Tony Dunker warned me earlier in the week that Justin Reed’s acceptance speech at the Quincy Raceways awards banquet Saturday night  might be of filibuster proportion.

He was right.

Reed was honored as the 2009 modified track champion, driving Dunker’s No. 4st car. And Reed may have taken longer to deliver his thank-you’s than he did winning some of those features last summer.

By the time Reed had concluded there were about a dozen fellow drivers and friends standing pointing to their watches.

All kidding aside, Reed did have a lot of good things to say.

“This (championship) is something for Tony’s guys,” Reed said. “I can’t thank guys like Tony, Brandon Brown and Dave Sapp enough for giving me the chance to drive one of their cars.”

Other champions honored included Lonnie Bailey in the late models, Abe Huls in stock cars and Steve Carlin in hobby stocks.

NOTES FROM BULLRING NATION:

– Abe Huls assured he will be back to defend that stock car title.

– Joe Bliven informed he is returning to racing Friday nights at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, running a sport mod. He’ll also be running on selected weekends at Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. And, yes, he’ll still be a tech on Sunday nights in Quincy.

– Lonnie Bailey, in his 30th year of racing, poked fun at himself whan talking about the two track titles he won last summer. “I won two track championships without winning a feature,” he said. “I’m not sure what that’s telling me.” (Bailey also won the latge model title at 34 Raceway in West Burlingtn, Iowa.)

– Retiring Steve Blickhan and Don Hummel were honored for their service at the track. Blickhan had been flagging at the Bullring since the early 1980s. Hummel has spent most of his time as a wrecker driver and was around at the very beginning of the track’s history in 1975. He told me he remembered standing in a cornfield when the late Albert Scott and son Bob began marking off the distances and parameters for what is now the cathedral of commotion at 8000 Broadway.

– Rookies of the year honored were Jake Powers (hobby stocks), Aaron Brocksieck (stock cars) and Trent Grotz (mods). There was no official rookie of the year in late models so Steve Blickhan was acknowledged for wanting to be a late model driver.

– People’s Choice awards were earned by Tanner Klingele (hobby stocks), Aaron Brocksieck (stock cars), Steven DeLonjay (mods) and Mark Burgtorf (late models).

– Claiming most improved driver acknowledgements were Mike Wiuley (hobby stocks), Andrew Griffin (stock cars), Shawn Deering (mods) and Justin Reed (late models).

– Hard charger awards went to Jim Powell (hobby stocks), KevinTomlinson (stock cars), Steven DeLonjay (mods) and Justin Reed (late models).

– Best track packers were Jim Powell (hobby stocks), Michael Larsen (stock cars), Shawn Deering (mods) and Dave Sapp Jr. (late models).

– Best appearing awards went to Adam Scott (hobby stocks), Chris Wibbell (Stock cars), Tony Dunker (mods) and Matt Bailey (late models).

– Sportsmanship awards went to Tanner Klingele (hobby stocks), Andrew Griffin (stockc ars), Donovan Lodge (mods) and Jerry Weisenberger (late models).

– Some of the more interesting attendance awards went to Mark Burgtorf for 20 years, Lonnie Bailey 15, Bill Genenbacher 11, Dave Wietholder 10 and Tony Dunker for 10. Those are cumulative awards, not consecutive.

Steve Fraise won 9 late model track titles at Quincy Raceways.

Who will wear the crown?

The inaugural “King of the Ring” — as in Bullring — competition willk get under way on this blog beginning Monday. Feb. 1. Here’s how it will work:

– Online voters will determine the all-time King of the Ring through four stages of voting.

– Drivers who have won at least two track championships are eligible to be on the ballot.

– The voting will be done in four stages, each a one-week window of balloting.

– The first round will feature two different sets of two-time track champions.

– The semifinals will showcase the six drivers with three or four track titles, plus the top two vote-getters from each of the two first-round pairings.

– The championship spotlights the three drivers who won nine or more track crowns, plus the top three vote-getters from the semifinals.

