A Quincy Raceways Hall of Fame is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Charlie Bryson, a longtime track employee — he goes back to 1976 — and now a regular each week in the stands, has taken the bull by the horns. Bryson has started to put together a board of directors who will help establish Hall of Fame guidelines, from how nominations will work to how many will be in the inaugural class, etc.

Charlie is also seeking input and assistance from fellow race fans and would like to hear from you. He has established an e-mail account strictly for this purpose. If you are interested in helping, have ideas or are just curious, e-mail Charlie at qrhallfame@yahoo.com

This will be a developing story in the weeks and months ahead. We’ll keep you posted on all developments.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — On the night when fans at Independence Motor Speedway remembered one of their favorite drivers, Jeff Aikey added to his own considerable legacy.

Aikey won Wednesday’s Deery Brothers Summer Series feature at Indee, earning a hefty $5,004 for his Red Dralle Memorial victory. The IMCA Late Model tour checkers were his career 55th and came at the end of a fast-paced 84 lap contest that saw Aikey chase down, then hold off Quincy Raceways regular Justin Reed in the race to the checkers.

“We knew going in that tires would be a concern, but we knew we had a good car, too,” said Aikey, a six-time series champion. “I bided my time once we got into lapped traffic and everything worked out for us.”

Aikey, who’d started 10th, caught Reed for the lead in lapped traffic on lap 55. Reed pulled close and almost alongside several times following a lap 63 restart but just couldn’t complete a pass of his own.

Colby Springsteen and Stephan Kammerer posted series career-best finishes in third and fourth, respectively. Nate Beuseling was fifth.

Defending series champion Ray Guss Jr. was sixth and Andy Eckrich maintained his spot on top of the current point standings with a ninth place showing.

Joe Zrostlik led the first 15 circuits from the pole. Beuseling took over and had nearly caught up with the back of the field when the first caution came out on lap 18.

Reed moved into second on the ensuing restart, with Springsteen close behind. Beuseling, Reed and Springsteen ran three wide down the backstretch before Reed was scored first across the stripe at the end of the 33^rd lap.

Advancing steadily toward the front, Aikey maneuvered around a lapped car to keep Reed in his sights, then drove to take a lead he’d never relinquish.

The next event in the silver anniversary series schedule is Sunday at Quincy. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m., the grandstand opens at 4:30 p.m., hot laps are at 5:45 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m.

FEATURE RESULTS TOP 10

1. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls, Iowa
2. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill.
3. Colby Springsteen, Morning Sun, Iowa
4. Stephan Kammerer, Blue Grass, Iowa
5. Nate Beuseling, Silvis, Ill.
6. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
7. Bryan Klein, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Terry Neal, Ely, Iowa
9. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City, Iowa
10. Nick Marolf, Moscow, Iowa

The Kool Kat has a formula for winning his first late model track championship at the Bullring. Actually, the formula is no formula if you listen closely. But the math to that “formula,” he says, will take care of itself.

Keith “The Kool Kat” Pratt won the midseason championship race Wednesday night and now takes aim on the most important goal — well, kind of … — of the season, winning the track title.

“I would rather win 100 races than a track title,” he said. “But if you win enough races, the points and a track championship will take of itself.”

We get it. That track title is important.

Pratt is four points in back of leader Lonnie Bailey, a two-time champ who knows how to play the points game and can handle the pressure of a tight race. Pratt has never been in a bona fide duel for the championship. He’s hoping this is the first year.

“The key in the second half of the season will just be to get some races in, and you have to finish those races,” he said. “The first half of the season has been crazy with all the rainouts. But there’s nothing you can do about it. You just race when you can.”

Only four of 13 scheduled Sunday races were able to be run, plus two makeups.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MIDSEASON CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDUP

Late models: Pratt, Joey Gower and Bailey were the top three finishers, dominating the field from start to finish. Pratt led all 30 laps, only the second series driver to go flag to flag and win from the pole. Justin Reed on May 8 was the other. Pratt also turned a 72.651 mph lap during the feature, the second fastest of the season. Bailey had a 73.063 clocking back on June 12.

Pratt was the seventh different feature winner in as many late model main events. He’s also the fifth different midseason champ in as many seasons. Robby Warner, the defending champ, finished a respectable fifth.

Modifieds: Steven DeLonjay’s first midseason title race win in a modified saw him lead all 25 laps and tighten the series points standings. Unofficially, Dave Wietholder (366), Shawn Deering (365), DeLonjay (360) and defending champ Jared Schlipman (340) are all bunched within 26 points of one another. Schlipman, who led the points going in, was reportedly out of state and unable to attend.

