This holiday weekend featured a full dose of sprint cars, as we hit the road for the first time in three weeks. Saturday night, Darryl, Fred, and I challenged the forecast and headed south to I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo for their salute to the troops show. Serving and retired military personnel receive free admission, a benefit I know buddy Fred appreciates. For the rest of us, the show is a good value, with the 410 Midwest Open Wheel Sprint Association and UMP late models racing for $2,000 to win, the UMP modifieds for $1,000 top prize, and the Allied Auto Racing Association sportsmen winner collecting $400, all for a $20 ticket. 105 cars checked in the four divisions in what turned out to a long but entertaining night of action. The 28 MOWA cars, in the middle of three straight nights of action, used passing points through three heat races to qualify for their 25 lap feature, while the late models and mods did group qualifying, and the sportsmen I assume used a draw format. Following hot laps, qualifying, and a dozen heat races, the track was torn up and completely reworked during the longer than I want to remember intermission. the result, however, was a perfectly prepared 1/3 mile for the remainder of the night. The dust problem from the early part of the night, with a pesky wind blowing the crumbs in the front stretch bleachers, also was greatly improved.
The MOWA cars then ran a six car, six lap pole dash, although the Friday night winner from Jacksonville,Il Speedway, AJ Bruns lost brakes as he came to the rack, and watched from the infield as Indiana racer Paul May earned the win. A sprint B-main, then a pair of modified B's and we were set for feature racing.
The MOWA 25 lapper was up first,with 22 starters. May jumped out from the pole, and was working slower traffic by lap five. 17 year old talent Paul Nienhauser started second and fell back early, but he was soon pounding the narrow cushion as he began to pick off cars and run down the # 71 of May. Moving into the second spot and getting May in his sights, he jumped the berm in turns one and two on lap 16, flipping his # 9 ride at least five times as the pack of cars somehow avoided his car, which landed on the low side of the high banked oval. For restarts, MOWA not only lines up single file, but they also place lapped cars where they were in the running order. This gave May a two car cushion over now second running Corey Weyant. As the green waved, May checked out again, but Weyant quickly cleared the slower cars, and set sail for the leader. With only the one stoppage, however, May could not be overtaken, leading all 25 laps for the win. Weyant took the runnerup finish, with Bruns coming back to grab third.
Next up, 24 of the 34 UMP mods came to the grid. Ray Walsh and Michael Long made up row one, with Rusty Griffaw and Mike Harrison in row two in what was an incredibly strong field. Long took off as the green waved, with Harrison in tow. On lap three, Griffaw moved to second, two laps later, Kenny Schrader joined the fray in fourth after starting in row four. But this night belonged to Long and the " Festus Flash," Griffaw. While Michael pounded the cushion, Rusty hugged the low groove. Lap after lap, Griffaw would hold the lead off the corner, with Long easing ahead down the chute. The leaders caught slow traffic on lap 13, and Griffaw was scored ahead for lap 14. But two laps later, Griffaw was forced to alter his line for slower traffic, and that was all Long needed to pull away. The 20 laps ticked off caution free, With Harrison and Schrader trailing the top two.
Heat winners Scott Weber and Brandon Sheppard made up row one for the 25 lap late model finale. Sheppard quickly jumped out front, with row two starter Tim Manville in second. Row four starter Randy Korte joined the leaders in fourth on lap five, and slow traffic became a challenge on lap eight.
The first of a handful of yellows waved on lap 16, but each time the third generation racer Sheppard was up to the challenge. Manville and Korte swapped the runnerup spot in the final laps, with Manville second at the checkers. Korte was third, while Dave Jumper charged to fourth ahead of Weber.
With the sportsman main coming to the track, we headed to the car for the long drive home.
Sunday night the scene shifted to Quincy Raceways, with the MOWA series wrapping up their three race weekend. The WAR non winged sprints also came to town, with three of the regular classes, IMCA stock cars, sport mods and sport compacts also on hand.
Before the scheduled program, the 4 cylinder feature from the week before was completed. The race had been suspended with three laps scored after Alex Baker took a nasty flip off turns one and two and was transported to the hospital. The youngster was held overnight, and was in the grandstands Sunday night watching brother Bryce. Alex says his new ride should be ready next week. Track point leader Austen Becerra was out front in his # 2M ride, but Pat Dunker flew around the leader with two laps to go. But as the leaders exited turn four at the checkers, Becerra and Dunker locked horns, with Austen taking the win. Kimberly Abbott and Baker completed the top four. Becerra then prepared his # 22 for the regular show, turning the # 2M over to former track champ Seith Woodruff. Following ten heat races to set the feature lineups for the 77 cars, the track was reworked during an intermission which featured an infield wedding!
The 19 car MOWA field was up first and the race was red flagged on lap one, when Jimmy Light suffered a wild flip off turn one, ending his night. A handful of cautions slowed the 25 lapper, but Jerrod Hull was on a rail in his # 12 sprinter and he held off all challenges to lead the distance. Joey Moughan battled throughout the middle stages of the race with veteran Jim Moughan, finally claiming the third spot. On the final lap, he slipped past Weyant to finish in the second spot, while Nienhauser brought out another # 9 ride and claimed fourth. Weyant skipped his on track interview as he hustled back to the pit area to prepare his # 99 to run the non wing faetre, as well. He was the only driver who chose to run both classes.
The IMCA sport mod 18 lapper was next, and it featured some side by side action along with a bunch of crash and bang action. Aaron Brocksieck took off from the front row, with Bobby Anders moving in to challenge on lap four. Anders edged ahead on lap six, one lap later, Joey Gower suddenly found himself backwards on the backstretch where he was hit hard by Sean Wyatt. At the same time, Tim Anders, wheeling Nathan Anders #19 was almost overlooked upside down off turn two. Back to action, Bobby Anders and Tony Dunker were locked in a side by side duel, when contact sent both to the hot pit. Dunker was able to rejoin the filed, while Anders was done for the night. With the time limit in effect for the third straight week, the remaining cars clicked off the final six laps. Brocksieck took his first sport mod trophy to go along with numerous hobby stock and stock car wins. Brad Holtmeyer overcame three miscues during the night to take second, and Trevor Hagerbaumer came back from a trip to the hot pit for a podium finish in third. Dunker crossed the line in fifth, ending his 34 race streak of top two finishes.
The non wing sprinters saw Chris Parkinson take off from the pole, leading the first ten laps. Wismiller put his #1 around, but a yellow flag negated the pass. Meanwhile, Weyant had started last in the 18 car pack, and was now up to sixth. On the restart, he vaulted to fourth, on lap twelve he took third, and on lap 15, he had cleared Parkinson, as Wismiller held the lead. A lap 17 yellow bunched the field, and the three leaders ran nearly side by side at the flagstand completing lap 22. When the checkers waved, it was Wismiller on top, with Weyant finishing a sucessfule weekend in second, and Parkinson third.
The IMCA stock car drivers have been grumbling a bit about always running the first feature on the reworked race track on Sunday nights, but last night, they had a slick, black surface for their 18 lapper. A Season high 13 cars took the green, with Nathan Hayes jumping to the lead. Hayes set a fast pace, but Brandon Savage picked his way to second in the tight pack, and grabbed the pint on lap seven. The yellow waved on lap eight for a spin by second running Beau Taylor, triggering a handful of mid race cautions. Savage stretched his lead each time, and he became the first two time stock car winner of 2014. Jake Powers collected a season best second ahead of Jim Lynch, Abe Huls, and visiting Shane Watts.
The final race on a long night was the regular 15 lap sport compact main event. Baker held the top for three laps, but it was Becerra on top as lap four was scored. Dunker moved to second on lap six, and the ten cars clicked off 15 caution free laps. Becerra took his 13th straight win, two wins on this night in two different cars! Dunker, Woodruff, and Baker crossed the stripe in that order behind Austen.
It was a very long but full night of racing in front of a crowd estimated at 2500.
The new promotion team at QR has things headed in a positive direction, with improvements in the racing surface and the concessions among the most obvious to long time fans. Getting the shows completed in a timely manner would seem to be the next big challenge, as things are looking up at the storied facility.
My personal calender is filling up with non racing events for the next few weekends, but we will carve out time for racing as we can, and hopefully will see you Racin' Down the Road!
Monday, May 26, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Pierce Conquers the Big 10
Bobby Pierce topped a solid field of 26 super late models to take home the $2,000 top prize Sunday night at Quincy Raceways. the race was the first of two stops in 2014 at QR for the Big Ten late model series, a ten race tour at four tracks in central Illinois.The largest crowd of the season was on hand as the track paid tribute to the late Albert Scott, who built and opened the track which is now in its 40th season - thus the Scottie 40.
