In a season ravaged by numerous rain outs, Quincy Raceways arrived at championship night under perfect conditions. Bright sunshine gave way to cool temps and a large crowd turned out for close, competitive racing with bragging rights on the line. Also an on track "meet and greet" at intermission was an added bonus.
A couple of late arrivals swelled the car count to seventy eight for the six division program, with double digit counts in all classes.
Time trial qualifying set heat race lineups for the UMP Pro Crate and Modified cars, topped by Tommy Elston in the Lates at 14.585 and Mods by Kenny Wallace at 14.694. It was a rough start to the night for a couple of track regulars. Joey Gower appeared to lose an engine in his Modified, and in the Late Model class, number two points driver Jackson Frankel suffered a night long DQ following hot laps due to a reported technical issue under the hood. Sam Halstead then graciously loaned his ride to Frankel for the evening.
A dozen heat races set the feature fields with much on the line.
Twelve IMCA Sport Mods were able to take the feature green for fifteen laps. First heat winner A. J. Tournear took off from the pole position with third starting Kyler Girard in pursuit. Heat two winner Logan Cumby soon joined them in a three car breakaway despite a dangling spoiler as he bounced off the concrete barricades. The race stayed clean and green until after the white flag waved, followed by a quick yellow. But the one lap shootout would not change the order, as Tournear hung on for a flag to flag win, his first of 2025. Girard held off Cumby for second, followed by Tanner Klingele and Reed Wolfmeyer. It was announced that there was a tie atop the points chart with the winner to be determined by feature wins, and as of this writing I have not heard the outcome. Edit: Kyler Girard captured the points title.
Next up it was Street Stock time, with only nine of the eleven cars lining up for fifteen circuits. Following a yellow flag on the initial start, Rudy Zaragoza took off ahead of Jacob Rexing. As lap three was scored Rexing was out front and as visiting Nick Justice moved to second Rexing had opened a commanding lead. Another caution would come with six laps to go, but it was just a minor disturbance for Rexing, who cruised to the win. Justice came home second ahead of points champion Jake Powers, Eddie Dieker and Zaragoza.
A dozen Modifieds came to the track for twenty laps. After a major crash last race night Justin Reed was driving what I assume was a new to him #B4, and he powered quickly to the lead from outside row one. After a lap one caution, Reed took off, pounding the cushion in turns one and two while dipping to the low line at the other end of the .29 mile oval. As he lengthened his lead, Dave Weitholder slipped around Wallace in a spirited battle for second. The yellow flag would wave a final time with four circuits remaining, But Reed was too strong, capturing both the feature win and the track title. Weitholder, Wallace and Chase Holland came next, with Rick Conoyer nipping double duty Rexing for fifth.
A nice field of fifteen Late Models checked in with fourteen starting the twenty five lap money race including Jackson Frankel in the #84. The yellow flag would fly on the start as Frankie Wellman and Frankel got together on the front stretch. As the field lined back up, Darin Weisinger Jr. ducked to the infield, his run over without a lap scored. Pole sitter Elston jumped out front with third starting Denny Woodworth in pursuit. Three laps in the caution came as Benet Duesterhaus rolled to a stop. Back to racing Elston catfished around the bottom of the track, widening his lead. With a dozen laps counted, the yellow waved as cars spun at each end of the track. This proved to be dramatic, as back to racing, visiting Dakota Ewing, who had been hanging around behind the leaders suddenly powered past both Woodworth and Elston in turns three and four. Woodworth was also able to clear Elston, but once out front Ewing drove away to a full straightaway advantage. With no more stops, Ewing sailed to the victory. Elston slipped around Woodworth at the checkers for second, while Jamie Wilson and Wellman completed the top five. Rickey Frankel III, Jeffrey Delonjay, Jason Oenning, Robby Warner and Jackson Frankel would round out the top ten. Woodworth, who leads the UMP Pro Crate national point chase picked up the track title for 2025.
All but one of the fourteen Dirtcar 4 Cylinders lined up for fifteen laps. Points leader and eventual champion Jay Kunce sat on row one with another visitor, Cole Reed. As Kunce slipped back on the start, Reed charged ahead with Matthew Mackey close behind. Joined by Matt Mackey, an entertaining three car battle ensued. The race stayed green, and with just two laps remaining, Matthew drove low around the leader. But the yellow would fly before the lap was counted, putting Reed back out front. Reed then held off the Mackeys for the win, with Matthew second and Matt in third. Kunce crossed the line fourth while Devin Harrell rounded out the top five.
Twelve laps of Crown Vic racing would cap off the night. Eight of the ten cars signed in did battle, with Jake Etter leading from flag to flag for the win and the track championship.Alex Hatfield took runner up honors over Trevor Hagerbaumer, Brian Kaylor and Isaac Little.
Thanks as always to Jeff, Renee and their crew for their hospitality. Although point titles are settled, Sunday night racing will continue, so check the track website and Facebook for more info.
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