Quincy Raceways Opener a Rousing Success

    Quincy Raceways kicked off their 50th anniversary season in grand style, with an outstanding opening night crowd estimated at around 2500 enthusiastic fans. Many of the more than $100,000 in improvements were obvious to the gathered throng, most notable of which is the concrete block wall surrounding the formerly wide open ends of the .29 mile oval with the new track exit in the middle of the backstretch reminiscent of the original configuration. Also multiple loads of new clay  seemed to do its job, as the former dust issue was mostly non existent on this night, even with a stiff southeasterly wind buffeting the grandstands. In addition to the on track work, several picnic benches and covered areas dot the grandstand walkways, and while not visible to the public, the concession building has undergone a total makeover including an updated menu. 

   But we were there for the racing, right? So let's get to the on track action!

   A solid field of seventy four cars were well distributed across five of the six divisions, with only the Street Stocks coming in light with seven entries. Time trial qualifying was featured for the two headline classes. Jamie Wilson was the lone Pro Late Model to crack the fifteen second mark, with a lap of 14.696 seconds. The veteran driver would then go on to a clean sweep of his events on this non points opener without passing one car, leading flag to flag from the pole position in both his heat and feature. The night could not have gone worse for Modified fast timer Dave Weitholder. After tripping the clock at 15.25 seconds, Dave was a no show for his heat race. In fact, we watched as he and his crew chief wife hurriedly left the speedway grounds to race home and pick up his "back up" car, arriving back at the track in time to tag the tail of his feature. Apparent engine woes was the issue with his primary ride. So he would line up fifteenth on the feature grid, the green flag would fly and just below the newly constructed flag stand multiple cars would stack up leaving Weitholder no where to go but into the middle of the pile up, tearing the front end apart of this #05. So now he will be busy repairing two cars before next race night!

   With thirteen qualifying heat races and intermission out of the way, Sport Mods were moved to first in the feature lineup, with all but rookie Todd Wolfmeyer lining up for fifteen laps. Kyler Girard had captured heat race one from the pole position, and he again paced the main event, taking off in front of his row one mate Tanner Klingele. Following a lap three caution, heat two winner Logan Cumby used the Delaware Style restart to power to the runner up spot. While the front pair battled closely low on the track, third running Klingele was working the high line in an effort to hold off A. J. Tournear. A final caution came with six laps down, and now Klingele was able to clear Tournear and close in on Girard and Cumby. With four laps remaining, he would drive around the outside of Cumby for second, but could not get by the steady Girard. For Kyler it was his first feature win of 2025. Klingele and Cumby followed, while Ottumwa, Iowa driver Tyler Heckart was able to clear Tournear late for fourth.   

   It was now Street Stock time, with fifteen laps the distance for six of the seven drivers on hand. Heat winner Jacob Rexing started outside row one and shot to the front ahead of Jake Powers. A yellow with one in the books slowed the pace, but back to racing Rexing opened a commanding lead. The field was able to catch up to Rexing as a final caution came twelve laps in, but again the Brighton, Illinois hot shoe drove away for the win. Powers topped returning former track champ Eddie Dieker, Levi Long and Brandon Boden to complete the top five.

   Late Models came next, fifteen strong for twenty five laps. Jeffrey Delonjay missed the call after a heat race altercation, later making an appearance in his 4 Cylinder machine. Wilson jumped to the front ahead of heat two winner Kruze Miles, but on lap two, Denny Woodworth cleared Miles for the runner up spot. Before catching the back of the field about lap eleven, Wilson had built a solid lead, while Woodworth also had a nice cushion in second. Wilson had to pick his way carefully through the traffic as those cars raced each other hard for position. Meanwhile tenth starting Jackson Frankel was blasting around the top of the track, quickly advancing through the field. With eight laps left on the scoreboard, Woodworth ducked to the infield, his run over. Frankel would clear Miles for second, but was unable to catch the steady Wilson, who put his #56 in Quincy Auto Supply victory lane. Frankel showed his muscle in second ahead of Kruze Miles, Taylorville, Illinois driver Braden Johnson and Braden Bilger. Christian Miles came home sixth in front of hard charging Darin Weisinger Jr., who advanced seven positions to seventh. Jason Oenning, rookie Benet Duesterhaus and Van Wilson rounded out the top ten. 

   After considerable cleanup of the first lap melee in the UMP Modified twenty lap feature, only one more caution period slowed the action. Success, Mississippi racer Chase Holland was wrapping up a trip through the area, and he found the new surface to his liking. Charging off from the pole position, he was trailed by a pair of St. Louis area veterans, first Kenny Wallace who gave up second to Rick Conoyer on lap five. At the mid point, Conoyer was attempting to lap a slower car, and when the lapped car got out of shape he slammed into the Conoyer #14, triggering the caution. As he stopped on the track, Rick was forced to restart at the tail, ending his chances at a podium finish. Justin Reed powered the #B4 into second on the restart, then hounded the leader all the way to the checkers. While Holland operated down low, Reed worked up near the new wall in turns one and two while driving through the middle at the other end. But it was Holland with the flag to flag win. Following Reed in second was Wallace and Ofallon, Missouris' Treb Jacoby. The "feel good " story of the night was the return of many time track champion Mark Burgtorf, who missed all of 2024 with health issues. Mark lined up in tenth and brought the Bill Baker #03 home with a top five finish.

