Kay Kontinues Krusade

The Davenport Speedway wrapped up their 2014 racing season Saturday night with the annual running of the All-Star Classic on the historic ½ mile. On the card were the Deery Brothers Summer Series IMCA Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Sport Mods, and 4 Stocks.

A little over a week ago Wheatland, Iowa’s, Justin Kay received the news that he was the IMCA Late Model Champion for the second year in a row and tonight he continued his crusade to do what only a very few drivers have done that’s win the National Championship and Deery Brothers Championship in the same season.

After winning his heat race, Kay started the 35 lap feature tenth. Early on it seemed like Andy Eckrich was going to walk away with the win but four cautions throughout the feature kept things interesting. Kay took full advantage on a late race restart when Mike Murphy Jr. and Denny Eckrich got tangled up to rocket his 15K machine to second place. Kay and A. Eckrich battled for several laps, side by side, with Kay initially trying the low side and then going up against the wall coming out of turn four to take control of the lead. Kay would go on to win with Andy Eckrich second, Brian Harris (who started 19^th) third, Brunson Behning, and D. Eckrich.

The Deery Brother Summer Series IMCA Late Models wrap up their 2014 season  on October 3^rd and 4^th at the West Liberty Raceway.

In the Modified feature “The Dominator” Bob Dominacki absolutely dominated. The Bettendorf, Iowa, driver led every lap with Jason Schueller, Brandon Durbin, Jake Bowman, and Steve Johnson rounding out the top five.

“The Vanilla Gorilla” Jeremy Gustaf led the first six laps in the Street Stock feature until “Pepe” Perry Gellerstedt navigated his #39 around Gustaf. Gellerstedt would lead the final 6 circuits and held off a late charge by “The Pitbull” Keith Blum (who started deep in the field) to pick up the win.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, driver Tony Olson parked his #T23 in victory lane after leading every lap in the Sport Mod feature.

Joe Zrostlik used his outside front row starting spot to jump out to the lead and go on to lead the 4 Stock feature wire to wire.

Well this was my last race of the 2014 season. My wife and I will be welcoming our second son to the world this Tuesday. Thank you to the Quad City Speedway and Davenport Speedway for their hospitality and allowing me to cover racing at their facilities this season. I have some ideas for some blogs during the off season so be on the look out for that.

“The Pit Bull” Keith Blum Bags Biggest Payday at the Marks Memorial

Well the circus was in town Sunday night so I was ditched once again by Kyle so he could go with his Grandma to said circus. Anyways I’m not bitter so on to my write-up.

This past Sunday night at the Quad City Speedway it was the 2^nd Annual Ron Marks Memorial featuring the Street Stock division. A stacked field of 35 Street Stocks checked in to the pits to compete for the $1,701.01 top prize. Four heat races were ran with the top three from each heat transferring to the 50 lap main event. The heat race winners were Keith Blum, Jeremy Gustaf, Steven Jackson, and Tim Current. Two consolation races with ran as well with the top four from each moving on to the feature. Consolation winners were Cary Brown and Randy Cusack.

With the field set and after the pace car, Ron Marks Jr.’s last car he raced, pulled off the green flag waved. Bernard, Iowa’s, Timmy Current bolted out to the lead from his fourth starting spot. If the race would have gone caution free there’s no doubt Current would have parked his 12T in victory lane but there were cautions. After contact with a lapped car and a couple yellow flags Bettendorf, Iowa’s, Keith Blum was right on Current’s bumped. Blum, who racked up some feature wins earlier in the season QCS, ran Current hard lap after lap. Blum would get by Current but wasn’t able to pull away. Current stayed right on Blum and as they approached a lapped car, the moment everyone was talking about happened. From my vantage point it looked like Blum got by the lapped and as Current attempted to he made contact with the lapped car which caused him to make contact with Blum and that sent Blum sliding through the infield down the backstretch and around turn three and four in the infield and then back onto the track on the front stretch maintaining his lead. All the contact Current suffered ended his night. “The Pit Bull” Blum went on to hold off all comers and put his #21 machine in the winners circle for the biggest payday of his racing career. Steven Jackson came from tenth to finish second followed by Chad Coyne, Jeremy Gustaf, and Dwayne Smith Jr., who started 15^th.

Also racing were the IMRA Midget Lites, Mod Lites, IMCA Modifieds, and 4-Cylinders.

