Cross something else off my " bucket list," as race night number 16 was the opening race of the UMP Summernationals. Historically the series has opened in Indiana, but the 2018 edition kicked off at the storied Peoria Speedway, " only " a three hour drive from home. We were anticipating a stellar field of super late models vying for the $5,000 top prize as well as a solid group of modifieds looking to open the companion series.
Veteran racer Billy Drake, a local favorite, topped the 38 late models with a fast lap of 13.505 seconds, while Mike Harrison, arguably the most successful mod driver in the midwest, paced the 32 cars signing in.
Unfortunately, hot laps and qualifying for the two featured classes, plus the local crate mods and hornets " used up " the track to a great extent, and passing was at a premium throughout the night. Of course, the UMP practice of fastest cars starting in the front generally results in limited passing, anyway.
Only one of the four late model heat winners did not come from the front row. Drake and Billy Moyer Jr. won their heats from the pole position, Brian Shirley topped heat two from outside row one, and Jason Feger powered from outside row two to capture heat three. Likewise, the C main winner, Matt Shannon started outside row one, and the loaded B main went to polesitter Shannon Babb.
The night ended early for three competitors, as area racers Jeff Riddell, Glen Thompson, and Jay Sparks were all parked before the heat races began.
Following all preliminary events and a 22 minute intermission, the first feature came to the track around 9:40 before an excellent week night crowd. It took a few laps for the hornets to get going, as the watering of the 1/4 mile during intermission made things a bit greasy. David Lauritson prevailed to take the win.
The modifieds ran second, and with the clock ticking toward what we thought was a 10:30 curfew, the open wheelers clicked off 25 caution free laps! Harrison added to his trophy case, negotiating lapped traffic with skill to easily outdistance Tyler Nicely. Harrison stated in victory lane that he was undefeated in this new car, with a winning streak of five or six.
It was now late model time. Drake jumped from outside row one to lead the first circuit, with Feger, Moyer Jr., and Shirley in hot pursuit. Shirley slipped past Moyer Jr. on lap two, and by the third trip past the flagstand, Drake was stretching his lead. The first caution came on lap four for Allen Weisser, who ducked to the hot pit before restarting on the tail. Drake was beginning to work slower traffic when the yellow waved again on lap eleven. A seven car pile up in turn one negated the restart, but when racing resumed, Drake again powered to big advantage. The # 75 was again in lapped traffic before the halfway point of the 40 lapper. Lap 32 saw Shannon stop on the front stretch to bring out the caution. Three more laps clicked off with the final caution on lap 35, as Gordy Gundaker jammed his # 11 under the rear of the # 89 of Mike Spatola. After a lengthy delay to get the cars separated, the final five circuits saw Drake cruise to the flag to flag win. Feger kept the leader in his sights, but could not mount a challenge, as the leaders mostly stayed glued to the inside line. Shirley crossed the line in third, followed by Moyer Jr. and Michigan driver Brandon Thirlby. Billy Moyer Sr. gained three spots to finish sixth, followed by Bob Gardner and Nick Hoffman. Ryan Unzicker was the big mover of the race, as he was the first UMP provisional starter, lining up nineteenth and finishing ninth. Rusty Schlenk completed the top ten.
The crate mods were heading to the track around 10:45 as we headed to the car, so perhaps our information about the curfew was wrong. I see this morning that Matt Parrott topped the crate main.
While we were rubbernecking outside the pit area, driver Phil
Dixon came over to visit. We learned that he calls Crosby, Texas home, and traveled north to try his luck on the modified portion of the Summernationals tour. Dixon says that he often has to pull four or more hours to race around home, reminding us again how fortunate we are to have so many choices to satisfy our racing craving. Dixon was running mid pack in the mod main before spinning on the last lap. Good luck to the # A1 on his racin' vacation.
The series is heading to Kankakee, Il. on Thursday. Hopefully we can pick up a few more nights of the 28 race schedule starting next week. Next up for me will be weekly racing at Quincy Raceways this Sunday night, with UMP crate late models the featured class.
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Boyse Tops at Donnellson
After a long awaited vacation where I acquired a first class sunburn, we made it home in time for me to hitch a ride to the Lee County Speedway for Friday night racing action.
Mercifully, the hobby stocks have been dropped from the weekly card, but the remaining five classes turned out 59 cars and delivered excellent racing action.
Nine heat races clicked off in about 40 minutes with zero caution periods on the perfectly prepared 3/8 mile D shaped track.
The IMCA sport compacts then lined up for their 14 lap main event. The first caution of the night was on the opening lap for debris. Jake Dietrich set the pace early, but heat one winner Josh Barnes came from row two to the front on lap two. Meanwhile, a second Barnes entry driven by former late model pilot Brandon Ruffcorn, was on the move from the back of the pack. Following a heat race win of his own, Ruffcorn charged to third on lap four, then took the runner up slot two laps later. Just after the halfway mark, Kimberly Abbott slowed with a flat tire. Fortunately for her, she shed debris from her #71, bringing out the caution flag, which gave her a chance to rejoin the field. Back to racing, Ruffcorn and Barnes made it a two car race for first. Barnes held off the charge, picking up the win, with Ruffcorn settling for second. Brandon Reu held off Barry Taft for third, and Dietrich came home in fifth. Abbott was able to recover to finish sixth.
The IMCA sport mods got off to a rough start, as contact at the green sent Sean Wyatt for a spin. Back to action, Ron Kibbe led Daniel Fellows as the duo put some distance on the field. Brandon Lennox advanced from row four to claim third on lap six, and one circuit later Austin Howes moved up to challenge Lennox. On lap ten, Kibbe drifted a bit high in turn one, and Fellows took advantage to grab the lead. Lennox found his way around Kibbe on the next circuit, just before the yellow flag was displayed. When racing resumed, Fellows and Lennox made it a two car scrum. On laps 14 and 15, Lennox tried the low line under Fellows, each time pulling within a half car length. At the two to go wave of the flag, Lennox tried the high line, but still could not make the pass. Fellows scored a half car length victory over Lennox. Howes took third, last weeks winner Brandon Dale was fourth, and Kibbe completed the top five.
The IMCA stock car count was light, with eight entries, but they clearly offered up the race of the night. Jeremy Pundt held the pole position, flanked by John Oliver Jr. Twice the start was called back, as Pundt was on the gas too early for starter Kevin Eggleston. On the third try, Pundt still grabbed the lead, with Oliver in tow. Heat winner David Brandies crossed the line fourth, then moved to third on lap three. Lap four saw Pundt and Oliver side by side, with Brandies and Abe Huls also side by side for third. Oliver powered to first on the fifth lap, and three circuits later Brandies was scored second, although Pundt and Huls made it three wide for the runner up spot. One more lap, and Brandies used the high line to take the lead, taking Huls along in second, with Pundt shuffled back to fifth behind Oliver and Jason Cook. Huls moved to the high line, pressuring Brandies for laps eleven and twelve, and Oliver made it three wide on lap 13. Huls gained the top spot on lap 14, but Oliver crossed the stripe in first as the lap was scored. Lap 15, it was again three wide for first, Huls now running the high line. On the next trip around, Brandies went high to take second, and with three laps remaining, it was Huls on the inside, Oliver in the middle, and Brandies up top. Huls was out front with two to go, but Brandies used a turn one move on the final lap to take the lead for good. Huls came in second and Cook was third. Oliver held off Pundt for fourth, and even after 20 laps, you could have covered the top five with a homemade quilt!
Before we could digest the action, 14 IMCA modifieds were lined up for 20 laps of racing. Third starting Dean McGee paced lap one, with seventh starting Jeff Waterman already in second. Waterman then took the lead on lap three. Colby Springsteen paid a visit to Lee County on Friday, starting tenth in the feature, but entering the top five on lap five. By then, however, Waterman had a commanding lead. Logan Anderson charged to second just prior to halfway, and Springsteen took third as the crossed flags signaled ten laps to go. With Waterman holding a straightaway advantage, Springsteen began to stalk Anderson in the closing laps. As the white flag waved, the two ran side by side across the line. Anderson held the spot as the duo entered turn three for the final time, but he slipped out of the groove in turn four, giving Springsteen the runner up slot to Waterman in the non stop event. McGee had a solid run in fourth, while Bill Roberts Jr. rounded out the first five.
Once again, the crate late models were the final race on the card, with ten cars entered. Pole sitter Todd Frank led lap one followed by veteran Ron Boyse and Brandon Savage. Boyse found his way to the lead on lap two as fifth starting Tommy Elston powered to fourth. Elston gained a spot each of the next two laps, setting sail after Boyse. Darin Weisinger Jr. looped his ride on lap six, bringing out the only caution of the race. Frank took advantage of the Delaware restart to grab second, and Sam Halstead moved to fourth. Elston retook second on the next lap, and Halstead charged to third on lap eight. Elston pressured Boyse throughout the remaining laps, but never got close enough to mount a challenge. He would close the gap in turns three and four, but Boyse had a clear advantage coming off turn two. Boyse held on for his first win of the season at LCS, becoming I believe the sixth different late model winner of 2018. Elston took runner up honors, followed by Halstead, Todd Frank, and the only two time winner of the season, Gunner Frank. Savage may have made contact with the guardrail, losing a spot to run sixth. Aric Becker was back and ran seventh, while Chris Richard made an appearance in the Lynn Richard # 15R in eighth. Weisinger was ninth, and first time visitor for 2018, Russ Schoonover was tenth.
