With all the hysteria surrounding the Covid-19 virus and the resulting confusion, I thought I would reach out to promoters in my area for their early 2020 plans.
Having been weathered out of a planned trip to Beatrice, Ne. Speedway for their Spring Nationals, my next planned event is next weekend at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. Promoter Mike Van Genderen has assured me that the Spring Nationals will go on as planned Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21. Friday will feature five classes of racing, with the fledgling East Division of the Malvern Bank/ Hoker Trucking Super Late Model Series added to the Saturday card. Series owner Joe Kosiski purchased the Deery Brothers Summer Series from IMCA over the winter and merged it with his SLMR series, creating an Eastern Division. The race will pay $3,000 to win, with a full field of cars expected. Right now, the weekend looks to be cool with only a slight chance of precip on Friday. Van Genderens' track in Stuart, Iowa will begin its' season the following week with special Friday and Saturday racing before moving to Wednesday night action. Also scheduled for the last weekend in March is the ninth annual Thaw Brawl, presented for the first time at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. Spokesperson Brian Neal also indicated this highly anticipated show will go on, weather permitting. Fronted by veteran racer/ promoter Tony Izzo Jr., new owner of the MARS Late Model Series, Fridays' events will be capped by twin $2500 to win features, with the finale on Saturday a $12,000 to win main event. Close to thirty super late model drivers have already pre entered for the weekend.
Saturday, April 4, the 360 Sprint Invaders are set to kick off the 2020 season at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Track spokesperson Jessi Mynatt confirmed that as of now, all systems are go for this race and an outstanding series of specials throughout the month.
At this time, I have not received a response from the Drt Trak racing group that promotes specials at the Davenport and West Liberty, Iowa tracks.
According to Facebook, the I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. will also open as scheduled, with regular racing on Saturday, April 4.
The situation is considerably murkier in Illinois, as Governor J.B. Pritzker has issued a statement requesting events attracting more than 250 people be postponed or cancelled, and mandating the same for events drawing more than 1000 until at least May 1. This puts promoters on the east side of the Mississippi in a bit of a pickle, as it were. Predictably, the persons I contacted are still assessing the situation. Jason Goble, owner/ operator of Quincy Raceways is still considering his plan of action. QR is slated to open the regular season on Sunday, April 5. A typical early April event in Quincy likely would not top the 1000 mark, but would easily number over 250.
Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Il. has several high profile specials in April that could easily go over the threshold, including the Lucas Oil late models on April 24. According to Tammy Gundaker, Tri City will not be holding races until May unless the state recalls their decision.
Again, per their Facebook page, all early events at the Highland, Il. Speedway have been postponed until further notice.
A message to Jacksonville, Il. promoter Kenny Dobson has not yet been returned, however a Facebook post from the Jacksonville Speedway site stated it is "unlikely" there would be racing in April
"without something major changing", but that there will not be an official announcement"for a bit."
This morning, I checked in at the Quincy Mall car show for a peek at some of the 2020 hot rods. The car count at the show appeared to be up this year, led by a solid count of good looking modifieds and sport compacts. The staff from Quincy Raceways was on hand to visit and answer questions, and there was a table representing the Keokuk, Iowa Racers Reunion, coming up on June 20 in the Gate City. One thing that was a bit distressing, however was the lack of drivers on hand. Quite a few individuals and families turned out on a cold, wet Saturday morning to look at the cars, but found few drivers there to answer questions and promote their hobby. While we often hear opinions that track promoters need to work harder, I think many times drivers could do more to help the cause as well.
Please, everyone, stay safe, take reasonable precautions, and lets go racing, 2020 style. See you at the track!
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
2019 in Review
Time for a quick look back at the final season of the teens as we wait to turn the calendar over. Having settled firmly into retirement, my practical mind tells me I should cut back on the long trips and late nights ( not to mention the expense!), but the notion of being able to travel far and wide no matter the day of the week remains too powerful to resist!
Combining the two ideas, I came away with fifty three nights of racing this season, at a record ( for me ) twenty two different venues. Staying in the tri states, the breakdown is as follows: Iowa, Lee County Speedway, eight, 34 Raceway, four, two each for Knoxville Raceway, Marshalltown Speedway, Benton County Speedway, and my one new track, Stuart Speedway. Weather and other commitments resulted in only one trip to Davenport Speedway, along with single trips to West Liberty, Independence, Farley, and Tipton for a total of twenty five nights, not counting a pair of weather aborted trips to Davenport and Columbus Junction. Illinois hosted twenty four visits, with Quincy Raceways leading the way with sixteen, while Tri City Speedway was next with three. There were single trips to Jacksonville, Macon, LaSalle, Spoon River, and Quad City Speedway. Ironically, my home state of Missouri came in last, with one night each at Pevely, Wheatland, Springfield, and the Dome in St. Louis.
Some may think that because this site is called "Positively Racing" that we ignore the negative things at various tracks, I can honestly say that while some nights are challenging, and I do try to mention - but not harp on - certain shortcomings, there is not a track on this list that I would hesitate to visit in 2020.
With that said, scheduling and "real life", ( see LaSalle Speedway) may not make that possible, but I hope to attend as many as is practical going forward. For the past several years, I have attempted to add at least one new track each season. With 2020 being, as near as I can tell, my sixty fifth year of going to races, I hope to add two in 2020, which would give me a total of sixty five tracks, a rather pedestrian total when compared to many of my cohorts. Unfortunately, during my working years, venturing far from home was often not practical! With grandson Keagan, one of my faithful racing companions, having moved to the western part of Missouri, I hope to add a new track or two in that area.
In years past, it seemed like special races would be scheduled within a three to four hour drive, and we would then decide if we would or could make the trip. Looking at the early schedule releases for the coming season, I am amazed at the number of special events on the same night, which will force many fans to make a choice of not only if, but where to go. Great for fans, but perhaps not so for promoters. This appears to be happening particularly in the late model division. Just as the MLRA becomes more established in Iowa and the surrounding tracks, we have the SLMR series purchasing the IMCA Summer Series with rules welcoming open as well as spec engines. At the same time, Tony Izzo Jr., a well known personality in late model circles as a driver and promoter has purchased the MARS series and is attempting a revival of the once southern Missouri dominant tour in eastern Iowa, and western and central Illinois.
At the same time, there is no lack of sprint car specials in the three state area, including the reopening of the now 3/8 mile dirt oval at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., which will host the World of Outlaw sprint cars on their opening night, a risky undertaking in my humble opinion, but that is another story!
While we await the various track schedules, I hope everyone remembers that weekly racing remains the backbone of our sport, and we all attend our home tracks as often as we can!
Happy New Year, and we hope to see you at a track in 2020!
Combining the two ideas, I came away with fifty three nights of racing this season, at a record ( for me ) twenty two different venues. Staying in the tri states, the breakdown is as follows: Iowa, Lee County Speedway, eight, 34 Raceway, four, two each for Knoxville Raceway, Marshalltown Speedway, Benton County Speedway, and my one new track, Stuart Speedway. Weather and other commitments resulted in only one trip to Davenport Speedway, along with single trips to West Liberty, Independence, Farley, and Tipton for a total of twenty five nights, not counting a pair of weather aborted trips to Davenport and Columbus Junction. Illinois hosted twenty four visits, with Quincy Raceways leading the way with sixteen, while Tri City Speedway was next with three. There were single trips to Jacksonville, Macon, LaSalle, Spoon River, and Quad City Speedway. Ironically, my home state of Missouri came in last, with one night each at Pevely, Wheatland, Springfield, and the Dome in St. Louis.
