Sheppard Jr. Tops the List of Winners in Quincy

   When the former Quincy Raceways reopened this spring as the newly reincarnated Adams County, Illinois Speedway, the first major event on the schedule was a visit by the MARS super late model group led by legendary racer/promoter Tony Izzo Jr. The first four weeks of racing at the .29 mile oval would have to be deemed a success, so there was great anticipation for the Sunday, May 22 event. It was scheduled to be the finale of a three night MARS series mini tour through Illinois, with the forty lap feature paying a weekend high $7,000 to win. As in life, things don't always (usually?) go according to plan, especially in 2022! The first two nights at Kankakee and Charleston were rained out, leaving Quincy as a stand alone event. Further complicating matters, the Lucas Oil late model series race scheduled for Saturday night seventy five miles up the road in West Burlington, Iowa was also washed out. Having been rained out something like nine times already this season, the folks at 34 Raceway reached an agreement with the Lucas Oil group to reschedule that event for Sunday, as well. So instead of two races feeding super late models to Adams County, they would now be competing for racers and fans alike.  

   On the other side of the coin, loyal and enthusiastic race fans dipped in their pockets with donations to the purse. As a result, ten dollars per feature lap money is on the line for all four classes and there is a hard charger bonus for each class, as well. In addition to the $7,000 top prize for the late models, the winners' share for UMP modifieds is at least $1,700 and a cool $1,500 for IMCA sport mods. The  UMP 4 cylinders tops out at $600 in addition to a $200 bounty on Jeffery Delonjay, winner of the first three features before last Sundays rain shortened program. 

   Under cool but sunny conditions, a steady flow through the pit gate saw ninety one race teams sign in, including twenty four late models and a whopping thirty two 4 cylinders! In addition, a crowd large enough in number to put a big smile on promoter Jimmy Lieurence face created a party atmosphere.

   Two lap time trial qualifying was the first order of the evening, with one time track regular McKay Wenger rolling in from Fairbury, Illinois to top the late models with a lap of 12.862 seconds. Local favorite Dave Weitholder then paced the mods at 14.251 ticks. 

   Late models ran three qualifying heat races where all twenty four cars would move on to the main event. As expected, the straight up by time starts yielded three front row winners, with Ryan Unzicker, Jason Feger, and Indiana driver Joe Godsey picking up wins. St Louis area racers Kyle Steffens and Kenny Wallace grabbed the modified heats. Week one feature winner Shane Paris, Logan Cumby, and Adam Birck were sport mod victors. The 4 bangers ran four eight lap heats, two more laps than usual, and the winners were Nick Johnson, Jaden Delonjay, Michael Grossman, and Billy Mason, who towed the 188 miles from Brownstown, Illinois!

   The racing surface was easily in the best shape of the young season for the heats, but track personnel none the less took advantage of the intermission to manicure the dirt, creating a multi groove track for the features. First, however, the 4 cylinders clicked off a pair of B mains to set their feature grid. Austin Harris and Dallas Strauch took those wins, and while it was supposed to be a top four transfer, there were apparently some scratches as a couple of non qualified cars lined up come feature time.

   To the delight of the fans, the forty lap MARS main event would lead off feature racing. Donations now had the win worth $7,200 plus lap money. All twenty four cars came to the track, although Keokuk, Iowa pilot Brandon Queen was unable to take the green flag. After experiencing electrical issues in his heat and thrashing to make repairs, his #12 went silent during the parade laps. A pile up near the back of the pack marred the first attempt at a start, but when racing resumed, Feger shot to the front from outside row one. With Unzicker in hot pursuit, the pair caught slower traffic about lap six. Three laps later, a spin by Darin Weisinger Jr. brought a second caution, then one more lap was scored before Kayden Clatt rolled to a stop just inside the tire barrier, and the yellow waved again. Back under green, Feger was living up to his "Highside Hustler" nickname while Unzicker operated in the moisture around the bottom. Ryan set up a mean slider coming off turn four, but Jason was able to cross him over down the chute to maintain the lead. Unzicker then began moving around the track, searching for a way to the front, and sixteen laps in late model rookie Tommy Sheppard Jr. made his presence felt, clearing Mike Spatola and Jake Little, taking third after starting in tenth. Still as the crossed flags signaled the halfway mark, it was two car scrum between Feger and Unzicker. Three more laps, and Feger bobbled slightly at the top of turns three and four, and Unzicker pounced, grabbing the lead. At the same time, Sheppard Jr. was able to close in, making it a three car battle. Now Unzicker was pounding the cushion while Feger and Sheppard Jr. operated down low. Six laps from the finish, they were racing three wide, and Sheppard Jr. cleared Feger for second. Two more trips around and still committed to the inside line, Tommy was able to nose ahead. But now there was a gaggle of back markers racing two and three wide for position just ahead of the leader, with one car directly in the path of Sheppard. Somehow he was able to hold on, taking an emotional win. Unzicker was not entirely pleased with his runner up finish, and Feger completed the podium. Spatola held on to fourth in front of Little. In his first late model race, young modified standout Hunt Gossum from Mayfield, Kentucky, ran sixth ahead of Wenger, Dewayne Kiefer, local hot shoe Justin Reed, and the "Pink Panther" Bob Gardner. 

