finish in the past week. Looks like the mods have been drawing between 60 and 80 cars per night! Long, who is wheeling a car owned by Jim Gillenwater had a third place run foiled on opening night by a broken J-bar in the closing laps.
Back here in the heartland, most of the traveling series as well as the local tracks have their schedules complete and out, or at least in the final stages.
Quincy Raceway held their banquet on Saturday January 22, and confirmed a healthy number of special events for 2011. As usual, the track will see an early opening, with April 3 the intended target, one week ahead of the first of two IMCA Deery Brothers visits on April 10, one night after the Slocum 50 series race at 34 Raceway in West Burlington. QR will welcome the USMTS modifieds on May 15, the Sprint Invaders on May 29 and September 4, and a second Summer Series event on July 3. Additionally, they are working on a July Crate late model event and other specials. The track known locally as the " Broadway Bullring " is planning to race through the end of September, continuing points for UMP mods, IMCA stock cars, and hobby stocks until seasons end.
The Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. will once again offer weekly Saturday night racing beginning April 2 under the direction of former racer Rick Girard. Girard will be offering a unique mix of late models, featuring ULMA rules, which include crate and steel block late models, with adjustments to allow IMCA cars to compete as well. To the delight of some and dismay of others, the A- mods will be running under the UMP rules and sanction. SCS will be running seven classes, so hopefully they will be able to get the early season bugs out quickly and run a quick, efficient show. With both 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo., and Bloomfield, Ia. Speedway apparently not racing in 2011, and Eldon, Ia. Raceway running a limited schedule, Girard has a rare opportunity to dominate racing in that area.
Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, and 34 Raceway have both released aggressive schedules, although from a personal standpoint I am disappointed the LCS could not find a way to continue their late model program, which has been the best in the area the last two seasons. Still, the fairgrounds 3/8 mile is a favorite of mine, and is offering up some interesting specials, including a July 1 late model special, and the always entertaining Shiverfest, albeit a week earlier in 2011. 34 will follow up the previously mentioned Slocum 50 with by far the most exciting schedule the current owners have ever attempted, including the Lucas Oil late models again in May, the return of the UMP Summernational late models on July 4, and a new date for the Pepsi Nationals Labor Day weekend. In addition, the 410 sprints will wow the Burlington faithful with a couple of shows.
All of this could not have come at a better time for TriState area race fans, with fuel prices hovering around $3.00 per gallon, and even higher prices likely by opening night. While my traveling companions and I have some adventures planned down the road, 2011 will probably find us making an even higher number of visits to our local venues. Stay tuned!
Congratulations go out to the Quincy Raceways track champions. Steve Carlin of Hannibal, Mo. collected his fourth title in the bomber/hobby stock class, while the other three classes had first time champions. Mt Sterling,Il. driver Terry Houston captured the IMCA stock car crown, while second generation pilot Jared Schlipman was the UMP mod champ. Veteran Denny Woodworth stayed closer to home in 2010 and nabbed his second ever and first QR late model title. Woodworth had won the mod crown some 15 years earlier while in college! Jared and Denny are charter members of the self named " Mendon (Il.) Mafia.
Congratulations also are in order for modified driver Trent and Teri Sue Grotz on the birth of a new baby. Proud gradparents include racing veterans Steve Grotz and Terry Gallaher. On an unrelated note, Gallaher has his late model operation for sale.
Mediapolis, Ia. pilot, Boone McLaughlin is marking 2011 as his 25th season behind the wheel. The " Hound Dog " will have two #14 machines, one black and one silver, and is looking at following the Deery Series, where he was the 2009 champion.
The unofficial first event on my 2011 season will be the Quincy Raceways car show at the Quincy Mall on March 12 and 13. this is always a fine show with 40 or so entries. Weather permitting, the track will likely begin a series of practice nights soon after, featuring free grandstand admission.
We are still looking at March 26 as our first green flag racing on the scheduled final night of the UMP Dirtcar Round Up at I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo.
Until then maybe we will see you down the road.