Car Show and Go!

This weekend, the 12th and 13th is the annual Quincy Raceways car show at the Quincy, Il.Mall. After a big buffet breakfast on Saturday morning, my wife Mary, grandson Keagan and buddy Darryl, headed to the Mall. While Mary did some shopping, we three guys began taking in the sights, with plenty of bench racing along the way. As Darryl noted, there were more changed looks - and numbers - than we had seen in recent seasons. Somewhere close to 30 late models, modifieds, stock cars, and hobby stocks were on display, with many of the drivers and crew already on hand to visit and answer questions. Eleven late models were present, with several having decidedly new looks. Most dramatic was Nick Ingalls. Nick has a brand new car after totaling his ride in a midseason flip at Quincy last midseason. while retaining his familiar #5, Nick has switched to a red color scheme with white numbers. Elsewhere, white seems to have become a popular dominant color, with Justin Reed, Mark Burgtorf, and Clint Kirkham offering up various schemes against a white backdrop. While Reed, who now calls Belleville, Il. home, has indicated he intends to be a weekly regular at QR and 34 Raceways in west Burlington, Iowa, as well as a Summer Series regular, at least in the early going, Burgtorf plans on once again following a more varied schedule. While planning to run " about
half " of the Summer series, Mark will open his season at the Illini 100 World of Outlaw show at LaSalle Speedway April 1 and 2. He also mentioned that he will be basically taking six weeks off midsummer while son Cale plays baseball. Leading up to this, he will be active on the UMP Summernationals tour. So it is safe to say that points racing is not in the 14 time QR track champions future. 2010 rookie of the year Justin Jennings had his IMCA ride at the show, with a " J " added to his # 56. Justin will once again be campaigning an asphalt late model at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapid, Ia. on Friday nights, as well. Saturday plans will include a mix of dirt racing at 34 and asphalt competition at I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, Mo., where he claimed the biggest win of his fledgling career last season. Justin has plans to attend school in North Carolina in the fall, so plans after 2011 are up in the air. Two members of the " Mendon Mafia, " defending champion Denny Woodworth, and veteran Keith Pratt, had new 2011 GRT cars in the show. Woodworth stayed with his familiar look, and KP, chose a yellow with red look on his # 33. After an abbreviated 2010, Jason Frankel is back with a new ride, ready to tackle the local tracks and the Summer Series. Faithful QR teammates Bill Genenbacher and Jason Perry were both on hand, with " Wild Willy " sporting a multicolored # 72, and Jason with a Moyeresque # 27. Preteen Jake Griffin displayed both his # 08 crate late model that he will race at Fulton and Memphis, Mo., as well as the UMP modified he will be running at QR in 2011. As always, there was a good contingent of mods on hand, including Dave Weitholder, who already has several nights of 2011 racing under his belt thanks to a week or so in Florida last month. Dave had a brand new body on his # 05 for the mall show. 2010 IMCA competitor and ULMA late model champion Vance Wilson has returned to the the mod ranks with a 2008 Pierce chassis. As with many we talked to, Vance indicated fuel prices will at least partly determine his 2011 schedule. Second generation shoe Trent Grotz was the only driver showing off both a new race car and a new baby! With Trent for a father, former go karter Teri Sue for a mother, and grandfathers Steve Grotz and Terry Gallaher, this young man could be a future star! While there were plenty of good looking rides, Shaun Deering had a real eye catching look with his # 16 modified.
IMCA stock car champion Terry Houston has switched to a bright red Ford from his familiar silver scheme while holding on to # 97. Aaron Brocksieck has teamed up with the local hospital to fight breast cancer in 2011, and as a result has pink as his dominant color. Aaron has changed his # 04A to
#40A. As a fundraiser for the cause, Aaron and wife Kenzie are selling ribbons to be placed on the car, so Keagan is now " sponsoring " his first car!
The hobby stock class also has some new looks, with the Anders cousins, Bobby and Nathan, and veteran Jim Powell all featuring new looks.
According to co owner Tony Rhinberger, while there is still a lot of moisture in the ground, the track should be ready for the first of four practice nights on March 25, and opening night on April 3.
Also on hand at the show was Brad Stevens, from Burlington, Ia. Brad is a former crewman for the late Brent Slocum, and the point man for the Slocum 50 Summer Series race at 34 Raceway. Brad was getting the word out about the event, and selling raffle tickets to benefit the scholarship fund as well as a charity for our troops. Brad has been a tireless worker in the promoting of this can't miss event, scheduled for April 9. He also mentioned that the lap money from the canceled Pepsi Nationals at 34 will be paid at this race.
With the season drawing near, there is still a lot of activity going on in the area racing world. Fledgling Scotland Co. Speedway promoter Rick Girard has apparently added 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo. to his list of projects. Rick will be featuring a Sunday night program at the high banked oval, with a five class program topped by UMP modifieds, although the lineup is still in flux. A track I was able to visit for the first time in 2010, Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon, Mo. suddenly pulled the plug on the upcoming season one month after releasing a schedule. Word is that owners Kevin and Tammy Gundaker, who also own Tri City Speedway near Granite City,Il. are looking to sell or lease the facility. There has also been a late change in promoters at Quad City Speedway in East Moline,Il., and there have been some schedule changes as a result. With Lee County Speedway only running late models one time in 2011, CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa has added the premier class to their Friday night lineup on a part time basis. As previously mentioned, this has surely been the most active off season in recent memory.
With just 13 days to go, I am still holding out hope that the weatherman cooperates, and my season can begin with the final night of the UMP Dirtcar Roundup at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. on March 26. I don't know about anyone else, but I am ready to go racin'!