My First Double Header of 2013

Despite a contrary weatherman, we somehow managed to get in back to back nights of racing for the first time in this young season. After rain spoiled the opening weekend of the new National Dirt Racing League and caused us to make the long drive to I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo., coming away with only a bit of bench racing, there was no way we were not going back for the reschedule. By the time I got off work and Keagan wrapped up his ACT test, Fred, Darryl, and our buddy Bill, back from the state of Washington were loaded up and ready. The sun was shining with 70 degree temps, and we were not sure how large the crowd would be, so we arrived at 3:00 to assure a good seat. As it turned out, the $35.00 ticket held the crowd down a bit, but there was still a nice gathering for the $20,000 to win, $1500 to start one day super late model show. 50 late models signed in , with a solid field of 40 plus open modifieds competing for a $2,000 top prize as the companion class. The series had kicked off the night before in Paducah,Ky., with former World of Outlaw late model champ Josh Richards besting defending Lucas Oil champ Jimmy Owens for the big prize. " Kid Rocket "
picked up where he left off by turning the 1/3 mile high banked oval at 13.457 seconds for quick time on the night. He stayed hot by taking the first heat over former teammate " Rocket Shepp " Brandon Sheppard. Eddie Carrier outran Austin Hubbard in Chad Stapletons # 32 in heat two, while Jimmy Mars topped local ace Tim Manville in heat three. Jason Feger held off Brian Birkhofer in heat four, and Dennis Erb Jr,took the checkers ahead of Bobby Pierce in heat five. The final ten lapper went to Billy Moyer over Owens. Jared Landers and Don Neal in the Moring Motorsports # 1 picked up B-main wins, and with a pair of provisionals, the 24 car field was set to go 75 laps. Mindful of the fact that only ten cars finished the race in Paducah, partly due to a rough track caused again by plenty of rain, track officials at Pevely " farmed the track several times during the night, including between the feature events. No one complained however, as the 24 car mod field laid down a lot of rubber. Modified track champion Mark Miner, a former late model ace in his own right, led the distance to take the top prize, although national standout Jason Krohn pushed him all the way, followed by Matt Mevert, Michael Long, and Rusty Griffaw.
With much fanfare and fireworks, the late model headliner was ready to go.
Billy Moyer has a long history of success at I-55, so when he drew the outside pole, it was no surprise that he shot to an early lead. The first caution came on lap nine, when Scott Bloomquist suffered rearend damage, ending his night. As the green waved, Moyer again set the pace, until Richards claimed the top spot on lap 23.Two laps late, Mars moved to second as Moyer began to fade. The caution waved for Brian Shirley at the half way mark, as Birkhofer joined the party in third. As the race resumed, 12th starting Owens found his groove on the bottom of the track. He climbed to third on lap 41, second two laps later, and he slipped by Richards on lap46. Three circuits later, Richards brought out the yellow for the final time with a flat tire. When action resumed, Owens began to stretch his lead, and he stayed in command to the checkers. Birkhofer drove by his MB Customs partner Mars, then held on as the two crossed behind Owens. Moyer had slipped to fifth, but rolled past Sheppard late to nab fourth. The second five included Erb,Pierce, 23rd starting Tim Fuller, who climbed as high as fourth before slipping back, Shane Clanton, and O'Neal.
 I hope the fledgling sanction turned a profit, because this show was worth the ticket price, and I would love to see it back in 2014.
 It was a quick turnaround, with Quincy Raceways on their school time schedule of 4:45 hot laps and 5:30 racing. Opening night saw 17 UMP late models and an equal number of UMP mods headline the Sunday show. It was the first night out for many of the competitors, and the new rides looked impressive indeed. Jeff has a solid recap on the Backstretch as Positively Racing was well represented at the opener. Among the surprise drivers on hand was veteran late model ace Rick Standridge who had not been to QR in many moons, and young Derek Fetter making his first visit. Also, the Richard Realty race team made the trip south with new driver Brian Harris. And holding court before - and after  - the races was popular Kenny Wallace, who brought his # 36 modified to town. The NASCAR hot shoe has raced numerous times at QR, but he still draws a crowd to here his never ending stories and commentary!
 The first feature out was the IMCA stock cars, and although the car count was a bit low, the racing was superb. When Abe Huls jumped out front, I thought it was over, but Terry Houston had other ideas, and he slipped around Abe with a couple laps to go to take the win. Fresh off a fourth place run at the B[mod nationals at West Plains, Mo., Tony Dunker resumed his dominance in the IMCA sport mod class with an impressive win.
 After two false starts, the UMP late model 30 lap headliner went green to checkered. Harris took off from the outside pole and looked like a winner. But Jerry Lierly in his Bloomquist chassis stayed on Brians bumper, stuck his nose underneath a few times, and when Harris became trapped in traffic with two laps to go, Jerry powered around the top for his first ever super late model win. Defending champion Jason Perry, Denny Woodworth, and fast qualifier Clint Kirkham turned in top five runs.
 Michael Long paced the UMP mod finale for four laps before developing a miss in his engine and going pitside. Dave Weitholder led the middle part of the 25 lapper before Steven Delonjay took over for the win. Robbie Reed challenged early, then held off Wallace for third.
The IMCA sport compact  feature had plenty of action, starting with defending champion Seith Woodruff losing his right rear for the second time on the night. Contact between the top three cars coming to the white flag caused some flaring tempers, but the checkers finally flew for Craig Bangert who survived the altercation to come from third to win. Kimberly Abbott took second, and Austen Becerra came for sixth after the accident to third at the checkers.
 The weatherman is continuing to be stubborn, but next Sunday night is the triple sanction  - MARS, ALMS, Cornbelt Clash - $3,000 to win late model extravaganza at QR, so lets hope for two things we haven't seen much, warm and dry!