Saturday morning Keagan and I along with Rick Coats and his son Spencer loaded a mountain of warm clothes in the Impala and headed for Knoxville, Iowa for the final night of the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals. After the Saturday night rainout last year that sent us home without seeing the 100 lap finale, we were happy to take the cold temps as long as clear skies were part of the deal. We arrived at the track before noon, but seemed to keep busy until the grandstands opened at 5:00. Keagan correctly pointed out that you can have a great time at this show before an engine ever fires. Wandering the pits, checking out all the collectables, attending the autograph session, taking in the auction all only feeds the anticipation of the big show. Keagan cut loose with some of his " hard earned " money to purchase a Brian Birkhofer diecast car, which Brian was gracious enough to autograph. When race time arrived 52 cars prepared to do battle for the
$40,000 top prize, while a couple of other competitors remained on the trailer. Quincy racer Rickey Frankel was dominating the 15 lap C-main when the engine began to go sour in his # 33F. Rickey held on for second to Oregon driver John Duty, but he was not able to take his spot in the B- main. Another Quincy driver, Mark Burgtorf had the fifth starting slot in the 20 lap 24 car B-main, which would see six cars transfer to the big dance. Mark ran in a transfer spot for most of the race, holding off Iowa hotshoes Chris Simpson and Andy Eckrich. As the laps wound down, Simpson found his way around Burgtorf, who finished one spot away from a transfer. Jimmy Mars took the win over a field that would have made for a great A- Main on another day. The bad luck for Quincy drivers continued in the IMCA modified main event. We had hoped things were looking up when Michael Long started on the front row in the Jim Gillenwater owned # 18L. Michael jumped out to an early lead, but soon found himself going backwards, eventually retiring from the race, which was captured by former late model pilot Darin Duffy. The late model 100 lapper was historic in the fact that unarguably the two most successful late model drivers of this era lined up side by side on the front row. Predictably, Scott Bloomquist powered to the early lead, bit before long it was Billy Moyer in the drivers seat. While several drivers made runs at the top spot during the caution marred race, it seemed like any time Billy was challenged, he could reach down for a little extra speed. In the end, the Iowa native lapped up to the 12th place car, winning the biggest race in his native state for the first time.
" Kid Rocket " Josh Richards was the last to make a run, and for the second time in three years, he filled the bridesmaid spot. Darrell Lanigan drove a consistent race to take third, while Steve Francis nabbed fourth. Will Vaught started 22nd and made a late charge to capture fifth ahead of shannon Babb, who had climbed as high as second mid race. Jimmy Mars came from the B-main to finish seventh,and 2008 winner Tim McCreadie was eighth. Another former winner, Brady Smith slipped past 18 year old Austin Hubbard to complete the top ten. While it was not the most exciting of the national finals, there is always something special about the race that keeps everyone talking for days after. With a cup of coffee and a splash of fuel, we headed home to get some sleep before the late afternoon scheduled show at Quincy Raceways.
There had been a buzz in the pits at Knoxville that Quincy might well see a big influx of UMP modifieds, as Sunday would be the final night for UMP points, with QR the only track racing. In addition, a combination rules package that would allow crate and steel block late models to compete with the local IMCA cars for a $1,000 top prize for 15 or more cars, a similar gimmick for stock cars and hobby stocks, and a visit from the Ill-Mo winged sprints offered the possibility of a full pit area. But as is so often the case late in the season, the cars did not show, at least not in the numbers hoped for.
Three crate late models and one steel block were part of an 11 car field that also included the season debut of veteran IMCA racer Fred Remley. Vance Wilson had been a QR regular the first half of the season before joining the
United Late Model Association mid season, and winding up as their champion. With the title in the bag, Vance came back and took a flag to flag win for his first late model win at the track were he has won a modified championship. Season points runnerup Jason Perry was alongside Wilson at the checkers. Evan Fink wheeled his crate car to a third place run in a car Jason Frankel piloted earlier this season. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished fourth ahead of Robbie Warner, and 11 year old Jake Griffin, who did double duty in his crate late model and UMP modified.
Only ten modifieds checked inm but one of the two travelers, Jim Black, from Bonne Terre, Mo. took the win. National point contender Devin Gilpin made the trip from Columbus, Indiana, and was running in the front pack before jumping the cushion and retiring early. Although the hobby stocks from QR and Lee county Speedway out up a challenge, it was the IMCA stock cars in the top three spots in the combo class, with track champ Terry Houston nabbing the win. Phil Heavelow made the trip from Buckner, Mo. to take a flag to flag win in the Lightning Sprints. With the early start, the final checkers flew about 7:15. With a small pit and grandstand turnout, QR owners canceled next weeks scheduled finale to begin plans for what will hopefully be a drier 2011 season.
With family activities this weekend, it does not look like I will be able to attend scheduled events at Lee County Speedway or Quad City Speedway,
but hopefully I will be able to get in a couple more shows after that. the forecast looks great for this weekend, so don't waste a chance to take in some racing.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
If at First You Don't Suceed...
Saturday morning began with me working as I must do on the occasional Saturday, and buddy Fred staying close to the weather channel. Leaving work about 10:30, I made a call to the Littons in Iowa City, who let me know that the rain appeared to be on the way to the West Liberty area. Heading home, I took up the watch, and soon after a return call from Bob Litton, word came down that Donnellson, West Burlington, and West Liberty had all called off their races. Although the forecast was far from reassuring, Fred and I met up and headed south to Kevin and Tammy Gundakers Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Il. for the final night of the three night Modified Mania combined with the Monster Midwest late models. 64 UMP type mods checked in for the third $3,000 to win purse, while 31 late models showed up for a $2,000 top prize. 28 UMP Pro Crate late models and 22 street stocks filled out the stout field. An interesting format had the two premier classes putting four or five cars on the track at a time, running a couple of hot laps followed by two time trial laps. Frank Heckenast Jr. recorded the fastest lap in his late model at 14.780 around the 3/8 mile oval, while Brent Mullins paced the mods. Mullins needed that fast lap to earn a prvisional start in the main event. Eight modified heat races, two C-mains, two B-mains and a top eight dash sert the field for the 30 lap finale, while the late models ran four heat races, captured by Heckenast, Brian Shirley, Ryan Unzicker, and Jason Feger,and a B-main won by Tim Rataczyk. A track provisional for the " Salty Dog " Rick Salter set the 21 car field. At one point it seemed unlikely that we would see any feature racing, as a light but persistent rain fell for more than 30 minutes. The track officials kept wheels going around the speedway throughout, and when the rain let up, we went back to racing.
