Stevie Dirt

IMPROVEMENT POINTS

Late Models
Vance Wilson, 18 (now racing Sport Mods)
Matt Bailey, 14
Jason Perry, 13
Michael Long, 13
Denny Woodworth, 11
Ricky Frankel, 11
Record: Justin Reed, 91, 2009

Modifieds
Steven DeLonjay, 18
Shawn Deering, 18
Derrick Carlson, 15
James Leffew, 13
Ryan Porter, 10
Record: Steven DeLonjay, 102, 2009

Sport Mods
Tony Dunker, 31
Brandon Ruffcorn, 16
Tanner Klingele, 11
Joe Bliven, 9
Brad Holtmeyer, 8
Rick Barlow Jr., 8
Record: 2012 is first full season.

Stock Cars
Aaron Brocksieck, 16
Terry Houston, 12
Abe Huls, 8
Jeff Mueller, 6
Jerry Jansen, 5
Record: Kevin Tomlinson, 80, 2009

Hobby Stocks
Jeremy Buss, 16
Nathan Hayes, 14
Justin Bevill, 13
Travis Booher, 12
Jake Powers, 11
Jamie Bevill, 10
Jeff DeLonjay, 10
Jim Brown, 10
Record: Steve Carlin, 94, 2010

Sport Compacts
Seth Woodruff, 28
Andrew Davis, 26
Kim Abbott, 15
Chuck Fullenkamp, 14
Nick Wilkerson, 11
Dakota Anderson, 10
Record: Craig Bangert, 37, 2011

FEATURE LAPS LED

Late Models
Dustin Griffin, 73
Dennis Erb Jr., 30
Justin Reed, 16
Brandon Sheppard, 14
Bobby Pierce, 11
Record: Mark Burgtorf, 187, 2009

Modifieds
Michael Long, 56
Dave Wietholder, 47
Robbie Reed, 17
Steven DeLonjay, 4
Jared Schlipman, 1
Record: Michael Long, 196, 2008

Sport Mods
Jim Gillenwater, 41
Tony Dunker, 40
Bobby Anders, 8
Dean Kratzer, 1
Record: 2012 is first full season

Stock Cars
Abe Huls, 42
Aaron Brocksieck, 23
Terry Houston, 4
Jerry Jansen, 4
Record: Jeff Mueller, 162, 2008

Hobby Stocks
Jake Powers, 44
Brian Hoener, 29
Tanner Klingele, 18
Jeremy Buss, 2
Jim Powell, 2
Record: Bobby Anders, 136, 2011

Sport Compacts
Chuck Fullenkamp, 12
Kim Abbott, 8
Andrew Davis, 8
Mke Hornung Jr., 7
Record: Casey Kendrick, 42, 2011

In the volatile world of The Dirty Thirty, there are three constants from last week: Dave Wietholder, Michael Long and Tony Dunker all remain in the top three. Not quite in the same order, but they’re all back in the top three. Have fun with this week’s list:

1. (2.) Dave Wietholder: Dave is tied for the series lead in wins (4) and has not finished lower than second since April 1.
2. (1.) Michael Long: Let’s face it, it’s going to be tough to keep Michael out of that No. 1 position very long if he continues excelling in two classes. What cost him the No. 1 spot this week was the 15th place in the mod feature.
3. (3.) Tony Dunker: The names Wietholder, Long and Dunker at the top of a list like this brings back memories of the mid-2000s.
4. (17.) Dustin Griffin: Consider this … Dustin has been able to race just three of the five Sunday nights, yet leads all drivers in all classes in victories (7). He has five wins in the past two weeks in the Super Late Models, and two of those are feature victories. Yeah, he’s what you call hot.
5. (6.) Steven DeLonjay: It continues to amaze me watching Steven race each Sunday night. The line he follows out there was the same one we watched his dad, Hank, take for all of those years.
6. (7.) Jared Schlipman: Still trying for that 40th career win.
7. (5.) Robbie Reed: Glad to see The Florida Kid back in the pits.
8. (4.) Justin Reed:I’ve been meaning to ask Justin if he is now officially a Kahok.

9. (12.) Abe Huls: There are not many cars in that stock car class, but they are having one heckuva a points race. The top four are within four points of one anoher. Abe currently sits third, two points behind Terry Houston. Abe, however, has won three of the series’ five features.
10. (14.) Aaron Brocksieck: Aaron has either finished first or second in three of thepast four finishes.