   In another wise move, the UMP modified twenty lapper ran next. All but Frankie Wellman took the green flag. Steffens shot to the lead from his pole start ahead of fourth starting Michael Long before  a lap two caution. As Long and Weitholder battled on the restart, Wallace recovered to sneak into second. Two more laps brought another wave of the yellow, and the same on the first attempt at a restart. But from there it was green all the way to the checkers. Austen Becerra worked his way to third on lap seven, but by then it was Steffens down low and Weitholder up top locked in an intense two car duel. When the leaders caught the back of the pack with six circuits remaining, Steffens was able to gain just a bit of breathing room. Weitholder had one last charge to make, but on the white flag lap he bobbled a bit, allowing Steffens to cruise to the flag to flag win, collecting all $200 in lap money, making for a $1,900 payday. Becerra was able to slip around Weitholder on that final lap for second, with Mike Vanderiet Jr. gaining three spots to edge Wallace for fourth.

   It was a bit surprising that the IMCA sport mod count stood at only eighteen, but such is often the result of a top heavy purse. At any rate, that suited Cumby just fine. He took off from outside row one and never looked back for eighteen caution free laps! Reed Wolfmeyer shared the front row and he tucked in behind Cumby as the leaders all migrated to the inside line around the newly minted and painted implement tires. It took only two laps for sixth starting Birck and ninth starting Paris to charge to third and fourth positions. Just after the halfway point, Birck was able to squeeze inside of Wolfmeyer for the runner up spot, and Paris again followed him through to take third. With no cautions, Cumby spent considerable time negotiating slower traffic, but he was up to the task, scoring a flag to flag win. Birck, Paris, Wolfmeyer, and twelfth starting Tanner Klingele completed the top five.

   With many in the crowd having headed home, the UMP 4 cylinders lined up for twenty laps, twenty five cars strong. Pole sitter Jeffery Delonjay, the driver with a bounty on his head, led brother Jaden for the opening laps ahead of a lap two caution. Grossman was the man on the move, lining up fifth but moving up quickly to battle with Jaden for second. Following a caution eight laps in, Grossman used the top line to claim second, soon powering into a side by side lap after lap duel with Jeffery for the lead. With eight laps remaining, Michael put his #2 out front by a nose. Althought Delonjay stayed withing striking distance, Grossman eventually opened a bit of a lead and claimed the win. With all the extra moneys available he collected just over $900 for his efforts. Delonjay turned in another stellar performance in second, trailed by Bartonville, Illinois ace Nick Johnson, Jaden Delonjay, and Jeremy Reed, from Decatur.

   The final checkers waved about 9:40, concluding an excellent night of racing. Thanks, as always to Jim, Tammy, Blake and the gang at Adams County for their hospitality.

   

  

Oneal Tops Stellar Field at Marshalltown

    With plans getting changed at the last minute on Wednesday, Darryl and I made the decision to head for one of our favorite venues, the Marshalltown Speedway. The occasion was a first time visit by the Flo Racing folks, and another in the series of $22,022 to win star studded events. The series had MoTown on the schedule in 2021, but it was weathered out, and we were informed that it had been more than ten years since a super late model show had run on the high banked quarter mile speed plant. 

   Two of the weekly IMCA classes, modifieds and stock cars would fill out the card for this mid week extravaganza. As should be expected on a week night, the fans were slow to roll in, but by race time our section up top near the announcers perch was shoulder to shoulder.  With the Flo racing folks more or less directing traffic, former announcer, now the new track race director Jerry VanSickle would be waving the sticks on this night, and with a great amount of enthusiasm, I might ad.

   IMCA late models had been a weekly staple at the track for many years, always putting on a good show, but no match, speed wise for the supers, so it was no surprise that the track record was more than twenty years old, and held by the now retired Billy Moyer. It was also no surprise that it was broken on this night by a host of drivers.  Mike Marlar is the new record holder, as he tripped the clock in 13.758 seconds on what was a lightning fast surface of rich Iowa black dirt.

   The twenty nine cars signed in were then split into three eight lap heat races, lined up straight up by times, of course. Marlar captured the first heat, followed by Tim McCreadie and series points leader Brandon Sheppard. Hometown favorite Ryan Gustin powered from outside row one to top Earl Pearson, Jr., and Billy Moyer Jr. in heat two. The final heat went to pole sitter Hudson Oneal , besting Ricky Thornton Jr., and Garrett Alberson. With the top six from each heat locked in to the feature, only one B main was run, with Devin Moran and Logan Martin leading the top four to the fifty lap money race. 

   Heat races for the twenty three stock cars and twenty four modifieds clicked off quickly, as well, and after a short break for some track prep, twenty two late models came to the track. 

