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Past the Pit Gate.......
by Danny Rosencrans
July 26, 2009
Weekly racing returned to Quincy Raceways Sunday night, with all four
classes competing in points races. The IMCA late models turned out 15 strong
for the nights events, putting on an edge - of - your - seat feature event.
Dustin Neese took the early lead from the pole position, giving way two laps
later to Joey Gower. Joey stretched out to a straightaway lead as the pack
sorted itself out behind him. Soon the previous weeks winner, Matt Bailey
pulled in to the runnerup slot and began to run down the # 31. As Gower
encountered lapped traffic, the younger Bailey pulled up to his rear bumper.
Coming to the white flag, Matt made the pass for the lead. Bailey led just
over one complete lap, but it was the money lap, as he collected his second
feature win in a row, and third of the season. Gower took second, with Bill
Genenbacher third. Neese finished a season best fourth, as he seems to be
getting comfortable in his new ride, which formerly belonged to fifth place
finisher Mark Burgtorf.
The 30 lap race went caution free, and lasted just over seven minutes, with
14 of the 15 starters taking the checkered flag. Only Jason Krigbaum retired
early, but he seems to be getting his # 11 dialed in after breaking in hot
laps the week before in only his second night out. Lonnie Bailey managed
only an eighth place finish, but still stretched his points lead to five
over Justin Reed with five points nights still to run.
Veteran late model and modified driver Gary Wilson and his wife Wanda were
involved in a highway accident late last week in Bowling Green, Mo., near
their rural Frankford home. Their vehicle was struck by another, leaving
Gary with a knee injury, and Wanda hospitalized in a St Louis area facility
with back injuries. As of Sunday, it was uncertain if she would need
surgery. Our prayers go out to the couple, who are the parents of Vance and
Terry, modified competitors at QR.
Vance was a part of the 28 car UMP modified field Sunday at the speedway in
the Charlton Racing # 22C, while late model driver Dustin Griffin wheeled
the Wilson owned # 1V. Vance ran up front throughout the caution marred
event, which mercifully came to an end six laps before the scheduled 25 laps
due to the time limit. The night belonged to Steven Delonjay, however, as he
turned a front row starting spot into a flag to flag victory. Before the
night began, Steven was bemoaning his poor draws of late, and indeed, his
heat race starting spot was near the back. Racing in to a redraw spot
changed his luck, however, and he picked up a much needed points win. Points
leader Justin Reed charged to the second spot, with Wilson third. Tony
Dunker and Donovan Lodge rounded out the top five. Although there were two
yellow flags before lap two was in the books, the 22 car field then clicked
off eight green flag laps. After that things fell apart, and by the time the
checkers fell in an abbreviated attempt at a green, white, checkers finish,
a total of 10 caution periods had slowed the event. Hopefully this situation
will improve as some of the less experienced drivers get more seat time, as
many a good race gets spoiled by the overdriving of poor handling cars.
There were several first time drivers on hand Sunday, and among the more
successful was veteran Tony Patterson in his # 87s. Tony was running in the
sixth position when he passed before the cone on a restart, sending him to
the back of the pack.
The points race in the IMCA stock car division has a tie at the top after
the action on Sunday. Kevin Tomlinson, who has had something of an all or
nothing season, picked up the main event win, vaulting him into a tie with
Abe Huls, who finished fifth. Cousin Doug Huls charged to the runner up
finish, holding off Michael Larsen and Chris Wibbell. Larsen captured a most
unusual first heat win. Micheal jumped the turn three cushion coming to the
white flag just before the top three cars tangled. Michael came back on the
track, and got the win. Nine of the 14 car field finished the 20 lapper.
There was one new car on hand, former hobby stock driver Troy Brierton in a
plain black # 79 machine.
14 hobby stocks came to race on Sunday, and most of the fans had headed home
before the outcome of the 20 lap finale was decided. Bobby Anders once again
took the wheel on the # 22, but this week he took the lead on lap 16 and
held it to the checkers. In post race inspection, however, it was determined
that his engine sported illegal heads. This made my prediction come true
even sooner than I expected, as 14 year old Tanner Klingele was awarded the
win. Tanner had led the first 15 laps of the race, and perhaps most
impressively, did not falter when Anders got by. As a result, he was second
across the stripe, but first at the pay window. Nathan Hays, who won his
first race of the year in heat #1, grabbed the second spot, with Adam Scott
third. Wes Mayfields fourth place run was good enough to propel him into the
points lead, and Mike Wiley edged the winner the last two weeks, Travis
Booher, to take fifth. Mayfield holds a one point margin over Steve Carlin,
and a two point advantage over Jim Powell in a race that figures to go down
to the final night. The first lap of the feature was a bad one for Jake
Powers. A front stretch mixup left Jake on the outside, and he hit the wall
hard, causing heavy suspension damage. The new car for the night was Jeremy
Buss in his # 13B. Oddly enough, he is the third hobby stock this season
sporting the " unlucky " number.
Make plans to be at the track this week, as it is Fan Appreciation night
with $5.00 adult admission, and all four classes in action. Coming up August
9 is the $2,000.00 to win UMP modified shootout. On the 16th, we will have
the trophy dash finales, and August 23rd the UMP late model Monster Midwest
tour will join the regular classes. The season is winding down, don't miss
any of the action!
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