Father and son Bob and Jeff Scott, who kept the track going after Alberts retirement, where on hand, as were many former employees. Some of the current staff dressed in retro fashion, the heat winners carried the checkered flag as was the custom in days gone by. A 1970s era AMC Javelin pace car led the feature parade laps.
The first feature of the night, the IMCA stock cars, took to the track after the .29 mile oval was totally reworked during the lengthy intermission. Unfortunately, the surface was still a bit slimy, and the normally smooth running class suffered several cautions during their 18 lap main event. In search of his first stock car feature win, Nathan Hays held the top spot through the first half of the race. Terry Houston led briefly following a lap nine restart, but he lost the handle on the # 97 on lap 12. Jim Lynch was able to use the lap 12 restart to grab the top spot. Hayes stayed in the hunt, and may have been inches ahead as the white flag waved, but Lynch pulled away for his first win of the season at QR. Hayes took the runnerup spot, with Beau Taylor solid in third ahead of brother in law Brandon Savage in fourth. Jake Powers completed the top five. Abe Huls saw his night end early after contact in the opening laps.
Next up was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lap finale. 16 of the 17 cars signed in took the green, as Trent Grotz was on the trailer following hot laps. Charles VanZandt took the early lead , with Joey Gower taking over one lap later. Gower was into slower traffice when the caution fest began in earnest on lap nine. Several drivers took runs at Gower only to bobble and fall off the pace. A side by side duel with Gower hugging the low groove and Bobby Anders on the cushion ended when Anders slowed with three laps to go. The time limit once again brought the race to an early end, but Tony Dunker once again stayed out of trouble, and as the checkers waved, he made it 35 straight features with a top two finish. Following Gower and Dunker was last weeks winner Brad Holtmeyer, Tanner Klingele, and a smoking # 65 driven by Cody Henderson.
Next up was the late model headliner. Three heat races and a B-main had pared the 26 car field to 20 starters. The invert roll was a "two," putting heat two winner Denny Woodworth on the pole, flanked by Pierce. If the surface was still slimy, the late models failed to notice, running 40 caution free laps! The 17 year old Pierce went straight to the cushion, and soon built a straightaway lead, He was in traffic by lap seven, and even though he became a bit more conservative after 25 laps or so, he still lapped up to the fourth place finisher. Behind the # 32 , however, there was no shortage of action. Woodworth kept up the chase early before Mark Burgtorf found his line. Mark had told me before the night began that he found some engine issues after last weeks race, and he was not sure his power plant would survive the night. The # 7B did more than "survive," as the veteran powered his way to the second spot. As in his heat,though, he found himself searching for Pierce, who maintained a comfortable margin to the checkers. Brandon Sheppard was chasing the front duo in the star studded first heat race when a misstep took him out of a transfer spot and into the consy. An easy win in the 12 lapper earned him the 15th starting spot, and he charged all the way to third in the feature without benefit of a caution. Woodworth was the last car on the lead lap, while third heat winner Justin Reed claimed fifth. Kevin Weaver saw his top five run end on lap 31, as he pulled his brand new Rocket car to the infield. Brian Dively led the second five, followed by Texas hot shoe Allen Murry, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin, and Jim Moon. Big Ten series point leader Ryan Little finished 12th.
The UMP modifieds were up next for 25 laps. 14 of 16 entrants took the green flag, with Jacob Poel, visiting again from his home in Spring Lake, Michigan jumping to the lead in search of his second QR win of the young season. Poel held a good sized lead when the caution waved on lap five for third running Shawn Deering, who lost a drive shaft. When racing resumed, fellow front row starter and defending track champion Steven Delonjay began to apply heavy pressure, leading lap six. Poel rebounded, and the two raced side by side until the yellow flew again on lap 11. On the restart, Delonjay began to build a lead, and nabbed his first checkers of 2014. Poel held off hard charging Michael Long, who started in row seven after falling from his heat event. Dave Weitholder claimed fourth, and Randy Lines checked in all the way from Marion, Indiana, grabbing fifth.
The final event of the long night was the 12 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. The Baker brothers held the front row, as 11 of 13 competitors took the green, including the aforementioned Jeff Scott in the Ciltrak Promotion team " house" car. Bryce Baker led lap one, with Austen Becerra taking over on lap two. With three laps scored and Becerra once again in charge, Alex Baker slipped the cushion in turns one and tow, rolling his # 27X multiple times. As the safety crew attended to the youngster, it became obvious there would be a lengthy delay, and given the hour and the situation, it was decided to resume the race next week. Eventually Alex was extricated form his ride and was transported to the local hospital. He was held over night, but was due to be released sometime today, Monday.
Despite the unfortunate ending, it was a special night of racing at QR, as the " Broadway Bullring" experience is getting better each night.
Next Sunday the late models will have the night off as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the holiday show. With only three races under my belt in this month of May, I hope to venture out over the weekend, so maybe I will see you Racin' Down the Road.
Father and son Bob and Jeff Scott, who kept the track going after Alberts retirement, where on hand, as were many former employees. Some of the current staff dressed in retro fashion, the heat winners carried the checkered flag as was the custom in days gone by. A 1970s era AMC Javelin pace car led the feature parade laps.
The first feature of the night, the IMCA stock cars, took to the track after the .29 mile oval was totally reworked during the lengthy intermission. Unfortunately, the surface was still a bit slimy, and the normally smooth running class suffered several cautions during their 18 lap main event. In search of his first stock car feature win, Nathan Hays held the top spot through the first half of the race. Terry Houston led briefly following a lap nine restart, but he lost the handle on the # 97 on lap 12. Jim Lynch was able to use the lap 12 restart to grab the top spot. Hayes stayed in the hunt, and may have been inches ahead as the white flag waved, but Lynch pulled away for his first win of the season at QR. Hayes took the runnerup spot, with Beau Taylor solid in third ahead of brother in law Brandon Savage in fourth. Jake Powers completed the top five. Abe Huls saw his night end early after contact in the opening laps.
Next up was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lap finale. 16 of the 17 cars signed in took the green, as Trent Grotz was on the trailer following hot laps. Charles VanZandt took the early lead , with Joey Gower taking over one lap later. Gower was into slower traffice when the caution fest began in earnest on lap nine. Several drivers took runs at Gower only to bobble and fall off the pace. A side by side duel with Gower hugging the low groove and Bobby Anders on the cushion ended when Anders slowed with three laps to go. The time limit once again brought the race to an early end, but Tony Dunker once again stayed out of trouble, and as the checkers waved, he made it 35 straight features with a top two finish. Following Gower and Dunker was last weeks winner Brad Holtmeyer, Tanner Klingele, and a smoking # 65 driven by Cody Henderson.
Next up was the late model headliner. Three heat races and a B-main had pared the 26 car field to 20 starters. The invert roll was a "two," putting heat two winner Denny Woodworth on the pole, flanked by Pierce. If the surface was still slimy, the late models failed to notice, running 40 caution free laps! The 17 year old Pierce went straight to the cushion, and soon built a straightaway lead, He was in traffic by lap seven, and even though he became a bit more conservative after 25 laps or so, he still lapped up to the fourth place finisher. Behind the # 32 , however, there was no shortage of action. Woodworth kept up the chase early before Mark Burgtorf found his line. Mark had told me before the night began that he found some engine issues after last weeks race, and he was not sure his power plant would survive the night. The # 7B did more than "survive," as the veteran powered his way to the second spot. As in his heat,though, he found himself searching for Pierce, who maintained a comfortable margin to the checkers. Brandon Sheppard was chasing the front duo in the star studded first heat race when a misstep took him out of a transfer spot and into the consy. An easy win in the 12 lapper earned him the 15th starting spot, and he charged all the way to third in the feature without benefit of a caution. Woodworth was the last car on the lead lap, while third heat winner Justin Reed claimed fifth. Kevin Weaver saw his top five run end on lap 31, as he pulled his brand new Rocket car to the infield. Brian Dively led the second five, followed by Texas hot shoe Allen Murry, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin, and Jim Moon. Big Ten series point leader Ryan Little finished 12th.
The UMP modifieds were up next for 25 laps. 14 of 16 entrants took the green flag, with Jacob Poel, visiting again from his home in Spring Lake, Michigan jumping to the lead in search of his second QR win of the young season. Poel held a good sized lead when the caution waved on lap five for third running Shawn Deering, who lost a drive shaft. When racing resumed, fellow front row starter and defending track champion Steven Delonjay began to apply heavy pressure, leading lap six. Poel rebounded, and the two raced side by side until the yellow flew again on lap 11. On the restart, Delonjay began to build a lead, and nabbed his first checkers of 2014. Poel held off hard charging Michael Long, who started in row seven after falling from his heat event. Dave Weitholder claimed fourth, and Randy Lines checked in all the way from Marion, Indiana, grabbing fifth.
