3,000 cheeseburgers and six flag-to-flag feature winners later, opening night a success at Quincy Raceways

QUINCY — How successful was opening night at Quincy Raceways?

Renee DeLonjay may have summed it up best.

“We had 3,000 cheeseburgers, and we ran out (early in the evening),” said DeLonjay, who with husband Jeff began their first full season as owners of the venerable dirt track on a chilly and breezy Sunday night.

A crowd of about 2,500 started filtering in roughly three hours before the first green flag at 8000 Broadway. The turnout was the largest non-special event gathering for a race night at the site in at least seven years.

“All of our parking space was filled, and the concession stand was busier than McDonald’s,” Jeff DeLonjay said.

Track announcer Doug Mealy, who has sat behind the track mic since 2005, was impressed.

“There’s certainly a lot of enthusiasm, and the place looks just fantastic,” Mealy said. “I’d give everything three thumbs-up if I had a third hand.”

The DeLonjays purchased the 28.5 acres that houses the track, pits and parking areas late last summer and took over operation for the final two weeks of the 2024 schedule. The DeLonjays pumped in more than $150,000 into offseason improvements, ranging from new track fencing to a new concession stand and menu to a redesigned racing surface showcasing a curved concrete wall at the east and west ends of the track.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, but I’m super optimistic about this season,” Renee DeLonjay said.

She’s not alone.

Longtime fans like Pat Dunker echo her feelings. Dunker wore a huge smile as he looked around the facility Sunday night. He praised the work of the DeLonjays and emphasized how ready he was for some racing.

“And just like that, there’s no more waiting — the winter’s over,” Dunker said. “I think we’re all ready for dirt-track season, because you ain’t racin’ if you ain’t chewin’ that last drink. There’s nothing better than a little mud in your brew.”

On the track Sunday night, there was plenty to talk about, too.

Feature winners were Jamie Wilson (crate late models), Chase Holland (modifieds), Kyler Girard (sport mods), Jacob Rexing (stocks), Derrick DeFord (4-Cylinders) and Garrett Russell (Crown Vics). All six feature winners led flag-to-flag.

No points were awarded for the opening-night performances. Competition for the track championships officially begins next Sunday.

Wilson’s feature victory capped a perfect night for the Quincy driver, who also won his heat race and was the top crate late qualifier. Jackson Frankel, Kruze Miles and Braden Johnson completed the top four in the 25-lap, 16-car crate late competition.

Defending late model track champ Jason Perry and runner-up Tommy Elston did not race Sunday night. Denny Woodworth, last year’s third-place finisher and nine-time track champ (eight in a late model), had a mechanical problem and was forced from the track midway through the finale. Woodworth was credited with a 15th-place finish.

Miles joined Wilson as heat winners.

Holland, who made the 11 1/2-hour, 760-mile journey from Success, Miss., held off Justin Reed, Kenny Wallace and Treb Jacoby to win the 20-lap modified main event. Two-time defending series champ Austen Becerra did not compete Sunday night.

Holland and Wallace were the modified heat winners. Dave Wietholder was the top qualifier.

Girard warded off late challenges from defending track champ Tanner Klingele and Logan Cumby to take home the big iron from the 15-lap sport mod feature. Girard’s win ended a four-feature win streak dating to the end of 2024 for Klingele.

Girard and Cumby collected sport mod heat victories.

Rexing was the only driver Sunday evening to repeat as an opening night winner from a year ago. Rexing, the defending series champ, pulled away from Jake Powers, Eddie Dieker and Levi Long for the 15-lap victory. Rexing also won the heat race.

DeFord held on for the 4-Cylinder checkered flag, resisting late charges from Dyllan Bonk, Jeffrey DeLonjay and defending series champion Jaden DeLonjay. DeFord and Kim Abbott secured heat victories. Among the 4-Cylinder racers was Jay Kunce, who traveled from Coosada, Ala., a 10 /2-hour, 720-mile journey. 

Garrett Russell had little trouble claiming the 15-lap Crown Vic run over Dakota Damron, Brian Kaylor and Jordan Zummalt. Russell and Alex Hatfield were heat winners.