   While many in the large crowd began to wander towards home, there were still two big features left. The growing Crown Vic class turned out a dozen cars racing for fifteen circuits. Levi Brierton led lap one before his row one mate Garrett Russell charged ahead one lap later. Alex Hatfield took over the runner up spot on lap three, and the leaders ran that way ahead of a caution with six laps scored. Following the single car restart, an entertaining four car battle developed for third through sixth positions. Meanwhille Russell opened a commanding lead. A final caution came with four to go, as Jacob Jones came to a stop, ending his chance at a top three. Once again, Russell took off, cruising to the win in his #316. Hatfield, Jordan Zumwalt, Glen Wiley and Dakota Damron completed the top five. 

   DirtCar 4 Cylinders capped off the night, fourteen strong for fifteen laps. Derrick DeFord shot to the front from inside row one, leading Dyllan Bonk ahead of a caution with one in the books. Back to racing it was seventh starting Jaden Delonjay on the move, as he powered to third as lap three was scored. After parking his Late Model, Jeffrey Delonjay unloaded his 4 banger, lined up in the last position, and was up to third by lap nine. I was writing the finish and packing up when the red flag suddenly waved with just two laps to go, as Doug White became the first roll over of the season. He was uninjured, and the final pair of laps showed no change in the running order. DeFord took the checkers, besting Bonk, Jeffrey, then Jaden, with Landon Neisen rounding out the top five.

   It was a long but entertaining night with lots to see and do at the refurbished Quincy Raceways. Thanks to Jeff, Renee and the staff for their hospitality. Time to catch my breath and see what May brings - hopefully some warmer weather! Thanks for reading!

Glover, Rust, Reynolds, Carter, Gebhardt and Taft Take 34 Raceway Checkers

    While several tracks around the mid west fell victim to wet conditions this weekend, 34 Raceway near West Burlington opened their points season in fine fashion with a six division program on Saturday night. And the $1,000 to win in both the IMCA Late Model and IMCA Modified classes drew plenty of quality cars and stars to the pit area. Along with $750 to win IMCA Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Compacts and 305 Sprint Cars, a talent laden group of ninety five race teams signed in to do battle on the high banked three eighths mile speed plant. Of particular note was the arrival of Late Model racer Patrick Shumaker, who made the trip from Sellersburg, Indiana, and the starved for racing modified ace Justin Zeitner who made the cross state haul from Malvern, Iowa after his Super Late Model race was rained out, using his toter trailer to bring along cousin(?) Zach Zeitner, Bellevue, Nebraska with his #76 Late Model!

   While four of the six classes had very healthy car counts, a pair of track regular classes came up a bit short, and it was surprising to see only eight 305 Sprints roll through the gate. 

   With the fourteen qualifying heats running off in fine fashion, a threat of showers prompted track officials to move quickly into feature racing with no break. Fortunately, the track was still in good condition, with two defined grooves. 

   Sprints would line up first for fifteen laps. Nick Guernsey and Riley Scott would fill out row one, but it was third starting Tanner Gebhardt jumping to the lap one lead. Buy the eighth circuit Tanner had caught the tail of the field, and with no yellow flags slowing the action he opened a straightaway lead over second running Guernsey by lap ten. The front three of Gebhardt, Guernsey and Scott continued to run in that order, green to checkers. Cole Helmerson started and finished fourth, with Travis Pence completing the top five. It was the second win in two tries at 34 for Gebhardt in this young season.

   Seventeen Sport Mods checked in, and all made the call for twenty laps. Outside pole sitter Brayton Carter outran his row one mate Jarrett VanDenBerg ahead of the first feature yellow flag with one lap scored. As racing resumed, Carter began to stretch his lead, catching slower traffic by lap five as fellow Oskaloosa driver Dylan VanWyk moved from his tenth starting spot to second. A second caution came at lap six, as Tony Olson and Adam Birck got together in a battle for fourth. Birck would retire to the pits while Olson rejoined the pack at the tail. One more lap went in the books before a third caution, but a lengthy green flag run saw Carter again leave the field behind. Sixteen circuits in, Cole Gillenwater stopped in turn three in a cloud of smoke, bringing out the red flag. On this final restart, VanWyk was able to slide Carter for the lead in turn three, but "Speedy Bray" crossed back over in turn four to retain the top spot. VanWyk then drifted a bit high in turn one, and Carter sailed home for the flag to flag win. VanWyk and VanDenBerg followed, while Olson charged from the earlier incident to come home in fourth. Sean Wyatt rounded out the first five. 

   It was now Late Model time as the stellar field of eighteen came to the track. The redraw saw Curtis Glover and second generation racer Clay Simpson share the front row. Glover charged to the lead taking along veteran Jay Johnson in second. Soon fifth starting Jesse Bodin moved in to challenge Johnson for second, and Glover was able to increase his advantage ahead of their battle. Glover was cruising out front at the mid point of the twenty five lapper, while Simpson cleared Bodin to retake third. But at lap nineteen, Simpson got too high off turn two, losing several positions and turning third over to the hard charging Zach Zeitner, who had lined up twelfth. Still on the move, Zeitner closed in to challenge Johnson for second on lap twenty two, but Jay was able to fend off the #76. Meanwhile a very happy Glover cruised to the win, his second of 2025 after a victory one week prior in Davenport. Johnson and Zeitner followed, with Bodin and Andy Nezworski rounding out the top five. Simpson grabbed sixth, chased by C.J. Horn, fifteenth starting Tommy Elston, Jeremy Pundt, and Shumaker. It was a $1,000 payday for Glover, the Knoxville, Iowa driver.