The final event of the long night was the 12 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. The Baker brothers held the front row, as 11 of 13 competitors took the green, including the aforementioned Jeff Scott in the Ciltrak Promotion team " house" car. Bryce Baker led lap one, with Austen Becerra taking over on lap two. With three laps scored and Becerra once again in charge, Alex Baker slipped the cushion in turns one and tow, rolling his # 27X multiple times. As the safety crew attended to the youngster, it became obvious there would be a lengthy delay, and given the hour and the situation, it was decided to resume the race next week. Eventually Alex was extricated form his ride and was transported to the local hospital. He was held over night, but was due to be released sometime today, Monday.
Despite the unfortunate ending, it was a special night of racing at QR, as the " Broadway Bullring" experience is getting better each night.
Next Sunday the late models will have the night off as the MOWA 410 sprint cars will headline the holiday show. With only three races under my belt in this month of May, I hope to venture out over the weekend, so maybe I will see you Racin' Down the Road.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Back Where I Belong
Sunday night I was back in my regular spot at Quincy Raceways for a full night of racing featuring a $200.00 top prize for the IMCA Sport Compacts. I applaud the new promoters at QR for giving each of the classes more than one shot at some extra cash throughout the season. Last week it was the IMCA stock cars, with Iowa driver John Oliver Jr. rolling in to town to grab the $500.00 check. This week, however, it was business as usual, with defending track champion Austen Becerra taking control on lap two and taking the checkers in the non stop 20 lap event by a large margin. Even though Austen was wheeling the car he normally runs in Iowa rather than his QR car, he still collected his tenth straight feature win at the bullring. Skip Dunker and Kimberly Abbott staged an entertaining battle for the runner up spot, with Dunker winning that battle. Brandon Lambert and Bryce Baker completed the top five. Alex Baker kept us entertained in the grandstands, as he could not get his new engine to fire, and wound up watching his brother while his ride set at home. A member of my extended family, Alyssa Steele, has been turning heads at Lee County Speedway, and the 16 year old journeyed to QR on Sunday for the first time, but broke in the heat race.
As is normal, the IMCA stock car feature ran first, and the ten car field went 18 exciting laps without a caution period. Brandon Savage has struggled in the early weeks of 2014, and cost himself a heat race win with a turn two bobble. But the draw redraw format worked in his favor, as he picked up a front row starting spot for the feature. The new daddy quickly charged to the lead, and pulled away as his pursuers diced it up on the somewhat slick surface which was reworked at intermission. By the time Terry Houston cleared the pack in second, Savage had a big lead, and he coasted to win number one of 2014. Houston claimed second, while heat one winner Beau Taylor led a four car pack in third. Defending champion Abe Huls emerged fourth after a duel with Jim Lynch, who rounded out the top five.
The second feature of the night was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lapper. The sport mods continue to struggle at QR, with cautions flags too frequent to count turning the race into a " when will it end" sort of event. With the time limit expired, the remaining cars put on their longest green flag run of about five laps before another yellow on the white flag circuit ended the fray. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, reportedly in his final season behind the wheel, muscled the # 6 machine of Bobby Six through the many cautions. But second generation driver Brad Holtmeyer worked the top side of the track, and when it came in, he powered to the lead with three laps to go and picked up his first ever feature victory. Tony Dunker extended his incredible streak of top two finishes to I believe 34 or 35, as he also slipped around Gillenwater. Bobby anders and Tanner Klingele completed the top five.
Fourteen UMP late models checked in, including long time track regular Michael Larsen, who debuted a # 48 machine. " Taco" has been a regular in hobby stocks and stock cars, and when he took a turn behind the wheel of Kevin Tomlinsons late model a couple years back, it became his goal to have one of his own. Last weeks feature winner, Rickey Frankel, set quick time at 13.755 seconds, but rolled a three for the dash invert. He then chased front row starter Justin Reed in the ten lap event, which set the 30 lap feature lineup. While Reed shot to the early lead, Denny Woodworth came from row two to take up the chase. The two leaders ran side by side for a few laps before contact sent Denny spinning and brought out the first caution of the race. Both drivers were sent to the tail, turning the lead over to Frankel. When racing resumed, Frankel protected the lower line, and it was now Mark Burgtorf taking up the chase. Mark put his # 7B in the high groove as he has so many times, ans seemed poised to take the lead when the caution flew again on lap 28. With three laps remaining, Burgtorf could not regain his momentum, and Frankel became the first back to back late model feature winner since August of 2012.
Burgtorf followed in second, with Jason Perry, Jim Moon, and Jamie Wilson filling out the top five.
Kudos to young Alan Westling, racing his # 20 late model even though he suffered a broken wrist on Saturday in an accident at I-55 Raceway. Oh, to be young again...
The UMP modified division at Quincy is known for its tough competition, and when Nascar veteran Kenny Wallace shows up, the field is that much better. Wallace and defending track champion Steven Delonjay sat on the front row for the 25 lapper, and Wallace shot to the lead at the green. The first caution waved on lap four, bunching the field, and Michael Long was on the move with his sights set on the top two. Michael, who with wife Shannon welcomed son number three earlier in the week, climbed as hign as third before a flat tire ended his run on lap ten. One lap later, the leaders were side by side, but Wallace found something extra, pulling out to about a five car length lead. The leaders caught slower traffic on lap 20, but Wallace was up to the task, and collected unbelievably, his first ever win at QR. Delonjay held second, while Dave Weitholder shook off his hard luck with a third place run. Keith Pratt picked up fourth, and Shawn Deering, who fought suspension issued early in the night, came from the back to nab fifth.
By my count, that was three feature race cautions, not counting the sport mods, thanks in no small way to a very well prepared racing surface.
There is some illness in my family keeping me close to home, but I hope to be back at Quincy Raceways next Sunday, as the Big 10 UMP late models mini series will be feature in a $2,000 to win 40 lap main event, the " Scottie 40," in memory of the tracks founder Albert Scott. The race is part of the 40th anniversary season of the cathedral of commotion known affectionately as the Broadway Bullring. I hope to see you there, or somewhere Racin' Down the Road.
As is normal, the IMCA stock car feature ran first, and the ten car field went 18 exciting laps without a caution period. Brandon Savage has struggled in the early weeks of 2014, and cost himself a heat race win with a turn two bobble. But the draw redraw format worked in his favor, as he picked up a front row starting spot for the feature. The new daddy quickly charged to the lead, and pulled away as his pursuers diced it up on the somewhat slick surface which was reworked at intermission. By the time Terry Houston cleared the pack in second, Savage had a big lead, and he coasted to win number one of 2014. Houston claimed second, while heat one winner Beau Taylor led a four car pack in third. Defending champion Abe Huls emerged fourth after a duel with Jim Lynch, who rounded out the top five.
The second feature of the night was the IMCA Sport Mod 18 lapper. The sport mods continue to struggle at QR, with cautions flags too frequent to count turning the race into a " when will it end" sort of event. With the time limit expired, the remaining cars put on their longest green flag run of about five laps before another yellow on the white flag circuit ended the fray. Veteran Jim Gillenwater, reportedly in his final season behind the wheel, muscled the # 6 machine of Bobby Six through the many cautions. But second generation driver Brad Holtmeyer worked the top side of the track, and when it came in, he powered to the lead with three laps to go and picked up his first ever feature victory. Tony Dunker extended his incredible streak of top two finishes to I believe 34 or 35, as he also slipped around Gillenwater. Bobby anders and Tanner Klingele completed the top five.
Fourteen UMP late models checked in, including long time track regular Michael Larsen, who debuted a # 48 machine. " Taco" has been a regular in hobby stocks and stock cars, and when he took a turn behind the wheel of Kevin Tomlinsons late model a couple years back, it became his goal to have one of his own. Last weeks feature winner, Rickey Frankel, set quick time at 13.755 seconds, but rolled a three for the dash invert. He then chased front row starter Justin Reed in the ten lap event, which set the 30 lap feature lineup. While Reed shot to the early lead, Denny Woodworth came from row two to take up the chase. The two leaders ran side by side for a few laps before contact sent Denny spinning and brought out the first caution of the race. Both drivers were sent to the tail, turning the lead over to Frankel. When racing resumed, Frankel protected the lower line, and it was now Mark Burgtorf taking up the chase. Mark put his # 7B in the high groove as he has so many times, ans seemed poised to take the lead when the caution flew again on lap 28. With three laps remaining, Burgtorf could not regain his momentum, and Frankel became the first back to back late model feature winner since August of 2012.
Burgtorf followed in second, with Jason Perry, Jim Moon, and Jamie Wilson filling out the top five.
Kudos to young Alan Westling, racing his # 20 late model even though he suffered a broken wrist on Saturday in an accident at I-55 Raceway. Oh, to be young again...