Shawn Deering finished second to DeLonjay, the fourth time the Heartbreak Kid has been runner-up in a feature this season.

Stock cars: Aaron Brocksieck took the lead on lap six and stormed to his fifth feature victory in seven shows. Rapidly improving Beau Taylor was runner-up and Kevin Tomlinson third.

Hobby stocks: Wes Mayfield won his first hobby stock feature of the season and his first overall since 2009, also in a hobby. Mayfield, who is on his third motor this year, said he’s “planning on a big second half of the season.” Jake Powers was runner-up and points leader Steve Carlin third.

Wild things: Robert Thompson took the lead on the final lap when William Michel sustained a flat tire coming out of turn two and held on for the win in his first appearance at the track. Kimberly Abbott was second and Austin Uppinghouse third.

WEDNESDAY IS NOW THE PERMANENT MAKEUP NIGHT

Promoter Tony Rhinberger has confirmed that Wednesday will be the new makeup night  for all regular weekly Sunday night shows that get washed out. Wednesday seems to work better for the most drivers.

DEERY BROTHERS ON TAP SUNDAY

The second appearance of the season by the Deery Brothers Summer Series tour is Sunday night. In case you have forgotten, Quincy regulars have won the last eight. Matt Bailey was the most recent on April 10. This will be the 26th appearance of the Deery series at 8000 Broadway. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m.

SPORT MODS MAKE DEBUT SUNDAY WITH $500 TO WIN GUARANTEE

Local fans will get their first look at the sport mods and possibly the car that will be the newest series at the Bullring in 2012. The number of cars that show up for this event will help determine the track officials’ decision in the offseason. An educated guess says somewhere between 10-20 will be on hand.

RECENT MIDSEASON CHAMPIONSHIP RACE WINNERS

Late Models
2011: Keith Pratt
2010: Robby Warner
2009: Jason Frankel
2008: Kevin Tomlinson
2007: Terry Gallaher
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2005: Mark Burgtorf
2004: Mark Burgtorf
2003: Mark Burgtorf
2002: Mark Burgtorf
2001: Terry Schlipman
2000: Thad Trump

Modifieds
2011: Steven DeLonjay
2010: Michael Long
2009: Vance Wilson
2008: Robbie Reed
2007: Michael Long
2006: Hank DeLonjay
“A”Modifieds
2005: Hank DeLonjay
2004: Mark Burgtorf
2003: Ryan Meyer
2002: Vance Wilson
2001: Denny Woodworth
2000: Mark Burgtorf
“B” Modifieds
2005: Wyatt Lantz
2004: Tony Dunker
2003: Marty Hull Sr.
2002: Joe Bliven
2001: Kelly Bartz
2000: Joe Bliven

Hobby Stocks
2011: Wes Mayfield
2010: Jeremy Buss
2009: Steve Carlin
2008: Wes Mayfield
2007: Steve Carlin
2006: Steve Carlin
2005: Eddie Dieker
2004: Eddie Dieker
2003: Brent Chapman
2002: Bill Genenbacher
2001: Dave Wietholder
2000: Michael Larsen

Stock Cars
2011: Aaron Brocksieck
2010: Abe Huls
2009: Kevin Tomlinson
2008: Dave Wietholder

Wild Things
2011: Robert Thompson

WEDNESDAY NIGHT MIDSEASON CHAMPIONSHIP STARS

5 Stars: Keith Pratt, who won that impressive three-way scrum with Joey Gower and Lonnie Bailey in the late model feature.”I was able to hold the low line, there was a little moisture down there,” Pratt said. “If I had (drifted) higher, Joey would have gotten me and passed me.”
4 Stars: Aaron Brocksieck, who made it five stock car feature wins in seven tries.
3 Stars: Wes Mayfield, who has endured a tough season (can you say three engines?), but was the dominant car in the hobby stock feature.
2 Stars: Steven DeLonjay, the modified feature winner who now seems poised to make that long-anticipated title run.
1 Star: Shawn Deering, who now has four second-place finishes in modified features.