   An excellent field of twenty three Stock Cars signed in to chase the $750 payday, and all but David McCalla came to the track for twenty fast laps. Kaden Reynolds redrew the number two pill and shot to the lead ahead of a lap one caution. Back under green, John Oliver Jr., again piloting the #12, settled into the runner up position while sixth starting Cayden Carter wheeled his #1X to third. A lap three caution followed, and once more around saw Carter power to second. Running a low line in turns one and two and up next to the wall in three and four, the top trio of Reynolds, Carter and Oliver Jr. separated from the pack. Meanwhile, double duty Tony Olson was on the charge after starting in the back row, and he advanced to fourth at lap fourteen. The leaders would encounter heavy traffic in the closing five circuits, but Reynolds stayed calm and cool, racing to the win. Carter and Oliver Jr. held their positions while Olson gained a remarkable eighteen spots to take fourth. Kirk Kinsley started ninth and rode home in fifth. 

   Twelve laps was the distance for the Sport Compacts. Pole sitter Barry Taft grabbed the early lead with fifth starting Josh Barnes charging to second. Tim Schnathorst was locked in a battle with the front runners, and he briefly took over the top spot on lap six. Taft quickly regained control while Chevy Barnes joined the now four car scrum up front. Ten laps in, Josh Barnes was able to clear Taft, and he then held on for the hard fought checkers, only to be DQ'd in post race tech. So Taft would inherit the win, topping Schnothorst, Chevy Barnes, Chuck Fullenkamp and Blaine Lambert. 

   An all star field of nineteen IMCA Modifieds came in search of the $1,000 prize as the finale for the evening. Amazingly, it would be twenty caution free laps to decide the winner. Another of the several double duty racers, Cayden Carter jumped out front from outside row one. But just as suddenly, he slowed and exited the track, turning over the lead to pole sitter John Oliver Jr., wheeling a Dennis Laveine #71J. Along with fifth starting Joel Rust and eighth starting Logan Anderson, the top three broke free from the pack. But it was Oliver and Rust staging the race of the night as they ran nose to tail with Rust sticking his nose inside the #71J lap after lap. Finally Rust was able to gain enough momentum as the duo exited turn two on lap fifteen, and once out front he slowly stretched his leading margin. Anderson then moved in to challenge for the runner up spot, easing around Oliver two laps from the checkers. Rust would pick up the win ahead of Anderson and Oliver Jr. Justin Zeitner gained seven spots to claim fourth, while Denny Eckrich ran fifth. Failing to make the redraw, Austen Becerra lined up in row nine, advancing eleven positions to sixth at the checkers. 

   As icing on the cake, the show wrapped up minutes after 10:00 P.M.! Thanks To Brad, Jessi and their staff for their hospitality and for an entertaining and well run show. 

   Tonight, Sunday, we will hope to wrap up another three race weekend at Quincy Raceways as new owners Jeff and Renee Delonjay and their crew begin their first full season at the helm with a six division program. Vast improvements have been made to the facility during the off season, and we look forward to this 50th anniversary campaign with many special events lined up. If you see me there tonight, stop and say "Hi!"

  

Thornton Wins Opener, Carter Doubles Up at Memphis

    For the first time since a rained out event in 2018, the high powered Late Models invaded Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri. Joe Kosiskis' Super Late Model Racing - SLMR - series opened their east division season on the wide, super fast four tenths mile speed plant. Stock Cars, B Mods, and 4 Cylinder Compacts filled out the card on a cool Friday evening. $3,000 to win plus championship points would be plenty of incentive for the traveling Late Model stars. Race director Mike VanGenderen and his team had the surface in tip top condition. 

   Twenty five Late Models topped the sixty eight car field in the four division program. SLMR uses a bit of a convoluted qualifying system involving time trials, inverts and passing points to set their feature field, and for this season they decided to time within specific heat race groups according to the draw at check in. California transplant Dylan Thornton topped the time trial portion overall with a lap of 17.628 seconds, leading group one. Clear as mud, right?

   A top six invert for the three eight lap heat races saw rookie Dallon Murty and western Iowa hot shoe Shane Demay capture wins from the front row, while third generation Nebraska racer Andrew Kosiski came from row two for the third heat victory. Fellow Nebraska driver Jason Hobscheidt claimed the ten lap B main. Adding three provisional starters found only two drivers on the outside looking in for the thirty lap money race, although Derrick Stewart was a no show as the green flag waved.  

   The series has a bonus program which offers the pole sitter the opportunity to start the feature in position six, and collect the cash if he is victorious. Carried over from 2024, the bonus was worth an extra $500 this night, and last seasons' SLMR west division champion Jesse Sobbing took the challenge. Ultimately he fell short of the win, and that bonus will be worth $700 as the series moves to Norfolk, Nebraska tonight for the western division opener. 