There is rarely a late night at Lee County, but running 14 races and being done at 9:23 could be a record that was much appreciated by this weary traveler!
A few notes of interest, Brandon Savage has put his #47S up for sale. Although it is a good car and Brandon has a feature win this season, he has a lot of irons in the fire, and not enough time for late model racing right now. So if you are looking to go late model racing, contact him on Facebook. Also, Quincy Raceways has cancelled their race program for this Sunday, June 10. The return of the Grand Prix of Karting to Quincy has created some scheduling conflicts, but racing will return on Sunday, June 17, with the UMP crate late models added to the card in a make up from this Sunday. Also, there will be no racing next Friday at Lee County, as Mike and his team will be at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. It is my understanding that the Sprint Invaders will top the card, along with modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts. More info should be available on Facebook in the coming days. As I type, it seems as though Mother Nature is taking the checkers at several Saturday night tracks, so be sure and call or check websites before heading out tonight.
We are hoping to take in night number one of the UMP late model Summernationals this Wednesday at Peoria Speedway, as there should be a nice field of the open lates on hand. Until next time, thanks for reading.
Mercifully, the hobby stocks have been dropped from the weekly card, but the remaining five classes turned out 59 cars and delivered excellent racing action.
Nine heat races clicked off in about 40 minutes with zero caution periods on the perfectly prepared 3/8 mile D shaped track.
The IMCA sport compacts then lined up for their 14 lap main event. The first caution of the night was on the opening lap for debris. Jake Dietrich set the pace early, but heat one winner Josh Barnes came from row two to the front on lap two. Meanwhile, a second Barnes entry driven by former late model pilot Brandon Ruffcorn, was on the move from the back of the pack. Following a heat race win of his own, Ruffcorn charged to third on lap four, then took the runner up slot two laps later. Just after the halfway mark, Kimberly Abbott slowed with a flat tire. Fortunately for her, she shed debris from her #71, bringing out the caution flag, which gave her a chance to rejoin the field. Back to racing, Ruffcorn and Barnes made it a two car race for first. Barnes held off the charge, picking up the win, with Ruffcorn settling for second. Brandon Reu held off Barry Taft for third, and Dietrich came home in fifth. Abbott was able to recover to finish sixth.
The IMCA sport mods got off to a rough start, as contact at the green sent Sean Wyatt for a spin. Back to action, Ron Kibbe led Daniel Fellows as the duo put some distance on the field. Brandon Lennox advanced from row four to claim third on lap six, and one circuit later Austin Howes moved up to challenge Lennox. On lap ten, Kibbe drifted a bit high in turn one, and Fellows took advantage to grab the lead. Lennox found his way around Kibbe on the next circuit, just before the yellow flag was displayed. When racing resumed, Fellows and Lennox made it a two car scrum. On laps 14 and 15, Lennox tried the low line under Fellows, each time pulling within a half car length. At the two to go wave of the flag, Lennox tried the high line, but still could not make the pass. Fellows scored a half car length victory over Lennox. Howes took third, last weeks winner Brandon Dale was fourth, and Kibbe completed the top five.
The IMCA stock car count was light, with eight entries, but they clearly offered up the race of the night. Jeremy Pundt held the pole position, flanked by John Oliver Jr. Twice the start was called back, as Pundt was on the gas too early for starter Kevin Eggleston. On the third try, Pundt still grabbed the lead, with Oliver in tow. Heat winner David Brandies crossed the line fourth, then moved to third on lap three. Lap four saw Pundt and Oliver side by side, with Brandies and Abe Huls also side by side for third. Oliver powered to first on the fifth lap, and three circuits later Brandies was scored second, although Pundt and Huls made it three wide for the runner up spot. One more lap, and Brandies used the high line to take the lead, taking Huls along in second, with Pundt shuffled back to fifth behind Oliver and Jason Cook. Huls moved to the high line, pressuring Brandies for laps eleven and twelve, and Oliver made it three wide on lap 13. Huls gained the top spot on lap 14, but Oliver crossed the stripe in first as the lap was scored. Lap 15, it was again three wide for first, Huls now running the high line. On the next trip around, Brandies went high to take second, and with three laps remaining, it was Huls on the inside, Oliver in the middle, and Brandies up top. Huls was out front with two to go, but Brandies used a turn one move on the final lap to take the lead for good. Huls came in second and Cook was third. Oliver held off Pundt for fourth, and even after 20 laps, you could have covered the top five with a homemade quilt!
Before we could digest the action, 14 IMCA modifieds were lined up for 20 laps of racing. Third starting Dean McGee paced lap one, with seventh starting Jeff Waterman already in second. Waterman then took the lead on lap three. Colby Springsteen paid a visit to Lee County on Friday, starting tenth in the feature, but entering the top five on lap five. By then, however, Waterman had a commanding lead. Logan Anderson charged to second just prior to halfway, and Springsteen took third as the crossed flags signaled ten laps to go. With Waterman holding a straightaway advantage, Springsteen began to stalk Anderson in the closing laps. As the white flag waved, the two ran side by side across the line. Anderson held the spot as the duo entered turn three for the final time, but he slipped out of the groove in turn four, giving Springsteen the runner up slot to Waterman in the non stop event. McGee had a solid run in fourth, while Bill Roberts Jr. rounded out the first five.
Once again, the crate late models were the final race on the card, with ten cars entered. Pole sitter Todd Frank led lap one followed by veteran Ron Boyse and Brandon Savage. Boyse found his way to the lead on lap two as fifth starting Tommy Elston powered to fourth. Elston gained a spot each of the next two laps, setting sail after Boyse. Darin Weisinger Jr. looped his ride on lap six, bringing out the only caution of the race. Frank took advantage of the Delaware restart to grab second, and Sam Halstead moved to fourth. Elston retook second on the next lap, and Halstead charged to third on lap eight. Elston pressured Boyse throughout the remaining laps, but never got close enough to mount a challenge. He would close the gap in turns three and four, but Boyse had a clear advantage coming off turn two. Boyse held on for his first win of the season at LCS, becoming I believe the sixth different late model winner of 2018. Elston took runner up honors, followed by Halstead, Todd Frank, and the only two time winner of the season, Gunner Frank. Savage may have made contact with the guardrail, losing a spot to run sixth. Aric Becker was back and ran seventh, while Chris Richard made an appearance in the Lynn Richard # 15R in eighth. Weisinger was ninth, and first time visitor for 2018, Russ Schoonover was tenth.
There is rarely a late night at Lee County, but running 14 races and being done at 9:23 could be a record that was much appreciated by this weary traveler!
A few notes of interest, Brandon Savage has put his #47S up for sale. Although it is a good car and Brandon has a feature win this season, he has a lot of irons in the fire, and not enough time for late model racing right now. So if you are looking to go late model racing, contact him on Facebook. Also, Quincy Raceways has cancelled their race program for this Sunday, June 10. The return of the Grand Prix of Karting to Quincy has created some scheduling conflicts, but racing will return on Sunday, June 17, with the UMP crate late models added to the card in a make up from this Sunday. Also, there will be no racing next Friday at Lee County, as Mike and his team will be at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. It is my understanding that the Sprint Invaders will top the card, along with modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts. More info should be available on Facebook in the coming days. As I type, it seems as though Mother Nature is taking the checkers at several Saturday night tracks, so be sure and call or check websites before heading out tonight.
We are hoping to take in night number one of the UMP late model Summernationals this Wednesday at Peoria Speedway, as there should be a nice field of the open lates on hand. Until next time, thanks for reading.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
Dale Steals the Show at Donnellson
Friday night I made my fourth visit of the season to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. The readout in Freds truck read 97 degrees when we arrived at the 3/8 mile fairgrounds facility. Even though the heat was not nearly as oppressive as that might indicate, it was no doubt a major factor as relates to the somewhat sparse crowd and smaller than hoped for car count. I do know that graduation ceremonies at Quincy,Il. high school also kept some cars and fans from the track.
I was surprised when LCS added the hobby stocks to the race lineup in 2018 after the small car counts in previous years, and unfortunately the turnout last night did nothing to make me change my opinion. After two weeks off being replaced with traveling classes, the hobbys had three cars sign in. When they ran first on the card, I was hoping there were no first time fans on hand. Aaron Martin was the final car running when the checkers fell to start off the main event lineup.
David Prim was done for the night after issues in hot laps, but the remaining 13 IMCA sport compacts lined up for their feature. Josh Barnes easily won his heat race, and seemed to have run off the gremlins that had plagued his #13B the week before. However when the green flag waved, he seemed to lose power and coasted to the infield. Kenny Smith paced the opening lap, but it was row four starter Kimberly Abbott charging to the top spot on lap two. Her fellow row four starter, Brandon Reu moved to second one lap later. The only caution of the race came on lap five, and the restart was also waved off. Mike Reu powered to second following the restart, with Barry Taft jumping to third. Taft dogged Reu until finally taking the runner up spot as the pair came to the white flag. By then Abbott had a nice lead, and she cruised to her second victory in as many weeks. Taft held off Reu for second, followed by Jake Dietrich and Brandon Reu.