With more rain on the horizon, the modified feature was moved to first in the running order, with Quincy, Il. standout Michael Long sharing the front row with southern Ill. star Chad Kinder. When Kinder jumped the start, the front row was moved back to row two, and row two assumed the front. It took just 12 laps until Long and Kinder were battling up front, and Michael soon began to open up a sizable lead in his # 18L. Although Kinder closed in a bit in traffic, Long was never seriously challenged, taking the win to go along with a runnerup finish on Thursday. Mike Harrison made the run of the night, starting 15th and charging to third, Jeff Leka took fourth, and Kevin Weaver, who led in the early going, brought the # 128 home in fifth. Next up was the the 30 lap late model main event. after a short delay while weaver climbed in his # B12, Dennis Erb Jr. and Shirley brought the field to the green. A light rain began to fall again, but the Super late models raced on, with Shirley assuming the top spot. Unzicker kept pace early as Erb fell back to fifth. As the laps wound down, Erb moved back to the second spot, but could not overtake Shirley. Feger started eight and crossed the stripe in third, Unzicker claimed fourth, and UMP national point leader Rusty Schlenk took fifth in his # 91. Chad Zobrist started and finished sixth, Heckenast took seventh, Scott Weber ran eighth in Randy Kortes #00, while young Bobby Pierce and Weaver completed the top ten.
Quincy drivers Mark Burgtorf, Dustin Griffin, and Rickey Frankel also made the show, while Jason Frankel, out with a new ride he purchashed from Clint Kirkham, grazed the while while running in a transfer spot in the B- main. With the weather threatening and the time nearing 11:30, we headed to the car as the crates came to the track.
I hesitate to offer up this weeks plans, as I seem to be jinxing myself, but Saturday night in Knoxville,Iowa is on the agenda.
On Saturday I learned that midwest dirt track racing lost a true friend, as Gary Storey passed away in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Before his illness, Gary, often in the company of Bob Litton, could be seen at tracks all over the middle of the country. My last visit with him was at Independence, Iowa in the summer of 2009, and although in failing health, he was talking racing as always. RIP, my friend.
With more rain on the horizon, the modified feature was moved to first in the running order, with Quincy, Il. standout Michael Long sharing the front row with southern Ill. star Chad Kinder. When Kinder jumped the start, the front row was moved back to row two, and row two assumed the front. It took just 12 laps until Long and Kinder were battling up front, and Michael soon began to open up a sizable lead in his # 18L. Although Kinder closed in a bit in traffic, Long was never seriously challenged, taking the win to go along with a runnerup finish on Thursday. Mike Harrison made the run of the night, starting 15th and charging to third, Jeff Leka took fourth, and Kevin Weaver, who led in the early going, brought the # 128 home in fifth. Next up was the the 30 lap late model main event. after a short delay while weaver climbed in his # B12, Dennis Erb Jr. and Shirley brought the field to the green. A light rain began to fall again, but the Super late models raced on, with Shirley assuming the top spot. Unzicker kept pace early as Erb fell back to fifth. As the laps wound down, Erb moved back to the second spot, but could not overtake Shirley. Feger started eight and crossed the stripe in third, Unzicker claimed fourth, and UMP national point leader Rusty Schlenk took fifth in his # 91. Chad Zobrist started and finished sixth, Heckenast took seventh, Scott Weber ran eighth in Randy Kortes #00, while young Bobby Pierce and Weaver completed the top ten.
Quincy drivers Mark Burgtorf, Dustin Griffin, and Rickey Frankel also made the show, while Jason Frankel, out with a new ride he purchashed from Clint Kirkham, grazed the while while running in a transfer spot in the B- main. With the weather threatening and the time nearing 11:30, we headed to the car as the crates came to the track.
I hesitate to offer up this weeks plans, as I seem to be jinxing myself, but Saturday night in Knoxville,Iowa is on the agenda.
On Saturday I learned that midwest dirt track racing lost a true friend, as Gary Storey passed away in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Before his illness, Gary, often in the company of Bob Litton, could be seen at tracks all over the middle of the country. My last visit with him was at Independence, Iowa in the summer of 2009, and although in failing health, he was talking racing as always. RIP, my friend.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Pepsi Nationals Times Two
This past weekend was pretty much representative of the entire 2010 racing season, as rain played a major role in the festivities. With a vacation day on Friday, I was able to get to 34 Raceway plenty early to wander the pit area and catch up with some old friends while getting a good roster of the 51 late models that showed up to attempt to qualify for the $10,000 to win Saturday Pepsi Nationals IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series finale. The car count was down a bit from the past few seasons, but that is a trend I have been seeing most places I go, surely a bi product of a tight economy. Still, the best of the best in IMCA late model racing was on hand, and anticipation was high for the weekend. Despite my prediction, the track stayed pretty consistent throughout qualifying, and although most of the top times came during the first half, Quincy Raceways point champion Denny Woodworth set quick time with a lap of 16.575 late in the time trial round, locking him in to a starting spot for Saturday. Things got a little strange when I went back to the pits to record the heat race lineups. Tommy Elston was checking out his starting spot and mentioned to me that he did not see Mark Burgtorf on the lineups. After some conversation it was determined that Marks # 7B had been listed instead as 70. Although officials corrected the board apparently no one from the track contacted Mark, and his team had thought he was in the second heat instead of the opening one. As a result, he was late to staging, and would be relegated to a Saturday night B-main. Meanwhile, last years winner, Jason Frankel, driving Bill Genenbachers # 72 took the first qualifier to earn the pole for the money race. Nate Beuseling, Lonnie Bailey, Boone McLaughlin and Summer Series rookie of the year Andy Eckrich also captured the 12 lap preliminary events in which 15 cars qualified. While I missed the 305 Sprint event, I was back in the grandstands to see Jeff Mueller capture the IMCA stock car 20 lapper, leaving only the late model Ironman 20 lap feature to be contested. This race is a special event for the drivers who attend each Summer Series race throughout the season, and pays $750 to win. Former rookie of the year TJ Criss from Oskaloosa parlayed a front row start into a flag to flag win. While TJ had the field covered, there was plenty of action behind him, with Terry Neal advancing from ninth to take second in the 12 car field. Mark Preston, Eckrich, and series champion Ray Guss Jr. completed the top five.
Jeff Aikey finished sixth in another Guss car. Jeff broke his engine in hot laps, and the Roberts - Guss team loaned him their new # 58 car, which they brought along as a back up, electing to use the red # 58 as their primary car for the weekend. We left the track knowing that rain was a possibility for Saturday, and made some backup plans on the ride home.
