Adams County Speedway fans get chance to rev up for upcoming season with weekend show

QUINCY — Local dirt-track race fans will soon get their first glimpse of the rapidly approaching season at the annual Adams County Speedway preseason show.

About 40 cars and drivers will be on hand Saturday and Sunday at the Quincy Town Center, formerly the Quincy Mall. Fans will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with many of their favorite crate late model, modified, sport mod, stock and 4-Cylinder cars and drivers.

The show will be open to the public 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Fans will be welcome to talk to drivers and inspect the cars during the show,” said Jimmy Lieurance, who with his wife, Tammy, are beginning their second-year as operators of the track.

The season starts April 2 at the .29-mile track at 8000 Broadway.

“We’re ready,” Lieurance said.

The Lieurances and staff re-opened the speedway in 2022 after it had sat idle for two years. The response from drivers and fans alike was positive from the start, and Lieurance expects more of the same this spring, summer and fall.

“Compared to a year ago at this time, we’re much more prepared,” said Lieurance, who lives in Hannibal, Mo., and has a long history at the track.

Prior to Lieurance returning to take over the speedway, he had served in numerous leadership capacities at the site during the past 40-plus years. Lieurance worked with a number of former owners, including the late Albert Scott, who founded the track — formerly known as Quincy Raceways — back in 1975. While the Quincy track was shut down, Lieurance operated Randolph County Speedway in Moberly, Mo., in 2021.

Nathan Anders will be serving as co-race director.

“Our goal is to continue to improve the facility and make it one of the premier tracks in Illinois,” said Anders, who raced for 13 years before turning to the operations side of the business in 2022.

Defending track champs are Denny Woodworth (crate late models), Austin Becerra (modifieds). Adam Birck (sport mods), Rudy Zaragoza (stocks) and Jeffrey DeLonjay (4-Cylinders). All five are expected to defend their championships. Becerra led all drivers at the track with 17 total victories.

Other key operational personnel returning include Steve Grotz and Kevin Rees, who coordinate track preparations. Flagman Allen Motley and announcer Doug Mealy also will return.

Lieurance said fans will notice some physical improvements at the track, including a new 260-foot concrete wall along the back stretch. The new wall replaces “the old guard rail that was pretty beat up,” according to Lieurance.

Lieurance said work continues on acquiring a new scoreboard or properly repairing the existing standard. He’s optimistic the problem will be resolved by the start of the season.

Admission this year for regular weekly shows will be $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and military and $5 for kids 6-13. Admission will be free for those 5-and-under.

Pit passes will be $35.

Grandstands are scheduled to open at 2:30 p.m.

The track also has a new website at adamscountyspeedwayil.com.

Class sponsors include Gully Transportation for the late models, Pepsi Refreshment Services for 4-Cylinders, Rinella Distributing for the modified and sport mod classes and a yet-to-be-announced sponsor for the stocks.

The track is also opening a gaming parlor that will operate 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week, featuring a variety of slot machines. The gaming area has been added to the east end of the concession stand.