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.

Sandusky Still Has It

It was a gorgeous evening in East Moline, IL, at the Quad City Speedway and on this night the Quad City area racing community honored one of their legends, Ronnie Weedon, who unexpectedly passed away in 2005.

The main event of the evening was the 9th Annual Ronnie Weedon Memorial featuring the IMCA Modifieds in a 25 lap feature paying $1,000 to the winner. A solid field of 21 cars took the green flag with Colona's Milo Veloz Jr. grabbing the early lead. Even though it was only a few laps into the feature it looked like it was Veloz's race to lose especially when Quad City Speedway front-runner, Greg Durbin, spun out while running second with right front damaged that ended his night. Veloz quest for his 5th Weedon Memorial victory would not be as a few laps later he would lose a drive shaft. With the leader out that meant a double front row for the restart with two drivers that had run against Weedon in years past, Ray Cox Jr. and Jim Sandusky. Cox and Sandusky would battle with R.J. Gonzales and Matt Werner for the top four spots. Sandusky would take over the lead and run a flawless race the rest of the way. Sandusky adds this race to an already impressive resume. Brandon Durbin who started 8th would charge through for second followed by Matt Werner, Ray Cox Jr. and R.J. Gonzales. 

The IMCA Late Models had everyone on the edge of their seats Sunday night. Silvis' Todd Malmstrom wasted little time flying through the field from his 8th starting to take the lead. After some early race bad luck, Mike Murphy Jr., found himself at the back of pack but by the halfway point he was up to second with his sights set on Malmstrom. With five laps to go Murphy was all over Malmstrom and that's when he made his move the lead. Murphy would lead the rest of the way for another Quad City Speedway victory. 

Keith Blum continued his streak in the Street Stocks. Rick Schriner led the first 12 laps and early on looked untouchable but Blum and Dwayne Smith Jr. ran Schriner down. Schriner, Smith, and Blum ran three wide for the lead with Blum finally taking over the lead with three laps to go. Blum would make it three wins in a row at QCS with Schriner second followed by Smith, Rob Nylin, and Jarett Franzen.

In the 4-Cylinders it looked like "The Beard"  Steven Spiker was going to collect his first career win but Brandon Dahl had different ideas. Spiker and B. Dahl would race each other hard early with B. Dahl assuming the lead and then pulling away from the field. Spiker would hold onto second followed by Zach Dahl, Dustin Forbes, and Shawn Pappas.

It was a Sidewinder Chassis kind of feature in the Mod Lites. The top three finishes in the Mod Lite feature were running Sidewinder Chassis. Shon Sanders shot out to the lead early on with Rock Island's Bryan Brinker right on his bumper. Sanders  would hold off Brinker. Mike Pershing would take third, coming from the back of the pack, Dan would take fourth followed by Brian Schnell.

 Overall it was a great night at the races (even if my son, Kyle, ditched me). It was a well ran program on a very smooth track. The final feature of the night took the checkered flag at 8:45pm.

I would like to thank Positively Racing for this wonderful opportunity to blog about a sport I truly love. Special thanks to Sue McDaniel for setting me up and an extra special thanks to Jeff Broeg for offering me this chance. I will provide positive and non-bias coverage in the Quad City area as much as possible. 

This Sunday, Kyle and I, will be at the Quad City Speedway in East Moline, IL, for the 9th Annual Ronnie Weedon Memorial.