Klingele shows high way can be right way to victory at Adams County Speedway

QUINCY — Tanner Klingele was living the high life.

Literally.

Normally, the 27-year-old driver prefers to work his way around the low groove at Adams County Speedway, but Sunday night saw Klingele take to the high line to eventually outlast Adam Birck, Joe Bliven and Nicholas Profeta in a dandy four-car battle for the checkered flag in the 17-entry sport mod feature.

“I’m mostly a bottom feeder, but I felt comfortable up high,” Klingele said.

Klingele said most of his equipment is set up to run low because he prefers that route. But against Sunday night’s competition, the high way proved to be the right way.

Klingele shot up top early in the 18-lap main event and wound up leading for all but four circuits. Birck overtook him on lap 16, but Klingele quickly regained the top spot and led the final two laps.

“We needed a win,” said Klingele, whose team had endured an up-and-down first few weeks of the season.

Klingele’s last feature victory at the track had been June 24, 2018. The track was closed the past two years. 

Klingele is in the midst of an early season points battle in what is expected to be a highly competitive class all season. Birck (153), Profeta (144), Klingele (142), Logan Cumby (136), Michael Goodwin (136) and Dakota Girard (133) are all bunched atop the standings.

Klingele entered the weekend No. 5 in the latest Muddy River Sports sport mod rankings. Cumby was No. 1, Birck No. 2, Goodwin No. 3 and Profeta No. 4.

“I’m so stoked about being able to race again in Quincy,” said Klingele, who admitted Sunday night was an emotional win after all that has transpired involving the track in recent years. “I’m so excited to have the track back.”

Without his home track operating, Klingele had not been committed to a full-time racing schedule the past two years, but is looking forward to being at 8000 Broadway every Sunday night this season.

“Adams County Speedway is turning a lot of heads,” said Klingele, who will be marrying Baily Delcour in December. “It’s a different atmosphere, and the whole town seems to be noticing.”

Rain shortened Sunday night’s schedule to just two features. The only other main event to run was the crate late model division. The modifieds, 4-Cylinders and street stock features will be made up at a future date.

Denny Woodworth led flag-to-flag in the late model feature after turning back an early challenge from Darin Weisinger Jr. Woodworth has won three straight features and 18 of the last 22 weekly events, dating to mid-2018.

Derrick Carlson, Weisinger and Spencer Coats rounded out the top four.

Woodworth (295), Sam Halsetead (260), Weisinger (250) and Coats (230) are the points leaders.