Maybe we can call this the Mark Martin Award. Martin is the consensus pick among NASCAR fans as the best driver to never win a Winston, Nextel or Sprint Cup cahmspionship.

Here are my picks for that same distinction over the past decade at the Bullring:

Late models: I don’t think I’ll get too many arguments by selecting Denny Woodworth. Only 14-time trak champ Mark Burgtorf has earned more points. Only Burgtorf and 2004 champ Lonnie Bailey have won more total races, features, heats and dashes.

And honestly, it’s probably doubtful if ol’ D.W. will ever win a track title because much of his racing time is now spent away from the track running more of a regional schedule.

Modifieds: I’d lean toward Dave Wietholder in this series, who seems to get stronger each season but has yet to bring home the gold ring. Before switching full-time to modifieds, Wietholder won a bomber title in 2001, so he obviously knows what it takes to reel in a championship. And he has been a consistent contender in the mods, but was first stuck behind the Hank DeLonjay juggernaut and then along came some guy named Michael Long. 

Hobby stocks: Hands down, this pick goes to Adam Birck, who finished second in points three straight years (2004-06) when the class was still known as “bombers.” No other driver in track history in any series ever finished second in points three straight seasons. I think that was the final straw of frustration for Birck, and possibly what sent him to the modifieds in 2007, where he has struggled.

Stock cars: We’ll have to wait a few more years on this class. This is only the stocks’ second season at Quincy.

Granted, it’s only April and there are a lot of heat races and features ahead of us, but it’s obvious Michael Long has not lost his winning touch in the modifieds. Which causes me to wonder, can he be even better than he has been the past two years?

Long has already won four races at the Bullring, including two features and it’s no secret he’s putting together some staggering numbers in the modifed series . I thought it would be interesting to see how some of those compare when mixed in with the oher series. Take a look:

Total season victories (since 1999):
Michael Long, modifieds, 36, 2007
Michael Long, modifieds, 35, 2008
Mark Burgtorf, late models, 28, 2006
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds, 25, 2006
Mark Burgtorf, late models, 24, 2007
Wyatt Lantz, “B” modifieds, 24, 2004

Feature victories (since 1999):
Michael Long, modifieds, 16, 2007
Michael Long, modifieds, 15, 2008
Mark Burgtorf, late models, 13, 2006
Steve Carlin, bombers, 12, 2007

Heat victories (since 1999):
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds, 17, 2006
Eddie Dieker, bombers, 14, 2005
Michael Long, modifieds, 13, 2008
Michael Long, modifieds, 13, 2007

Dash victories (since 1999):
Mark Burgtorf, late models, 8, 2007
Michael Long, modifieds, 7, 2008
Michael Long, modifieds, 7, 2007
Denny Woodworth, late models, 6, 2005
Lonnie Bailey, late models, 6, 2004

Career total victories (since 1999):
Mark Burgtorf, late models/modifieds, 169
Michael Long, “A” modifieds/modifieds, 138
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds/modifieds/late models, 138
Eddie Dieker, bombers, 91
Tony Dunker, “B” modifieds/modifieds, 87
Lonnie Bailey, late models, 84

Career feature victories (since 1999):
Mark Burgtorf, late models/modifieds, 77
Michael Long, “A” modifieds/modifieds, 48
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds/modifieds/late models, 42
Eddie Dieker, bombers, 39
Vance Wilson, “A” modifieds/”B” modifieds/modifieds, 28
Steve Carlin, hobby stocks/bombers, 27

Career heat victories (since 1999):
Hank DeLonjay, “A” modifieds/modifieds/late models, 80
Michael Long, “A” modifieds/modifieds, 66
Mark Burgtorf, late models/modifieds, 62
Tony Dunker, “B” modifieds/modifieds, 56
Eddie Dieker, bombers, 51
Steve Carlin, hobby stocks/bombers, 47

Career dash victories (since 1999):
Mark Burgtorf, late models/modifieds, 28
Lonnie Bailey, late models, 27
Michael Long, “A” modifieds/modifieds, 24
Denny Woodworth, late models, “A” modifieds, 23
Brent Slocum, late models, 17

FAST LAPS

Here’s an update on the feature fast laps:

Late models:
IMCA track record: Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 72.717 mph, Aug. 31, 2008
UMP track record: Ed Dixon, Washington, Mo., 72.430 mph, June 10, 2008

2009 times
April 12: Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 68.915 mph
April 23: Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill., 70.048 mph
April 26: Keith Pratt, Mendon, Ill., 68.396 mph

Modifieds
Track record: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 69.735 mph, April 20, 2008

2009 times
April 12: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 64.942 mph
April 26: Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 63.841 mph

Stock cars:
Track record: Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa, 62.474 mph, July 20, 2008

2009 times
April 12: Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa, 62.221 mph
April 23: Kevin Tomlinson, New London, Mo., 62.325 mph
April 26: Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, Ill., 61.629 mph

Jerry Weisenberger, who turns 54 on Wednesday, seems to be getting better with age.

