A Legend Lives on: Another Shiverfest in the Books

    For the 26th season, 27 if you count the "Grand Millennium Finale of 1999, it was Shiverfest time at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. For many of those years this event was indeed the final race program in the mid west. Now, of course racing continues sporadically into November, capped off with the three day Dome extravaganza in St. Louis sometime in December. In fact, there is now a similar event a few hours north on this very weekend. Still this Saturday family friendly program here in southeast Iowa has become a "can't miss" event for many, myself included. In addition it is the final race night for promoter Neal Kohlmorgan. Hay rack rides through the pits, on track trick or treating, and lots of racing make for a fun time for all. And part of being family friendly includes affordable pricing without the burden of big payoffs, giving drivers of all budgets the opportunity to be competitive.

   A very solid field of one hundred and thirty cars came through the gate in the seven divisions on the card, led by thirty four Stock Cars and thirty one Sport Mods. Starting right at the advertised time of 6:00 for hot laps, the first of seventeen heat races rolled off at 6:33 and were completed in good time with minimal yellow flags. Things then got a bit confusing, at least from the spectator side. For those two largest classes, it was announced repeatedly that the top five from the four heat races would transfer to the feature with a top three redraw and one B main with the top four moving on. However there seemed to be mass confusion as the Stock Car B came to the track. Also, the fifth place finishers from the heats were in the lineup, which took quite a while to form up. Only seven lined up for the Sport Mod last chance and they were then pulled off the track with the announcement that all would move on to the feature?

   Anyway, with all this finally put to bed, it was time for feature racing. Late Models came first, with only seven cars having been checked in for the night. 

  Ray Raker and heat winner Andy Nezworski sat on row one, but it was third starting Tommy Elston blasting through to lead the opening lap. Raker and Nezworski battled side by side for second before Andy took command of the position on lap three. By then Elston had driven well ahead and soon Nezworski also gained separation from the field. By the mid point Elston had a full straightaway advantage, and with no yellows to slow the action, Tommy charged to a dominating win. Nezworski cruised to the runner up finish followed by Jason Oenning, who waged a close early battle for third, Dustin Smith in the Boles #4B entry, Raker and Ron Boyse. Only Mark Burgtorf failed to complete the twenty laps. 

    Fifteen laps would be the distance for the eleven Hobby Stockers. A pair of yellow flags shuffled the field before lap one was scored. Tom Killen Jr. shot out front from the pole position chased by fifth starting Jake Wenig and row four starter Dustin Griffiths who was advanced one row before the first official lap. Griffiths cleared Wenig for second ahead of another caution with four in the books. Back to racing Griffiths charged to the front with a final yellow flag just prior to halfway. Wenig grabbed second on the Delaware Style restart. Wenig and Killen then dueled for second as Griffiths remained in control to score the victory. Wenig won the battle for second in front of Killen Jr., Cody Staley and tenth starting Jared Miller.

   The American Iron Racing Series eighteen car fifteen lap event was an entertaining back and forth duel between Tracy Quigley and Bruce Yoerger, as they swapped the lead after lining up in row one. Quigley emerged with an emotional win over Yoerger, Wesley Jones, twelfth starting Bart Miller and Owen Hayes.  

   The normally well behaved Stock Cars had some trouble early, with a pair of cautions on the opening circuit, including a major pile up exiting turn four and a second scrum that eliminated Jason See and Scott Walker. This was in addition to top contender John Oliver Jr. who scratched from his row five starting slot. Back under green, it was front row starters Derrick Agee and Oshkosh, Wisconsin visitor Presley Harrington leading the way. Meanwhile sixth starting David Brandies was pounding the cushion even as Agee worked the inside line and Harrington searched low and in the middle groove. Agee would then move up the track before the top three settled  on the bottom. With Agee and Harrington pulling ahead, Brandies soon had to contend with tenth starting double duty Dustin Griffiths. As the race passed the halfway point Griffiths climbed the ladder in an attempt to overtake the three front runners. Slower traffic came into play with about four laps remaining, Agee moved up from the bottom, and Griffiths sneaked to the inside to grab the lead. As the leaders sliced through the lapped cars, Agee looped his #14 in turns one and two to bring a caution flag. It was decided that he had "help" spinning out, so he was lined back up in the runner up position. A final yellow flag waved on the restart, and Harrington headed to the pits, his top three run ended with front suspension damage. Griffiths held on for his second feature checkers of the night. Agee settled for second ahead of a late charge by Nathan Ballard and Jason Cook, with Brandies falling to fifth. 