   Gustin lined up outside row one and took the early lead. The yellow flag flew on lap two as Chad Simpson looped his ride and was hit hard by Spencer Diercks, eliminating both cars. On the restart, Gustin and second place Marlar worked the low line around the track while third starting and running Oneal worked up top. It soon paid off, as Oneal powered around Marlar for second. Meanwhile, seventh starting Sheppard entered the top five about lap eight, and was passing for fourth when the red flag waved with eight laps in the books when sixth running Thornton Jr. slipped over the top between turns one and two, rolling his #20RT. After a rather lengthy delay to remove his car, it was back to green. Along with Sheppard, Tyler Erb was on the move, having come from outside row eight to ninth. As racing resumed, B Shepp quickly claimed fourth while Erb gained two spots to seventh. Gustin was approaching the back of the pack, catching up about lap twenty two, and now Oneal was breathing down his neck. Along with Marlar and Sheppard, the top four ran side by side and nose to tail at high speed. Sheppard grabbed third just after the halfway mark, and with twenty laps left on the scoreboard, Oneal pulled a slider out of turn four to take over the lead. The next time through turn four, Gustin returned the favor, but Hudson was able to cross him over to retake the spot. Oneal continued to rip the lip, while Gustin and Sheppard ran a low line in turns one and two, Gustin jumping up top in three and four while Sheppard stayed low on the tire barrier. With those two locked in a great duel for second, Marlar came back to join the chase. Ten circuits remained when Sheppard made his pass of Gustin, and Marlar followed in third. With Sheppard trying hard to make up ground, Oneal came close to disaster, as he barely slipped over the thinning cushion in turn two a couple laps from the end. But he was able to recover, taking the checkered flag and the big payday. Sheppard was strong in the runner up spot, trailed by Marlar and Gustin. Erb was the hard charger, nipping McCreadie late for fifth, gaining eleven spots in the race. Alberson was seventh, Chris Simpson cleared Bobby Pierce in the closing laps in a battle of #32s, and Moyer Jr. completed the top ten.

   The good thing about the Flo Racing events is the running of the late model feature early in night, mostly for the benefit of those watching at home. The downside is the lengthy interviews of the top three, again mostly for the T.V. crowd. So with what would no doubt be a pair of outstanding features to go, but early calls on Thursday for us both, we headed to the parking lot to begin the three hour plus journey home!

   There is no shortage of racing events on the calendar this weekend, and I urge everyone to take in one or more. With an eye on the radar, our early plans would take us to Lee County Speedway on Friday, Lucas Oil late models at 34 Raceway on Saturday, then the MARS late model action at Adams County, Illinois Speedway to wrap up the weekend on Sunday. Fingers crossed!

Klingele, Woodworth, and Rain at Adams County Speedway

    I guess it wouldn't be race day if we didn't have a threat of rain. Still the powers that be at Adams County, Illinois Speedway were determined to host Sunday night action, so with frequent updates it was declared that the sprinkles received around Quincy would not stop race night number four. The USAC/IMRA D2 midgets had been on the card as a reschedule, but it was decided earlier in the day that with the chance of rain wiping out the program, they would call off their appearance and attempt to again reschedule a date later in the season.

   Sixty seven cars signed in across the regular five divisions, although only ten to compete for the $1,025.00 top prize as part of the street stock special, a class that has to this point been dominated by Galesburg, Illinois driver Robert Cottom. 

   Hot laps fired off at 5:30, concluding with A modified hot lap/qualifying, topped by Austen Becerra with a lap of 14.928 seconds around the .29 mile oval.

   Track officials I am sure had been a bit hesitant to add too much water to the surface, so with quite a bit of dust flying, the track was spritzed at this time. Fortunately, the stiff breeze was blowing away from the grandstands, where a nice crowd had gathered. The conditions resulted in a somewhat dry slick track for the heat races, with several spin outs marring the qualifying events. During intermission, a heavier dose of water was added, and as the sun set, the track responded, with multiple racing grooves for the first feature, the IMCA sport mods. 

   All seventeen cars lined up for eighteen laps. Front row starter Pete Stodgel looped his ride on the backstretch of the opening lap and was hit hard by Kelly Bartz, sending both cars off on the hook. Kyler Girard took off from the pole position on the restart to lead the first pair of laps. Tanner Klingele emerged from a three wide battle for second to slip past Girard for the lead on lap four. Two laps later, it was Joe Bliven moving to second as Girard lost the handle and fell back through the field. The caution came on lap seven for a spin by Matt Kay. Back under green, a four car duel developed up front, with Klingele out front, Bliven and Nicholas Profeta swapping second and third positions, and Adam Birck searching for an opening. With six laps to go, Birck was able to sneak inside Profeta for the runner up spot. Klingele was locked on the top side of the track, while Birck ran the bottom, the line that had been dominate in the heats. While he was able to drive under the leader in the turns, Klingele maintained his momentum up top, picking up his first win of the season. After winning on that same cushion last week, Birck this time settled for second. Bliven cleared Profeta for third in the battle of the #20s, and Brandon Savage rebounded for fifth after falling through the pack early.