11. (16.) Jake Powers: Jake looked like Ricky Bobby out there Sunday night. A little shake-n-bake.
12. (11.) Jason Perry: I think Jason has established one of the strangest track “records” I have ever seen. He has finished sixth in the feature three straight weeks.
13. (13.) Terry Houston: Anyone remember Terry’s last year in a modified at the Bullring? If you guessed 2006, you were correct. More Terry trivia: He finished third in “B” mod points in 2004. Who finished ahead of him? Tony Dunker and Jeff Waterman.
14. (20.) Mark Burgtorf: Mark is driving the Blonde Girls crazy. One week he’s in the “Blonde No. 7″ and the next he is piloting the No. 15. They don’t know which one of his T-shirts o wear.
15. (19.) Shawn Deering: It’s almost impossible to fathom that Shawn has not won a feature in his career at the Bullring. Do you have the feeling that when he finally finds his way to victory lane he’s become a common visitor? He will enter Sunday night working on a 0-for-102 streak. Just unbelievable.

16. (8.) Tanner Klingele: How long until Tanner collects his first sport mod feature win? I predict before mid-July.
17. (10.) Jeremy Buss: The only luck Jeremy had last Sunday night was bad. Oh well, after four spectacular runs, the sheet metal gods were just getting even.
18. (9.) Jim Gillenwater: Hopefully, we’ll see Jim back in the starting grid Sunday night.
19. (21.) Matt Bailey: Matt’s about due for another good week. Since winning the April 8 feature, his top finish was last week’s 10th-place effort.
20. (22.) Jerry Jansen: Did everyone notice Jerry and Dave Moore arriving last Sunday in one of those new Chevy Volts?

21. (24.) Seth Woodruff: This is the highest-ever ranking for a sport compact. Congrats, Seth!
22. (25.) Brandon Symmonds: Jake the Snake has captured most of the early season hoopla in the hobbies, but Brandon has quietly climbed into title contention.
23. (15.) Denny Woodworth: Denny remains one win away from being the fifth member of the 100-victory club (since 1999).
24. (27.) Bobby Anders: We’re still waiting for that first signature statement from Bobby in the sport mods. It shoudln’t be too much longer.
25. (18.) Jake Griffin: If you have never talked with Jake, take the time some Sunday night. He’s a great kid and he loves racing.
26. (28.) Kim Abbott: Have you ever watched Kim go into a corner? The girl is fearless.
27. (26.) Joe Bliven: Joe tells me this week he is considering a career in journalism.
28. (-) Brad Holtmeyer: One of the top rookies at the track this year, regardless of division.
29. (-) Rick Barlow Jr.: A nice addition to the weekly lineup at the track. Thanks for making the haul, Rick.
30. (-) Vance Wilson: Vance looks more natural in a modified. And we hear that No. 15 will be carrying the familiar “B1″ this week.

OFFICIAL TRACK POINTS
Drivers in bold face are defending series champions

Late Models
Justin Reed, 271
Matt Bailey, 246
Jason Perry, 238
Denny Woodworth, 234
Michael Long, 233
Dustin Griffin, 225
Mark Burgtorf, 210
Jim Moon, 207
Jerry Lierly, 198
Brandon Sheppard, 190

Modifieds
Dave Wietholder, 328
Steven DeLonjay, 297
Jared Schlipman, 285
Michael Long, 284
Shawn Deering, 264
Robbie Reed, 260
Jake Griffin, 241
James Leffew, 229
Russ Coultas, 205
Troy Grotz, 197

Sport Mods
Tony Dunker, 198
Bobby Anders, 176
Joe Bliven, 175
Rick Barlow Jr., 175
Charles Van Zandt, 165
Tanner Klingele, 147
Jim Gillenwater, 141
Brad Holtmeyer, 141
Brandon Dale, 127
Brandon Ruffcorn, 107

Stock Cars
Terry Houston, 184
Aaron Brocksieck, 183
Abe Huls, 182
Jerry Jansen, 180
Michael Larsen, 165
Darin Weisinger, 162
Gabe Harrison, 128
Ty Hill, 70
Austin Schulte, 60
Jeff Mueller, 37

Hobby Stocks
Jake Powers, 194
Jeremy Buss, 192
Brandon Symmonds, 186
Brian Hoener, 181
Nathan Hayes, 177
Tanner Klingele, 175
Nathan Anders, 175
Jamie Bevill, 172
Justin Bevill, 167
Justin Bartz, 165

Sport Compacts
Seth Woodruff, 192
Andrew Davis, 189
Kim Abbott, 186
Dakota Anderson, 166
Brandon Lambert, 164
Mike Hornung Jr., 162
Laine Van Zandt, 159
Brandon Gallaher, 153
Chuck Fullenkamp, 140
Casey Lambert, 129
Austin Bercerra, 129

HERALD-WHIG PERFORMANCE POINTS

Late Models
Dustin Griffin, 81
Mark Burgtorf, 64
Justin Reed, 58
Brandon Sheppard, 57
Michael Long, 56

Modifieds
Dave Wietholder, 101
Michael Long, 77
Steven DeLonjay, 77
Robbie Reed, 76
Jared Schlipman, 65

Sport Mods
Tony Dunker, 122
Jim Gillenwater, 68
Tanner Klingele, 55
Bobby Anders, 54
Joe Bliven, 54

Stock Cars
Aaron Brocksieck, 100
Terry Houston, 99
Abe Huls, 95
Jerry Jansen, 76
Michael Larsen, 46

Hobby Stocks
Jake Powers, 100
Jeremy Buss, 83
Brandon Symmonds, 65
Brian Hoener, 52
Tanner Klingele, 45

Dave Wietholder insists there is no magic modified elixir involved. Nor has he sold his soul to some sort of racing devil.