VOTING MATCHUPS

First round

Pairing No. 1, all drivers have 2 track titles  (top two vote-getters advance)
Steven DeLonjay, hornets
Bill Genenbacher, hobby stocks
Jeff Klingele, street stock/hobby
Michael Long, modifieds
Hal Roach, roadrunner
Junior Tuggle, bomber/street stock
 
Pairing No. 2, all drivers have 2 track titles  (top two vote-getters advance)
Lonnie Carter, modifieds
Gary Dreyer, modifieds
Tony Dunker, modifieds
Jim Gillenwater, hobby stock
Greg Uppinghouse, modifieds

Semifinals

Sam Burgtorf, 4 track titles, modified (3), hobby stock
Eddie Dieker, 4 track titles, hobby stock
Terry Gallaher, 4 track titles, late models
Lonnie Bailey, 3 track titles, late model (2), sportsman
Steve Carlin, 3 track titles, hobby stock
Larry Larson, 3 track titles, sportsman (2), hobby
Qualifier from Pairing No. 1
Qualifier from Pairing No. 1
Qualifier from Pairing No. 2
Qualifier from Pairing No. 2

The Feature

Mark Burgtorf, 14 track titles, late models
Hank DeLonjay, 13 track titles, modified (10), sportsman (3)
Steve Fraise, 9 track titles, late models
Qualifier from semifinals
Qualifier from semifinals
Qualifier from semifinals

The following is the final in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

If you were looking for season-after-season consistency during the just-completed decade at the Bullring, there are a handful of names that will immediately jump out. And for the most part, they are the usual suspects.

I took the top 10 drivers in points for each of the 10 seasons in the late models, modifieds and hobby stocks, added up all of their finishes and divided by the number of seasons they competed in at least five races. For example, Mark Burgtorf’s 10 points finishes added up to “24.” If you divide that figure by 10 (seasons), Burgtorf’s average points finish was 2.40, meaning he averaged about a second-place finish in the points each year.

Only drivers who ran a minimum of five full seasons during the decade were eligible.

Burgtorf’s figure was the best among the late model hotshoes, with Lonnie Bailey a respectable second at 3.00. Burgtorf won six titles during the decade and Bailey two. Bailey did not run in 2000 at Quincy.

I found Nos. 3-4-5 especially intriguing in the late models.

Jamie Wilson (3.80) was No. 3, but he only ran the minimum five seasons, and none since 2004. Interestingly, Wilson made a mile comeback late in 2009 in the modified division.

Hank DeLonjay, right, and his son, Steven, are pictured with the familiar red-and-white No. 35 modified.

The late Brent Slocum (6.00) ranked fourth. His final full season was in 2004 before he died in an accident in the pits at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, in June 2005.

Justin Reed (6.71) is fifth, and as hard as it might be to believe, already has seven full seasons (2003-09) behind the wheel. The last three have been especially bountfiul, racking up points finishes of fifth, third and second.

The modifieds were more or less ruled by four men last decade — Hank DeLonjay, Tony Dunker, Michael Long and Dave Wietholder.

DeLonjay, who retired after the 2007 season, had an average finish of 2.50 in the points between 2000-07. “The Crank” won four championships and finished second twice. The past two seasons he has been crew chief for his son, Steven, who now drives the familiar No. 35 his dad once piloted.

Dunker (2.90) earned a pair of championships, never finished lower than seventh and is the only driver in the series to have 10 top-10 points finishes between 2000-09. He’s also the only driver in all series to finish seventh or higher each of the 10 years.

Long built a 3.50 average, and while that is impressive on its own, that figure took a serious hit in 2009 when he opted not to run at Quincy in seven of the 17 points races. If  2009 was erased from Long’s dossier, his average would be 2.28 — the best average of any driver in any series at the track. If Long had run the entire season he would have likely won a third straight championship and ended with a 2.13 average. Long never finished lower than fourth in any of his seven other seasons, so if he were assigned an arbitrary fourth-place finish in 2009 his decade average would have been 2.50.

