Tuesday night found us back in the St. Louis area at Kevin and Tammy Gundakers' Tri City Speedway near Granite City, Illinois. The occasion would be the make up Castrol FloRacing Night in America event originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 31. Brand new for 2021, this is a midweek series focused on dirt super late models with up to ten races at different venues throughout the country, paying at least $10,000 to win. There will also be a hefty points fund payout at the end of the season. As has been the case for many tracks and series early this season, inclement weather has played havoc with the schedule, with several postponements thus far, including last weeks show at Marshalltown Speedway. Recognizing that many of their fans and racers would be coming from some distance on a Tuesday night, the card would feature only one other class, Dirt Car modifieds vying for $1,500 to win. In addition, the late models were scheduled first in the feature order, with Tammy Gundaker stating the final checkers of the night would hopefully wave by 9:30!
Although we left home amidst persistent rain showers, the skies looked much brighter as we arrived at our destination. However it did not take long for the precipitation to catch up to us, and although the skies never truly opened up, much of the evening was spent under a pesky drizzle. The upside of those sprinkles did however produce two positive results. The FloRacing crew and the Gundakers worked very hard to keep the show moving, not always the case when live television is involved, and the track surface would change multiple times throughout the night making a challenging situation for the drivers.
Following late model hot laps, the twenty four modifieds ran a combined hot lap/time trial session, with Nick Hoffman setting quick time at 16.541 seconds. The twenty seven late models then qualified two and three at a time, with Bobby Pierce coming out early with a fast lap at nearly one second quicker at 15.576 seconds. Several of the early qualifiers, including Tanner English and Kyle Larson found themselves sucked into the concrete between turns three and four as they attempted to run the treacherous high line. As a result, times dropped off a bit before drivers qualifying late rebounded to also break the sixteen second barrier.
A fairly quick turnaround and the three late model heats came to the track. With harder rain predicted, it was announced that the late model B main would be scrapped, with all cars eligible to start the feature based on their heat race finish. The plan, later changed, would have the mods run their first two heats, then give way for the late model feature before resuming their portion of the show. Although all three late model heats were won from the pole position by Pierce, defending track champion and second quick timer Billy Laycock, and Tony Jackson Jr., there was plenty of passing back in the pack. Part of this was likely due to the middling times posted by some of the "hot dogs" in the field, including Jonathon Davenport, who ran second in heat two after lining up in sixth.
After the first two modified heats ran off quickly, and no late models were lined up, it was decided to give them a bit more time to prepare for the feature, so heat three was then called to staging.
The sprinkles intensified as all twenty seven late models came to the track, and along with several pack vehicles, they continued to run the moisture in to the track, hoping for a break long enough to complete the event. Although I don't think it ever truly stopped, the drizzle slowed enough that the green flag could fly at 8:35 on what was still a smooth ( except for a small dip in turn three ), and fast track.
Pierce shot to the early lead from the pole position, with Jackson Jr., Laycock, Davenport, and Shannon Babb in tow. Davenport cleared Laycock for third and was up to challenge for second when the caution waved with four laps down as Kyle Bronson slowed on the backstretch, perhaps for a flat tire. On the restart, Chris Simpson, running mid pack, had his car break loose coming through turn two, spinning in the middle groove. While several cars were able to take evasive action, Paul Roider made hard contact, creating a delay getting them apart and ending the night for both drivers. Amazingly, these would be the only cautions of the forty lap event. On the first Delaware double file attempt at a restart, Jackson Jr. had chosen the inside line, quickly yielding the runner up spot to Davenport before the caution. Surprisingly, he did so on the next restart as well, and J.D. again used the opportunity to charge to second. Two circuits later, seventh starting Earl Pearson Jr. cleared Jackson Jr. for third, as the fast lane had now clearly switched from the inside line to the cushion. Pierce found himself in slower traffic about lap twelve, however Davenport was not able to make up much ground. After again contacting the wall early, Larson rebounded to take third on lap sixteen. Pierce continued to check out on the field, building a nearly straightaway lead by the mid point of the race. Intense battles were going behind the leaders as a group of about seven cars fought for spots inside the top ten. At the checkers, it was Pierce cruising to the win, while Davenport claimed second and Larson completed the podium finishers. Pearson Jr., ran fourth ahead of Babb. Jimmy Owens led the second five in front of Jackson Jr., Rick Eckert, English, and Brandon Sheppard.
Following rather lengthy made for TV post race interviews of the top three, the modifieds lined up for thirty laps. Outside pole sitter Nick Hoffman quickly took command, with his front row mate Will Krup in second. Hoffman was out front by three seconds when the only caution of the race came for a Cody Thornhill spin with a dozen laps in the books. Back under green, Hoffman again proved he was fastest on this night, pulling away to a comfortable lead. with about ten laps to go, Krup found himself in a battle to hold second as Tyler Nicely and Mike McKinney moved in to challenge. Meanwhile, Hoffmans car appeared to tighten up while Krup was able to separate from his challengers, and with five remaining on the scoreboard was able to show his nose to the leader in turn two. Hoffman was then able to pick up the pace enough to seal the deal on a flag to flag win. Krup settled for second while McKinney cleared Nicely for third. Lucas Lee filled out the top five. Six through ten was Mike Harrison, Dean Hoffman, Kenny Wallace, Dave Weitholder, and Treb Jacoby.
The final checkers indeed waved several minutes before 9:30! As an "old timer" I found this to be a perfect show, a two class program with twenty plus cars in each class, almost felt like the 1970s'! Thanks to Kevin, Tammy, and the FloRacing folks for an entertaining mid week show.
If the weather will behave itself there are lots of top notch shows on this first big holiday weekend of summer. Head to the track, and thank a veteran when you get there!
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