Mark Burgtorf finished fourth Monday night in the Deery Brothers Summer Series tour stop in Boone, Iowa.

Series points leader Ray Guss Jr. earned the $2,000 first-prize check for the 40-lap main event that saw only one caution flag. Terry Neal was second and Joel Callahan third.

Neal started outside front row and led the first 16 laps. Guss had taken the green from outside row two and was on Neal’s back bumper for most of the early going before slipping inside for the lead. The front pair caught up to the back of the field shortly after midway and changed lines adroitly to work their way through. Burgtorf raced his way up to second before Neal and Callahan passed him back with two laps left.

The win was the 18th of Guss’ Deery career, tying him with Neal and Rob Toland for fifth on the all-time tour victory list.

QUINCY DEERY RACE JUNE 13

The eighth of 16 events on the 2010 schedule is Sunday, June 13 when the $3,000 to win, minimum $300 to start Titan Wheel and Tire Shootout unfolds at the Bullring. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., the grandstand at 4. Hot laps are scheduled for 5, racing at 5:30.

This will be the 24th Deery race at Quincy.

Burgtorf won the first Deery event in Quincy this season on April 11. Jason Frankel, Guss, Keith Pratt anbd Denny Woodworth rounded out the top five that night.

Tony Dunker

Lost to many in Sunday night’s action at the Bullring was Tony Dunker’s near-miss in the modified feature. Dunker came that close to finding victory lane for the first time since 2005, finishing a close second to Jared Schlipman.

Dunker, a two-time track champion and three-time runner-up, was frustrated again to win his first main event since Aug. 21, 2005. That was 96 features ago. (By the way, his brother, Pat, promises a world-class party once Tony breaks this skein.)

The cruel irony of the stgreak is that Dunker is the No. 2-ranked modified driver in the track’s 36-year history and No. 1 since the mods combined into one class in 2006.

Dunker has been the model of consistency with nin straight top-five finishes in the points, two off Hank DeLonjay’s modified track record. He can tie DeLonjay this season with an 11th straight top-10 finish in the points.

CENTURY MARK

Dunker won a heat race and dash Sunday, which pushed his career victory total to 98 since 1999, the year such numbers started being tracked. Two more wins and he will become only the third modified driver and fourth overall to reach 100 victories.

Career modified wins at Quincy (through May 30, 2010)
Michael Long, 154
Hank DeLonjay, 130
Tony Dunker, 98
Wyatt Lantza, 77
Vance Wilson, 67

All classes career wins (through May 30, 2010)
Mark Burgtorf, 185 (includes wins as modified driver)
Michael Long, 154
Hank DeLonjay, 138 (includes wins as late model driver)
Tony Dunker, 98
Eddie Dieker, 91
Lonnie Bailey, 88
Denny Woodworth, 82
Steve Carlin, 79
Wyatt Lantz, 77
Dave Wietholder, 73 (includes wins as bomber driver)

Quincy’s Mark Burgtorf finished 14th Sunday night in the $10,000-to-win FedEx 50 at Tri-City Speedway near Granite City, Ill. Billy Moyer won the event, with Shannon Babb ending up second.

Michael Long of Quincy was 19th in the modified feature.

Jared Schlipman and Tanner Klingele both won their second consecutive features Sunday night at the Bullring — and both now find themselves in the thick of a championship hunt.

Schlipman stormed past Tony Dunker in dramatic fashion in the closing laps of the modified feature, while Klingele made the most of a late restart to collect the checkered flag in the hobby stock main event.

Jason Perry in the late models and Honest Abe Huls in the stock cars were the other feature winners as 8000 Broadway raced for only the fourth Sunday evening this season and just the second time since April 18.

Schlipman was finally able to power past Dunker on the high side in lap 19 and went on to win his second career modified  feature. In doing so, Schlipman climbed to third in the series points standings. Dave Wietholder, who was sixth in the feature, leads with 260 points, followed by defending champ Justin Reed (238) and Schlipman (232).

Klingele found himself inheriting the lead after a lap 18 caution that sent Jake Powers to the rear of the field for rough driving. Klingele held off Jim Powell for the third feature win of his fledgling career. Steve Carlin (151) maintained the hobby stock points lead despite an 11th-place finish feature finish that was no fault of his own. Carlin was in the wrong place at the wrong time when Bobby Anders and Larry Powell tangled on lap seven. Jim Powell (147), Powers (144), Anders (143) and Klingele (141) are all bunched within 10 points of the series lead.

Perry was impressive in his late model victory, leading the last 17 laps. He has also built an 11-point lead (85-74) over Justin Reed at the top of the late model standings. Reed was fifth in the feature behind runner-up Denny Woodworth, Lonnie Bailey and Keith Pratt.

Huls outlasted Terry Houston by 0.359 of a second in an entertaining stock car feature. Houston leads Huls (155-150) in the series points standings.

