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

QUINCY, IL. (August 17, 2010) - Sunday night racing at Quincy Raceways featured the usual fare, plus a visit from the UMP Pro Crate late models. With the exception of the UMP modifieds, car counts were down a bit, but the on track action was fast and furious. A splash of water down the front stretch after the heat races solved a small dust problem, and helped make the oval fast come feature time. The heat races and dashes clicked off quickly, with the only real delay coming when crate driver Jerry Lierly smacked the front stretch wall, heavily damaging his # 7L. Like a copule of the other crate pilots, Jerry also competes at QR in another class, as he has a UMP modified. Jake Griffin also races regularly in the mod class at QR and pilots a crate car at area tracks. The 11 year old also crashed his # 08 crate late model on Sunday in the feature event. Cousin Dustin Griffin had better luck at the track. A semi regular in the IMCA late model class, Dustin raced his crate car to the win in the 25 lap finale. Second place went to second generation pilot Gordy Gundaker from St Charles,Mo. Gordy is the son of well known late model ace Kevin Gundaker, who now owns tracks and promotes races at Granite City, Il. and Lake Ozark,Mo. Evan Fink, from Glasford,Il. took third in a familiar looking car, driven earlier this season in the IMCA late model class at Quincy by Jason Frankel. Finishing fourth was another 11 year old, Kyle Hammer, whose father Don is another former late model driver and current promoter in Central Illinois.

  The IMCA stock car class was only ten strong, but there was plenty of action in the 20 lap finale. Wes Mayfield grabbed the early lead, giving way mid race to Terry Houston. With a couple of caution periods, overheating became an issue, with both point leader Abe Huls and Aaron Brocksieck retiring to the infield for a shot from the hose. As a result of his second feature win of 2010, Houston pulled out to a six point lead over Huls with two points races remaining. Andrew Griffin ran a smooth race to claim second ahead of Jerry Jansen. Jason Leaply turned in a top five run in fourth ahead of Mayfield, who was sent to the back for jumping on a restart. Kevin Tomlinson lost a top five finish when he spun out in turn four coming to the checkers.

  A victory in the top six position dash gave Steven Delonjay the pole position for the 25 lap modified feature. Steven held the top spot through several early cautions as the field sorted itself out. Michael Long advanced to the runner up spot before lap ten, and set his sights on his ninth win in nine tries in 2010. Delonjay, who lost a win to Long at the stripe last week, had other ideas, however. Steven built a healthy lead before a lap 23 caution brought Michael to his bumper one more time. Delonjay would not give up the point, and posted a flag to flag performance for his second checkers of the season. Point leader Jared Schlipman turned in a third place run while dad Terry took his annual August trip to the Sprint Cup race in Michigan. Justin Reed and Ryan Meyer completed the top five.

  Terry Gallaher and Darin Weisinger led the IMCA late models to the green flag in the 30 lap main event. Dustin Neese vaulted to the front on lap one and held on until Keith Pratt came from row three to grab the lead. "KP" then built a comfortable margin, racing to his first feature win of the year. He has been getting faster the past few weeks, and had posted a strong third place run the night before at 34 Raceway. Joey Gower came from row four to post a runnerup finish. Ironically, both points leader Denny Woodworth and later in the race number two point man Jason perry, spun their cars, bringing out the caution. Showing how they got to the top of the championship chase, both came back to the front, with Denny finishing third and Jason fourth, ahead of teammate Bill Genenbacher. Woodworth now holds an eight point lead with two points races remaining, as he searches for his first late model title.

  A 20 lap hobby stock feature finished out the card, with Hannibal veteran Jim Brown leading the field to the green in his sharp looking # 83.

Jim liked the front spot so well, he led all the way to the checkers. It was an odd sort of mark for Brown, who has only completed two features this season, and he has won them both. Nathan Anders shadowed Brown for second, with Bobby Anders advancing to third. Adam Scott shook off the bad luck he has had of late to take fourth ahead of Steve Carlin. Bobby Anders two position lead over Carlin moved him into a tie in the season points race, and he also owns the tie breaker with his six feature wins. Again, points racing wraps up on August 29.

Steven Watkins Jr. made his season debut in his yellow # 77, but retired early from the main event. Jake Powers blew the engine in his # 0, and was a spectator come feature time.

  The final checkers fell at 9:10, making for an enjoyable Sunday evening.

  Racing action continues this coming Sunday, with a regular four class program. Look for announcements in the coming days concerning an extension of the 2010 seasom past the original final night of September 12, as Tony and Paul look to make up for the numerous rain outs throughout the wet summer.