Saturday morning was spent close to the phone and computer, and it was a bit after noon that the official word came that Saturdays racing was posponed until Sunday. At the same time, Quincy Raceways cancelled their Sunday races to avoid any conflict with 34. With the radar looking good to the south, Keagan and I met up with buddies Darryl and Fred and we headed south to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. for the Pepsi Nationals World of Outlaws late model $10,000 to win 55 lap one day event. 124 cars signed in for the four class program, including 31 World of Outlaw late models. It was grandson Keagan first WoO show, and he was filled with anticipation. Happily, he was not disappointed. Steve Francis set quick time around the 1/3 mile oval with a lap of 12.768 seconds. Heat race wins went to Francis, point leader Josh Richards, and Billy Moyer, while Chub Frank captured the B-main. The two ladies in the field, April Farmer and Jill George collected provisionals to fill out a 24 car field. The announcement was then made that rain - what else? - was headed our way, and the late model feature would be run first. Why can't more tracks make such good decisions? As the field rolled out, with Darrell Lanigan and Tim McCreadie on the front row, we all made our picks - I picked last and took T-Mac. The first 29 laps went non stop, with McCreadie, then Lanigan holding the top spot. The yellow came only because the ambulance was needed in the outside pit area. On the restart, T- Mac, who was second, spun in turn four. When racing resumed, ninth starting Shannon Babb charged to third, and began to work on second running Moyer, who had been swapping the lead with Lanigan. By lap 39, Babb had the runnerup spot, and after one last caution, 13th starting Brady Smith powered in to third. Babb worked the low line to take the lead and the win, with his mentor Moyer in second and Smith third. Lanigan took fourth over 11th starting Clint Smith. The second fiver included Richards, Francis, McCreadie, Frank, and 18 year old Austin Hubbard. Lanigans finish gave him the series points lead over Richards. With lightening flashing around us, we headed for the car, and barely made it to the interstate before the rains came. They were able to get the UMP modified feature in, with Mike Harrison taking the $1,000 win, but the sportsman and Pro 4 feature were apparently washed out. The late model feature may have been the best we have seen in 2010, with an excellent track and plenty of passing.
It was Sunday morning when we learned what we suspected on the trip home, that 34 Raceway would be unable to race on Sunday. It was a surprise however to learn the event would not be rescheduled.
Plans for this weekend include a Saturday night visit to the West Liberty Raceway for the Liberty 100 50 lap features for open and IMCA late models. Then on Sunday Quincy Raceways will try again to kick off their fall series featuring $1,000 to win late models with rules allowing the ULMA steel block late models and the UMP crate lates to compete with the IMCA cars. also racing are the UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and hobby stocks, with hot laps scheduled for 4:00 PM. Hope to see you at the races!
Jeff Aikey finished sixth in another Guss car. Jeff broke his engine in hot laps, and the Roberts - Guss team loaned him their new # 58 car, which they brought along as a back up, electing to use the red # 58 as their primary car for the weekend. We left the track knowing that rain was a possibility for Saturday, and made some backup plans on the ride home.
Saturday morning was spent close to the phone and computer, and it was a bit after noon that the official word came that Saturdays racing was posponed until Sunday. At the same time, Quincy Raceways cancelled their Sunday races to avoid any conflict with 34. With the radar looking good to the south, Keagan and I met up with buddies Darryl and Fred and we headed south to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. for the Pepsi Nationals World of Outlaws late model $10,000 to win 55 lap one day event. 124 cars signed in for the four class program, including 31 World of Outlaw late models. It was grandson Keagan first WoO show, and he was filled with anticipation. Happily, he was not disappointed. Steve Francis set quick time around the 1/3 mile oval with a lap of 12.768 seconds. Heat race wins went to Francis, point leader Josh Richards, and Billy Moyer, while Chub Frank captured the B-main. The two ladies in the field, April Farmer and Jill George collected provisionals to fill out a 24 car field. The announcement was then made that rain - what else? - was headed our way, and the late model feature would be run first. Why can't more tracks make such good decisions? As the field rolled out, with Darrell Lanigan and Tim McCreadie on the front row, we all made our picks - I picked last and took T-Mac. The first 29 laps went non stop, with McCreadie, then Lanigan holding the top spot. The yellow came only because the ambulance was needed in the outside pit area. On the restart, T- Mac, who was second, spun in turn four. When racing resumed, ninth starting Shannon Babb charged to third, and began to work on second running Moyer, who had been swapping the lead with Lanigan. By lap 39, Babb had the runnerup spot, and after one last caution, 13th starting Brady Smith powered in to third. Babb worked the low line to take the lead and the win, with his mentor Moyer in second and Smith third. Lanigan took fourth over 11th starting Clint Smith. The second fiver included Richards, Francis, McCreadie, Frank, and 18 year old Austin Hubbard. Lanigans finish gave him the series points lead over Richards. With lightening flashing around us, we headed for the car, and barely made it to the interstate before the rains came. They were able to get the UMP modified feature in, with Mike Harrison taking the $1,000 win, but the sportsman and Pro 4 feature were apparently washed out. The late model feature may have been the best we have seen in 2010, with an excellent track and plenty of passing.
It was Sunday morning when we learned what we suspected on the trip home, that 34 Raceway would be unable to race on Sunday. It was a surprise however to learn the event would not be rescheduled.
Plans for this weekend include a Saturday night visit to the West Liberty Raceway for the Liberty 100 50 lap features for open and IMCA late models. Then on Sunday Quincy Raceways will try again to kick off their fall series featuring $1,000 to win late models with rules allowing the ULMA steel block late models and the UMP crate lates to compete with the IMCA cars. also racing are the UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and hobby stocks, with hot laps scheduled for 4:00 PM. Hope to see you at the races!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
"O" For The Weekend
The past weekend was a grim reminder of things to come, as I did not get in any racing for the first weekend since early June. Saturday night was taken up with our annual hog roast at church, and although I was plenty busy, I was also wondering what I was missing at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton,Ia. Last season was my first ever visit there for the Dhouly - Devore race, and I definitely hated to miss it this year. An inch and a half of rain rolled through our area Friday night, so I was only mildly surprised when Quincy Raceways pulled the plug on Sunday night racing even though Saturday and Sunday were sunny and breezy. Unfortunately, there were some new cars arriving at the speedway , not thinking to call ahead.
With that in mind, I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming weekend, easily the busiest of the " postseason. " It would be a disservice to try and list all the special events slated for this Saturday and Sunday, as I counted at least ten shows within a couple hundred miles worthy of any race fans hard earned money. I will say that my plans are to attend the Pepsi USA late model Nationals at 34 Raceway in West Burlington. As long as this race has been held, and this will be year 19, I have missed only the 1997 edition due to work commitments. Should the weatherman interfere, there is a non sanctioned open late model show paying $7,000 to win at Pontoon Beach, Il on Friday, and a now one day only World of Outlaw late model show at I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. on Saturday. So much good racing on the same weekend!
Quincy Raceways will try again on Sunday, with the Sprint Invaders, late models for $1,000 to win, UMP modifieds and hobby stocks. Start times have been moved up, with hot laps scheduled for 4:00 P.M.
The season is winding down way too fast, so take in some action this weekend wherever you are!