   All thirteen Modifieds came to the three eighths mile oval for twenty laps. With Austen Becerra sitting on the pole, this one looked like an easy pick 'em. Austen would indeed lead all twenty non stop laps to score the win. Vance Wilson, wheeling a blue #2 machine would take the green alongside Becerra and hold off double duty Mark Burgtorf  in a battle of veteran hot shoes before Mark drove by in the Baker #03B on lap seven. Becerra had a half track lead by the time he caught the tail of the field at the mid point of the race. He would move quickly and efficiently around the slower cars, cruising to the win. Burgtorf would come home second while eighth starting Chris Spalding, another two class competitor, charged to third. Kurt Kile would ease past Wilson at the checkers for fourth. 

   In all too typical fashion, six caution flags would mar the B Mod/ Sport Mod twenty lapper. Sean Wyett would jump to the point from his pole start ahead of Chris Spalding, Brandon Dale and Tim Plummer. With a pair of yellows six laps in, Becerra, driving the Brandon Lambert #14L and starting tenth, moved to third. Wyett began to stretch his lead as the laps clicked past half way and Becerra closed in on Spalding for second. A caution at lap eleven spelled the end of the night for Plummer. Back under green Becerra faded a bit and Dale began to apply pressure to the leader. Lap after lap they raced with Dale pulling ahead high off turn two but Wyett finding a bite down low to regain the lead down the back stretch. Three times the yellow flag would wave with just two laps remaining, the final one ending a late charge by fourth running Tanner Klingele, who spun his #73K. Dale took one last shot on the restart, but it was Wyett scored out front all twenty laps for the win. Dale came next while Becerra rebounded in third. Dakota Girard claimed fourth, and rookie Bryson Eckrich drove a steady race to gain four spots and record a top five sporting the familiar #56.  

   With many of the well chilled faithful headed for the gates, all but two of the sixteen Sport Compacts came trackside for fifteen laps. Following a yellow flag on the start for a turn one scrum, the leaders raced four wide into that same corner, bumpin' and bangin' all the way! Chevy Barnes emerged out front as the first circuit was recorded. Dyllan Bonk, in a "borrowed" #32 moved from a row three start to second on lap two ahead of another stoppage. Back to racing, pole sitter Jeff Delonjay restarted in third but charged to the lead, with Bonk also clearing Barnes to hang on to second. As the front two pulled away, there was a tight four car tussle for third before Barnes smacked the turn four guardrail then rolled to a stop, losing a tire off the #13C. Although it looked as though Delonjay was out front when the yellow came out, Bonk was scored the surprise ( even to him!) leader. From there he increased his margin all the way to the final checkers. Delonjay took runner up honors while Kimberly Abbott had a strong run in third, besting Alex Hayes and Josh Barnes. 

   The final event of the LCS 2025 season ended about 11:30, as another Shiverfest went in the books. Thanks as always to Neal and his crew for their hospitality all year long, and as it seems this will be his final season of promoting, we wish him well, even as we eagerly anticipate what comes next at the storied fairgrounds oval. Meanwhile, we look forward hopefully to another race or two before we close out season number seventy of chasing cars going in circles!

