Matt Strassheim is $5,000 richer after winning the Pepsi USA Nationals at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.

Strassheim took the lead from Boone McLaughlin about halfway through the 50-lap main event and held on for not only his first ever Pepsi Nationals victory, but his first-ever Deery Brothers Summer Series tour win.

The Pepsi Nationals are always the final event on the Deery schedule.

Rob Toland, Ray Guss Jr., McLaughlin and Jay Johnson rounded out the top five. McLaughlin, who had a sizable points lead before the night began, actually clinched the Deery championship by just showing up.

NO THREE-PEAT FOR BURGTORF

Quincy’s Mark Burtgtorf was seeking an unprecedented third straight and fourth overall Pepsi Nationals victory, but bowed out early. Burgtorf sustained engine problems on the next-to-last lap of his heat race while he was running second.

FRANKEL WAS A NO-GO

Reigning Quincy Raceways track champ Jason Frankel did not even make the haul to West Burlington. He blew an engine the week before at the $4,000-to-win sow in East Moline, Ill., and is not expected to race Sunday in Quincy at the $2,500-to-win season finale.

SIX QUINCY AREA DRIVERS MAKE THE SHOW

Lonnie Bailey’s eighth-place finish was tops among the local entrants at West Burlington. Jerry Weisenberger finished 16th, Keith Pratt 17th, Kevin Tomlinson 20th, Justin Reed 21st and Matt Bailey 24th.

WOODWORTH WINS IN KANSAS CITY

Another Quincy regular, Denny Woodworth, won the O’Reilly MLRA late models feature Friday night at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. Tommy Elston, who last raced full-time in Quincy in 1999, finished eighth.

The Oct. 5 late model/modified spectacular at Quincy Raceways will start at 5 p.m., which is a great idea. Everyone should be home on a school night by around 9. (And who knows, you’ll probably be able to catch the end of the Sunday night football game, too!)

Both the late model and modified main events will pay $2,500 to the winner. The late model feature will be a 50-lapper and pay $200 just to start. The modifieds will run a 40-lap feature and get $175 to start.

Also on the schedule will be the mod lites (dwarf cars). Their feature will pay $300 to win and $75 to start.

All divisions will be competing under a draw/redraw format.

Pit gates will open at 2, grandstands at 3:30, Hot Laps are set for 4:15 and racing as close to 5 s humanly possible.

Adult tickets are $14, seniors 65 and over $12, teens (11-15) $7 and kids 10 and under free. The family pass will be $35 for two adults and two teens, a $7 savings. For more information, go to the www.quincyraceways.com Web site.

Quincy late model drivere Mark Burgtorf goes for a three-peat Sunday night in the 17th Pepsi USA Nationals Deery Brothers Summer Series event at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa.

Burgtorf, who is the only three-time winner of the USA Nationals, also has a 2000 victory to go with his 2007 and 2006 triumphs.

First prize will be worth $5,000, half of what the winner’s check was originally to be. The purse was halved when the Nationals were rained out Sept. 12-13 and reworked to a one-day show

Twenty-six cars will make up the starting field for the 50-lap finale. Second place will pay $2,000, $1,000 for third, $750 for fourth, $650 for fifth and $450 for sixth. Non-qualifiers get $75.

Pit gates will open at 3:30 p.m., the grandstand at 4. Hot laps will go at 5:15 p.m., with the first heat race at 6.

Also on the Sunday schedule will be the $750 Ironman Challenge, open to all of the 17 drivers with perfect attendance through the series’ first 16 events.

No time trials will be held.

If rained out Sunday, the Nationals will not be rescheduled again, according to IMCA and track officials.

PAST WINNERS PEPSI USA NATIONALS

2007: Mark Burgtorf
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2005: Terry Neal
2004: Rob Toland
2003: Dennis Erb Jr.
2002: Curt Martin
2001: Darren Miller
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Jeff Aikey
1998: Jeff Aikey
1997: Jay Johnson
1996: Brian Birkhofer
1995: Jos Kosiski
1994: Gary Webb
1993: Ray Guss Jr.
1992: Steve Kosiski

Six words come to mind when I think about 2009 and beyond in the late model ranks at Quincy Raceways.

