Sunday marked the annual visit by the 360 C.I. Mohrfeld Solar Sprint Invaders to Quincy Raceways. With the start of the IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Ia. the remaining class lineup for Sunday was also adjusted. Open Crate Late Models, open B Modifieds, and Crown Vics were on the card along with two regular UMP Dirtcar divisions, Street Stocks and 4 Cylinders. Even so, several weekly competitors were absent, already in or on their way to the week long Super Nats.
Still sixty three race teams signed in, led by seventeen of the traveling sprinters. Things got off to a rousing start in hot laps when long time open wheel competitor Ryan Jamison had something break in his #51J sending him tumbling over the turn two wall. He was fortunately not injured, but his race machine was done for the night. Not to be outdone, Nate Parks also went for a hard ride when he flipped his #17 Sprint Car in turn one during heat race two. 2025 Invader champion Tasker Phillips and Mediapolis, Iowa hot shoe Colton Fisher picked up heat wins and Fisher then led the distance in the six car six lap dash to set the first three rows of the feature.
Street Stocks led off feature racing and the class continues to suffer low car counts. Only two cars came out for their main event, with Jake Powers topping Levi Long for the win.
Twenty laps was the distance for fifteen surviving Invaders. Fisher and Cody Wehrle brought the field to green, taking off in that order. Fisher opened a nice lead, catching slower traffic on lap seven, blasting the high line with little problem. One lap later the first caution came for a Sawyer Phillips spin. The single file restart lasted only one lap when McCain Richards looped his #31 in turn two followed by a final stoppage on the restart. Prior to these stops, Wehrle and Tasker Phillips had been battling hard for second, but back under green Wehrle opened a bit of breathing room even as Fisher once again pulled well ahead. Fisher again caught the back of the pack with about five circuits remaining and while Wehrle was able to close the gap, he could not get close enough to mount a challenge as Colton completed a sweep of the nights' action. Tasker Phillips held on to third followed by Tony Shilling and Alex Vande Voort. Jackson Gray topped the second five over Jaden Alexander, Sawyer Phillips, Joey Moughan, and Dustin Clark.
As anticipated, the Late Model count lagged a bit with nine entries. Jake Griffin and Jeffrey Delonjay brought the field to green for twenty five laps. Griffin and fast qualifier, third starting Sam Halstead quickly gained separation from the pack. Griffin slowly increased his lead as the race stayed green. Jake was ripping the cushion while his challengers worked the low groove. As the laps wound down in the non stop event Halstead elected to move to the high line as well, allowing third running Jason Oenning to quickly mount a challenge. At the checkers it was Griffin cruising to the win while Halstead held off Oenning for second. Logan Cumby was strong in fourth ahead of Jackson Frankel, Jamie Wilson, Frankie Wellman, Delonjay, and Russ Coultas.
Dirtcar 4 Cylinders raced for fifteen laps. Landon Neisen charged ahead from the outside pole with the first of two yellow flags coming with one lap scored. Jordon Ohaver chased the leader before giving way to Ethan Zumwalt on lap four. Neisen was at least a straightaway in front before a lap twelve caution brought him back to the field. However he once more pulled away to pick up his second consecutive win. Zumwalt came home the runner up chased by Justin Ohaver and Hunter Ohaver while Jeremy Elmore completed the first five.
Fourteen B Mods came next for eighteen laps. Matthew Edler and A.J. Cline filled out row one. Edler charged ahead, but a quick yellow sent us back to an original restart. This time it was Cline with the advantage, as he and Edler pulled away in a two car scrum. Edler used the high line to grab the lead on lap six, quickly catching the back of the pack before a second caution seven laps in. Twice more the yellow flag waved at lap ten before things settled down. With just five to go, Treb Jacoby moved to second after an entertaining battle with Cline and Kahne Groves. But there would be no catching Edler, who cruised to the victory. Jacoby, Groves, Cline, and Zack Huegen rounded out the top five.
Crown Vics put a cap on the night, a dozen cars contesting fifteen laps. Richie Berghager led Jaden Delonjay through numerous stoppages as that duo raced nose to tail and side by side. The outcome would be decided at the finish line, with Delonjay taking the win. Berghager would settle for second followed by Brian Moore, Jeff Adkison, and Kole Foster.
Thanks as always to the Delonjay family and their team for a fun Sunday night at the races. Quincy Raceways will take next Sunday off before returning in September 20 when the high powered MLRA Late Models come to town! As for yours truly, it will be a quick turnaround as we head for Boone Speedway Monday morning for the Late Model portion of the IMCA Super Nationals. Look for a recap on Tuesday.
