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

QUINCY, IL. (March 14, 2010) - The 2010 season officially began for Quincy Raceways this weekend, kicking off with the Quincy Mall car show. More than 30 cars were on display, previewing the upcoming season. As is the case this time of year, all the brightly colored machines looked to be in pristine condition. 11 IMCA late models highlighted the festivities, and local preteen Jake Griffin also had his crate late model in attendance. Jake will reportedly be wheeling a UMP modified at the speedway in 2010, however. Several drivers have changed up their color schemes for this season, with Matt Bailey making the most radical change on his # 52. All three cars from the Genenbacher Racing stable were available for viewing, as Jason Frankel has become a team member, joining Bill Genenbacher and Jason Perry. New to the class for 2010 is veteran modified pilot Vance Wilson. Vance took a few turns in a Jason Krigbaum owned late model last season, the purchased the 2009 of Terry Gallaher. Wilson will be campaigning a yellow # B1 in 2010.

The chief eye catcher in the UMP mods is the new scheme of second generation hot shoe Steven DeLonjay. Steven has finally broken with the family tradition of red and white, although the familiar # 35 remains on his ride. Trent Grotz has a sharp looking # 2 with a smaller # 22, the number campaigned by father Steve. The modified class will be switching this season to a UMP style lineup procedure, with the top two finishers in each heat making up the dash field, and the dash finish determining the first three rows for the feature lineup. The hope is this will create less chaos in the class that typically has the most yellow flag periods.

While the stock car field was a bit light, one notable addition is Wes Mayfield, who will be moving up to the IMCA sanctioned class this year. I want to take this time to congratulate Chris and Jackie Wibbell on the birth of their baby, also.

The hobby stocks also had a nice turnout with at least one newcomer, and a good group of returning veterans. Jake Powers went for a different look on his # 2 machine, using the popular black and green pattern, which turned out well.

The season opener is set for Sunday, April 4, weather permitting, in a regular, but non points event. The IMCA Deery Brothers late models invade the speedway on April 11, with points starting in the other three classes that night. Late model points begin on April 25. The entire schedule is posted now on the Quincy Raceways website. Highlights include a second appearance for the Deery Brother Summer Series on June 13, a UMP late model Summernationals race on July 11, the annual modified River City Rumble Labor Day weekend, and the $1,000 to win stock car shootout June 27. All circle track events this season will be on Sunday. In an experiment that should prove popular, starting times have been moved up to hot laps at 5:00, with racing at 5:30, a change that will benefit out of town competitors. Several tentative practice nights have been set, including both March 27 and 28. Check the website for more details, and make plans to join us for the lid lifter on Easter Sunday!