Racing notebook: Long’s stretch of feature wins stands out among track’s legendary feats

QUINCY — The most fascinating accomplishments in the long and storied history of Adams County Speedway?

That, of course, is a topic that might earn a hundred different answers from a hundred different dirt-track fans — myself included.

While you contemplate your own responses, here are a few of mine from the 24-plus years I have called 8000 Broadway home on spring, summer and early autumn Sunday nights. In no particular order, here are five items that will always stand out for me. 

Long’s Streak

Over the course of late 2009 and the first half of 2010, there was no more impressive driver at the Broadway Bullring than modified ace Michael Long. He was as close to unbeatable as a driver could be.

Long won 12 consecutive “A” mod main events, spread over a 21-week stretch over parts of two years. Of the nine times he did not race (see below), it was because of weather-related postponements, racing at another site, or on one occasion, his engine breaking down during a heat race and being unable to run in the feature. 

Otherwise, Long collected every checkered flag.

Here’s a breakdown of that streak:

• Aug. 9, 2009: Won feature.
• Aug. 16, 2009: Rained out.
• Aug. 23, 2009: Won feature.
• Aug. 30, 2009: Won feature.
• Sept. 6, 2009: Won feature.
• Sept. 13, 2009: Did not race
• April 4, 2010: Rained out.
• April 11, 2010: Won feature.
• April 18, 2010: Won feature.
• April 25, 2010: Rained out.
• May 2, 2010: Rained out.
• May 9, 2010: Did not race.
• May 16, 2010: Rained out.
• May 23, 2010: Races canceled.
• May 30, 2010: Did not race.
• June 6, 2010: Won feature.
• June 13, 2010: Won feature.
• June 20, 2010: Won feature.
• June 27, 2010: Won feature.
• July 4, 2010: Won feature.
• July 11, 2010: Won feature.

Best finishes by female hotshots

Without question, the most successful driver in track history would have to be Kimberly “Kim” Abbott. She has three track championships and eight top-three points finishes. The rest of the female drivers who have competed at the speedway since it opened in 1975 have four.

Interestingly the first female to crack the top five in points was Mary Kay Allen, the older sister of Michael Long. 

Here’s a look at the top-five points finishes by female hotshoes since the track opened in 1975:

• 2019: Kimberly Abbott, 1st, Sport Compacts
• 2018: Kimberly Abbott, 3rd, Sport Compacts
• 2016: Kimberly Abbott, 1st, Sport Compacts
• 2015: Kimberly Abbott, 1st, Sport Compacts
• 2014: Kimberly Abbott, 2nd, Sport Compacts
• 2013: Kimberly Abbott, 2nd, Sport Compacts
• 2012: Kimberly Abbott, 2nd, Sport Compacts
• 2011: Kimberly Abbott, 3rd, Wild Things
• 2008: Sarah Woodhurst, 8th, Stock Cars
• 2007: Sarah Woodhurst, 5th, Hobby Stocks
• 2006: Sarah Woodhurst, 3rd, Hornets
• 1994: Mary Kay Allen, 5th, “A” modifieds

Burgtorf’s 16 late model titles

When it comes to series championships won, one driver stands alone. That would be Mark Burgtorf, who won an unprecedented 16 late model titles between 1992 and 2015.

Included in Burgtorf’s dominance was a string of 10 straight championships between 1992-2001. 

It’s safe to say that accomplishment will never be matched in any of our lifetimes.

One of the conversations that has been brought up on numerous occasions is how many titles could/would Burgtorf have won if he had not chosen to branch out and race at other sites during some of those seasons that do not have his name beside the Quincy championship?

The only other driver in track history to reach double figures in championships won is Hank DeLonjay, who garnered 13. DeLonjay won 10 “A” modified titles and three in the old sportsman class.

Here’s a breakdown of all-time championship leaders:

• Mark Burgtorf — 16 (all late model)
• Hank DeLonjay — 13 (10 “A” modified, 3 sportsman)
• Steve Fraise — 9 (all late model)
• Denny Woodworth — 8 (4 super late model, 3 crate late model, 1 “A” modified)
• Steven DeLonjay — 6 (4 “A” modified, 2 hornet)
• Dave Wietholder — 5 (4 modified, 1 bomber)
• Steve Carlin — 5 (3 hobby stock, 2 bomber)

Gallaher’s underappreciated dominance

One driver whose career may have been overlooked somewhat, or not fully appreciated, is Terry Gallaher. Gallaher won four late model track titles between 1985-91, which, of course, is impressive in its own right. But Gallaher was “that close” to legendary status — he finished second in points an incredible 10 times over a 17-year period (1984-2000).

If Gallaher had been able to win championships in even half the years he finished runner-up, his career totals would have been … well, legendary. Gallaher finished second to Burgtorf six times, three times to Fraise and once to Dick Crane.

The UMP Hell Tour’s first stop

One specific night that will always stand out for me came in the summer of 2006, the July night the UMP Hell Tour made its first-ever stop at the Bullring. The buzz leading up to that evening — and the event itself — created a buzz at, around and about the track I had not witnessed or felt since first starting to cover races at the speedway in 1999.

That Randy “King Kong” Korte of Highland, Ill., won the race is almost inconsequential. It felt as if the big leagues had arrived in Quincy and many of the names most local fans had only read about were roaring around the track right in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Names like Shannon Babb and Billy Moyers were working their way through the .29-mile circuit side-by-side with local heroes like Burgtorf and Denny Woodworth.

Since that night, we have not only witnessed return trips from the Hell Tour, but stops made by the World of Outlaws, the MARS series and other top-flight late model and modified organizations.

The Hell Tour returns this season on June 22.

Sunday schedule

A pair of makeup features are on the Sunday night docket, along with an appearance from the D2 midget cars. The midgets are based in the Galesburg area and race all across Illinois.

The street stocks and modifieds will run makeup main events, plus their regularly scheduled features. The 4-Cylinders and sport mods are also on Sunday’s schedule. The crate late models are off this week.

Racing is scheduled to begin at approximately 6 p.m.

Power update

Race director Blake Dotson reports all necessary repairs should be completed to the track’s electrical system in time for Sunday night. The east end of the track went dark early in the crate late model feature last Sunday, bringing an early end to the evening.

Stats return next week

The Muddy River Sports Leaderboard for the speedway will return next week following this week’s makeup features that were postponed due to the May 29 power outage.