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After a one week absence, the IMCA stock cars were back on the card, running the first feature of the night. Although we had a couple of travelers on hand, several of the season regulars had already parked their rides, so we rolled out a 13 car field. 2008 regular John Oliver Jr. made the long haul from Danville, Iowa to compete. Starting mid pack, the third generation driver picked his way through the field, took a late lead and nabbed his first QR feature win of the year. John held off a fellow Danville driver, veteran Dave Warth. Dave has been an occasional visitor the last couple of seasons in a late model, but competed around the area this year in a # 3W stock car. Track regulars filled the next seven spots, with Michael Larsen and Jerry Jansen rounding out the first four. Southeast Iowa favorite Jason Cook made the trek down from Mt Pleasant, Iowa and was coming to the front when he was involved in a mishap and finished tenth. Aaron Brocksieck was back after his first ever attempt to compete in the IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Aaron suffered damage to his # 04A, but put things back together to run on Sunday. The team wanted to thank everyone who helped them in there efforts. The only driver with QR ties to make the feature in the stock cars at the six day extravaganza was 2008 track champion Jeff Mueller, who garnered 11th. Oliver told me he hoped to be a regular again in 2010 at QR. He had struggled early this season before getting a new car, and now seems to have his program closer to where he would like it to be. The UMP Modifieds have been a double edged sword this season at QR. The car counts have been strong all season when the other classes have sometimes struggled. On the other hand, a mixture off ill prepared cars and less than stellar driving has made them a source of frustration for fans, track personnel and writers alike. On the final night, 25 cars signed in, and for the most part did a good job of putting on an entertaining show. The rained out trophy dash finales were on the card for both the mod and late model classes under a format of 10 green flag laps followed by a mostly unpopular five minute pit stop and 10 more laps of racing. As it turned out, the mid race stop was of little consequence, as Moline, Il driver Donovan Lodge took an early lead and held it to the checkers, pocketing $300.00 for his efforts. It was a well deserved win for the driver who made the 2 1/2 hour haul each race night to call QR home. A bizarre three way swap of cars had Dave Wietholder in the # 7L Lierly machine taking the runnerup honors followed by Robbie Reed and Jared Schlipman. To complete the car swap, late model driver Dustin Griffin wheeled the Wietholder # 05, and Steve Grotz drove his second race night of the season in the Wietholder owned black # 17L. Further confusing the writers and announcers, well known race chaser Dave Sapp climbed behind the wheel of the Tony Dunker owned # 4st in the heat race, and wound up upside down in his heat race. Repairs were made and track champion Justin Reed took the green flag in the trophy run, but was not able to compete as he normally would, dropping out at the break. The 25 lap main event was both good and bad for Schlipman. Jared built a nice lead and looked to be on his way to his first feature win, but the top side of the speedway still had some bite, and Vance Wilson powered the # 22C to the front, overtaking Jared at the white flag. Schlipman held the runnerup spot followed by Shawn Deering and Ryan Meyer. Former late model ace Jamie Wilson again wheeled the Mike Begley # B4, finishing fifth. Although not racing on Sunday, Michael Long was fresh off a starting spot in the Boone Super nationals feature, where he finished 26th in the 33 car field, which is pared down from 300 or so Modifieds! 16 IMCA late models raced for a $ 750.00 top prize on the final night of racing. A surprise visitor was Gary Russell of Biggsville, IL. The night started off badly, with Jerry "The Hippie" Weisenberger blowing the engine in his # 21JW. As of now, Jerry is talking as though his owner/driver operation may be at the end of the line. Hopefully the veteran can find a way to be back in 2010. On the other end of the spectrum, Mark Burgtorf debuted a new Pierce chassis one week ahead of the biggest IMCA late model race of the year, the 2 day $10,000.00 to win Summer Series finale in West Burlington, Iowa. Mark seemed to be fighting some set up issues in the back half of the car. The trophy dash 20 lapper started 10 cars with Weisenberger sidelined, and Keith Pratt jumped out front in the $ 500.00 to win race. On lap seven, Bill Genenbacher claimed the top spot, and as with the mods, the mid race pit stop had no effect on the outcome. Billy picked up his biggest win of the season, with track champion Lonnie Bailey on his heels. Denny Woodworth came from the fourth row to nab third just ahead of Burgtorf. In the final 30 lap feature of the year, points runnerup Justin Reed used a pole position draw to collect his second feature win of the season, both in the final three weeks. Robbie Warner had his # 79 dialed in, taking the runner up spot, and Pratt held off Burgtorf for third. Joey Gower was charging through the field, fighting for third position on lap 23 when he broke a rear wheel, rolling his # 31 in turn three. It has been a rough couple of weeks for the Gower team, with father Joe having some health issues as well. Hopefully Joey can make repairs and be in the mix this weekend. Thanks to Jeff Carter of Summy Tire, and Toni Dunker of Advance Trading for sponsoring the dashes all season long as well as the big money finals. And thanks to Tony and Paul for allowing me to offer up news, results, and sometimes contrary opinions each week from the "Broadway Bullring". Best wishes go out to longtime flagman Steve Blickhan, and wrecker driver Don Hummell, as they step aside from their weekly duties at our Sunday night home. Chris Miller has all winter to grow some thick skin before his ascent to the flagstand! Plans are under way for the best banquet in the area in January, and a 2010 season filled with great racing and some concerts as well. Although the season has ended at QR, I will be out and about at some area tracks, so say "Hi" when you see me. And if you are wrapping up your racing season, have a great winter, and we will see you all back at Quincy Raceways in 2010!
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