Off and Running

The 2011 racing season officially got under way for yours truly this weekend with two nights of action. On Saturday night, four of us piled into my wifes Sonata and headed south for the opening night action at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. 27 UMP late models, 27 UMP modifieds, 27 UMP sportsmen, and 24 Pro 4s filled out a remarkably balanced card. As the track co owned by Ken Schrader is prone to do on a cool evening, the 7:00 show actually started a few minutes early, and the 12 heat races and late model B-main went off quickly. With several scratches in the mod and sportsman classes, their consys were canceled, and the 4 cylinders took the track for the nights first feature. As we normally make only three or four trips to I-55 each season, we are not familiar with the Pro-4 drivers, and usually just watch with no particular rooting interest. On this night, however, I found myself quietly rooting for two of the front runners. One of those was Justin Reando, who caught my eye with a 1977 Mustang ride. Needless to say, that machine took this old timer back to a different time in auto racing. The other favorite was the eventual race winner, and it was his name that made me a fan. The 6R car is driven by Dave Racer. If Hollywood tried to use that name, I wouldn't watch the movie! Racer took the win, with Aaron Faulkner second, and Reando third.
Next up was the UMP late model 25 lap 24 car finale. Although the track was smooth, the strong winds dried the track out, and there was just no rubber laid down. As a result, the surface was fast with no grip, and resulted in an large number of cautions. Through it all, youngster Nick Lyons, who just last season moved up from crate late models, held the lead he grabbed from his outside row one starting slot. UMP veteran Jason McBride stayed close, but could not muster a pass. One of the few drivers who seemed able to move was third generation driver Brandon Sheppard, however his charged ended mid race with suspension problems. Dewayne Kiefer brought his # 13 home in third, while Brandon Thirlby made his trip home to Traverse City, Michigan a bit shorter by claiming fourth. Quincy, Il. driver Rickey Frankel finished fifth, while another of my " local " drivers, Denny Woodworth, from Mendon,Il., finished 13th.
With Quincy Raceways regular Dave Weitholder starting mid pack in The UMP modified 20 lap feature, we decided the stay for the 22 car finale. While Dave exited early with a flat tire due to contact, we had already seen enough to have us hooked. The mods also produced an unusal number of cautions, but unlike the late models, the mods were able to do some passing. Mark Miner, who was doing double duty in the # 78 late model and # 7 mod, and whose daughter sang the national anthem, was the man to beat early. Still, Ray Walsh and " Big Block " Tim Hancock were on Mark like an ugly sweater, and tried everything to make the pass. Soon, UMP defending national champion Mike Harrison charged through to join the chase, with defending track champ Rusty Griffaw in tow. Follwing a lap 14 restart, Walsh and Hancock both found a way around, although Tim had to go back to third after another yellow. At the checkers, it was Walsh on top, followed by Hancock, Harrison, Miner, and Griffaw. The six place finisher was Ryan Thomas, from Martinsville, Indiana. Making his first visit to Pevely, Thomas nabbed the second heat as well. Counting late model youngster Dillin White from Kentucky, five states were represented for a weekly show! With the clock reading 10:17,and 165 miles to reach home, we decided to hit the road as the Sportsman feature rolled out. An internet check showed hot shoe Troy Naeger picked up the win.
Pevely is just an excellent facility with a super fast surface, certainly a track worth the long drive. On April 16, they will host the World of Outlaw Sprints.
As we parted company in the wee hours of Sunday, the thought was that the weatherman would keep us away from our Sunday evening gathering at Quincy Raceways for the 2011 opener. However, not only did the rain hold off, but the 87 degree temps were a stark contrast to Saturday nights 55 degrees.
Fans, drivers, and bloggers alike were very interested to see what the result of the extensive dirt work at the " Broadway Bullring " would be. The new surface drew positive reviews, and the only blemish was a slow developing hole at the entrance of turn one. More importantly, there was lots of passing, and side by side racing, with races won from both the top and bottom lanes. As was expected with the various weekend specials and this being a non points event, the car count was a bit thin, but the action made up for the shortage of cars. For the first time, there were five classes in action at QR with the addition of the 4 cylinder Wild Things. Although only a dozen strong, they certainly lived up to their name, with both of the top two runners falling out on the final lap, giving Chuck Fullenkamp the first feature win in Wild Thing history at QR.
2010 hobby stock runner up Bobby Anders quickly took the top spot, and ran off with the 20 lap feature after capturing his heat as well.
The IMCA stock car feature was a flag to flag event, with defending track champion Terry Houston leading the first half of the 12 lapper before Aaron Brocksieck slipped by for the win.
Only ten cars were left to start the UMP modified feature, as 2010 ULMA late model champion Vance Wilson, who moved back to the mods this season, broke a water pump in his heat race, scattering parts on the racing surface, and the # 33 of Kindhart had engine woes all night. Although there was plenty of back and forth action in the 25 lapper, polesitter Michael Long checked out on the field. Only Shaun Deering was able to stay anywhere close to Long, as the mods clicked off 19 green flag laps before the first of two cautions. even though QR has instituted the NASCAR style side by side restarts for the mods, Long again checked out for the win. Following Deering to the line was Dave Weitholder, Rickey Frankel in the Mike Begley # B4, and second generation ace Steven Delonjay.
14 IMCA late models took the green in the 30 lap finale on opening night. Outside polesitter Keith Pratt led lap one, with polesitter Lonnie Bailey coming back to lead the next two circuits. 2010 point runner up Jason Perry grabbed the top spot on lap four,one lap after the only caution of the event, and built a sizable lead as the field battled behind him. Eventually Mark Burgtorf was able to use the high line to move to the second spot, but Perry ran the bottom and middle grooves skillfully, and Mark was not able to gain much ground. Defending track champ Denny Woodworth captured third ahead of Bailey and Pratt.
Much to the delight of many, the show started promptly at 6:30, and the final checkers waved just before 8:30!
Track points for all classes except IMCA late models will start this Sunday, and the late model Deery Brothers Summer Series will make their first visit of 2011 to the track, so car counts will be expected to increase in all classes.
If the weatherman allows, it will be a double header Summer Series weekend for yours truly, with the Saturday running of the Slocum 50 honoring the late Brent Slocum at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.
What ever your preference, take in a race this weekend. See you at the races!