The best is yet to come.

Mark Burgtorf is at the height of
his career, but several drivers are nipping
at his heels to win track championships.
(Photo Courtesy Hulett Photography)

Think about it. Mark Burgtorf, the driver who will be used to measure all present and future accomplishments, is at the height of his career. And right behind him is the next generation led by Jason Frankel, who this summer claimed the first of what is bound to be multiple track championships. Add in the likes of Justin Reed (is ’09 his year?), Matt Bailey, Nick Ingalls, Robby Warner, Jason Perry, Dustin Griffin and others, and how can you not be excited about the future?

Oh, did we forget a guy named Lonnie Bailey? No. 25 is hardly ready for the rocking chair. I’m pretty sure he probably has another track title waiting for him somewhere over the horizon.

Denny Woodworth has a track title waiting for him at some point if he decides to commit to a full-time Quincy schedule again, but No. 45 is enjoying success on the regional circuit so I’m sure it’s difficult to give that up. I have to admit, Woodworth and Burgtorf were both at 8000 Broadway far more than I expected this season. The real winners in both cases were their fans.

What follows are the updated all-time Herald-Whig late model rankings, plus those for just the IMCA era (since 1998) at the track. There were no changes in the all-time top 10, but there was some shuffling in the IMCA listing.

A couple of things to think about for next season:

• If Frankel can finish third or higher in points in 2009, he will crack the all-time top 10.

• If Woodworth can finish seventh or higher, he will climb to at least No. 8 on the all-time list.

Drivers who finish in the top 10 season points standings receive rankings points based on a 15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Any ties are in the rankings are broken by (in order) number of titles, runner-up finishes, top-5 finishes and top-10 finishes.

Here’s how the rankings look heading into 2009:

1. Mark Burgtorf, 267 points

Championships: 14
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 20 
Top 10 points: 24

2. Terry Gallaher, 232

Championships: 4
Runner-up: 10
Top 5 points: 22 
Top 10 points: 28

3. Steve Fraise, 178

Championships: 9
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 15
Top 10 points: 16

4. Lonnie Bailey, 123

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 5
Top 5 points: 13
Top 10 points: 16

5. Dick Crane, 104.5

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 10 
Top 10 points: 17

6. Jim Swank, 73.5

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 8 
Top 10 points: 11

7. Sonny Findling, 70.5

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 9 
Top 10 points: 11

8. Brent Slocum, 64

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 7

9. Denny Woodworth, 61

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 12

10. Tom Long, 49

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 1 
Top 10 points: 13

On the bubble: Jamie Wilson, 47; Mark Holtmeyer, 46; Jason Frankel, 43.

LATE MODEL RANKINGS SINCE 1998 (IMCA Era)

1. Mark Burgtorf, 139

Championships: 8
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 10   
Top 10 points: 11

2. Lonnie Bailey, 73

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 4
Top 5 points: 7 
Top 10 points: 9

3. Brent Slocum, 64

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 6 
Top 10 points: 7

4. Denny Woodworth, 52

Championships: 0 
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 6   
Top 10 points: 9

5. Terry Gallaher, 40

Championships: 0 
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 4   
Top 10 points: 6

6. Jamie Wilson, 36

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 5   
Top 10 points: 5

7. Jerry Weisenberger, 28

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 3   
Top 10 points: 5

8. Ron Elbe, 24

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 1   
Top 10 points: 6

9. Justin Reed, 22

Championships: 0 
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 2   
Top 10 points: 4

10. Joey Gower, 20

Championships: 0 
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 2   
Top 10 points: 5

On the bubble: Mike Karhoff, 16; Jason Frankel, 15; Brian Kenning, 13; Kevin Tomlinson, 13; Dustin Neese, 11.

