Pierce Conquers the Big 10

Bobby Pierce topped a solid field of 26 super late models to take home the $2,000 top prize Sunday night at Quincy Raceways. the race was the first of two stops in 2014 at QR for the Big Ten late model series, a ten race tour at four tracks in central Illinois.The largest crowd of the season was on hand as the track paid tribute to the late Albert Scott, who built and opened the track which is now in its 40th season - thus the Scottie 40.
Father and son Bob and Jeff Scott, who kept the track going after Alberts retirement, where on hand, as were many former employees. Some of the current staff dressed in retro fashion, the heat winners carried the checkered flag as was the custom in days gone by. A 1970s era AMC Javelin pace car led the feature parade laps.
 The first feature of the night, the IMCA stock cars, took to the track after the .29 mile oval was totally reworked during the lengthy intermission. Unfortunately, the surface was still a bit slimy, and the normally smooth running class suffered several cautions during their 18 lap main event. In search of his first stock car feature win, Nathan Hays held the top spot through the first half of the race. Terry Houston led briefly following a lap nine restart, but he lost the handle on the # 97 on lap 12. Jim Lynch was able to use  the lap 12 restart to grab the top spot. Hayes stayed in the hunt, and may have been inches ahead as the white flag waved, but Lynch pulled away for his first win of the season at QR. Hayes took the runnerup spot, with Beau Taylor solid in third ahead of brother in law Brandon Savage in fourth. Jake Powers completed the top five. Abe Huls saw his night end early after contact in the opening laps.
 Next up was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lap finale. 16 of the 17 cars signed in took the green, as Trent Grotz was on the trailer following hot laps. Charles VanZandt took the early lead , with Joey Gower taking over one lap later. Gower was into slower traffice when the caution fest began in earnest on lap nine. Several drivers took runs at Gower only to bobble and fall off the pace. A side by side duel with Gower hugging the low groove and Bobby Anders on the cushion ended when Anders slowed with three laps to go. The time limit once again brought the race to an early end, but Tony Dunker once again stayed out of trouble, and as the checkers waved, he made it 35 straight features with a top two finish. Following Gower and Dunker was last weeks winner Brad Holtmeyer, Tanner Klingele, and  a smoking # 65 driven by Cody Henderson.
  Next up was the late model headliner. Three heat races and a B-main had pared the 26 car field to 20 starters. The invert roll was a "two," putting heat two winner Denny Woodworth on the pole, flanked by Pierce. If the surface was still slimy, the late models failed to notice, running 40 caution free laps! The 17 year old Pierce went straight to the cushion, and soon built a straightaway lead, He was in traffic by lap seven, and even though he became a bit more conservative after 25 laps or so, he still lapped up to the fourth place finisher. Behind the # 32 , however, there was no shortage of action. Woodworth kept up the chase early before Mark Burgtorf found his line. Mark had told me before the night began that he found some engine issues after last weeks race, and he was not sure his power plant would survive the night. The # 7B did more than "survive," as the veteran powered his way to the second spot. As in his heat,though, he found himself searching for Pierce, who maintained a comfortable margin to the checkers. Brandon Sheppard was chasing the front duo in the star studded first heat race when a misstep took him out of a transfer spot and into the consy. An easy win in the 12 lapper earned him the 15th starting spot, and he charged all the way to third in the feature without benefit of a caution. Woodworth was the last car on the lead lap, while third heat winner Justin Reed claimed fifth. Kevin Weaver saw his top five run end on lap 31, as he pulled his brand new Rocket car to the infield. Brian Dively led the second five, followed by Texas hot shoe Allen Murry, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin, and Jim Moon. Big Ten series point leader Ryan Little finished 12th.
 The UMP modifieds were up next for 25 laps. 14 of 16 entrants took the green flag, with Jacob Poel, visiting again from his home in Spring Lake, Michigan jumping to the lead in search of his second QR win of the young season. Poel held a good sized lead when the caution waved on lap five for third running Shawn Deering, who lost a drive shaft. When racing resumed, fellow front row starter and defending track champion Steven Delonjay began to apply heavy pressure, leading lap six. Poel rebounded, and the two raced side by side until the yellow flew again on lap 11. On the restart, Delonjay began to build a lead, and nabbed his first checkers of 2014. Poel held off  hard charging Michael Long, who started in row seven after falling from his heat event. Dave Weitholder claimed fourth, and Randy Lines checked in all the way from Marion, Indiana, grabbing fifth.
 The final event of the long night was the 12 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. The Baker brothers held the front row, as 11 of 13 competitors took the green, including the aforementioned Jeff Scott in the Ciltrak Promotion team " house" car. Bryce Baker led lap one, with Austen Becerra taking over on lap two. With three laps scored and Becerra once again in charge, Alex Baker slipped the cushion in turns one and tow, rolling his # 27X multiple times. As the safety crew attended to the youngster, it became obvious there would be a lengthy delay, and given the hour and the situation, it was decided to resume the race next week. Eventually Alex was extricated form his ride and was transported to the local hospital. He was held over night, but was due to be released sometime today, Monday.
 Despite the unfortunate ending, it was a special night of racing at QR, as the " Broadway Bullring" experience is getting better each night.
 Next Sunday the late models will have the night off as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the holiday show. With only three races under my belt in this month of May, I hope to venture out over the weekend, so maybe I will see you Racin' Down the Road.