Some may think that because this site is called "Positively Racing" that we ignore the negative things at various tracks, I can honestly say that while some nights are challenging, and I do try to mention - but not harp on - certain shortcomings, there is not a track on this list that I would hesitate to visit in 2020.
With that said, scheduling and "real life", ( see LaSalle Speedway) may not make that possible, but I hope to attend as many as is practical going forward. For the past several years, I have attempted to add at least one new track each season. With 2020 being, as near as I can tell, my sixty fifth year of going to races, I hope to add two in 2020, which would give me a total of sixty five tracks, a rather pedestrian total when compared to many of my cohorts. Unfortunately, during my working years, venturing far from home was often not practical! With grandson Keagan, one of my faithful racing companions, having moved to the western part of Missouri, I hope to add a new track or two in that area.
In years past, it seemed like special races would be scheduled within a three to four hour drive, and we would then decide if we would or could make the trip. Looking at the early schedule releases for the coming season, I am amazed at the number of special events on the same night, which will force many fans to make a choice of not only if, but where to go. Great for fans, but perhaps not so for promoters. This appears to be happening particularly in the late model division. Just as the MLRA becomes more established in Iowa and the surrounding tracks, we have the SLMR series purchasing the IMCA Summer Series with rules welcoming open as well as spec engines. At the same time, Tony Izzo Jr., a well known personality in late model circles as a driver and promoter has purchased the MARS series and is attempting a revival of the once southern Missouri dominant tour in eastern Iowa, and western and central Illinois.
At the same time, there is no lack of sprint car specials in the three state area, including the reopening of the now 3/8 mile dirt oval at I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., which will host the World of Outlaw sprint cars on their opening night, a risky undertaking in my humble opinion, but that is another story!
While we await the various track schedules, I hope everyone remembers that weekly racing remains the backbone of our sport, and we all attend our home tracks as often as we can!
Happy New Year, and we hope to see you at a track in 2020!
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Carpenter, Babb, Larson Take Dome Wins
With the weather on our side, we made the trip to St. Louis for the Friday night portion of the Gateway Dirt Nationals at the Dome at Americas Center. With the format tweeked a bit, we hoped to be on the road home ahead of the midnight hour this year, even though we would be seeing only half of the invited modifieds and midgets along with the full compliment of late models. As it turned out, we did walk out of the facility about 11:30, but without seeing a single lap of modified action. After arriving in the Gateway City, we received a Facebook post stating that the format had again been changed, and that the complete mod program, including time trials, heats and feature would run after the completion of the midget and late model action. The reason given was that track officials hoped the track would be better packed in so that the high horsepower, narrow tired mods would be better able to navigate the choppy surface. Considering the constant reworking the 1/5 mile oval received throughout the night, I was not convinced it would make much of a difference, but Keagan, Fred, and I made the decision to not sit through time trial qualifying to find out.
After hot laps for the midgets and late models and time trials for the eighteen midgets signed in, it was heat race time. The eighty five late models, who had held their time trials on Thursday, were split into two divisions, with six eight lap heats each. Heat number one for the " A " bracket was billed as a " Who's Who " of late models, but some of the intrigue ended quickly. On the third attempt at a green flag, outsider pole sitter Scott Bloomquist had his night end as his engine let loose in a cloud of smoke and spilled oil. Heat four was the best of the night, as Tyler Carpenter and Tanner English crossed the line in a photo finish, with Carpenter declared the winner, then entertaining the crowd with a celebratory declaration during his televised interview. Heat five saw Quincy, Il. crate late model driver Vance Wilson take advantage of a last lap mixup to jump from one spot out of a transfer spot in fourth to finish in a redraw spot in second. The sixth qualifier found Buddy Isles Jr. upside down in the turn two catch fence, creating a lengthy delay for repairs. Two races later, Mike Epplet pounded head on into the catch fence near the end of the front stretch, and again a long delay resulted. It would be conservative to estimate these two stoppages at over an hour combined.
A pair of midget heats clicked off in good time, with fast qualifier Tanner Thorson outrunning veteran Sammy Swindell , then NASCAR star Kyle Larson out dueling Michael Pickens to set the feature field.
Late model C main two had an unexplained event, as a caution with five laps to go saw the checkered flag wave with six cars still running although only the top four were scheduled to transfer to the " B. " As it turned out, with one B main scratch, the top five moved on, and Michael Santangelo was left out.
The first B main provided another thrilling moment. Jason Feger had dropped out of his heat race, then advanced to third in his C main. Starting in row eight of the ten lap " B, " he charged through the field, high and low, to cross the line in the second and final transfer spot behind Robbie Stuart. The final qualifier ended with another of the multitude of yellow flags on the final lap, with Duane Chamberlain taking the win and Eric Hickerson nosing out Mark Shipman to move on.
Pickens and Larson sat on row one for the twenty lap $3,000 to win midget main event. Pickens charged to the lead with Larson falling back. A lap eleven restart, the result of a Swindell spin, saw Kyle make a dandy move forward, but it was negated by a double flip in turn two, the final of three cautions during the event. Pickens and Larson gained separation on the field as the laps clicked off and slower traffic came into play. With five circuits left on the scoreboard, Larson made his move to the lead. Pickens was able to stay close as lapped traffic cost the leader some momentum, but when Larson cleared the lapped car, he pulled away for the win. Cannon McIntosh found his way around Pickens late for second, while Thorson and Cole Bodine completed the top five in the star studded field.
More track prep, then it was time for the first of the pair of twenty lap, $5,000 to win late model features. Heat winners Ryan Unzicker and Billy Moyer lined up in row one. A lap two caution saw Fegers' Cinderella run end with a broken radiator, while local favorite Rusty Griffaw, the heat five victor also retired from the action. Amazingly, that would be the only caution of the race! Heavy traffic came into play by lap eight, as Unzicker set a quick pace and heat two winner Mike Spatola came from row two to the runner up spot. Five laps from the finish, third starting Tyler Carpenter joined the party, racing Spatola for second. With Carpenter taking the spot, he pulled alongside the leader at lap sixteen. He then completed his charged to the front, hanging on for a popular win followed by a victory " speech. " Unzicker held on to second, followed by " Opie " Spatola, English, and Scott James. Moyer faded to sixth, leading Bobby Pierce, row seven starter Brandon Sheppard, heat one winner Chad Zobrist, and Jeremiah Hurst to complete the top ten.
More track prep, then heat winners Patrick Daniel and Shannon Babb led the second group of twenty to the grid. Daniel and Babb were followed by tenth heat victor Rusty Schlenk before a lap two yellow saw heat eight winner Scott Ward pull to the infield. The caution waved again on lap four, then for a final time on the first restart. From their it was green until the checkers. Lap eight saw Babb take the lead, and begin his successful charge through slower traffic. Ricky Thornton Jr. had started twelfth and was already running third when his night ended just after the halfway mark. As the white flag was displayed, Schlenk powered to the runner up slot. Daniel crossed the line in third, while Jonathon Davenport held off Gordy Gundaker for fifth. Jason Wagner drove from fifteenth to sixth, followed by Kevin Smith, heat eleven winner Blair Nothdurft, Joey Coulter, and Jadon Frame. Heat twelve winner Matt Henderson started sixth, but was an early exit to finish eighteenth.
The top three finishers from each feature are locked in to tonight's $30,000 to win main event.
Nine and a half hours made for a full day and night, so we headed for the car and the two and a half hour drive home, finishing off an active 2019 season. In the coming days, I will do a recap of my fifty three night season.
