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Past the Pit Gate.......
by Danny Rosencrans

QUINCY, IL. (August 10, 2010) - For the second week in a row, Quincy Raceways was able to get in a night of racing on Sunday, which is something of an accomplishment in 2010. The hot weather, along with mechanical issues and the usual late season budget issues took a bit of a toll on car counts, especially in the late model division, but the racing was still top notch. The KIDZ Mods were added to the card, but only five of them showed up, with local driver Jake Griffin suffering mechanical issues in hot laps that sidelined his ride. Things went from bad to worse for the 11 year old, as he pounded the turn four wall in his UMP modified heat race, badly damaging his # 08 machine. Both cars were trailered and gone before feature time. Logan Moody captured the ten lap main event in his # 162 race car.

   The IMCA stock cars started off the nights features with all ten entries making the call. For the second straight week, the usually smooth group of cars had issues with caution flags. As a result, there was no one out of the running, with multiple leaders and position switches. In addition, several cars fought overheating on the warm night, most noticeably Aaron Brocksieck, who used every opportunity to slip into the infield for a quick shot from the water hose. Point leader Abe Huls seemed to struggle throughout, and had a light trail of smoke coming from his #30c as he retired to the pits with two laps to go. When the checkers waved, it was Steve Steinkuhler picking up the win, followed by Terry Houston, early leader Kevin Tomlinson, Jerry Jansen, and Brocksieck.Huls ninth place run left him with only a one point lead over Houston, with Steinkuhler six markers behind.

  The UMP modifieds provided the largest car count with 20 signed in, including national point contender Rusty Griffaw from Festus, Mo., making his second appearance of the year at the speedway. Robbie Reed climbed behind the wheel of the # 10 usually raced by brother Todd, and veteran late model pilot Jamie Wilson took a turn in Mike Begleys # 4B, driven of late by David Holder. Wilsons night ended early with drive train issues at the start of the 25 lap finale. Dave Weitholder, who was leading the points just a few weeks back fell further off the pace as he failed to finish for the second straight week, falling out on a lap five restart. Meanwhile, Steven Delonjay jumped out to the lead with Griffaw in tow. It looked like a two car race until a caution on lap 19 changed everything. By that time, Michael Long had worked his way to third, but was quickly running out of laps to run down the top two. On the restart,however, both Delonjay and Griffaw returned to their preferred bottom groove, so Michael went high to make a pass of Griffaw. The start was waved off, and on the second restart, I thought perhaps one or both of the leaders would move up the track, but they left the high side for Long, who moved past both for the lead. Steven fought back, and lapped traffic came into play on the final lap, as they came side by side to the checkers. The electronic scoring again came into play, with Long taking the win by less than one second. It was just a few weeks ago that Delonjay edged Weitholder in similar fashion. the win kept Longs unlikely streak going, as he has now won all eight features he has started this season at QR. Although he has missed two points races, Michael trails only leader Jared Schlipman and Weitholder in the points race. Griffaw followed the front duo across the stripe, ahead of Justin Reed and Schlipman.

   First heat winner Darin Weisinger and rookie Justin Jennings led the 11 car IMCA late model field to the green flag, with Weisinger looking strong as he paced the field for the first eight laps. Dustin Griffin then took over until a lap 15 caution bunched the field. On  the restart, point leader Denny Woodworth grabbed the top spot, and he was crusing until Jennings spun in front of him in turn four as he was coming to the white flag. Denny avoided the spinning car, and survived the green, white checkers finish for his fourth win of the season. Numder two point man Jason Perry charged to the runnerup spot with Keith Pratt continuing a recent string of good runs in third. Griffin and Bill Genenbacher completed the top five. Woodworth now leads Perry by six markers with three weeks of late model points racing remaining.

   The hobby stocks wrapped up the evening with all 13 cars taking the green flag. after two unsucessful attempts at a start, a single file formation was used, and before a lap was in polesitter Jim Brown, point contender Jim Powell, and hard luck Adam Scott were on the trailer.

 Nathan Hays paced the early laps before point leader Steve Carlin took over on lap five. A couple of mid race cautions accompanied by some " grudge " racing entertained those who stayed around, then perhaps the best racing of the night took place, as Bobby Anders came to the back bumper of Carlin. Bobby tried every possible move to take the lead, but Steve was up to the challenge, as the two bumped and banged to the checkers. Hayes, Brian Hoener, Jeremy Buss, and Justin Bartz completed the six finishers of the 20 lapper.

   This sunday the UMP Pro crate late models will join the regular four classes in a national points race paying $ 500 to win. The initial appearance of the crate engine cars earlier this year was a bit light on cars, but there was a weekly Sunday night race just a couple hours away that will not be a factor this Sunday. In addition, it is fan appreciation night, with grandstand admission only $5 for adults, and there will be a nickel dash for the kids! Hope to see you on Sunday!