Feger, Conoyer and the Ewing Boys Top Illinois Fall Nationals

   It had been four years since my last trip to the Illinois Fall Nationals in Lincoln, Il. Checking the weather and our weekend commitments, we were able to line up for night one, Friday, of the two day event to mark the end of the UMP points season. The quarter mile track on the Logan County Fairgrounds is one of those popular Illinois "bullrings." Opening night would feature four classes, Super Late Models,  Pro Crate Late Models, Modifieds and Pro Modifieds, each running a full show.

  As it turns out our decision was a wise one, as the Saturday finale was canceled during the action on Friday based on the high possibility of rain. My how things have changed over the years, but that is a topic for another day!

   A solid field of one hundred and ten entries made for a full night of racing in front of a late arriving group of enthusiastic supporters. Four of the Pro Crate Late Model competitors also signed in to Super Late action with varying degrees of success, several Modified drivers also doubled up.

   We were in the heart of UMP country, which meant time trial qualifying for all divisions. Springfield, Ill. veteran Jake Little topped the Supers, with a lap of 12.981 seconds around the quarter mile, about a second and a half faster than the 14.542 turned by double duty Dakota Ewing in the Crates. Collin Alexander was overall fastest of the thirty four Modifieds at 14.428 while Drake Compton broke the track record for Pro Mods, besting the thirty two racers at 15.021 seconds.  

   With no delays, heat race action rolled off quickly, setting the feature fields for the twenty six Super and eighteen Crate Late Models, while it took a pair of B mains to pare down the two Mod classes for their main events. It was during the final Pro Mod semi that a crash in turn three resulted in one driver being transported to the local hospital, and with no further condition updates we will leave it up to track officials to make any announcements, however he was said to be alert. 

   I am not certain if Lincoln has a curfew as the track sits on the edge of a neighborhood, but the very informative announcer mentioned several times that the program needed to hurry along, the Pro Late Models lined up on the half mile "horse track" during the accident delay, and with no intermission   (much to our delight!), all eighteen cars came to the track for twenty laps.

   Heat winners Ewing and Brandon Sweitzer led a group of four cars battling side by side and nose to tail, with Swietzer leading the opening lap before Ewing took command on lap two. The only caution came with three laps scored as Jeremy Nichols had issues off turn two. Although the track was tacky and racy throughout, the high side seemed to be the place to be, and back under green, Ewing and Sweitzer pulled away on that top line. As slower traffic became a factor about lap thirteen, Ewing was able to gain a bit of separation and even when that traffic became heavy, they stayed mostly in the inside line allowing the leaders to whistle by on the top. With no further delays, Ewing cruised to the win, his seventh in seven tries at the track this season! (He was also three for three at Quincy this season as he captured the UMP national title.)  Sweitzer followed in second ahead of Chad Osterhoff, Chris Dick and Colby Sheppard. Ryan Miller gained four positions to sixth, topping Jason Oenning, Erik Vanapeldoorn, Jacob Doolan and Chase Wilson. 

   The UMP Modified field was a stacked one, as Brian Lynn and Kenny Wallace brought twenty five cars to the green for twenty five laps. Lynn led the first circuit as fifth starting Rick Conoyer charged to the runner up spot. Both of the #14 cars gained separation on those behind, with Conoyer closing the gap on lap six. With Lynn racing the preferred high line, Conoyer sneaked by on the low side to grab the lead on lap eight. Lynn fought back and with that duo racing side by side the first of  two quick yellows came with nine laps in the books. The restart saw a group of three tangle in turn one, then back to racing Conoyer and Lynn again drove off from the pack. Wallace, Ray Bollinger and Frank Marshall waged a tight three car battle for third before a final yellow flag slowed the race with eleven laps down. Wallace briefly grabbed the runner up spot following the Delaware Style restart, but Lynn quickly recovered and took up the chase. Again the race was for third, as Conoyer lengthened his lead, driving high on the inside berm in turns three and four. Bollinger took command of the fight for third on lap twenty one. Traffic came into play just a pair of circuits from the checkers, but Conoyer had no problems, driving home to a convincing win. Lynn settled for second in front of Bollinger, Wallace and Marshall. The second five was paced by Alexander over Austin Lynn, Tyler Loughmiller, Austin Simpson and sixteenth starting Ken Schrader. John Toppozini made the haul from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, earning hard charger honors, advancing twelve positions to finish eleventh. 

