Monmouth, IL (Thursday, September 29, 2016) - For the next couple of weeks the racing action in the Midwest area is full of special events, as the 2016 season slowly comes to a close. Drivers and fans looking for action in the area can take in action in Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio.
Tonight (Thursday, September 29th) the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Missouri will hold the "Dueces Wild" event, a special prelude to the Grant Junghans Memorial that will take place on Friday, September 30th. Two USRA Modified features, paying $1,500 to win each, takes place tonight, as well as the USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods racing for USRA National Points.
Then to finish out the weekend at the Lakeside Speedway will be the inaugural Grant Junghans Memorial on Friday, September 30th. This race was rained out back on August 19th, with over 120 Modifieds on hand, has a top prize of $10,002. Just to start the 30 car main event pays $1,102, with $152 guaranteed to all non qualifiers. Bonus money will also be paid out to in several mystery spots, heat race bonuses, lap money, hard charger, and longest tow award. Also in action will be the USRA Stock Cars and USRA B-Mods racing for $700 to win.
Also beginning tonight is the UMP DIRTcar Fall Nationals at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. A full program for the UMP Modifieds will take place tonight and Friday night, with four $1,000 to win features being held both nights. Then to top the weekend off the Modifieds will race for $5,000 to win. Also joining the card on Saturday will be the UMP Late Models, which will be racing for $5,000 to win. But the most important thing that will be determined after this weekend will be the UMP National Titles. Currently Bobby Pierce looks to have his third straight UMP Late Model National Title in hands, as he holds a 337 points lead over Rusty Schlenk and a 339 points lead over McKay Wenger. The closest points battle is in the UMP Modifieds, as Michael Long of Quincy, Illinois currently sits atop the national standings. Long's lead over Mike Harrison is only 3 points, with Trent Young 27 points back.
The Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa will put a close to their 2016 racing season on Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st, with the running of the "Rumble On The River". In action both days will be the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, and Sport Compacts. On Friday night the Modifieds will be racing for $1,000 to win, the Stock Cars for $300 to win, the SportMods for $500 to win, and the Sport Compacts for $125 to win. Then on Saturday night the Modifieds will be racing for $3,000 to win, the Stock Cars for $400 to win, the SportMods for $1,000 to win, and the Sport Compacts for $250 to win.
One final event set for this weekend is the "Memphis Bottom Heavy Fall Special" at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri. Action in the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts is set to kick off on Friday, September 29th. Then on Saturday, October 1st the Lee County Late Models will join the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.
Each night the Modifieds will be racing for $580 to win and second paying $600, with $125 guaranteed to start the feature. While the Stock Cars and SportMods are racing for $480 to win and second paying $500, with $100 guaranteed to start the feature. The Hobby Stocks are racing for $380 to win and second paying $400, with $100 guaranteed to start the feature. And the Sport Compacts are going for $280 to win and second paying $300, with $50 guaranteed to start the feature. But if more then 30 cars show up on any night in the Modifieds, Stock Cars and SportMods then they will be racing for $1,000 to win. The Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts will be gunning for $500 to win if 30 plus cars show up any night. A top prize of $2,000 will be offered in the Modifieds, Stock Cars and SportMods if 40 plus cars show up any night, while the Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts will be going for $1,000 to win if 40 plus cars show up on any night. Entry fees for each night will be $50 for the Modifieds, Stock Cars, and SportMods, with the Hobby Stocks entry fee each night being $40, and the Sport Compacts entry fee each night being $30. The Lee County Late Models will race Saturday for $500 to win, with no entry fee.
There are other events scheduled for this weekend at other tracks in the Midwest, and for a list of those events you can check the calendar on the Positively Racing's homepage or at the following link: http://www.positivelyracing.com/calendar.shtml. Remember that schedules are subject to change without notice. PositivelyRacing.com is not responsible for the accuracy of this schedule. So be sure to check the tracks website or call before planning on attending any of these events. But I do encourage you to please get out and support any of the season ending events as possible, as it will be a long winter ahead of us!
You can catch me down at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri this weekend. This place holds a special spot in my heart, as this was the first track I started working at. Which dates back to 2004 and continues today!!!
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
Quincy Raceways Crowns Track Champions
Quincy, IL (Sunday, September 25, 2016) - Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois would crown their 2016 track champions on Sunday during season championship night, which was scheduled to be the final race of the season. But Ken Dobson announced one final event was added on Sunday, October 9th, more on that coming up.
The first feature to take to the track was the 18 lap IMCA Stock Cars, with Rodolfo Zaragoza and Jerry Jansen leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Zaragoza took advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 over Jansen and Dean Kratzer. While Zaragoza started to pull away, the battle for the runner up spot was two and three wide between Kratzer, Michael Larsen, Abe Huls, and Brian Hoener, who started 7th. One thing that Zaragoza didn't want to see was a caution, as he had built up a full straight-away lead over the battle behind him. But Jake Powers would spin in turn 2 on lap 10 to bring out the yellow, and brought the field back to Zaragoza's back bumper. On the restart Zaragoza moved back out front, with Huls and Larsen close behind. Huls tried to get under Zaragoza going into turn 1 on lap 11, but clipped a tire and spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Once again Zaragoza jumped back out front on the restart, with Hoener and Larsen battling for the runner up spot. With Hoener and Larsen racing side-by-side for second, Zaragoza was able to pull away to pick up his first feature win. Larsen won the battle for 2nd, Hoener was 3rd, Kratzer was 4th, with Huls rounding out the top 5. Huls earned enough points last week to lock up his fourth IMCA Stock Car title at Quincy Raceways.
Rodolfo Zaragoa of Jacksonville, IL won his first ever IMCA Stock Car feature at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th.
Carthage, Illinois' Abe Huls secured his fourth IMCA Stock Car track title at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th.