More than anything else, Wietholder feels, the best start of his career since his days in a bomber is due to some sort of intangible combination of experience and maturity.

Wietholder’s impressive early season run continued Sunday night at Quincy Raceways when he won his second feature and took command of the points race. The 38-year-old veteran from Liberty, Ill., has either won or finished second in the past four shows at 8000 Broadway and shows no signs of slowing down.

“It’s all just coming together,” he said. “I’ve learned a little every year, and (two-time track champ) Michael Long has helped me a lot with things like set-ups. I appreciate his help. We’re not really doing anything differently. I’ve just had a lot of luck on my side so far this year.”

Wietholder is seeking his first track title in a modified, having moved up from the bombers (now hobby stocks) following the 2002 season. He won the 2001 bomber championship.

Wietholder says he tries to keep racing simple and not get caught up — at least too much — in the constant worry over points positions.

“I just do what I can,” he said.

Wietholder has won five total features this spring, having also collected three checkered flags in Fulton, Mo. His latest conquest at Quincy saw him lead the final 14 laps of the 25-lap main event. Long had led the first 11.

Wietholder wound up beating runner-up Steven DeLonjay, the 2011 track champ, across the finish line by 0.551 of a second. Jared Schlipman, the 2010 champion, finished third ahead of Shawn Deering and Robbie Reed.

Wietholder unofficially owns a 31-point advantage (328-297) over DeLonjay in the title chase. Schlipman (285), Deering (264) and Reed (260) are also knocking at the door.

GRIFFIN DOMINATES LATE MODELS — AGAIN

Other feature winners Sunday evening were Dustin Griffin in the Super Late Models, Tony Dunker in the sport mods, Abe Huls in stocks cars, Jake Powers in hobby stocks and Nick Wilkerson in the sport compacts.

Griffin won his second straight late model feature, and again in convincing fashion. He has led 73 of the 90 main-event laps he has run this season. Griffin missed two weeks with motor issues, but now finds himself in the thick of the series’ points race. Justin Reed (261), Matt Bailey (246), Jason Perry (238), Denny Woodworth (234), Long (233) and Griffin (225) are bunched together atop the points standings.

“If it happens, it happens,” Griffin said of his title chances. “I’m not going to worry myself about it. I’m racing to win, not for points.”

Griffin, who leads all drivers at the track with seven overall wins, held off Long and Mark Burgtorf in a tightly bunched field that was bottled up with lapped cars. Ricky Frankel in fourth and Jerry Lierly completed the top five.

Griffin, who normally lives down low, was forced to go high in running down Burgtorf — and then holding him off.

“I didn’t want the top line, but I found my car actually was better up top and in the middle,” he said.

DUNKER LEAVING REST OF SPORT MODS IN REAR-VIEW MIRROR

Dunker continued to dominate the sport mods, winning his third feature to go with two runner-up finishes. He now has a 22-point (198-176) advantage over Bobby Anders. Rick Barlow Jr. and Joe Bliven.are next with 173.

“Things have been going great — in the (sport mod),” said Dunker, who also has a modified that he has yet to get a feel for this season. “Just being able to finish races is a big key (to our success). We’re trying to be patient.”

Dunker won back-to-back track titles in the old “B” modified series in 2003-04, but has been denied a third big iron for the past seven seasons. He’s hardly been in a slouch in that time, finishing second in points twice and third on two other occasions, but he’s in no mood right now to engage in any sort of track championship talk.

“I’m just enjoying not leaving the race track upset,” he said. “It’s a lot more fun than it has been the last few years.”

If Dunker can pull out a third track title he will join a select club at the Bullring. Only 10 other drivers since the track opened in 1975 have won three or more championships. Dunker is also one of just four drivers since 1999 (when statistics started being kept at the track) to win 100 or more races. Dunker has 107 victories to his credit, trailing only Burgtorf (196),  Long (187) and Hank DeLonjay (138).

HULLS, POWERS, WILKERSON ALSO COLLECT CHECKERS

– Huls won his second straight stock car feature and for the second consecutive week led flag to flag. Aaron Brocksieck was runner-up.

– Powers dominated the hobby stocks for the third time in five shows and regained the division points lead over ninth-place feature finisher Jeremy Buss 194-191. Brandon Symmonds, who was second in the feature, sits in third with 186.