Wietholder (4.71) has run modifieds since 2003 and finished in the top five in points all but twice. Wietholder is still searching for his first mod crown, but with his consistency it’s probably just a matter of time.

Eddie Dieker retired after the 2006 season with a 2.29 hobby stock average for the decade, the top overall mark of any series at the track. Dieker won three of his four titles in the decade of the 2000s.

Probably surprising to some, Adam Birck (3.40) had the second-best mark in the decade, but what those “some” might not remember are three straight runner-up finishes between 2004-06. Birck never finished lower than seventh during his relatively brief stay in the hobbies before turning to modifieds.

The driver many probably figured would have had the top average – or at least runner-up — is Steve Carlin (4.89), and he would have had if not for two finishes outside of the top 10 early in the decade. Carlin, who has won three track titles, has averaged 2.14 finish since 2003.

TOP AVERAGE POINTS FINISHES BY SERIES 2000-09

LATE MODELS
Mark Burgtorf, 2.40 (2000-09)
Lonnie Bailey, 3.00 (2001-09)
Jamie Wilson, 3.80 (2000-04)
Brent Slocum, 6.00 (2000-05)
Justin Reed, 6.71 (2003-09)
Jerry Weisenberger, 6.86 (2000, 2004-09)
Denny Woodworth, 8.10 (2000-09)
Bill Genenbacher, 9.33 (2004-09)
Matt Bailey, 10.00 (2005-09)
Joey Gower, 10.10 (2000-09)

MODIFIEDS
Hank DeLonjay, 2.50 (2000-07)
Tony Dunker, 2.90 (2000-09)
Michael Long, 3.50 (2001-05, 2007-09)
Dave Wietholder, 4.71 (2003-09)

HOBBY STOCKS
Eddie Dieker, 2.29 (2000-06)
Adam Birck, 3.40 (2002-06)
Steve Carlin, 4.89 (2001-09)
Jerry Jansen, 6.60 (2002-06)

Michael Long

The following is the ninth in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

Initially, I figured it would take close to forever to pick out the top individual seasons from the decade. In reality, it took about 10 minutes.

1. Michel Long, modifieds, 2007-2008

I know, I know … that’s two seasons, but they were so identical I decided to just lump them together. Long’s 2007-2008 campaigns almost mirrored one another in their total and complete domination of the rest of the class. He strung together a combined 71 wins, including 35 features. Twice in that period, Long won six straight features. Six! And he did it twice! Here’s some other food for thought concerning Long. Since 2006, he has won 38 modified features. All other mod drivers combined have won 44. And remember, Long did not run complete seasons at the Bullring in either 2006 or 2009.

2. Mark Burgtorf, 2006

The Living Legend may have enjoyed his finest overall season in 2006 when he utterly destroyed the late model division. Burgtorf won a late model track record 28 races that included 13 features, 10 heats and eight dashes (also a record). Burgtorf’s 117-point margin in the points race over Denny Woodworth is the best ever in the IMCA era (since 1998).

3. Steve Carlin, 2007

Carlin’s impressive accomplishments in 2007 were somewhat overshadowed by two things: Long’s uber year in the mods and the fact he lost the hobby stock title to Todd Reichert by one point. Carlin’s 2007 season saw him win a series-record 23 races and 12 features, but somehow finished outside the top 10 in three points features. That ultimately cost him the track title and overshadowed an otherwise spectacular summer.

The following is the eighth in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

Quincy regulars have won the last five and six of the previous seven Deery Brothers Summer Series late model features at the Bullring.

If not for a controversial disqualification that impressive run would read seven-for-seven.

Mark Burgtorf

Fourteen-time track champ Mark Burgtorf was thought to have won the first of two 2007 Deery events scheduled for the track, only to have an apparent April victory overturned two days following the checkered flag.

The International Motorsports Contest Association (IMCA), the governing body that oversees the Deery Brothers tour and sanctions the weekly late model program at Quincy Raceways, cited “unapproved alterations made to a spec cylinder head” that reportedly could have increased horsepower of the engine.

