‘It’s all about momentum’: Havermale captures first crate late model feature victory

QUINCY — Spencer Havermale is a quick learner.

“There are no slouches in this division,” Havermale said following his first two weeks in the crate late model series at Adams County Speedway.

And even though Havermale is only in his first season in a crate late, the Quincy driver has already earned the right to be included in that statement, too.

The 30-year-old Havermale’s rookie campaign in the track’s longstanding premier division has been nothing short of spectacular so far. He won his first late model feature Sunday night, which followed a strong fourth-place finish the week before. He did not compete in the season-opening MLRA Super Open Late Model event.

Havermale led the final 17 laps, holding off various combinations of Denny Woolworth, Tommy Elston, Jamie Wilson, Jason Perry and Braden Bilger in the process.

“It’s all about momentum, and learning when to stay off the brake,” Havermale said.

Most of Havermale’s past experience has been in a modified, but there’s little doubt where his racing heart now rests.

“A late model is much smoother,” he said.

Havermale said his principal goal this season is to be a consistent, top-five driver.

“And to finish in the top three in points would be great,” he said.

Perry and Bilger won the late model heat races.

At the moment, Havermale sits tied with Wilson atop the crate late points with 135. Perry is third at 125. Havermale ($950), Wilson ($950) and Perry ($825) are the top three money earners.

Other Sunday night feature winners included Trevor Neville in modifieds, Tanner Klingele in sport mods, Jacob Rexing in stock cars and Jeffrey DeLonjay in the 4-Cylinders.

Neville was the third different modified feature winner in as many weeks, leading 19 of 20 laps to hold off two-time defending series champ Austen Becerra, Rick Conoyer and Jacob Rexing in a caution-filled main event.

“There were way too many cautions,” Neville said. “I can’t lie, I was getting a little nervous (with all of the restarts).”

Neville, who lives in Mackinaw, Ill., which is about 2 ½ hours east of Quincy near Peoria, traveled all night to get to Sunday night’s race. He competed on Saturday evening at famed Eldora Speedway in New Weston, Ohio, which is about seven hours and 420 miles from Adams County.

“We love this place. Quincy is pretty much home for us now,” Neville said. “The fans here are amazing.”

Neville confirmed he would be in attendance at next Sunday night’s fourth annual Chad McCoy Memorial Race in Quincy. The event pays more than $4,000 to win. Neville won the race a year ago.

“I have a title to defend here next week,” Neville said.

Neville and Dave Wietholder won modified heat races.

Becerra (176), Wietholder (173), Mike Vanderiet Jr. (163) and Rexing (157) lead the modified points parade. Becerra has bounced back after finishing 20th in the season-opening feature three weeks ago. Wietholder was knocked out of Sunday’s feature on the third lap with a flat tire and had to settle for a 13th-place finish.

Becerra ($1,525), Neville ($1,400) and Wietholder ($1,225) lead all drivers in all series in earnings.  

Klingele, who started eighth in the sport mod feature, stormed to the front late in the race to garner his second checkered flag in as many weeks. Klingele led the final four laps to finish ahead of A.J. Tournear, Logan Cumby and Reed Wolfmeyer.

“I was a little nervous during hot laps, but the track slicked up … and that’s what I like,” Klingele said.

Cumby and Tournear won heats.

Klingele (80), Tournear (76), Wolfmeyer (76), Cumby (76), Quinton Shelton (70), Lucas Schieferdecker (70) are all bunched atop the sport mod points standing. Klingele ($1,200), Tournear ($650), Wolfmeyer ($650) and Cumby ($600) have the early lead in money earned.

Rexing won his second stock feature in three weeks, leading flag-to-flag to turn back Robert Cottom and Rudy Zaragoza.

“(Cottom) got me a week ago, and we went back to work,” Rexing said.

Rexing said he was able to find a groove up high to his liking.

“I felt like I was in the catbird seat, and I wasn’t coming off,” he said. “This track is such a damn good place to race, and it’s pretty fast right now, too.”

Levi Long and Rickey Frankel III were heat winners. 

Rexing (119), Cottom (115) and Zaragoza (114) lead the stock points. Rexing ($925), Cottom ($775) and Zaragoza ($600) are out in front of the series earnings.

Jeffrey DeLonjay bounced back from an uncharacteristic fifth-place feature finish a week ago in the 4-Cylinder feature to win for the second time this year and the 16th time since the middle of the 2023 season.

Dyllan Bonk, Jaden DeLonjay and Kim Abbott collected the remainder of the top four feature finishes. Jeffrey DeLonjay won the lone 4-Cylinder heat.

Jaden DeLonjay remains in front of the points race with 208. Jeffrey DeLonjay (203) and Bonk (193) are close behind. Money-wise, Jeffrey DeLonjay ($695) and Jaden DeLonjay ($575) are the early leaders.