FEATURE WINNERS

Late models: Keith Pratt (1st)
Modifieds: Steven DeLonjay (3rd)
Stock cars: Aaron Brocksieck (5th)
Hobby stocks: Wes Mayfield (1st)
Wild things: Robert Thompson (1st)

FAST FEATURE LAPS

Late models: Keith Pratt, 72.561 mph (second fastest of the season)
Modifieds: Steven DeLonjay, 68.779 mph
Stock cars: Aaron Brocksieck, 62.102 mph

HEAT WINNERS

Late models: Lonnie Bailey (5ht), Keith Pratt (2nd)
Modifieds: Shawn Deering (3rd), Danny “Ding Dong” Crane (1st)
Stock cars: Beau Taylor (1st)
Hobby stocks: Nathan Hayes (1st), Steve Carlin (5th)
Wild things: Casey Kendrick (1st)

CAR COUNTS

Late models: 11, lowest turnout of season (season average 16.9)
Modifieds: 14 (season average 15.9)
Stock cars: 8 (season average 8.0)
Hobby stocks: 10 (season average 11.7)
Wild things: 6, lowest turnout of season (season average 9.6)

CAUTIONS

Late models: 0 (season average 2.4)
Modifieds: 8 (season average 7.0)
Stock cars: 0 (season average 1.3)
Hobby stocks: 1 (season average 2.1)
Wild things: 0 (season average 0.3)

WHERE THE FEATURE WINNERS HAVE STARTED FROM IN 2011

Late models
April 3: Jason Perry (started 3rd)
April 10: Matt Bailey (started 4th)
May 8: Justin Reed (started from pole) flag to flag
May 30: Denny Woodworth (started 3rd)
June 7: Joey Gower (started 2nd)
June 12: Lonnie Bailey (started 5th)
June 29: Keith Pratt (started  from pole) flag to flag

Modifieds
April 3: Michael Long (started from pole) flag to flag
April 10: Jared Schlipman (started 5th)
May 8: Michael Long (started 3rd)
May 30: Steven DeLonjay (started 4th)
June 7: Jared Schlipman (started 3rd)
June 12: Steven DeLonjay (started 4th)
June 29: Steven DeLonjay (started from pole) flag to flag

Stock cars
April 3: Aaron Brocksieck (started 4th)
April 10: Aaron Brocksieck (started 5th)
May 8: Aaron Brocksieck (started 5th)
May 30: Kevin Tomlinson (started 8th)
June 7: Aaron Brocksieck (started from pole) flag to flag
June 12: Gabe Harrison (started from pole) flag to flag
June 29: Aaron Brocksieck (started 4th)

Hobby stocks
April 3: Bobby Anders (started 5th)
April 10: Bobby Anders (started from pole) flag to flag
May 8: Bobby Anders (started from pole) flag to flag
May 30: Bobby Anders (started 3rd) flag to flag
June 7: Bobby Anders (started 5th)
June 12: Steve Carlin (started 6th)
June 29: Wes Mayfield (started 2nd)

Wild things
April 3: Chuck Fullenkamp (started 6th)
April 10: Casey Kendrick (started 2nd) flag to flag
May 8: Craig Bangert (started from pole) flag to flag
May 30: William Michel (started 5th)
June 7: Casey Kendrick (started from pole) flag to flag
June 12: Casey Kendrick (started 4th)
June 29: Robert Thompson (started 5th)

The show will go on as scheduled Wednesday night at Quincy Raceways. The midseason championships are a go!

Track officials said Wednesday morning the racing surface and pit area are both in excellent shape, despite the wicked windstorm that tore through West-Central Illinois earlier this week. Some minor roof damage to one of the restrooms and to the banners on the backstretch were the only reported side effects of the gusting winds that reached almost 80 mph and were accompanied by thunderstorms.

Racing starts at 7. See you there.

Thank you, Ameren!

Power was restored to the Stevie Dirt compound Tuesday evening, so let’s get this thing cranked up again. I will never ever take things like e-mail and Internet access for granted again. I didn’t mind the showering or trying to get dressed in the dark, or even no television, but I missed this blog and hearing from all of you who read it and take part.

Wednesday is midseason championship night at the Bullring. Here are some thoughts:

1. A new beginning?: The midseason races signify the end of the a first half that, more than anything else, was frustrating. All the rain, the constant interruptions to our race season and absolutely no continuity had just about everyone on edge. Let’s hope tonight’s races are exciting with no off-track drama and serve as a much-needed kick-start to the second half.

2. Let the sun shine in: For those old enough to appreciate that Fifth Dimenson/”Aquarius” reference, I hope the weather forecast is accurate. It almost looks too good to be true.

3. But who’s counting?: It is the end of June and we have run exactly six shows. Six. S-i-x. And two of them have been run on week nights.