With that in mind, I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming weekend, easily the busiest of the " postseason. " It would be a disservice to try and list all the special events slated for this Saturday and Sunday, as I counted at least ten shows within a couple hundred miles worthy of any race fans hard earned money. I will say that my plans are to attend the Pepsi USA late model Nationals at 34 Raceway in West Burlington. As long as this race has been held, and this will be year 19, I have missed only the 1997 edition due to work commitments. Should the weatherman interfere, there is a non sanctioned open late model show paying $7,000 to win at Pontoon Beach, Il on Friday, and a now one day only World of Outlaw late model show at I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. on Saturday. So much good racing on the same weekend!
Quincy Raceways will try again on Sunday, with the Sprint Invaders, late models for $1,000 to win, UMP modifieds and hobby stocks. Start times have been moved up, with hot laps scheduled for 4:00 P.M.
The season is winding down way too fast, so take in some action this weekend wherever you are!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Boys Are Back In Town
The pop song lyric that titles this article was the theme of the IMCA late model Deery Brothers Summer Series a few seasons back, and seemed to me to be the perfect anthem for the traveling show. There is something special for late model fans to see the big out of town rigs rolling through town and down pit road at the local track. On Friday, that track was Quincy Raceways, and 29 competitors made the trip to the Broadway Bullring. The sun was out and the breeze was blowing on a beautiful Friday evening, as we anticipated the make up of the $3,000 to win Titan Wheel Classic which had been postponed during a rainy June. Unfortunately, there had been some heavy rain move through the Quincy area on Thursday evening, and the track was left a sloppy, muddy surface. Track personnel worked feverishly before the races, and again following heat race action, but the best they could do was a smooth and fast top groove around the .29 mile oval, while the lower grooves were choppy and treacherous. This is not to say that there was no passing, as heat one proved. 14 time track champion Mark Burgtorf drew the # 100 pill for heat race action, putting him last on the eight car starting grid. Mark caught a break when both Rob Toland and Kevin Blum were late to staging, moving him up to the third row. From there, Burgtorf used his knowledge of his hometown track to pick up the third and final transfer spot for the scheduled 50 lap finale. His luck continued to improve as he drew the number two slot for the money race. Jeff Aikey, Joey Gower, Terry Neal, and Jay Johnson captured heat race wins, while Bill Genenbacher and Andy Eckrich nabbed the two B- mains.Four
provisionals filled the field, including former track regular Nick Ingalls in Terry Gallahers # 0. Nick destroyed his car in a late June rollover. An announcement was made before the feature that the race would be cut to 40 laps, presumably due to track conditions. No one could have known what a dramatic effect this may have had on the final outcome. Burgtorf set sail from the outside pole and never looked back, leading all 40 laps. Ray Guss Jr. added to his storybook season by moving to the runner up slot at the checkers. As everyone surely knows by now, the " River City Hustler " has captured three track championships, the IMCA national title, and was now well on his way to the Summer Series title in his second season driving for Hershel roberts Motorsports. In fact, just before the drivers meeting, members of the team rolled in with a brand new Mastersbilt by Stuckey chassis they had just picked up in Mississippi. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished third, with Toland, Mark Peston, Gower, Charlie McKenna, Johnson, T.J. Criss and Jason Perry. rounding out the top ten. In talking to the top four after the races, all expressed doubts that they could have made the additional ten laps. Burgtorf had lost the belts off his engine and was overheating, Guss gad broken suspension, Woodworth had no brakes, and Toland had a broken radiator!
Support class action saw James Leffew capture a UMP modified win after the top two made contact on the final lap. Jason Cook made a trip south pay off with a flag to flag IMCA stock car win, while Bobby Anders paced the hobby stocks.
Saturday night, the " Boys " rolled into the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, 34 strong. Heat race winners included Tyler Bruening, Criss, Aikey, who had exited the feature early on Friday, and Tom Goble. Eckrich nabbed his second B-main in two nights, along with Guss. Interestingly, Ingalls in the Gallaher machine again took the hard charger provisional.Quincy Raceways points runner up, jason perry, who finished tenth on Friday, took off from row two and grabbed the top spot on the first lap. Through several early restarts he held on, including one for 15th starting Josh Most, who went pitside with what he thought was a flat tire. His crew waved him back out, and he tagged the tail of the field. While the action was going on up front, including Toland and Aikey dueling for second, Most began picking off cars on the high side of the speedway. Lonnie Bailey charged from 19th to fourth before his engine grenaded, ending his night. Lonnie says it was his first blown engine in 21 seasons! Mark Burgtorf was running the high side of the track before breaking the brace bars on the nose of his ride, hampering his steering and sending him to the trailer. Guss also fell victim to a flat tire, and had to restart at the back. Through all of this, Most traveled the high groove, until with a handful of laps to go he used an inside move to nudge Toland to the third spot. Back on the top at the while flag, he used a all or nothing move through the final turns to try and overtake Perry. a surprised Perry missed his mark ever so slightly, and Most won the drag race to the line to take his second ever Summer Series win and leave Jason still looking for his first. Toland , Aikey and Justin Reed were top five finishers, while Terry Neal, who qualified for but failed to start the feature on Friday claimed sixth over Tom Darbyshire, Jay Johnson, eighth for the second night in a row, Boone McLaughlin, and Guss. The five class program ended about 10:30, and although the corners developed some holes, the track was plenty racy all night long.
On Sunday night it was back to Quincy for a King of the Hill challenge format featuring time trials in all four regular classes and three lap elinination races involving between three and five cars per round. The time trial winner in each class received a $100 bonus, led by Denny Woodworth with a lap of 14.097. The King of the Hill runoff winner in each class had the option of giving up their feature pole position for a chance at a 50% bonus should they come through for the feature win. Late model ace Jason Perry accepted the challenge for a shot at a $1,500 payday, as did stock car driver Wes Mayfield for a possible $600. Before the feature races, the UMP modifieds staged the River City Rumble, a 35 lap event for the top 12 in points in attendance for a $1,000 top prize. Drawing for starting positions, second generation driver Steven Delonjay parlayed a front row spot in to a flag to flag win. The IMCA late models race a trophy dash each week all season to accumulate points for a 20 lap finale at years end paying $600 to win. The late model lawyer Woodworth came from row two to grab the lead on lap three and held on for his second check on the night.
With a much better track than Friday, the features looked to be top notch, and that was proven out as the four finales were run. Visiting Matt Greiner used a rare for QR low groove to outlast Mayfield for the stock car win, while Michael Long came back from a sixth in the Rumble to take the big hardware over Tony Dunker. Bobby Anders nabbed his second main of the weekend over point champion Steve Carlin.
Woodworth definitely had his # 45DW late model dialed in, as he led all 30 laps of the IMCA late model finale to take his fifth win of 2010. The $1,000 payoff left him with a sweep of the nights events and a $1,700 payday. Justin Reed, Perry, Burgtorf and Joey Gower trailed Denny at the checkers.
This week the Sprint Invaders will be in action at QR, and the stock cars will get a night off.