   Chad Simpson and C.J. Horn led the field to green, with Andrew Kosiski powering to second behind Simpson as lap one was scored. Thornton had lined up in row three, but he climbed to the runner up spot on the third time around, and he began to methodically run down Simpson as the duo separated from the pack. Chad would catch the back of the field by lap nine, and as slower traffic came into play, Thornton used a power move off the high side of turn two and a low line dive in turn three to take over the lead on lap twelve. As the leaders continued to encounter heavy traffic in the caution free race, Simpson would often close in on the leader only to have Dylan weave his way through the slower cars to build a cushion. With just five circuits remaining Simpson made a last solid move to close in on Thornton, but once again the #38T was able to clear a lapped car and drive off to victory. Simpson settled for the runner up position, while Murty would no doubt have liked to see a late caution after charging from a row five start to third at the checkers. Sobbing held off Jake Neal to complete the top five. Kosiski faded to sixth over twelfth starting "Chargin'" Charlie McKenna, sixteen year old Missouri driver Kayden Clatt, Modified star and Late Model rookie Tim Ward and Webster City, Iowas' Jason Hahne. Tri State standout Austen Becerra, in I believe his first SLMR start, was the hard charger, coming from nineteenth to eleventh. The thirty non stop laps was a testament to the superb track, which received a bit of manicuring during intermission. 

   Compacts had run the first feature of the evening just ahead of the Late Model B main. For whatever reason, only five of the 4 Cylinder warriors showed up on this night. The twelve lap main contest saw Brandon Reu grab the lead on lap one and hold off Barry Taft the rest of the way in the non stop event. Jordon Ohaver would come home in third. 

   All but three of the solid twenty four car B Mod group lined up for eighteen laps of action. Quincy, Il. ace Logan Cumby jumped from the pole start ahead of his row one mate, Brandon Dale. Those two quickly pulled away ahead of a caution with five laps down for a spin by fourth running Kyler Girard. Brayton Carter had redrawn the number twelve pill, but as racing resumed he would take over that fourth position, locked in a four car battle for third. The next yellow flag came with seven in the books, and back under green, Dale would charge to the lead while Carter powered to second. Cumby was still strong in the top five when he suddenly ducked to the infield just past the halfway mark. Just as the leaders caught slower traffic on lap thirteen the caution flag would wave for the third time one lap later. As racing resumed, Cody Agee moved to third and fourth running Charlie Rindom drove too high in turn one, smacking the guard rail and bringing a final caution. Agee briefly took second, but it was Carter with the momentum and with only two circuits remaining he dove under Dale to grab the top spot, then drove away for the win. Brandon Dale, from just down the road in Arbela brought his #12D home in second followed by Agee, Dawson David, and Chris Spalding. Although "Speedy Bray" gained eleven positions in taking home first, it was Tonganoxie, Kansas visitor Brayden Bennett claiming hard charger, as he moved up fourteen slots to finish sixth. 

   Fourteen Stock Cars produced a dramatic finale to the program. Only Jason See failed to make the twenty lap feature call. Jay Schmidt and Derrick Agee filled out row one, with Agee gaining the early advantage. Only one lap was scored before the first caution, and back to racing it was two and three wide action behind the leader, which allowed Derrick to open a sizable gap on the field. Damon Murty would clear the traffic to grab second on lap four, and two laps later top contender Maguire DeJong would bring out the yellow, ending his top five run. As racing resumed, Murty and Michael Jaennette waged a battle for the runner up spot while Agee again drove off from the field. Often times we see the Stock Cars prefer the inside groove, but on this fast two groove surface, most of the leaders were operating high on the cushion. In addition to his B Mod, Brayton Carter was behind the wheel of the Vandenberg #7V Stock Car, and after starting fourth and battling early, he jumped to third on lap thirteen running the low line. As the leaders prepared to take the white flag, Jaennette slipped off the top of the treacherous cushion between turns three and four, triggering a  final caution and setting up a green, white, checkers finish. Although he saw his big lead disappear, Agee appeared to remain in control. However on the final lap he got too high coming off turn two, lost momentum, and Carter was ready to pounce. Although he led only half a lap, it was Brayton doubling up as he grabbed the Stock Car honors, as well as the B Mod crown. Agee was likely a bit disappointed in second. Murty hung around in third, trailed by Dennis Elliot and Schmidt. Garrett Porter improved the most positions, starting in thirteenth and crossing the line in sixth. 

   Anticipation was high for Late Model fans wanting to witness the high horsepower machines on the Scotland County speed plant, and I doubt anyone left disappointed. And certainly the B Mods and Stock Cars only added to a solid night of racing, which wrapped up before 10:00P.M.! Now in just under two months, the winged Sprint Invaders will test out the wide, fast track in what promises to be another "edge of your seat" event! Thanks to MVG and everyone at the track for their hospitality and for a great night of racing!

Pierce is Slocum 50 Champ Once Again

    It seemed only one thing could keep Bobby Pierce from a fifth Slocum 50 title at 34 Raceway on Saturday, but for a brief moment it looked like it might happen. The second generation driver, currently the hottest and perhaps most popular racer in the country took the lead on lap six and survived lapped traffic to sweep the weekend features by no more than a car length over hard charging Carson Ferguson. 

   One addition - Ryan Gustin - and two subtractions left us with a strong thirty eight car field of MARS Super Late Models at the three eighths mile high banked West Burlington facility. The first driver out for qualifying, affectionately known as "Squirrel," Brian Shirley led things off by turning the overall quick time of 15.183 seconds on what various drivers described to pit reporter Dustin Jarrett as a " tricky" racing surface. All four eight lap heat races were captured from the pole position, with Shirley, Dennis Erb Jr., Pierce and Ferguson taking wins, then redrawing for the front pair of rows for the fifty lap headliner. Two B Main last chance races looked like mini features of their own, with again pole sitters Garrett Alberson and Frank Heckenast Jr. taking wins. Indeed, Heckenast was a story on his own, timing in seventeenth in his group of nineteen, advancing from row five to finish one spot out of the four car transfer in his heat, then charging to a B main win. Unfortunately, his run ended early in the main event. Three provisionals were awarded on this night, giving us a twenty three car lineup for the $10,555 to win feature.