STEVIE DIRT REGIONAL RANKINGS: YEAR 3

Denny Woodworth’s second-place feature showing Sunday night at the Bullring tightened the late model rankings, while Abe Huls’ checkered flag in the stock car main event allowed him to move closer to points leader Jeff Mueller.

LATE MODELS
Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 101 points
Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill., 82
Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 66
Rob Toland, Davenport, Iowa, 47
Jason Perry, Payson, Ill., 45
Keith Pratt, Mendon, Ill., 41

MODIFIEDS
Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 140 points
Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa, 92
Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa, 79
Brandon Rothzen, Raritan, Ill., 75
Scott Hogan, Vinton, Iowa, 62
Dave Wietholder, Liberty, Ill., 60
Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill., 52
Jared Schlipman, Mendon, Ill., 51

STOCK CARS
Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa, 159 points
Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill., 111
Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, Ill., 80
Jason Cook, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 72
Jim Redmann, Lockridge, Iowa, 65
Steve Steinkuhler, Camp Point, Ill., 58
Andrew Griffin, Golden, Ill., 54

SUNDAY NIGHT BULLRING STARS

5 Stars: Jared Schlipman, for winning a second straight modified feature with some dramatic flair. He also deserves an extra star for stamina. The mod main event took close to an hour to complete. It was 25 minutes before an official lap had been run.

4 Stars: Tanner Klingele for his second straight hobby stock feature win.

3 Stars: Jason Perry’s late model feature victory illustrated why he just might be the man to beat this season.

2 Stars: Abe Huls and Terry Houston will be battling all summer for the stock car title. This round went to Honest Abe.

1 Star: Lonnie Bailey, the defending late model track champ who has struggled out of the gate this season. Bailey finished a strong third in the feature and led for 11 of the 30 laps.

TRACK POINTS

Late models (unofficial): Jason Perry 85, Justin Reed 74, Keith Pratt 73, Robby Warner 71, Joey Gower 71.

Feature winners
April 11: Mark Burgtorf (started 6th)
April 18: Denny Woodworth (started 2nd)
May 9: Mark Burgtorf (started 2nd)
May 30: Jason Perry (started 4th)

Pole sitters
April 11: Darrel DeFrance (finished 7th)
April 18: Bill Genenbacher (finished 5th)
May 9: Jason Perry (finished 2nd)
May 30: Ron Elbe (finished 9th)

Modifieds (unofficial): Dave Wietholder 260, Justin Reed 238, Jared Schlipman 232.

Feature winners
April 11: Michael Long (started 4th)
April 18: Michael Long (started 1st)
May 9: Jared Schlipman (started 1st)
May 30: Jared Schlipman (started 2nd)

Pole sitters
April 11: Justin Reed (finished 2nd)
April 18: Michael Long (finished 1st)
May 9: Jared Schlipman (finished 1st)
May 30: Tony Dunker (finished 2nd)

Stock cars (unofficial): Terry Houston 155, Abe Huls 150, Steve Steinkuhler 147, Andrew Griffin 145, Jerry Jansen 143.

Feature winners
April 11: Terry Houston (started 2nd)
April 18: Steve Steinkuhler (started 1st)
May 9: Andrew Griffin (started 2nd)
May 30: Abe Huls (started 4th)

Pole sitters
April 11: Aaron Brocksieck (finished 8th)
April 18: Steve Steinkuhler (started 1st)
May 9: Wes Mayfield (finished 4th)
May 30: Aaron Brocksieck (finished 5th)

Hobby stocks (unofficial): Steve Carlin 151, Jim Powell 147, Jake Powers 144, Bobby Anders 143, Tanner Klingele 141.

Feature winners
April 11: Bobby Anders (started 3rd)
April 18: Bobby Anders (started 10th)
May 9: Tanner Klingele (started 1st)
May 30: Tanner Klingele (started 5th)

Pole sitters
April 11: Jeremy Buss (finished 8th)
April 18: Nathan Hayes (finished 9th)
May 9: Tanner Klingele (finished 1st)
May 30: Nathan Hayes (finished 8th)

HEAT WINNERS

Late models: Jason Perry (2nd), Justin Reed (1st)
Modifieds: Tony Dunker (2nd), Steven DeLonjay (2nd), Robbie Reed (1st).
Stock cars: Aaron Brocksieck (3rd).
Hobby stocks: Jake Powers (3rd), Nathan Hayes (1st).

DASH WINNERS

Late models: Justin Reed (1st).
Modifieds: Tony Dunker  (1st).

FAST FEATURE LAPS

Late models: Keith Pratt 66.368 mph (Fastest of season: Denny Woodworth 68.313 mph, April 18). 
Modifieds: Jared Schlipman 62.905 mph (Fastest of season: Michael Long 66.698 mph).
Stock cars: Terry Houston 60.787 mph (Fastest of season: Steve Steinkuhler 62.233 mph, April 18).