Thanks for reading, Merry Christmas to all!
After hot laps for the midgets and late models and time trials for the eighteen midgets signed in, it was heat race time. The eighty five late models, who had held their time trials on Thursday, were split into two divisions, with six eight lap heats each. Heat number one for the " A " bracket was billed as a " Who's Who " of late models, but some of the intrigue ended quickly. On the third attempt at a green flag, outsider pole sitter Scott Bloomquist had his night end as his engine let loose in a cloud of smoke and spilled oil. Heat four was the best of the night, as Tyler Carpenter and Tanner English crossed the line in a photo finish, with Carpenter declared the winner, then entertaining the crowd with a celebratory declaration during his televised interview. Heat five saw Quincy, Il. crate late model driver Vance Wilson take advantage of a last lap mixup to jump from one spot out of a transfer spot in fourth to finish in a redraw spot in second. The sixth qualifier found Buddy Isles Jr. upside down in the turn two catch fence, creating a lengthy delay for repairs. Two races later, Mike Epplet pounded head on into the catch fence near the end of the front stretch, and again a long delay resulted. It would be conservative to estimate these two stoppages at over an hour combined.
A pair of midget heats clicked off in good time, with fast qualifier Tanner Thorson outrunning veteran Sammy Swindell , then NASCAR star Kyle Larson out dueling Michael Pickens to set the feature field.
Late model C main two had an unexplained event, as a caution with five laps to go saw the checkered flag wave with six cars still running although only the top four were scheduled to transfer to the " B. " As it turned out, with one B main scratch, the top five moved on, and Michael Santangelo was left out.
The first B main provided another thrilling moment. Jason Feger had dropped out of his heat race, then advanced to third in his C main. Starting in row eight of the ten lap " B, " he charged through the field, high and low, to cross the line in the second and final transfer spot behind Robbie Stuart. The final qualifier ended with another of the multitude of yellow flags on the final lap, with Duane Chamberlain taking the win and Eric Hickerson nosing out Mark Shipman to move on.
Pickens and Larson sat on row one for the twenty lap $3,000 to win midget main event. Pickens charged to the lead with Larson falling back. A lap eleven restart, the result of a Swindell spin, saw Kyle make a dandy move forward, but it was negated by a double flip in turn two, the final of three cautions during the event. Pickens and Larson gained separation on the field as the laps clicked off and slower traffic came into play. With five circuits left on the scoreboard, Larson made his move to the lead. Pickens was able to stay close as lapped traffic cost the leader some momentum, but when Larson cleared the lapped car, he pulled away for the win. Cannon McIntosh found his way around Pickens late for second, while Thorson and Cole Bodine completed the top five in the star studded field.
More track prep, then it was time for the first of the pair of twenty lap, $5,000 to win late model features. Heat winners Ryan Unzicker and Billy Moyer lined up in row one. A lap two caution saw Fegers' Cinderella run end with a broken radiator, while local favorite Rusty Griffaw, the heat five victor also retired from the action. Amazingly, that would be the only caution of the race! Heavy traffic came into play by lap eight, as Unzicker set a quick pace and heat two winner Mike Spatola came from row two to the runner up spot. Five laps from the finish, third starting Tyler Carpenter joined the party, racing Spatola for second. With Carpenter taking the spot, he pulled alongside the leader at lap sixteen. He then completed his charged to the front, hanging on for a popular win followed by a victory " speech. " Unzicker held on to second, followed by " Opie " Spatola, English, and Scott James. Moyer faded to sixth, leading Bobby Pierce, row seven starter Brandon Sheppard, heat one winner Chad Zobrist, and Jeremiah Hurst to complete the top ten.
More track prep, then heat winners Patrick Daniel and Shannon Babb led the second group of twenty to the grid. Daniel and Babb were followed by tenth heat victor Rusty Schlenk before a lap two yellow saw heat eight winner Scott Ward pull to the infield. The caution waved again on lap four, then for a final time on the first restart. From their it was green until the checkers. Lap eight saw Babb take the lead, and begin his successful charge through slower traffic. Ricky Thornton Jr. had started twelfth and was already running third when his night ended just after the halfway mark. As the white flag was displayed, Schlenk powered to the runner up slot. Daniel crossed the line in third, while Jonathon Davenport held off Gordy Gundaker for fifth. Jason Wagner drove from fifteenth to sixth, followed by Kevin Smith, heat eleven winner Blair Nothdurft, Joey Coulter, and Jadon Frame. Heat twelve winner Matt Henderson started sixth, but was an early exit to finish eighteenth.
The top three finishers from each feature are locked in to tonight's $30,000 to win main event.
Nine and a half hours made for a full day and night, so we headed for the car and the two and a half hour drive home, finishing off an active 2019 season. In the coming days, I will do a recap of my fifty three night season.
Thanks for reading, Merry Christmas to all!
Monday, November 25, 2019
A Full Day of Racing at Springfield
For the past dozen years, Springfield, Mo. Speedway has ended their season with the event known as the Turkey Bowl, scheduled the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Though well to the south, the weather always makes this race a gamble, and over the years it has often been moved back one day to Sunday, or if necessary even the weekend following the holiday. 2019 marked my third time as an attendee, all in the last three seasons, and for the second time, an unfavorable forecast saw the action moved to Sunday. After spending Saturday night in the Ozarks, we arrived early at the 1/4 mile facility to what appeared to be an already crowded pit area. As we speculated about what the car count for the six division program might have been had this days' sixty degree temps and sunny skies come a day earlier, haulers continued to come in waves down pit road.
The drivers were informed in their pre race meeting that their would be no hot laps, and with good reason, as the final tally was an even two hundred cars checked in to race! For us long distance travelers with our own self imposed curfew, this represented a mixed bag of good and bad news.
As advertised, heat races started right on time at 2:30, and there would be twenty three of them along with ten B main qualifiers needed to set the feature fields.
Although the racing surface had obviously received quite a bit of precipitation, the crew had done a nice job of creating a smooth, racy track, which they continued to work to maintain between races. One unfortunate result of the abundance of mud was a tall berm around the inside groove which effectively prevented competitors from exiting to the infield. This along with a decision to forego a one spin rule, a quick on the draw flagman, and the aggressive driving needed to advance in to a qualifying spot created caution periods measured in dozens.
The qualifying action wrapped up about 6:45, with feature races still to go. First up was a twenty lapper for the twenty one legend cars on hand. Long distance visitor Drew Papke made the tow from Bismarck, North Dakota, started in row three and took home the familiar turkey trophy and the big check that goes with it. Following a pair of early yellows, Papke took the lead for good, then walked away for the win. A trio of Joplin, Missouri drivers, Justin Comer, Grayson Cox, and Trenton Simon sandwiched fourth place Tim Brockhouse from Shakopee, Minnesota with top five runs. Super late model driver Jesse Stovall was the two hundreth driver to sign in, wheeling a sharp looking #00 legend car, but his top ten run ended with a multi car accident between turns three and four.
Next up all but one of the twenty Midwest Modified qualifiers, whittled down from forty five entrants lined up for twenty trips around the oval. Trent Wynn, Elijah Keeper, and Casey Burnett were locked in an entertaining three car battle before contact sent the front runner Wynn spinning to a stop. Keeper powered through the infield without stopping, and was lined up in the number two position for the restart. He overtook Barnett in the closing laps and held him off the rest of the way for the win, followed by another pair of home state pilots, Jerad McIntire and Jaren Martin. Overland Park, Kansas driver Shawn Burns completed the top five.