Congratulations to Ray Guss Jr. and Roberts Racing on their Summer Series victory at the Boone Supernationals and their fifth championship of 2010.
It may be September, but there are still a lot of choices for racing fans, so even if you are not going to Eldora, take in some racing this weekend!
provisionals filled the field, including former track regular Nick Ingalls in Terry Gallahers # 0. Nick destroyed his car in a late June rollover. An announcement was made before the feature that the race would be cut to 40 laps, presumably due to track conditions. No one could have known what a dramatic effect this may have had on the final outcome. Burgtorf set sail from the outside pole and never looked back, leading all 40 laps. Ray Guss Jr. added to his storybook season by moving to the runner up slot at the checkers. As everyone surely knows by now, the " River City Hustler " has captured three track championships, the IMCA national title, and was now well on his way to the Summer Series title in his second season driving for Hershel roberts Motorsports. In fact, just before the drivers meeting, members of the team rolled in with a brand new Mastersbilt by Stuckey chassis they had just picked up in Mississippi. Track champion Denny Woodworth finished third, with Toland, Mark Peston, Gower, Charlie McKenna, Johnson, T.J. Criss and Jason Perry. rounding out the top ten. In talking to the top four after the races, all expressed doubts that they could have made the additional ten laps. Burgtorf had lost the belts off his engine and was overheating, Guss gad broken suspension, Woodworth had no brakes, and Toland had a broken radiator!
Support class action saw James Leffew capture a UMP modified win after the top two made contact on the final lap. Jason Cook made a trip south pay off with a flag to flag IMCA stock car win, while Bobby Anders paced the hobby stocks.
Saturday night, the " Boys " rolled into the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, 34 strong. Heat race winners included Tyler Bruening, Criss, Aikey, who had exited the feature early on Friday, and Tom Goble. Eckrich nabbed his second B-main in two nights, along with Guss. Interestingly, Ingalls in the Gallaher machine again took the hard charger provisional.Quincy Raceways points runner up, jason perry, who finished tenth on Friday, took off from row two and grabbed the top spot on the first lap. Through several early restarts he held on, including one for 15th starting Josh Most, who went pitside with what he thought was a flat tire. His crew waved him back out, and he tagged the tail of the field. While the action was going on up front, including Toland and Aikey dueling for second, Most began picking off cars on the high side of the speedway. Lonnie Bailey charged from 19th to fourth before his engine grenaded, ending his night. Lonnie says it was his first blown engine in 21 seasons! Mark Burgtorf was running the high side of the track before breaking the brace bars on the nose of his ride, hampering his steering and sending him to the trailer. Guss also fell victim to a flat tire, and had to restart at the back. Through all of this, Most traveled the high groove, until with a handful of laps to go he used an inside move to nudge Toland to the third spot. Back on the top at the while flag, he used a all or nothing move through the final turns to try and overtake Perry. a surprised Perry missed his mark ever so slightly, and Most won the drag race to the line to take his second ever Summer Series win and leave Jason still looking for his first. Toland , Aikey and Justin Reed were top five finishers, while Terry Neal, who qualified for but failed to start the feature on Friday claimed sixth over Tom Darbyshire, Jay Johnson, eighth for the second night in a row, Boone McLaughlin, and Guss. The five class program ended about 10:30, and although the corners developed some holes, the track was plenty racy all night long.
On Sunday night it was back to Quincy for a King of the Hill challenge format featuring time trials in all four regular classes and three lap elinination races involving between three and five cars per round. The time trial winner in each class received a $100 bonus, led by Denny Woodworth with a lap of 14.097. The King of the Hill runoff winner in each class had the option of giving up their feature pole position for a chance at a 50% bonus should they come through for the feature win. Late model ace Jason Perry accepted the challenge for a shot at a $1,500 payday, as did stock car driver Wes Mayfield for a possible $600. Before the feature races, the UMP modifieds staged the River City Rumble, a 35 lap event for the top 12 in points in attendance for a $1,000 top prize. Drawing for starting positions, second generation driver Steven Delonjay parlayed a front row spot in to a flag to flag win. The IMCA late models race a trophy dash each week all season to accumulate points for a 20 lap finale at years end paying $600 to win. The late model lawyer Woodworth came from row two to grab the lead on lap three and held on for his second check on the night.
With a much better track than Friday, the features looked to be top notch, and that was proven out as the four finales were run. Visiting Matt Greiner used a rare for QR low groove to outlast Mayfield for the stock car win, while Michael Long came back from a sixth in the Rumble to take the big hardware over Tony Dunker. Bobby Anders nabbed his second main of the weekend over point champion Steve Carlin.
Woodworth definitely had his # 45DW late model dialed in, as he led all 30 laps of the IMCA late model finale to take his fifth win of 2010. The $1,000 payoff left him with a sweep of the nights events and a $1,700 payday. Justin Reed, Perry, Burgtorf and Joey Gower trailed Denny at the checkers.
This week the Sprint Invaders will be in action at QR, and the stock cars will get a night off.
Congratulations to Ray Guss Jr. and Roberts Racing on their Summer Series victory at the Boone Supernationals and their fifth championship of 2010.
It may be September, but there are still a lot of choices for racing fans, so even if you are not going to Eldora, take in some racing this weekend!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Crowning Champions
For those of us who reside in IMCA country, the last weekend in august means championship weekend, and with cooperation from the weatherrman, that is what we had. Friday night the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson was able to finish their points season after a couple weeks of late day rain outs. Something close to 100 cars in six classes checked in for the nights racing, which saw no heat races run in five of the six classes. Only the late models ran heats, as they are the only group that offers points for the preliminary events. The IMCA Sport Mods also ran a ten lap King of the Crate race for cars that ran at least half of the point shows and used a crate engine rather than a 9 to 1 power plant. What seemed like it should have been a quick program ran longer than usual, with driver introductions and multiple on track interviews in all classes. I cannot say if it is a good thing or not, but my personal preference is to " just race. " 18 late models started off the evening with three heat races, then it was feature time. The 18 car IMCA modified finale was an edge of your seat race, with 15th starting Michael Long picking off cars in bunches before he landed in fourth spot on a lap ten restart. The Quincy pilot then wrestled his way past Jeff Waterman and Wyatt Lantz, setting up a battle with leader Brandon Rothzen. Michael used a big time slide job to take the point on lap 15, then outpowered Brandon down the front chute to take the lead, and five laps later, the win. Davenport driver Rich Smith exited the track in the early laps, but had enough cushion to win the season title.
Multi class racer Jason Cook held only a one point lead over Phillip Cossel as the two took off from the front row in the Sport Mod 15 lapper. While Cossel got shuffled back, Jason shot to the front and stayed there the entire time, winning both the nights feature and the class championship.
Jason came back in the next event, the IMCA stock car finale, but he had some heavy hitters in front of him. Number two point man Jeff Mueller grabbed the lead as the green flag flew, claiming a lead he would not relinquish. While Jeff took the checkers in the caution free race, it will be Matt Greiner on the podium come banquet time.