4. Start of a big five days: After tonight’s midseason championship races, we can look forward to Sunday night and the return of the Deery Brothers Summer Series. Two big shows like that in such a short period can trigger quite a bit of enthusiasm from both fans and drivers alike.

5. Looking forward to … : The return of Tony Dunker at some point in the early part of the second half of the season. He should have that new car in shape before long.

6. Midseason championship race picks: I like Denny Woodworth in the late models, Jared Schlipman in the modifieds, Aaron Brocksieck in the stock cars, Steve Carlin in hobby stocks and Casey Kendrick in the wild things.

7. Late model dark horse to watch in second half: Matt Bailey is flying a bit under the radar at the moment. I think we’ll see a big second half from No. 52.

8. Modified dark horse to watch in second half: Vance Wilson is primed for a big second half. He needed a few weeks to shake down that rebuilt B1.

9. Stock car dark horse to watch in second half: Who else but Mr. Second Half, Terry Houston.

10. Hobby stock dark horse to watch in second half: Jake Powers, the Prince of Cheaterville, is knocking on the door on his breakout season. Look for him to knock that door down in July, August and September.

See you at the midseason championship races!

Dirt Friends,

Please be patient. The storm earlier this week is causing havoc with our site. We hope to be back up and running at some point later this week. Hope to see you at Wednesday night’s midseason championship races at The Bullring.

Just consider this week a pit stop in the dirt track part of life.

– Stevei Dirt

Quincy Raceways has postponed Sunday night’s scheduled midseason championships until Wednesday. Racing will start at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“Mother Nature dumped over two inches of rain on Quincy Raceways on Saturday,” track spokesman Jack Walbring said. “The track conditions can best be described as “soupy” as some flash flooding also occurred, leaving nothing but mud and water standing everywhere.”

The appearance of Kenny Wallace, also scheduled for Sunday night at the track, will be rescheduled if arrangements can be made with Wallace.

The Wednesday makeup will see the pit gates open at 4 p.m., grandstands at 5, drivers meeting at 6:15 and hot laps at 6:30.

The late models and stock cars will not be racing for points, according to Walbring, who said special events for both those classes are scheduled at other IMCA tracks on that date. But the UMP modifieds, hobby stocks and wild things
will be racing for points.

Most of the thoughts in the past week have been about a potential Hall of Fame for the Bullring and the rainy weather. Congrats to this week’s winners.

Gold medal: jansen06

I give my vote for the mayor of Cheaterville. Jerry Powers has built so many winning cars over the years it would probably be hard to count. Not to mention all the help he gives with setups and keeping cars on the track while he is in the pits. I know that usually the first inducties are retired, but there are a few people that do so much for this sport that they should be considered on their contributions. I think this is a great idea Stevie. Maybe you should take some polls on who should be the first people voted into the hall of fame.

Silver medal: luvthesmell

Can you have a mid season championship with only 2 points races ran? I guess you can! It may come down to a T-Bone in some classes.

Bronze medal: just me

Albert’s best evening ever is when I was flagging at the track and we had the red shirts and white pants, which I still have. Anyway Albert came down to the track with his white pants on, not realizing that he also had on white boxers with great big red hearts all over them. The pants were thin.

Sunday night’s midseason championship races — barring another flood, of course — always represent the first leg of the unofficial Bullring Triple Crown, which equates winning the midseason and season championship races, plus the track points championship. It’s a tough task to accomplish and only a few have managed to turn the trick since 1992, which is as far back as I have records for the midseason and season championship races.

Here’s a look at the midsseason champion and Triple Crown winners:

Late Models Midseason Championship Race Winners
Drivers in bold face went on to win the Triple Crown
2010: Robby Warner
2009: Jason Frankel
2008: Kevin Tomlinson
2007: Terry Gallaher
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2005: Mark Burgtorf
2004: Mark Burgtorf
2003: Mark Burgtorf
2002: Mark Burgtorf
2001: Terry Schlipman
2000: Thad Trump
1999: Terry Gallaher
1998: Tommy Elston
1997: Jason Frankel
1996: Jason Frankel
1995: Darin Walker
1994: Mark Burgtorf
1993: Jim Swank
1992: Mark Burgtorf