TRACK CHAMPIONS

2008: Jason Frankel
2007: Mark Burgtorf
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2005: Mark Burgtorf
2004: Lonnie Bailey
2003: Mark Burgtorf
2002: Brent Slocum
2001: Mark Burgtorf
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Mark Burgtorf
1998: Mark Burgtorf
1997: Mark Burgtorf
1996: Mark Burgtorf
1995: Mark Burgtorf
1994: Mark Burgtorf
1993: Mark Burgtorf
1992: Mark Burgtorf
1991: Terry Gallaher
1990: Steve Fraise
1989: Steve Fraise
1988: Terry Gallaher
1987: Terry Gallaher
1986: Dick Crane
1985: Terry Gallaher
1984: Steve Fraise
1983: Steve Fraise
1982: Steve Fraise
1981: Steve Fraise
1980: Steve Fraise
1979: Steve Fraise
1978: Jim Swank
1977: No LM division
1976: Steve Fraise
1975: Larry Pipes

CAREER TRACK POINTS LEADERS
(Since 1998, IMCA Era)

1. Mark Burgtorf, 6451 points
2. Denny Woodworth, 5430
3. Lonnie Bailey, 4933
4. Terry Gallaher, 4829
5. Ron Elbe, 4363
6. Brent Slocum, 4003
7. Joey Gower, 3931
8. Mike Dyche, 3882
9. Jerry Weisenberger, 3691
10, Dustin Neese, 3653

(bold face indicates active driver in 2008)

Quincy Raceways owner Tony Rhinberger announced Sunday night the Oct. 5 season finale will include a pair of $2,500-to-win feature events. Late models and modifieds will each be running for the big paydays.

Those two purses should draw some serious lineups in both divisions. Look for about 25 late models and as many as 40 modifieds. What a great way to end the season.

My first thought was concerning the modifieds. Two-time track champ Michael Long is sitting with 35 victories this season at 8000 Broadway. The track record he established a year ago was 36. This means he will have one last chance to tie and possibly break that mark. I know, I know … if it hadn’t been such a wet spring and late summer Long probably would have already eclipsed the 40-victory barrier, but  there’s nothing you can do about Mother Nature.

It will also be great to see one final star-studded lineup of late models before having to endure seven months of dirt-track exile. No offense to any of the out-of-towners who might show up that night, but wouldn’t it be great to see reigning track champ Jason Frankel, 14-time king Mark Burgtorf and fan favorite Denny Woodworth duke it out for the big bucks?

HATS OFF TO RHINBERGER

I appreciate the effort Rhinberger and staff have done this year to bring a diverse and deep lineup of events to the cathedral of commotion. This has been an especially trying season for track owners and fans alike, with the economy going straight into the toilet and gas prices hitting $4 a gallon.

Three tracks in our region closed during the season and a fourth shut down for two weeks, all because of financial problems. There was never the hint of any gloom and doom at Quincy Raceways. Sound management and strong fan support were the reasons. Rhinberger and his assistants deserve much credit for maintaining an attractive schedule, and the fans deserve an equal amount of credit for showing up week after week.

Quincy is a tremendous racing community. When I moved here a little more than 10 years ago one of the first things I was told was that almost every garage in Quincy had a race car in it. I found that to be only a slight exaggeration.

LINE OF THE YEAR

Track announcer Doug Mealy have come up with the best one-liner in history Sunday night when describing a duel between "Superman" Sam Halstead of New London, Iowa, and Burgtorf. Halstead had enjoyed a large lead for most of a late model heat race, only to see Burgtorf storm from the back of the pack and zero in on his back bumper.

"Superman better watch out, because here comes Kryptonite!" Mealy told the crowd.

Classic. Simply classic.

SWAN SONGS

Sunday night was the final shows for the stock cars and hobby stocks until 2009. We’ll be dissecting those classes (plus modifieds and late models) with a lot of final facts, figures and thoughts during the fall and winter, but first a few a couple of comments about both series:

The stock cars were an even better addition to the weekly schedule than I first anticipated, and the field will become even stronger in the coming seasons. Track officials are expecting to average about 20 stock cars a week next season. Three full-time competitors in Kale Foster, Jerry Jansen and Rusty Tobias joined the ranks around midseason or shortly afterward, and there will be more coming next spring.

