" Rocket Shep " On Top at Quincy

 After being rained out three times last week and taking this Saturday off for family time, it was good to get back in the saddle Sunday at Quincy Raceways. A nice total of 76 cars in five classes checked in, led by 18 UMP late models. Brandon Sheppard checking in was something of a surprise, although the third generation racer visited the Bullring several times in 2012 before being hired on the drive the Rocket house car. After a foray into NASCAR, Josh Richards is back in the # 1 ride, and Brandon and his # B5 stopped by for some Sunday action. The youngster started things off by setting quick time of 13.89 seconds, but then rolled a six, putting himself outside row three in the fast dash. Opening night feature winner Jerry Lierly charged from row two to capture that ten lap event, earning the pole for the 30 lap finale with Dustin Griffin alongside. Jim Moon, who had everyone talking about his controversial tire cheating commentary on the internet, and Michael Long picked up the heat race wins. The feature began with a restart, as Moon spun in turn four, spoiling a row four start and collecting Clint Kirkham in the process. When the green flew, Lierly easily outpowered Griffin, making his first visit to his " home " track this season. Sheppard followed Lierly through, and the chase was on. By the time the caution waved for Long on lap five, the front two were locked in a battle, and Moon was already up to seventh. For whatever reason, attrition was high on a track that was not particularly dry or rough, and the leaders did not have much traffic to negotiate. Coming out of turn four on lap 22, things turned dramatic. Some say Lierly bobbled a bit and appeared to slow ever so slightly, some say Sheppard honked the chrome horn. Perhaps fortunately, I was jotting down a note and did not see the alleged contact, so I can honestly defer judgement - when I looked up, Jerry was sideways off the front stretch. On the restart, Sheppard led the Delaware start with Griffin in second. A disgruntled Lierly came back up to speed, then after not moving up, appeared to slow and wait for the oncoming leader. He failed to make contact, but Griffin spun as a result. Officials gace Dustin his runnerup spot back, and Jerry headed for the trailer. Brandon cruised to the finish, with Griffin second. For the second week in a row, Moon came from the back to finish third. Denny Woodworth took over the track point lead with a fourth place run, and rookie Jared Schlipman started and finished fifth.
 The first feature of the night was probably the best, as we had a nice total of 15 IMCA stock cars on hand. The caution waved several times early, with Michael Larsen leading early. Veteran Jim Powell went pitside while running second, and defending track champ Terry Houston pulled off on lap four. Abe Huls was in the second slot and coming fast when he went first to the hot pit and then the trailer on lap six. On the restart, Brandon Savage left the track while sitting fourth. Beau Taylor then powered his # 2T to the lead and began to stretch things out. As he did, Donnellson, Iowa driver Jim Lynch began his charge, and when Jake Powers spun while running third on lap 18, it set up a two lap dash. Taylor held on until the final turn when he drifted up to the middle groove, and Lynch slipped past by a nose at the checkers.
 The IMCA Sport Mods class was only 12 strong, but still fell victim to the time limit. In fact, the had to click off about ten laps after time expired to get to the 16 lap mark. Tony Dunker took over the top spot on lap three and cruised to the win over Jeff Delonjay and Joe Bliven.
  Skip Dunker, Tonys brother also visited victory lane in the IMCA Sport Compacts cruising to the 12 lap win after second running Austen Becerra fell out on lap four. Craig Bangert and Kimberly Abbott chased Dunker to the flag.
  Only 15 of the 17 entrants in the UMP modified class took the feature green, and after a false start, Dave Weitholder shot to the lead in pursuit of his first win of 2013. Michael Long was pressuring Dave when he appeared to go a bit too hard into turn one, looping his # 18L. With Michael out of the picture, two time winner Steven Delonjay took up the chase, and the front two staged a great side by side duel for a half dozen circuits. Steven took over on lap 14, holding on for his third win in four tries. Jake Griffin, who raced the asphalt in Lebanon, Mo on Saturday night made a great, late charge to second. Weitholder held off fast qualifier Kenny Wallace to take third, and Long came back to fifth. Wallace, who is becoming a semi regular at QR, told us the he will be competing in the NASCAR Nationwide race this coming weekend.
  The weatherman is not sounding like our friend again this coming weekend, so we will see if there will be any Racin' Down the Road.