The clock now read 7:40, and although the track was still smooth and racy with three grooves in play, track officials followed their pre race plan, bringing out the grader. This was to be followed by a hot lap session for twelve of the qualified late models, then features for USRA B mods, late models, IMCA mods, and finally mini late models. Knowing this would take us well past our 8:30 curfew, we headed for the car to begin the five plus hour trip home.
A check of the results shows Ryan Gilmour topping J C Morton, Clint Johnson, Jackie Dalton, who also qualified his late model, and Ricky Watkins in the B mods and Logan Martin cashing the $2,000 late model check after besting Payton Looney, Scott Crigler, and Cole and Justin Wells. Topeka Kansas driver Steven Bowers Jr. outran one of the two Iowa pilots on hand, Ethan Braaksma, from Newton to capture modified honors, followed by Robbie Reed, Denison, Iowas' Shane Demay, and Sawyer Crigler. Jaxon Ertel topped the ten mini late models in his car number 1/4.
Even though we were not able to stay until the end, we were still treated to a full night of action with thirty five races. Hopefully the 2020 version of the Turkey Bowl will happen on Saturday and we can stay until the final checkers!
Cold and snow may be upon us, but I hope to squeeze out one more night of racing this season. The fourth annual Gateway Dirt Nationals is set for December 19-21 at the Dome in St. Louis, with open late models in action along with modifieds and midgets by invitation. How can you turn down racing in December!?!
The drivers were informed in their pre race meeting that their would be no hot laps, and with good reason, as the final tally was an even two hundred cars checked in to race! For us long distance travelers with our own self imposed curfew, this represented a mixed bag of good and bad news.
As advertised, heat races started right on time at 2:30, and there would be twenty three of them along with ten B main qualifiers needed to set the feature fields.
Although the racing surface had obviously received quite a bit of precipitation, the crew had done a nice job of creating a smooth, racy track, which they continued to work to maintain between races. One unfortunate result of the abundance of mud was a tall berm around the inside groove which effectively prevented competitors from exiting to the infield. This along with a decision to forego a one spin rule, a quick on the draw flagman, and the aggressive driving needed to advance in to a qualifying spot created caution periods measured in dozens.
The qualifying action wrapped up about 6:45, with feature races still to go. First up was a twenty lapper for the twenty one legend cars on hand. Long distance visitor Drew Papke made the tow from Bismarck, North Dakota, started in row three and took home the familiar turkey trophy and the big check that goes with it. Following a pair of early yellows, Papke took the lead for good, then walked away for the win. A trio of Joplin, Missouri drivers, Justin Comer, Grayson Cox, and Trenton Simon sandwiched fourth place Tim Brockhouse from Shakopee, Minnesota with top five runs. Super late model driver Jesse Stovall was the two hundreth driver to sign in, wheeling a sharp looking #00 legend car, but his top ten run ended with a multi car accident between turns three and four.
Next up all but one of the twenty Midwest Modified qualifiers, whittled down from forty five entrants lined up for twenty trips around the oval. Trent Wynn, Elijah Keeper, and Casey Burnett were locked in an entertaining three car battle before contact sent the front runner Wynn spinning to a stop. Keeper powered through the infield without stopping, and was lined up in the number two position for the restart. He overtook Barnett in the closing laps and held him off the rest of the way for the win, followed by another pair of home state pilots, Jerad McIntire and Jaren Martin. Overland Park, Kansas driver Shawn Burns completed the top five.
The clock now read 7:40, and although the track was still smooth and racy with three grooves in play, track officials followed their pre race plan, bringing out the grader. This was to be followed by a hot lap session for twelve of the qualified late models, then features for USRA B mods, late models, IMCA mods, and finally mini late models. Knowing this would take us well past our 8:30 curfew, we headed for the car to begin the five plus hour trip home.
A check of the results shows Ryan Gilmour topping J C Morton, Clint Johnson, Jackie Dalton, who also qualified his late model, and Ricky Watkins in the B mods and Logan Martin cashing the $2,000 late model check after besting Payton Looney, Scott Crigler, and Cole and Justin Wells. Topeka Kansas driver Steven Bowers Jr. outran one of the two Iowa pilots on hand, Ethan Braaksma, from Newton to capture modified honors, followed by Robbie Reed, Denison, Iowas' Shane Demay, and Sawyer Crigler. Jaxon Ertel topped the ten mini late models in his car number 1/4.
Even though we were not able to stay until the end, we were still treated to a full night of action with thirty five races. Hopefully the 2020 version of the Turkey Bowl will happen on Saturday and we can stay until the final checkers!
Cold and snow may be upon us, but I hope to squeeze out one more night of racing this season. The fourth annual Gateway Dirt Nationals is set for December 19-21 at the Dome in St. Louis, with open late models in action along with modifieds and midgets by invitation. How can you turn down racing in December!?!
Monday, October 28, 2019
Spatola, Woodworth, and Gilmour Top Pratt Memorial
Persistent showers on Saturday caused Quincy Raceways officials to reschedule night number two of the inaugural Kenny Pratt Memorial to Sunday afternoon. When I arrived at the track at noon, it was obvious that start times would be delayed, as the pit area as well as the track itself had received considerable moisture. The track crew proved to be up to the task, and on track action began soon under sunny skies and sixty degree plus temps.
Drivers in all three classes had indicated their desire for time trial qualifying, and this time there was no issues with the transponder system, with the forty six cars on hand each receiving one qualifying lap around the .29 mile oval. Steve Dieckmann paced the outlaw stock cars, Friday night feature winner Jose Parga topped the Pro Crate/ IMCA late models, and Rich Bell turned a lap of 13.538 seconds to lead the super late models.
There was still an issue with a bit of standing water at the bottom of turns two and three narrowing the racing surface as heat races began, but thanks to several adventurous competitors, the track was soon widened out. Still, in typical Quincy Raceways fashion the high side was dominate for the ten lap heats.
Robert Cottom came from outside row one to capture the first stock car heat, with veteran Larry Winn topping heat two from his pole start.
Limited late model qualifier victories went to pole sitters Parga and Dakota Ewing, both UMP Pro Crate regulars.
Sixteen super lates were split into three heats. Outside row one starters Mike Spatola and Jeremiah Hurst claimed wins, with the final ten lapper going to pole sitter and Friday night feature winner Dennis Erb Jr.
The Pratt family was recognized during intermission, with track owner/promoter Jason Goble indicating his desire to continue to grow this event going forward.
Feature races would all be fifty laps, with the stock cars having a fuel stop at the half way mark.
Fast qualifier Dieckmann had dropped out of his heat, and he was the only one of the fifteen drivers to not take the feature green flag. Cottom took off from his pole position ahead of a lap one caution. Back to racing, Cottom, Winn , and sixth starting Shane Myers in his " grocery getter " station wagon soon gained separation from the field. Cottom caught slower traffic on lap eleven, putting several cars between himself and Winn just ahead of yellow number two for a B J Thompson spin. As the field was reset, Winn headed to the pits, his night over. Cottom then dove to the hot pit turning the lead over to Myers. A tall and heavy cushion got the best of Myers in turn three on lap fiften, as he nearly slipped over the top, and Rudy Zaragoza charged to the lead. On the following circuit Myers retook the point, even as Zaragoza faded to fourth. Only eight cars remained following the fuel stop at the halfway mark. On lap thirty, the turn three cushion again bit Myers, and now it was row two starter Tyler Gilmour grabbing the lead. Two more cautions interrupted the action even as Myers and Dennis Wernle staged an entertaining battle for second, allowing Gilmour to build a comfortable lead. Five cars remained as the checkers flew, with the Peoria driver Gilmour taking the win. Wernle won the battle for second, followed by Myers, Zaragoza, and Michael Larsen. The win was worth a cool $1,000 for the winner.