   Shirley jumped to the feature lead from the outside pole, followed by his row one mate Ferguson. The North Carolina pilot would power past Shirley to lead lap two, and third starting Pierce also cleared Shirley on lap three. Pierce moved to the front on lap six, briefly ceding the spot to Ferguson for lap seven. With Carson racing down low on the reworked surface, Bobby used a higher line to charge back ahead one lap later in what quickly became a two car breakaway. With Erb moving to third, the leaders caught the back of the pack on lap seventeen. Pierce was forced to give up his low line to negotiate the traffic as Ferguson continued to move around, searching for an opening. With Pierce gaining some separation, Erb and eleventh starting Gordy Gundaker closed in on Ferguson. One lap before the halfway mark hard luck Drake Troutman slowed with a flat tire to bring out the first yellow flag. With clear track ahead, the leaders migrated to the inside line even as Gundaker climbed to third. Pierce opened a comfortable lead ahead of a lap twenty nine caution for Kayden Clatt. Back to racing, Gundaker was shuffled back as Erb and Shirley filled out the top four. Pierce was well out front and Ferguson had a sizable advantage in second when Bobby again caught the tail of the pack on lap thirty nine. For the next few laps Pierce had things well in hand, but as lap forty three was scored, Ferguson was closing fast. Pierce was trying to keep his machine in the bottom groove, but Carson managed to poke the nose of his #93 even lower. As the white flag waved the pair raced side by side, and as they entered the final set of turns it looked like Ferguson would seal the deal. So with the large crowd on their collective feet, Pierce slid his ride all the way to the top of turn four and found enough bite to clear Ferguson down the front straightaway for a breathtaking win. Erb Jr., Gundaker, and Tony Jackson Jr. completed the top five. Jake Timm advanced ten positions to finish a weekend best six, while Ryan Unzicker picked up a dozen spots to claim seventh. McKay Wenger, Shirley, and Dylan Thornton rounded out the top ten. As mentioned earlier, it was an unbelievable fifth Slocum 50 title for Pierce, added to his Friday win in the Prelude and a runner up finish Thursday at Cedar County Raceway. So he will now return to the World of Outlaw Late Model series, likely giving up his hefty MARS points lead. 

   Before the excitement of the Late Model finale, both IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars did battle. Twenty laps of Modified action saw Michael Claeys and Denny Eckrich bring the field to green, with Denny jumping to the front. As the veteran driver stretched his margin, an intense three car scrum developed behind him, with Claeys, Chris Zogg, and Sport Mod move up Logan Anderson vying for position. Soon the #32 Skylar Harroun car, driven this night by Carson Ferguson, joined the battle. On lap six, Anderson cleared that group, taking the runner up spot, and began to close on the leader. At the half way mark, Eckrich and Anderson raced side by side, and Logan then charged ahead, soon opening a comfortable lead. Slowly becoming comfortable in the strange ride, Ferguson eased around Eckrich for second just ahead of a lone caution with lap fifteen official. Back to racing, Anderson held on for an emotional win, his third in six tries since moving up to the Mods. Ferguson ran second chased by Eckrich and eighth starting Dustin Wilwert. Claeys won a side by side battle with Blaise Lewis for fifth. 

   The Stock Car turnout was surprisingly light, but still produced an entertaining fifteen lap feature. Kirk Kinsley and John Oliver Jr. brought the field to green, and it was Kinsley getting the jump to the front. Oliver lurked in second, patiently waiting for an opening that never came. Beginning at lap ten, he applied pressure to the veteran Kinsley, and the pair raced nose to tail under the white flag. As the pair entered turns three and four for the final time, Oliver jumped to the high line looking for extra momentum. His gamble failed to pay off, as not only did Kinsley hold on for the win in the non stop event, but Brayton Carter managed to drive underneath Oliver to grab second. Corey Strothman and Austin O'Donnell filled out the remaining spots. 

   Despite less than ideal weather conditions, a large and enthusiastic crowd once again turned out to honor the memory of Brent Slocum and they were rewarded with top notch racing and an on your feet finish. After seventeen seasons, this continues to be a highlight event of the racing season. Thanks once again to Jessi Mynatt, Brad Stevens, and their entire team for their hospitality! Time to catch our breath and begin watching the weather for another full weekend of racing coming up. Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you at the track!

Pierce Preps for a Shot at Five with Prelude to the Slocum Win

    Friday night the MARS Super Late Model mini tour moved south to 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa for the Prelude to the Slocum. $5,000 would be the top prize for the opening night of the popular tribute weekend. Only one "support" class would be in action on the night, with the 305 Sprint Cars, a regular weekly division, vying for $1,055 to win. In case you have been living in a cave, you likely know that Brent Slocum was a popular and successful area racer who tragically lost his life in a pit accident in 2005. Incredibly, it has been nearly twenty years since his passing, but through the efforts of track owners Brad Stevens and Jessi Mynatt as well as the Brent Slocum Foundation they formed, this race has become a "can't miss" event as well as raising funds for many local causes during its seventeen runnings. Over the years, the Late Models have raced under a few different sanctions, and this was the first time since the 2016 season under the MARS umbrella.

