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Quincy Raceways owners may wish for more race cars or more fans, but they sure are not wishing for more rain! An early evening stubborn shower on Sunday nearly spoiled another night of racing, but track officials kept wheels on the track, and what could have been a frustrating night turned in to a night of high speed mayhem. Track crews did a great job of repacking the track after most of the hot lap sessions had been run, and officials rebuilt the program to keep the evening from becoming a marathon. First, we went straight into racing rather than more hot laps, which saved 30 minutes, then heat races for the UMP modifieds, IMCA stock cars and hobby stocks were shortened to eight laps. I have long been an advocate of this, and I think the races were just as entertaining, perhaps even more so, as drivers had to make their move quicker. Then the always dreaded intermission was eliminated, and as a result of all this, the final feature hit the track at 9:35! Of course, things took a downturn there, with two red flag situations punctuating several early yellows. The first red in this modified marathon was for Richard Vandermaiden, who rolled his # 15v off turn three. When racing resumed, title contender Steven Delonjay got crossed up on the front stretch, and was a sitting duck next to the wall when Travis Griffith nailed him full bore coming out of turn four. Steven and his # 35 wound up upside down. The youngster was uninjured, but his race car appeared to be "junk" at least the rear portion. James Leffew also suffered damage in the crash, ending a perfectly horrible night for the two class youngster, who had his hobby stock lose a drive shaft moments earlier. Lady Luck was nicer to Michael Long, who rebounded from an early exit the week prior to capture yet another feature win. Michael cruised to an easy victory ahead of Donavan Lodge, who continues to journey down from Moline every Sunday, choosing QR over his hometown track. Vance Wilson, fresh off a Saturday night win at Lake Ozark Speedway, logged a third, followed by the team cars of Tony Dunker and Justin Reed. Point leader Robbie Reed was a scratch after hot laps, seriously damaging his title hopes. His scratch as well as a couple others negated the need for a B-main qualifier, and the remaining 22 of the 25 car field started the main event. We may be looking a new feature winner this week, as Long is toying with the idea of traveling with a touring modified series. We shall see. The IMCA stock car feature proved to be a good one, as all 14 cars took the green flag. Andrew Griffin powered his # 25 out front, and led the entire distance, although not without a challenge. As Andrew's car smoked in the turns, possibly a tire rub, point leader Kevin Tomlinson sliced his way through the field. Kevin was right there at the end, but could not deny Griffin his first ever stock car feature, win. Cousins Abe and Doug Huls took the next two spots followed by former mod driver Chris Larson, from Keokuk. The 20 lapper went caution free, as Sarah Woodhurst was able to get off the track after apparently blowing an engine on lap two. Sarah will graduate this Sunday from Mark Twain, Mo. high school, and when asked by her Dad if she wanted a party or to go racing, she picked racing. She said she could have a party anytime. Hopefully they can get the motor put back together in time for the 8 ball to roll on Sunday. Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Steve Steinkuhler, who has had a rough couple of weeks in his # 04S. The hobby stocks drew 17 cars on Sunday, as Jim Powell went for his fourth feature win in a row. Wes Mayfield, whose car has resembled a ping pong ball at times this year, finally avoided the crashes, and put his # 21 out front to stay. 15 cars started the 20 lap finale, but Matt Burgtorf had the hood fly up on his ride on the straight, ending his night. Larry Powell, who is getting close to his first feature win, led the early laps before sliding high on lap 10, with Mayfield and Jim Powell cruising by. Jimbo then shadowed Wesley, even as his ride began to smoke, but the "Taz Man" was not to be denied. Following Mayfield and the Powell boys was Travis Booher and Steve Carlin. Only nine cars finished the event. 15 late models signed in on Sunday, with Mark Burgtorf once again looking like the man to beat after a victory on a rainy Friday in Donnellson. Of course, with his recent engine woes, things have become very interesting for the # 7B team. But when Mark gets on a roll, watch out, and he put on a clinic Sunday, winning both his heat and the 30 lap finale. Lonnie Bailey turned on the afterburners in the late stages of the race, making a run at Burgtorf, but settling for second. Joey Gower had his best run of the young season in third, followed by Bill Genenbacher and Nick Ingalls. Clint Kirkham had another solid run to finish sixth, as he is fast on his way to most improved driver honors. Clint switched chassis manufacturers this year, and even with some recently discovered problems with his # 28, he has become a factor whenever he takes to the track. Jason Frankel had a night to forget, pulling off the track early in both his heat and the feature. Jason has stated he is not points racing this season, so there is usually more to gain by saving your car and earning a bit better starting spot when point invert lineups begin than to try to pick up a few extra spots while perhaps staying in the "to start" money. Much has been said about Burgtorf being out of the points race after receiving no points on opening points night, and last place points the next week. But if anyone can make up ground quickly, it is Mark, and if he sets his sights on the title, no way do I count him out. In response to an inquiry of mine, IMCA no longer gives "show up" points to drivers who do not start a heat race, as happened to Burgtorf with his first blown engine. In the past, 10 points were awarded, but IMCA has since moved away from this policy. 10 points could be big at seasons end. Perhaps in response to driver suggestions, the concrete barriers between turns one and two have been moved to the west side of pit road, creating a runoff area for the cars, and hopefully eliminating a few yellow flags each night. Although some drivers thought they would not be able to leave the track early in the night, this did not prove to be the case, and should work out fine. Now if Tony can just sell some advertising on them to " pretty them up, " ... well anyway. This Sunday will be a regular show, and then the 410 sprints will be in town on Memorial Day weekend. See you at the races.
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