Up next was the 25 lap UMP Late Model feature, with McKay Wenger and Eric Spangler, who made the pull down from Lake City, Michigan, on the front row. Wenger used his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Denny Woodworth and Spangler. The fast pace that Wenger was setting, brought him to the back of the field by lap 7. But disaster almost struck Wenger on lap 8 when he tried to work under Trent Grotz going into turn 1, and then made contact with Grotz. Who spun in turn 2 to bring out the first caution of the race. On the restart Wenger jumped back out front, with Mark Burgtorf going to the top of the track to over take Woodworth for the runner up spot. Burgtorf then worked the top of the track to slowly reel in Wenger, who was on the bottom, for the top spot. Coming to complete lap 23 Burgtorf was able to pull up beside for Wenger for the lead. But a caution appeared to set up a two lap shootout for the win. Once again Grotz would spin down the front stretch off the front bumper of Alan Westling, who was trying to lap him, to bring out the yellow. On the restart Burgtorf used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the lead away from Wenger on lap 24. Going into turn 1 Wenger went in low and then slid up in front of Burgtorf coming off turn 2. Who had to get on the brakes to avoid plowing into Wenger. Wenger then held on to claim the win. While in victory lane Wenger would propose to his girlfriend, who said yes. Burgtorf settled for 2nd, Alan Westling started 7th and finished 3rd, Spangler was 4th, with Clint Kirkham, who drove VanZandt's #21v Crate Late Model, coming home in 5th. Woodworth crossed the line in 6th to claim his third Late Model title at Quincy Raceways.
The UMP Late Model feature on Sunday, September 25th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL was won by McKay Wenger of Fairbury, IL.
Denny Woodworth of Mendon, IL won his third UMP Late Model track title at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th.
Brandon Herron and Darin Weisinger Jr. made up the front row for the 15 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Weisinger Jr. jumping out front on lap 1 over Brandon Lambert and Kimberly Abbott. Weisinger Jr. then held the top spot until lap 5, when Lambert was able to work under him coming off turn 4 to take the lead. Lambert then held off Abbott over the final laps to pick up his fourth win of the season at the track. Abbott was 2nd, Weisinger Jr. was 3rd, Darin Weisinger was 4th, with Herron finishing 5th. With only 5 cars on hand all Abbott had to do was take the green flag to secure her second straight IMCA Sport Compact title at the track.
The IMCA Sport Compact feature on Sunday, September 25th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL went to Brandon Lambert of Carthage, IL. It's was his fourth win of the season at the track.
Camp Point, Illinois' Kimberly Abbott secured her second consecutive IMCA Sport Compact track title at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th.
Up next was the 20 lap UMP Modified feature, with Dave Wietholder and Frankie Wellman on the front row. Wietholder would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Gary Bentley and Frankie Wellman. Wellman, who over took Bentley for the runner up spot before the midway point, couldn't catch Wietholder over the finals laps. As Wietholder had built up over a 3 second lead in a race that went non stop, to claim his second win of the season at the track. Wellman was 2nd, Shawn Deering came from sixth to finish 3rd, Bentley was 4th, with Joey Gower finishing 5th after starting in 11th. Going into Sunday nights action Wietholder held a 2 point lead over Michael Long in the season long battle for the title. When Long didn't show up, Wietholder would go on to claim his first ever Modified track title since joining the class back in 2003.
Liberty, Illinois' Dave Wietholder not only won his second UMP Modified feature of the season at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th. But he also won his first ever Modified track title to go with it.
Probably the closest points battle that was going to be settled at the finish of the feature, was the IMCA SportMods. Nathan Bringer held a 5 point lead over Brandon Lennox, and was 9 points ahead of defending track champion Joey Gower. Justin Bartz and Todd Reed led the field to green in the 18 lap feature, with Bartz jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Justin Ebbing and Reed. Just after the completion of lap 1 the caution light would appear, as Spencer Coats spun in 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Bartz edged out Ebbing to keep the lead. But Ebbing was able to get under Bartz coming off turn 4 to complete lap 3 to take the top spot away. Ebbing then started to pull away, as Austen Becerra, Reed, Lennox, and Tony Dunker, who started 9th, battled two and three wide for the runner up spot. The field was brought back to Ebbing's back bumper on lap 12, when Justin Todd spun in turn 4 to bring out the second caution of the race.
Ebbing jumped back out front on the restart, with Becerra and Dunker racing side-by-side for the second spot. The action up front was slowed for the third and final time on lap 16, as Craig Bangert spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. This would set up a two lap shoot out for the win and the track title. Once again Ebbing moved out front on the restart, with Dunker using the top of the track to clear Becerra for the second spot. Coming to the white flag Dunker was able to pull up beside Ebbing in the battle for the lead. Going into turn 3 Ebbing went low, while Dunker used the middle of the track. Coming off turn 4 Dunker was able to edge out the win by half a car length to pick up his second win in a row at the track. Ebbing settled for 2nd, Reed was 3rd, Becerra was 4th, and Lennox came home in 5th. Bringer, who finished 9th, won his first ever track title by a mere 1 point over Lennox.
Tony Dunker of Quincy, IL won his second consecutive IMCA SportMod feature on Sunday, September 25th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL.
Farmington, Missouri's Nathan Bringer won his first ever IMCA SportMod track title at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, September 25th.
Notes from Quincy: Dugan Thye put UMP Hoosier tires on his IMCA crate Modified and raced in the UMP Modified class. He started 8th in the feature and finished 6th....Wesley Mayfield converted his IMCA SportMod car over to a UMP Modified for the night and finished 7th in the feature......Joey Gower started the SportMod feature in 11th and passed 5 cars to come home in 6th....Jacob Copley, who is second in IMCA Illinois State National Points, made the pull down from East Moline for the second week in a row. He started the feature in 16th and passed 6 cars to finish in 10th....Andrew Burk, who is leading the IMCA Illinois State National Points, also made the pull down from Donahue, Iowa to try and hold onto the lead in points. He would finish 11th in the feature.
Just before what was scheduled to be the final night of racing for 2016 at the Quincy Raceways, Ken Dobson announced a two day race between Jacksonville Speedway and Quincy. On Saturday, October 8th the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL will hold the Danny Bangert Memorial. In action on the night will be the Big Ten Late Model Series, going for $1,200 to win. Also in action will be the Modifieds racing for $750 to win, the SportMods/B-Mods going for $500 to win, as well as the Street Stocks/Stock Cars racing for $500. A $100 bonus will be paid out to the highest finishing IMCA legal Stock Car, with Hoosier A40/A40S tires legal on all SportMods/B-Mods and Street Stock/Stock Cars. Plus the 4 Cylinders will be racing for $200 to win.
The following night, Sunday, September 9th, the action moves over to the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL. Where the 305 Sprint Cars will be racing for $500 to win. Also racing will be the Modifieds for $750 to win, SportMods/B-Mods going for $500 to win. Any SportMod/B-Mod using Hoosier A40/A40S tires and/or having a 4 bar must add 50 lbs. The Stock Cars/Street Stock will be going for a top prize of $500, with the 4 Cylinders racing for $200 to win.