In the IMRA Midget Lite feature, once again, the slide job was the name of the game. The 2014 IMRA Midget Lite Track Champion, Mitchell Davis, and Brimfield, Illinois’, Austin Archdale battled side by side and nose to tail for nearly the whole race. The race was decided on the last lap in the turn two with a slide job by Davis on Archdale. Brian Rick would take third followed by Chad Ziegler, and Shane Morgan.

It was like a flashback to not so long ago as Shon Sanders and Bryan Brinker once squared off in the Mod Lite feature. They each gave the other one all they could handle and when the checkered flag waved it was Sanders taking home the number one spot and Brinker second. Mike Pershing would finish third with Brad Lucy and Brian Schnell completing the top five.

Another strong field of 19 IMCA Modifieds took the green for their 20 lap feature. Milo Veloz Jr. would hold off a late race push by Brandon Durbin to win the feature, leading it flag to flag. Doug Curless crossed the line third with Rob Henry and Matt Werner rounding out the top five.

“The Beard” Steven Spiker ran hard in the 4-Cylinder division week in and week out at QCS but couldn’t find victory lane. Sunday night was finally the night for “The Beard”. Spiker would hold off Brandon Setser and capture his very first career feature win. Setser took second followed by Drew Wise, Eric Stogdell, and Shawn Pappas.

Sunday night wrapped up the 2014 racing season at the Quad City Speedway so it looks like my next race will be Saturday, September 20^th, at the Davenport Speedway for the All-Star Classic with racing on the historic half-mile. Hopefully there’s not another circus in town so Kyle will tag along.

Champions Crowned at QCS

On the hottest Sunday of the 2014 racing season, the Quad City Speedway hosted their Season Championship night with all six divisions in action. The IMCA Late Models and Mod Lites were essentially locked up going into the evening by Mike Murphy Jr. and Jason Masengarb respectively. The Street Stocks were only separated by one point going into the night with Steven Jackson holding the slight lead over Rob Nylin. In the 4-Cylinders Brandon Dahl also held a one point lead over his brother Zach Dahl. Ray Cox Jr. had a five point lead over Doug Crampton in the IMCA Modifieds and Mitchell Davis had a nine point lead over Aaron Schuck in the IMRA Midget Lites.

The Mod Lites took to the track first for their 12 lap feature. All the features were lined up by the point standings going into the night so Jason Masengarb and Bryan Brinker occupied the front row. Masengarb and Brinker battled it early on with Brinker actually running the bottom of the track instead of his usual line all the way up against the wall. Masengarb proved to be too strong though and would go on to win the feature and season championship. Brinker took second followed by Dan Guss, Brad Lucy, and Anthony Guss.

The highly anticipated Street Stock feature was next and after the heat races were over Rob Nylin was able to earn another point so the point standings were tied with Steven Jackson and Nylin taking the green flag from the front row. It was a winner takes all and they began duking it out lap after lap at the beginning. As the caution free race went on though it appeared Nylin’s car got stronger and Jackson’s car started fading. Nylin would finish the race very strong to pick up the win and take the Street Stock track championship. Jackson finished second followed by Chad Coyne, Dwayne Smith Jr., and Rick Schriner.

The exciting IMRA Midget Lites rolled onto the track next and after the heat races Mitchell Davis still had a nine point lead. Aaron Schuck grabbed the lead right away and Davis began running him down. Schuck was hugging the tires and Davis was running up against the wall. They ran several laps side by side before mechanical failures ended Davis’ night early. Schuck was on cruise control the rest of way parking his #53 in victory lane. Patrick Bruns would finish second followed by Jeff Mallonee, Austin Archdale, and Shane Morgan.  If my math is correct, Davis should be crowned the first ever IMRA Midget Lite track champion at the Quad City Speedway.

The action packed IMCA Modifieds were on tap next with a couple seasoned veterans, only separated by five points for the track championship, would take the green flag from the front row. Ray Cox Jr. and Doug Crampton would run each other clean and hard for several laps. Cox got better and better though as the laps went by. Brandon Durbin would get by Crampton and briefly challenge for the lead but Cox would not be denied. Cox would pick up the “W” and the track championship. B. Durbin crossed the line second with Greg Durbin, Doug Crampton, and Chris Lawrence.