The Sport Mod special event, with a purse of $1,000 courtesy of Shottenkirk, saw six cars qualified for the ten lap dash. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, who finished second to Cook in the title race, ran off with the win, collecting a first place check of $400. Ironically, this was $150 more than the feature win was worth!
The 4 cylinder Wild Thing feature was next, and the action was wid and wooly. When the checkers waved, it was longtime driver Wayne Noble in victory lane. However Waynes # 95x failed post race inspection, giving the hardware to Michael Grossman. Bill Michel captured the points title.
As 10:00 approached, the late models lined up, with Mark Burgtorf on the pole and three time winner Jeff Aikey on the outside. WQhile Jeff has made a living on the high side in recent weeks, the lower groove was the place to be on Friday, and Mark wasted no time in grabbing the lead and hugging the low groove. Just last weekend Burgtorf had picked up his freshened IMCA spec engine, and the change in power was pronounced. The 25 lap main event ran caution free, and Mark lapped up to the 12th place car to take the win and the track title. Denny Woodworth wheeled a car borrowed from the Warner race team out of Quincy, opting to save his IMCA car for championship night at Quincy on Sunday. Though racing the car for the first time, Denny powered around Aikey to take the runner up spot. Giving up on the high groove, Aikey settled for third, while Justin Reed came from seventh to fourth ahead of Gary Russell. The Woodworth car was one campaigned earlier this season by Tony Dunker.
After a long day at work, I headed for the car as the hobby stocks rolled out for introductions, however I want to also congratulate feature winner Matt Tucker, and track champ Tanner Thoman.
LCS notes: The only late model not starting the feature was Tom Goble, who was the feature winner Saturday night at 34 Raceway in west Burlington. Russell captured the point title at 34, overtaking Joey Gower on the final night. This Saturday night will be the yearly visit of the Derry Brothers Summer Series, with 15 drivers eligible for the $3,000 winners bonus. To qualify, a driver may have missed only one late model show at LCS all season. Last year, only about six drivers were eligible, but Burgtorf came fro deep in the field to grab the top prize. Check out the LCS website for the list of eligible drivers. Five classes will be in action, with only the IMCA mods getting the night off.
Saturday night found me away from the race track, but Sunday night it was back to Quincy Raceways for more championship action. The car count was down a bit, but the drama and action was intense. At QR, all classes ran heats, and following each divisions qualifiers, the respective point leader came to the front stretch and flipped a coin to determine if the feature would line up in the regular invert, or straight up with point leaders up front. The exception was the UMP modified class which had to follow UMP line up procedures.
The first feature out was for the IMCA stock cars, where point leader Terry Houston had flipped an invert. Kevin Tomlinson had come to the track having borrowed the # 14 of Jason Leaply, and Kevin took off like a rocket. During a mid race caution, Tomlinson suddenly went pitside, ending his night. Houston drove a patient race, taking over the top spot to claim both the race and the title, with Steve Steinkuhler and Jerry Jansen filling out the top three for the night.
Although Jared Schlipman had a bit of breathing room in the UMP modified division, the always dangerous Michael Long still had a shot. Steven Delonjay, who had to rebuild much of his # 35 after last weeks flip, took off along with Dave Weitholder. As the two duled up front, Long slipped past Schlipman for third. Just as quickly Long headed to the pits with something wrong with the rear end of his mount. Schlipman the decided to throw caution to the wind, inserting inself in the duel for the win. Delonjay held on for the feature victory, with Schlipman and Ryan Meyer picking up trophies as well. The track title for Jared came just days before father Terry celebrated a milestone birthday.
13 IMCA late models were on hand, and point leader Denny Woodworth wanted to take no chances. So " retired " driver Jerry Weisenberger dug out his suit and helmet and qualified the same # 79 Warner Racing ride that Denny raced on Friday, making sure the racing attorney would have a back up car for the feature if needed. Woodworth had flipped a straight up start, and he sat on the pole alongside number two man Jason Perry. As the green flag flew, Perry took off, and Woodworth settled into second. With a nine point lead, Woodworth played it cool, staying on the high side of the oval, counting cars and laps, as his first late model title at QR came ever closer. At the checkers, Perry had his third feature win of 2010, and Woodworth had the track title, as well as second in the 30 lapper. Number three point man Justin Reed chased Denny to the checkers, while Keith Pratt edged Joey Gower in an entertaining battle between the fourth and with place points cars. Woodworth has one other QR championship to his credit, in the " A " modified division way back in 1993.
While the other three classes were crowning first time champs, wily veteran Steve Carlin was looking for championship number four. He took a nine point lead over Bobby Anders into the action, and flipped an inverted start. Things got off to a rough start, with a collision sending Mike Wiley into a hard flip on the backstretch. Mike emerged unhurt after several minutes, but his # 26 suffered heavy damage. As the laps clicked off, Carlin came to the front with Anders trailing behind. the feature finish mirrored the points finish, with Carlin first and Anders second. Hard luck Jake Powers picked up a third for the night.
QR notes: The Deery Brother Summer Series late models visit QR for a rae Friday night show this week. The date is a rescheduled of the rained out Titan Classic from June. The feature event pays an inflated $3,000 to win, and $300 to start. Added to the Donnellson show on Saturday, one driver could pocket $8,000 for the two nights. QR will also be racing on Sunday, with a King of the Hill format in all four classes, featuring time trials, and a bracketed run off to determine feature qualifying. Late models will run for $1,000 to win, with a chance for the pole sitter to start in the back for an extra $500 to win. The there will be extra money and a challenge in all classes, plus the late model trophy dash finale paying something around $500 to win, and a modified River City Rumble for the top points cars.
QR has an aggressive fall schedule going into October, including Sprint Invaders on September 11. Check the website for more details.
Plans for this weekend include Quincy of Friday, Donnellson on Saturday, back to Quincy on Sunday, then???. Hope to see you down the road.
Multi class racer Jason Cook held only a one point lead over Phillip Cossel as the two took off from the front row in the Sport Mod 15 lapper. While Cossel got shuffled back, Jason shot to the front and stayed there the entire time, winning both the nights feature and the class championship.
Jason came back in the next event, the IMCA stock car finale, but he had some heavy hitters in front of him. Number two point man Jeff Mueller grabbed the lead as the green flag flew, claiming a lead he would not relinquish. While Jeff took the checkers in the caution free race, it will be Matt Greiner on the podium come banquet time.
The Sport Mod special event, with a purse of $1,000 courtesy of Shottenkirk, saw six cars qualified for the ten lap dash. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, who finished second to Cook in the title race, ran off with the win, collecting a first place check of $400. Ironically, this was $150 more than the feature win was worth!