The UMP modified division at Quincy is known for its tough competition, and when Nascar veteran Kenny Wallace shows up, the field is that much better. Wallace and defending track champion Steven Delonjay sat on the front row for the 25 lapper, and Wallace shot to the lead at the green. The first caution waved on lap four, bunching the field, and Michael Long was on the move with his sights set on the top two. Michael, who with wife Shannon welcomed son number three earlier in the week, climbed as hign as third before a flat tire ended his run on lap ten. One lap later, the leaders were side by side, but Wallace found something extra, pulling out to about a five car length lead. The leaders caught slower traffic on lap 20, but Wallace was up to the task, and collected unbelievably, his first ever win at QR. Delonjay held second, while Dave Weitholder shook off his hard luck with a third place run. Keith Pratt picked up fourth, and Shawn Deering, who fought suspension issued early in the night, came from the back to nab fifth.
By my count, that was three feature race cautions, not counting the sport mods, thanks in no small way to a very well prepared racing surface.
There is some illness in my family keeping me close to home, but I hope to be back at Quincy Raceways next Sunday, as the Big 10 UMP late models mini series will be feature in a $2,000 to win 40 lap main event, the " Scottie 40," in memory of the tracks founder Albert Scott. The race is part of the 40th anniversary season of the cathedral of commotion known affectionately as the Broadway Bullring. I hope to see you there, or somewhere Racin' Down the Road.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Kay On Top By Hugging The Bottom
Sunday night Darryl, Fred, and I switched up and made the three hour trip north to Quad City Speedway in East Moline,Il for our second IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series event of 2014. While late model racing in our area is now mostly of the unlimited engine UMP variety, which I do truly enjoy, I still have a fond affection for the cars and stars of IMCA. And although I hesitate to call the high banks of East Moline one of my favorite tracks - only because nearly every track I have been to is a " favorite," the action is always fast and furious, with the unforgiving outside concrete wall just waiting for a rim riding driver to make a mistake on the treacherous cushion. I might add that if you have never been to the fairgrounds 1/4 mile facility, it is worth the trip, but spend at least a few laps watching from the lower level, as it as close as you can get to being in the action without strapping in a race car!
Partly because of that lurking concrete, many drivers shy away from trips to the Sunday night facility, so we were more than pleased to see 31 late models roll through the pit gate. Add in 23 IMCA modifieds, 14 street stocks and 18 IMRA midgets, and the large crowd was in for a full night of racing on a surprisingly chilly evening. The late model heats ran second on the grid, with Joel Callahan slowing while leading heat one and going pitside. Mike Zemo Jr then took the checkers. In the second ten lapper, Justin Kay used a last corner pass of Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle ride to pick up the win. The third heat featured an entertaining duel, with track regulars Mike Murphy Jr on the high side, and Todd Malmstrom running the low line, with Todd grabbing the win. Jeff Aikey led the distance in the final heat race. With only the top three qualified from the heats - was that ever announced? - two B-mains added eight more to the 58 lap feature field. Rob Toland and Matt Ryan picked up the wins in the two 12 lappers. A hard charger provisional - track regular Mike Cothron, and three point provisionals, including series ironman Darrell Defrance filled out the 24 car starting grid.
As I made my way back to the pit area, the street stock feature came to the track, with Rob Nylin taking the win in a race I am sorry I did not witness. I was back in my seat for the 20 lap mod finale. After a couple of early cautions, the race stayed green for about 17 fast paced laps on an increasingly slick though smooth surface. Greg Durbin was doing a splendid job negotiating lapped traffic while holding off former late model driver Jason Bahrs when the caution waved again with three laps remaining. With Durbin running the low line, Bahrs tried a middle groove move in the final turn for the win. Unfortunately for the veteran, the # 96 broke loose, spinning him in front of the charging pack. Although he escaped unscathed, his potential good finish evaporated. Doug Crampton powered to the runnerup finish, with Brian Bushong third.
58 laps, in honor of the late Hershel Roberts was the feature assignment for the 24 starters in the $3,000 to win headline event. Kay had the pole position, with rim riding Jason Rauen to his outside. I will admit that I lost track of the lap count early on, but two things can be said with certainty. Kay was in control the entire distance as he hugged the low groove, and no fewer than a half dozen drivers were able to make legitimate runs at the leader. Rauen, Murphy, Brian Harris, Zemo, and Callahan all made strong runs forward, only to fade throughout the race. Callahan may have been most impressive after starting in row eight. As the laps wound down, it was Aikey who saved something for the end. Kay was obviously not giving up the low side, so the veteran Aikey took to the high side, with his momentum actually pulling him alongside Kay on a couple of occasions. Eventually a slight bobble cost him ever so slightly, and the result was as entertaining a race as you could imagine where the leader led flag to flag. Kay picked up his fourth Summer Series career win, leading Aikey, Callahan, Murphy, and 2013 series champion Harris to top five runs. Zemo led the second five, edging Malmstrom, Tyler Breuning, Andy Eckrich, and Ryan.
With a long drive home ahead of us, we headed out before the midget main event.
Special thanks to Brad Hines and the QCS staff for their hospitality, and well run show.
Also, congrats to Rickey Frankel on his first UMP late model feature win of the season at Quincy Raceways, where we will be next Sunday night.
Partly because of that lurking concrete, many drivers shy away from trips to the Sunday night facility, so we were more than pleased to see 31 late models roll through the pit gate. Add in 23 IMCA modifieds, 14 street stocks and 18 IMRA midgets, and the large crowd was in for a full night of racing on a surprisingly chilly evening. The late model heats ran second on the grid, with Joel Callahan slowing while leading heat one and going pitside. Mike Zemo Jr then took the checkers. In the second ten lapper, Justin Kay used a last corner pass of Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle ride to pick up the win. The third heat featured an entertaining duel, with track regulars Mike Murphy Jr on the high side, and Todd Malmstrom running the low line, with Todd grabbing the win. Jeff Aikey led the distance in the final heat race. With only the top three qualified from the heats - was that ever announced? - two B-mains added eight more to the 58 lap feature field. Rob Toland and Matt Ryan picked up the wins in the two 12 lappers. A hard charger provisional - track regular Mike Cothron, and three point provisionals, including series ironman Darrell Defrance filled out the 24 car starting grid.
As I made my way back to the pit area, the street stock feature came to the track, with Rob Nylin taking the win in a race I am sorry I did not witness. I was back in my seat for the 20 lap mod finale. After a couple of early cautions, the race stayed green for about 17 fast paced laps on an increasingly slick though smooth surface. Greg Durbin was doing a splendid job negotiating lapped traffic while holding off former late model driver Jason Bahrs when the caution waved again with three laps remaining. With Durbin running the low line, Bahrs tried a middle groove move in the final turn for the win. Unfortunately for the veteran, the # 96 broke loose, spinning him in front of the charging pack. Although he escaped unscathed, his potential good finish evaporated. Doug Crampton powered to the runnerup finish, with Brian Bushong third.
58 laps, in honor of the late Hershel Roberts was the feature assignment for the 24 starters in the $3,000 to win headline event. Kay had the pole position, with rim riding Jason Rauen to his outside. I will admit that I lost track of the lap count early on, but two things can be said with certainty. Kay was in control the entire distance as he hugged the low groove, and no fewer than a half dozen drivers were able to make legitimate runs at the leader. Rauen, Murphy, Brian Harris, Zemo, and Callahan all made strong runs forward, only to fade throughout the race. Callahan may have been most impressive after starting in row eight. As the laps wound down, it was Aikey who saved something for the end. Kay was obviously not giving up the low side, so the veteran Aikey took to the high side, with his momentum actually pulling him alongside Kay on a couple of occasions. Eventually a slight bobble cost him ever so slightly, and the result was as entertaining a race as you could imagine where the leader led flag to flag. Kay picked up his fourth Summer Series career win, leading Aikey, Callahan, Murphy, and 2013 series champion Harris to top five runs. Zemo led the second five, edging Malmstrom, Tyler Breuning, Andy Eckrich, and Ryan.
With a long drive home ahead of us, we headed out before the midget main event.
Special thanks to Brad Hines and the QCS staff for their hospitality, and well run show.
Also, congrats to Rickey Frankel on his first UMP late model feature win of the season at Quincy Raceways, where we will be next Sunday night.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Pierce Streaks at 34, Stumbles at Quincy
After a rain shortened Sunday last week, we were able to put together our first two night race weekend over the Easter holiday. Saturday night it was off to 34 Raceway in West Burlington for the highly anticipated sixth annual Slocum 50. This was the first year the race was not an IMCA event, as the open engines cars and stars from the Mars and Cornbelt Clash series along with the American Late Model Series dueled for a top prize of $10,555! In 2013, the Slocum 50 drew 46 cars, while the Mars, ALMS, Cornbelt show had 44 entries. Interestingly, the 2014 combined version drew a 46 car field, even with a vastly superior payout. Bur although both shows drew large crowds in 2013, Saturday night was easily the largest crowd for a late model show at 34 in many years!