The race of the night was the 18 lap feature for the IMCA sport mods. All but one of the 17 cars signed in took the green flag. Three cars had scratched from the pair of heat races, including Brandon Dale, who lined up at the back of the pack. Rookie Adam Niekamp held the top spot as lap one was scored, with Ron Kibbe ahead for lap two. Daniel Fellows was first at the end of the third circuit as row four starter Brandon Lennox moved to second. With Lennox edging past Fellows at the completion of lap four, the caution came out. Lennox pulled away on the restart, with a five car battle behind him catching everyones attention. Dale was tenth for the restart, but quickly moved to seventh as racing resumed. On the sixth lap, Adam Birck and Fellows were locked in a side by side duel for second, with another caution one lap later. Back to racing, Lennox again pulled away and Austen Becerra joined to battle for second. Suddenly Birck spun in turn two, staying on the throttle, but losing several spots back to eighth. As the lap was completed, Becerra suddenly slowed, again bringing out the yellow flag. As the cars realligned, Birck indicated his displeasure with Fellows concerning his spin. Five laps remained, with Austin Howes now in the runnerup slot, and one more lap saw Dale charge past Fellows for third. Again the caution waved, and back to racing, Dale took second from Howes. Through all this Lennox had been dominate. One more time the caution came out, setting up a green, white, checkers finish. The field was lined up single file, and with no one along side, Dale went to work on the leader. As the white flag was displayed, Dale used the high side off turn four to overtake the leader, then held on for the thrilling victory. Lennox settled for second. Howes, Fellows, and Brett Lowry completed the top five, with Birck rebounding to finish sixth.
Jeremy Pundt came from row two to pace the opening lap of the nine car IMCA stock car 20 lap feature. Fifth starting Abe Huls grabbed second and began to pressure the leader on lap two. Huls charged to the lead on lap three. John Oliver Jr. joined the fray, but contact with an infield tire appeared to hurt his set up somewhat even though he took second from Pundt on lap five. The first caution of the race came on lap six, with Pundt retaking second on the restart. With Huls in command, Jason See moved around Oliver for third just before the halfway mark, but as lap 13 was scored, See slowed on the front stretch, dropping oil on the racing surface, as his engine apparently expired. In the closing laps, with Huls holding a sizable lead as he and Pundt ran low on the track, Oliver tried the top side, without success. The checkers waved for Huls, Pundt, Oliver, Jason Cook, and Chad Krogmeier, in that order.
Dakota Simmons scratched from the IMCA modified action after hot laps, but the other nine competitors took the feature green. Outside pole sitter Jeff Waterman took the early lead, with the previous weeks winner, Bill Roberts Jr. in hot pursuit. Waterman slowly stretched his advantage, in the non stop event. When the checkers waved, Waterman held nearly a straightaway lead. Roberts crossed the stripe in second over Larry Herring, Mitch Boles, and Levi Smith. Dirt Knights competitor Cody Bauman made the trip to LCS from Eureka,Il. to test out his #4, heading to the pits on lap nine while running in fourth.
The crate late models wrapped up the action, racing for 20 laps. Heat winner Gunner Frank took the lead from his pole position, with outside row one starter Jeff Guengerich glued to his bumper. Veteran Ron Boyse stayed close in third before Tommy Elston went to the high side of the oval to charge to third on the fourth circuit. The race stayed green from start to finish, and Frank negotiated the slickening track to perfection. He became the first repeat winner in six nights of late model action at the speedway in 2018, as he and his father Todd have captured the last three main events. Guengerich ran a steady race in second ahead of Elston, Boyse, and Sam Halstead. Todd Frank fell out of the heat race in a cloud of smoke, but returned to run sixth in the feature ahead of Darin Weisinger Jr. Chase Frank was the only driver not finishing the 20 laps.
Thanks to Mike Van Genderen and Dave Sapp for another smooth, fast, dust free track after such a hot midwestern day, and to the entire LCS crew for an enjoyable night of racing that concluded about 9:30!
It looks as though this will conclude my racing for this weekend, as other activities await, but if you can dodge the raindrops, find a track close by today and Sunday and enjoy some racing!
I was surprised when LCS added the hobby stocks to the race lineup in 2018 after the small car counts in previous years, and unfortunately the turnout last night did nothing to make me change my opinion. After two weeks off being replaced with traveling classes, the hobbys had three cars sign in. When they ran first on the card, I was hoping there were no first time fans on hand. Aaron Martin was the final car running when the checkers fell to start off the main event lineup.
David Prim was done for the night after issues in hot laps, but the remaining 13 IMCA sport compacts lined up for their feature. Josh Barnes easily won his heat race, and seemed to have run off the gremlins that had plagued his #13B the week before. However when the green flag waved, he seemed to lose power and coasted to the infield. Kenny Smith paced the opening lap, but it was row four starter Kimberly Abbott charging to the top spot on lap two. Her fellow row four starter, Brandon Reu moved to second one lap later. The only caution of the race came on lap five, and the restart was also waved off. Mike Reu powered to second following the restart, with Barry Taft jumping to third. Taft dogged Reu until finally taking the runner up spot as the pair came to the white flag. By then Abbott had a nice lead, and she cruised to her second victory in as many weeks. Taft held off Reu for second, followed by Jake Dietrich and Brandon Reu.
The race of the night was the 18 lap feature for the IMCA sport mods. All but one of the 17 cars signed in took the green flag. Three cars had scratched from the pair of heat races, including Brandon Dale, who lined up at the back of the pack. Rookie Adam Niekamp held the top spot as lap one was scored, with Ron Kibbe ahead for lap two. Daniel Fellows was first at the end of the third circuit as row four starter Brandon Lennox moved to second. With Lennox edging past Fellows at the completion of lap four, the caution came out. Lennox pulled away on the restart, with a five car battle behind him catching everyones attention. Dale was tenth for the restart, but quickly moved to seventh as racing resumed. On the sixth lap, Adam Birck and Fellows were locked in a side by side duel for second, with another caution one lap later. Back to racing, Lennox again pulled away and Austen Becerra joined to battle for second. Suddenly Birck spun in turn two, staying on the throttle, but losing several spots back to eighth. As the lap was completed, Becerra suddenly slowed, again bringing out the yellow flag. As the cars realligned, Birck indicated his displeasure with Fellows concerning his spin. Five laps remained, with Austin Howes now in the runnerup slot, and one more lap saw Dale charge past Fellows for third. Again the caution waved, and back to racing, Dale took second from Howes. Through all this Lennox had been dominate. One more time the caution came out, setting up a green, white, checkers finish. The field was lined up single file, and with no one along side, Dale went to work on the leader. As the white flag was displayed, Dale used the high side off turn four to overtake the leader, then held on for the thrilling victory. Lennox settled for second. Howes, Fellows, and Brett Lowry completed the top five, with Birck rebounding to finish sixth.
Jeremy Pundt came from row two to pace the opening lap of the nine car IMCA stock car 20 lap feature. Fifth starting Abe Huls grabbed second and began to pressure the leader on lap two. Huls charged to the lead on lap three. John Oliver Jr. joined the fray, but contact with an infield tire appeared to hurt his set up somewhat even though he took second from Pundt on lap five. The first caution of the race came on lap six, with Pundt retaking second on the restart. With Huls in command, Jason See moved around Oliver for third just before the halfway mark, but as lap 13 was scored, See slowed on the front stretch, dropping oil on the racing surface, as his engine apparently expired. In the closing laps, with Huls holding a sizable lead as he and Pundt ran low on the track, Oliver tried the top side, without success. The checkers waved for Huls, Pundt, Oliver, Jason Cook, and Chad Krogmeier, in that order.
Dakota Simmons scratched from the IMCA modified action after hot laps, but the other nine competitors took the feature green. Outside pole sitter Jeff Waterman took the early lead, with the previous weeks winner, Bill Roberts Jr. in hot pursuit. Waterman slowly stretched his advantage, in the non stop event. When the checkers waved, Waterman held nearly a straightaway lead. Roberts crossed the stripe in second over Larry Herring, Mitch Boles, and Levi Smith. Dirt Knights competitor Cody Bauman made the trip to LCS from Eureka,Il. to test out his #4, heading to the pits on lap nine while running in fourth.
The crate late models wrapped up the action, racing for 20 laps. Heat winner Gunner Frank took the lead from his pole position, with outside row one starter Jeff Guengerich glued to his bumper. Veteran Ron Boyse stayed close in third before Tommy Elston went to the high side of the oval to charge to third on the fourth circuit. The race stayed green from start to finish, and Frank negotiated the slickening track to perfection. He became the first repeat winner in six nights of late model action at the speedway in 2018, as he and his father Todd have captured the last three main events. Guengerich ran a steady race in second ahead of Elston, Boyse, and Sam Halstead. Todd Frank fell out of the heat race in a cloud of smoke, but returned to run sixth in the feature ahead of Darin Weisinger Jr. Chase Frank was the only driver not finishing the 20 laps.