The top six cars underwent IMCA post-race inspection. Runner-up Boone McLaughlin of Mediapolis, Iowa, replaced Burgtorf in the Deery Brothers record book as the winner of the race.

The heads from Burgtorf’s car were taken to IMCA headquarters in Vinton, Iowa. When the announcement about Burgtorf’s penalty was released the fallout started almost immediately.

In a Herald-Whig account, Burgtorf thought his engine was legal and emphasized he had never had any such problem in a late model career that dated to 1985. He felt the IMCA was nitpicking over the alleged infraction(s).

“I don’t cheat, I don’t believe in it … this is embarrassing,” Burgtorf said. “I wish it had never happened.”

Burgtorf said if the IMCA had taken heads from all 48 late model cars at Quincy the night of the race  probably “three out of every four” would have been found in violation.

“That’s his opinion,” IMCA spokesman KevinYoder said at the time of the penalty. “The reason we did this is not because of a witch hunt, it is to reinforce the cars that are legal and try and keep the playing field equal. We’ll continue to do this.”

“My opinion is Mark did not knowingly do anything wrong,” co-track owner Tony Rhinberger said following the announcement about Burgtorf. “Mark’s heart and soul are here in Quincy and he has always been a big supporter of the IMCA and spec racing. The decision was not made by us, but by the IMCA, which had its own tech officials taking care of the series. We stand behind the decision, because it was a rules infraction. It was unfortunate for Mark, because he is such a good competitor. I’m sure he’ll regroup and remain a top competitor.”

Burgtorf’s engine builder,  Jim Kuntz of Arkadelphia, Ark., stood by his work, noting he had prepared IMCA spec engines for years, plus motors for other sanctioning bodies such as the Southern All-Stars, United Professional Racing Association, United States Modified Touring Series and the National Hot Rod Association.

“We’re talking about a very minute deal,” Kuntz said of the IMCA findings. “I’ve looked at IMCA heads for years. Our engines have always passed these kinds of tear-downs.”

Kuntz emphasized the IMCA had not provided any diagrams, instructions or dimensions concerning its requirements for the situation in question.

Burgtorf’s disqualification angered Rich Lane, Burgtorf’s longtime chassis man who had decided to semi-retire following the 2006 season, but Lane announced  he was officially out of retirement following news of the disquaification and returned full-time to the Burgtorf camp the rest of the season.

“I called Mark … and said I was coming back and we will show them we have never cheated,” Lane said. “I didn’t think we had anything left to prove here in Quincy, but apparently we do.”

Lane’s words proved prophetic. Burgtorf went on to storm to the track title that season, beating runner-up Lonnie Bailey by 97 points, which the second-largest such margin in the IMCA era at the track.

Oh, and the second Deery race at Quincy in September 2007? Burgtorf won it — easily.

Tony Dunker

The following is the seventh in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

I was interested in seeing what kind of Cal Ripken-esque streaks I could find over the past decade when it came to Bullring drivers, and what I found was a mild surprise.

Only two drivers have not missed a points feature since 2002, the first year when the track started using a software program to monitor a more detailed look at individual feature performances.

Tony Dunker and Dave Wietholder are the two drivers in question. Dunker has started 141 consecutive points features, Wietholder 140.

All of Dunker’s starts have come in the one-class modifieds (since 2006) and “B” modifieds (2002-05). Wietholder’s starts have come in the one-class mods (since 2006), “A” mods (2004-05), “B” mods (2003) and bombers (2002).

And remember, both drivers’ actual streaks are longer than we are giving them credit for today, but complete records for this are only available for the last eight seasons.

Here are some other surprises:

– Michael Long has run all points features in only season since 2004. For what he has accomplished in the modifieds that is amazing.

– Wyatt Lantz has not run a full scheduled of modified points features since 2005.

Dave Wietholder

– Mark Burgtorf’s last season running all late model points features was 2007.

– Jerry Weisenberger has the longest active streak (since 2005) in the  late models, but I don’t think he is planning on running this year.