   On a day when it would have been easy to cancel, with off and on showers and a biting northwest win, track officials persevered. Indeed, it took thirty minutes or so of dedicated track packing, but when the moisture was worked in we were presented with a fast and amazingly smooth surface that needed no further manicuring during the night!

    Thirty five of the Thursday night Late Models competing at Tipton made the trip south, and with four new additions, there were thirty nine of the high powered machines set to do battle on the high banked three eighths mile clay oval. A surprisingly small field of ten 305 Sprint Cars completed the field in front of a crowd no doubt held down a bit by the less than ideal weather conditions. 

   Time trial qualifying for the MARS cars was split into two groups, and the fourth car out, #22* driven by Pennsylvania youngster Drake Troutman turned a lap of 15.409 seconds to lead group"A." As the track became faster, Thursday quick timer Carson Ferguson, racing out of North Carolina rolled out fifth in Group "B" and circled the oval at 15.136 on his way to another fast time bonus. But the final car out, New Mexico racer Garrett Alberson, driving the Quad Cities based Roberts Motorsports #58, and one of the four "newcomers," blistered the track with a lap of 15.053 for the overall quick time.  

  Four eight lap heat races were again won from the front row, helped along by the "straight up" starts. Troutman, Bobby Pierce, Brian Shirley, and Dennis Erb Jr. were victorious. Those four would redraw to set the first two rows of the 40 lap feature. Two ten lap B mains would then advance only the top two finishers in each. Pole sitter Justin Duty from Molalla, Oregon, and outside row one starter McKay Wenger would capture those checkered flags. The race of the night came in the first of these last chance qualifiers, as Dylan Thornton, who lists Orcutt, California as home, and Iowa racer Matt Furman traded paint and slide jobs in a battle behind Duty. Thornton finally prevailed, with his #38T showing some battle scars afterwards! Two MARS series points provisional starters would then round out the twenty two car starting field.  

   Following a very brief break, all but one of the Sprint Cars lined up for fifteen laps of action. From outside row one, heat two winner Colton Fisher shot to the lead ahead of his row one mate, first heat winner Jeff Wilke. Fisher had opened a commanding lead when his engine appeared to let go with billowing smoke and a few flames as he crossed the line to complete lap six. Tanner Gebhardt was able to move around Wilke on the restart. With close racing behind the leader, Donnie Steward saw his strong run come to an end on lap eleven, again with possible engine woes. Gebhardt was able to build a comfortable lead and cruise to the win. Wilke, McCain Richards, Riley Scott, and Cole Helmerson completed the top five. 

   It was now Late Model time.Troutman and Pierce would lead the field to green, with Drake setting the pace. On lap three, Pierce jumped to the cushion and powered to the front, quickly moving back to the inside line around the oval. The first caution came at lap seven for Justin Reed, who rejoined the field at the tail. Erb Jr. cleared Troutman for second on the restart as Pierce began to stretch his advantage. With most of the field liking the low line, Troutman was pounding the cushion, holding his own, but unable to move forward. Wenger would bring the the next yellow flag with a flat tire sixteen laps in. Back to racing eighth starting Ferguson climbed to fourth and two circuits later Troutman drove around Erb for second ahead of a multi car scrum in turns one and two. Now Erb regained the runner up spot and Shirley shot to fourth. Troutman would bring a caution at lap twenty one, his run over, as his bad luck continued for a second straight night. The final yellow flag waved with twenty seven in the books as Bob Gardner slowed on the track and sixth running Tanner English went to the infield hot pit for a tire change. As the green flag flew for the final laps, Erb made a strong bid for the lead, pulling alongside Pierce. Bobby then went topside once again, found a fast line, and cruised home to the win. With all the cautions, only one of the remaining nineteen cars failed to finish on the lead lap. Erb would stay strong in second, followed by Shirley, Ferguson, and fourteenth starting Shannon Babb. Brandon Sheppard led the second five after a back and forth battle with Alberson and seventeenth starting Duty. Jason Feger and provisional starter Tony Jackson Jr. rounded out the top ten. 

   The win was worth $5,000 for the second generation hot shoe Pierce, but he has his eye on the bigger prize tonight, the coveted Slocum 50, of which he is a four time winner! $10,555 is up for grabs in honor of the  driver of the "High 5". If you are in attendance tonight remember the high five show of hands in the air on lap number five! Modifieds for $1,000 to win and Stock Cars will also be on the card in what should be an awesome show.  

   Thanks to Jessi, Brad and the gang for their hospitality!

  

Sheppard Opens a Big Weekend with MARS Hawkeyeland 40 Win

    Thursday, April 17 was the opening night of a scheduled three night swing through eastern Iowa for the MARS Late Model series. The kickoff for the mini tour came in Tipton at the Cedar County Fairgrounds under the direction of the Darkside Promotions and K Promotions  groups. In addition to the high powered headline class battling for a $5,000 payday, Modifieds would run for a $1,000 top prize, Stock Cars for $750, and Sport Mods for $500 to win. With the dissolving of the MLRA open Late Model Series, the MARS folks have stepped up to the plate in the Hawkeye state. In fact, this event carries the moniker of the Hawkeyeland 40!

   An exceptional turnout of 43 Super Late Models comprised just over half of the 85 car field. Support class attendance was a bit light, but with the threat of rain lurking, it was not unwelcome. And track officials did an excellent job of moving the program along. Hot laps began at 6:30 and even with time trial qualifying for the Late Models, the final checkers waved about 9:42 P.M.! The track smooth and fast, hammer down if you will, but required no tweaking throughout the intermission free program.  