   As Klingele was interviewed in victory lane, raindrops began to fall, sending this blogger for cover. The shower was brief, and soon the five UMP Pro Crate late models came to the track. Two time feature winner Denny Woodworth lined up on the pole, and quickly shot to the lead. Outside row one starter Darin Weisinger Jr. stayed close for the first couple of laps before Woodworth began to pull away. 2022 first time visitor Derrick Carlson, having moved up from A mods, cleared Sam Halstead for third, then put a nose ahead of Weisinger for second as the crossed flags were displayed signifying the half way mark at lap nine. With Carlson hugging the inside tires and Weisinger working the high line, they staged a back and forth duel as the laps clicked off. With three laps remaining, rookie Spencer Coats cleared Halstead for fourth, with Sam then taking his #84 to the pits. Woodworth cruised to his third win in the non stop event, followed by Carlson, Weisinger Jr., and Coats, with Halstead credited with fifth.

   It was now time for the fifteen lap 4 cylinder feature, as all but one of the twenty one cars came to the track. With the $100 bounty still on his head, Jeffery Delonjay lined up outside row three. The yellow flag waved before one lap was scored, and as the lineup reset, Delonjay headed for the trailer with apparent mechanical issues, the bounty canceled for this week.  Again before lap one was scored, the caution waved, and once more the rain began, this time in earnest. It took only a few short minutes before the announcement came that the track was lost, and there would be three features made up at a later date. With the extra money on the line for the street stocks, word came quickly that their race would be made up in two weeks, May 29, while the 4 cylinder and A mods would be made up at a date to be determined.

   Next Sunday night will see the MARS late models come to Quincy with a $7,000 winners check offered. The race will be part of a three race Illinois swing for the super late models, with a solid field of mid west standout drivers expected. Check the track website for more details.

  

Horn, Burgtorf, See, Carter, Reu, and Miller Tops at Lee County

    Lee County Speedway in Donnellson was finally able to host a regularly scheduled race on Friday night. Unfortunately a combination of issues, including an ominous weather forecast, graduation activities and an elusive opportunity for field work contributed to a smaller than normal car and fan count. On the plus side, the stormy conditions fell on the east side of the big river even as the contrasting sunset and rolling cloud bank created a picturesque evening sky. Looking at My Race Pass, it became obvious that the other Friday night tracks in the eastern Iowa and western Illinois corridor were operating under similar circumstances, but at least we were all racing!

   The American Iron Racing Series, featuring both original and prefabricated race car bodies from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s joined the five regular classes for this first points night at the three eighths mile speed plant. One dozen of the classic machines signed in, with all but one lining up for the first feature of the night. Part of the lure of this nostalgia class is that they actually compete, with plenty of side by side, wheel to wheel action. Door banging does not appear to be an accepted part of the racing, but there was plenty of close quarter competition during the twelve lap affair. Bart Miller, from Clarence, Iowa picked up the first heat race win, lined up in row three for the feature, then quickly made his way to the front in his 1962 Ford. From there he cruised to the win, the power plant sounding rich in his hot rod. Ron Cook, Dan Schmidt, Bruce Yoerger, and Walt King completed the top five in the non stop event. Owen Hayes in his Ford Thunderbird captured heat two. For race fans of a certain (older) age, this class can be a happy walk down memory lane!

   Points racing kicked off with twenty laps of IMCA late model action. Third generation pilot C. J. Horn picked up the heat race win, then drew the third starting spot for the main event. But it was pole sitter Darin Weisinger Jr. who shot to the early lead. As he began to stretch his advantage, a tight three car battle developed behind him between Sam Halstead, Horn, and Tommy Elston. By lap four, it was Weisinger, Horn, and Elston, with Denny Woodworth moving to fourth one lap later. As the race reached the halfway mark, Horn was challenging for the lead, but Weisinger was hitting his marks while getting a strong run each lap off turn two. Horn was changing his line searching for a way around the leader, and going down the backstretch on lap sixteen he was able to duck under Weisinger for the lead. Horn then began to pull away slightly, taking his #01 to victory lane in another caution free race. Weisinger held on for what I believe is a career best second since moving to late models. Elston was third, followed by Woodworth and Jeff Guengerich in the Richard Racing #15R. Jeremy Pundt ran sixth ahead of Ray Raker, while Halstead was credited with eighth after dropping out early. Ed Hollenbeck was not able to answer the feature call. 

   IMCA sport compacts lined up, fourteen strong for fifteen laps. Luke Fraise paced lap one from the pole, with Chevy Barnes taking over on lap two. Defending track champion Brandon Reu came from row three to grab the top spot at lap three ahead of Chevy, while heat winners Barry Taft and Josh Barnes moved to third and fourth in what soon became a four car battle. Five laps in, the leaders caught slower traffic, and Taft ran out of real estate, clipping one of the tractor tires off turn two, bringing out the first feature caution of the night and ending his run. Back under green, Reu continued to lead while the Barnes', father and son raced side by side for second, much to the delight of their considerable fan base. At the same time, they were able to put pressure on the leader, but Reu was up to the challenge, taking a hard fought win. Josh edged Chevy for second, with rookie driver Chandler Fullenkamp and Kimberly Abbott also turning in top fives. 