CAR COUNTS

Late models: 17 (season average 25.4, not counting Deery Brother show 17.3).
Modifieds: 22 (season average 21.5, 20 of last 21 shows dating to 2009 have had 20 or more cars).
Stock cars: 8 (season average 10.3).
Hobby stocks: 14 (season average 14.5).

CAUTIONS

Late models: 3 (season average 5.8).
Modifieds: 11 (season average 8.5).
Stock cars: 1 (season average 3.0).
Hobby stocks: 6 (season average 2.8; the six cautions Sunday night were one more than the series had the first three shows combined).

O’RELLY MIDWEST ALL-STARS

Jimmy Hurley of Springfield, Ill., won the O’Reilly Midwest All-Star sprint car feature, holding off A.J. Bruns of Lincoln, Ill., and Jerod Hull of Sikeston, Mo. Only nine cars showed up for the series.

Hull is the points leader and a three-time series champ. The circuit races primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin and Ohio.

Here’s a quick Stevie Dirt Regional Rankings points update following Saturday’s action at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa:

LATE MODELS

Gary Russell took the checkered flag ahead of Justin Reed. Other Quincy regulars in the top 10 were Joey Gower in sixth, Mark Burgtorf seventh, Lonnie Bailey eighth and Matt Bailey 10th.

1. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 101 points
2. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill., 62
3. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 56
4. Rob Toland, Davenport, Iowa, 47
5. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Ill., 33

MODIFIEDS

Josh Foster inched closer to Michael Long with a first-place finish. Foster is the defending SDRR champ. Long won the 2008 title.

1. Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 140 points
2. Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa, 92
3. Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa, 79
4. Brandon Rothzen, Raritan, Ill., 75
5. Scott Hogan, Vinton, Iowa, 62

STOCK CARS

Did not run Saturday at West Burlington. No changes in the points.

Oh boy, here we go again …

I’m looking at various weather forecasts at 8 p.m. Saturday and most are calling for about a 30 percent chance of (thunder)showers between 3-6 p.m. Sunday. I’m pretty sure the track can take a little rain, but one of those 30-minute frog stranglers could wipe out Sunday’s schedule again.

I may not sleep tonight.

Here’s a snapshot of the top five in each category of the Stevie Dirt Regional Rankings after Friday night’s competition at Lee County Speedway:

LATE MODELS
Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 95 points
Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill., 62
Rob Toland, Davenport, Iowa, 37
Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 36
Jeff Aikey, Waterloo, Iowa, 29
Keith Pratt, Quincy, Ill., 29
Matt Bailey, Quinmcy, Ill., 29

MODIFIEDS
Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 140 points
Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa, 69
Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa, 67
Brandon Rothzen, Raritan, Ill., 55
Dave Wietholder, Liberty, Ill., 52
Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill., 52

STOCK CARS
Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa, 159 points
Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill., 86
Jason Cook, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 72
Jim Redmann, Lockridge, Iowa, 65
Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, Ill., 60

Modified feature winner Michael Long and three of the top five late model finishers allowed Quincy Raceways regulars to put their stamp on Friday night’s competition at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa.

Long dominated most of the main event, finishing comfortably ahead of Brandon Rothzen and the rest of the 20-car field.

Jeff Aikey claimed the 24-car late model feature checkered flag, but Bullring regulars Mark Burgtorf (second), Denny Woodworth (fourth) and Lonnie Bailey (fifth) were also among the contenders. Boone McLaughlin finished third.

Jeff Mueller took the 15-car stock car feature. Abe Huls ended up fifth.

National IMCA Late Model Point Standings
Through May 27
1. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill., 368
2. Cory Goldbeck, Camanche, Iowa, 310
3. Todd Cooney, Bondurant, Iowa, 296
4. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, Iowa, 295
5. Ryan Griffith, Webster City, Iowa, 285
6. Al Johnson, Story City, Iowa, 276
7. Kevin Sather, Ankeny, Iowa, 275
8. Terry Neal, Ely, Iowa, 253
9. Ben Nading, Ankeny, Iowa, 245
10. Jeremy Hodapp, Waukee, Iowa, 227

What a difference a year has made — so far.

In 2009, 43 of  of 84 feature winners at the Bullring came from the first two rows. That’s 51.2 percent. In 2010, that figure is 83.3 percent. Granted, we’ve only had three shows (and five cancellations), so not too much should be read into those numbers yet.

Is it because of the dreaded one groove track? Luck of the draw? At this point it wouldn’t be fair to point too many fingers, but it’s a trend worth watching.

When we get a few more weeks under our belt, we’ll break it down in more detail class by class, but here are the composite track numbers this season, compared to a year ago:

WINS FROM THE POLE
2010: 3 of 12, .250
2009: 8 of 84, .095

WINS FROM FIRST ROW
2010: 8 of 12, .667
2009: 22 of 84, .262

WINS FROM FIRST TWO ROWS
2010: 10 of 12, .833
2009: 43 of 84, .512