As the sun began to disappear behind the trees in turn one, the moisture in the track came to the surface, and lap times actually increased during the Pro Crate/ IMCA main. Parga shot to the early lead, with third starting Jeff Tharp, making the long tow from Sherrill, Iowa with his IMCA ride, following in second. The first of nine cautions came on lap four, as Sam Halstead saw his night come to an end. On lap eight the caution waved as Melvin Linder went for a spin, Keith Pratt in the Weisinger #11 left the track taking evasive action while Parga jumped the cushion in turn four. Parga and Pratt retained their positions on the restart, while Linder was sent to the tail. Parga was now showing rear spoiler damage after tagging the front stretch wall, and it seemed to slow his momentum. As racing resumed, Tharp jumped to the lead, with third running Denny Woodworth also clearing Parga for second. After a lap thirteen yellow for a Tristan Bainter spin, Woodworth charged to the front. The Quincy Raceways track champion then held serve through several more cautions, at times opening a wide lead only to see it evaporate as the yellow flag waved. Woodworth and Tharp made it a two car race after a lap thirty six caution while Friday runner up Andy Nezworski chased the front pair in third. With three circuits to go, Pratt, Chuck Hanna, and Parga had been locked in a back and forth battle for fourth when contact sent Parga for a spin, bringing out the final yellow. Woodworth was not to be denied, claiming the win and the $2,000 payday. Tharp was solid in second, followed by Nezworski, Pratt, and Hanna. Tucker Finch topped the second five in front of Roben Huffman, Linder, Parga, and Ewing. Ewing lost his sixth place run, jumping the turn three cushion on the final lap, making him the final car still running at the end.
It was now time for the $5,000 headliner for the open late models.
Spatola took off from the pole to lead lap one, with Erb Jr. moving to the front one lap later. Meanwhile, Jamie Wilson and outside pole sitter Hurst were already headed to the trailer. The caution came out at lap seven for a Scott Bourland spin, and shockingly, Erb headed pit side, his shot at a weekend sweep over. Spatola now found himself again out front, with McKay Wenger and Bell side by side behind him for the restart. Bell took the runner up spot from Wenger on lap twelve, with eighth starting Brent Larson moving to third on the next circuit. The top three caught slower traffic at lap eighteen, but a pair of cautions in the next couple of laps left eleven cars still on track. After another caution just before halfway, with the leaders now running a low line around the oval, Wenger began pounding the treacherous cushion. When the caution waved at lap twenty nine, Spatola, Bell, Wenger, and Larson were involved in a dog fight for position. Spatola used the now single file restart to open an advantage, as Bell and Wenger now dueled for second. While Wenger continued to run the high line, Bell was moving around the track, holding the runner up spot. At lap forty, Wenger had a run as the pair entered turn one, and contact sent Bell for a spin. He then ducked to the hot pit, quickly rejoining the race and offering a greeting to Wenger before taking his spot at the back of the pack. As Bell attempted to charge back towards the front and Spatola went on cruise control, Larson cleared Wenger with five laps to go. Spatola, the driver known as " Opie, " collected the big check in what he said was his first time actually getting to race at QR after having been rained out previously. Larson turned in his second top five of the weekend, with former track semi regular Wenger in third. Rusty Griffaw added a fourth to his third place run on Friday, and Quincy native Matt Bailey, who now calls Highland, Illinois home scored a fifth at his former home track. Bell was able to charge back to sixth, and sixteen time track champion Mark Burgtorf was seventh in front of Derek Fetter and Quincian Joey Gower. Brian Wolfmeier was credited with tenth after dropping out late in the fifty lapper.
The inaugural Kenny Pratt Memorial must be considered a success, even with the challenging weather, and I look forward to this hopefully becoming an annual event. Planning did not begin until late August, so perhaps an earlier date in 2020 could be considered, as many drivers ( and fans? ) had already put a wrap on the racing season.
Although I will not be able to attend this year, there is one more weekend of racing close by, as the C J Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa will expand their Turkey Dash to a pair of separate events next weekend, with action starting at 4:00 on Saturday and 1:00 on Sunday. A mods, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts will be in action.
Looking forward, I hope to make it to the annual Turkey Bowl in Springfield, Missouri on November 23 and of course hoping for good weather for the Gateway Dirt Nationals at the Dome in St. Louis December 19-21.
Thanks for reading!
Drivers in all three classes had indicated their desire for time trial qualifying, and this time there was no issues with the transponder system, with the forty six cars on hand each receiving one qualifying lap around the .29 mile oval. Steve Dieckmann paced the outlaw stock cars, Friday night feature winner Jose Parga topped the Pro Crate/ IMCA late models, and Rich Bell turned a lap of 13.538 seconds to lead the super late models.
There was still an issue with a bit of standing water at the bottom of turns two and three narrowing the racing surface as heat races began, but thanks to several adventurous competitors, the track was soon widened out. Still, in typical Quincy Raceways fashion the high side was dominate for the ten lap heats.
Robert Cottom came from outside row one to capture the first stock car heat, with veteran Larry Winn topping heat two from his pole start.
Limited late model qualifier victories went to pole sitters Parga and Dakota Ewing, both UMP Pro Crate regulars.
Sixteen super lates were split into three heats. Outside row one starters Mike Spatola and Jeremiah Hurst claimed wins, with the final ten lapper going to pole sitter and Friday night feature winner Dennis Erb Jr.
The Pratt family was recognized during intermission, with track owner/promoter Jason Goble indicating his desire to continue to grow this event going forward.
Feature races would all be fifty laps, with the stock cars having a fuel stop at the half way mark.
Fast qualifier Dieckmann had dropped out of his heat, and he was the only one of the fifteen drivers to not take the feature green flag. Cottom took off from his pole position ahead of a lap one caution. Back to racing, Cottom, Winn , and sixth starting Shane Myers in his " grocery getter " station wagon soon gained separation from the field. Cottom caught slower traffic on lap eleven, putting several cars between himself and Winn just ahead of yellow number two for a B J Thompson spin. As the field was reset, Winn headed to the pits, his night over. Cottom then dove to the hot pit turning the lead over to Myers. A tall and heavy cushion got the best of Myers in turn three on lap fiften, as he nearly slipped over the top, and Rudy Zaragoza charged to the lead. On the following circuit Myers retook the point, even as Zaragoza faded to fourth. Only eight cars remained following the fuel stop at the halfway mark. On lap thirty, the turn three cushion again bit Myers, and now it was row two starter Tyler Gilmour grabbing the lead. Two more cautions interrupted the action even as Myers and Dennis Wernle staged an entertaining battle for second, allowing Gilmour to build a comfortable lead. Five cars remained as the checkers flew, with the Peoria driver Gilmour taking the win. Wernle won the battle for second, followed by Myers, Zaragoza, and Michael Larsen. The win was worth a cool $1,000 for the winner.