Thanks to Mike Van Genderen and Dave Sapp for another smooth, fast, dust free track after such a hot midwestern day, and to the entire LCS crew for an enjoyable night of racing that concluded about 9:30!
It looks as though this will conclude my racing for this weekend, as other activities await, but if you can dodge the raindrops, find a track close by today and Sunday and enjoy some racing!
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Like Son, Like Father at LCS
Friday, my grandson Keagan and his fiance Megan came in to town for the weekend, and joined me for a night of racing at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Keagan was my racing companion from the age of about six or seven, but Megan had only attended two races previously. Ironically, those two races were at tracks we have not been to, Double XX Speedway in California, Missouri, and the Missouri State Fairgrounds Speedway in Sedalia. Both had been sprint car shows, so she was somewhat on familiar ground, as the Sprint Invaders joined five weekly classes on Friday night.
A solid total of 84 cars checked in, led by 19 of the sprinters.
Following 13 heat races, the Invaders Shake Up Dash, and a brief intermission, it was time to go feature racing.
The 18 lap main event for the IMCA sport mods lined up first. While I believe we had only one yellow flag in the preliminary races, the sport mod main turned into a caution fest. Much improved Ron Kibbe took off from the outside pole to lead the opening lap, with Kibbe and Austen Becerra swapping sliders in turn four. As lap two was scored, Brandon Lennox charged from row four to the runner up spot to battle with Kibbe. Following a lap four caution, Lennox was in command, and now it was Lennox and Becerra exchanging slide jobs. Eighth starting Adam Birck and Brandon Dale made it a four car battle for second by lap six, joining Kibbe and Becerra. Kibbe went spinning on lap eight, and was tagged by Adam Niekamp. Back under green, Becerra again tried a slide move in turns three and four, this time making contact with the leader, gaining the advantage. But Lennox returned the favor in turn two, retaking the lead. Another pair of cautions, and Dale charged to the runner up position. Another caution with five laps to go, and the field was now realligned single file. Dale was moving around the track, looking for a way to the front. Lennox was able to open a lead before a final caution on the final circuit set up a green, white, checkers finish. Lennox held on for the win, with Dale in the second spot. Birck grabbed third, Becerra fourth, and Tyler Burton completed the top five.
The 15 IMCA stock cars came up next for 20 laps. Ray Raker came from row two to the first lap lead, a nose ahead of Dean Kratzer. Kratzer edged ahead on lap two before the yellow waved. Racing again, Jeremy Pundt took second, while John Oliver Jr. shot to third after a row four start. Pundt took over the lead on lap four, and Oliver moved to second one lap later. Oliver began to pressure Pundt, using the high line to take first in turn three on lap seven. Abe Huls now came to third, and at the halfway mark, Jason Cook joined Pundt and Huls in the battle for second. Cook charged to second on lap twelve, but could not mount a serious challenge to Oliver, as the two took the checkers in that order. Huls held off Pundt and Raker to round out the top five.
Levi Smith used a pole position start to lead lap one of the 14 car modified feature, with Kelly Buckalew bringing out the caution on lap two. When racing resumed, ninth starting Bill Roberts Jr., the nights' sponsor, used the high line to move to third, while Jeff Waterman took fourth running the bottom groove. Roberts challenged Smith on lap four, taking the lead on lap five. Following a lap six restart, Waterman took second, and twelfth starting Larry Herring entered the top five. Herring gained fourth on lap seven, then took third following a yellow for early contender Austin Emry. Contact between Emry and Smith ended the night for Levi. Waterman ran a low line in turns one and two, high in three and four, but could never get close enough to Roberts to make a serious challenge. Herring scored third, with Carter Vandenbergh fourth, while Logan Anderson rebounded from early troubles to run fifth.
To the delight of the large crowd, the female phenom McKenna Haase ran off with her heat and the dash, but she pulled a five on the redraw, lining up in row three for the 25 lap main event, and was never a factor. Jon Agan held the early lead before a lap two yellow. John Schulz charged to the lead on the restart, with Agan fighting back. Hasse brought out a lap six caution, heading for the hot pit, then the trailer. After a lap eight caution, it became a two car battle between Agan and Schulz. Schulz used a slider on lap ten, taking the lead for good in turn two. From there, the veteran in the Jimmy Davies ride stayed in command. Bill Balog took second on lap 21 as Agan fell back. The only red of the night came with three laps to go, as Agan took an easy roll in turn two. Schulz pulled away for the win, Balog came from row nine to second. Jamie Ball ran third, young Mason Daniel took fourth, and Brayden Gaylord completed the top five.
Jake Dietrich held the lead early in the IMCA sport compact 14 lapper. On the third circuit, Mike Reu took second, with Kimberly Abbott following in third. As Reu and Abbott ran side by side, Dietrich opened a large lead, before slowing on lap five, pulling to the infield. Abbott was now in front, with Brandon Reu taking second. Point leader Barry Taft spent the early laps trying to move through traffic, and he took third on lap eight. He then ran side by side with Reu, moving to the runner up spot on lap ten. He was able to cut into Abbotts lead, but Kimberly stayed in control to break Tafts victory string. Barry ran second ahead of Brandon Reu, Mike Reu, and Craig Bangert in the #04.
The final event of the night was the 20 lap crate late model feature. Last weeks winner, Gunner Frank, was a no show, as he had contact with Dalton Lynch in their heat race. But Dad Todd Frank took off from outside row one to the lead, taking Lynch along in second. The caution waved on lap two when Brandon Queen spun in turn two, collecting Darin Weisinger Jr. Jeff Guengerich took up the chase as racing resumed., but Sam Halstead slipped around Guengerich one lap later. Tommy Elston started eighth, moving to third on lap five. Todd Frank built a sizable advantage as Elston worked to overtake Halstead by the halfway point. With just a pair of laps remaining, Elston powered to second in turn four, but the elder Frank continued to hit his marks over the final laps, joining his son while becoming the fifth different feature winner in five nights of racing. Elston came home in the runner up spot, with Halstead third. Heat two winner Ron Boyse ran fourth, and Guengerich was fifth. Lynch, Brandon Savage, Weisinger Jr., and Queen completed the running order.
It looks like Friday night will be my only night of racing this weekend, but there is plenty of events going on this holiday weekend, so try to get to a track somewhere!
A solid total of 84 cars checked in, led by 19 of the sprinters.
Following 13 heat races, the Invaders Shake Up Dash, and a brief intermission, it was time to go feature racing.
The 18 lap main event for the IMCA sport mods lined up first. While I believe we had only one yellow flag in the preliminary races, the sport mod main turned into a caution fest. Much improved Ron Kibbe took off from the outside pole to lead the opening lap, with Kibbe and Austen Becerra swapping sliders in turn four. As lap two was scored, Brandon Lennox charged from row four to the runner up spot to battle with Kibbe. Following a lap four caution, Lennox was in command, and now it was Lennox and Becerra exchanging slide jobs. Eighth starting Adam Birck and Brandon Dale made it a four car battle for second by lap six, joining Kibbe and Becerra. Kibbe went spinning on lap eight, and was tagged by Adam Niekamp. Back under green, Becerra again tried a slide move in turns three and four, this time making contact with the leader, gaining the advantage. But Lennox returned the favor in turn two, retaking the lead. Another pair of cautions, and Dale charged to the runner up position. Another caution with five laps to go, and the field was now realligned single file. Dale was moving around the track, looking for a way to the front. Lennox was able to open a lead before a final caution on the final circuit set up a green, white, checkers finish. Lennox held on for the win, with Dale in the second spot. Birck grabbed third, Becerra fourth, and Tyler Burton completed the top five.
The 15 IMCA stock cars came up next for 20 laps. Ray Raker came from row two to the first lap lead, a nose ahead of Dean Kratzer. Kratzer edged ahead on lap two before the yellow waved. Racing again, Jeremy Pundt took second, while John Oliver Jr. shot to third after a row four start. Pundt took over the lead on lap four, and Oliver moved to second one lap later. Oliver began to pressure Pundt, using the high line to take first in turn three on lap seven. Abe Huls now came to third, and at the halfway mark, Jason Cook joined Pundt and Huls in the battle for second. Cook charged to second on lap twelve, but could not mount a serious challenge to Oliver, as the two took the checkers in that order. Huls held off Pundt and Raker to round out the top five.
Levi Smith used a pole position start to lead lap one of the 14 car modified feature, with Kelly Buckalew bringing out the caution on lap two. When racing resumed, ninth starting Bill Roberts Jr., the nights' sponsor, used the high line to move to third, while Jeff Waterman took fourth running the bottom groove. Roberts challenged Smith on lap four, taking the lead on lap five. Following a lap six restart, Waterman took second, and twelfth starting Larry Herring entered the top five. Herring gained fourth on lap seven, then took third following a yellow for early contender Austin Emry. Contact between Emry and Smith ended the night for Levi. Waterman ran a low line in turns one and two, high in three and four, but could never get close enough to Roberts to make a serious challenge. Herring scored third, with Carter Vandenbergh fourth, while Logan Anderson rebounded from early troubles to run fifth.