A two night bonus money has also been put up, as the best combined finish both nights in the Modifieds gets a $250 bonus. The best combined finish both nights in the 3 link SportMod/B-Mod will earn a $250 bonus. Another $250 bonus will be awarded to the best combined finish on both nights to the Stock Cars, with a $100 bonus awarded to the best combined finish for the 4 Cylinders. There will be no entry fee on either night. For more information about these two events, please check out the tracks websites at www.jacksonvillespeedway.com and www.quincyraceways.com.
The first feature to take to the track was the 18 lap IMCA Stock Cars, with Rodolfo Zaragoza and Jerry Jansen leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Zaragoza took advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 over Jansen and Dean Kratzer. While Zaragoza started to pull away, the battle for the runner up spot was two and three wide between Kratzer, Michael Larsen, Abe Huls, and Brian Hoener, who started 7th. One thing that Zaragoza didn't want to see was a caution, as he had built up a full straight-away lead over the battle behind him. But Jake Powers would spin in turn 2 on lap 10 to bring out the yellow, and brought the field back to Zaragoza's back bumper. On the restart Zaragoza moved back out front, with Huls and Larsen close behind. Huls tried to get under Zaragoza going into turn 1 on lap 11, but clipped a tire and spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Once again Zaragoza jumped back out front on the restart, with Hoener and Larsen battling for the runner up spot. With Hoener and Larsen racing side-by-side for second, Zaragoza was able to pull away to pick up his first feature win. Larsen won the battle for 2nd, Hoener was 3rd, Kratzer was 4th, with Huls rounding out the top 5. Huls earned enough points last week to lock up his fourth IMCA Stock Car title at Quincy Raceways.
Up next was the 25 lap UMP Late Model feature, with McKay Wenger and Eric Spangler, who made the pull down from Lake City, Michigan, on the front row. Wenger used his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Denny Woodworth and Spangler. The fast pace that Wenger was setting, brought him to the back of the field by lap 7. But disaster almost struck Wenger on lap 8 when he tried to work under Trent Grotz going into turn 1, and then made contact with Grotz. Who spun in turn 2 to bring out the first caution of the race. On the restart Wenger jumped back out front, with Mark Burgtorf going to the top of the track to over take Woodworth for the runner up spot. Burgtorf then worked the top of the track to slowly reel in Wenger, who was on the bottom, for the top spot. Coming to complete lap 23 Burgtorf was able to pull up beside for Wenger for the lead. But a caution appeared to set up a two lap shootout for the win. Once again Grotz would spin down the front stretch off the front bumper of Alan Westling, who was trying to lap him, to bring out the yellow. On the restart Burgtorf used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the lead away from Wenger on lap 24. Going into turn 1 Wenger went in low and then slid up in front of Burgtorf coming off turn 2. Who had to get on the brakes to avoid plowing into Wenger. Wenger then held on to claim the win. While in victory lane Wenger would propose to his girlfriend, who said yes. Burgtorf settled for 2nd, Alan Westling started 7th and finished 3rd, Spangler was 4th, with Clint Kirkham, who drove VanZandt's #21v Crate Late Model, coming home in 5th. Woodworth crossed the line in 6th to claim his third Late Model title at Quincy Raceways.
Brandon Herron and Darin Weisinger Jr. made up the front row for the 15 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Weisinger Jr. jumping out front on lap 1 over Brandon Lambert and Kimberly Abbott. Weisinger Jr. then held the top spot until lap 5, when Lambert was able to work under him coming off turn 4 to take the lead. Lambert then held off Abbott over the final laps to pick up his fourth win of the season at the track. Abbott was 2nd, Weisinger Jr. was 3rd, Darin Weisinger was 4th, with Herron finishing 5th. With only 5 cars on hand all Abbott had to do was take the green flag to secure her second straight IMCA Sport Compact title at the track.
Up next was the 20 lap UMP Modified feature, with Dave Wietholder and Frankie Wellman on the front row. Wietholder would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Gary Bentley and Frankie Wellman. Wellman, who over took Bentley for the runner up spot before the midway point, couldn't catch Wietholder over the finals laps. As Wietholder had built up over a 3 second lead in a race that went non stop, to claim his second win of the season at the track. Wellman was 2nd, Shawn Deering came from sixth to finish 3rd, Bentley was 4th, with Joey Gower finishing 5th after starting in 11th. Going into Sunday nights action Wietholder held a 2 point lead over Michael Long in the season long battle for the title. When Long didn't show up, Wietholder would go on to claim his first ever Modified track title since joining the class back in 2003.
Probably the closest points battle that was going to be settled at the finish of the feature, was the IMCA SportMods. Nathan Bringer held a 5 point lead over Brandon Lennox, and was 9 points ahead of defending track champion Joey Gower. Justin Bartz and Todd Reed led the field to green in the 18 lap feature, with Bartz jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Justin Ebbing and Reed. Just after the completion of lap 1 the caution light would appear, as Spencer Coats spun in 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Bartz edged out Ebbing to keep the lead. But Ebbing was able to get under Bartz coming off turn 4 to complete lap 3 to take the top spot away. Ebbing then started to pull away, as Austen Becerra, Reed, Lennox, and Tony Dunker, who started 9th, battled two and three wide for the runner up spot. The field was brought back to Ebbing's back bumper on lap 12, when Justin Todd spun in turn 4 to bring out the second caution of the race.
Ebbing jumped back out front on the restart, with Becerra and Dunker racing side-by-side for the second spot. The action up front was slowed for the third and final time on lap 16, as Craig Bangert spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. This would set up a two lap shoot out for the win and the track title. Once again Ebbing moved out front on the restart, with Dunker using the top of the track to clear Becerra for the second spot. Coming to the white flag Dunker was able to pull up beside Ebbing in the battle for the lead. Going into turn 3 Ebbing went low, while Dunker used the middle of the track. Coming off turn 4 Dunker was able to edge out the win by half a car length to pick up his second win in a row at the track. Ebbing settled for 2nd, Reed was 3rd, Becerra was 4th, and Lennox came home in 5th. Bringer, who finished 9th, won his first ever track title by a mere 1 point over Lennox.
Notes from Quincy: Dugan Thye put UMP Hoosier tires on his IMCA crate Modified and raced in the UMP Modified class. He started 8th in the feature and finished 6th....Wesley Mayfield converted his IMCA SportMod car over to a UMP Modified for the night and finished 7th in the feature......Joey Gower started the SportMod feature in 11th and passed 5 cars to come home in 6th....Jacob Copley, who is second in IMCA Illinois State National Points, made the pull down from East Moline for the second week in a row. He started the feature in 16th and passed 6 cars to finish in 10th....Andrew Burk, who is leading the IMCA Illinois State National Points, also made the pull down from Donahue, Iowa to try and hold onto the lead in points. He would finish 11th in the feature.