As the sun began to disappear behind the trees in turn one, the moisture in the track came to the surface, and lap times actually increased during the Pro Crate/ IMCA main. Parga shot to the early lead, with third starting Jeff Tharp, making the long tow from Sherrill, Iowa with his IMCA ride, following in second. The first of nine cautions came on lap four, as Sam Halstead saw his night come to an end. On lap eight the caution waved as Melvin Linder went for a spin, Keith Pratt in the Weisinger #11 left the track taking evasive action while Parga jumped the cushion in turn four. Parga and Pratt retained their positions on the restart, while Linder was sent to the tail. Parga was now showing rear spoiler damage after tagging the front stretch wall, and it seemed to slow his momentum. As racing resumed, Tharp jumped to the lead, with third running Denny Woodworth also clearing Parga for second. After a lap thirteen yellow for a Tristan Bainter spin, Woodworth charged to the front. The Quincy Raceways track champion then held serve through several more cautions, at times opening a wide lead only to see it evaporate as the yellow flag waved. Woodworth and Tharp made it a two car race after a lap thirty six caution while Friday runner up Andy Nezworski chased the front pair in third. With three circuits to go, Pratt, Chuck Hanna, and Parga had been locked in a back and forth battle for fourth when contact sent Parga for a spin, bringing out the final yellow. Woodworth was not to be denied, claiming the win and the $2,000 payday. Tharp was solid in second, followed by Nezworski, Pratt, and Hanna. Tucker Finch topped the second five in front of Roben Huffman, Linder, Parga, and Ewing. Ewing lost his sixth place run, jumping the turn three cushion on the final lap, making him the final car still running at the end.
It was now time for the $5,000 headliner for the open late models.
Spatola took off from the pole to lead lap one, with Erb Jr. moving to the front one lap later. Meanwhile, Jamie Wilson and outside pole sitter Hurst were already headed to the trailer. The caution came out at lap seven for a Scott Bourland spin, and shockingly, Erb headed pit side, his shot at a weekend sweep over. Spatola now found himself again out front, with McKay Wenger and Bell side by side behind him for the restart. Bell took the runner up spot from Wenger on lap twelve, with eighth starting Brent Larson moving to third on the next circuit. The top three caught slower traffic at lap eighteen, but a pair of cautions in the next couple of laps left eleven cars still on track. After another caution just before halfway, with the leaders now running a low line around the oval, Wenger began pounding the treacherous cushion. When the caution waved at lap twenty nine, Spatola, Bell, Wenger, and Larson were involved in a dog fight for position. Spatola used the now single file restart to open an advantage, as Bell and Wenger now dueled for second. While Wenger continued to run the high line, Bell was moving around the track, holding the runner up spot. At lap forty, Wenger had a run as the pair entered turn one, and contact sent Bell for a spin. He then ducked to the hot pit, quickly rejoining the race and offering a greeting to Wenger before taking his spot at the back of the pack. As Bell attempted to charge back towards the front and Spatola went on cruise control, Larson cleared Wenger with five laps to go. Spatola, the driver known as " Opie, " collected the big check in what he said was his first time actually getting to race at QR after having been rained out previously. Larson turned in his second top five of the weekend, with former track semi regular Wenger in third. Rusty Griffaw added a fourth to his third place run on Friday, and Quincy native Matt Bailey, who now calls Highland, Illinois home scored a fifth at his former home track. Bell was able to charge back to sixth, and sixteen time track champion Mark Burgtorf was seventh in front of Derek Fetter and Quincian Joey Gower. Brian Wolfmeier was credited with tenth after dropping out late in the fifty lapper.
The inaugural Kenny Pratt Memorial must be considered a success, even with the challenging weather, and I look forward to this hopefully becoming an annual event. Planning did not begin until late August, so perhaps an earlier date in 2020 could be considered, as many drivers ( and fans? ) had already put a wrap on the racing season.
Although I will not be able to attend this year, there is one more weekend of racing close by, as the C J Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa will expand their Turkey Dash to a pair of separate events next weekend, with action starting at 4:00 on Saturday and 1:00 on Sunday. A mods, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts will be in action.
Looking forward, I hope to make it to the annual Turkey Bowl in Springfield, Missouri on November 23 and of course hoping for good weather for the Gateway Dirt Nationals at the Dome in St. Louis December 19-21.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Erb Jr., Parga, Calvert Top Pratt Memorial Opener
Friday night was the highly anticipated opening night of the Kenny Pratt Memorial at Quincy Raceways. UMP type super late models, UMP crate/ IMCA late models, and open stock cars made up the three division card.
Things got off to a bit of a rough start, as issues with the transponder system led officials to finish off time trials for the three classes the old fashioned way. First time visitor Josh Calvert made the long tow from from Hallsville,Mo. to set quick time over the seventeen stock cars on hand. Track point champion Denny Woodworth was tops in the limited late models, and World of Outlaw late model standout Dennis Erb Jr. paced the supers with a lap of 13.490 seconds around the .29 mile oval.
Steve Dieckmann, John Ketterer, and another newcomer, Dennis Wernle opened racing with heat race wins for the stock cars. Woodworth and Buffalo, Iowa IMCA ace Andy Nezworski captured the limited heats, while Erb Jr., hometown favorite Jamie Wilson, and Festus, Missouri pilot Rusty Griffaw took home wins in the ten lap super heats.
Following a brief intermission, it was feature time, with all classes contesting 34 lap main events, as 34 was the number displayed on the cars Kenny Pratt raced during his career at the track.
Stock cars were up first, with the straight up starts putting Dieckmann and Ketterer on row one. Ketterer put his #90, which resembled an early 1990's late model out front ahead of the first of eight caution periods on lap two. As racing resumed with the Delaware restart, Galesburg, Il. driver Robert Cottom grabbed the lead with his UMP street stock after starting in row three. Michael Larsen had dropped out of his heat race, relegating him to a row eight starting spot, but he was charging through the pack when a mix up on the front stretch following a lap six yellow forced him and Rudy Zaragoza to take evasive action, ending the night for an unhappy Zaragoza and sending Larsen to the tail. As Cottom paced the field, Dieckmann and Ketterer swapped the runner up spot even as third starting Wernle stalked the front runners. For the second time, on lap fourteen, Cottom was just catching lapped traffic, but here came a yellow flag, and things seemed to be breaking his way. Larsen ducked to the hot pit, restarting at the back of the pack. Ketterer was applying heavy pressure to the leader when he spun in turn two just after the crossed flags by Blake Dotson signaled the halfway mark. The resulting pile up eliminated Ketterer, Dieckmann , and Kale Foster. The field was now realigned single file for the remaining laps. Wernle and Calvert were locked in a side by side battle for second while keeping Cottom close and fending off Jake Powers, who was looking for racing room behind them. A lap twenty seven yellow, and another hot pit visit for Larsen, things were getting good, as Cottom hugged the low line, Wernle ran one groove higher, and Calvert pounded the cushion. When the last caution came with four laps to go, Calvert had nosed ahead of Cottom, and with the single file restart he was able to hang on for the win. Cottom was the runner up followed by Wernle, Powers, and Shane Myers in his #15 station wagon. Pete Stodgel, Larsen, Cletus Coates, Alex Hatfield, and Brandon Boden completed the top ten. The win was worth a cool $500.
