The Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri, flirts with my "top five" favorite race tracks even though it only runs events three or four times a year due to its location far away from any significant population base. Actually, that might even be part of its appeal to me. The main reason though is that it is one of the widest and raciest tracks that you will find anywhere and the action is typically non-stop from the opening heat race until the final checkered flag flies.
One of the race nights on the schedule is the annual county fair race, a headliner for the grandstand entertainment that is typically one of the best revenue generators for the week. If the weather is nice on that day, the race needs to go on if at all possible........no matter how much rain has fallen on the track in the days before. And that was the case last night when Race Director Mike Van Genderen was forced to move the infield track tires at least one-third of the way out on the racing surface due to the fact that the surface below those tires was a soupy mess. Obviously the two-thirds of the track width that could be used was not able to be prepared in its normal manner either and it required attention all night long in order to give the drivers the best opportunity to put on a show for the big fair crowd.
The Sport Mods were the first feature on the card with sixteen cars scheduled to go fifteen laps. That field was reduced to thirteen though when three drivers, including front row starter and local favorite Austin Howes scratched. This moved Jason McDaniel up to row one and he took full advantage of the break taking the lead at the drop of the green. Jim Gillenwater advanced quickly up from his third row start and applied the pressure on McDaniel throughout the race, but could not get the bite that he needed down low to make the pass. McDaniel would secure the win ahead of Gillenwater, Brayton Carter, Austen Becerra and Brandon Dale.
The front row curse continued as the Stock Cars were brought to the track for their 16-lap money race as pole-starter Dalton Lynch could not make the call. This moved Bob Lynch forward to start next to Les Blakely and it was Blakely who would lead lap one with the fourth starting Mike Hughes hot on his heels. Hughes wasted no time driving under Blakely for the lead on lap two and he then began to pull away. The eleven cars that had originally signed in was already whittled to nine for the start and following the mid-race point they started dropping like flies. First it was John Oliver Jr. who had moved to fourth after starting eighth, then Mike Harward pulled to the infield with a flat tire and on the final lap the fourth place car of Andrew Hustead ground to a halt in turn four while local driver Trevor Harris pulled to the infield otherwise he would have ended up with fourth-place money. I'm not sure how it was scored officially, but I would have had it with Hughes as the winner, Blakely in second, Abe Huls in third, Bob Lynch in fourth since he did make it all the way around to the finish despite being just ahead of Hughes as he took the checkers. And I would give Hustead fifth since he made it to turn three while Harris pulled off the track on the back stretch.
The Sport Compacts were up next for ten laps with eleven of the twelve signed in making it to the track. Actually the twelfth car might have been trying to get there, but just never made it. (Those in attendance would find the humor in this) Josh Barnes took the lead at the outset with Quad Cities based driver Eric Stogdell chasing and Travis DeMint behind him. They would run that way for all ten laps with Barnes the winner, DeMint passed Stogdell down the final straightaway for second, Kimberly Abbot was fourth and Brandon Lambert finished fifth. During the event I couldn't help but wonder if Lambert chose the #14L because it is easy to apply using duct tape, or if he just uses the same sign shop as Abe Huls. (Again, another attempt at humor that most of you will not get)
Fourteen Modifieds signed in, but we lost four of them from hot laps due to mechanical issues and then the driver who drew the pole position, Bill Roberts Jr. scratched from the event. The hex continues.....
This put Tyler Groenendyk on the pole and just like McDaniel in the Sport Mods, he gladly accepted the role and then went flag-to-flag for the win. Colt Mather was in chase mode in second, Jerad Fuller impressed the hometown crowd with a third-place run, Steven Blattler made his first appearance in a couple of years and took fourth while Jeff Waterman completed the top five.
The five car Hobby Stock main event was to close out the show, but I chose to head for home instead. Yes, five cars is a low car count, but another area track has seen a night of just two cars showing up and another where only one signed in, truly a sign that the division is near its end here in this part of the country.
Were the races great last night? No. Were they good? Not by my definition. Did I have a good time? Yes, how could you not enjoy the sights and sounds of a small town county fair?! Is Memphis still one of my favorite tracks? Absolutely! Anybody who couldn't weigh in all the factors and give this one a pass isn't a true race fan. Can't wait to come back in the Fall!
More county fair action for me tonight as the Shottenkirk.com Sprint Invaders roll into Tipton for the Cedar County Fair. Then on Sunday night I look forward to the annual Hogan Memorial in Vinton. Enjoy your racing weekend!
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