The stock cars always put on a competitive show, and that is a great part of their appeal. I got hooked on them in 1999 at Lee County Speedway and always thought they would be an excellent class for Quincy Raceways. They proved me right this summer.

The hobby stocks are in the midst of establishing a new identity, or re-establishing an old identity. Have you noticed the series has slowly been returning to its roots? Ideally, the hobby stocks (or bombers, as they used to be called) should serve as stepping stone to other classes, and that is what is now happening. In recent years, drivers have been staying for one or two seasons and then moving to another series. At least two are expected to leave in 2009 for the stock cars.

That doesn’t mean the hobby stocks can’t be a permanent home for some drivers. If that is what the budget allows or that is the level they enjoy the most, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But watch for fewer and fewer drivers to remain there more than two or three years.

There has been more turnover in this division in recent years than at any time since it came into existence in 1987. Only three of the weekly "regulars" this year could be classified as veterans — Steve Carlin, Jim Powell and Wes Mayfield. The rest of the "full-timers" in the series were predominantly new or up-and-coming drivers. That trend should continue.

"HANK THE CRANK" COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT

Thirteen-time Quincy track champ Hank DeLonjay came out of retirement to run Saturday night at 24 Raceway in Moberly, Mo. "The Crank," who retired after the 2007 season, finished second to reigning track champ David Holder.

Three drivers immediately jump off the page when talking all-time and current modified rankings at Quincy Raceways: Hank DeLonjay, Michael Long and Tony Dunker.

DeLonjay, who retired after 2007, is so far and away No. 1 in the all-time Herald-Whig rankings he may never have to worry about vacating the throne.

Michael Long is unquestionably the current king
of the Broadway Bullring right now.

Long is unquestionably the current king of the Bullring. His back-to-back track championships and 31 feature victories since 2007 are the stuff of legends.

And Dunker? His accomplishments speak for themselves, yet finding a proper niche for him is difficult. He’s now No. 2 in the all-time rankings and No. 1 in career track points (since 1998), but the shadows of DeLonjay and Long are so overwhelming they tend to dwarf all others.

Long and Dunker should be exciting to watch in the coming seasons. There seems to be a natural rivalry between the two, and that’s good for the series. The modified division itself should be loaded for years with the likes of Dave Wietholder, Robbie Reed, Steven DeLonjay and several others primed for long runs in this division.

The wild-card factor in all of this talk is Long. We’ll have to wait and see what kind of schedule he wants to run next season, but talking to him late in the year it was obvious how much the track title meant to him. I would be surprised if he doesn’t try for three straight in 2009.

Enjoy the rankings. It’s good stuff to talk — and argue — about in the offseason. And don’t worry, the hobby stock and modified rankings this week are just the beginning. There will be plenty of facts, figures and opinions posted between now and the first of April.

Drivers who finish in the top 10 season points standings receive rankings points based on a 15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. Any ties are in the rankings are broken by (in order) number of titles, runner-up finishes, top-5 finishes and top-10 finishes.

Here’s how the rankings look heading into 2009:

1. Hank DeLonjay, 219.5 points

Championships: 10
Runner-up: 4
Top 5 points: 18
Top 10 points: 19

2. Tony Dunker, 86

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 8
Top 10 points: 9

3. Sam Burgtorf, 81

Championships: 3
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 7
Top 10 points: 7

4. Michael Long, 78

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 7
Top 10 points: 8

5. Lonnie Carter, 57

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 5
Top 10 points: 6

6. Mike Karhoff, 55

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 5
Top 10 points: 9

7. Bob Dale, 51

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 6

8. Kelly Bartz, 48

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 3
Top 10 points: 8

9. Greg Uppinghouse, 46

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 4
Top 10 points: 5

10. Vance Wilson, 46

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 4
Top 10 points: 6

On the bubble: Gary Dreyer 45, Wyatt Lantz 40, Mark Van Winkle 39, Dave Wietholder, 39.

