After $150,000 in improvements, new-look Quincy Raceways kicks off season Sunday night

QUINCY — The wait is just about over. 

The dirt-track season opens at the new-look Quincy Raceways on Sunday night, showcasing a manifold of improvements for drivers and spectators alike. 

Jeff DeLonjay begins his first full year as owner and operator of the 28.5-acre site at 8000 Broadway following an offseason that has kept track staff rather busy.

“We’ve spent just about every day at the track,” DeLonjay admitted. “We’ve gotten a lot done. In some respects, the offseason just flew by.”

The improvements, some of which are still a work in progress, are quite evident. Among the most noticeable to fans will be the curved, concrete wall that now provides the feel of a fortress at the east and west ends of the .295-mile track. The wall was pieced together with 2,000-pound blocks — about 500 of them — during the fall, winter and early spring months.

The racing surface is new, thanks to 300 loads of clay, plus changes to the pit area and pit-entrance configurations. A new flag stand has been erected, and the former concession building was gutted and refurbished. The concession stand has a new menu.

More than $150,000 in improvements that have been made since the end of last season, and more are scheduled.

“We’re really excited about all of the improvements at the track,” DeLonjay said. “We’ve already had a lot of positive comments.”

The facility has all-new plumbing, plus a bright red-and-white paint scheme designed to give track properties a facelift. DeLonjay also said drainage has been improved along pit road, canopies have been added for more shade areas for fans, a beer garden is in the works and a wide variety of new track merchandise will be for sale.

Four water trucks this year — three more than in recent seasons — will help control the always-fickle racing surface of a dirt track.

“I think we’re doing OK, but we’re also still learning,” DeLonjay said. “Mother Nature can be a friend — or an enemy.”

The improvements started the day after the 2024 season ended. That’s when DeLonjay officially changed the name of the facility back to Quincy Raceways. It had been known as Adams County Speedway after re-opening following a two-year shutdown (2020-21) due to Covid-19 and various management problems. The track had been known as Quincy Raceways from its 1975 debut through 2019.

All six classes from last season will remain the same: crate late models, modifieds, sport mods, stock cars, 4-Cylinders and Crown Vics. 

The crate lates, an offshoot from the former super open late models, have been a recognized class since 2017. The late models date to the track’s ’75 opening.

The modifieds have been around 1988, the sport mods since 2011, the stocks from 2008 and the 4-Cylinders (and their sport compact and hornet predecessors) since 2006. The Crown Vics debuted in 2024.

The crate lates are expected to be the largest weekly class this season. That division has been steadily growing and is expected to average near or nore than 20 cars per week. The last time a late model division averaged 20 or more cars a week was 2008. The track record is 25 in 2006, back when Quincy was an IMCA track for late models. It has been a UMP site since 2012.

Defending series champs are:

• Jason Perry of Payson (crate lates)
• Austen Becerra of Carthage (mods)
• Tanner Klingele of Quincy (sport mods)
• Jacob Rexing of Brighton (stocks)
• Jaden DeLonjay of Quincy (4-Cylinders) and
• Jacob Jones of Quincy (Crown Vics).

Perry’s track title a year ago was his second overall and first since 2012. Perry’s 10-point title margin over Tommy Elston was the division’s closest since 2011.

Becerra’s modified championship was his third straight and fifth overall title at the track (he won sport compact crowns in 2013-14). Becerra’s five overall championships tie him for sixth in most track history behind Mark Burgtorf (16), Hank DeLonjay (13), Steve Fraise (9), Denny Woodworth (9) and Steven DeLonjay (6).

Klingele’s 2024 sport mod title was his first after finishing runner-up four times since 2013. Rexing was the eighth different stock champ in as many years. Jaden DeLonjay’s 155-point margin of victory in the 4-Cylinder points race was a series record.

Richard VanderMaiden will be the primary flagman this season. Joe Bliven will handle the position on selected nights.

Race-day times are a 3 p.m. pit opening, general gates opening at 4:30 p.m. and hot laps beginning at 5:30 p.m. Racing will begin between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adult general admission, $5 for kids (10-under) general admission and $10 for seniors’ general admission. Pit passes are $40 for adults.