Just before what was scheduled to be the final night of racing for 2016 at the Quincy Raceways, Ken Dobson announced a two day race between Jacksonville Speedway and Quincy. On Saturday, October 8th the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL will hold the Danny Bangert Memorial. In action on the night will be the Big Ten Late Model Series, going for $1,200 to win. Also in action will be the Modifieds racing for $750 to win, the SportMods/B-Mods going for $500 to win, as well as the Street Stocks/Stock Cars racing for $500. A $100 bonus will be paid out to the highest finishing IMCA legal Stock Car, with Hoosier A40/A40S tires legal on all SportMods/B-Mods and Street Stock/Stock Cars. Plus the 4 Cylinders will be racing for $200 to win.
The following night, Sunday, September 9th, the action moves over to the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL. Where the 305 Sprint Cars will be racing for $500 to win. Also racing will be the Modifieds for $750 to win, SportMods/B-Mods going for $500 to win. Any SportMod/B-Mod using Hoosier A40/A40S tires and/or having a 4 bar must add 50 lbs. The Stock Cars/Street Stock will be going for a top prize of $500, with the 4 Cylinders racing for $200 to win.
A two night bonus money has also been put up, as the best combined finish both nights in the Modifieds gets a $250 bonus. The best combined finish both nights in the 3 link SportMod/B-Mod will earn a $250 bonus. Another $250 bonus will be awarded to the best combined finish on both nights to the Stock Cars, with a $100 bonus awarded to the best combined finish for the 4 Cylinders. There will be no entry fee on either night. For more information about these two events, please check out the tracks websites at www.jacksonvillespeedway.com and www.quincyraceways.com.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Hanford Wins A Close Barn Burner; While Hughes Doubles Up at Eldon
Eldon, IA (Friday, September 23, 2016) - According to the calendar Thursday started the first day of fall. But it sure didn't feel like it Friday night at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, Iowa, as temperatures stayed in the mid 70's all evening long for the final race of the season at the "Super Fast Half Mile".
The first feature to take to the track was the 16 lap Stock Cars, with Mike Hughes and Dan Gordon drawing the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as John Hemsted spun in turn two and collected Travis Bunnell, Phil McClure, Riley Newton, and Kevin Koontz to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hughes jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Greg Gill, who started 5th, and Donavon Nunnikhoven. The action up front was slowed for the second time on lap 2, when Brad Egbert spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. Hughes again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Gill and Gordon close behind. Just as Hughes started to pull away from the battle behind him, the third caution of the race appeared on lap 7. This time Darin DeZwarte would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow.
Once again Hughes moved back out front on the restart, as Nunnikhoven and Gordon over took Gill for the second and third spots. Hughes then started to pull away from the field, leaving Nunnikhoven, Gordon, Gill and Bunnell, who recovered from the crash on the start, to battle two and three wide for the runner up spot. But disaster would strike Nunnikhoven and Bunnell on lap 14, when Nunnikhoven spun in turn 2 and collected Bunnell to bring out the caution. On the restart Hughes moved back out front, but Gill would look under him going into turn 1 for the lead. Only to have Hughes use the momentum off the topside of turn 2 to keep the top spot. Hughes then held on over the final lap to pick up the win. Gill was 2nd, Gordon was 3rd, Tyler Pickett, who made the pull down from Boxholm, started 8th and finished 4th, with Egbert, who started 11th, recovering from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 5th.
The Stock Car feature at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA went to Mike Hughes of Oskaloosa, IA on Friday, September 23rd.
Up next was the 12 lap Sport Compacts feature, with Larry Hopkins and Kyle Boyd leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was third place starter Barry Taft who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Hopkins and Trent Orwig. The lead that Taft had built up was erased on lap 6, when debris in turn 4 brought out the first yellow of the race. On the restart Taft jumped back out front, with Darin Smith, who started 8th, over taking Orwig for the runner up spot. Smith would try to stay in Taft's tire tracks, when the second and final caution of the race slowed the action on lap 10. Kirk Hopkins would spin in turn 2 from contact from Boyd, to bring out the yellow. Taft again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Smith and Orwig close behind. Taft then held on over the final lap to claim the win. Smith was 2nd, Orwig was 3rd, Brandon Housley, who drove Matt Moore's #2M, passed 7 cars from his 11th place starting spot to finish 4th, with Chuck Fullenkamp rounding out the top 5.
Argyle, Iowa's Barry Taft picked up the win in the Sport Compact feature on Friday, September 23rd at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA.
Casey Lancaster and Andrew Burk drew the front row for the 15 lap SportMod feature. But disaster would strike them on the drop of the green flag, when Lancaster spun in turn 2 and tagged Brandon Dale. Dale then nosed it into the wall and was t-boned by Burk to bring out the caution. Both Lancaster and Burk were able to restart, as Dale was towed to the pits. But with Lancaster and Burk having to go to the rear, this would move Scott Brau and Carter VanDenBerg to the front row for the restart. VanDenBerg would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Curtis Van Der Wal, who started 8th, and Colton Livezey, who started 6th. Van Der Wal, who used the bottom of the track, slipped under VanDenBerg, who was up top, coming off turn 2 to take the top spot away on lap 2. Without another caution to slow the action the only thing to slow down Van Der Wal was lapped traffic, as he entered into that on lap 8. Despite having a broke left front upper a arm there was no catching Van Der Wal, who cruised to an easy win. VanDenBerg settled for 2nd, Livezey was 3rd, Jason McDaniel started 9th and finished 4th, with Brayton Carter coming from 10th to come home in 5th.
The SportMod feature on Friday, September 23rd at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA went to Oskaloosa Iowa's Curtis Van Der Wal.
Up next was the 14 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Christian Huffman and Aaron Martin drawing the front row for the event. But just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Huffman spun in turn 2 and collected Kelsie Spilman to bring out the yellow. For the restart Danny Thrasher would move to the pole, and he would take advantage of that by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Martin and Scott Shull, who started 11th. The second and final caution of the race appeared after the completion of lap 1, as PJ Veenstra spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Under caution Shull was docked 4 spots for jumping the start, which moved him back to 7th for the restart. On the restart Mike Hughes, who started 6th, used the momentum off the top of turn 2 to take the top spot away from Thrasher and Nick Ulin. While Hughes started to pull away, the battle for second heated up between Thrasher, Ulin, and Martin. Without a late race caution there was no catching Hughes, who went on to claim his second win of the night. Ulin won the battle for 2nd, Martin was 3rd, Thrasher was 4th, with Shull rounding out the top 5.