MODIFIED RANKINGS SINCE 2006
Return to One Class

1. Michael Long, 30 points
2. Robbie Reed, 25
3. Tony Dunker, 25
4. Dave Wietholder, 21
5. Hank DeLonjay, 20
6. Shawn Deering, 13
7. Rob Carter, 10
8. Steven DeLonjay, 8
9. Danny Lake, 6
10. Jeff Waterman, 5

On the bubble: Travis Griffith 4, Brandon Lennox 4.

HERALD-WHIG "A" MODIFIED RANKINGS
1988-2005 (retired)

1. Hank DeLonjay, 199.5
2. Sam Burgtorf, 81
3. Mike Karhoff, 55
4. Michael Long, 48
5. Vance Wilson, 46
6. Mark Van Winkle, 39
7. Darin Walker, 35
8. Brandon Brown, 35
9. Jeff Waggoner, 32
10. Gary Wilson, 30

HERALD-WHIG "B" RANKINGS
1993-2005 (retired)

1. Tony Dunker, 61
2. Lonnie Carter, 57
3. Bob Dale, 51
4. Greg Uppinghouse, 46
5. Gary Dryer. 45
6. Kelly Bartz, 45
7. Wyatt Lantz, 40
8. Jim Leffew, 31
9. Jerry Poor, 29
10. Joe Hooper, 26

TRACK CHAMPIONS

2008: Michael Long
2007: Michael Long
2006: Robbie Reed

"A" Modifieds
2005: Hank DeLonjay
2004: Hank DeLonjay
2003: Hank DeLonjay
2002: Hank DeLonjay
2001: Vance Wilson
2000: Sam Burgtorf
1999: Sam Burgtorf
1998: Sam Burgtorf
1997: Hank DeLonjay
1996: Mark Van Winkle
1995: Hank DeLonjay
1994: Hank DeLonjay
1993: Denny Woodworth
1992: Hank DeLonjay
1991: Ryan Fierge
1990: Hank DeLonjay
1989: Darin Walker
1988: Hank DeLonjay

"B" Modifieds
2005: Wyatt Lantz
2004: Tony Dunker
2003: Tony Dunker
2002: Marty Hull Sr.
2001: Gary Dreyer
2000: Kelly Bartz
1999: Greg Uppinghouse
1998: Gary Dreyer
1997: Greg Uppinghouse
1996: Lonnie Carter
1995: Lonnie Carter
1994: Lowell Short
1993: Chuck Carter

CAREER TRACK POINTS LEADERS
(Since 1998, IMCA Era)

1. Tony Dunker, 6105 points
2. Hank DeLonjay, 5727
3. Rob Carter, 5037
4. Kelly Bartz, 5011
5. Michael Long, 4840
6. Wes Mayfield, 4082
7. Joe Bliven, 4045
8. Danny Lake, 3905
9. Joe Hooper, 3873
10. Brandon Brown, 3791

(bold face indicates active driver in 2008)

SINCE RETURNING TO ONE CLASS
Since 2006

1. Tony Dunker, 1851 points
2. Dave Wietholder, 1766
3. Robbie Reed, 1756
4. Shawn Deering, 1574
5. Jeff Waterman, 1404
6. Hank DeLonjay, 1387
7. Rob Carter, 1361
8. Michael Long, 1294
9. Brandon Lennox, 1181
10. Joe Bliven, 1093

Steve Carlin did not win a third Quincy Raceways track championship, but the Hannibal, Mo., driver continued his ascent in The Herald-Whig all-time hobby stock/bomber rankings.

Carlin finished third in this season’s championship chase behind Aaron Brocksieck and Wes Mayfield. That is his lowest spot since winding up fourth in 2005, but it allowed him to climb to No. 3 in the all-time rankings behind Eddie Dieker and Bill Genenbacher.

The consistent finishes Carlin has made his trademark makes it a strong possibility he could surpass Dieker in the next three, four or five seasons. Dieker retired after the 2005 campaign and Genenbacher moved to late models following the 2003 season.

Dieker remains a comfortable No. 1 with 101 rankings points, shadowed by Genenbacher (74) and Carlin (63). Drivers who finish in the top 10 season points standings receive rankings points based on a 15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 scale. The hobby stock/bomber class dates back to 1987.