   Super Lates came next with all except Jose Parga coming to the oval for thirty laps and a $2,000 payday. Jake Little sat on the pole, but it was his row one mate Jason Feger grabbing the point. Living up to his "Highside Hustler" nickname, the UMP national champion widened his lead before hitting heavy back of the pack traffic on lap seven. He then was forced down the track, weaving in and out of the slower cars racing for positions. But Little now had his hands full of hometown driver Myles Moos, as the three heat winners led the way. Moos cleared Little for second on lap eleven, one circuit ahead of the only caution of the event as Blaze Burwell looped his #44 in what seemed a rather treacherous turn three. On the restart Little regained second while twelfth starting Ewing had his crate engine wound up, jumping into the top five. Feger once again rode the high line before catching the tail of the field on lap nineteen. The crowed conditions gave Little another chance, and as lap twenty six was scored, he was bumper to bumper with Feger. But he could not mount a further challenge, as Jason worked the traffic with precision to score the hard fought victory. Behind the tumbling dice #25 it was Little, Moos, McKay Wenger and Ewing. Chase Osterhoff ran sixth, besting Brayton Wallace. Zach Taylor finished where he started in eighth ahead of Tommy Sheppard Jr. and Ryan Little. The hard luck award goes to Daniel Adam, who was battling for the first heat win when he spun in the final set of turns, finishing last. Lining up twenty fifth in the feature, he gained thirteen spots to finish in twelfth.

   The victory lane festivities were postponed until racing was complete as the Pro Mods came to the track for twenty laps. Following an early caution, we made the decision to begin the two and a half hour plus trip towards home, hoping to avoid the promised rain showers (we did!). My Race Pass shows Dalton Ewing collecting the final 2025 checkers at Lincoln while Bret Eilerman moved up eight spots to second over Blake Carroll, Cody Sale and Garett Schumacher. Matt Milner was sixth in front of hard charger Aaron Canterberry, who advanced eleven spots, topping Brady Reed, Alex Cygan and Taryn Page.  

   Although they do not have a scoreboard proper, the large electronic lap counter on the front straight along with an excellent P.A. system are a huge help at this bullring track. Many thanks to the Lincoln Speedway staff for their hospitality, with a special shout out to the very helpful young lady at the ticket booth. One of the fun things about venturing from home is the people you meet and the stories they tell. One of those folks sitting in our section was the daughter of well known former racer "Jungle" Jim Davison, as she shared some fun stuff about her years growing up at the track. 

   We will now set our sights on one of our "can't miss" events, Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson next Saturday, October 25. Here's hoping for continued good weather and maybe no "shivers" this year! 

 

Downs Dirt Classic a Rousing Success

    For the 100th anniversary of Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, those in charge went back in time. Dirt was brought in, covering the inside quarter mile for a one time series of events showcasing different divisions of cars for each of the several programs. On Saturday it was Late Model time, as special dirt series promoters Rick and Corey Dripps brought in the Karl Chevrolet Pro Late Models racing for a $3,500 top prize. This night two of the weekend dubbed the "Downs Dirt Classic" also featured Johnny Spaw Race Cars IMCA Stock Cars, Advantage Chassis Sport Mods, Mod Lites and the A.I.R.S. vintage series.

   With so many memories of great racing at the legendary half mile dirt facility, the opportunity to momentarily step back in time made the two and one half hour trip an easy decision. If my memory is correct, I have attended only one or two events at "the Downs" since the asphalt replaced the dirt in 1989. Obviously I was not alone in my choice, as one hundred and thirty nine race teams came to compete before what can only be described as a huge crowd measured in thousands. The main concrete pit area was packed with another fifty or so spilling into the overflow pit area. 