   The "class too tough to tame," IMCA stock cars were next, twelve strong for eighteen circuits. Chris Wibbell picked up a dominating heat race win, following that by drawing the number one pea for the feature pole. He led the opening trip around the oval, but fourth starting Abe Huls was the leader when the yellow flag waved on lap two for  Eric Glass. As racing resumed, Jason See was on the move, running alongside Huls before claiming the top spot on lap five. See hugged the inside line while Huls was forced to operate in the higher groove. Meanwhile, two class racer Jeremy Pundt was staying close in third. With eight laps remaining, the caution came again for Glass, and as the green flag waved, Pundt was shuffled back while David Brandies and heat winner Jason Cook took up the chase of the front duo. See was not to be denied, driving to the win, while Brandies powered his way to second. Cook just nipped Huls at the line for third, and Pundt settled for fifth.

   The IMCA modified field was small but stout. Jardin Fuller could not make the call, leaving eight cars for eighteen laps. Like Wibbell before him, Mark Burgtorf picked up the heat win, then drew the pole position for the main event. And although the veteran from Quincy, Illinois would lead all eighteen laps, it was hardly an easy win. Another long time front runner, Dennis Laveine, chased Burgtorf early, while Austen Becerra worked from row three to third. On the third pass by the flag stand, Becerra had moved to the runner up position, but by now Burgtorf had opened a sizable advantage. Mark had discovered some moisture in the low groove, while Austen was doing business on the low side of turns one and two and in the top groove at the west end of the track. Burgtorf was maintaining a several car length lead until the first caution came with five laps to go for Jadin Fuller. Becerra was now able to line up on the heels of the leader, but Burgtorf was simply too strong, particularly exiting turn two, and he put the Baker Racing #03B in victory lane. Becerra held second, besting Laveine, a strong run by Mitch Boles, and Bill Roberts, Jr. Jadin Fuller rebounded for sixth ahead of Jesse Belez and Cody Bowman.

   For the second straight week, IMCA sport mods closed out the show, one dozen cars for eighteen laps. The first lap was called off by a yellow flag for rookie Trayton Buckallew. An original restart saw pole sitter Adam Birck shoot to the lead over his row one mate, heat winner Nicholas Profeta. Oskaloosa, Iowa hot shoe, "Speedy Bray," Brayton Carter, picked up the other heat race win, drew a seven for the feature, then charged to third by lap two. He was able to clear Profeta for second one lap later, while Birck had jumped well out ahead of his chasers. But the caution with four laps scored for Bobby Six brought Birck back to the pack, and on the restart Carter used the high line to clear Birck for the lead. The final fourteen laps went caution free, and the field began to spread out. There was considerable distance between Carter and Birck, the same back to Profeta, who had a big margin over Matt Tucker in fourth, and then back to Bob Cowman in fifth. Those five stayed that way to the checkers. 

   Although hot laps had kicked off about fifteen minutes late, unusual for the Lee County team, the final checkers still waved right at the 10:00 hour. Thanks, as always to the Gaylords and their group for their hospitality. We will take Saturday off, then hopefully be in our regular spot at the Adams County, Illinois Speedway on Sunday. Stop by and say "Hi!"

Illinois Speedweek Opens At The Spoon

    Wednesday night we decided to make the trip to Spoon River Speedway near Banner, Illinois for the opening night of the Illinois Speedweek. This would be a Flo Racing event with live television driving the coverage. Open late models would be the featured class with a winners' share of $22,022 and a cool $1,000 to start the feature. Modifieds would be on the under card with a $3,000 top prize and $200 to start We were finally able to shed the winter garb, as temps around 90 degrees greeted us at the picturesque three eighths mile high banked facility hidden down a country lane in the central Illinois countryside. Unfortunately, there was also a stiff southeasterly breeze that blew the crumbs from the track into the grandstands all evening, covering everything in its path.

   A solid field of fifty six late models and an announced forty eight modifieds signed in, with hot laps kicking off at the advertised time of 6:00. After late model hot laps, the mods combined hot laps with qualifying. The late models then ran two laps of timing, with Senoia, Georgia driver Ashton Winger topping the overall chart at 13.270 seconds.

   Late models then came back with six eight lap heats with victories going to Winger, Brandon Sheppard, Mike Marlar, Stormy Scott, Frank Heckenast Jr., and Hudson Oneal. On the bottom side dominant track, all but Marlar won from the pole, and Mikes' win came from outside row one. The top three from each heat would move to the feature.

   Following a half dozen mod heats, the late models came back with a pair of B mains, with again the top three moving on. Pole sitters Mike Spatola, and Brian Shirley grabbed the wins. Mods then ran three much smaller B's and the fields were now set for the money races. 

   At this point a monster hole had developed between turns three and four, so the track crew brought out the grader as well as the water truck and did a reasonably quick grooming of the surface. Although unable to cure the dust problem, their hard work improved track conditions, giving us two solid grooves for the main events. 