– Lonnie Bailey has run all of the late model points features in seven of the eight seasons, missing only a handful late in 2006 after a nasty crash ended his season.

– Steve Carlin has not missed a hobby stock/bomber points feature since 2003.

– Bill Genenbacher has run all of the points features in seven of eight seasons, five of the last six in late models and 2002-03 in the bombers.

– Denny Woodworth’s last season of running all late model points features was in 2006.

– One stock car note: Andrew Griffin is the only driver to run all points features over the series’ first two seasons.

Here’s a look at the three classes that have been around since 2002. I didn’t include the stock cars because they have only been running at 8000 Broadway since 2008.

 LATE MODELS

Seasons raced in all points features
Lonnie Bailey, 7
Dustin Neese, 6
Justin Reed, 5
Bill Genenabcher, 5
Jerry Weisenberger, 5
Mark Burgtorf, 5

Current streaks
Jerry Weisenberger, 5
Lonnie Bailey, 3
Justin Reed, 3
Bill Genenbacher, 3
Dustin Neese, 3
Jason Perry, 2
Clint Kirkham, 1

MODIFIEDS

Seasons raced in all points features
Tony Dunker, 8
Dave Wietholder, 7 (8, counting 2002 season with bombers)
Hank DeLonjay, 6
Shawn Deering, 3
Michael Long, 3
Wyatt Lantz, 3
Terry Houston, 3
Jim Leffew, 3

Current streaks
Tony Dunker, 8
Dave Wietholder, 7 (8, counting 2002 season with bombers)
Steven DeLonjay, 2
Shawn Deering, 2

HOBBY STOCKS

Seaons raced in all points features
Steve Carlin, 6
Eddie Dieker, 4
Adam Birck, 4
Mike Wiley, 3
Travis Booher, 3
Jerry Jansen, 3

Current streaks
Steve Carlib, 6
Mike Wiley, 3
Jim Powell, 2

The following is the sixth in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

It’s not an official statistic or a recognized award, but it is certainly an accomplishment — and a most difficult one.

It’s called the “triple crown,” winning the midseason and championship races, plus the track title. And it only happened six times  by five drivers during the 2000-09 decade.

Accomplishing a triple crown is no fluke, evidenced by the caliber of drivers who have been able to accomplish the feat. Mark Burgtorf, Michael Long, Wyatt Lantz, Tony Dunker and Dave Wietholder are all household names.

Wyatt Lantz

Here’s a triple-crown rundown:

Late models
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2003: Mark Burgtorf

Modifieds
2007: Michael Long
2005: Wyatt Lantz (“B” modifieds)
2004: Tony Dunker (“B” modifieds)

Hobby Stocks
2001: Dave Wietholder

Were there any other drivers who came close? A few. Three times  a driver won midseason and season races, but did not win the track championship:

2007: Steve Carlin, hobby stocks
2001: Kelly Bartz, “B” modifieds
2000: Joe Bliven, “B” modifieds

Andrew Griffin and his No. 25 stock car were part of a series added in 2008 that proved to be one of the top off-track decisions of the past decade.

The following is the fifth in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

No period in the 35-year history of Quincy Raceways saw more major changes in how the track operated than the 2000-09 decade. The off-track decisions not only shaped the racing of the present, but set the tone for many seasons down the road.

Here are the five most important decisions by track officials in that 10-year span:

1. Ownership changes

For more than 30 years, the Scott Family operated the facilities at 8000 Broadway, then sold the track to Mike Karhoff and Tony Rhinberger prior to the start of the 2007 season. Rhinberger bought out Karhoff prior to 2008, and then shortly before the 2009 season Paul Holtschlag came on board as co-owner.

We’ve needed a scorecard to keep track of the ownership combos in recent years, but despite that confusion the track has continued to progress. The Scotts did an incredible job of keeping racing alive — and affordable —  in the heart of West-Central Illinois. The ensuing owners have each added to the foundation the Scotts laid. We’ll discuss some of those in the following comments.