 The Late Models qualified in groups A and B, with the twentieth car out, Carson Ferguson the first and only driver to eclipse the thirteen second mark with an overall fast lap of 12.892 seconds. This top lap was worth an extra $500 for the racer out of North Carolina. The excellent track prep was evident when the final car out in the next round, Brian Shirley, topped group B qualifying with a 13.105 showing around the quick semi banked quarter mile. 

   Only four eight lap heats were contested for the MARS cars qualifying four in each, and with straight up by time starts it was no surprise when only one driver, fifth starting Chad Simpson, advanced from beyond the first two rows. Ferguson, Shirley, and Brandon Sheppard all scored wins from the pole, while Tanner English captured his heat from outside row one. The other three classes used the draw, redraw method, creating a bit more passing opportunities, although the fields were such that all entries in those divisions transferred to their feature. 

   A pair of ten lap B Mains moved the top two in each on to the main event, with Jason Feger and Dylan Thornton victorious. Two series provisional starters would then round out the twenty two car starting grid.

   Sport Mods would be up first in the feature lineup, nine cars for twenty laps. Cole Stichter would charge to the early lead for outside row one ahead of Trey Rock, Brayton Carter and Justin Becker. Carter would move to the runner up spot on lap two. Running low on the track, Stichter would hold about a four car length lead over Carter, who was running a higher line as he searched for speed. Slowing closing the gap, Carter would dive low in turn one on lap thirteen to grab the lead. The only stoppage of the race came with six laps remaining when Brady Hilmer appeared to make contact with another car and do a slow roll off turn four. Back to racing Carter pulled away. Meanwhile Stichter and Becker waged a side by side battle for second. "Speedy Bray" would cruise to the win, with Stichter winning the battle for second ahead of Becker, Levi Heath and Rock.

   With the heat race winners redrawing for the top four spots, Sheppard and Shirley brought the Late Model field to green. But Ferguson powered to the early lead. Lap three saw Sheppard use a high side move to the lead trailed by Ferguson, Shirley and fifth starting Bobby Pierce. With "B Shepp" building a lead while pounding the cushion, Shirley and Pierce moved to the next two spots on lap eight, then Pierce cleared Shirley for second one lap later. A caution flag came for Ryan Unzickers' broken shock mount with ten laps in the books. On the Delaware style restart, Shirley was shuffled back to fifth as Drake Troutman and Ferguson slipped around the #3s. English then joined the battle for third as Sheppard and Pierce pulled away, Sheppard running high and Pierce hugging the low line. Slower traffic came into play about lap twenty. A second and final yellow flag came on lap twenty eight, as Tony Jackson Jr. and Justin Duty got together. English claimed second briefly on the restart before Pierce used a high side move to reclaim the spot. Sheppard continued to run a high line while Pierce and most of the pack hugged the inside line. With lapped traffic again again coming into play Pierce was able to close the gap in the final circuits, but Sheppard held on for the win. Pierce took runner up honors in front of English, Ferguson and Shirley. Ryan Gustin gained six positions to finish sixth trailed by Daniel Adam, twentieth starting Dennis Erb Jr., Feger, and Chad Simpson. 

  With the television hoopla out of the way, seventeen Stock Cars lined up for twenty laps. Pole sitter Tony Olson was followed by Kenny Richards ahead of a lap three caution. With the top two hugging the low line, outside row one starter Kaden Reynolds used a high line to close on the leaders, then dove low to second ahead of a lap five yellow. Back to racing, the top three battled nose to tail, separated from the field. Slower traffic threatened to become a factor as the white flag flew on lap nineteen, but Olson held on for a flag to flag win. Reynolds ran second in front of Richards, Brayton Carter, and John Oliver Jr. 

   Modifieds would round out the night, fifteen strong for twenty five laps. The only caution of the race came on the start as Jed Freiburger came to a stop in turn one. Tom Berry would lead from outside row one ahead of Kyle Montgomery in the opening circuits. As Berry began to stretch his advantage, Ethan Braaksma and Jeff Larson took up the chase on lap five. Berry was cruising as the race hit the mid point, but Braaksma began to quickly cut into the lead with ten laps remaining. Four circuits from the checkers, Berry caught the back of the pack, and when he briefly broke his momentum, Braaksma looked ready to pounce. However Berry would clear the lapper, then hold off Braaksma for the win. Larson came home third, topping Spencer Diercks and California driver Troy Morris III. 

   It was a quality night of racing in front of a late arriving but good sized Thursday night crowd. Thanks to Ryan and Timmy for their hospitality, and to Dr. Al and Ricky for another well prepared racing surface. Tonight we plan to rejoin the MARS stars and cars at Jessi and Brads'  34 Raceway in West Burlington for the $5,000 to win "Prelude to the Slocum." 305 Sprint Cars will also be on the card, hope to see you there!

Olson, LaMar, Woodruff, Montomery, McDermott and Gar - Whoops - Nezworski Top Davenport Opener

    Friday we geared up for what will hopefully be a busy April with our first 2025 visit to Davenport Speedway. It was the season opener in year number two for promoter and part time racer Jeff Struck. A full six division card of IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, Outlaw Street Stocks, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and 4 Cylinder cars made for an entertaining night of racing under cool conditions. Even though a double line of trucks and trailers stretched on to Locust Street when we arrived an hour before hot laps, the ladies at the pit shack somehow managed to get all 109 race teams checked in in time for hot laps to fire off right as scheduled at 6:30. And other than a couple of small glitches including a cranky scoreboard, opening night clicked off in mid season form. 

