Racing notebook: Penalty creates tie atop 4-Cylinder points race heading into championship Sunday

QUINCY — What might have been an otherwise ho-hum wrap-up to the points racing portion of the Adams County Speedway season could very well end with an exclamation point.

Race director Blake Dotson informed Muddy River News late in the week that Jeffrey DeLonjay and Jimmy Dutlinger will enter Sunday night’s final round of points racing tied for the lead in the 4-Cylinder class and Kim Abbott will be four points back in third place.

Following last Sunday night’s racing, DeLonjay led Dutlinger by 10 points. But upon further examination, track officials eventually ruled that Dutlinger had purposely been taken out of the feature race by DeLonjay’s father, Jeff, who was also driving in the race.

“We felt this was the fairest thing to do after examining all that happened,” Dotson said. “We have also suspended Jeff DeLonjay from driving this week.”

Dotson said track officials also spoke with representatives of the United Midwest Promoters (UMP) before coming to a decision. UMP is the sanctioning body for the 4-Cylinder class.

Jeffrey DeLonjay and Dutlinger had entered last Sunday night separated by just one point, but Dutlinger’s forced exit extended DeLonjay’s lead to 10 points. That all but guaranteed DeLonjay the championship — until the track ruling.

In essence, Jeffrey DeLonjay’s penalty was 10 points, and Jeff DeLonjay’s penalty was a one-race suspension.

“This way, the title will be decided on the track, like it should be,” Watson said.

That penalty also vaulted Abbott into title consideration. Prior to the penalty, Abbott was 14 points out of first.

“Hey! Sunday night will definitely be interesting!” Dotson said.

If Jeffrey DeLonjay or Dutlinger win the title, it will be their first at the track, formerly known as Quincy Raceways prior to a two-year (2020-21) shutdown. Abbott has won three championships (2019, 2016, 2015) and finished second in points three times.

Ka-ching!

The prize money continues to grow for the upcoming Sept 16-17 gala at the speedway. The two-day event spotlighting modifieds, sport mods and 4-Cylinder cars has seen the total purse grow to more than $60,000, a track record.

Dotson is expecting at least “70 to 80” 4-Cylinder cars, “40 to 50” sport mods and “30 or more” modifieds.

“We are getting inquiries from all over the place,” said Dotson, who admitted his projected figures could wind up being quite low. “We already have 4-Cylinder entries from as far away as Florida, Wisconsin and Kansas.”

Dotson also said plans right now call for this event to be an annual part of the speedway’s schedule.

The sport mods will run for $1,500 to win and $150 to start on Friday, Sept., 16. They’ll race for $2,500 to win on Saturday, Sept. 17, and $300 to start.

The modifieds and 4-Cylinder cars will qualify and run their heat races on Friday. On Saturday, those two classes will have their B-mains and features.

“This should be a great, great show,” Dotson said.

The mods are running for $4,545 to win, $2,045 for second place and $1,045 for third place. The 4-Cylinders will be chasing $4,545 to win, $2,000 for second and $1,000 for third. 

Muddy River Sports Dirty Thirty rankings

Sport mods

1. Adam Birck

2. Tanner Klingele

3. Logan Cumby

4. Dakota Girard

5. A.J. Tournear

6. Reed Wolfmeyer

Modifieds

1. Austen Becerra

2. Dave Wietholder

3. Kenny Wallace

4. Mark Burgtorf

5. Mike Vanderiet Jr.

6. Shawn Deering

Crate late models

1. Denny Woodworth

2. Tommy Elston

3. Sam Halstead

4. Darin Weisinger Jr.

5. Chase Osterhoff

6. Cody Maguire

4-Cylinders

1. Jeffrey DeLonjay

2. Jimmy Dutlinger

3. Kim Abbott

4. Jaden DeLonjay

5. Derrick DeFord

6. Landon Neisen

Street stocks

1. Rudy Zaragoza

2. Jake Powers

3. Steve Grotz

4. Beau Taylor

5. Robert Cottom

6. Robert Thompson