Mike Hughes picked up his second win of the night by winning the Hobby Stock feature on Friday, September 23rd at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA.
The final feature to take to the track was the 16 lap Modifieds, with Bruce Hanford and Dugan Thye leading the field to the green. Hanford took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Colt Mather and Kyle Brown. Just as Hanford started to put some distance between himself and the second place battle, the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 5. Brandon Banks got into the wall in turn 4 and slowed with rear end suspension damage to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hanford moved back out front, with Mather and Nick Roberts, who started 10th, close behind. Roberts, who was working the bottom of the track, slipped under Mather going into turn 1 on lap 6 to grab the runner up spot away and then went to work on Hanford for the top spot.
Hanford was using the top of the track, while Roberts stayed glued to the bottom. Roberts was able to get up beside Hanford going into the corners over laps 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Only to have Hanford use the momentum off the top to keep the lead each lap. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 12 Roberts was able to edge Hanford out at the line by half a car length to grab the lead. But Hanford again used the momentum off the top coming out of turn 4 to complete lap 13 to take the top spot back. Roberts then decided to jump to the top of the track to follow Hanford over the next couple laps, as the two approached the lapped car of Terry Doud coming to the white flag. Going into turn 3 Hanford chose to go to the bottom to try and clear the lapped car, while Roberts went to the top. But coming off turn 4 Hanford slid to the top and forced Roberts to do a cross under, as the two came off turn 4 side-by-side. They would drag race down the front stretch to the checkered flag, with both crossing the line even. The crowd all awaited the official word from the scoring tower to see who was declared the winner. After the two scorers, and a third party person, converged and with all three having the same thing it was announced that Hanford had pick up the win by inches. Roberts finished a close 2nd, Mather was 3rd, Kyle Brown was 4th, with Thye coming home in 5th.
Bruce Hanford of Davenport, IA narrowly scored the win in the Modified feature at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA on Friday, September 23rd.
Nick Roberts (23JR) from Des Moines, IA battled with Hanford (61) over the last half of the Modified feature to miss picking up the win by a bumper at the finish on Friday, September 23rd at the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA.
Notes from Eldon: 23 SportMods, 18 Modifieds, 16 Sport Compacts, 14 Hobby Stocks, and 13 Stock Cars made up the 84 cars signed in on the night......Riley Newton, who started 10th in the Stock Car feature, recovered from the crash on the start to come back up to finish 6th....Darin DeZwarte finished 7th after spinning on lap 7 to bring out a caution....Kevin Koontz started 13th and finished 8th......Bill Whalen Jr. passed 7 cars from his 15th place starting spot in the Sport Compact feature to finish 8th....Kirk Hopkins recovered from his spin on lap 10 to come back up to finish 9th....Nicholas Van Hemert started 16th and finished 12th......Jake McBirnie made the pull down from Boone and started the SportMod feature in 11th. He would pass 5 cars to finish in 6th....Erik Laudenschlager was the longest from home, as he traveled from Minot, North Dakota. He would finish 7th after starting in 13th....Austen Becerra started 12th and finished 8th....Tony Johnson came from 17th to finish in 9th....Charlie Weber, who went to the pits to change a tire during the crash on the start, came back from the rear to finish 10th....Casey Lancaster also recovered from the crash on the start to come back up to finish 12th....Dakota Simmons finished 13th after starting in 20th....Andrew Burk also recovered from the crash on the start to come home in 15th....Aaron Bridgeman started 22nd and finished 17th....Jim Alexander had troubles in his heat race that forced him to scratch from the feature......Jared Stephens came from 13th in the Hobby Stock feature to come home in 8th....Sierra Wilsey had troubles in the heat race that forced her to scratch from the feature......Scott Dickey started the Modified feature in 11th and finished 7th....Jason Hall passed 8 cars from his 18th place starting spot to come home in 10th....Kelly Buckallew finished 11th after starting in 14th....Justin Medler made the long pull down from Minot, North Dakota to compete in the Modifieds. He had troubles late in the feature that forced him to pull off with a 15th place finish....Chadwick Giberson had troubles in the heat that forced him to scratch from the feature.
I would like to thank all the Eldon Raceway crew for making me feel welcomed on their final night of racing during the 2016 season. The track crew worked hard to give the racers a great track that produced two and three wide racing for the fans to enjoy!!!
The first feature to take to the track was the 16 lap Stock Cars, with Mike Hughes and Dan Gordon drawing the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as John Hemsted spun in turn two and collected Travis Bunnell, Phil McClure, Riley Newton, and Kevin Koontz to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hughes jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Greg Gill, who started 5th, and Donavon Nunnikhoven. The action up front was slowed for the second time on lap 2, when Brad Egbert spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. Hughes again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Gill and Gordon close behind. Just as Hughes started to pull away from the battle behind him, the third caution of the race appeared on lap 7. This time Darin DeZwarte would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow.
Once again Hughes moved back out front on the restart, as Nunnikhoven and Gordon over took Gill for the second and third spots. Hughes then started to pull away from the field, leaving Nunnikhoven, Gordon, Gill and Bunnell, who recovered from the crash on the start, to battle two and three wide for the runner up spot. But disaster would strike Nunnikhoven and Bunnell on lap 14, when Nunnikhoven spun in turn 2 and collected Bunnell to bring out the caution. On the restart Hughes moved back out front, but Gill would look under him going into turn 1 for the lead. Only to have Hughes use the momentum off the topside of turn 2 to keep the top spot. Hughes then held on over the final lap to pick up the win. Gill was 2nd, Gordon was 3rd, Tyler Pickett, who made the pull down from Boxholm, started 8th and finished 4th, with Egbert, who started 11th, recovering from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 5th.
Up next was the 12 lap Sport Compacts feature, with Larry Hopkins and Kyle Boyd leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was third place starter Barry Taft who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Hopkins and Trent Orwig. The lead that Taft had built up was erased on lap 6, when debris in turn 4 brought out the first yellow of the race. On the restart Taft jumped back out front, with Darin Smith, who started 8th, over taking Orwig for the runner up spot. Smith would try to stay in Taft's tire tracks, when the second and final caution of the race slowed the action on lap 10. Kirk Hopkins would spin in turn 2 from contact from Boyd, to bring out the yellow. Taft again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Smith and Orwig close behind. Taft then held on over the final lap to claim the win. Smith was 2nd, Orwig was 3rd, Brandon Housley, who drove Matt Moore's #2M, passed 7 cars from his 11th place starting spot to finish 4th, with Chuck Fullenkamp rounding out the top 5.