The veteran late model driver is off to great start at the Bullring. He’s already won two heat races and is just one point behind first-week leader Keith Pratt.

Weisenberger has three top-five points finishes in the past four seasons, but he often gets overshadowed by the likes of Mark Burgtorf, Denny Woodworth, Lonnie Bailey and most recently, Jason Frankel. Part of the reason for that is he has only won two late model features in his career (the last being Aug. 13, 2006), but while winning main events has not been Weisenberger’s forte, the veteran has still managed to reach victory lane more frequently than many probably realize.

Take a look at Weisenberger’s overall victory total since 1999, plus his success in heat races:

Total late model wins since 1999:
(includes features, heats, dashes, consolations)
Mark Burgtorf, 154
Lonnie Bailey, 84
Denny Woodworth, 69
Brent Slocum, 35
Joey Gower, 35
Jerry Weisenberger, 34
Jamie Wilson, 34
Terry Gallaher, 32

Heat race wins since 1999:
Mark Burgtorf, 55
Lonnie Bailey, 34
Denny Woodworth, 32
Jerry Weisenberger, 28
Mike Dyche, 22
Joey Gower, 20

There is a good chance Weisenberger can move into fourth place in total wins and third place in heat victories this season.

Weisenberger (34) and Gower (35) figure to back forth all season for the No. 4 spot in total victories. Both should soon pass the late Brent Slocum (35).

Weisenberger (28) has a good chance of passing Denny Woodworth (32) in the heat-race standings because “D.W.” is only a part-time visitor at Quincy these days because of his Midwest Late Model Racing Association commitments.

IMPROVEMENT POINTS

The following tables indicate the drivers who have gained the most positions in features races during the course of the season. The late model leaders will be especially interesting to watch once in the IMCA inverts start. That’s when the heavy hitters will be starting in the middle of the pack and have to work their way through the field.

I’m not sure what to expect from the modifieds, who are using UMP rules and the draw/redraw format. We’ll have a better feel a month from now.

Late models:
Jason Frankel, 15 points
Lonnie Bailey, 12
Justin Reed, 11
Robby Warner, 9
Keith Pratt, 8
Others: Ron Elbe, 4; Bill Genenabcher, 4; Jerry Weisenberger, 3; Jason Perry, 2; Mark Burgtorf, 1; Joey Gower, 1

Modifieds:
Michael Long, 14 points
Dave Wietholder, 11
James Leffew, 10
Steven DeLonjay, 8
Wyatt Lantz, 6
Others: Robbie Reed, 5; Ben Huff, 5; Travis Griffith, 4; Vance Wilson, 4; Richard VanderMaiden, 3; Troy Grotz, 3; Justin Reed, 2; Chris Spalding, 2; Trent Grotz, 1.

Stock cars:
Jeff Mueller, 20 points
Abe Huls, 13
Kevin Tomlinson, 13
Doug Huls, 9
Chris Wibbell, 5
Aaron Brocksieck, 5
Michael Larsen, 5
Others: Sarah Woodhurst, 4; Steve Steinkuhler, 2; Jason Cook, 2; Jeremy Buss, 2; Levi Long, 1.

Hobby stocks:
James Leffew, 9 points
Wes Mayfield, 8
Travis Booher, 8
Nathan Hayes, 7
Andrew Griffin, 7
Others: Adam Scott, 5; Steve Carlin, 5; Travis Klingele, 5; Jim Powell, 4; Mike Wiley, 4; Steve Watkins Jr., 2; Jake Powers, 1.

There are some familiar names atop this week’s Stevie Dirt Regional Rankings.

Defending SDRR late model champ Jason Frankel is deadlocked for a second straight week with the 2008 runner-up and Quincy Raceways rival Mark Burgtorf for the No. 1 position. Burgtorf missed an opportunity to open an advantage on Frankel when Saturday and Sunday engine woes canceled out impressive victories earlier in the week.

Burgtorf had won the Thursday Deery Brothers Summer Series tour stop in Quincy and then bagged another first-place finish Friday at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. His good fortune, however, ended when he was able to run only five laps Saturday at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, and was not even start the heat races Sunday at his home track in Quincy.

Michael Long blasted through the Tri-State area with feature victories Friday in Donnellson, Saturday in West Burlington and Sunday in Quincy to reclaim the No. 1 modified position. The two-time defending track champ in Quincy has four starts so far at SDRR tracks — and four checkered flags.

Jason Cook is atop a tight SDRR stock car points battle, but the name to watch might be rookie Kevin Tomlinson. The former late model driver has rolled to two feature wins in three starts and is tied for third this week. 

STEVIE DIRT REGIONAL RANKINGS: YEAR 2

The following rankings are based on feature performances at Quincy, West Burlington and Donnellson for late models; Quincy, West Burlington, Donnellson and Moberly for modifieds; and Quincy and West Burlington for stock cars. Points are earned on a 25-20-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 scale.