The Pro Crate/ IMCA feature was next, with a $1,000 awaiting the victor. Woodworth and Nezworski paced the twelve car field. Woodworth led early, running the top line around the track while Nezworski worked down low. Andy finally gained enough momentum to snag the lead coming off turn two at the lap eleven mark. Meanwhile, seventh starting Jose Parga worked his way to third one lap later. Woodworth and Nezworski swapped the lead again at lap seventeen, with Andy pulling off a crossover move to retain the top spot. As Parga moved in on the front duo, Dakota Ewing stayed close in fourth. Woodworth charged ahead once again with a strong move off turn two on lap twenty two, then caught slower traffic three laps later. Parga now powered to second, and charged to the lead as lap twenty six was scored. Parga was able to hold his line without being seriously challenged before the only caution came with five laps to go as Brandon Queen appeared to suffer a mechanical issue, backing his car off turn two. This set up a battle for second, allowing Parga to pull away for the win. Nezworski took second ahead of Woodworth. Ewing ran a steady fourth, while Luke Goedert came on strong after the caution to grab a top five slot. Sam Halstead, Chuck Hanna, and Mike Smith in the Barton Racing #7 were next. Keith Pratt returned to the track for the weekend honoring his late father, piloting the Weisinger Racing # 11 to a ninth place finish, and Tucker Finch completed the top ten.
Fourteen super late models lined up for a shot at the $2,000 payday. It was the pole sitter Erb Jr. jumping to the lead, but the start was called back as Brian Wolfmeier spun the Jacober Racing #5 in turns one and two. Erb again took the point, with Griffaw and Rich Bell in tow before Dylan Hoover brought out a lap three yellow, ending his night. Derek Fetter also headed for the trailer at this time. By the sixth circuit, Erb was opening a comfortable lead, while Bell powered to second. Meanwhile, Matt Bailey, Darrell Defrance, surprise entrant Brent Larson, and Jeremiah Hurst ran side by side and nose to tail for fourth, with Bailey finally grabbing the spot. The leader caught the back of the pack at lap fourteen, then came upon Mark Burgtorf and Wolfmeier locked in a side by side duel while fighting to stay on the lead lap. Scott Halley brought out the final caution at lap twenty one. With the help of the Delaware restart, Hurst, who is planning to run more open engine events in 2020, charged to fourth, with Bailey shuffled back several spots. All the while, Erb was on cruise control, leading all thirty four laps to earn the checkers. Bell came home second, besting Griffaw, Hurst, and Larson, the World of Outlaw late model regular from Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Defrance topped the second five ahead of Bailey, Wilson, Burgtorf, and Wolfmeier.
While the car count was less than hoped for, the racing was top notch in front of a well chilled group of hearty spectators. More cars are expected for the increased night two purses, as the fifty lap main events will pay $1,000 to the stock cars, $2,000 to the limited lates, and a whopping $5,000 to the supers! Action will once again kick off with hot laps at 7:00. With the possibility of rain, track officials have set Sunday as a rain date, with things kicking off at 3:00. Check the Quincy Raceways website or Facebook page for more info.
Also the Lee County Speedway roars back to action today, weather permitting, with Shiverfest, featuring five classes of cars. The program at the Donnellson, Iowa 3/8 mile fairgrounds facility begins with hot laps at 5:00. The clock is ticking on racing in the Tri State area, so dress warm and get to the track!
Update!!!
Racing for Saturday has been postponed until Sunday. Gates open at noon, qualifying at 1:30. See everyone at Shiverfest!
Update, part two!!!
Shiverfest also rescheduled to Sunday afternoon.
Things got off to a bit of a rough start, as issues with the transponder system led officials to finish off time trials for the three classes the old fashioned way. First time visitor Josh Calvert made the long tow from from Hallsville,Mo. to set quick time over the seventeen stock cars on hand. Track point champion Denny Woodworth was tops in the limited late models, and World of Outlaw late model standout Dennis Erb Jr. paced the supers with a lap of 13.490 seconds around the .29 mile oval.
Steve Dieckmann, John Ketterer, and another newcomer, Dennis Wernle opened racing with heat race wins for the stock cars. Woodworth and Buffalo, Iowa IMCA ace Andy Nezworski captured the limited heats, while Erb Jr., hometown favorite Jamie Wilson, and Festus, Missouri pilot Rusty Griffaw took home wins in the ten lap super heats.
Following a brief intermission, it was feature time, with all classes contesting 34 lap main events, as 34 was the number displayed on the cars Kenny Pratt raced during his career at the track.
Stock cars were up first, with the straight up starts putting Dieckmann and Ketterer on row one. Ketterer put his #90, which resembled an early 1990's late model out front ahead of the first of eight caution periods on lap two. As racing resumed with the Delaware restart, Galesburg, Il. driver Robert Cottom grabbed the lead with his UMP street stock after starting in row three. Michael Larsen had dropped out of his heat race, relegating him to a row eight starting spot, but he was charging through the pack when a mix up on the front stretch following a lap six yellow forced him and Rudy Zaragoza to take evasive action, ending the night for an unhappy Zaragoza and sending Larsen to the tail. As Cottom paced the field, Dieckmann and Ketterer swapped the runner up spot even as third starting Wernle stalked the front runners. For the second time, on lap fourteen, Cottom was just catching lapped traffic, but here came a yellow flag, and things seemed to be breaking his way. Larsen ducked to the hot pit, restarting at the back of the pack. Ketterer was applying heavy pressure to the leader when he spun in turn two just after the crossed flags by Blake Dotson signaled the halfway mark. The resulting pile up eliminated Ketterer, Dieckmann , and Kale Foster. The field was now realigned single file for the remaining laps. Wernle and Calvert were locked in a side by side battle for second while keeping Cottom close and fending off Jake Powers, who was looking for racing room behind them. A lap twenty seven yellow, and another hot pit visit for Larsen, things were getting good, as Cottom hugged the low line, Wernle ran one groove higher, and Calvert pounded the cushion. When the last caution came with four laps to go, Calvert had nosed ahead of Cottom, and with the single file restart he was able to hang on for the win. Cottom was the runner up followed by Wernle, Powers, and Shane Myers in his #15 station wagon. Pete Stodgel, Larsen, Cletus Coates, Alex Hatfield, and Brandon Boden completed the top ten. The win was worth a cool $500.
The Pro Crate/ IMCA feature was next, with a $1,000 awaiting the victor. Woodworth and Nezworski paced the twelve car field. Woodworth led early, running the top line around the track while Nezworski worked down low. Andy finally gained enough momentum to snag the lead coming off turn two at the lap eleven mark. Meanwhile, seventh starting Jose Parga worked his way to third one lap later. Woodworth and Nezworski swapped the lead again at lap seventeen, with Andy pulling off a crossover move to retain the top spot. As Parga moved in on the front duo, Dakota Ewing stayed close in fourth. Woodworth charged ahead once again with a strong move off turn two on lap twenty two, then caught slower traffic three laps later. Parga now powered to second, and charged to the lead as lap twenty six was scored. Parga was able to hold his line without being seriously challenged before the only caution came with five laps to go as Brandon Queen appeared to suffer a mechanical issue, backing his car off turn two. This set up a battle for second, allowing Parga to pull away for the win. Nezworski took second ahead of Woodworth. Ewing ran a steady fourth, while Luke Goedert came on strong after the caution to grab a top five slot. Sam Halstead, Chuck Hanna, and Mike Smith in the Barton Racing #7 were next. Keith Pratt returned to the track for the weekend honoring his late father, piloting the Weisinger Racing # 11 to a ninth place finish, and Tucker Finch completed the top ten.