Here’s how the rankings look heading into 2009:

1. Eddie Dieker, 101 points

Championships: 4
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 8
Top 10 points: 9

2. Bill Genenbacher, 74

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 7
Top 10 points: 7

3. Steve Carlin, 63

Championships: 2
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 6

4. Bob Uppinghouse, 57

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 5
Top 10 points: 6

5. Harold Ketchum, 57

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 2
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 7

6. Junior Tuggle, 56

Championships: 1
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 6
Top 10 points: 8

7. Adam Birck, 37

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 3
Top 5 points: 4
Top 10 points: 5

8. Dale Hatfield, 36

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 1
Top 5 points: 3
Top 10 points: 6

9. Bruce Hatfield, 36

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 2
Top 10 points: 8

10. Brent Chapman, 32.5

Championships: 0
Runner-up: 0
Top 5 points: 1
Top 10 points: 9

On the bubble: Larry W. Powell, 29

TRACK CHAMPIONS

2008: Aaron Brocksieck, 577 points
2007: Todd Reichert, 694
2006: Steve Carlin, 658
2005: Eddie Dieker, 799
2004: Eddie Dieker, 659
2003: Steve Carlin, 658
2002: Eddie Dieker, 645
2001: Dave Wietholder, 513
2000: Bill Genenbacher, 577
1999: Eddie Dieker, 690
1998: Bill Genenbacher, 632
1997: Jim Gillenwater
1996: Jim Gillenwater
1995: Virgil Hatfield
1994: Sam Burgtorf
1993: Bob Uppinghouse
1992: Harold Ketchum
1991: Junior Tuggle
1990: Danny Bevill
1989: Jerry Poor
1988: Mike Parsons
1987: Kenny Williams

CAREER TRACK POINTS LEADERS
(Since 1998, IMCA Era)

1. Eddie Dieker, 5731 points
2. Steve Carlin, 4846
3. Jim Powell, 4095
4. Brent Chapman, 3881
5. Bruce Hatfield, 3744
6. Bill Genenbacher, 3531
7. Adam Birck, 3361
8. Travis Booher, 3242
9. Larry W. Powell, 3217
10. Jerry Jansen, 3211

(bold face indicates active driver in 2008)

SINCE NAME CHANGE
TO HOBBY STOCK
Since 2007

1. Steve Carlin, 1258
2. Aaron Brocksieck, 1244
3. Bobby Anders, 1053
4. Mike Wiley, 1047
5. Travis Booher, 966
6. James Leffew, 926
7. Jeremy Buss, 779
8. Corrie Eifert, 762
9. Todd Reichert, 694
10. Michael Lay, 655

Tonight’s show has been postponed due to Saturday’s rain, according to a release from track officials.

The Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invaders has been rescheduled for Sept. 14 as part of the $2,500-to-win modified special. Stock cars will be the support series. Hobby stocks will NOT be racing.

The postponement ends a string of 11 consecutive Sunday nights without a washout.

There’s an interesting "race" for the overall money title this season among the late model drivers. Jason Frankel is trying to unseat Mark Burgtorf as king of the cash register.

Burgtorf has won $11,135 at the Bullring, counting both points races and specials. Frankel has pocketed $10,445.

A couple of weeks ago Frankel ended Burgtorf’s domination of the regular-season money championship when he won $8,080 during points races. Burgtorf was second at $7,735.

The late models run for $1,000 to win Sunday night.

