Back Racing 'Close to Home

 After taking Saturday night off, it was back to the familiar confines of the Quincy Raceways on Sunday night. All six regular classes were in action, and for only the second time in 14 seasons, the car count topped the century mark. Even with Peoria Speedway hosting a $2,000 to win UMP late model show, QR still had a solid field of 20 cars on hand, including first time visitors Roger Brickler and Brian Dively from Springfield,Il. This night, however, belonged to local racer Dustin Griffin. Dustin had been a regular at QR before branching out in 2011 and bringing home the UMP Pro Crate late model title. With Quincy joining the UMP ranks this season, Griffin moved up to the super late model division, and on Sunday he picked up his first super late model win. Dustin earned the dash pole by advancing from seventh to the win in heat one, with heat three winner Mark Burgtorf alongside. As it had the previous week, mechanical woes sidelined Burgtorf, with the rearend shifting on the # 7B. Unlike the week before, the # 7B team was able to make repairs in time for the 30 lap finale. Meanwhile Griffin cruised to the dash win to earn the feature pole. From there he led all 30 laps, winning by nearly a straightaway. Burgtorf used a late race move to get around Denny Woodworth to gain a second place finish. Defending track champion Justin Reed ran fourth, with Dively fifth.
 The UMP modifieds boasted a 23 car field, with Michael Long picking up his first win of the season, holding off Dave Weitholder. The double duty Long also came home seventh in the late model feature. Long and Burgtorf both picked up feature wins Friday night at Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach,Il. Double duty 13 year old Jake Griffin continues to make strides, as the youngster ran fourth in the mods behind Jared Schlipman, and scored a tenth place run in the late models.
  A season high ten IMCA stock cars checked in, with Abe Huls leading the distance for a hard fought win.
  The IMCA sport mods also set a season high with 19 entrants. While car counts are climbing nicely in the first full year for the class, it is not without growing pains. A total of eight caution periods slowed the action, as the class is heavily populated by inexperienced youngsters trying to hone their skills in traditionally hard to handle cars. Veteran Jim Gillenwater of Keokuk, Iowa, stayed patient throughout, picking up his second consecutive win.
  The switch to sanctioning of the 4 cylinder class, now running as IMCA sport compacts looks like a good move, as the class continues to produce good car counts. The 16 signed in matched the season high, and the action was fierce. Defending track champion Seith Woodruff was sent to the back early on for aggressive driving. But with a strong car and a little help from the caution flag, Seith came back to edge Casey Lambert at the stripe for the win. Kimberly Abbott attended her high school graduation in the afternoon, then finished third in the main event Sunday night!
 The hobby stocks closed out the night, and  the highlight of the class for this old timer was the first appearance of the # 1 1957 Chevy wheeled by Richie Wagy. Richie was running mid pack when he lost a radiator in an altercation. Tanner Klingele bested new points leader Jeremy Buss in the 20 lap feature.
  The races began promptly at 5:30 and although the intermission dragged on a bit too long, the final checkers waved about 9:15. This coming Sunday, Quincy will host the UMP Northern All Star late models in a $2000 to win shootout.
  The weekend weather looks great, so take in some racing!