First Time Winners Dominate at Quincy

   Summer like weather finally arrived at Quincy Raceways for holiday weekend racing. Another large crowd turned out, the car count was up about ten, and the racing was intense on Sunday. Several drivers picked up their first wins of the 2026 season. With school out and the late afternoon sun bearing down, the start time was moved back by one half hour in an effort to help "save" the track. One negative that continues to baffle me about Quincy Raceways is the practice of only hot lapping six cars at a time for several laps, drawing out what might otherwise be a fifteen minute procedure. An exception did come last night when only one session was held for the twelve Dirtcar 4 Cylinders in attendance. But I suppose they have their reasons...

   Heat race action clicked off quickly and the track received some TLC during intermission, leaving us with a fast and racy surface for the six features. With the special event up the road at Spoon River Speedway, Dirtcar Modifieds were off the card for this night, while the more open style B Modifieds were added, bringing several cars from the St. Louis area to the track.

   Crown Vics were up first with all but one of the season high twelve cars lining up for a dozen laps. A first lap pile up eliminated top contender Jacob Jones. With an otherwise complete restart, outside pole sitter Jake Etter shot to the lead. By the mid point, Alex Hatfield was pushing hard for the top spot, and he was scored first at lap nine. The next time around it was Etter back in front, and he would hold on for the hard fought victory. Following the two front runners it was Braxton Dieker, Isaac Little, and Josh Little to round out the top five. Hopefully one of the benefits of a low budget class such as the Crown Vics is that it serves as a feeder class, and we are seeing this as Etter, the 2025 class champion now has a B Mod, as well. 

    Eleven 4 Cylinders came next for fifteen laps. Front row starters Jaden Delonjay and Spencer Coats paced the opening lap, with Dyllan Bonk clearing Coats for second on lap two. The first caution period came at the halfway mark, but when racing resumed, the red flag was displayed as Ethan Zumwalt rolled his #22S multiple times starting in turn one. He was quick to exit the car, then riding behind the wrecker in his heavily damaged machine while reacting to the cheering crowd! Delonjay would continue to hold serve, beating Bonk to the checkers. Landen Neisen slipped around Coats on the final lap for third while Cole Reed completed the first five. 

   The visiting B Mods turned out fourteen cars, again all but one took the green flag. Drake Stevenson would charge to the lead chased by Bret Eilerman. The yellow flag waved with one lap scored, and back under green, A. J. Cline used the Delaware restart to power to second. Stevenson would build a five or so car length advantage before catching the tail of the field around the halfway point of the eighteen laps. Cline would quickly erase the distance to the leader, however Stevenson was smooth in traffic, maintaining the top spot. A final caution came with four circuits to go. With a clear track ahead, Stevenson a former track regular, kept his #77D out front for his first win of the season. Cline stayed close in second followed by Eilerman. Reed Wolfmeyer would race his IMCA Northern Sport Mod in both open wheel classes, and he would come home fourth ahead of Gage Walker. 

   A solid group of fifteen IMCA Late Models checked in, with all coming to the track for twenty five laps of action. Front row starters Jackson Frankel and Jeffrey Delonjay raced side by side for the opening laps ahead of a yellow flag three laps in when Jamie Wilson made contact with the turn three wall. Back to racing it was Denny Woodworth using the Delaware lineup to move to the runner up position. While Frankel opened a sizable lead, seventh starting Austen Becerra and ninth starting Tommy Elston began a march forward. A final caution would come as Frankie Wellman got out of shape on lap eight. On the restart Becerra would move quickly to third, then second while Elston climbed to fourth. It was a near disaster around lap twelve when Frankel made contact with a slower car, but he was able to straighten back out while losing considerable ground to the oncoming Becerra. But at nearly the same time, Becerra suddenly slowed, ducking to the infield, his night over. Elston would then take up the chase in second. Frankel now held a commanding lead as Jake Griffin muscled his way around Woodworth for third before Denny pulled to the infield seven laps from the finish. At the checkers it was Frankel with his first win of 2026. Elston came home second followed by Griffin, Delonjay, and eleventh starting Spencer Havermale. Jason Perry started and finished sixth trailed by Curtis Glover, Logan Cumby, and Sam Halstead, while Woodworth was credited with tenth. 

   The Street Stocks continued to struggle, with only five cars signed in. First time visitor Justin Layne and defending champion Jacob Rexing raced side by side, swapping the lead before Layne finally nosed ahead. Only once did the caution flag wave, five laps from the finish. But Layne would again pull ahead, scoring a surprise win in his first ever visit to the speedway. Rexing would follow ahead of Levi Long, Brandon Boden and Cletus Coats. 

   IMCA Northern Sport Mods would put a wrap on the night, with nine of the ten cars racing eighteen laps. Austin McLean would lead early before Alec Cain took over on lap three, taking along Quinton Shelton in second. A pair of quick yellows came, then it was Tanner Klingele jumping from third to the lead. On lap six Reed Wolfmeyer would power to second after lining up in row five and the chase was on. Meanwhile Shelton, Kahne Groves, and Cain were locked in a tight scrum for third. Klingele was in charge before a final caution with just three laps remaining. The final restart was single file, and Tanner held on for the victory. Wolfmeyer completed a solid night in second over Groves, and Cain, while Shelton rebounded to nip Olivia Hoffman on the final lap for fifth. 

   Thanks as always to the crew at QR for an entertaining night of action. 

   We hope to round out our holiday weekend with a long overdue trip to Bloomfield Speedway for the rescheduled SLMR Late Model special event, which also features Modifieds, Sport Mods, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks. Hope to see you there!