Here’s some facts and figures to absorb:

2008 MONEY WON (ALL RACES)

1. Mark Burgtorf, $11,135
2. Jason Frankel, 10,445
3. Denny Woodworth, 8,250
4. Justin Reed, 6,080
5. Jason Perry, 4,905
6. Lonnie Bailey, 4,695
7. Keith Pratt, 4,685
8. Robby Warner, 4,255
9. Bill Genenbacher, 4,170
10. Kevin Tomlinson, 4,145

11. Dustin Neese, 4,040
12. Matt Bailey, 3,980
13. Nick Ingalls, 3,965
14. Terry Gallaher, 3,715
15. Jerry Weisenberger, 3,500

POINTS RACES ONLY MONEY LEADERS
2008: Jason Frankel, $8,080
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 9,840
2006: Mark Burgtorf, 10,460

NON-POINTS RACES ONLY MONEY LEADERS
2008: Denny Woodworth, $4,625, Mark Burgtorf 3,400, Jason Frankel 2,375 (Sunday and Sept. 21 remain)
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 3,875
2006: Mark Burgtorf, 7,050

TOTAL MONEY WON
2008: Mark Burgtorf $11,135, Jason Frankel 10.445, Denny Woodworth 8,250 (Sunday and Sept. 21 remain)
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 13,715
2006: Mark Burgtorf, 17,510

In case you are wondering, since we started tracking this kind of stuff theee years ago, Burgtorf has won $42,360 at ye olde Bullring. Ka-ching!

Just because we only have a handful of Sunday nights left at the Bullring doesn’t mean the race talk will die here. Here are some things to be watching for in the coming days, weeks and months:

• I’m about ready to start updating the all-time rankings for late models, modifieds and hobby stocks. (Obviously, not much to do with the first-year stock cars yet.)

There will be some new kinds of breakdowns and other conversation starters I think you’ll find interesting.

• There will be extensive season-ending looks at each of the classes, including the first Stevie Dirt awards.

• And the piece de resistance will be the inaugural All-Dirt teams and Drivers of the Year for late models and modifieds, based largely on the Stevie Dirt regional rankings for those disciplines. That will be fun. I guarantee it.

In the meantime, here’s a quick look at some of the stat leaders for Sunday night’s competing classes:

VICTORIES

Total
Mark Burgtorf, 18
Jason Frankel, 11
Denny Woodworth, 7
Jason Perry, Lonnie Bailey, 6
Matt Bailey, 5
Robby Warner, 5

Features
Mark Burgtorf, 6
Jason Frankel, 5
Denny Woodworth, 3

Heats
Makr Burgtorf, 7
Jason Frankel, 4
Jerry Weisenberger, 4
Nick Ingalls, 4

Dashes
Mark Burgtorf, 5
Jason Frankel, 2
Robby Warner, 2

MODIFIEDS

Total
Michael Long, 35
Dave Wietholder, 10
Jared Schlipman, 9
Steven DeLonjay, 8
Robbie Reed, 8

Features
Michael Long, 15
Robbie Reed, 2
Dave Wietholder, 2

Heats
Michael Long, 13
Robbie Reed, 5
Tony Dunker, 5

Dashes
Michael Long, 7
ave Wietholder, 3
Steven DeLonjay, 2
Brandon Lennox, 2

HOBBY STOCKS

Total
James Leffew, 10
Aaron Brocksieck, 9
Steve Carlin, 8
Wes Mayfield, 7
Bobby Anders, 7
Jim Powell, 6

Features
James Leffew, 4
Aaron Brocksieck, 4
Wes Mayfield, 4
Steve Carlin, 2
Travis Booher, 2

Heats
Bobby Anders, 7
Steve Carlin, 6
James Leffew, 6
Aaron Brocksieck, 5
Jim Powell, 4

HERALD-WHIG PERFORMANCE POINTS

Late Models
Mark Burgtorf, 189 points
Jason Frankel, 164
Denny Woodworth, 133
Justin Reed, 75
Kevin Tomlinson, 53
Nick Ingalls, 52

Modifieds
Michael Long, 289 points
Steven DeLonjay, 122
Robbie Reed, 103
Dave Wietholder, 101
Tony Dunker, 93

Hobby Stocks
James Leffew, 151 points
Wes Mayfield, 141
Jim Powell, 133
Aaron Brocksieck, 129
Steve Carlin, 115

FEATURE LAPS LED

Late Models
Jason Frankel, 129
Mark Burgtorf, 96
Kevin Tomlinson, 62
Terry Neal, 46
Sam Halstead, 36
Robby Warner, 30

Modifieds
Michael Long, 196
Jared Schlipman, 57
Dave Wietholder, 39
Robbie Reed, 32
Justin Reed, 24

Hobby Stocks
James Leffew, 63
Steve Carlin, 54
Jim Powell, 52
Travis Booher, 41

FINAL STEVIE DIRT REGIONAL RANKINGS

Drivers earned feature points on a 25-20-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 scale at selected regional tracks since April.

