Mississippi driver hits blackjack at Adams County Speedway with 21st career victory on 21st birthday

QUINCY — Chase Holland had ample reason to celebrate Sunday night.

First, there was the matter of his 21st birthday.

And then came his 21st career feature victory when he dominated the modified main event in flag-to-flag fashion at Adams County Speedway.

Not a bad evening for the resident of Success, Miss., who has made the 760-mile, 11 ½ -hour trip from the Gulf Shore area to Quincy three times this season. This was his first checkered flag.

Holland was especially glad he was able to pull off the “21 double” in Quincy.

“We race a lot of places in the U.S., and Quincy fans are second to none,” said Holland, whose Mississippi home is about 90 minutes east of New Orleans. “I look forward to coming here whenever I can.”

While Holland led all 20 laps of the feature, he was not without challenge, especially from local hotshoes Dave Wietholder and Austen Becerra, but he never relinquished the lead despite eight cautions that forced a flurry of restarts.

Holland was able to capitalize on a high groove throughout the 20-lap event.

“He put on a helluva show,” lauded co-promoter Jim Lieurance.

Holland found his sweet spot early and stayed there.

“We were able to get some runs off the cushion, that’s for sure,” said Holland, who downplayed his own role in his team’s operation. “I’ve got a lot of great family members and sponsors who make this all possible. I’m just the guy behind the wheel.”

Wietholder, Becerra and Justin Reed rounded out the top four finishers.

Holland, who earned $800 for his feature victory, and Wietholder also won heat races.

Becerra (666) and Wietholder (653) remain atop the modified points with two weeks of points racing remaining. The only other driver with a mathematical shot — albeit a slim one — of winning the championship is Jacob Rexing (577). Becerra is seeking his third straight series title.

Becerra’s third-place check worth $500 gave him the single-season modified earnings record. He has won a series-best $11,870, which tops his 2023 total of $11,620.

Other Sunday night winners were Jason Perry in the crate late models, Reed Wolfmeyer in sport mods, Jake Powers in stocks, Jaden DeLonjay in 4-Cylinders and Dakota Damron in the Crown Vics.

Perry also was victorious with a flag-to-flag effort covering 25 laps. He kept Tommy Elston, Braden Bilger and Denny Woodworth at arm’s length throughout the 12-minute, 28-second main event that was slowed by just one caution.

Perry praised the slick-but-fast racing surface.

“We could race all over that track tonight,” said the Payson driver, who leads all crate late drivers with three feature wins.

Perry’s victory also helped set up what appears to be a two-week battle for the track championship with Woodworth and Elston. Woodworth (584), Perry (578) and Elston (568) are the points leaders. Woodworth is gunning for a ninth late model track championship and 10th title overall, while Perry and Elston are each seeking their second. Elston is the defending track champion, while Perry’s title came in 2012.

Woodworth, Elston and Christian Miles secured heat wins.

Perry’s $800 payday moved him to No. 1 in crate late earnings, just ahead of Woodworth ($4,720) and Elston ($4,570). 

Wolfmeyer became the first sport mod driver to win three features this season when he outdueled Tanner Klingele, Keith Pratt and Logan Cumby.

Wolfmeyer, who led the final 14 laps in the 18-lap main event, also took over the money earnings lead with his $600 paycheck. Wolfmeyer ($3,895), Klingele ($3,845) and Cumby ($3,695) are the top three earners.

Points-wise, Klingele (306), Wolfmeyer (305), Cumby (299) and A.J. Tournear (295) are the top four. Cumby is the defending champ. The other three are all seeking their first championship.

Klingele and Tournear won heats. Tournear’s heat win was his sixth of the season, which ties him for the track lead in an individual series with Jacob Rexing (stocks). Rexing, however, has won a track-best 10 total heats counting his modified victories.

Jake Powers’ first stock feature win came in exciting fashion. He got past Rexing on lap 16 when Rexing slipped the cushion coming into the fourth turn. 

Powers then held off Rexing the final two-plus laps to win $375 and end a winless streak of 21 features. His relief was evident in his post-race comments, noting he has struggled in many features because of poor starting positions.

“That’s because I have sucked in the heats and had to start in the back (of the features),” Powers said.

Following Powers and Rexing across the finish line were Rickey Frankel III and Robert Cottom. Rexing and Cottom won heats.

Rexing and Cottom are tied for the points lead with 383. Rexing ($3,220) and Cottom ($2,800) are also the leading money winners.

DeLonjay’s fifth 4-Cylinder feature victory — his first since July 14 — unofficially wrapped up his first series championship. DeLonjay’s 703-494 points advantage over Kim Abbott is unofficially insurmountable with just two weeks of points racing remaining.

Travis DeMint, Dyllan Bonk and Abbott rounded out the top four finishers in the feature. DeMint and Bonk also won heats.

DeLonjay’s $300 payday gives him a series-best $2,220 in earnings.

Damron’s Crown Vic feature win was his first of the season and earned him $150. Alex Hatfield was runner-up. Damron and Jordan Zumwalt garnered heat victories.

Jacob Jones (219) remains the Crown Vic points leader, followed by Brian Kaylor (215), Damron (212) and Hatfield (210). Jones ($830) is the leading money winner.