To the delight of the large crowd, the female phenom McKenna Haase ran off with her heat and the dash, but she pulled a five on the redraw, lining up in row three for the 25 lap main event, and was never a factor. Jon Agan held the early lead before a lap two yellow. John Schulz charged to the lead on the restart, with Agan fighting back. Hasse brought out a lap six caution, heading for the hot pit, then the trailer. After a lap eight caution, it became a two car battle between Agan and Schulz. Schulz used a slider on lap ten, taking the lead for good in turn two. From there, the veteran in the Jimmy Davies ride stayed in command. Bill Balog took second on lap 21 as Agan fell back. The only red of the night came with three laps to go, as Agan took an easy roll in turn two. Schulz pulled away for the win, Balog came from row nine to second. Jamie Ball ran third, young Mason Daniel took fourth, and Brayden Gaylord completed the top five.
Jake Dietrich held the lead early in the IMCA sport compact 14 lapper. On the third circuit, Mike Reu took second, with Kimberly Abbott following in third. As Reu and Abbott ran side by side, Dietrich opened a large lead, before slowing on lap five, pulling to the infield. Abbott was now in front, with Brandon Reu taking second. Point leader Barry Taft spent the early laps trying to move through traffic, and he took third on lap eight. He then ran side by side with Reu, moving to the runner up spot on lap ten. He was able to cut into Abbotts lead, but Kimberly stayed in control to break Tafts victory string. Barry ran second ahead of Brandon Reu, Mike Reu, and Craig Bangert in the #04.
The final event of the night was the 20 lap crate late model feature. Last weeks winner, Gunner Frank, was a no show, as he had contact with Dalton Lynch in their heat race. But Dad Todd Frank took off from outside row one to the lead, taking Lynch along in second. The caution waved on lap two when Brandon Queen spun in turn two, collecting Darin Weisinger Jr. Jeff Guengerich took up the chase as racing resumed., but Sam Halstead slipped around Guengerich one lap later. Tommy Elston started eighth, moving to third on lap five. Todd Frank built a sizable advantage as Elston worked to overtake Halstead by the halfway point. With just a pair of laps remaining, Elston powered to second in turn four, but the elder Frank continued to hit his marks over the final laps, joining his son while becoming the fifth different feature winner in five nights of racing. Elston came home in the runner up spot, with Halstead third. Heat two winner Ron Boyse ran fourth, and Guengerich was fifth. Lynch, Brandon Savage, Weisinger Jr., and Queen completed the running order.
It looks like Friday night will be my only night of racing this weekend, but there is plenty of events going on this holiday weekend, so try to get to a track somewhere!
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Davenport Edges Pierce in Lucas Thriller
After a week of " should we or shouldn't we " back and forth, Darryl, Fred and I took off Saturday for a new track for all of us, the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota. With the weather forecast for that area changing multiple times daily, it was Saturday morning before we decided to gamble and make the five plus hour drive to take in the Napa 50 featuring the Lucas Oil late models, along with USRA modifieds. It was the first ever visit by the series to the 3/8 mile high banked speed plant, as this event had fallen victim to rain in 2017. Though we traveled under sunny skies, arriving mid afternoon, by race time clouds had moved in, the steady breeze remained, and the temperature began to drop, and we " southerners " soon drug out the sweatshirts and heavy coats, as did many of the locals, who are no doubt accustomed to the night time chill. The iffy forecast did nothing to hold down the enthusiastic crowd - the vast stands may not have been full, but it was I would have to say a very solid turnout.
The expansive pit area had more than enough room for the 30 late model teams, most of whom were already in the house when we arrived, having made the long pull from 141 Speedway near Green Bay, Wisconsin, the host of Friday night action. As we trolled the pits, the bulk of the 37 modified teams made their way in.
After a bowl of hot chili and a meaty 1/3 pound cheeseburger - I know, I should have tried the cheese curds - we made our way into the tightly packed bleachers just off turn four in time for 6:00 hot laps.
The program got under way on time, and as soon as hot laps ended on the smooth, racy, lightning fast surface, the late models lined up for time trials. Three at a time for two laps was the procedure, in two groups of 15. The cars entered the track off of turn two, and took the green the first time around, and I do love such efficiency!
Mt. Vernon, Iowa driver Chad Simpson was among the first cars to qualify, and he turned in a lap of 14.185 seconds, about .2 off the track record according to series announcer James Essex and track announcer Todd Narveson. Despite a host of drivers coming close, Chads time held up throughout. Bobby Pierce was fastest in group B, and the heat lineups were set. Only " local " driver Nick Herrick failed to qualify, as his #6 went up in smoke during hot laps. The modifieds used a top twelve passing points system instead of time trials, but they would have to wait, as the four late model heats ran first.
Simpson held off series point leader Jonathon Davenport, Gregg Satterlee, and Dennis Erb Jr. as the transfers in heat one, earning the pole start in the 50 lap headliner. The second ten lapper went to row two starter Jimmy Owens over front row starters Darrell Lanigan and Scott Ward, with Alan Murray fourth. Outside pole sitter, and apparent crowd favorite Jimmy Mars outdueled Pierce to the heat three photo finish victory, followed by Josh Richards and Kyle Bronson. Earl Pearson Jr. ended a dry spell with a Friday night feature win, and he stayed hot winning heat four ahead of Scott Bloomquist, and the son, father duo of Hudson and Don Oneal.
With the five modified heats in the books, and still no caution flags to slow the action, there was a momentary delay, and Fred and I headed to the restroom, mistakenly thinking it was intermission time. But soon the roar of engines signaled the first of two late model twelve lap B mains. So I missed the lineup on B main one, but it was Canadian Ricky Weiss taking the win over Rodney Sanders, who was doing double duty in his modified, as well, and surprise entrant Brandon Sheppard in his own #B5. Brandon is a regular on the World of Outlaw late model series driving the Rocket house car, but used a night off to come Lucas racing. The second last chance event saw Mason Zeigler hold off Tim McCreadie and Brent Larson, who used a pair of very aggressive moves to overtake Joey Moriarity. His first attempt to take the spot resulted in contact , the first caution of the night, and a trip to the back for Larson as he changed a flat tire, but he rebounded to again muscle past the #51M. Two provisionals completed the 24 car field, with the spots going to Jordon Yaggy, who lives in Rochester, about 15 miles from the track, and Nebraskan Tad Pospisil. Amazingly to us, Chris Simpson was left on the outside looking in. Chris had lined up last in heat two, finished sixth, then ran one spot out of a transfer slot in the first B main.
A pair of mod consys came next, then it was intermission time, as the track crew did a quick " farm " job.
To the delight of we travelers, the late model main would run first!
Chad Simpson and Mars lined up on row one, while Richards gave up his row five spot, lining up on the tail. No explanation was given that I heard, however I do know that if a driver changes more than his left rear tire for the feature he must start in the back, so this may have been the case. Scott Bloomquist used this tack at the series race at Tri City Speedway last month. After a false start when Lanigan may have jumped, Mars won the drag race to turn one. The first caution came on lap six for a spinning Larson. Back under green, slower traffic came into play about lap 16, and three circuits later Simpson was hounding the leader. Chad made his move on lap 21, quickly stretching his advantage. Just past the halfway mark, Pierce began to move forward, taking the fourth slot, with 16th starting Don Oneal following him in fifth. The caution waved as Zeigler slowed at the lap 29 mark. Mars failed to get up to speed on the restart as Davenport charged to second, taking along Pierce and Oneal. On lap 31, Davenport used a slide job in turn four to take the lead, but on the next lap Simpson pulled a slider of his own to retake the spot. At lap 33, however, Davenport powered to first, taking Pierce along. " Superman " Davenport opened a sizable lead, and now the focus was on Simpson, Oneal and Bloomquist, as they sliced and diced side by side, for third. With Davenport in control and Pierce comfortably in second, lapped traffic came into play again by lap 44. Now Pierce began to cut into the lead, and with three circuits to go, he was pulling even with the leader in each corner, with Davenport using the high side momentum to stay in front. As the white flag waved, Pierce let it all out, and came up just short at the line, as the now standing crowd roared their approval. Davenport scored his sixth LOLMS win of 2018, while Pierce settled for his second runnerup finish in two nights. Simpson won the hotly contested battle for third ahead of Oneal and Bloomquist. Hudson Oneal came from row six to finish sixth, besting Mars, Owens, Lanigan, and Satterlee. The win was worth $12,000 for Davenport, plus a $1,000 bonus for carrying a NAPA sticker.
With the temps dropping and the long drive looming, we headed for the car, heading out of the crowded lot at 9:35! Reports this morning show locals Dustin Sorensen and Lucas Schott taking the top two spots in the modified main, with Iowan Zack Vanderbeek coming home third. The mod main event paid a cool $2,000.
I can't say if or when I will return to Deer Creek, but only because of the distance involved. It is certainly an excellent facility, well lit, and with good sightlines to go with a well run program. The track features modifieds weekly, and will host the World of Outlaw late models for the legendary Gopher 50 on July 7.
With company coming in and a John Michael Montgomery concert next weekend, my racing plans are up in the air, but hopefully I can fit in at least one night of action.