LATE MODELS

1. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 578 points (TOP ILLINOIS DRIVER)
2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 337
3. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy, Ill., 273
4. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill., 271
5. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 227
6. Keith Pratt, Mendon, Ill., 206
7. Tom Goble, Burlington, Iowa, 179 (TOP IOWA DRIVER)
8. Matt Bailey, Quincy, Ill., 166
9. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, Iowa, 162
10. Tom Bowling, Danville, Iowa, 136

11. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, Iowa, 130
12. Matt Strassheim, West Burlington, Iowa, 127
13. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa, 105
14. Jason Perry, Payson, Ill., 94
15. Sam Halstead, New London, Iowa, 91
16. Nick Ingalls, Quincy, Ill., 87
17. Kevin Tomlinson, New London, Mo., 86 (TOP MISSOURI DRIVER)
18. Robby Warner, Quincy, Ill., 83
19. Colby Springsteen, Morning Sun, Iowa, 81
20. Dustin Griffin, Quincy, Ill., 76

21. Terry Gallaher, New London, Mo., 71
22. Dustin Neese, Nebo, Ill., 65
23. Bill Genenbacher, Camp Point, Ill., 59
24. Jay Chenoweth, Wapello, Iowa, 57
25. Terry Neal, Ely, Iowa, 56

On the bubble:

Ron Elbe, Augusta, Ill., 54

Previous No. 1 Weekly Rankings
Week 16: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 15: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 14: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 13: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 12: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 11: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 10: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 9: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 8: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.,
Week 7: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2-tie. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., Lonnie Bailey, Quincy, Ill.
Week 6: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 5: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 4: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 3: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 2: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 2. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.
Week 1: Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 2. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill.

MODIFIEDS

1. Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 516 points (TOP ILLINOIS DRIVER)
2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa, 348  (TOP IOWA DRIVER)
3. Dean McGee, Galesburg, Ill., 331
4. Dave Holder, Clarence, Mo., 324 (TOP MISSOURI DRIVER)
5. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, Iowa, 277
6. Brandon Lennox, New London, Mo., 273
7. Dave Wietholder, Liberty, Ill., 252
8. Steven DeLonjay, Quincy, Ill., 230
9. Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa, 202
10. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill., 19

11. Andy Krieger, Burlington, Iowa, 1883
12. Tony Dunker, Quincy, Ill., 182
13. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill., 169
14. Robbie Reed, Quincy, Ill., 159 
15. Wyatt Lantz, Augusta, Ill., 153
16. Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa, 143
17. Dennis Laveine, Burlington, Iowa, 141
18. Tony Fraise, Donnellson, Iowa, 130
19. Kevin Cale, Donnellson, Iowa, 128
20. Vance Wilson, Curryville, Mo., 126

21. Scott Hogan, Vinton, Iowa, 115
22. Mike Weikert Jr., Burlington, Iowa, 114
23. Matt Dotson, Sturgeon, Mo., 109
24. Shawn Deering, Quincy, Ill., 94
25. Chris Larson, Keokuk, Iowa, 92

On the bubble:

Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa, 87
Brandon Savage, Keokuk, Iowa, 79

Previous No. 1 Weekly Rankings
Week 15: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa
Week 14: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.
Week 13: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. David Holder, Clarence, Mo.
Week 12: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. David Holder, Clarence, Mo.
Week 11: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.
Week 10: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.
Week 9: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.
Week 8: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Dean McGee Sr., Galesburg, Ill.
Week 7: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, Iowa.
Week 6: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, Iowa.
Week 5: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa.
Week 4: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa.
Week 3: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa.
Week 2: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa.
Week 1: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 2. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, Iowa