I am not necessarily a big fan of single car qualifying, but it does give each car exposure on the track, and an opportunity for fans to digest the entire field. The track was a bit treacherous all night long, especially in turns three and four, and Justin Reed saw his night end in qualifying when he was sucked into the concrete wall. The format used was group qualifying by heat race draw, and each of the five groups registered a slower quick time than the previous group. Overall fast timer was Justin Asplin in group one at 16.109 seconds. Only the top three from each of the five heats secured starting spots in the feature, and Crane, Mo. ace Will Vaught powered from fourth to second in heat one to earn a row three slot for the 50 lap finale. Although the second heat was a stacked group, heat five was the most entertaining, as Brian Shirley and Brian Birkhofer battled side by side before Shirley took the advantage. Jason Utter, new dad Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, Bobby Pierce, and Shirley scored the heat wins. The track was reworked during intermission and stayed slick for the pole dash, as the five entrants finished where they started. Two B-mains transferred six more to the feature, with Chris Simpson and Ryan Gustin taking the checkers. Add three series provisionals, and the 24 car field was set.
Before the big money race, veteran John Schultz took the win in a hotly contested 305 sprint event , besting the 18 starters. The IMCA stock car feature was a nail biter. Cagey veteran Jason Cook waited patiently as Jim Redmon and John Oliver Jr battled hard lap after lap. But when the checkers waved, Cook had once again found his way to victory lane.
As the late models took the green, polesitter Utter vaulted to the lead with Shirley in tow. On lap four, it was the red hot young phenom, Pierce charging to the lead. Two laps later, rival youngster Sheppard moved to third and was on a rail. But on lap eight, the concrete wall sucked him in, doing serious damage to the suspension on the B5, costing him several positions. Contact on lap 14 between Shirley and Utter sent Jason into a spin, sending him to the tail, from where he made a couple more laps before going to the trailer. On the restart, Pierce charged ahead, as Feger moved to the runnerup spot. Despite a crippled hot rod, Sheppard began to work his way forward, moving past Shirley for third on lap 23. Pierce saw his big lead shrink as he hit lapped traffic from lap 28 to lap 32, but as Feger closed the gap, Shirley smacked that turn three wall, bringing out one more caution. With a clear track, Pierce pulled away, running the low groove in turns one and two and the high side on the other end, while Feger, the " Highside Hustler, " lived up to his nickname all the way around the 3/8 mile oval. The checkers waved for the teenage Pierce, with Feger holding off Sheppard for second. Local favorite Birkhofer advanced six spots to finish fourth ahead of Jimmy Mars. the next five spots went to Gustin, Ryan Unzicker, Jesse Stovall, Tony Jackson Jr, and Vaught. For Pierce, it made five wins in a row at five different tracks, all of them being special high paying shows. It also left him two for two at 34, where he took home $ 10,000 at last summers UMP Summernational race, his first time at the track.
We are told this race will continue to get better, and I have no doubt that the High Five crew and the Laue family will make it happen!
Sunday night the ALMS team headed to Quincy Raceways for a $2,000 to win late model special to cap off the weekend. Easter Sunday can be a tough sell for drivers and fans alike, but the new promotion team at QR was hoping to pull it off. The weather was outstanding, and the fans responded for what would tuen out to be the first complete show of 2014 after two rainy Sundays. Unfortunately, a combination of a three race weekend, a family holiday, decent farming weather, and some torn up race cars all contributed to a disappointing car count for the late models. An yet, the 40 lap headliner offered up an edge of your seat race.
The IMCA stock cars lead off the card, with defending track champion Able Huls leading all 18 laps to take the win over Jim Lynch, and Jerry Jansen.
The late models ran second, with fast qualifier and heat one winner Jason Perry, and heat two winner Ryan Unzicker on the front row. Unzicker put his # 24 out front at the green, with Perry trailing. Contact between Perry and Matt Furman gave row two starter Bobby Pierce an opeing, and he moved to second. The yellow waved on lap nine, for returning veteran Jamie Wilson, and on the restart, it was the Unzicker and Pierce show. Lap after lap, Ryan ran the middle groove, while Bobby tried the bottom lane. Pierce was a bit better in turns three and four, but Unzicker had the advantage in one and two. Both in Pierce chassis, they ran side by side on laps 26 and 27 before Pierce finally grabbed the top spot. As he began to pull away, headed for win number six in a row, his engine made a loud pop at the flag stand on lap 32, and his night was over as he coasted to the infield. As the laps wound down, Kevin Weaver found some extra speed high on the " hammer down " track, and charged to second around Jason Riggs. With just four circuits left, he could not run down Unzicker, who took his first ever win at QR. Weaver claimed second, and Riggs was impressive in his fist ever visit to the .29 mile oval, finishing third. Defending track champion Denny Woodworth, and 14 time track champ Mark Burgtorf completed the top five. Furman, Clint Kirkham, and Trace Westling trailed the top five at the checkers, with Pierce and Michael Long credited with ninth and tenth.
The IMCA sport mod class was 16 strong. Returning racer Joey Gower is wheeling a Chuck Ancell owned machine, and he has been on fire at Lee County Speedway in the early going. But Quincy Raceways is a whole different proposition, as Tony Dunker has owned the class since its inception. Gowe grabbed the early lead, but after a side by side shootout, sure enough Dunker held a slight lead past the flag stand as the caution came out. But Gower was not to be denied, and he retook the lead, and the win, with Dunker lurking in second. Another championship contender, Bobby Anders rebounded for early troubles to grab third.
Next up came the 18 strong UMP modifieds. Again, the finish was bit of a shocker, as Michael Long was able to wrestle the lead mid race from his fellow front row starter, Jacob Poel, from Spring Lake, Michigan. I must confess that I had never heard of Poel before seeing his name in the Saturday night results at I -55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. But he collected third at the high banks, so I was excited to see him in the pits when I arrived at QR. Still, we are not accustomed to seeing Long give up a feature lead, especially to a first time visitor. But sure enough, Poel powered his black # 82 back to the front, taking the 25 lap win. Michael stayed close to finish second. Defending track champ Steven Delonjay ran fifth much of the race, but picked up two valuable spots at the checkers, rolling across in third.
The IMCA sport compacts completed the program, racing for 15 laps. While that seemed a bit long, it was good to see one heat race instead of two. Six car heat races in the 4 cylinder class rarely become nailbiters! Defending track champ Austen Becerra benefitted from a front row start - not that he needs any help! - to lead the distance, cruising to the win. Kimberly Abbott held off Mike Hornung Jr. for runner up honors.
During the races, promoter Kenny Dobson came thru the stands, offering the large crowd a one dollar discount next week if they show ticket stub, apologizing for a less than full field of late models. He certainly did not need to apologize for the quality of racing, however! The Ciltrak promotion team is working hard to return Quincy Raceways to its former glory days, and with a little luck and a patience from the loyal fan base, I think they will get it done!
It looks like the weather may finally be turning in the race fans favor, so hopefully I will see you soon, Racin' Down the Road!
I am not necessarily a big fan of single car qualifying, but it does give each car exposure on the track, and an opportunity for fans to digest the entire field. The track was a bit treacherous all night long, especially in turns three and four, and Justin Reed saw his night end in qualifying when he was sucked into the concrete wall. The format used was group qualifying by heat race draw, and each of the five groups registered a slower quick time than the previous group. Overall fast timer was Justin Asplin in group one at 16.109 seconds. Only the top three from each of the five heats secured starting spots in the feature, and Crane, Mo. ace Will Vaught powered from fourth to second in heat one to earn a row three slot for the 50 lap finale. Although the second heat was a stacked group, heat five was the most entertaining, as Brian Shirley and Brian Birkhofer battled side by side before Shirley took the advantage. Jason Utter, new dad Brandon Sheppard, Jason Feger, Bobby Pierce, and Shirley scored the heat wins. The track was reworked during intermission and stayed slick for the pole dash, as the five entrants finished where they started. Two B-mains transferred six more to the feature, with Chris Simpson and Ryan Gustin taking the checkers. Add three series provisionals, and the 24 car field was set.
Before the big money race, veteran John Schultz took the win in a hotly contested 305 sprint event , besting the 18 starters. The IMCA stock car feature was a nail biter. Cagey veteran Jason Cook waited patiently as Jim Redmon and John Oliver Jr battled hard lap after lap. But when the checkers waved, Cook had once again found his way to victory lane.