The 4 cylinder Wild Thing feature was next, and the action was wid and wooly. When the checkers waved, it was longtime driver Wayne Noble in victory lane. However Waynes # 95x failed post race inspection, giving the hardware to Michael Grossman. Bill Michel captured the points title.
As 10:00 approached, the late models lined up, with Mark Burgtorf on the pole and three time winner Jeff Aikey on the outside. WQhile Jeff has made a living on the high side in recent weeks, the lower groove was the place to be on Friday, and Mark wasted no time in grabbing the lead and hugging the low groove. Just last weekend Burgtorf had picked up his freshened IMCA spec engine, and the change in power was pronounced. The 25 lap main event ran caution free, and Mark lapped up to the 12th place car to take the win and the track title. Denny Woodworth wheeled a car borrowed from the Warner race team out of Quincy, opting to save his IMCA car for championship night at Quincy on Sunday. Though racing the car for the first time, Denny powered around Aikey to take the runner up spot. Giving up on the high groove, Aikey settled for third, while Justin Reed came from seventh to fourth ahead of Gary Russell. The Woodworth car was one campaigned earlier this season by Tony Dunker.
After a long day at work, I headed for the car as the hobby stocks rolled out for introductions, however I want to also congratulate feature winner Matt Tucker, and track champ Tanner Thoman.
LCS notes: The only late model not starting the feature was Tom Goble, who was the feature winner Saturday night at 34 Raceway in west Burlington. Russell captured the point title at 34, overtaking Joey Gower on the final night. This Saturday night will be the yearly visit of the Derry Brothers Summer Series, with 15 drivers eligible for the $3,000 winners bonus. To qualify, a driver may have missed only one late model show at LCS all season. Last year, only about six drivers were eligible, but Burgtorf came fro deep in the field to grab the top prize. Check out the LCS website for the list of eligible drivers. Five classes will be in action, with only the IMCA mods getting the night off.
Saturday night found me away from the race track, but Sunday night it was back to Quincy Raceways for more championship action. The car count was down a bit, but the drama and action was intense. At QR, all classes ran heats, and following each divisions qualifiers, the respective point leader came to the front stretch and flipped a coin to determine if the feature would line up in the regular invert, or straight up with point leaders up front. The exception was the UMP modified class which had to follow UMP line up procedures.
The first feature out was for the IMCA stock cars, where point leader Terry Houston had flipped an invert. Kevin Tomlinson had come to the track having borrowed the # 14 of Jason Leaply, and Kevin took off like a rocket. During a mid race caution, Tomlinson suddenly went pitside, ending his night. Houston drove a patient race, taking over the top spot to claim both the race and the title, with Steve Steinkuhler and Jerry Jansen filling out the top three for the night.
Although Jared Schlipman had a bit of breathing room in the UMP modified division, the always dangerous Michael Long still had a shot. Steven Delonjay, who had to rebuild much of his # 35 after last weeks flip, took off along with Dave Weitholder. As the two duled up front, Long slipped past Schlipman for third. Just as quickly Long headed to the pits with something wrong with the rear end of his mount. Schlipman the decided to throw caution to the wind, inserting inself in the duel for the win. Delonjay held on for the feature victory, with Schlipman and Ryan Meyer picking up trophies as well. The track title for Jared came just days before father Terry celebrated a milestone birthday.
13 IMCA late models were on hand, and point leader Denny Woodworth wanted to take no chances. So " retired " driver Jerry Weisenberger dug out his suit and helmet and qualified the same # 79 Warner Racing ride that Denny raced on Friday, making sure the racing attorney would have a back up car for the feature if needed. Woodworth had flipped a straight up start, and he sat on the pole alongside number two man Jason Perry. As the green flag flew, Perry took off, and Woodworth settled into second. With a nine point lead, Woodworth played it cool, staying on the high side of the oval, counting cars and laps, as his first late model title at QR came ever closer. At the checkers, Perry had his third feature win of 2010, and Woodworth had the track title, as well as second in the 30 lapper. Number three point man Justin Reed chased Denny to the checkers, while Keith Pratt edged Joey Gower in an entertaining battle between the fourth and with place points cars. Woodworth has one other QR championship to his credit, in the " A " modified division way back in 1993.
While the other three classes were crowning first time champs, wily veteran Steve Carlin was looking for championship number four. He took a nine point lead over Bobby Anders into the action, and flipped an inverted start. Things got off to a rough start, with a collision sending Mike Wiley into a hard flip on the backstretch. Mike emerged unhurt after several minutes, but his # 26 suffered heavy damage. As the laps clicked off, Carlin came to the front with Anders trailing behind. the feature finish mirrored the points finish, with Carlin first and Anders second. Hard luck Jake Powers picked up a third for the night.
QR notes: The Deery Brother Summer Series late models visit QR for a rae Friday night show this week. The date is a rescheduled of the rained out Titan Classic from June. The feature event pays an inflated $3,000 to win, and $300 to start. Added to the Donnellson show on Saturday, one driver could pocket $8,000 for the two nights. QR will also be racing on Sunday, with a King of the Hill format in all four classes, featuring time trials, and a bracketed run off to determine feature qualifying. Late models will run for $1,000 to win, with a chance for the pole sitter to start in the back for an extra $500 to win. The there will be extra money and a challenge in all classes, plus the late model trophy dash finale paying something around $500 to win, and a modified River City Rumble for the top points cars.
QR has an aggressive fall schedule going into October, including Sprint Invaders on September 11. Check the website for more details.