– First-time sport compact feature winner Wilkerson came from the 12th starting spot. The 11-position improvement was a record for the 2-year-old series.

Defending sport compact champ Seth Woodruff was fourth in the feature and holds a three-point (192-189) lead over Andrew Davis. Feature runner-up Kim Abbott is third in points (186).

WIETHOLDER’S CLOSE CALL STARTED HOT STREAK

Wietholder’s hot streak at the Bullring began on April 8 when he edged Michael Long by 0.056 of a second for the feature victory. That was the fourth-closes finish in the electronic timing era at the track. Since then, Wietholder has added two second-place finishes and another checkered flag.

The closest margins of victory at the start-finish line since the electronic timing and scoring system was put in place late in 2007:

Winner (Runner-up), Margin of Victory, Date
1. Steven DeLonjay (Dave Wietholder), 0.010, July 11, 2010 (modifieds)
2. Steven DeLonjay (Mark Burgtorf), 0.024, Sept. 25, 2011 (modifieds)
3. Tony Dunker (Joe Bliven), 0.031, Aug. 28, 2011 (sport mods)
4. Dave Wietholder (Michael Long), 0.056, April 8, 2012 (modifieds)
5. Justin Reed (Steven DeLonjay), 0.087, May 31, 2009. (modifieds)
6. Jake Wenig (John Oliver Jr.), 0.096, May 18, 2008. (stock cars)
7. Tom Goble (Justin Reed), 0.116, June 14, 2009. (late models)
8. Michael Long (Mark Burgtorf), 0.126, Sept. 5, 2011 (modifieds)
9. Vance Wilson (Jason Perry), 0.155, Oct. 3, 2010. (late models)
10. Andrew Griffin (Kevin Tomlinson), 0.164, May 10, 2009. (stock cars)

FEATURE WINNERS

Late models: Dustin Griffin, 2nd. (Last week’s winner: Dustin Griffin)
Modifieds: Dave Wietholder, 2nd. (Last week’s winner: Michael Long.)
Sport mods: Tony Dunker, 3rd. (Last week’s winner:  Jim Gillenwater.)
Stock cars: Abe Huls, 3rd. (Last week’s winner: Abe Huls)
Hobby stocks: Jake Powers, 3rd. (Last week’s winner: Tanner Klingele.)
Sport compacts: Nick Wilkerson, 1st. (Last week’s winner:Seth Woodruff.)

Fast feature laps

Late models: Dustin Griffin, 64.990. (Last week’s fast lap: Dustin Griffin, 66.088 mph) UMP track record: Jeep Van Wormer, 78.284 mpg, July 3, 2009; IMCA track rec0rd: Justin Reed, 74.295 mph, Aug. 30, 2009.)
Modifieds: Dave Wietholder, 64.026 mph. (Last week’s fast lap: Michael Long, 64.385) Track record: Michael Long, 73.763 mph, Aug. 22, 2010.

HEAT WINNERS

Late models: Dustin Griffin (3rd), Michael Long (1st).
Modifieds: Danny Lake (1st), Shawn Deering (1st), Michael Long (3rd).
Sport mods: Bobby Anders (1st).
Stock cars: Michael Larsen (2nd).
Hobby stocks: Brandon Symmonds (1st), Brian Hoener (2nd).
Sport compacts: Chuck Fullenkamp (2nd), Kim Abbott (3rd).

LATE MODEL DASH WINNER: Mark Burgtorf (1st).

SUNDAY NIGHT STARS

10 stars: Dave Wietholder, whose Sunday night feature win officially established him as the man to beat in the modifieds.
9 stars: Dustin Griffin, who looks so strong in the No. 20 Super Late Model it’s almost scary. His 2012 resume to date: Three features, two victories, 73 laps led out of a possible 90.
8 stars: Tony Dunker, who at his current pace will be the first to clinch a track championship — by about July. He has three sport mod feature wins, his most in a season since winning six in 2005.
7 stars: Jake Powers, who was simply overpowering in the hobby stocks.
6 stars: Nick Wilkerson, who staretd in 12th but won the sport compact feature
5 stars: Abe Huls, who is making it look easy in the stock cars. He has led the last 30 feature laps and now has a series-best three main event wins. Huls, Aaron Brocksieck and Terry Houston each have 12 career feature victories in the class that started in 2008.
4 stars: Michael Long, who had his best feature finish to date in a late model (second) and won his first heat race in a big rig.
3 stars: Vance Wilson, who in his first night in a sport mod finished second to Dunker in the feature. Wilson sold his late model and will be driving a sport mod the rest of the season.
2 stars: Jerry Lierly, who ran a strong sixth in the late model feature for his best showing of the season.
1 star: Jamie Bevill, who finished third in the hobby stock feature, his top performance of the season. The rookie has improved his finishing position in each of the past three weeks.

