Waiting Out the Rain

As I mentioned last time, the month of June has filled up with non racing activities. However, Saturday found me in the Quad Cities, and while it was cool and cloudy, the rain was holding off, so Keagan and I made plans to visit the Jackson County Speedway in Maquoketa, Iowa, a track he had never been to. Five minutes before time to leave, Keagan decided he was not feeling well enough to go, so as much as I wanted to make the 50 mile trip, I changed plans as well. Apparently I would have run into the " blogger boss " there, so if you would like a rundown of the action, check out Jeff Broegs latest submission.
Sunday found us back home, and I made my weekly trip to Quincy Raceways. As I made the half hour drive, I noticed the clouds building up behind me to the west...surely not again! With hot laps going quickly, the heat races started before the 6:30 start time, and after two quick modified heats, the IMCA late models took to the track as the raindrops began to fall.
A steady shower of 20 minutes or so left us with a greasy mess, but track crews and drivers worked hard, and shortly after 8:00, we were racing again. As is often the case, when the track came back in, it was lightning fast, stayed smooth and produced some great side by side racing.
The five classes of cars totaled 58 strong with 15 UMP modifieds leading the way. Steven Delonjay picked up his second win off the 2011 season in
dominant fashion, taking the lead on lap four after 12 year old Jake Griffin paced the field for the first three laps. Dave Weitholder and Jared Schlipman waged an entertaining battle for second, in a 25 lap main event slowed by only one caution.
The 12 car 20 lap hobby stock finale ran next, and Bobby Anders, who was undefeated on the season with six heat and five feature wins, looked like he would make it six and six, after a nifty pass of Steve Carlin following a lap 15 restart. One more yellow with two laps to go gave Carlin another chance, and he was able to get under Anders and make the winning pass, with Anders spinning in turns one ans two. Anders took exception to the move,
and after the checkers had flown, he drove his # 20 into the drivers side of Carlins car. The result was a DQ for the night, and a four week suspension, effectively ending his chances at a track title.
As that drama continued to unfold, 13 late models took to the track for 30 laps of action. Again, only one caution period slowed the event, and veteran Lonnie Bailey charged from row three to grab the lead from Bill Genenbacher following the lap two yellow. The elder Bailey then checked out on the field, for his first win of 2011. Joey Gower appeared the break something in the front end of his # 31G, but still muscled his mount to a runner up finish ahead of Keith Pratt, Matt Bailey , and Genenbacher.
The final two features of the night went caution free, with Casey Kendrick running away with the 4 cylinder Wild Thing feature, and Gabe Harrison leading from start to finish to nab his first IMCA stock car feature ahead of points leader Aaron Brocksieck, who started last on the grid, moved to third by lap five, and finally wrestled the second spot from Kevin Tomlinson on the white flag lap. Even with the delay, racing ended around 10:00 PM.
It was only the second points night for IMCA late models at QR, and midseason championship night is only two weeks away! Track officials have asked IMCA to allow points racing on the Tuesday rain date for the remainder of 2011. As of Sunday, thet had not recieved an answer. The win by Bailey gave me my 15th different late model winner in 15 nights of racing this season. If the weather patterns continue, I could have my fewest number of races since i began keeping count in the mid 1990s!
Congratulations to " the Real Deal " Don Oneal on his $100,000.00 win at this years Dream at Eldora Speedway. Some love him, some don't, but he is a showman, for sure!
Wednesday, June 15, we will celebrate grandson Keagans 15 birthday. With a drivers permit likely coming, my " Grumpy Old Men " posse could use a young driver! And Saturday marks the 41st wedding anniversary for Mary, and I. So no racing this week until Sunday, weather permitting. But there are plenty of good options before then, so take in some dirt track racin' this weekend.