   Fifty laps would determine the late model winner, and with no provisionals, twenty four cars lined up.Winger took off from the pole to lead lap one in a tight battle with Scott. Opening up a several car length advantage, Winger caught the crowded back of the pack a dozen laps in. Running  a strong fourth, Oneal did a 360 degree spin and kept going, avoiding a caution flag, but falling outside the top ten. On the next circuit, Sheppard charged to second in the Rocket house car #1. Quickly closing on the leader, B Shepp was the leader as lap twenty two was scored. Bobby Pierce had lined up in row four, and with the race staying green to the halfway crossed flags, he powered to fourth. Rim riding the top of the high banks, Pierce moved to third on lap thirty, then to second four laps later. He had pulled to the rear bumper of Sheppard when the first caution waved two laps later. On the first attempt at a restart, Pierce took the outside position for the Delaware style lineup, and dropped several spots as the green flag waved. But Winger, who was now in fourth, spun in turn one, negating the start. As the field realigned, Bobby now took the low line before returning to the high side as he cleared Scott for second. While Pierce climbed the ladder, Sheppard moved around, taking the high road in turns one and two, then diving to the bottom in three and four. Sheppard was able to build a small lead as Pierce was now being hounded by Scott. With forty four laps in the books, Pierce went a bit too hard into turn one, slipping over the lip, bringing out a final caution. Scott faded a bit following the restart, with Marlar grabbing second. Tanner English had lined up thirteenth on the grid, steadily worked forward, and charged to third in the closing laps. "Rocket Shepp" increased his lead to a popular win. Marlar, English, Scott, and fourteenth starting Ricky Thorton Jr. completed the top five. Dennis Erb Jr. scored a sixth, while Devin Moran advanced sixteen spots to seventh. Heckenast Jr., Oneal, and Gordy Gundaker finished off the top ten.

   The lengthy post race interviews were probably entertaining and informative for the folks watching their TVs at home, but mostly could not be heard by the ticket buyers, but finally the twenty four modifieds came to the track for thirty laps. Kenny Wallace took off from his row one spot, leading Tyler Nicely for one circuit before Tyler grabbed the lead. But it was Nick Hoffman who had the fast hot rod, he cleared Wallace on lap three, then Nicely two circuits later. Only a lap ten yellow flag for a spinner could slow Hoffmans' pursuit of victory. While the #2 checked out, Nicely battled for several laps with Lucas Lee before he was able to secure the runner up spot. Hoffman caught slower traffic with ten laps to go, but he was on point, moving smoothly through the pack. As the checkers waved, it was Hoffman, Nicely, Lee, Mike McKinney, and Wallace.

   The action wrapped up just past 10:30, with most of the big crowd staying until the end. The mini series moves on to Lincoln on Thursday followed by MARS events Friday at Farmer City and Saturday at Fairbury. Despite a less than favorable forecast, we hope to return to Lee County Speedway on Friday night. Hope to see you there!

Cottom and Delonjay Stay Perfect, Woodworth, Wietholder Double Up, Birck Wins at Adams County

    Sunday was night number three at Adams County, Illinois Speedway outside Quincy, Il. Seventy one race teams signed in to do battle on the .29 oval in front of a nice sized crowd. Those hearty souls had to brave a stubborn southerly breeze, but were treated to some intense battles, side by side racing, and a couple of rollovers during the features. 

   After Kenny Wallace topped nineteen UMP modifieds, qualifying with a lap of 14.359 seconds, the track crew did a bit of work ahead of a dozen heat races to set the feature fields.

   Following intermission, the street stocks kicked things off with all but one of the nine cars entered lining up for fifteen laps. Rudy Zaragoza and Sage Martin paced the field, with Rudy charging out to a big lead. By the time lap one was scored, fourth starting Robert Cottom had eased into the runner up spot, and it took him about five laps to close in and slip around the leader. With the race staying green until the end, Cottom gradually built his lead to the checkers, making him three for three this season at the Bullring. Zaragoza took runner up honors in front of Leremy Jackson and Jake Powers. Martin won a tight battle with Robert Thompson to claim the fifth position.

   All fifteen IMCA sport mods came to the track to contest eighteen laps. The first caution period came on lap one as pole sitter Kevin Nichelson spun in turn one. Back to racing, last weeks' winner Logan Cumby charged from row three to pace the first scored lap, taking along Justin Bartz in second. Four laps in, Reed Wolfmeyer powered to second while row six starter Adam Birck charged to third. Cumby saw his sizable lead wiped out one lap later as debris on the track brought out the caution flag. Birck used the Delaware style restart to move to second, then he set his car on the cushion while Cumby drove low around the tire barrier. The duo crossed the stripe at the halfway mark in a tight side by side battle as the yellow waved for a spin by Quinton Shelton. Back under green, it took Birck two laps to grab the lead, and with no more stops, he gradually pulled away to his first win of the season. Cumby remained strong in second, trailed by Wolfmeyer. Michael Goodwin and Nicholas Profeta staged an entertaing battle for fourth, with Goodwin ahead at the line. While most of the action to this point had been in the low and middle lines on the ever slickening track, Birck let the cat out of the bag in his post race interview by announcing that he had indeed proved to unnamed skeptical drivers that there was indeed a cushion!

   One of the few downsides to a successful early season at the track is the car count in the now sanctioned UMP Pro Crate late model division. Only five drivers signed in on Sunday, down two from the season high seven last week. Heat race winner Denny Woodworth lined up on the pole, and led all eighteen laps in the non stop event. Darin Weisinger Jr. stayed close to the leader in the early going before giving up the position on lap ten to first time visitor Braden Bilger. Weisinger held on for third ahead of week one winner Sam Halstead and Spencer Coats. The victory was the second on the year for the veteran Woodworth.