   Despite the obvious challenges presented, hot laps started a bit ahead of the 6:00 advertised time on the prime Iowa black dirt surface. It took nineteen qualifying events to set the feature fields although the A.I.R.S. twelve lap main event ran ahead of a pair of Late Model B mains.  

   Twelve laps would be the distance as all but four of the twenty seven vintage cars lined up. Domanic McNabb would grab the early lead from the pole position and hold off challenges from first his row one mate Leighton Potter, then from lap two on Robin Atkins. A pair of yellow flags with eight laps scored would be the only thing slowing the winner. Leighton held on for third trailed by tenth starting Bart Miller and Tracy Quigley.

   A bit of track work was all that was needed as once again all but four of the twenty six Sport Mods came to the track for twenty laps. Five caution periods would mar the event, evenly spaced throughout. Tony Olson sat on the pole, beating outside row one starter Austin Kemp to turn one. Three times the yellow flag would fly in the first six circuits, each time Olson would drive away from the field on the restart.  Following the third caution Brady Hilmer and row three starter Jason Roth would find there way to second and third. Roth would claim the runner up spot following another stoppage with nine in the books. Roth was able to stay with the leader in what now became a two car battle. The front pair caught the back of the pack with just three laps remaining giving Roth a chance to pounce, but a final caution gave Olson a clear track. The T23 would then pull away for the flag to flag win. Roth settled for second, chased by Hilmer, fifteenth starting Brett Thomas and Kemp. 

   Mod Lites turned out twenty cars with just a pair not making the call for fifteen laps. Dan Keltner jumped out front from the pole while fifth starting RJ Gonzales moved to second. As those two quickly put distance on the pack, Gonzales would be scored in front as they ran side by side to complete lap three. Keltner was back on top one lap later as that duo stretched their advantage to a full straightaway. The first caution would come with five laps to go, and on the restart Colby Oberembt would lose a tire on the front stretch, bringing a second and final yellow. Once again it was Keltner and Gonzales driving off. Ben George had lined up outside row eight, restarted in fifth and quickly powered to third. Meanwhile the two leaders waged a thrilling side by side, lap after lap duel. At the checkers it was Keltner in front by a half car length over Gonzales. George ran third topping Brandon Cox and Garrett Barber. 

   The IMCA Stock Cars needed a B main to whittle their twenty seven car field, and with one scratch twenty three took the green flag for twenty laps. Double duty Tony Olson charged from inside row two to pace lap one. As the pack entered turn three the next time around, second running Dave McCalla got sideways, triggering a multi car scrum. Back under green Olson worked the high line while fifth starting Gage Neal chased using the inside line. Another two class standout, Dallon Murty closed quickly on the leaders, and six laps in they caught up to Bronson Spaw, running behind after having issues earlier. Trapped in the high line, Olson was overtaken by both Neal and Murty. One lap before the half way mark the red flag would be displayed as Bob Ahrendsen left the track, clearing the temporary Jersey barriers in turn one, landing on the paved half mile. He appeared uninjured and soon we were back to racing. Murty was now chasing Neal around the top side of the oval. With three circuits left, Murty appeared ready to drive under Neal in turn three when the yellow flag was displayed a final time. Dallon elected the outside for the Delaware Style restart, then executed a slider on Neal to grab the point. Murty, Neal and Olson would charge down the back chute three wide, but this race belonged to Murty. Neal and Olson came next while Kaden Reynolds made a late charge to finish fourth. Kyle Olson would complete the top five. 