Thanks for reading!
The expansive pit area had more than enough room for the 30 late model teams, most of whom were already in the house when we arrived, having made the long pull from 141 Speedway near Green Bay, Wisconsin, the host of Friday night action. As we trolled the pits, the bulk of the 37 modified teams made their way in.
After a bowl of hot chili and a meaty 1/3 pound cheeseburger - I know, I should have tried the cheese curds - we made our way into the tightly packed bleachers just off turn four in time for 6:00 hot laps.
The program got under way on time, and as soon as hot laps ended on the smooth, racy, lightning fast surface, the late models lined up for time trials. Three at a time for two laps was the procedure, in two groups of 15. The cars entered the track off of turn two, and took the green the first time around, and I do love such efficiency!
Mt. Vernon, Iowa driver Chad Simpson was among the first cars to qualify, and he turned in a lap of 14.185 seconds, about .2 off the track record according to series announcer James Essex and track announcer Todd Narveson. Despite a host of drivers coming close, Chads time held up throughout. Bobby Pierce was fastest in group B, and the heat lineups were set. Only " local " driver Nick Herrick failed to qualify, as his #6 went up in smoke during hot laps. The modifieds used a top twelve passing points system instead of time trials, but they would have to wait, as the four late model heats ran first.
Simpson held off series point leader Jonathon Davenport, Gregg Satterlee, and Dennis Erb Jr. as the transfers in heat one, earning the pole start in the 50 lap headliner. The second ten lapper went to row two starter Jimmy Owens over front row starters Darrell Lanigan and Scott Ward, with Alan Murray fourth. Outside pole sitter, and apparent crowd favorite Jimmy Mars outdueled Pierce to the heat three photo finish victory, followed by Josh Richards and Kyle Bronson. Earl Pearson Jr. ended a dry spell with a Friday night feature win, and he stayed hot winning heat four ahead of Scott Bloomquist, and the son, father duo of Hudson and Don Oneal.
With the five modified heats in the books, and still no caution flags to slow the action, there was a momentary delay, and Fred and I headed to the restroom, mistakenly thinking it was intermission time. But soon the roar of engines signaled the first of two late model twelve lap B mains. So I missed the lineup on B main one, but it was Canadian Ricky Weiss taking the win over Rodney Sanders, who was doing double duty in his modified, as well, and surprise entrant Brandon Sheppard in his own #B5. Brandon is a regular on the World of Outlaw late model series driving the Rocket house car, but used a night off to come Lucas racing. The second last chance event saw Mason Zeigler hold off Tim McCreadie and Brent Larson, who used a pair of very aggressive moves to overtake Joey Moriarity. His first attempt to take the spot resulted in contact , the first caution of the night, and a trip to the back for Larson as he changed a flat tire, but he rebounded to again muscle past the #51M. Two provisionals completed the 24 car field, with the spots going to Jordon Yaggy, who lives in Rochester, about 15 miles from the track, and Nebraskan Tad Pospisil. Amazingly to us, Chris Simpson was left on the outside looking in. Chris had lined up last in heat two, finished sixth, then ran one spot out of a transfer slot in the first B main.
A pair of mod consys came next, then it was intermission time, as the track crew did a quick " farm " job.
To the delight of we travelers, the late model main would run first!
Chad Simpson and Mars lined up on row one, while Richards gave up his row five spot, lining up on the tail. No explanation was given that I heard, however I do know that if a driver changes more than his left rear tire for the feature he must start in the back, so this may have been the case. Scott Bloomquist used this tack at the series race at Tri City Speedway last month. After a false start when Lanigan may have jumped, Mars won the drag race to turn one. The first caution came on lap six for a spinning Larson. Back under green, slower traffic came into play about lap 16, and three circuits later Simpson was hounding the leader. Chad made his move on lap 21, quickly stretching his advantage. Just past the halfway mark, Pierce began to move forward, taking the fourth slot, with 16th starting Don Oneal following him in fifth. The caution waved as Zeigler slowed at the lap 29 mark. Mars failed to get up to speed on the restart as Davenport charged to second, taking along Pierce and Oneal. On lap 31, Davenport used a slide job in turn four to take the lead, but on the next lap Simpson pulled a slider of his own to retake the spot. At lap 33, however, Davenport powered to first, taking Pierce along. " Superman " Davenport opened a sizable lead, and now the focus was on Simpson, Oneal and Bloomquist, as they sliced and diced side by side, for third. With Davenport in control and Pierce comfortably in second, lapped traffic came into play again by lap 44. Now Pierce began to cut into the lead, and with three circuits to go, he was pulling even with the leader in each corner, with Davenport using the high side momentum to stay in front. As the white flag waved, Pierce let it all out, and came up just short at the line, as the now standing crowd roared their approval. Davenport scored his sixth LOLMS win of 2018, while Pierce settled for his second runnerup finish in two nights. Simpson won the hotly contested battle for third ahead of Oneal and Bloomquist. Hudson Oneal came from row six to finish sixth, besting Mars, Owens, Lanigan, and Satterlee. The win was worth $12,000 for Davenport, plus a $1,000 bonus for carrying a NAPA sticker.
With the temps dropping and the long drive looming, we headed for the car, heading out of the crowded lot at 9:35! Reports this morning show locals Dustin Sorensen and Lucas Schott taking the top two spots in the modified main, with Iowan Zack Vanderbeek coming home third. The mod main event paid a cool $2,000.
I can't say if or when I will return to Deer Creek, but only because of the distance involved. It is certainly an excellent facility, well lit, and with good sightlines to go with a well run program. The track features modifieds weekly, and will host the World of Outlaw late models for the legendary Gopher 50 on July 7.
With company coming in and a John Michael Montgomery concert next weekend, my racing plans are up in the air, but hopefully I can fit in at least one night of action.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, May 19, 2018
Lee County Waits Out The Rain
Stubborn light showers made their way through the Midwest on Friday, playing havoc with several race programs. Light sprinkles greeted me as I made my way to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, but it was not until intermission that the rain began to come down harder. Following the candy dash the track became a shiny, glazed surface, but the officials with help from the drivers kept wheels on the track, and soon the rain stopped and we went feature racing. The track had been smooth and fast before the rain, now it was simply a hammer down 3/8 mile speed bowl.
The IMCA sport compacts ran first, with all but one of the 16 cars signed in taking the green flag for 14 laps. Josh Barnes jumped from row three to lead the opening lap, quickly opening a big lead over David Prim and Brandon Reu. On the second circuit, Barry Taft powered to the runner up spot from his row four start. One lap later, Barnes had a nearly straightaway lead. Soon Mike Reu entered the fray, and four cars ran side by side and nose to tail for second through fifth positions. Barnes seemed to be slowing each lap off of turn two, and on lap ten his car died, with what he seemed to think was an ignition problem. Prim then took over the lead as the others raced side by side behind him. Lap twelve saw Taft take over the top spot, with Brandon Reu heading to the infield. Taft then built a sizable lead over the final two laps, picking up another win. Mike Reu won the battle for second over Prim, while Kimberly Abbott slipped past Allyssa Steele in her brand new ride to complete the top five.
The vintage cars were on hand on this night, and they ran in an open wheel division and a " fender car " class. For the heat races, there were nine and five respectively, with one midget car joining the coupes. I don't know if several headed for home during the rain, but only four open wheel and two coupes ran their features. I apologize for not having more info, I believe the open wheel winner may have been Andy Sims, but only " car #47 " is what was passed along in the coupe class.
A dozen IMCA sport mods took the feature green. Lap one saw fourth starting Daniel Fellows and sixth starting Austen Becerra make contact while going for the lead in turn four. Fellows won the battle, with Becerra detouring through the infield, falling to seventh. Fellows open a nice lead, but the caution waved on lap three. On the Delaware restart, Ron Kibbe jumped to second. Again Fellows stretched his lead, while Becerra rejoined the top five on lap five, moving to fourth one lap later. With four of the 18 laps remaining, Becerra appeared to slow, but at the same time the yellow flew for a pair of spinning cars on the front stretch. Becerra regained his mojo when racing resumed, but it was now Brandon Dale, sporting a new look, taking over second. However, there was no catching Fellows, as the youngster cruised to his first win at LCS in his sport mod #11. Dale came home second, Becerra overtook Kibbe for third, and Jeffrey Delonjay stayed in the hunt all race long, coming home fifth.
A season high 13 crate late models checked in, but Todd Frank saw his night end in hot laps in a puff of smoke. Jef Guengerich had suffered a similar fate the week before, but now he charged from row three to lead lap one. Sixth starting Jay Johnson powered to second on the next lap, with the caution waving on lap four, when Brandon Queen and Aric Becker got together, with Becker coming to a stop. On the restart, Gunner Frank, who started in row two, rebounded to take second, and began to pressure Guengerich. On lap nine, Becker apparently broke a strut coming through turns three and four while running seventh, slamming the turn four guardrail, ending his night. Back under green, the front cars jammed up a bit, and seventh starting Tommy Elston was able to power to third. The top three then separated themselves a bit, Guengerich running a middle line, Frank diving down in each corner, and Elston looking for an opening. With five of twenty laps remaining, Frank was able to slide by Guengerich, with the lap scored just as the caution flag waved. Elston took second on the restart, with another pair of yellows in the closing laps, one for a tire, and one for a spin by Dayton Lynch. But Frank was able to hold on, scoring his first Lee County win after picking up I believe his first ever feature Sunday at Quincy Raceways. Elston took runnerup honors ahead of Johnson, Sam Halstead, and Guengerich, who faded in the closing laps. Vance Wilson ran sixth, with Queen and Lynch following.