As the late models took the green, polesitter Utter vaulted to the lead with Shirley in tow. On lap four, it was the red hot young phenom, Pierce charging to the lead. Two laps later, rival youngster Sheppard moved to third and was on a rail. But on lap eight, the concrete wall sucked him in, doing serious damage to the suspension on the B5, costing him several positions. Contact on lap 14 between Shirley and Utter sent Jason into a spin, sending him to the tail, from where he made a couple more laps before going to the trailer. On the restart, Pierce charged ahead, as Feger moved to the runnerup spot. Despite a crippled hot rod, Sheppard began to work his way forward, moving past Shirley for third on lap 23. Pierce saw his big lead shrink as he hit lapped traffic from lap 28 to lap 32, but as Feger closed the gap, Shirley smacked that turn three wall, bringing out one more caution. With a clear track, Pierce pulled away, running the low groove in turns one and two and the high side on the other end, while Feger, the " Highside Hustler, " lived up to his nickname all the way around the 3/8 mile oval. The checkers waved for the teenage Pierce, with Feger holding off Sheppard for second. Local favorite Birkhofer advanced six spots to finish fourth ahead of Jimmy Mars. the next five spots went to Gustin, Ryan Unzicker, Jesse Stovall, Tony Jackson Jr, and Vaught. For Pierce, it made five wins in a row at five different tracks, all of them being special high paying shows. It also left him two for two at 34, where he took home $ 10,000 at last summers UMP Summernational race, his first time at the track.
We are told this race will continue to get better, and I have no doubt that the High Five crew and the Laue family will make it happen!
Sunday night the ALMS team headed to Quincy Raceways for a $2,000 to win late model special to cap off the weekend. Easter Sunday can be a tough sell for drivers and fans alike, but the new promotion team at QR was hoping to pull it off. The weather was outstanding, and the fans responded for what would tuen out to be the first complete show of 2014 after two rainy Sundays. Unfortunately, a combination of a three race weekend, a family holiday, decent farming weather, and some torn up race cars all contributed to a disappointing car count for the late models. An yet, the 40 lap headliner offered up an edge of your seat race.
The IMCA stock cars lead off the card, with defending track champion Able Huls leading all 18 laps to take the win over Jim Lynch, and Jerry Jansen.
The late models ran second, with fast qualifier and heat one winner Jason Perry, and heat two winner Ryan Unzicker on the front row. Unzicker put his # 24 out front at the green, with Perry trailing. Contact between Perry and Matt Furman gave row two starter Bobby Pierce an opeing, and he moved to second. The yellow waved on lap nine, for returning veteran Jamie Wilson, and on the restart, it was the Unzicker and Pierce show. Lap after lap, Ryan ran the middle groove, while Bobby tried the bottom lane. Pierce was a bit better in turns three and four, but Unzicker had the advantage in one and two. Both in Pierce chassis, they ran side by side on laps 26 and 27 before Pierce finally grabbed the top spot. As he began to pull away, headed for win number six in a row, his engine made a loud pop at the flag stand on lap 32, and his night was over as he coasted to the infield. As the laps wound down, Kevin Weaver found some extra speed high on the " hammer down " track, and charged to second around Jason Riggs. With just four circuits left, he could not run down Unzicker, who took his first ever win at QR. Weaver claimed second, and Riggs was impressive in his fist ever visit to the .29 mile oval, finishing third. Defending track champion Denny Woodworth, and 14 time track champ Mark Burgtorf completed the top five. Furman, Clint Kirkham, and Trace Westling trailed the top five at the checkers, with Pierce and Michael Long credited with ninth and tenth.
The IMCA sport mod class was 16 strong. Returning racer Joey Gower is wheeling a Chuck Ancell owned machine, and he has been on fire at Lee County Speedway in the early going. But Quincy Raceways is a whole different proposition, as Tony Dunker has owned the class since its inception. Gowe grabbed the early lead, but after a side by side shootout, sure enough Dunker held a slight lead past the flag stand as the caution came out. But Gower was not to be denied, and he retook the lead, and the win, with Dunker lurking in second. Another championship contender, Bobby Anders rebounded for early troubles to grab third.
Next up came the 18 strong UMP modifieds. Again, the finish was bit of a shocker, as Michael Long was able to wrestle the lead mid race from his fellow front row starter, Jacob Poel, from Spring Lake, Michigan. I must confess that I had never heard of Poel before seeing his name in the Saturday night results at I -55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. But he collected third at the high banks, so I was excited to see him in the pits when I arrived at QR. Still, we are not accustomed to seeing Long give up a feature lead, especially to a first time visitor. But sure enough, Poel powered his black # 82 back to the front, taking the 25 lap win. Michael stayed close to finish second. Defending track champ Steven Delonjay ran fifth much of the race, but picked up two valuable spots at the checkers, rolling across in third.
The IMCA sport compacts completed the program, racing for 15 laps. While that seemed a bit long, it was good to see one heat race instead of two. Six car heat races in the 4 cylinder class rarely become nailbiters! Defending track champ Austen Becerra benefitted from a front row start - not that he needs any help! - to lead the distance, cruising to the win. Kimberly Abbott held off Mike Hornung Jr. for runner up honors.
During the races, promoter Kenny Dobson came thru the stands, offering the large crowd a one dollar discount next week if they show ticket stub, apologizing for a less than full field of late models. He certainly did not need to apologize for the quality of racing, however! The Ciltrak promotion team is working hard to return Quincy Raceways to its former glory days, and with a little luck and a patience from the loyal fan base, I think they will get it done!
It looks like the weather may finally be turning in the race fans favor, so hopefully I will see you soon, Racin' Down the Road!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Springsteen First at West Liberty, Rain Tops Quincy
With spring like temps and a bright sunshine, Darryl, Fred and I headed out Saturday afternoon for what we hoped would be night one of our first doubleheader race weekend of 2014. After looking at the forecast of a 50 percent chance of rain by 9:00 we had spent considerable time discussing alternate plans, but decided to go with our first choice, the Deery Brothers IMCA Summer Series show on the big West Liberty half mile. After a 41 car turnout in what was the series opener the night before in Davenport, the late model count dropped by ten on Saturday, but it was a stout field none the less. The two companion classes were a bit short of cars as well, but with the forecast that was perhaps not a totally bad thing. As with my first two events of the season, their was what looked to be a very good crowd in the grandstands. It would seem the long harsh winter has everyone more than ready to see some racing.
The IMCA Northern Sport Mods started off the program, with Austin Moyer cruising to the heat race win in the caution plagued six lapper. However, he was light at the scales, forcing him out of the redraw and a ninth place start for the 15 lap main event.
The four late model heats ticked off with only one caution, with Kyle Hinrichs, Spencer Diercks, Denny Eckrich, and Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle owned machine picked up wins. Of the four, only Eckrich did not come from the front row. Track regular Jonathon Brauns was the only driver unable to make the heat race action, scratching after hot laps with engine trouble.
Following two IMCA stock cars qualifiers, and the late model redraw, two ten lap B mains ran next. Only the top three from the heats had qualified, leaving the top six from each semi headed for the 40 lap feature. 2013 series champion Brian Harris took an easy win in the first consy, and Tommy Elston outdistanced Justin Kay in the final qualifier. The real drama in that race involved the final transfer spot. Veteran Jay Chenoweth used a last lap pass of Jeremy Grady to get to the big show. Grady, from Story City, was a previous top competitor in the IMCA late models, but has been absent for several seasons. It was neat to see # 43 back on the track.
As track officials kept the show moving, the sport mods came to the track for their 15 lapper. Moyer quickly began a charge to the front, aided by a couple of mid race cautions. He was able to run down early leader Cory VanZandt and take the lead on lap ten. VanZandt was out front as the next lap was scored, but Moyer took over for good on lap twelve, holding off VanZandt for the win.
The stock cars were up next, ten cars scheduled for 20 laps, although only eight took the green flag.
David Brandies, no stranger to West Liberty Raceway, started in row two, and emerged from a three wide duel in turns three and four to lead lap one. From there, he fairly cruised to the victory. Lane Kaufman was running second on lap six when a skirmish on the backstretch sent him spinning. Todd Reitzler took up the chase from there, crossing the stripe in the runner up spot.