Plans for this weekend include Quincy of Friday, Donnellson on Saturday, back to Quincy on Sunday, then???. Hope to see you down the road.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Someplace New, Then Back " Home "
With the season ending weekend specials fast approaching, I took the opportunity on Saturday to visit a track I had never been to, and it was my 15th different track in 2010. Keagan and I joined buddy Fred as we traveled south and east to the Highland Speedway on the Madison County fairgrounds in Highland, Il. The top draw at this UMP weekly track was a visit from the Northern All Star late models in a 30 lap feature paying $2,000 to win. 30 late models made up the bulk of the 97 car turnout for five classes of racing. The track only offered hot laps to the top two classes, something we do not see closer to home, and qualifying started at 6:30, with only the late models receiving time trials, only one lap per car around the 1/4 mile paperclip shaped track. 13 total heat races and a B-main for the late models saw more than an average share of caution peiods, and combined with a break to do some grading of the track, it was about 9:30 when intermission time arrived. Things looked up for us weary travelers, however, when the call went out to bring the Northern All Star late models to the track. The extra track prep had created a smooth surface, and we anticipated a hard fought main event. Former UMP national champion Rodney Melvin drew the pole position after his second heat win, with heat three winner Ryan Unzicker to his outside. At the drop of the green, the two veterans took off in a side by side duel that had everyone on the edge of their seat. For more than half the race they ran this way, making contact only one time. Adding to the excitement was row two starters Jason Feger and Michael Kloos trying to build a high groove in an attempt to overtake the leaders. Highland is known as a bottom groove track, but Feger is known as the " Highside Hustler " for good reason, and he sent sparks flying off the turn four concrete more than once. Mid race Melvin began to open a lead over Unzicker, and Feger moved in to challenge. Just when he seemed poised to make a move, contact with the wall seemed to mess up his handling just a bit. The race was then for second, as he and Unzicker ran side by side. Coming to the checkers, the steering broke on Fegers # 25, but he stayed in the throttle, putting the ride side tires on the front stretch wall as the cars passed the flagstand. As Jason got out of the gas, the car came down on its top with the remainder of the field bearing down to the checkers. Fortunately, everyone missed the upside down car, and moments later he emerged from his ride to the roar of the big crowd. He had a bent race car and a third place finish behind Melvin and runnerup Unzicker. Kloos held off local driver Frankie Martin to complete the first five. The racing was fast and furious further back and Fred mentioned that he would like to see the race again to be able to watch the mid pack action! Steve Lance Jr. finished sixth, making a scorers nightmare as he was the third # 25 in the top six. Kevin Weaver came from 11th to seventh in the closing laps, followed by Bobby Dauderman, Paul Bailey and Adam Mefford. Kloos captured the first heat, while Mark Faust nabbed the consy. Martin turned the fastest lap at 13.600, well off the track record. Track point leader Chad Zobrist was involved in a heat race accident, was awarded a provisional start in the 21 car field, but retired early. With the clock ticking past 10:00 and a three hour drive home, we took our leave with four features yet to run. Highland is a unique facility, as you enter from high above the track and pit area, which set in a valley. Kudos to the concession workers for some of the best sandwiches and reasonable prices we have seen this season. On our trip south we ran back and forth with Quincy UMP driver Rickey Frankel, who competed at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo., where he brought home a fourth place finish in a 32 car field.
Sunday night was back in the familiar digs of Quincy Raceways for the next to last point night of 2010. 13 IMCA late models checked in, and as hot laps wound down, Thad Trump from Kahoka, Mo. rolled through the pit gate as the 14th entry. Thad was making his season debut, as he has had a lot of " irons in the fire " this summer, deciding at 3:30 to load the # 46 and head south. The .29 mile oval offered up a combination of a little rough, a little tacky, and really fast, and the result was lots of action and some bent sheet metal. Clint Kirkham took off from the outside pole in the late model 30 lap finale, and looked like he might get win number one of the year. As the caution flew on lap 23, Clint suddenly pulled to the infield with something wrong under the hood, ending his fine run. Sixth starting Justin Reed had worked his way to the runnerup spot, and he inherited the lead, grabbing his third QR feature win of 2010. Bill Genenbacher ran a sloid second, with last weeks winner Keith Pratt third. Point leader Denny Woodworth gave up a point to second place Jason Perry in the heats, but climbed to fourth at the checkers, gaining two points back on sixth place Perry, with 34 Raceway point leader Joey Gower in fifth. Darin Weisinger and Trump were the only other two cars running at the end.
Last weeks UMP modified feature winner Steven Delonjay, who came in tied for second in points jumped the turn three cushion as the yellow came out for a spinning car at the start of the 25 lap feature. Delonjays # 35 launched off the berm, flipping wildly. Steven walked away from the crash, but his car was not as lucky,his pole position was wasted and his title hopes gone. Point leader Jared Schlipman jumped to the front, and built a lead, but before lap ten sixth row starter Michael Long had moved into second. The tough young drivers then raced side by side and nose to tail for a dozen laps before Long found an opening on the inside on lap 22, taking the lead down the backstretch. The win gave Michael nine wins and a second in ten starts in 2010. However the runnerup finish left Schlipman needing only a fifth place run next week to earn his first ever track championship.
Terry Houston used a second place finish behind winner Aaron Brocksieck to open a commanding lead over Abe Huls in the IMCA stock car chase, while Steve Carlin turned in a third place run in the hobby stocks behind Jim Brown and Nathan Anders to take control of that battle over Bobby Anders, who failed to finish the 20 lap finale.
Quincy Raceways promoters have announced an ambition schedule addition, with racing continuing every Sunday thru October 10. With some special events on the card, the IMCA rules late models are scheduled each week for a top prize of $1,000 to win in a draw redraw format. I will have more details as the time draws near.
This weekends plans are to stay close to home, beginning with season championship night Friday at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Hope to see you there!
Sunday night was back in the familiar digs of Quincy Raceways for the next to last point night of 2010. 13 IMCA late models checked in, and as hot laps wound down, Thad Trump from Kahoka, Mo. rolled through the pit gate as the 14th entry. Thad was making his season debut, as he has had a lot of " irons in the fire " this summer, deciding at 3:30 to load the # 46 and head south. The .29 mile oval offered up a combination of a little rough, a little tacky, and really fast, and the result was lots of action and some bent sheet metal. Clint Kirkham took off from the outside pole in the late model 30 lap finale, and looked like he might get win number one of the year. As the caution flew on lap 23, Clint suddenly pulled to the infield with something wrong under the hood, ending his fine run. Sixth starting Justin Reed had worked his way to the runnerup spot, and he inherited the lead, grabbing his third QR feature win of 2010. Bill Genenbacher ran a sloid second, with last weeks winner Keith Pratt third. Point leader Denny Woodworth gave up a point to second place Jason Perry in the heats, but climbed to fourth at the checkers, gaining two points back on sixth place Perry, with 34 Raceway point leader Joey Gower in fifth. Darin Weisinger and Trump were the only other two cars running at the end.
Last weeks UMP modified feature winner Steven Delonjay, who came in tied for second in points jumped the turn three cushion as the yellow came out for a spinning car at the start of the 25 lap feature. Delonjays # 35 launched off the berm, flipping wildly. Steven walked away from the crash, but his car was not as lucky,his pole position was wasted and his title hopes gone. Point leader Jared Schlipman jumped to the front, and built a lead, but before lap ten sixth row starter Michael Long had moved into second. The tough young drivers then raced side by side and nose to tail for a dozen laps before Long found an opening on the inside on lap 22, taking the lead down the backstretch. The win gave Michael nine wins and a second in ten starts in 2010. However the runnerup finish left Schlipman needing only a fifth place run next week to earn his first ever track championship.
Terry Houston used a second place finish behind winner Aaron Brocksieck to open a commanding lead over Abe Huls in the IMCA stock car chase, while Steve Carlin turned in a third place run in the hobby stocks behind Jim Brown and Nathan Anders to take control of that battle over Bobby Anders, who failed to finish the 20 lap finale.
Quincy Raceways promoters have announced an ambition schedule addition, with racing continuing every Sunday thru October 10. With some special events on the card, the IMCA rules late models are scheduled each week for a top prize of $1,000 to win in a draw redraw format. I will have more details as the time draws near.
This weekends plans are to stay close to home, beginning with season championship night Friday at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Hope to see you there!
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