The IMCA Late Models rumbled on the track next with Mike Murphy Jr. looking to put the icing on a dream season at QCS. Murf had many struggles in 2013 and the 2014 season at the Davenport Speedway and Quad City Speedway proved he still had it. He would start on the pole with 2013 IMCA Late Model Track Champion, Todd Malmstrom, to his outside. Murf would shoot out like a rocket at the drop of the green and hold off Malmstrom and Ray Guss Jr. and lap the entire field up to third place. Guss would finish second followed Malmstrom, Brian Meiner, and Mike Zemo Jr.

The 4-Cylinders feature was all about the Dahl boys, Brandon and Zach. Friday night at the Davenport Speedway, Brandon picked up the 2014 4 Stock Track Championship with a large point lead but that wasn’t the case at QCS. Coming into Sunday night Brandon had a one lead over his brother, Zach, and after the heat races were in the book the brothers were tied. They started on the front row together and battled each other hard with Brandon coming out on top with the win and championship. Zach took second in the feature followed by Aaron Hitt, Cameron Poci, and Sean Fersch.

FYI, Kyle finally made the trip to the track with me and he got to watch some of the features from the pit bleachers and he loved it. His picks for the night weren’t too bad. He picked Bryan Brinker in the Mod Lites, he got second. Jarett Franzen (the M&M car) in the Street Stocks, didn’t go to well for Jarett. Mitchell Davis in the Midget Lites and he looked strong early on but didn’t finish. He was spot on in the IMCA Modifieds going with Ray Cox Jr. His all time, Ray Guss Jr., got second in the IMCA Late Models. In the 4-Cylinders he picked the orange car with the green wheels, pretty good odds with that since the Dahl boys have identical cars.

We’ll be back at QCS next Sunday for the 2^nd Annual Ron Marks Memorial featuring the Street Stock division.

Vintage Cars Steal the Show at QCS

On a night at the Quad City Speedway where K&S Promotions inducted drivers and contributors (LeRoy Brenner, Tom Bull, Jack Carey, John Durbin, Ron Gustaf, Terry Mattly, Bob Toland, and Marsha Woolley) from the Quad City area into their Hall of Fame it only seemed appropriate that the Art Fehrman’s Illinois Vintage Racing Club, who were making their first ever appearance at the Quad City Speedway, would have the race of the night if not the race of the year at QCS.
 

The Illinois Vintage Racing Club had 11 cars take the green flag for their 20 lap feature. Ben Hamburg grabbed the lead immediately in his #75 Camero while Lil’ John Provenzano and Tim Hamburg started making their through the field. Provenzano started ninth and T. Hamburg started 11^th. Early in the race John Irwin, piloting the #81 Mercury Cougar that was formerly driver by Jim Gerber, moving quickly to the front and was hands down the crowd favorite of the race. Unfortunately, Irwin’s night ended prematurely with mechanical issues. As the race drew towards the end Provenzano and T. Hamburg caught B. Hamburg and gave him everything he could handle. While Provenzano and T. Hamburg battled for the second they were also trying everything they could running the low, middle, and high lines but B. Hamburg would not be denied. B. Hamburg would collect his first career win with Provenzano second, T. Hamburg third, Keith Lucas fourth, and Pat Heaney fifth. Definitely a candidate for the race of the year at QCS and if you ever have a chance to see the Illinois Vintage Racing Club in action, don’t hesitate, GO! They are an action again on August 30^th at the Peoria Speedway. Visit www.illinoisvintageracing.com for more information about the club.

The Street Stocks rolled out next. It certainly looked like Perry Gellerstedt was going to park his #39 in victory lane Sunday night but Dwayne Smith Jr. had other plans. Gellerstedt led the first 10 laps or so and then Smith saw his opening coming out of turn two and he took over the lead. Smith would go on to win his third feature of the season. Gellerstedt would take second followed by Steven Jackson, Keith Blum, and Justin Hamm.

A strong field of 19 IMCA Modifieds took the green field next for their 20 lap feature. Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr. wasted little time taking his V machine to the point and once he was there, he was untouchable. Veloz would dominate the feature going nearly unchallenged. Jim Sandusky, in his bid for comeback driver of the year, came from eighth to take second followed by Jerry Durbin, Ray Cox Jr., and Chris Lawrence. Ray Cox Jr. had the most impressive run of the night out of all of the divisions competing Sunday night. Cox started 19^th, aka dead last, and finished FOURTH in an almost caution free feature.

The IMCA SportMods made their debut at QCS Sunday night as well. Joey Schaffer, in the Gade Race Engines 2X car, took full advantage of his outside front row starting spot and led every lap en route to his victory. Jayson Wiggins took second followed by Jared Miller, Doug Burkhead, and Jacob Beal.