As those around us checked the radar on their cell phones, the 24 car late model feature came to the track to do battle for 40 laps and a $3,000 top prize. Harris fell to the tail for the start, having obviously found issues with the # 15R following his dominate B-main performance. As outside polesitter Nick Marolf took the early lead, Harris made one lap and retired to the infield. Marolf held the top spot for the first ten circuits, but polesitter Colby Springsteen stayed close, and as they came upon a slower car, Colby shot to the lead. One lap later, the first yellow waved for third running Diercks, who had slowed. He may a couple of trips around the 1/2 mile under caution before going pitside. Another yellow one lap later found sixth starting Jeff Aikey moving to third. He was then able to slip by Marolf briefly for second, as ninth starting Jason Rauen charged to fourth. With Aikey now third and Rauen fourth, those familiar with the dustup between the two the night before watched the battle closely, but no hijinks developed. Meanwhile, Denny Eckrich and Dolan were locked in a great battle, first for fourth, then fifth after Rauen cleared the pair. They swapped the spot back and forth on laps 23 and 23. Aikey began pull away from Rauen and close on Marolf, and on lap 32 it was again a lapped car that got the best of Nick, as Aikey took the second spot. As the race stayed green to the end, it was 2013 series points runnerup and weekly national champion Justin Kay on the move. The newlywed started outside row eight, and as the white flag waved, he pulled a dandy move around both Eckrich and Rauen to claim the forth spot and probably the early points lead. At the checkers, it was Springsteen, on top, followed by Aikey, Marolf, Kay, and Rauen. The second five saw Eckrich leading Dolan, Ray Guss Jr., Tyler Bruening, and Elston. Friday night winner Andy Eckrich, the defending West Liberty track champion, started tenth and finished eleventh. My cell phone clock showed 9:30 as the checkers waved! Thanks to SPI for a smooth, fast track and a well run show!
Despite a terrible forecast and intermittent showers in the area, the new promotion team at Quincy Raceways did not want to cancel opening night two weeks in a row, so they decided to try to get the show in tonight, April 13. The plan was to start two hours early, at 4:00 this week only , to have a cushion against possible showers and an expected drop in temperatures. Family commitments took precedence today, but I was still able to arrive at the track around 4:30, as UMP modified time trials were in progress. I checked in with my seat saver buddies, then headed pitside to make the rounds and watch UMP late model time trials. As might be expected, the car count was a bit light, as I am sure many thought a rainout was immanent. As soon as quick qualifiers Dave Weitholder in the mods and Clint Kirkham in the late models did the Mark Twain Casino crapshoot dice roll to set the dash invert, the IMCA stock car heat came to the track, and I headed to the grandstands. Before I could get across pit road , the sprinkles turned in to a steady shower, and it was only minutes before the Ciltrack promotion team pulled the plug on the show.
Coming up next weekend is the 5th annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington on Saturday, a huge show honoring a very special friend. For the first time, the race will not be an IMCA Summer Series show. Instead, it will be an open engine sanctioned by the MARS and ALMS groups, with many well known UMP and regional stars expected, including Brian Birkhofer, competing in the 50 lap main event for a top prize of $10,555. Even more impressive is the generous paydown through the field, something that would have made Slocum proud. This will be followed by a salute to another legend, with many of the same cars headed to Quincy Raceways for the $2,000 to win Scottie 40, honering Albert Scott the founder and long time owner of the facility now in its 40th year of operation. Come on sunshine!
The IMCA Northern Sport Mods started off the program, with Austin Moyer cruising to the heat race win in the caution plagued six lapper. However, he was light at the scales, forcing him out of the redraw and a ninth place start for the 15 lap main event.
The four late model heats ticked off with only one caution, with Kyle Hinrichs, Spencer Diercks, Denny Eckrich, and Ryan Dolan in the Rick Dralle owned machine picked up wins. Of the four, only Eckrich did not come from the front row. Track regular Jonathon Brauns was the only driver unable to make the heat race action, scratching after hot laps with engine trouble.
Following two IMCA stock cars qualifiers, and the late model redraw, two ten lap B mains ran next. Only the top three from the heats had qualified, leaving the top six from each semi headed for the 40 lap feature. 2013 series champion Brian Harris took an easy win in the first consy, and Tommy Elston outdistanced Justin Kay in the final qualifier. The real drama in that race involved the final transfer spot. Veteran Jay Chenoweth used a last lap pass of Jeremy Grady to get to the big show. Grady, from Story City, was a previous top competitor in the IMCA late models, but has been absent for several seasons. It was neat to see # 43 back on the track.
As track officials kept the show moving, the sport mods came to the track for their 15 lapper. Moyer quickly began a charge to the front, aided by a couple of mid race cautions. He was able to run down early leader Cory VanZandt and take the lead on lap ten. VanZandt was out front as the next lap was scored, but Moyer took over for good on lap twelve, holding off VanZandt for the win.
The stock cars were up next, ten cars scheduled for 20 laps, although only eight took the green flag.
David Brandies, no stranger to West Liberty Raceway, started in row two, and emerged from a three wide duel in turns three and four to lead lap one. From there, he fairly cruised to the victory. Lane Kaufman was running second on lap six when a skirmish on the backstretch sent him spinning. Todd Reitzler took up the chase from there, crossing the stripe in the runner up spot.
As those around us checked the radar on their cell phones, the 24 car late model feature came to the track to do battle for 40 laps and a $3,000 top prize. Harris fell to the tail for the start, having obviously found issues with the # 15R following his dominate B-main performance. As outside polesitter Nick Marolf took the early lead, Harris made one lap and retired to the infield. Marolf held the top spot for the first ten circuits, but polesitter Colby Springsteen stayed close, and as they came upon a slower car, Colby shot to the lead. One lap later, the first yellow waved for third running Diercks, who had slowed. He may a couple of trips around the 1/2 mile under caution before going pitside. Another yellow one lap later found sixth starting Jeff Aikey moving to third. He was then able to slip by Marolf briefly for second, as ninth starting Jason Rauen charged to fourth. With Aikey now third and Rauen fourth, those familiar with the dustup between the two the night before watched the battle closely, but no hijinks developed. Meanwhile, Denny Eckrich and Dolan were locked in a great battle, first for fourth, then fifth after Rauen cleared the pair. They swapped the spot back and forth on laps 23 and 23. Aikey began pull away from Rauen and close on Marolf, and on lap 32 it was again a lapped car that got the best of Nick, as Aikey took the second spot. As the race stayed green to the end, it was 2013 series points runnerup and weekly national champion Justin Kay on the move. The newlywed started outside row eight, and as the white flag waved, he pulled a dandy move around both Eckrich and Rauen to claim the forth spot and probably the early points lead. At the checkers, it was Springsteen, on top, followed by Aikey, Marolf, Kay, and Rauen. The second five saw Eckrich leading Dolan, Ray Guss Jr., Tyler Bruening, and Elston. Friday night winner Andy Eckrich, the defending West Liberty track champion, started tenth and finished eleventh. My cell phone clock showed 9:30 as the checkers waved! Thanks to SPI for a smooth, fast track and a well run show!
Despite a terrible forecast and intermittent showers in the area, the new promotion team at Quincy Raceways did not want to cancel opening night two weeks in a row, so they decided to try to get the show in tonight, April 13. The plan was to start two hours early, at 4:00 this week only , to have a cushion against possible showers and an expected drop in temperatures. Family commitments took precedence today, but I was still able to arrive at the track around 4:30, as UMP modified time trials were in progress. I checked in with my seat saver buddies, then headed pitside to make the rounds and watch UMP late model time trials. As might be expected, the car count was a bit light, as I am sure many thought a rainout was immanent. As soon as quick qualifiers Dave Weitholder in the mods and Clint Kirkham in the late models did the Mark Twain Casino crapshoot dice roll to set the dash invert, the IMCA stock car heat came to the track, and I headed to the grandstands. Before I could get across pit road , the sprinkles turned in to a steady shower, and it was only minutes before the Ciltrack promotion team pulled the plug on the show.
Coming up next weekend is the 5th annual Slocum 50 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington on Saturday, a huge show honoring a very special friend. For the first time, the race will not be an IMCA Summer Series show. Instead, it will be an open engine sanctioned by the MARS and ALMS groups, with many well known UMP and regional stars expected, including Brian Birkhofer, competing in the 50 lap main event for a top prize of $10,555. Even more impressive is the generous paydown through the field, something that would have made Slocum proud. This will be followed by a salute to another legend, with many of the same cars headed to Quincy Raceways for the $2,000 to win Scottie 40, honering Albert Scott the founder and long time owner of the facility now in its 40th year of operation. Come on sunshine!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Erb Cashes in at Lasalle
Despite the forecast of cold temps and changes to the schedule, Darryl and I decided to make the long drive to take in the Thaw Brawl at the Izzo family 1/4 mile facility in Lasalle,Il. It was a new track for me, one I had wanted to get to for quite some time. Originally it was to have been night number two of the weekend, with a $2,000 to win UMP super late model show on Friday followed by the $15,000 to win headliner on Saturday. Heavy rains during the week wiped out the Thursday practice session and forced the Friday show to be moved to Sunday. Persistent clouds and a stubborn wind followed us to the track, where the temp registered 42 degrees upon our 4:00 PM arrival. Purchasing grandstand tickets, we circled the vast pit area, checking out the early arrivals. As it turned out, for what I am sure was a variety of reasons, not the least of which had to do with the weather, the car count turned out to be somewhat less than expected. The late models hot lapped by qualifying groups, with car counts of eight, eight, seven, and six. Wisconsin driver Todd Frank was announced as being in the final group, but his # 21 never hit the track during the night, so the car count sat at 29 or 30. The field filled out with 37 UMP modifieds competing for $1500 to win. 20 street stocks and 25 4 cylinder hornets also checked in.