   The highlight of the night may have been the star studded nineteen car field in the UMP modified class. An influx of top performers from the St. Louis area must have listened to the glowing reports the previous week from Wallace, and several followed him north to try their luck against the regular hot shoes on Sunday. As the green flag waved on the twenty lapper, heat race winners Dave Wietholder and Rick Conoyer charged from the front row joined by Wallace in a three wide bottle neck at the front. Unfortunately, a spinning Reid Sammons brought out the first yellow flag. Sammons again had trouble on the restart, and after that restart two laps were scored before an out of shape Jacob Rexing triggered a multi car pile up in turn one which brought the red flag out. Back to racing the action was tight with Conoyer out front. however he slowed with a flat four laps in, turning the lead over to Wietholder as Rick retired to the trailer. It was now Austen Becerra on a mission as he abused the cushion searching for a way around the leader. Austen slipped off the track exiting turn two, dropping several spots, but another debris caution seven laps in bunched the field. As action resumed, Wietholder began to open a nice lead, but by lap twelve Becerra had made it back to second and was again closing fast. With four laps to go, he tried to force the issue in turn four and ran out of real estate, going over the edge, losing considerable ground. Wietholder sailed under the white flag, but a late yellow then replaced it as Drake Stevenson looped his #77. This set up a one lap dash to the checkers, and Wietholder remained in control for win number two at the track this season. Wallace took the bridesmaid spot with Becerra in third. Bethalto, Illinois ace Steve Myers claimed fourth as steady Mike Vanderiet checked in fifth.

   UMP 4 cylinders would close out the program, with all but one of the twenty three on hand coming to the track for fifteen laps. Before lap one was scored, the red flag flew as St. Louis area driver Sage Thornhill got upside down in turn three. After a lengthy delay, he tried to tag the tail of the field, but it seems there is a track rule preventing a car that rolls from returning to that race. Also, he apparently took his car to the trailer for a quick once over, also eliminating him from competition. Another caution marred the attempted restart, but then we were racing. Decatur, Illinois pilot Brady Reed and two time winner Jeffery Delonjay battled through another stoppage on lap five, staging a bumper to bumper and side by side duel through slower traffic as the laps clicked off. In search of win number three, Delonjay tried a high line, inside moves, and even a bump draft on the leader. As the white flag waved, Jeffery was able to slip inside for the lead. Entering turn one side by side, Reed tried to shut the door, got crossed up, and rolled his #324 machine. This set up another one lap shootout, and Delonjay made certain no one would collect the $100 bounty on his head on this night. Jeremy Reed, also from Decatur, would then take runner up honors, while Jimmy Dutlinger made his third trip from Peoria to claim third. Younger brother Jaden Delonjay was fourth, while Burlington, Iowa driver Justin Stevenson was fifth.

   It was another good night of racing at the track as then team continues to work to knock out any glitches. It is good to have the scoreboard back up and running, even if some of the numbers do not always match up! Several of the debris cautions were caused by the (barely) buried boundary tires being kicked out on the track. After issues on opening night, track personnel attempted a fix that still needs a bit of tweaking. Fixing that, improving flow at the concession stands, and the addition of a second wrecker could really move this show to an even higher level! 

   Thanks as always to Jim, Tammy, Blake, and the crew for a fun Sunday evening!

Lee County Speedway Kicks Off the 2022 Season

    Like most of the tracks in Iowa and the surrounding states, Lee County Speedway in Donnellson has been a victim of the early season rain and wet grounds. Their opening two day weekend was cancelled as was last Fridays' regular season opener. There was a glimmer of hope for this Friday night, but that was quickly extinguished by more of the same during the morning hours. So when 34 Raceway just up the road in West Burlington was forced to pull the plug on Saturday racing for I believe the sixth consecutive week, Brian Gaylord and crew decided to take a chance and do a quick reschedule for Saturday night. The action, starting one hour earlier, would include the five regular IMCA classes hosted by the track, with the first installment of the late model and modified "Drive for 5" mini series each paying $1,000 to win along with the sport mod "Drive for 3", with a winners' share of $600. With all the early season cancellations, enthusiasm is through the roof, and this was made evident when long time racing family and track supporters Kohlmorgan Hauling out of Keokuk stepped up to add money to the purse, bumping the sport mod and stock car take to #1,000 to win and the sport compacts to $500! The track then decided to add the mini hauler truck division for Saturday. While acknowledging that the late notice might hold down the count, they knew that the truckers were also eager to get their season started. With the late notice and the change in days, track officials also wisely announced the while IMCA national, state, regional, and rookie points would be awarded, their would be no track points given. Also, there are a couple of "mulligans" available to qualify for the end of year "Drive" higher paying races, so there should be no problems with that. In addition, sunny skies and warmer temps greeted drivers and fans as they made their way through the gates.