   An outstanding group of forty Pro Late Models signed in, and it took five heat races and a pair of B mains to set the twenty four car starting grid. The drivers drew for their heat race starting spots, then passing points were used to qualify eighteen for the main event. Three cars from each B completed the field while the top four in passing points apparently redrew for their spot in the first two rows. Dallon Murty pulled the number one and he paced lap one followed by third starting C J Horn and fifth starting Nick Marolf. While the track had remained racy all night, the inside line now proved the fast way around, and the leaders all set up in that low groove. By lap eight slower traffic came into play lined up nose to tail, and Murty decided to move up the track. This left the door open for Horn, and the third generation driver took over the lead with Marolf following in second. Exiting turn two on lap eleven, Horn momentarily found himself off the track, falling to third behind Marolf and Travis Smock before recovering in third. Marolf was happy to freight train in the low line behind the back of the pack as the laps clicked off. Twice the caution flag would be displayed with just six laps remaining. With clear track ahead, Marolf now cruised to the win, picking up a cool $3,500 for his efforts. Smock was strong in second, besting Murty on the podium. Horn, whose grandfather Fred is a local legend, claimed fourth while Luke Goedert rounded out the top five. Bobby Hansen made a late charge to sixth after a row six start chased by Jerry King in the Jeff Aikey #77. Sean Johnson gained eleven positions to come home eighth and Eric Pollard and Matt Ryan completed the top ten. 

   The efficiently run program was completed around 10:00 P.M. The entire undertaking has surely been a monumental task that could not have turned out better. Special thanks to the Dripps family for their hospitality! There is still one more event on the calendar, as the IMCA Modifieds will be back in action next Saturday with special guest Ken Schrader joining the competition. Dirt at the Downs has been billed as a one time thing, but perhaps no one anticipated how successful it would be!

    

Quincy Raceways Wraps It Up For 2025

    On another warm Sunday afternoon, Quincy Raceways said "goodbye" to a successful 2025 season with a six division program. Starting one hour earlier with mid summer like temps along with a stiff breeze created some dust issues early, but several extra watering sessions and a setting sun left us with a racy track come feature time. The car count was on the low side, so despite continuing good weather it may be time to look ahead to 2026.

   The first full season of the Crown Vic class should be deemed a success, and they led off feature racing with a twelve lap event. Season points champ Jake Etter lined up on the pole position, pacing the field early while being stalked by his row one mate Alex Hatfield. As the leaders exited turn four on lap five, Hatfield suddenly slowed with a flat tire, creating a bottleneck of pursuers as the yellow flag waved. Back to racing it was heat winner Jacob Jones taking up the chase, but Etter remained in control to pick up the win. Matt Little came home third ahead of Braxton Dieker and Josh Little. Announcer Doug Mealy revealed that Etter will be moving up to the Limited Mod class next year, a perfect outcome for a "starter" class. 

   Devin Harrell paced lap one of the 4 Cylinder fifteen lapper. One lap later, seventh starting Jaden Delonjay charged to second. Jaden went upside down last week in his #3, pulled one of the #32 machines out of the garage only to have it quit in the heat race. With the gremlins worked out, he then staged a great back and forth battle with Harrell, finally taking the lead for good on lap six. As he then stretched his lead, heat winner Dyllan Bonk cleared Harrell for second with four laps to go and began to reel in the leader. But with the race going caution free, he ran out of time, crossing the line in the runner up spot behind Delonjay. Harrell finished third in front of Kimberly Abbott and Matthew Brogdon. 

   Street Stocks also went fifteen laps. In an interesting twist, point champion Jake Powers and Eddie Dieker switched rides for the night, with Jake in the Wes Mayfield owned #00 and Eddie in Powers' #0. They would share the front row, swapping the lead ahead of a yellow flag with two laps scored. Again each led a lap before the caution came again with four in the books. As racing resumed it was Powers out front while heat winner Rudy Zaragoza eased around Dieker for second. A final caution came just past the half way mark, but Powers drove off to a convincing win, incredibly his first of the season at QR. Zaragoza took second followed by Dieker, Brandon Boden and Kyle Weisenberger. 