Casey Lancaster and Andrew Burk drew the front row for the 15 lap SportMod feature. But disaster would strike them on the drop of the green flag, when Lancaster spun in turn 2 and tagged Brandon Dale. Dale then nosed it into the wall and was t-boned by Burk to bring out the caution. Both Lancaster and Burk were able to restart, as Dale was towed to the pits. But with Lancaster and Burk having to go to the rear, this would move Scott Brau and Carter VanDenBerg to the front row for the restart. VanDenBerg would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Curtis Van Der Wal, who started 8th, and Colton Livezey, who started 6th. Van Der Wal, who used the bottom of the track, slipped under VanDenBerg, who was up top, coming off turn 2 to take the top spot away on lap 2. Without another caution to slow the action the only thing to slow down Van Der Wal was lapped traffic, as he entered into that on lap 8. Despite having a broke left front upper a arm there was no catching Van Der Wal, who cruised to an easy win. VanDenBerg settled for 2nd, Livezey was 3rd, Jason McDaniel started 9th and finished 4th, with Brayton Carter coming from 10th to come home in 5th.
Up next was the 14 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Christian Huffman and Aaron Martin drawing the front row for the event. But just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Huffman spun in turn 2 and collected Kelsie Spilman to bring out the yellow. For the restart Danny Thrasher would move to the pole, and he would take advantage of that by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Martin and Scott Shull, who started 11th. The second and final caution of the race appeared after the completion of lap 1, as PJ Veenstra spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Under caution Shull was docked 4 spots for jumping the start, which moved him back to 7th for the restart. On the restart Mike Hughes, who started 6th, used the momentum off the top of turn 2 to take the top spot away from Thrasher and Nick Ulin. While Hughes started to pull away, the battle for second heated up between Thrasher, Ulin, and Martin. Without a late race caution there was no catching Hughes, who went on to claim his second win of the night. Ulin won the battle for 2nd, Martin was 3rd, Thrasher was 4th, with Shull rounding out the top 5.
The final feature to take to the track was the 16 lap Modifieds, with Bruce Hanford and Dugan Thye leading the field to the green. Hanford took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Colt Mather and Kyle Brown. Just as Hanford started to put some distance between himself and the second place battle, the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 5. Brandon Banks got into the wall in turn 4 and slowed with rear end suspension damage to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hanford moved back out front, with Mather and Nick Roberts, who started 10th, close behind. Roberts, who was working the bottom of the track, slipped under Mather going into turn 1 on lap 6 to grab the runner up spot away and then went to work on Hanford for the top spot.
Hanford was using the top of the track, while Roberts stayed glued to the bottom. Roberts was able to get up beside Hanford going into the corners over laps 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Only to have Hanford use the momentum off the top to keep the lead each lap. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 12 Roberts was able to edge Hanford out at the line by half a car length to grab the lead. But Hanford again used the momentum off the top coming out of turn 4 to complete lap 13 to take the top spot back. Roberts then decided to jump to the top of the track to follow Hanford over the next couple laps, as the two approached the lapped car of Terry Doud coming to the white flag. Going into turn 3 Hanford chose to go to the bottom to try and clear the lapped car, while Roberts went to the top. But coming off turn 4 Hanford slid to the top and forced Roberts to do a cross under, as the two came off turn 4 side-by-side. They would drag race down the front stretch to the checkered flag, with both crossing the line even. The crowd all awaited the official word from the scoring tower to see who was declared the winner. After the two scorers, and a third party person, converged and with all three having the same thing it was announced that Hanford had pick up the win by inches. Roberts finished a close 2nd, Mather was 3rd, Kyle Brown was 4th, with Thye coming home in 5th.
Notes from Eldon: 23 SportMods, 18 Modifieds, 16 Sport Compacts, 14 Hobby Stocks, and 13 Stock Cars made up the 84 cars signed in on the night......Riley Newton, who started 10th in the Stock Car feature, recovered from the crash on the start to come back up to finish 6th....Darin DeZwarte finished 7th after spinning on lap 7 to bring out a caution....Kevin Koontz started 13th and finished 8th......Bill Whalen Jr. passed 7 cars from his 15th place starting spot in the Sport Compact feature to finish 8th....Kirk Hopkins recovered from his spin on lap 10 to come back up to finish 9th....Nicholas Van Hemert started 16th and finished 12th......Jake McBirnie made the pull down from Boone and started the SportMod feature in 11th. He would pass 5 cars to finish in 6th....Erik Laudenschlager was the longest from home, as he traveled from Minot, North Dakota. He would finish 7th after starting in 13th....Austen Becerra started 12th and finished 8th....Tony Johnson came from 17th to finish in 9th....Charlie Weber, who went to the pits to change a tire during the crash on the start, came back from the rear to finish 10th....Casey Lancaster also recovered from the crash on the start to come back up to finish 12th....Dakota Simmons finished 13th after starting in 20th....Andrew Burk also recovered from the crash on the start to come home in 15th....Aaron Bridgeman started 22nd and finished 17th....Jim Alexander had troubles in his heat race that forced him to scratch from the feature......Jared Stephens came from 13th in the Hobby Stock feature to come home in 8th....Sierra Wilsey had troubles in the heat race that forced her to scratch from the feature......Scott Dickey started the Modified feature in 11th and finished 7th....Jason Hall passed 8 cars from his 18th place starting spot to come home in 10th....Kelly Buckallew finished 11th after starting in 14th....Justin Medler made the long pull down from Minot, North Dakota to compete in the Modifieds. He had troubles late in the feature that forced him to pull off with a 15th place finish....Chadwick Giberson had troubles in the heat that forced him to scratch from the feature.
I would like to thank all the Eldon Raceway crew for making me feel welcomed on their final night of racing during the 2016 season. The track crew worked hard to give the racers a great track that produced two and three wide racing for the fans to enjoy!!!
Friday, September 23, 2016
Friday Notes; And a Look Ahead to the Season Ending Specials
Monmouth, IL (Friday, September 23, 2016) - It's hard to believe that the 2016 racing season is about to come to a close. Most all the racks in the Midwest have already crowned their 2016 track champions, but that doesn't mean the season has come to a close. As the end of September and all of October is filled with many fall specials, more on those coming up.