The IMCA stock cars turned out a disappointing count of eight cars, but what a race! Heat winner Dustin Griffith held the top spot over a tight six pack, with Jason Cook grabbing second on lap six. He than ran side by side with Griffith, finally taking command on lap eight. It was now John Oliver Jr. taking up the chase as the front duo pulled away, leaving a tight pack of four close behind. Griffith headed to the pits on lap 13, one lap later Oliver tried a slider on Cook, now they ran side by side. Oliver used another slide move to take the lead but Cook fought back, as the pair crossed the stripe side by side with five circuits remaining. Oliver held the edge at lap 16, but it was a dead heat on 17. With only two laps left, Cook took over, holding off Oliver for the win. Jeremy Pundt stayed close, coming home third, followed by Abe Huls, and Chad Krogmeier.
The final event on the card was ten IMCA modifieds for 20 laps. Kelly Buckelew lead Mitch Boles as the first lap was scored, with Bill Roberts Jr. pushing hard. Roberts took over the top spot on lap three, with Jeff Waterman moving to second, while Boles fell out. The yellow then waved, as Jerry Reese, out with a sharp looking #2R, failed to clear the speedway. The restart quickly became a two car scrum, but with seven laps to go, Waterman suffered a flat tire, ending his attempt at back to back wins. Roberts then cruised to the win. Buckelew scored the runner up spot, Jesse Belez made the long pull from Marengo, Iowa to take third. Craig Spegal and Dakota Simmons completed the top five.
Even with the delay, I was in my car at 10:19, another good job by the LCS crew!
Tonight, weather permitting, we are headed to Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Mn. for the Lucas Oil late models.
The IMCA sport compacts ran first, with all but one of the 16 cars signed in taking the green flag for 14 laps. Josh Barnes jumped from row three to lead the opening lap, quickly opening a big lead over David Prim and Brandon Reu. On the second circuit, Barry Taft powered to the runner up spot from his row four start. One lap later, Barnes had a nearly straightaway lead. Soon Mike Reu entered the fray, and four cars ran side by side and nose to tail for second through fifth positions. Barnes seemed to be slowing each lap off of turn two, and on lap ten his car died, with what he seemed to think was an ignition problem. Prim then took over the lead as the others raced side by side behind him. Lap twelve saw Taft take over the top spot, with Brandon Reu heading to the infield. Taft then built a sizable lead over the final two laps, picking up another win. Mike Reu won the battle for second over Prim, while Kimberly Abbott slipped past Allyssa Steele in her brand new ride to complete the top five.
The vintage cars were on hand on this night, and they ran in an open wheel division and a " fender car " class. For the heat races, there were nine and five respectively, with one midget car joining the coupes. I don't know if several headed for home during the rain, but only four open wheel and two coupes ran their features. I apologize for not having more info, I believe the open wheel winner may have been Andy Sims, but only " car #47 " is what was passed along in the coupe class.
A dozen IMCA sport mods took the feature green. Lap one saw fourth starting Daniel Fellows and sixth starting Austen Becerra make contact while going for the lead in turn four. Fellows won the battle, with Becerra detouring through the infield, falling to seventh. Fellows open a nice lead, but the caution waved on lap three. On the Delaware restart, Ron Kibbe jumped to second. Again Fellows stretched his lead, while Becerra rejoined the top five on lap five, moving to fourth one lap later. With four of the 18 laps remaining, Becerra appeared to slow, but at the same time the yellow flew for a pair of spinning cars on the front stretch. Becerra regained his mojo when racing resumed, but it was now Brandon Dale, sporting a new look, taking over second. However, there was no catching Fellows, as the youngster cruised to his first win at LCS in his sport mod #11. Dale came home second, Becerra overtook Kibbe for third, and Jeffrey Delonjay stayed in the hunt all race long, coming home fifth.
A season high 13 crate late models checked in, but Todd Frank saw his night end in hot laps in a puff of smoke. Jef Guengerich had suffered a similar fate the week before, but now he charged from row three to lead lap one. Sixth starting Jay Johnson powered to second on the next lap, with the caution waving on lap four, when Brandon Queen and Aric Becker got together, with Becker coming to a stop. On the restart, Gunner Frank, who started in row two, rebounded to take second, and began to pressure Guengerich. On lap nine, Becker apparently broke a strut coming through turns three and four while running seventh, slamming the turn four guardrail, ending his night. Back under green, the front cars jammed up a bit, and seventh starting Tommy Elston was able to power to third. The top three then separated themselves a bit, Guengerich running a middle line, Frank diving down in each corner, and Elston looking for an opening. With five of twenty laps remaining, Frank was able to slide by Guengerich, with the lap scored just as the caution flag waved. Elston took second on the restart, with another pair of yellows in the closing laps, one for a tire, and one for a spin by Dayton Lynch. But Frank was able to hold on, scoring his first Lee County win after picking up I believe his first ever feature Sunday at Quincy Raceways. Elston took runnerup honors ahead of Johnson, Sam Halstead, and Guengerich, who faded in the closing laps. Vance Wilson ran sixth, with Queen and Lynch following.
The IMCA stock cars turned out a disappointing count of eight cars, but what a race! Heat winner Dustin Griffith held the top spot over a tight six pack, with Jason Cook grabbing second on lap six. He than ran side by side with Griffith, finally taking command on lap eight. It was now John Oliver Jr. taking up the chase as the front duo pulled away, leaving a tight pack of four close behind. Griffith headed to the pits on lap 13, one lap later Oliver tried a slider on Cook, now they ran side by side. Oliver used another slide move to take the lead but Cook fought back, as the pair crossed the stripe side by side with five circuits remaining. Oliver held the edge at lap 16, but it was a dead heat on 17. With only two laps left, Cook took over, holding off Oliver for the win. Jeremy Pundt stayed close, coming home third, followed by Abe Huls, and Chad Krogmeier.
The final event on the card was ten IMCA modifieds for 20 laps. Kelly Buckelew lead Mitch Boles as the first lap was scored, with Bill Roberts Jr. pushing hard. Roberts took over the top spot on lap three, with Jeff Waterman moving to second, while Boles fell out. The yellow then waved, as Jerry Reese, out with a sharp looking #2R, failed to clear the speedway. The restart quickly became a two car scrum, but with seven laps to go, Waterman suffered a flat tire, ending his attempt at back to back wins. Roberts then cruised to the win. Buckelew scored the runner up spot, Jesse Belez made the long pull from Marengo, Iowa to take third. Craig Spegal and Dakota Simmons completed the top five.
Even with the delay, I was in my car at 10:19, another good job by the LCS crew!
Tonight, weather permitting, we are headed to Deer Creek Speedway, Spring Valley, Mn. for the Lucas Oil late models.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Late Models Return to Quincy Raceways
The UMP Pro Crate late models made their first appearance of 2018 at Quincy Raceways on Sunday night, heading up a six division program.
The hot, muggy evening began with qualifying for the UMP modifieds, with Dave Weitholder pacing the nine car field with a lap of 15.07 seconds. Following ten heat races and some extra track prep, it was feature time.
The nine car IMCA stock car field lined up for 18 laps around the .29 mile oval. Things got off to a rocky start on the opening lap when contact in turn four caused Jerry Jansen to roll his #06 Ford. Jerry then refired his ride and ran a handful of laps before retiring for the night. That would be the only caution of the race. Jesse Weggs and Jake Powers lined up on row one, and they crossed the line to score lap one in a virtual dead heat before Powers gained control the next trip around. The following circuit saw eighth starting John Oliver Jr. power to third while trying to hold off a challenge from Dean Kratzer. The pair of Iowa drivers swapped the spot over the next three laps before Oliver secured the position. On lap eight, he took second from Weggs, and one lap later pushed his #05 around Powers for the lead. It was now Powers and Kratzer stalking Oliver as they all tried to avoid a hole in turn four. As Oliver gradually built his margin, Kratzer bobbled slightly on lap 15. Oliver, who had changed directions after a rainout at the Vinton, Iowa Speedway, took the win. Powers finished second, with Kratzer in third. Michael Larsen took the fourth spot from Weggs on the final lap.