UNOFFICIAL TRACK POINTS

Late models: Justin Reed 261, Matt Bailey 246, Jason Perry 238.
Modifieds: Dave Wietholder 328, Steven DeLonjay 297, Jared Schlipman 284.
Sport mods: Tony Dunker 198, Bobby Anders 176, Rick Barlow Jr. 175, Joe Bliven 175.
Stock cars: Terry Houston 184, Aaron Brocksieck 183, Abe Huls 182, Jerry Jansen 180.
Hobby stocks: Jake Powers 194, Jeremy buss 191, Brandon Symmonds 186.
Sport compacts: Seth Woodruff 192, Andrew Davis 189, Kim Abbott 186.

CAR COUNTS

Late models: 19 (season average 19.6)
Modifieds: 20 (season average 20.2)
Sport mods: 10 (season average 13.0)
Stock cars: 7 (season average 9.0)
Hobby stocks: 13 (season average 13.8)
Sport compacts: 16 (season average 15.6)
Total: 83 (season average 90.8)

Season Highs

Late models: 23, May 6.
Modifieds: 23, May 13.
Sport mods: 18, May 13.
Stock cars: 12, April 1.
Hobby stocks: 16, May 13.
Sport compacts: 17, April 8 and May 6.

CAUTIONS

Late models: 4 (season average 3.0)
Modifieds: 9 (season average 6.8)
Sport mods: 5 (season average 6.8)
Stock cars: 2 (season average 1.4)
Hobby stocks: 6 (season average 3.4)
Sport compacts: 1 (season average 1.6)

Some thoughts heading into the fifth Sunday night of sheet metal mayhem at the Bullring:

• It will be interesting to see what the car count is Sunday. The first four nights of racing have drawn 91, 86, 91 and 103 cars to 8000 Broadway. The recognized track record is 105 from a few years ago for a Deery Brothers Summer Series show, and I have to think that mark will fall at some point this year. This new UMP era thing is still new to everyone, so it’s difficult yet to get a feel for what may or may not materialize from one week to the next. But one thing’s certain — it’s exciting just to walk into the track on Sundays to see who is competing that night.

• Sunday night will be the next-to-last 5:30 p.m. start until September rolls around. The track will be reverting back to the 6:30 drop of the first green flag for races in June, July and August since school will be out the kids can stay up a little later. Personally, I have come to love those 5:30 starts. They get the fans, drivers — and me — home an hour earlier. What do you think? Should track officials keep the 5:30 starts the entire season, except for possible special events?

• There have been a combined 88 cautions so far this season, which is roughly one-third of the entire total from last year. What’s the point, you ask? The car counts were so low in many of the classes the past few years there was rarely a caution because there were rarely enough cars on the track to cause yellows. Now that the car counts are healthy again, so are the cautions. So when you see a yellow flag thrown Sunday night don’t be upset, be grateful!

OUR WEEKLY LOOK AT A BULLRING WEEKEND

LATE MODELS

Pick to click: Dustin Griffin will win his second straight feature. In his two appearances at the track this season (he missed the other two with engine issues), he was the most dominant car.

Best comeback bet: Ricky Frankel, beset with all sorts of bad luck — most of it at out-of-town tracks — the opening weeks of the season, is due to rip off a solid feature finish.

Noteworthy: Despite all of the UMP travelers who have stopped in already at the Bullring, track regulars have won three of the four features run to date. Dennis Erb Jr. on May 6 was the only “outsider” to collect the $1,000 first-place check.

MODIFIEDS

Pick to click: Dave Wietholder, whose three most-recent feature finishes at the track have been: second, second, first. Yeah, I’d say he’s hooked up right now.

Best comeback bet: No-brainer here. Defending track champ Steven DeLonjay, who bowed out early in last week’s main event with left front-end suspension problems.

Noteworthy: Of this year’s four feature winners, only one — DeLonjay — has started deeper than fourth in the field. DeLonjay started 11th April 1 when he won on opening night.

SPORT MODS

Pick to click: Jim Gillenwater, who has won the past two features and leads the series with six total victories. In fact, Gillenwater leads all drivers at the track with his win total. He also has a four-week win streak in the heat races.

Best comeback bet: Take your pick from Brandon Dale or Joe Bliven. Both drivers had to exit with assorted problems after two laps last Sunday. Both should be back near the front tonight.

Noteworthy: The sport mods have recorded the most cautions this season, averaging 7.3 per show.

STOCK CARS

Pick to click: Aaron Brocksieck is due for another checkered flag after finishing second each of the past two weeks.

Best comeback bet: The last few weeks have not been kind to Darin Weisinger. He’s due for a strong run in that No. 11D.

Noteworthy: No stock car feature winner this season has started on the pole, or even the front row.

HOBBY STOCKS

Pick to click: Jake Powers bounced back from last week’s early exit to win his third feature of the season.