Tracking the owners:
1975-2006: Scott Family (Albert, Bob, Jeff).
2007: Mike Karhoff-Tony Rhinberger
2008: Tony Rhinberger
2009: Tony Rhinberger-Paul Holtschlag

2. Addition of UMP Summernationals to schedule

The Summernationals are a legitimate, big-time late model event, and following years of discussion, Quincy landed a spot on the schedule for the 2006 season. The Summernats have been a staple ever since, with first-place payouts ranging from $6,000 to $10,000.

3.  One modified class

Following the 2005 season, the decision wass made to eliminate the “B” modifieds and sanction just one mod division, which in 2009 was sanctioned by UMP for the first time. The mods now draw the most cars each Sunday night, but there is still a craving among some fans and drivers alike to return to two classes.

4. The addition of stock cars

This move was pure genius. The stock cars were a popular series at most tracks in the Tri-State area and have proved a solid addition in 2008 to the weekly Quincy lineup, both in terms of interest and close racing. The stock cars might be the “series of the (coming) decade” if they continue to grow as expected.

5. Electronic scoring

Quincy is the envy of most other tracks in the region since ownership shelled out some serious bucks to have the popular electronic scoring system installed late in 2007.  While it assists greatly in lining up cars, tracking times and charting laps it also gives the Bullring a first-class feel and reputation. And after all, I read once that  image is everything.

Mark Burgtorf

The following is the fourth in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s.

There were 24 different track champs at the Bullring during the 2000-09 decade, but there was a very familiar name when it came to the driver who won the most titles.

Late model ace Mark Burgtorf collected six series championships, running his career total to a track-record 14. Burgtorf strung together titles in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Ironically, Burgtorf enters the new decade without a championship for two straight years, the longest “drought” in his career since he won his first Quincy crown in 1992.

Only four drivers at 8000 Broadway won three or more titles in the just-completed decade. Hank DeLonjay won four championships in the old “A” modified division, while Steve Carlin and Eddie Dieker each earned three titles with the hobby stocks/bombers.

DeLonjay won the most consecutive crowns in the decade, rolling to four in a row between 2002-05. Burgtorf won three straight between 2005-07.

MOST TRACK TITLES IN THE 2000-09 DECADE

Mark Burgtorf, late models, 6
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds, 4
Steve Carlin, hobby stocks/bombers, 3
Eddie Dieker, bombers, 3
Lonnie Bailey, late models, 2
Michael Long, modifieds, Long, 2
Steven Delonjay, hornets, 2
Tony Dunker, “B” modifieds, 2

NUMBER OF DIFFERENT CHAMPIONS BY SERIES

Late models: 4
Modifieds: 11
Hobby stocks: 6
Stock cars: 2
Hornets: 1

Brent Slocum

The following is the third in a 10-part countdown of highlights and lowlights at Quincy Raceways during the decade of the 2000s

I used to love going to the pits on Sunday nights and talking with Brent Slocum, a wonderful, wonderful person. Those visits have not been possible now for almost five years.

Slocum died in a pit area accident at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, back on June 11, 2005. The 28-year-old from Burlington was one of the most popular drivers in the Tri-State area and a fan favorite at the Bullring.

Slocum won his first and only late model title in Quincy in 2002, but was always a contender during his all-too-brief career.

“I always considered Quincy my second home,” Slocum once told me. “The people here have always made me feel so welcome.”

Slocum’s funeral drew thousands. He was that popular. To this day, each Sunday night still seems a little empty with that familiar No. 5 absent from the late model features.

Not once did I ever hear a discouraging word about Slocum, who with longtime Quincy regular and 14-time track champ Mark Burgtorf probably enjoyed the finest reputations of any area driver in the late model series.

In fact, Slocum paid Burgtorf the highest tribute on a hot Sunday night in late August 2002, the evening he clinched his championship. Slocum talked at great length what an honor it was to win the title at the track Burgtorf, a driver he greatly admitred, had enjoyed so much success.

Slocum’s thoughts about Burgtorf were pure class, but I expected nothing less from Brent Slocum, whose passing was the darkest point of the just-completed decade.