As hot laps and single car qualifying progressed, a significant rut developed in the middle of turn one, and soon after in turn four. Track crews worked hard throughout the evening to smooth things out, but the otherwise hammer down track simply held too much frost for too long during this long winter.
Kevin Weaver, timing in group two set overall fast time at 12.313 seconds. The top three in each heat were inverted, with the top four from each ten lapper going to the 75 lap finale. Ryan Unzicker captured heat one, Dennis Erb Jr took heat two. Jeep Van Wormer came from row two to nab the third ten lapper, and Brian Shirley was victorious in heat four. Second generation racer Devin Moran made the long tow from Ohio to race for the first time in Illinois. After a heat race altercation with Ray Guss Jr, the only driver other than Frank to not come out for the consy,Moran came back to top the 12 lap B main. Popular youngster Bobby Pierce suffered a broken axle in his heat and was forced to come from row five to ease into the top four to make the feature field. With the American Late Model Series co sanctioning the event, two provisionals were issued to Brandon Thirlby and Phil Ausra.
With all prelininary events in the books, and the huge crowd shivering en masse, the 75 lap headliner came to the track first - thank you to the Izzos!
The four heat winners redrew for starting spots, with Shirley and Erb on row one and Unzicker and Van Wormer in row two. Shirley in his Riggs Motorsports # 81 jumped to the lead, but Erb powered by to lead lap one. The front two began to pull away, with the first of several cautions waving on lap six for Rusty Schlenk. On lap 19, the two leaders exchanged slide jobs for the top spot as Jason Feger moved from roe five into the fifth spot. The caution waved for McKay Wenger on lap 21, and on the restart, Shirley hit the turn four hole, causing a major pile up. Fifth running Scott Schmitt got the worst of it, leaving on the hook, with Feger, who was fourth, suffering a cut tire. It also effectively ended Shirleys quest for the big check. As we got back to green, Van Wormers run ended with an apparent blown engine, and one lap later both Weaver and Shirley were done. By now, Thirlby had entered the top six. 2013 winner Brian Birkhofer was about to go two laps down when he brought out the yellow on lap 34. By now, Iowa City native Matt Furman who now calls Columbus, Ohio home, had charged from seventh starting spot to a somewhat distant second to Erb. The Highside Hustler, Feger lived up to his nickname, charging back to sixth as the caution waved on lap 46 for Rich Bell. All this time, Scott Bloomquist, who started ninth, had run mid pack, avoiding the chaos. Now he began to move, closing on Furman before the #51 suffered a flat, moving Bloomquist to second and Feger to third. With five laps to go, it looked like Black Sunshine was ready to crash Erbs party, with Erb using a dandy move in lapped traffic to keep the lead until Bloomquist slowed with a flat left rear tire. He made a quick change, and with only six cars on the lead lap and a Delaware restart, he still had time to get to the front. However possible contact saw the left rear down again one lap later.
Fegers night ended following the restart, and Pierce, who seemed to struggle most of the night found himself in the runner up spot after starting 19th! As the checkers waved, Erb had led flag to flag, Unzicker worked the high line all night, starting third and finishing there. Bloomquist came back to fourth, with Jason Riggs having a solid top five, the final car on the lead lap. One lap down in sixth was Billy Drake, followed by Furman, and Wenger. Jason Jaggers was two laps down in ninth, Feger was credited with tenth, while Ausra was still running, three laps down in 11th. Although the modified feature promised to be a good one, the clock had ticked past 11:00, the temperature was now 32 degrees, and we were ready to head for the parking lot.
LaSalle Speedway is a great place to watch a race, with an empty infield offering good sight lines. The lighting is good, as is the PA, the bleachers set well above the track, and the high banked wide oval offers multiple grooves. Too bad for me it is fours hours from home, but I hope to make it back sometime! Arriving home, I see that the rescheduled show for Sunday was postponed due to water and sewer issues overnight, and mechanical problems with the grader. Still it was surely a successful start to 2014 for the central Illinois track. Our next race will likely be the Quincy Raceways opener set for one week from today, Sunday, April 6. Hope to see you soon, Racing' Down the Road!
As hot laps and single car qualifying progressed, a significant rut developed in the middle of turn one, and soon after in turn four. Track crews worked hard throughout the evening to smooth things out, but the otherwise hammer down track simply held too much frost for too long during this long winter.
Kevin Weaver, timing in group two set overall fast time at 12.313 seconds. The top three in each heat were inverted, with the top four from each ten lapper going to the 75 lap finale. Ryan Unzicker captured heat one, Dennis Erb Jr took heat two. Jeep Van Wormer came from row two to nab the third ten lapper, and Brian Shirley was victorious in heat four. Second generation racer Devin Moran made the long tow from Ohio to race for the first time in Illinois. After a heat race altercation with Ray Guss Jr, the only driver other than Frank to not come out for the consy,Moran came back to top the 12 lap B main. Popular youngster Bobby Pierce suffered a broken axle in his heat and was forced to come from row five to ease into the top four to make the feature field. With the American Late Model Series co sanctioning the event, two provisionals were issued to Brandon Thirlby and Phil Ausra.
With all prelininary events in the books, and the huge crowd shivering en masse, the 75 lap headliner came to the track first - thank you to the Izzos!
The four heat winners redrew for starting spots, with Shirley and Erb on row one and Unzicker and Van Wormer in row two. Shirley in his Riggs Motorsports # 81 jumped to the lead, but Erb powered by to lead lap one. The front two began to pull away, with the first of several cautions waving on lap six for Rusty Schlenk. On lap 19, the two leaders exchanged slide jobs for the top spot as Jason Feger moved from roe five into the fifth spot. The caution waved for McKay Wenger on lap 21, and on the restart, Shirley hit the turn four hole, causing a major pile up. Fifth running Scott Schmitt got the worst of it, leaving on the hook, with Feger, who was fourth, suffering a cut tire. It also effectively ended Shirleys quest for the big check. As we got back to green, Van Wormers run ended with an apparent blown engine, and one lap later both Weaver and Shirley were done. By now, Thirlby had entered the top six. 2013 winner Brian Birkhofer was about to go two laps down when he brought out the yellow on lap 34. By now, Iowa City native Matt Furman who now calls Columbus, Ohio home, had charged from seventh starting spot to a somewhat distant second to Erb. The Highside Hustler, Feger lived up to his nickname, charging back to sixth as the caution waved on lap 46 for Rich Bell. All this time, Scott Bloomquist, who started ninth, had run mid pack, avoiding the chaos. Now he began to move, closing on Furman before the #51 suffered a flat, moving Bloomquist to second and Feger to third. With five laps to go, it looked like Black Sunshine was ready to crash Erbs party, with Erb using a dandy move in lapped traffic to keep the lead until Bloomquist slowed with a flat left rear tire. He made a quick change, and with only six cars on the lead lap and a Delaware restart, he still had time to get to the front. However possible contact saw the left rear down again one lap later.
Fegers night ended following the restart, and Pierce, who seemed to struggle most of the night found himself in the runner up spot after starting 19th! As the checkers waved, Erb had led flag to flag, Unzicker worked the high line all night, starting third and finishing there. Bloomquist came back to fourth, with Jason Riggs having a solid top five, the final car on the lead lap. One lap down in sixth was Billy Drake, followed by Furman, and Wenger. Jason Jaggers was two laps down in ninth, Feger was credited with tenth, while Ausra was still running, three laps down in 11th. Although the modified feature promised to be a good one, the clock had ticked past 11:00, the temperature was now 32 degrees, and we were ready to head for the parking lot.
LaSalle Speedway is a great place to watch a race, with an empty infield offering good sight lines. The lighting is good, as is the PA, the bleachers set well above the track, and the high banked wide oval offers multiple grooves. Too bad for me it is fours hours from home, but I hope to make it back sometime! Arriving home, I see that the rescheduled show for Sunday was postponed due to water and sewer issues overnight, and mechanical problems with the grader. Still it was surely a successful start to 2014 for the central Illinois track. Our next race will likely be the Quincy Raceways opener set for one week from today, Sunday, April 6. Hope to see you soon, Racing' Down the Road!
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