Best comeback bet: Jim Powell has yet to record a top-five finish. That is due to change.

Noteworthy: Going back to the end of last season, Powers has won five of the past eight main events.

SPORT COMPACTS

Pick to click: Right now it’s Seth Woodruff’s world in this class and everyone is merely passing through.

Best comeback bet: Andrew Davis was never really a factor in last week’s fifth-place finish. Look for him back near the front tonight.

Noteworthy: Three of this season’s four feature winners have started eighth or deeper in the field.

Gold medal: Ron Scott

The fans and the cars are back at QR.

But we are still missing an important part yet
with this last weekends speed 5 MPH slower than the week before.

From your Stats Stevie for Late Model and Modifieds.
FAST FEATURE LAPS
5-13 Late models: Dustin Griffin, 66.088 mph. 5.1 MPH slower than on 5-6
( 5-6 Last week’s fast lap: Dennis Erb Jr., 71.209 mph)

5-13 Modifieds: Michael Long, 63.385 mph. 5.3 MPH slower than on 5-6
( 5-6 Last week’s fast lap: Dave Wietholder, 68.693 mph)

The track was drying in turns 3 and 4 before the hot laps even started.
Then the track was super dry slick by feature time.
These high power UMP late models were just burning their tires off.
And the start of the modified feature was scary with so much dust.
It was difficult to see from the stands,
and expect the drivers could not see well either as there were early lap mishaps.
These high power classes need a tacky track to hook and book.
And for the fans to be able to see the races better.

Lots more watering is needed to be done before so there is water to wick back up during the nights racing, and watering and track works need to continue during the races to keep the track in shape and to keep the dust down. I long for the days I would get peppered with mud balls when the cars entered turn 1.

There are many of us such as myself that are willing to help with this if needed.

We want QR to succeed, but the time is NOW to get the track preparations to match the cars that are now on the track. So Lets make a little mud and lets see how fast these UMP late models can really go.

Silver medal: Tiny Ray

OK Mr. Dirt!! I have followed this post for years and have never posted but I feel compelled to call you out on this.I was setting here reading about the return of the “Hell Tour” returning to QR and then I get the added bonus if thinking about the blonde girls in BIKINIS!! Yes, I was gettin that warm and fuzzy feeling. Then out of the clear blue sky…..BAM…..youu drop the image of Dave”Dark Cloud” Moore in a speedo on me and i feel the urge to go bleach my mind!! You are a cruel and evil man sir! NEVER …EVER do that to me again!Now back to lurking in the shadows for me! Carry on!

Bronze medal: Dark Cloud

Dark Cloud not wrestle blonde girls reminds to much Gen George Custer and you know the story.

The United Midwestern Promoters Summernationals – a.k.a “The Hell Tour” — is returning to Quincy Raceways after a one-year absence.

Arguably the most popular late model series in the Midwest, the UMP Summernationals will be back at the Bullring on July 6, the final stop in Illinois for the tour that will wind through eight states and see 29 races in 32 days — the most demanding grind in all of motorsports.

Quincy is inheriting an open date in the schedule that resulted from another Midwest track losing a Summernationals race. Rumors had been swirling all week that Quincy might wind up with the date. Quincy track officials and representatives from UMP talked at length several times in recent days until an agreement was reached early Thursday morning.

The Summernationals race in Quincy will pay $7,500 to win.

Support groups on July 6 will be the UMP modifieds and Quincy hobby stocks. The track’s other weekly series — stock cars, sport mods and sport compacts — are ineligible to compete that night because of their IMCA affiliation.

This will be the Hell Tour’s sixth scheduled stop in Quincy (the 2008 date was rained out), with Shannon “The Moweaqua Missile” Babb (twice), Jeep Van Wormer and Randy “King Kong” Korte claiming victories.

Babb is the defending series champ, winning his third Hell Tour title after back-to-back championships in 2005-06. Jason Feger (2010) and Dennis Erb Jr. (2007-08-09) are the other most recent champions.

The Summernationals kick off  June 13 in Brownstown, Ind., just outside Indianapolis, and conclude July 14 in Wauseon, Ohio.

We will have much more on this developing situation in the coming days, and will provide coverage of the tour leading up to the Jul 6 date in Quincy.

UMP SUMMERNATIONALS WINNERS AT QUINCY RACEWAYS
2010: Jeep Van Wormer
2009: Shannon Babb
2008: Rained out
2007: Shannon Babb
2006: Randy Korte

Four first-time honorees and a pair of repeater winners highlight the 2012 ZZ Top Sharp-Dressed Man Awards for the best-looking cars at Quincy Raceways.

In the Most Improved Look Award category, four new winners and one repeater spice this year’s list of names.

In the ZZ Top department, Denny Woodworth headlines the recipients for his sharp-looking blue late model. Woodworth was also honored in 2001 with his famous lightning-effect car.