IMCA sport mods had the biggest turnout with 16 cars, and they were next up for 18 laps. Again the caution waved on the opening circuit, and when racing got underway, Adan Birck came from row two to the front. By lap three, sixth starting Austen Becerra charged to the runner up slot, and one lap later, Brandon Lennox came from a row three start to third. Becerra was now locked in on Birck, taking the top spot on the fifth circuit. Just as Becerra encountered slower traffic on lap seven, the caution waved. Lennox took advantage of the Delaware restart to power to second, and visiting Brandon Setzer, who started in row four, took the fourth position. The Davenport, Iowa driver took third one lap later, as Austin Howes entered the top five. Howes had started in row seven after looping his car in his heat race. Lap eleven saw Howes grab fourth. Again Becerra caught slower traffic on lap 14, but a caution one lap later wiped out his big lead. Racing resumed and the leaders were heading to the checkers through turn three when the car of Brandon Niekamp stalled directly under the flag stand. The yellow flag waved, and set up a one lap shoot out. There were no position changes on that final lap, as Becerra held on to secure the win. Lennox ran second, followed by Setzer, Howes, and Birck. The next two spots were also held by a pair of Quad City drivers, Chance Huston and Mitch Strayer. An early cancellation at the Quad City Speedway afforded these two and Setzer a chance to head south, and all three turned in good performances.
It was now late model time, with ten cars taking the green flag. Heat race winners Gunner Frank and Trevor Gundaker sat on row one. Gunner jumped to the early lead, taking along third starting Brandon Savage, with Gundaker settling in third. A four car side by side, nose to tail battle developed behind the leaders, with Tommy Elston eventually separating himself from Vance Wilson, Denny Woodworth and Todd Frank. As Savage tried to work under the younger Frank, Elston took third at the ten lap mark of the 25 lapper. By lap 17 of the non stop event, Savage was now being pressured by Elston, who was running a low line while Savage ran the faster high groove. Woodworth was now fourth, but had ground to make up on the leaders. With three laps to go, Savage and Elston had closed the gap on Gunner, but Frank hit his marks lap after lap, and the real battle was for second. Elston eased into the runner up spot on the final circuit. at the checkers it was Frank, Elston, Savage, Woodworth, and Gundaker, the rookie making his first appearance at QR. Todd Frank ran sixth after his blown engine Friday at Lee County Speedway, Wilson was seventh followed by Charles Vanzandt. Although announced as a different driver, it was late arriving Cliff Powell, no numbers (6?) on his red car, credited with ninth after dropping out mid race. Tenth place went to Melvin Linder, who made his debut piloting the Woodworth back up machine.
All but one of the nine UMP mods took the green flag, including Ben Huff in the backup Weitholder ride. Going for the sweep, Dave Weitholder jumped from the pole position to the lead, and from then on the race was for second. Josh Newman held the spot with pressure from Steve Grotz and Dugan Thye. Grotz got a little too high on the track on lap six, turning third over to Thye. Dugan grabbed the second spot on lap nine, but by now Weitholder was working in another time zone. The only caution of the race came on lap 19, as Shaun Deering, piloting the Spencer Havermale #733 and Joey Gower got together. The engine on Thyes' #11 had been backfiring and spewing flames for several laps, and he now headed to the trailer, giving up his solid second place run. Racing resumed, and again Weitholder checked out to pick up the win. Gower charged back to the runner up finish, Newman, Deering and Grotz completing the top five.
Only five IMCA sport compacts checked in for the night. Darin Weisinger Jr. put his #11 out front at the start, and there he would stay. Barry Taft came from row two to second, pushing Weisinger the entire 15 laps. As laps eight and nine were scored, Taft put his #57 under Darin at the flagstand, but could not complete the pass. Kimberly Abbott worked around David Primm for third on lap ten. Taft made a last lap dive in turns one and two, but Weisinger held his line, picking up the win. Taft, Abbott, Primm, and Burlington, Iowa driver Robert Sturms crossed the finish line in that order.
Quincy Raceways committed to a potential revival of the two person cruiser class for 2018, but the results have been less than encouraging, with a count between one and four thus far. Sunday night only two cars signed in, with former bomber/hobby stock five time track champion Steve Carlin and wife Lisa sweeping the heat and feature.
The hot, muggy evening began with qualifying for the UMP modifieds, with Dave Weitholder pacing the nine car field with a lap of 15.07 seconds. Following ten heat races and some extra track prep, it was feature time.
The nine car IMCA stock car field lined up for 18 laps around the .29 mile oval. Things got off to a rocky start on the opening lap when contact in turn four caused Jerry Jansen to roll his #06 Ford. Jerry then refired his ride and ran a handful of laps before retiring for the night. That would be the only caution of the race. Jesse Weggs and Jake Powers lined up on row one, and they crossed the line to score lap one in a virtual dead heat before Powers gained control the next trip around. The following circuit saw eighth starting John Oliver Jr. power to third while trying to hold off a challenge from Dean Kratzer. The pair of Iowa drivers swapped the spot over the next three laps before Oliver secured the position. On lap eight, he took second from Weggs, and one lap later pushed his #05 around Powers for the lead. It was now Powers and Kratzer stalking Oliver as they all tried to avoid a hole in turn four. As Oliver gradually built his margin, Kratzer bobbled slightly on lap 15. Oliver, who had changed directions after a rainout at the Vinton, Iowa Speedway, took the win. Powers finished second, with Kratzer in third. Michael Larsen took the fourth spot from Weggs on the final lap.
IMCA sport mods had the biggest turnout with 16 cars, and they were next up for 18 laps. Again the caution waved on the opening circuit, and when racing got underway, Adan Birck came from row two to the front. By lap three, sixth starting Austen Becerra charged to the runner up slot, and one lap later, Brandon Lennox came from a row three start to third. Becerra was now locked in on Birck, taking the top spot on the fifth circuit. Just as Becerra encountered slower traffic on lap seven, the caution waved. Lennox took advantage of the Delaware restart to power to second, and visiting Brandon Setzer, who started in row four, took the fourth position. The Davenport, Iowa driver took third one lap later, as Austin Howes entered the top five. Howes had started in row seven after looping his car in his heat race. Lap eleven saw Howes grab fourth. Again Becerra caught slower traffic on lap 14, but a caution one lap later wiped out his big lead. Racing resumed and the leaders were heading to the checkers through turn three when the car of Brandon Niekamp stalled directly under the flag stand. The yellow flag waved, and set up a one lap shoot out. There were no position changes on that final lap, as Becerra held on to secure the win. Lennox ran second, followed by Setzer, Howes, and Birck. The next two spots were also held by a pair of Quad City drivers, Chance Huston and Mitch Strayer. An early cancellation at the Quad City Speedway afforded these two and Setzer a chance to head south, and all three turned in good performances.
It was now late model time, with ten cars taking the green flag. Heat race winners Gunner Frank and Trevor Gundaker sat on row one. Gunner jumped to the early lead, taking along third starting Brandon Savage, with Gundaker settling in third. A four car side by side, nose to tail battle developed behind the leaders, with Tommy Elston eventually separating himself from Vance Wilson, Denny Woodworth and Todd Frank. As Savage tried to work under the younger Frank, Elston took third at the ten lap mark of the 25 lapper. By lap 17 of the non stop event, Savage was now being pressured by Elston, who was running a low line while Savage ran the faster high groove. Woodworth was now fourth, but had ground to make up on the leaders. With three laps to go, Savage and Elston had closed the gap on Gunner, but Frank hit his marks lap after lap, and the real battle was for second. Elston eased into the runner up spot on the final circuit. at the checkers it was Frank, Elston, Savage, Woodworth, and Gundaker, the rookie making his first appearance at QR. Todd Frank ran sixth after his blown engine Friday at Lee County Speedway, Wilson was seventh followed by Charles Vanzandt. Although announced as a different driver, it was late arriving Cliff Powell, no numbers (6?) on his red car, credited with ninth after dropping out mid race. Tenth place went to Melvin Linder, who made his debut piloting the Woodworth back up machine.
All but one of the nine UMP mods took the green flag, including Ben Huff in the backup Weitholder ride. Going for the sweep, Dave Weitholder jumped from the pole position to the lead, and from then on the race was for second. Josh Newman held the spot with pressure from Steve Grotz and Dugan Thye. Grotz got a little too high on the track on lap six, turning third over to Thye. Dugan grabbed the second spot on lap nine, but by now Weitholder was working in another time zone. The only caution of the race came on lap 19, as Shaun Deering, piloting the Spencer Havermale #733 and Joey Gower got together. The engine on Thyes' #11 had been backfiring and spewing flames for several laps, and he now headed to the trailer, giving up his solid second place run. Racing resumed, and again Weitholder checked out to pick up the win. Gower charged back to the runner up finish, Newman, Deering and Grotz completing the top five.
Only five IMCA sport compacts checked in for the night. Darin Weisinger Jr. put his #11 out front at the start, and there he would stay. Barry Taft came from row two to second, pushing Weisinger the entire 15 laps. As laps eight and nine were scored, Taft put his #57 under Darin at the flagstand, but could not complete the pass. Kimberly Abbott worked around David Primm for third on lap ten. Taft made a last lap dive in turns one and two, but Weisinger held his line, picking up the win. Taft, Abbott, Primm, and Burlington, Iowa driver Robert Sturms crossed the finish line in that order.
Quincy Raceways committed to a potential revival of the two person cruiser class for 2018, but the results have been less than encouraging, with a count between one and four thus far. Sunday night only two cars signed in, with former bomber/hobby stock five time track champion Steve Carlin and wife Lisa sweeping the heat and feature.
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