Pierce Gets a Big Ten Win at Quincy

Sunday night the UMP Big Ten late model series completed a 3 race weekend with their second stop of 2014 at Quincy Raceways. And just like the first visit to the track in May, it was young Bobby Pierce taking home the $2,000 top prize. 21 late models checked in for the evening,  with track regular Justin Reed turning the fastest qualifying lap of the season at the track with a lap of 13.490 seconds around the .29 mile oval. The first of 3 heat races was one of attrition. First it was Jamie Wilson making contact with the turn 4 wall. The contact between Brian Dively and Bill Genenbacher saw Dively spin and Genenbacher join him at the tail of the restart, with Genenbacher soon heading to the pits, his night over early. Reed, meanwhile was leading when he suddenly pulled pitside on lap 4, his night also over early. Denny Woodworth then took over for the win ahead of Chuck Mitchell, Dively, and Kenny Vandorn. The second 10 lapper saw Jim Moon spin after contact with Bo Brockway. Pierce led the distance for the win ahead of  QR regulars Clint Kirkham, Jason Perry, and Robby Warner. Third quick timer Rickey Frankel outran Mark Burgtorf to nab heat 3, with first time visitor Gordy Gundaker third and Greg Kimmons fourth. Gundaker, son of Tri City Speedway owners Kevin and Tammy Gundaker is no stranger to Quincy, as he is a catcher on the Quincy University baseball team as well as a late model hotshoe.
 The first feature of the night was a 15 lapper for the IMCA sport compacts. Brandon Lambert set the pace early, with the caution waving on lap 9 when Alex Baker stopped in turn 4, then was hit by Lambert. Although he suffered a crumpled hood, Lambert continued to lead until Austen Becerra was able to drive by on lap 11. Kimberly Abbott then pressured Lambert, but had to settle for third ahead of Cliff Spencer.
 The IMCA sport mods were up next, with Trevor Hagerbaumer leading lap one. Tanner Klingele then took over the top spot, holding on through a pair of cautions. Following a lap 9 restart, Tony Dunker shot from fourth to second and began to run down Klingele. Tanner survived one more stoppage, but the yellow waved again on lap 15, setting up a 3 lap dash to the checkers. The 2 leaders came to the white flag side by side, and Dunker eased ahead, denying Klingele that elusive first feature win. Brad Holtmeyer charged through the field to grab third ahead of Bobby Anders.
 The late model 30 lapper was up next, with an invert of four. This put Mitchell on the pole, with Frankel to his outside, Pierce and Woodworth in row 2. Kitkham had the inside row three starting spot, but he fell to the tail, running one off the pace lap before pulling out, the first casualty of the 19 starters. Pierce powered to the front to lead the opening circuit before Frankel used the high groove to take the lead. With Pierce running the bottom, Frankel moved down on lap 6, but the caution flew on lap 7 for a spinning Mitchell. On the restart, Frankel went back to the top, with Pierce hugging the low side. Bobby would ease ahead in the corners, while Rickey powered ahead down the chutes. On lap 11, as Frankels tires began to " go away, " Pierce eased ahead, then moved to the high side, switching lanes with Frankel. Apparently not liking the rim, Pierce moved back to the low side as a debris caution came on lap 13. On the restart, Burgtorf charged from fourth to second as Woodworth dropped from third to sixth. Dively took over the third spot from Frankel on lap 16 as Pierce opened a commanding lead. Burgtorfs good run ended on lap 21 with a broken bolt in the rear suspension, moving Dively to the runnerup spot in the # 29W he has been driving of late. With Pierce a straightaway ahead, the final caution flew on lap 25  for Camping World truck racer Justin Jennings in the family owned # 56J.
Back under green, Pierce again pulled away for his second win in 3 tries this season at QR. Dively turned in a second place run followed by Gundaker in third. Frankel settled for fourth ahead of Woodworth. The second five was led by Brockway in just his second trip to Quincy, followed by Warner,series point leader Ryan Little, Wilson and late arriving Roger Brickler. John Beck, Kimmons, and Vandorn were the remaining cars running at the checkers.
 The UMP modified 25 lapper was up next. Michael Long and Dave Weitholder sat on row one, with Dave leading the first three times past the flag stand.  Following a lap 3 , Long grabbed the top spot on lap 4, as third running Steven Delonjay fell back 2 positions to fifth. Long stretched his lead until a lap 9 caution again bunched the pack. On this restart, Delonjay jumped from fourth to second and set out after Long. Michael had his new car on a rail, running the top in turns 3 and 4  and the low side in 1 and 2, while Steven hugged the low line all the way around the oval. Meanwhile, Weitholder and hard luck Jared Schlipman hooked up in a great battle for third. With Long in charge, a lap 17 caution for a tire kicked out on the track set up one last restart. Long, Delonjay, and Weitholder ran 3 wide before Delonjay wrestled away the lead and the win. Long held on for second, with Schlipman getting apst Weitholder for third on the 23rd circuit.
  The final feature of the night was the 18 lapper for the IMCA stock cars, and it, too, was a barn burner. Troy Brierton paced lap 1, with Jake Powers taking over on the second go around. Brandon Savage used the high line to take the point on lap 7, holding on through cautions on laps 9 and 10. Savage stayed in the high line, with Powers hanging close on the bottom. Jake crossed the line first on lap 13, with Brandon back on top the next time past the flag stand. all the while, Abe Huls was moving forward, and the 3 drivers race 3 wide to the white flag. Savage seemed to have a push coming out of the corners, and Huls was able to stick his # 30c in the inside line, taking the lead on the final lap, picking up the win. Savage, Powers, and Beau Taylor completed the top four.
  It was a very entertaining night of racing in front of a good crowd, the track was in excellent shape, and the final checkers waved about 9:10.
  The ULMA late models were scheduled for their first ever visit to Quincy for next Sunday night, but that event was cancelled, so there will be no late model racing Sunday, July 27. But the UMP modifieds will be battling for a $1,250 top prize, with the IMCA sport mods slugging it out for $500 to win. The IMCA stock cars and sport compacts will also be in action. There are lots of good choices for racing this final weekend in July, so head on out to a track near or far!