My September kicked off on Sunday the 4th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL, as I worked for the track and the Sprint Invaders on the night. Chris Martin, who started 9th, worked his way to the front to grab the win in the 25 lap non-stop Sprint Invaders feature. Also picking up wins were Dave Wietholder in the UMP Modifieds, Abe Huls in the IMCA Stock Cars, Brandon Lennox in the IMCA SportMods, and Austen Becerra in the IMCA Sport Compacts. Quincy Raceways will close out their 2016 season this Sunday, September 25th, as they crown their 2016 champions.
Following Quincy I made the trip to the Boone Speedway in Boone, IA to spend a week (September 5th - 10th) enjoying the IMCA Super Nationals. A record 906 cars completed the entire week, which included 33 Southern SportMods, 84 Sport Compacts, 181 Northern SportMods, 124 Hobby Stocks, 33 Late Models, 191 Stock Cars, and 260 Modifieds. Eighteen year old high school senior Jeffrey Abbey from Comanche, Texas became the first ever Southern SportMod feature winner on Monday, as they made there debut at this years Super Nationals. On Tuesday, one of Southeast Iowa's local drivers Josh Barnes from Keokuk, IA scored his first ever win at the Super Nationals. By wining in a caution free 25 lap Sport Compact feature. Kimberly Abbott from Quincy, IL crossed the line in third.
Mother nature would play havoc the remainder of the week, as Wednesday's program was rained out after the SportMods and Hobby Stocks finished there last qualifying features. This meant that Thursday would be a double program, with the action kicking off at 9:30 AM and going until 6 AM Friday morning. During Thursday nights program Jeff Aikey scored his fourth consecutive and sixth overall Super Nationals win in the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. More rains moved in on Friday during the mid afternoon, which forced them to just run the Stock Car portion in the early morning hours of Saturday. The Modified portion would be run on Saturday morning, and setting up for the finals on Saturday night. Finishing off the IMCA Super Nationals with wins on Saturday night were Ricky Thornton Jr. in the Modifieds, Elijah Zevenbergen in the Stock Cars, Doug Smith in the SportMods, and Andrew Burg in the Hobby Stocks.
This past weekend was a change up for me going from watching the dirt to watching some asphalt racing, as our group went to the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL for the NASCAR weekend. Chase Briscoe dominated the ARCA race on Thursday. Kyle Busch topped Friday nights Camping World Truck Series, in what I thought was the best Truck race we have seen since going to Chicago. Maybe it was perhaps this was the final race for the drivers to qualify for the chase grid. Then on Saturday Eric Jones came away with the win in the Xfinity Series. Martin Truex Jr. over came tire troubles to come back to win the Sprint Cup race on Sunday to kick off the chase.
Last night (Thursday, September 22nd) kicked off two big weekends of racing for the Modifieds. The first being at the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL, where the 12th Annual Mod Mania began. Last nights winner took home $3,000, with Friday nights winner claiming $4,000, and Saturday being topped off with a $5,000 top prize. Also joining the card is the UMP Late Models with last nights winner taking home $2,000, with Friday nights winner claiming $2,500, and Saturday being topped off with a $3,000 top prize. Two young guns, both leading the UMP National Points, ended up in victory lane last night, as Micheal Long was the best of the 74 cars signed in for the Modifieds. While Bobby Pierce topped the field of 45 UMP Late Models.
The other big Modified event that kicked off last night was the 18th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN. Thursday nights race would put an end to the 2016 United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS), as 79 cars signed in for night one. Going into the night Jason Hughes held a 10 point advantage over Cade Dillard in the chase to claim the $25,000 check. Hughes got the best start of the two drivers by starting the 42 lap feature on the outside of the front row, while Dillard had to start 12th. While Hughes and R.C. Whitwell swapped the lead a few times in the first 10 laps, Dillard was working his way towards the front. Following a caution on lap 10 Dillard would pass Chris Brown and Josh Angst to pull into the third spot. Then three laps later he would pull even with Hughes to grab the runner up spot. Dillard then chased down Whitwell to take the top spot on lap 22. If the finish stayed the same for the remaining 20 laps Dillard would have secured his first USMTS title. But a late race caution on lap 36 changed the outcome, as Dillard would go on to score the win and the $5,000 top prize to go with it. Hughes would move into the runner up spot to claim the title by a mere 3 points over Dillard. For Hughes it was his second USMTS title in a row and third overall in his career. Friday nights action will feature the USRA Modifieds going for another $5,000 to win, with Saturday nights finale worth $10,000 to win. Also joining the Modifieds were the USRA B-Mods, with Trevor Fecht of Allison, IA topping the 67 other B-Mods to win the $600 top prize last night. Friday they will race for $750 to win, with Saturday's winner taking home $1,000.
A few other tracks racing in the area this weekend include the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA, the home of the super 1/2 mile. The Modifieds, which I believe haven't raced at Eldon for a few years, will be racing for $500 to win, the Stock Cars are going for $400 to win, the SportMods for $350 to win, the Hobby Stocks are $300 to win, and the Sport Compacts are $250 to win. All classes will be following IMCA rules, with no entry fee. Hot laps are set for 7 PM tonight...The West Liberty Raceway in West Liberty, IA is set for the season finale for the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models. Going into the final night Tyler Bruening leads Jeff Aikey by 1 point in the chase for the title. Also racing on Friday and Saturday will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Sport Compacts...Finishing off the weekend of racing will be the Bloomfield Speedway in Bloomfield, IA. Action will be held in the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts on Saturday night.
Other events coming up that I will highlight as they get closer include the following:
Bottom Heavy Nationals - September 30th & October 1st at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO
Rumble on the River - September 30th & October 1st at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds in Dubuque, IA
Darkside Fall Bash - October 6th - 8th at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, IA
MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge - October 7th & 8th at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA
Fall Extravaganza - October 14th & 15th at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA
MOWA Sprint Finale - October 14th & 15th at the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL
Memphis Fall Nationals - October 21st & 22nd at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO
Shiverfest - October 29th at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA
As you can see there is still plenty of races to catch before the winter months hit us. So please get out and support as many of these events that you can to help keep this sport strong for years to come. My plan is to head over to the Eldon Raceway tonight to take in the action, with Saturday still up in the air. Hope to see you at Eldon tonight!!!
As of right now the "Liberty 100" at the West Liberty Raceway in West Liberty, IA is still on as scheduled for tonight. But for any reason they can't race tonight, then tonight's program will be ran at 1 PM tomorrow. So make sure you check their website, Facebook page, or call before you head over there tonight!