Fourteen super late models lined up for a shot at the $2,000 payday. It was the pole sitter Erb Jr. jumping to the lead, but the start was called back as Brian Wolfmeier spun the Jacober Racing #5 in turns one and two. Erb again took the point, with Griffaw and Rich Bell in tow before Dylan Hoover brought out a lap three yellow, ending his night. Derek Fetter also headed for the trailer at this time. By the sixth circuit, Erb was opening a comfortable lead, while Bell powered to second. Meanwhile, Matt Bailey, Darrell Defrance, surprise entrant Brent Larson, and Jeremiah Hurst ran side by side and nose to tail for fourth, with Bailey finally grabbing the spot. The leader caught the back of the pack at lap fourteen, then came upon Mark Burgtorf and Wolfmeier locked in a side by side duel while fighting to stay on the lead lap. Scott Halley brought out the final caution at lap twenty one. With the help of the Delaware restart, Hurst, who is planning to run more open engine events in 2020, charged to fourth, with Bailey shuffled back several spots. All the while, Erb was on cruise control, leading all thirty four laps to earn the checkers. Bell came home second, besting Griffaw, Hurst, and Larson, the World of Outlaw late model regular from Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Defrance topped the second five ahead of Bailey, Wilson, Burgtorf, and Wolfmeier.
While the car count was less than hoped for, the racing was top notch in front of a well chilled group of hearty spectators. More cars are expected for the increased night two purses, as the fifty lap main events will pay $1,000 to the stock cars, $2,000 to the limited lates, and a whopping $5,000 to the supers! Action will once again kick off with hot laps at 7:00. With the possibility of rain, track officials have set Sunday as a rain date, with things kicking off at 3:00. Check the Quincy Raceways website or Facebook page for more info.
Also the Lee County Speedway roars back to action today, weather permitting, with Shiverfest, featuring five classes of cars. The program at the Donnellson, Iowa 3/8 mile fairgrounds facility begins with hot laps at 5:00. The clock is ticking on racing in the Tri State area, so dress warm and get to the track!
Update!!!
Racing for Saturday has been postponed until Sunday. Gates open at noon, qualifying at 1:30. See everyone at Shiverfest!
Update, part two!!!
Shiverfest also rescheduled to Sunday afternoon.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Hold Up 2020, 2019 Not Done Yet
The racing season in the midwest may be winding down, but that does not mean we are ready for the " silly season " just yet!
In fact, this coming weekend has me wishing I could be at two race tracks at the same time, and even wondering if there might be a way to ( almost ) make it work!
Friday night will be a no brainer, with night one of the Kenny Pratt Memorial at Quincy, Il. Raceways, honoring the gentleman who was a fixture at the track for many years as a car owner, driver, and super fan before losing his life due to an accident. Three classes of cars will be in competition, with UMP super late models vying for a $2,000 top prize, while UMP Pro Crate/ IMCA late models ( $1,000 to win ) and outlaw stock cars ( $500 to win ) will round out the card. All classes will qualify in a one lap time trial format. The feature races will all be 34 laps, as that was the number Kenny displayed on the cars he raced at the Broadway Bullring. After the final checkers, the band " Eleven " featuring the outstanding vocals of Lee Ann ( Weisinger ) Lambert will play.
As it does on Friday, Saturday action will kick off with hot laps at 7:00 followed by time trials and racing. Fifty lap features will be contested in all three classes, with top prizes of $5,000 for supers, $2,000 for crates, and $1,000 for stock cars making this one of the biggest shows ever in the long history of Q.R.
Saturday is also the date for the annual Shiverfest races at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. This event includes hay rack rides, trick or treating, and boxcar races for the youngsters as well as five classes of cars battling for the coveted Shiverfest honors, including a place on 2020 apparel. IMCA/Pro Crate/limited late models, IMCA modifieds, stock cars, and sport compacts will be in action as well as sport mods under IMCA, UMP, or USRA rules.Hayrack rides kick things off at 3:00, while hot laps begin at 5:00.
Hopefully Mother Nature is kind, and both tracks are blessed with full grandstands and lots of race cars!
Even as we anticipate the weekend ahead, plans for the 2020 season are being made. Over the weekend, the Lucas Oil Late Model Series released their 2020 schedule. Dates of particular interest to those in my area are April 24 and July 17 at Tri City Speedway in Granite City, Il., and Thursday, May 14 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Ia. That date will be the opening of a three race weekend including a Friday stop at 300 Raceway in Farley, Iowa and Saturday at Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Mn.
Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. has also released their 2020 schedule, with eight race nights beginning on March 20 and 21.
And today we have the surprising announcement that the MARS racing series has been sold to former racer/promoter Tony Izzo Jr., who was the point man at the recently shuttered LaSalle, Il. Speedway. MARS had been owned by Chris Tilley, who is also involved with a late model tour which is based in the south. He operated MARS for the past two seasons, working to rebuild the brand after it suffered some negative P.R. concerning a couple of events in Iowa in 2016. His focus for the last two seasons has been in the Kentucky, Indiana, and St.Louis area, so it will be interesting to see what direction Izzo takes the series.
Whatever you decide to do this weekend, I hope it involves a trip to the race track. If you see me there, stop by and say " Hi."
In fact, this coming weekend has me wishing I could be at two race tracks at the same time, and even wondering if there might be a way to ( almost ) make it work!
Friday night will be a no brainer, with night one of the Kenny Pratt Memorial at Quincy, Il. Raceways, honoring the gentleman who was a fixture at the track for many years as a car owner, driver, and super fan before losing his life due to an accident. Three classes of cars will be in competition, with UMP super late models vying for a $2,000 top prize, while UMP Pro Crate/ IMCA late models ( $1,000 to win ) and outlaw stock cars ( $500 to win ) will round out the card. All classes will qualify in a one lap time trial format. The feature races will all be 34 laps, as that was the number Kenny displayed on the cars he raced at the Broadway Bullring. After the final checkers, the band " Eleven " featuring the outstanding vocals of Lee Ann ( Weisinger ) Lambert will play.
As it does on Friday, Saturday action will kick off with hot laps at 7:00 followed by time trials and racing. Fifty lap features will be contested in all three classes, with top prizes of $5,000 for supers, $2,000 for crates, and $1,000 for stock cars making this one of the biggest shows ever in the long history of Q.R.
Saturday is also the date for the annual Shiverfest races at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. This event includes hay rack rides, trick or treating, and boxcar races for the youngsters as well as five classes of cars battling for the coveted Shiverfest honors, including a place on 2020 apparel. IMCA/Pro Crate/limited late models, IMCA modifieds, stock cars, and sport compacts will be in action as well as sport mods under IMCA, UMP, or USRA rules.Hayrack rides kick things off at 3:00, while hot laps begin at 5:00.
Hopefully Mother Nature is kind, and both tracks are blessed with full grandstands and lots of race cars!
Even as we anticipate the weekend ahead, plans for the 2020 season are being made. Over the weekend, the Lucas Oil Late Model Series released their 2020 schedule. Dates of particular interest to those in my area are April 24 and July 17 at Tri City Speedway in Granite City, Il., and Thursday, May 14 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Ia. That date will be the opening of a three race weekend including a Friday stop at 300 Raceway in Farley, Iowa and Saturday at Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Mn.
Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. has also released their 2020 schedule, with eight race nights beginning on March 20 and 21.
And today we have the surprising announcement that the MARS racing series has been sold to former racer/promoter Tony Izzo Jr., who was the point man at the recently shuttered LaSalle, Il. Speedway. MARS had been owned by Chris Tilley, who is also involved with a late model tour which is based in the south. He operated MARS for the past two seasons, working to rebuild the brand after it suffered some negative P.R. concerning a couple of events in Iowa in 2016. His focus for the last two seasons has been in the Kentucky, Indiana, and St.Louis area, so it will be interesting to see what direction Izzo takes the series.
Whatever you decide to do this weekend, I hope it involves a trip to the race track. If you see me there, stop by and say " Hi."
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