   According to his Facebook post, Tommy Elston had plans to attend a concert today. But when it was cancelled, he loaded up and headed to Q.R. That proved a wise decision, as he walked off with the Pro Late Model twenty lapper, making him two for two features this weekend in his brand new #54. With the race going non stop, he methodically opened more than a full straightaway lead over fast timer and heat winner, 2025 champion Denny Woodworth. Jason Oenning edged Jeffrey Delonjay in a close battle for third chased by Frankie Wellman and Sam Halstead. The night was a short one for Jamie Wilson who left the track behind the wrecker during time trials. 

   Fifteen laps would be the distance for the UMP Modifieds. Heat winner Dave Weitholder and fast qualifier Austen Becerra lined up in row one, crossing the stripe in a near dead heat as lap one was scored. Lap two belonged to Weitholder ahead of a yellow flag. The two veterans drove off in a two car battle, Weitholder working the low line while Becerra pounded the high side. With eight laps remaining Austen was able to sneak inside the #05 and grab the lead. With the race seemingly in hand, the caution came as third running Lane Huff clipped an inside tire in turns one and two sending his car at a nearly 90 degree angle before coming back down on its' wheels. Surprisingly he was able to continue. Becerra held on following a single file restart, collecting the win. Weitholder topped Shawn Deering, Huff and Kirkland Cunningham behind Becerra. 

   The final race of the season saw eleven B Mods come to the track for fifteen laps. Fast timer and first heat winner Drake Stevenson sat on the pole with heat two winner double duty Weitholder alongside. Weitholder continued to cat fish around the bottom of the track while Stevenson worked up top of the .29 mile oval. Drake maintained a slim lead with Dave pulling even with five laps to go. With a slower car to negotiate, Weitholder eased ahead the next time around while first time Quincy visitor Brody Mosher took advantage to join the front runners. As the final checkers flew, it was Weitholder, Stevenson, Mosher, Tanner Klingele and visiting Jake Allen filling out the top five. 

   Quincy Raceways owners Jeff and Renee Delonjay will embark on a new chapter at the speedway in 2026 with a switch to Friday night racing with Sunday as a rain date. Once again I want to thank them for their hospitality all season long.

   Up next for yours truly will be this coming Friday night back at Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa for night number one of the Harvest Hustle with big money on the line for the six regular classes. Hope to see you there!

    

Bacon Brings it Home at Hawkeye Nationals

    Lee County Speedway in Donnellson roared back to life on Friday with night number one of the first of a pair of consecutive two race weekends. This weekend would feature Poweri 410 Sprints both nights, the action dubbed the "Hawkeye Nationals." The Friday card also included Pro Crate Late Models, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts. The Sprint car field was a strong collection of thirty three top 410 competitors battling on yet another beautiful early fall evening. Unfortunately the car count was disappointing in the other divisions, however the Sprint Car heavy grandstands I would think went home more than pleased with what they witnessed. Those stands seemed a bit bare as hot lap time approached, and with Central Lee High School Homecoming football just a few miles down the road one might have been concerned. But it was a late arriving crowd that became a solid gathering on this October Friday night.

    Poweri hot laps came first, and as each of the four sessions finished, they then staged in the infield, qualifying immediately after. Although timing one at a time, the efficiency of the tour officials shown through and the process went off quickly. Fremont, Ohio racer Sean Rayhall was quickest with a lap of 13.105 seconds, and a quick calculation by Google translated that into an average speed of about 103 miles per hour!

   With hot laps for the other three classes complete, it was heat race time for the Sprints. A four car invert set the line ups for the eight lap events. Hank Davis, Riley Goodno and Joe B. Miller all picked up wins from the pole position while Brady Bacon claimed heat four from outside row one. 

   It took just one heat each to set the lineups for the other classes, then a bit of track work ahead of a single stacked twelve lap B main for the 410s. Xavier Doney would lead the top six feature transfers in a race that saw the first competition yellow flag of the night. Gage Montgomery would take a provisional starting spot for the feature, giving us a twenty three car starting grid for the main event. 