   With a top of twenty five entries in both Modified classes, no B mains were run, and the fourteen heat races clicked off in ninety minutes. The track packer made a couple passes between some of the qualifiers to help widen out the surface, but following a brief fifteen minute break there were no delays between the main events.

   IMCA Sport Mods came to the track first, dueling for fifteen laps. There was some attrition in this division, with only twenty cars taking the green flag. Heat two winner Tony Olson redrew the pole position and immediately shot to a sizable lead ahead of Ryan Reed and Levi Laymon. About six laps in (during a scoreboard malfunction!), a pair of yellow flags were followed by Laymon using the Delaware style restart to move to second while Reed was shuffled back in the pack. Olson was cruising coming to the white flag when a final yellow flag set up a green, white checkers shootout. Another shuffle up front saw first heat winner Cole Suckow take over the runner up slot, but Olson stayed in control for the win. Laymon, Josh Starr, and Kyle Hoffman completed the first five.   

   IMCA Hobby Stocks turned out an impressive seventeen cars, with all lining up for a dozen laps around the quick quarter mile. A lap one spin sent front runners Carson Butt and Daniel Wauters to the tail for the restart. Second heat victor Matt Bennett then assumed the lead ahead of another caution one lap in. Back under green, Bennett saw his good run end as he suddenly slowed and exited the track on lap five. Randy LaMar, who had lined up in row eight now grabbed the top spot with Nick Proehl in hot pursuit. Although he continued to apply pressure, Proehl would settle for second behind the hard charging LaMar. Wauters climbed back through the field to finish third ahead of heat one winner Jason Schutterle and Sheldon Hunter. 

   Only eleven of the fourteen Outlaw Street Stocks made the call for fifteen laps. Cary Brown led the pack early battling side by side with Landen Chrestensen. Following a lap six caution Rob Nylin took up the chase as Brown, Nylin and Blake Woodruff pulled away from the field. With eleven laps scored, Woodruff used a successful slide job in turn four to grab the lead, and a final caution came one lap later. Nylin drove to second on the restart, but the checkers would be for Woodruff. Heat two winner Jesse Owen gained five positions to finish third in front of Brown and Andrew Burk. 

   Twenty laps would be the distance for the IMCA Modifieds, and all twenty five came to the track. A turn one collision on the opening lap created the longest delay of the night, and again the yellow flag waved on the next try. Finally getting started, Kyle Montgomery and Kaity Sample, Winnemucca, Nevada paced the field, with Sample leading laps two through five before slowing and pulling to the infield on lap six. At the same time the caution came out for Spencer Diercks, who suffered heavy body damage in an altercation. Back under green, Kurt Kile took up the chase, battling for second with Logan Veloz in a three car breakaway. Veloz moved around Kile and began a tight duel with Montgomery before a pair of cautions at laps thirteen and fifteen. Back to racing, Veloz attempted a slider on the leader out of turn four, but Montgomery was able to cross him over to hold the lead. Veloz suddenly left the track in turn one while twelfth starting Charlie Mohr shot to the runner up position. But Montgomery would hold serve the rest of the way, with heat winners Derek Thompson and Matt Werner edging Kile to round out the top five. 

   4 Cylinders turned out the smallest car count at eleven, with only nine left come feature time. Travis Hawkins jumped out front, with heat two winner Shawn McDermott moving in to challenge as the race passed the halfway mark. Approaching the final circuit, Hawkins got out of shape, the caution flag waved, and Hawkins went to the tail of the field. Dustin Munn challenged McDermott briefly, but at the line it was McDermott, Dustin Forbes, Munn, and first heat winner Jason Rhoads. Michael Grossman crossed the line in fifth, but failed post race tech, turning fifth over to Nolan Morrow. 

  For the night cap, it was fifteen IMCA Late Models doing battle. Dave Wadsager had smacked a ute tire in turn three during hot laps to end his night. Travis Denning finished third in the first heat, but redrew the outside pole position. But when the cars came to the track, the #56D would not fire off, and Denning needed a push back to the pits, taking out a top contender. The field was crisscrossed and Bryce Garnhart took advantage to power to the early lead. As the field shuffled behind him, Garnhart, the heat two winner, opened a sizable advantage over second running Jake Morris, Andy Nezworski, Evan Miller, and first heat victor Matt Ryan. Three times the yellow flag would wave with four laps scored, the final one eliminating Mitch Morris and Scott Strauss. When Nezworski cleared Jake Morris on lap seven Garnhart was again well out front, and he continued to build his lead. With no more stoppages, the #3 had about a half track advantage when the checkers fell. And he was doing his post race interview as we headed for the parking lot just after 10:30. But checking official results as we made our Kwik Star coffee stop just south of town, the leader board showed Nezworski with the win! A check this morning found Bryce had been fifteen pounds light at the scales after the victory lane festivities. So the final rundown became Nezworski with the win followed by Ryan, Morris, Miller, and Cruz Birkhofer. Joel Callahan advance nine spots to run sixth ahead of Jesse Bodin, Ryan Claeys, Broderick Prescott, and Anthony Guss. 

   Thanks go out to Jeff Struck and the helpful ladies at the pit shack for an entertaining night at the track! Racing is finally in full swing and things are warming up, so get to the track and maybe we will see you there!