My September kicked off on Sunday the 4th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL, as I worked for the track and the Sprint Invaders on the night. Chris Martin, who started 9th, worked his way to the front to grab the win in the 25 lap non-stop Sprint Invaders feature. Also picking up wins were Dave Wietholder in the UMP Modifieds, Abe Huls in the IMCA Stock Cars, Brandon Lennox in the IMCA SportMods, and Austen Becerra in the IMCA Sport Compacts. Quincy Raceways will close out their 2016 season this Sunday, September 25th, as they crown their 2016 champions.
Following Quincy I made the trip to the Boone Speedway in Boone, IA to spend a week (September 5th - 10th) enjoying the IMCA Super Nationals. A record 906 cars completed the entire week, which included 33 Southern SportMods, 84 Sport Compacts, 181 Northern SportMods, 124 Hobby Stocks, 33 Late Models, 191 Stock Cars, and 260 Modifieds. Eighteen year old high school senior Jeffrey Abbey from Comanche, Texas became the first ever Southern SportMod feature winner on Monday, as they made there debut at this years Super Nationals. On Tuesday, one of Southeast Iowa's local drivers Josh Barnes from Keokuk, IA scored his first ever win at the Super Nationals. By wining in a caution free 25 lap Sport Compact feature. Kimberly Abbott from Quincy, IL crossed the line in third.
Mother nature would play havoc the remainder of the week, as Wednesday's program was rained out after the SportMods and Hobby Stocks finished there last qualifying features. This meant that Thursday would be a double program, with the action kicking off at 9:30 AM and going until 6 AM Friday morning. During Thursday nights program Jeff Aikey scored his fourth consecutive and sixth overall Super Nationals win in the Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models. More rains moved in on Friday during the mid afternoon, which forced them to just run the Stock Car portion in the early morning hours of Saturday. The Modified portion would be run on Saturday morning, and setting up for the finals on Saturday night. Finishing off the IMCA Super Nationals with wins on Saturday night were Ricky Thornton Jr. in the Modifieds, Elijah Zevenbergen in the Stock Cars, Doug Smith in the SportMods, and Andrew Burg in the Hobby Stocks.
This past weekend was a change up for me going from watching the dirt to watching some asphalt racing, as our group went to the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL for the NASCAR weekend. Chase Briscoe dominated the ARCA race on Thursday. Kyle Busch topped Friday nights Camping World Truck Series, in what I thought was the best Truck race we have seen since going to Chicago. Maybe it was perhaps this was the final race for the drivers to qualify for the chase grid. Then on Saturday Eric Jones came away with the win in the Xfinity Series. Martin Truex Jr. over came tire troubles to come back to win the Sprint Cup race on Sunday to kick off the chase.
Last night (Thursday, September 22nd) kicked off two big weekends of racing for the Modifieds. The first being at the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL, where the 12th Annual Mod Mania began. Last nights winner took home $3,000, with Friday nights winner claiming $4,000, and Saturday being topped off with a $5,000 top prize. Also joining the card is the UMP Late Models with last nights winner taking home $2,000, with Friday nights winner claiming $2,500, and Saturday being topped off with a $3,000 top prize. Two young guns, both leading the UMP National Points, ended up in victory lane last night, as Micheal Long was the best of the 74 cars signed in for the Modifieds. While Bobby Pierce topped the field of 45 UMP Late Models.
The other big Modified event that kicked off last night was the 18th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN. Thursday nights race would put an end to the 2016 United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS), as 79 cars signed in for night one. Going into the night Jason Hughes held a 10 point advantage over Cade Dillard in the chase to claim the $25,000 check. Hughes got the best start of the two drivers by starting the 42 lap feature on the outside of the front row, while Dillard had to start 12th. While Hughes and R.C. Whitwell swapped the lead a few times in the first 10 laps, Dillard was working his way towards the front. Following a caution on lap 10 Dillard would pass Chris Brown and Josh Angst to pull into the third spot. Then three laps later he would pull even with Hughes to grab the runner up spot. Dillard then chased down Whitwell to take the top spot on lap 22. If the finish stayed the same for the remaining 20 laps Dillard would have secured his first USMTS title. But a late race caution on lap 36 changed the outcome, as Dillard would go on to score the win and the $5,000 top prize to go with it. Hughes would move into the runner up spot to claim the title by a mere 3 points over Dillard. For Hughes it was his second USMTS title in a row and third overall in his career. Friday nights action will feature the USRA Modifieds going for another $5,000 to win, with Saturday nights finale worth $10,000 to win. Also joining the Modifieds were the USRA B-Mods, with Trevor Fecht of Allison, IA topping the 67 other B-Mods to win the $600 top prize last night. Friday they will race for $750 to win, with Saturday's winner taking home $1,000.
A few other tracks racing in the area this weekend include the Eldon Raceway in Eldon, IA, the home of the super 1/2 mile. The Modifieds, which I believe haven't raced at Eldon for a few years, will be racing for $500 to win, the Stock Cars are going for $400 to win, the SportMods for $350 to win, the Hobby Stocks are $300 to win, and the Sport Compacts are $250 to win. All classes will be following IMCA rules, with no entry fee. Hot laps are set for 7 PM tonight...The West Liberty Raceway in West Liberty, IA is set for the season finale for the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models. Going into the final night Tyler Bruening leads Jeff Aikey by 1 point in the chase for the title. Also racing on Friday and Saturday will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Sport Compacts...Finishing off the weekend of racing will be the Bloomfield Speedway in Bloomfield, IA. Action will be held in the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts on Saturday night.
Other events coming up that I will highlight as they get closer include the following:
Bottom Heavy Nationals - September 30th & October 1st at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO
Rumble on the River - September 30th & October 1st at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds in Dubuque, IA
Darkside Fall Bash - October 6th - 8th at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, IA
MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge - October 7th & 8th at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA
Fall Extravaganza - October 14th & 15th at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA
MOWA Sprint Finale - October 14th & 15th at the Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL
Memphis Fall Nationals - October 21st & 22nd at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO
Shiverfest - October 29th at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA
As you can see there is still plenty of races to catch before the winter months hit us. So please get out and support as many of these events that you can to help keep this sport strong for years to come. My plan is to head over to the Eldon Raceway tonight to take in the action, with Saturday still up in the air. Hope to see you at Eldon tonight!!!
As of right now the "Liberty 100" at the West Liberty Raceway in West Liberty, IA is still on as scheduled for tonight. But for any reason they can't race tonight, then tonight's program will be ran at 1 PM tomorrow. So make sure you check their website, Facebook page, or call before you head over there tonight!
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