   The tire barriers in the turns were than pushed in and this low groove was then manicured ahead of feature racing. Again the Sprints would be up first, and it was twenty five laps of  "edge of your seat" action! The finishing and passing points preliminary racing found Roger Crockett and Rayhall sharing the front row. Crocket paced lap one ahead of Rayhall while fifth starting Bacon and his row three mate Clinton Boyles followed. Rayhall moved to the front one lap later while fourth starting Emerson Axsom rebounded to fourth. As Rayhall, Crockett and Bacon pulled away from the pack, Bacon used a turn four slider to move to second on lap seven. Now on the charge, Aaron Reutzel powered to third one lap later. Heading down the backstretch in heavy traffic on lap ten, Bacon charged to the top spot. Once more around the three eighths mile oval and Reutzel drove to second, quickly closing on the leader. Reutzel seemed poised to make a move until Bacon was able to split a pair of slower cars racing for position, pulling away to gain some breathing room. Axsom was able to clear Reutzel for second on lap nineteen, but by now Bacon was cruising well out front. However just four laps from the checkers, the first caution of the race came as Montgomery dove to the infield with a brief engine fire. The restart was single file and the final four trips around were high drama. Reutzel found a burst of speed, using the high line to charge to second. He then executed slide jobs on Bacon in turn four as laps twenty three and twenty four went in the books. But each time Brady was quick to cross him back over, scored the leader each time across the line. Bacon then held on the final lap to score the win and the $5,000 top prize in his first ever trip to Lee County Speedway. A surprisingly disappointed Reutzel settled for second, while Austin McCarl was much more upbeat after staring twelfth, then advancing two positions after the caution to finish third. Axsom and Davis completed the top five. Ian Madsen was the hard charger, gaining fourteen spots to claim sixth, topping Boyles, Rayhall, Crockett and Ayrton Gennetten to round out the top ten. 

   Surprisingly only four Late Models signed in for the night. Tommy Elston debuted his new black #54 and raced away to the feature win. Heat winner Austen Becerra ran second in front of Sam Halstead and Mark Burgtorf in the non stop fifteen lapper.  

   Seven Hobby Stocks took the green flag for fifteen circuits. Dustin Griffiths started on the pole, and led beginning to end. Jake Wenig was behind the wheel of the #22 normally driven by James Pilkington, and he stalked Griffiths early not quite able to get close enough to take a shot at the lead. Meanwhile Austin Stalder and Jeremy Dooley staged a back and forth battle for third. As the laps wound down, both Stalder and Dooley closed on Wenig, who seemed to be losing speed. As the checkers waved on another non stop race, it was Griffiths with the win followed by Stalder, Dooley, Wenig and Eric Glass.  

   Sport Compacts put a wrap on the action. A late arriving Luke Fraise gave us a nine car starting grid. Track points champion Brandon Reu lined up on the pole and drove away to a full straightaway win. Josh Barnes stayed close early on as visiting Ethan Zumwalt also showed some early muscle. Fraise started scratch on the field, but moved to fourth by the time lap two went in the books. He then jumped to third on lap five, meanwhile the next four cars raced side by side and nose to tail, even three wide at one point. As the laps clicked off, Fraise challenged Barnes for the runner up spot, but at the checkers it was Reu, Barnes and Fraise. Darin Smith and Chuck Fullenkamp would complete the top five. 

   The Poweri Sprint Cars will be back at it tonight, Saturday, starting with hot laps at 6:00 P,M. Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sport Mods will fill out the card this time. 

   Meanwhile I will now look ahead to Sunday evening, as Quincy Raceways wraps up their successful season with a full card of regular racing beginning with hot laps one hour earlier than normal, starting at 4:30. There is still lots of racing going on in the mid west, so take advantage of this great weather and get to a track near you!