The IMCA Late Models took center stage next for their 30 lap feature. Ray Guss Jr. battled Cory Goldbeck early for lead and eventually took over the lead but that didn’t last long. Green Rock’s Mike Murphy Jr. once again found himself in position to challenge for lead and it wasn’t long before the #14 was leading and pulling away. Murphy would pick up another “W” followed by Guss, Mike Zemo Jr., Todd Malmstrom, and Cory Goldbeck.

Zach Dahl continued his hot streak in the 4-Cylinder division hold off the likes of Aaron Hitt, Cameron Poci, Dustin Forbes, and Steven Spiker to win another 12 lap feature at QCS.

I’ll be heading to the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, IA, this Tuesday, August 19^th, for the IMCA Triple Header featuring the IMCA Late Models Deery Brothers Summer Series, IMCA Modified Hawkeye Dirt Tour, and the IMCA Stock Cars. For more information regarding this event please visit www.cedar-county-raceway.com.

Can Anyone Beat Mike Murphy Jr. at QCS?

On Sunday, Kyle and I took in the Quad City Air Show for most of the afternoon and then (for the second week in a row) Kyle ditched me on race night.

It was a nice night for racing at the Quad City Speedway and right off the get go you could tell the track was going to be good and make for some great racing.

The first feature of the night was a barnburner with the IMRA Midget Lites. A couple youngsters, Aaron Schuck and Mitchell Davis, ran side by side for nearly the whole feature. With five laps to go Davis was bobble and that’s all Schuck needed to pull away and take a victory back to Joliet, IL. Davis would take second followed by Austin Archdale, Jacob Sollenberger, and Jeremy Hull

The Street Stocks rumbled onto the track next with a three way tie for the point lead coming into the evening’s action between Steven Jackson, Rob Nylin, and Jarett Franzen. It sure looked like Keith Blum was going to play spoiler again and pick up another win as he charged from his ninth place starting spot to challenge Dwayne Smith Jr. for the lead late in the race. A flat tire ended his night and the race with a yellow/checkered finish. Smith would take the win followed by Rob Nylin, who took over the overall point lead, Jimmie Simpson, Steven Jackson, and Rick Schriner.

In the Mod Lites, Bryan Brinker tailed Jason Masengarb for the first half of the race until mechanical failures ended his night. Masengarb would hold off his car owner Shon Sanders for another “W”. The top five was rounded out by Mike Pershing, Dan Guss, and Mike Dominguez.

Milo Veloz Jr. dominated the IMCA Modifieds leading flag to flag from his front row starting spot in their 20 lap feature. Brandon Durbin shot through the field to take home second followed by Greg Durbin, who also started towards the back of the pack, Rob Henry, and Doug Crampton.

Once again Mike Murphy Jr. put a whoopin’ on the IMCA Late Models in the 30 lap main event. Early on Todd Malmstrom looked like he had Murf’s number after he shot off like a rocket at the beginning of the race and took over the lead shortly after that. Murf used skilled driving and opportune yellow flags to catch Malmstrom and take over the lead. Murf went untouched the rest of the way and parked the #14 machine in victory lane. Mike Zemo Jr. would also get by Malmstrom and take second. The remaining top five were Malmstrom, Matt Ryan, and LeRoy Brenner.

It was like old times in the 4-Cylinders with Aaron Hitt picking up the win in convincing fashion. Andy Loy was on Hitt’s bumper early on but a combination of a strong #48 car and Loy looking like he had mechanical problems, Hitt would pull away and win. Zach Dahl took second followed by Steven Spiker, Brandon Dahl, and Loy.

Due to my paying job I wasn’t able to make it to the Davenport Speedway on Friday night for the $2,000 to win 4 Stock Nationals but as many know by now Zach Dahl took home the victory after Jay Orr was disqualified.

This Friday, August 15^th, the Davenport Speedway will have another points night in all five classes plus its Kid’s Night with bike races.

This Friday, August 17^th, the Quad City Speedway will have their Hall of Fame Night featuring the Illinois Vintage Racing Club. They are also inducting the class of 2014 into their Hall of Fame. The inductees are LeRoy Brenner, Tom Bull, Jack Carey, John Durbin, Ron Gustaf, Terry Mattly, Bob Toland and a mystery inductee.