‘Superman’ uses all his strength to power to finish line and win crate late model feature

QUINCY — Sam Halstead has been racing at Adams County Speedway for more than 25 years, and has long carried the nickname “Superman” for his driving abilities.

That nickname was truly befitting on a rather windy and unseasonably chilly Sunday night at 8000 Broadway.

Halstead emerged from a four-car scrum on the final lap to win the crate late model feature in one of the year’s most scintillating main events, regardless of division.

“Hol-l-ly moly …,” an exhausted Halstead said.

Halstead was able to bolt across the finish line just ahead of Jamie Wilson, Denny Woodworth and Jason Perry. The four were packed tightly together over the final couple of laps, all jostling for position and each with an opportunity to win.

“I feel like I got hit by some Kryptonite,” joked Halstead, who always loves to incorporate the “Superman” theme.

Wilson and Woodworth also managed to lead the race at different points, and Perry made a mad dash from the back half of the 13-car field to put himself in position to challenge for the checkered flag.

“I think you could have thrown a blanket over us,” Halstead said in regard to how close the contenders were running. “But we all try to race each other clean.”

The victory was Halstead’s first of the season at Quincy.

Perry remains the crate late points leader with 335, followed by Woodworth (323), Tommy Elston (271), Halstead (255) and Darin Weisinger Jr. (243).

Weisinger and Woodworth collected heat wins.

Other feature winners included Austin Becerra in modifieds, Tanner Klingele in sport mods, Rudy Zaragoza in stock cars and Jeffrey DeLonjay in 4-Cylinders.

Becerra’s feature win was his second of the season and allowed him to overtake third-place finisher Jacob Rexing in the points race (318-315). 

Becerra is bidding for a second straight track title.

“This takes a lot of time,” Becerra reflected. “We race three nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) a week, plus working on the car and working a job full time. I’m just grateful Adams County Speedway is just 20 minutes from where I live (in Bowen).”

Rexing (14.06) had the top qualifying time of the season.

Rick Conoyer finished second in the feature and Mike Vanderiet Jr. fourth. Garnering heat wins were Becerra and Conoyer.

Klingele led the closing 12 circuits of the 18-lap sport mod finale, earning his first feature victory of the season over Kyler Gurard, Reed Wolfmeyer and Dakota Girard.

“Finally,” said Klingele, pointing to what had been an elusive first win of 2023. “I felt I have had the fastest car some nights, but had failed to execute. This feels great, and will make the coming week a lot easier.”

Klingele also built his series lead to 12 points (191-179) over both Wolfmeyer and Girard. Right behind are Logan Cumby (175) and A.J. Tournear (173).

Tyler Burton and Josh Holtman were heat-race winners.

Zaragoza stormed to a 7-second stock feature victory over Jake Powers. Zaragoza also won the stock heat race.

Powers, however, still controls the stock points race with a 191-172 advantage over Kale Foster.

DeLonjay became the first three-time feature winner in any of the weekly series when he overcame Jimmy Dutlinger with two laps remaining in the 12-lap 4-Cylinder main event. Earlier in the night, DeLonjay and Dutlinger won heat races.

DeLonjay leads Dutlinger (197-192) in the points standings. Jaden DeLonjay (189) is third.

Photos courtesy Gregg Teel