   With Dakota Sapp signing in after sport mod heats, the final car count sat at ninety three. It was an eventful trip for Sapp, who tagged the tail of the B main, made a charge through the pack on lap one, slid up the track in turn three, smacked the guardrail and was done for the night. With the twenty nine sport mods the only class needing a consy and intermission out of the way, we rolled into the six features.

   Sport compacts got the call first, with all but one of the sixteen signed in lining up for fifteen laps. Jason Ash sat on the pole, quickly jumping to the lead, taking along third starting Brandon Reu. The front duo soon separated from the pack, working slower traffic by lap six while running nose to tail. As the race passed the halfway mark, Reu began his challenge, and by the time they hit heavy side by side traffic, Reu had pulled alongside the leader. With the white flag in the air, Ash was able to slide between the lapped cars heading into turn three, opening up a several car length advantage to grab the win. Reu settled for second, followed by Barrt Taft, Luke Fraise, and Kimberly Abbott. The race went non stop, green to checkers.

   A somewhat less than anticipated fourteen late models checked in for the $1,000 top prize. Although they all came to the track for the twenty five lapper, Nick Marolf headed pitside during the parade lap. The Moscow, Iowa veteran had suffered damage in a heat race incident. Late model rookie Dustin Schram and veteran Chuck Hanna had redrawn the front row, and Schram put his #92 out front for lap one. Hanna then moved to the front ahead of the lone yellow flag for Jeff Guengerich, who appeared to smack the backstretch guardrail on lap three. Denny Woodworth used the Delaware style restart to move to second. Tommy Elston, sporting his retro #54 lined up in ninth, entering the top five on lap five as Hanna built a commanding lead. By lap eleven, Elston had jumped to third. Lap fifteen saw Hanna catch the back of the pack while nursing a straightaway advantage. Elston grabbed the runner up spot on lap seventeen, and with three circuits left, Schram rebounded to third. As the checkers flew, it was Hanna, Elston, Schram, Woodworth, and Jay Johnson taking the top five positions. C.J.Horn finished sixth ahead of Darin Weisinger Jr., Jeremy Pundt, Ray Raker, and Blake Woodruff. Weisinger Jr. and Elston picked up heat wins.

   With their late addition to the show, only five mini haulers showed, and Tucker Richardson ran off with the four car feature.

   All but one of the nineteen stock cars came to the track for eighteen laps. A pair of Jasons, Cook and See paced the field, with See taking the top spot on lap three. With the lap scored, the caution came for debris, and on the restart disaster struck. Two class racer Jeremy Pundt hooked a rut exiting turn two, spun and was collected by Shane Richardson, Abe Huls, and Beau Taylor. Pundt did a complete rollover, and when the carnage was cleared, only Huls was able to race on after a trip to the work area. Back to racing, See and Cook continued to battle, but it was David Brandies flying around the pair to lead lap four. Damon Murty had redrawn the number twelve pill, but was driving towards the front, moving to second on lap seven. The "Chelsea Charger" took the lead going down the backstretch on lap nine. Cook and Brandies were now in a tussle for second ahead of a final caution with five to go as Corey Strothman stopped in turns one and two. Also starting in row six, Michael Jaennette was slugging his way to the front, and he powered to third on the restart. With just two circuits remaining, Cook pulled to the infield, leaving Jaennette and Brandies dueling for second. At the flag it was Murty with the win trailed by Jaennette, Brandies, See, and Derrick Agee.

   Only ten modifieds were on hand for the twenty two lap feature, and Dallon Murty checked out before the green flag waved. Division rookie Austen Becerra shot to the lead fron his pole start and quickly put distance on the pack. Dennis Laveine took the second spot ahead of a lap four yellow caused by a spinning Jadin Fuller, whose night was over. Sixth starting Daniel Fellows moved to second on the restart. as Becerra again opened a sizable lead. Mark Burgtorf had the Baker #03B hooked up, taking third on lap nine, and finally winning a long battle with Fellows for second on lap seventeen. At the checkers, it was Becerra, Burgtorf, Fellows, Laveine, and Bill Roberts Jr. Another division rookie, Blaine Webster ran sixth as the final car on the track.

   Sport mods wrapped up the action, with two dozen cars for twenty circuits. Dylan VanWyk drew the pole position, and proceeded to put on a clinic from there. By the fifth lap. seventh starting Brayton Carter and fifth starting Logan Anderson had climbed to second and third. As Carter and Anderson battled, VanWyk caught the back of the pack on lap six. The slower cars presented no problem for the leader, who continued to increase his margin. With the white flag in the air it was replaced by the yellow for a car spinning in turn one. Although his commanding lead was gone, the green, white, checkers shootout proved no problem for VanWyk, as he claimed the flag to flag win. Carter held second in front of Anderson. Sean Wyett took advantage of the restart to jump to fourth, with Austin Schrage traveling all the way from Cresco, Iowa to round out the top five.

   Even with a bit of a late start and the lengthy red flag situation, the final checkers waved about 10:05. Thanks to Brian, Marcie, and the crew for going the extra mile to present racing on Saturday!

   Tonight, Sunday, it is back to the Adams County, Illinois Speedway for night number three, with the schedule change putting the five regular classes on the card.