“This is the first blue car I’ve ever had,” he said. “We just wanted to try something different.”

Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t. This one did.

Shawn Deering earned his third ZZ Top Award in the modifieds. Deering, who has won three times since 2006, has won his awards by going for both a traditional look and pushing the envelope. This year’s car, with the eye-catching red(-ish) No. 16 on the side, captures both elements.

First-time winners are Terry Houston in the stock cars, Brandon Dale in the sport mods, Jeremy Buss in the hobby stocks and Kimberly Abbott in the sport compacts. Buss deserves extra kudos for emerging from this year’s hobby stock class, which arguably ahs its finest collection of great-looking cars in its 26-year history. Selecting a ZZ Top hobby was extremely difficult.

Int he Most Improved Look, stock car driver Aaron Brocksieck won his second award and second in three years. Brocksieck broke new ground in 2011 with his pink car in support of breast cancer, and came through with an even better-looking No 40A this season. The bright(er) pink and white look this season is tremendous.

14th ANNUAL ZZ TOP SHARP DRESSED MAN AWARDS

LATE MODELS

2012: Denny Woodworth
2011: Keith Pratt
2010: Matt Bailey
2009: Robby Warner
2008: Jason Frankel
2007: Lonnie Bailey
2006: Terry Gallaher
2005: Mike Dyche
2004: Brent Slocum
2003: Jamie Wilson
2002: Jamie Wilson
2001: Denny Woodworth
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Terry Gallaher

MODIFIEDS

2012: Shawn Deering
2011: Ryan Morrison
2010: Shawn Deering
2009: Tony Dunker
2008: Jared Schlipman
2007: Tony Dunker
2006: Shawn Deering

“A” Modifieds
2005: Ted Allen
2004: Robby Warner
2003: Michael Long
2002: Steve Grotz
2001: Ryan Meyer
2000: Bob Dale
1999: Steve McCarley

“B”Modifieds
2005: Tony Dunker
2004: Wyatt Lantz
2003: Tony Dunker
2002: Tony Dunker
2001: Joe Hooper
2000: Rob Carter
1999: Greg Uppinghouse

SPORT MODS

2012: Brandon Dale

HOBBY STOCKS/BOMBERS

2012: Jeremy Buss
2011: Brandon Symmonds
2010: Bobby Anders
2009: Adam Scott
2008: Bobby Anders
2007: Todd Reichert
2006: Michael Larsen
2005: Todd Reichert
2004: Jim Powell
2003: Jim Powell
2002: Brent Chapman
2001: Eddie Dieker
2000: Eddie Dieker
1999: Rick Coats

IMCA STOCK CARS

2012: Terry Houston
2011: Aaron Brocksieck
2010: Steve Steinkuhler
2009: Kevin Tomlinson
2008: Jeff Mueller

SPORT COMPACTS

2012: Kimberly Abbott
2011: Todd Nelson

MOST IMPROVED LOOK

LATE MODELS

2012: Vance Wilson
2011: Clint Kirkham
2010: Darin Weisinger
2009: Dustin Griffin
2008: Dustin Neese
2007: Bill Genenbacher
2006: Justin Reed
2005: Terry Gallaher
2004: Terry Schlipman
2003: Mike Dyche
2002: Keith Pratt
2001: Joey Gower

MODIFIEDS

2012: Danny Lake
2011: Ben Huff
2010: Troy Grotz
2009: Wyatt Lantz
2008: Frankie Wellman
2007: Shawn Deering
2006: Brandon Lennox

“A” Modifieds
2005: Jim Powell
2004: Danny Lake
2003: Tim Warning
2002: Brandon Brown
2001: Les Harding

“B” Modifieds
2005: Wes Mayfield
2004: Wes Mayfield
2003: Rob Carter
2002: Bill Baker
2001: Rob Carter

SPORT MODS

No award in this category until 2013.

HOBBY STOCKS/BOMBERS

2012: Nathan Hayes
2011: Tanner Klingele
2010: Nathan Anders
2009: Nathan Anders
2008: Mike Wiley
2007: Bruce Hatfield
2006: Aaron Brocksieck
2005: Steve Carlin
2004: Steve Carlin
2003: Brian Kenning
2002: Richie Wagy
2001: Brent Chapman

STOCK CARS

2012: Aaron Brocksieck
2011: Kevin Tomlinson
2010: Aaron Brocksieck
2009: John Oliver Jr.

SPORT COMPACTS

2012: Brandon Gallaher

Those wild-and-crazy UMP modified drivers are dominating the fourth edition of this season’s “Dirty Thirty” rankings, owning six of the top seven positions (nine of 10 if you count the sport mods). Their consistency has been the key, and in No. 1 Michael Long’s case, his added late model success has helped him claim the catbird’s seat.

