Half a Show is Better Than None?

After back to back rainouts on Friday and Saturday and the early postponement of the Northern All Star show at Quincy Raceways, Darryl and I decided to ignore the ominous forecast for Sunday night and go racin'.
Against all good judgement, we headed out for what would be my first ever visit to the Peoria, Il. Speedway. As for Darryl, it had been several years since he had been there, so after going about ten miles out of our way, we arrived in plenty of time to check out the place and watch the Cornbelt/UMP late models come through the gate. Having an idea what was coming, we held off buying a ticket, but as the drivers meeting was starting, we headed inside to find a seat. Due I am sure to a Sunday night reschedule and less than favorable weather, the turnout in the stands was a bit light. But the car count was more than acceptable, with 31 late models, 24 UMP modifieds, 15 limited late models and 11 mini sprints signed in.
Much to Darryls' dismay, it was announced that the advertised passing points system was being scrapped in favor of time trials. Apparently there was some general unhappiness in the pit area concerning the late model draw procedure. Still with only one qualifying lap per car, the 31 lates and 24 mods all ran under the clock in about 30 minutes. Fast timer in the late model class was Billy Drake in the # 75 Neltner car that has been wheeled throughout the midwest by so many top notch drivers over the years. Drake
parked his # 9 ride about three years ago, and has driven on a very limited basis since then. Billy showed no signs of rust, stopping the clock at 12.201 seconds on his trip around the 1/4 mile oval.
After qualifying, heat races started at about 6:30, with two limited heat races. Scheduled up next were mod heats, but whether because of the advancing showers or another reason, the late models ran next. Even with 31 cars, only three heats were run, making it pretty crowded on the tight oval. The top four would be locked into the Don Bohlander Tribute finale, with the top two moving to the position dash, which for this show would pay an additional $500 to win with a total purse of something like $1400.
Everyone else would go to one of two B-mains, with four cars out of each moving on. Finally, there would be one Corn Belt Clash provisional spot, giving us a 21 car field. The first two 10 lappers went caution free. Heat one went to outside polesitter Bobby Pierce, followed by Drake, Wisconsin hotshoe Tim Isenberg, and Jason Feger. The second heat was a flag to flag win for polesitter Brian Shirley, followed by defending Peoria track champ Steve Lance, Jr., former Farmer City Raceway co promoter Kyle Logue, and local favorite Bob Gardner. Heat three was yellow fagged mid race when Ryan Unzicker got into Kevin Weaver in turn two. Wever then took a hard hit from Darrin Friedman. Curiously, all drivers got there spots back on the restart. Outside row one starter Chris Simpson took the checkers ahead of Brandon Sheppard, Unzicker, and Scott Schmitt.
As the first modified heat hit the track, the sprinkles started, and quickly became a steady rain. With the grounds still showing the effects of earlier rains, track officials made a quick decision to postpone the remainder of the show. It was announced the the race would be recheduled and would be started from scratch. Today, the message boards are saying that the show will be resumed at the stopping point, so we will see. With the early start time, we were on the road home by 7:15.
We are anticipating the announcement of the reschedule date, as we worth both looking forward to a hotly contested feature race. Hopefully Keagan will be able to join us on the return trip, especially with a $5.00 ticket price for 16 and under!
As Darryl mentioned, it was certainly an unusual and interesting mix of drivers, although the UMP guys far outnumbered the Corn Belt regulars.
Hopefully the forecast for this weekend holds, and if so, the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA late models at West Liberty followed by the rescheduled Northern All Stars late models at Quincy Raceways will top the bill. Until then...