Modifieds Midseason Championship Race Winners
Drivers in bold face went on to win the Triple Crown
2009: Vance Wilson
2008: Robbie Reed
2007: Michael Long
2006: Hank DeLonjay
“A”Modifieds
2005: Hank DeLonjay
2004: Mark Burgtorf
2003: Ryan Meyer
2002: Vance Wilson
2001: Denny Woodworth
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Mike Karhoff
1998: Sam Burgtorf
1997: Mike Karhoff
1996: Hank DeLonjay
1995: Mike Karhoff
1994: Hank DeLonjay
1993: Jeff Waggoner
1992: Gary Wilson
“B” Modifieds
2005: Wyatt Lantz
2004: Tony Dunker
2003: Marty Hull Sr.
2002: Joe Bliven
2001: Kelly Bartz
2000: Joe Bliven
1999: Greg Uppinghouse
1998: Bob Dale
1997: Lonnie Carter
1996: Greg Uppinghouse
1995: Mike Bowen
1994: Lonnie Carter
1993: Randy Uppinghouse Jr.

Hobby Stocks Midseason Championship Race Winners
Drivers in bold face went on to win the Triple Crown
2010: Jeremy Buss
2009: Steve Carlin
2008: Wes Mayfield
2007: Steve Carlin
2006: Steve Carlin
2005: Eddie Dieker
2004: Eddie Dieker
2003: Brent Chapman
2002: Bill Genenbacher
2001: Dave Wietholder
2000: Michael Larsen
1999: Eddie Dieker
1998: Jim Gillenwater
1997: Larry W. Powell
1996: Junior Tuggle
1995: Wes Mayfield
1994: Sam Burgtorf
1993: Harold Ketchum
1992: Matt Rose

Stock Cars Midseason Championship Race Winners
Drivers in bold face went on to win the Triple Crown
2010: Abe Huls
2009: Kevin Tomlinson
2008: Dave Wietholder

Since we’re nearing the end of the first half of the local dirt-track season — is that hard to believe or what? — let’s look ahead to the second half and see what we might expect. Back in 2007, we started tracking second-half points to see what drivers finish the season(s) strong and who might he the guys to watch the following year.

It’s far from any sort of exact science, but the annual “leader” does show who has been the strongest down the stretch. The career leaders illustrate who has been the most consistent.

Late models
Second-half points leaders
2010: Denny Woodworth, Jason Perry, 203
2009: Mark Burgtorf, 264
2008: Mark Burgtorf, 354
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 364

Career leaders
Jason Perry, 1,048
Mark Burgtorf, 982
Bill Genenbacher, 962
Justin Reed, 941
Dustin Neese, 909
Lonnie Bailey, 883
Keith Pratt, 882
Jason Frankel, 804
Ron Elbe, 792
Jerry Weisenberger, 766
On the bubble
Denny Woodworth, 748
Joey Gower, 711

Modifieds
Second-half points leaders
2010: Steven DeLonjay, 383
2009: Donovan Lodge, 478
2008: Steven DeLonjay, 334
2007: Michael Long, 364

Career leaders (since 2007)
Tony Dunker, 1,399
Michael Long, 1,305
Shawn Deering, 1,288
Dave Wietholder, 1,274
Robbie Reed, 1,268
Jared Schlipman, 1,204
Steven DeLonjay, 1,120
Justin Reed, 1,067
Career leaders (since 2009, UMP scoring only)
Justin Reed, 800
Steven DeLonjay, 786
Tony Dunker, 715
Shawn Deering, 703
Jared Schlipman, 699
Robbie Reed, 674
Michael Long, 620
Ryan Meyer, 584
Dave Wietholder, 569
Donovan Lodge, 516

Stock cars
Second-half points leaders
2010: Terry Houston, 188
2009: Terry Houston, 224
2008: Jeff Mueller, 342

Career leaders
Steve Steinkuhler, 697
Andrew Griffin, 664
Abe Huls, 626
Doug Huls, 514
Chris Wibbell, 496
Sarah Woodhurst, 419
Terry Houston, 412
Aaron Brocksieck, 395
Jerery Jansen, 393
Jeff Mueller, 379
Kevin Tomlinson, 361

Hobby stocks
Second-half points leaders
2010: Bobby Anders, Steve Carlin, 233
2009: Steve Carlin, Adam Scott, 261
2008: Wes Mayfield, 353
2007: Steve Carlin, 359

Career leaders
Steve Carlin, 1,193
Jim Powell, 806
Mike Wiley, 748
Wes Mayfield, 579
Nathan Anders, 560
Justin Bartz, 557
Bobby Anders, 544
Adam Scott, 529
Jake Powers, 526
James Leffew, 481
Nathan Hayes, 473
Travis Booher, 470
Jeremy Buss, 450