1. (3.) Michael Long: Somebody put Michael in a stock car, hobby stock or a sport compact and see what he can do. It’s obvious the modifieds and late models are no problem.
2. (7.) Dave Wietholder: Do you sense No. 05 is on the cusp of what could be his finest season ever at the Bullring?
3. (5.) Tony Dunker: Hey Tony, the UMP mod is a great-looking car. We need to see it on the track more!
4. (6.) Justin Reed: Justin now has the late model points lead as he bids for a second straight track crown. The last driver not named Mark Burgtorf to win two straight late model titles? Would you believe Steve Fraise in 1989-90?
5. (1.) Robbie Reed: The Blonde Girls will be checking out Robbie’s Florida tan come Sunday night.

6. (4.) Steven DeLonjay: Steven had almost zilch mechanical woes a year ago when he won the track title. Hopefully, Sunday night’s problem was not a harbinger of things to come this season.
7. (11.) Jared Schlipman: Jared’s next checkered flag will be the 40th of his still-developing career.
8. (16.) Tanner Klingele: Tanner ran a combined four races Sunday night (two heats, two features) and his “worst” finish was fourth in the sport mod feature.
9. (17.) Jim Gillenwater: Jim’s return to Quincy on a full-time basis has been a resounding success. He has led the last 40 feature laps in the sport mods.
10. (14.) Jeremy Buss: It’s time for everyone to hop on The Buss.

11. (12.) Jason Perry: For those trivia fans, Jason was No. 1 in the inaugural Dirty Thirty back in April 2011.
12. (23-tie) Abe Huls: Honest Abe is the first two-time feature winner among the stock car drivers.
13. (8.) Terry Houston: Terry, Dave says I shouldn’t pick you to win anymore.
14. (13.) Aaron Brocksieck: Aaron finished second in the stock car feature and dropped one spot in the rankings. He was a victim of what went around him in the other five classes at the track. Even making the Dirty Thirty this season is an accomplishment.
15. (21.) Denny Woodworth: D.W. needs one more win to become the fifth driver to reach 100 victories since 1999.

16. (10.) Jake Powers: Watch out for those tires, Jake.
17. (-) Dustin Griffin: Get ready for the former Central High School running back’s assault on No. 1. He says, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he’ll be running Quincy all season. Is the No. 20 the best Super Late Model at the track?
18. (23.) Jake Griffin: Here’s a second Griffin on the fast track up the rankings.
19. (20.) Shawn Deering: Has Shawn ever had a bad-looking car?
20. (30-tie) Mark Burgtorf: Love that “Blonde No. 7″ on the right side of the car.

21. (9.) Matt Bailey: Gotta keep that No. 52 on the track and out of the pits.
22. (15.) Jerry Jansen: I thought I saw Jerry at one of the local dealerships checking out the new Malibus and Impalas.
23. (22.) James Leffew: Three top-10 finishes in four tries.
24. (27-tie.) Seth Woodruff: As Darrell Waltrip would say, “Seth Woodruff is bad fast.”
25. (27-tie.) Brandon Symmonds: How does Brandon keep that car looking so good week after week?
26. (18.) Joe Bliven: Of all the comments I have read this week, Joe’s reference to November through March being for family time and the rest of the year for racing was the best. A classic.
27. (-) Bobby Anders: Sunday’s third-place finish was top performance of the season — so far.
28. (-) Kimberly Abbott: Best-looking sport compact? We’ll know soon. The annual ZZ Top Sharp-Dressed Man Awards are due to be released later this week.
29. (30-tie) Troy Grotz: Seriously, another first-lap mishap? Troy, you need to start carrying a four-leaf clover in that car.
30. (23-tie) Keith Pratt: Hope there is good news on the motor front.

The North American Late Model Series (NALMS) suspended operations Monday, citing economical problems. NALMS was scheduled to have tour stops at Quincy Raceways Sunday night and July 22.

“Tracks, teams and fans are having a hard time these days with the cost of living in general,” said Shawn Hall, co-owner of the NALMS series. “With the cost of fuel, parts, tires, tickets and lodging, many people just cannot afford to travel to our shows, so we feel it’s best to stop for now and try to regroup for the 2013 season.”

Quincy Raceways ownership issued the following response late Monday might:

“It is with great disappointment that Quincy Raceways will not be able to present the two scheduled NALMS events. We were very excited to be able to schedule these events for the Quincy Raceways fans and drivers and hoped that they would be a great addition to the schedule for 2012,” the statement read. “We respect the decision that the owners of NALMS have made but do wish to express our intent to provide the best racing entertainment possible. Quincy Raceways was fully prepared to present the NALMS race events as scheduled and had expected those events to be very successful.”

In related news, the track has obtained permission from IMCA to add back to the schedule for Sunday night the Northern Sport mods and stock cars for points racing. There will be a complete regular weekly lineup for Sunday, including late models, UMP modifieds, hobby stocks and sport compacts.