LATE MODELS
Rankings will be expanded to the customary Top 25 as the season develops.

1-tie. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill., 95 points
1-tie. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 95
3. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy, Ill., 44
4. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, Iowa, 36
5. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill., 35
6. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, Iowa, 33
7-tie. Terry Schlipman, Mendon, Ill., 32
7-tie. Jerry Weisenberger, Quincy, Ill., 32
9. Keith Pratt, Mendon, Ill., 31
10. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 28

Others (minimum 20 points)
11. Jeff Aikey, Waterloo, Iowa, 24
12. Matt Bailey, Quincy, Ill., 22

Feature victories: Burgtorf 3, three with 1.

Previous weekly leaders:
Week 1: 1-tie. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill.; Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.

MODIFIEDS

Rankings will be expanded to the customary Top 25 as the season develops.

1. Michael Long, Quincy, Ill., 100 points
2. Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa, 70
3. Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa, 37
4. Scott Hogan, Vinton, Iowa, 35
5. Bill Roberts, Burlington, Iowa, 34
6. Brandon Rothzen, Raritan, Ill., 33
7. Dusty Kraklio, Durant, Iowa, 32
8. Steven DeLonjay, Quincy, Ill., 28
9. Nate Caruth, Ames, Iowa, 26
10. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill., 25

Others (minimum 20 points)
11-tie. Lonnie Heap, Media, Ill., 21
11-tie. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill., 21
13. Wyatt Lantz, Augusta, Ill., 20

Feature victories: Long 4. three with 1.

Previous weekly leaders:
Week 1: Josh Foster, Montrose, Iowa; 2. Brandon Rothzen, Raritan, Ill.

STOCK CARS

Rankings will be expanded to the customary Top 25 as the season develops.

1. Jason Cook, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 75 points
2. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill., 69
3-tie. Kevin Tomlinson, New London, Ill., 65
3-tie. Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa, 65
5. John Oliver Jr., Danville, Iowa, 55
6. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, Ill., 49
7. Jim Redmann, Lockridge, Iowa, 37
8. Darin Thye, Burlington, Iowa, 30
9. Aaron Brocksieck, Camp Point, Ill., 26
10. Steve Steinkuhler, Camp Point, Ill,, 24

Others (minimum 10 points)
11. Levi Long, Payson, Ill., 22
12. Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, Ill., 19
13. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill., 12

Feature victories: Tomlinson 2, three with 1.

Previous weekly leaders:
Week 1: 1. Jeff Mueller, New London, Iowa; 2. John Oliver Jr., Danville, Iowa.

QUINCY RACEWAYS NOTES

Sunday Night Stars

5 Stars: Late model driver Keith Pratt, for the evening’s most convincing feature victory, coming just three days after rolling his primary car during a Deery Brothers Summer Series heat race. For a backup ride, that GRT wasn’t too shabby.

4 Stars: Modified powerhouse Michael “So” Long for not only rallying to win the feature Sunday night in Quincy, but for going 3-for-3 for the weekend. He also won in Donnellson and West Burlington.

3 Stars: Stock car rookie Kevin Tomlinson, who is making the switch to stock cars from late models look easy. He won his second straight main event.

2 Stars: Justin Reed, for posting top-five feature finishes in both the late model and modified series.

1 Star: Hobby Stocker Jim Powell, for adding his name to the list of contenders in that division. Powell’s feature win gives him four checkered flags since the start of  the 2008 season. 

Heat race winners:
Late models: Jerry Weisenberger (2nd), Terry Gallaher.
Modifieds: Michael Long, Todd Reed.
Stock cars: Sarah Woodhurst, Levi Long.
Hobby stocks: Steve Carlin (2nd), Jake Powers.

Dash winners:
Late models: Joey Gower (2nd).
Modifieds: Steven DeLonjay.

Michael Long has not only won back-to-back modified track championships at the Bullring, but No. 18 also has also claimed two straight money-earned titles. (I know, I know, that shouldn’t be a big surprise with the way he has smothered the competition the past two seasons.)

I started charting these numbers for the modifieds in 2007, one year after the late models, but only kept track of the points races. This year I’m expanding to include all events, just like the late models.

Here’s a look at the modified cash register (money earned was taken from weekly track payouts and all figures are unofficial):

2008 MODIFIED MONEY WON (Points Races Only)

1. Michael Long, $5,350
2. Steven DeLonjay, 3,360
3. Tony Dunker, 3.350
4. Dave Wietholder, 3.135
5. Robbie Reed, 2,830
6. Shawn Deering, 2,400
7. Wyatt Lantz,1,895
8. Justin Reed, 1.850
9. Rob Carter, 1,740
10. Joe Hooper, 1,680

Annual leaders:
2008: Michael Long, $5,350
2007: Michael Long, 6,650

Career leaders (2007-08):
1. Michael Long, $12,000
2. Tony Dunker, 7,265
3. Robbie Reed, 6,305
4. Dave Wietholder, 5,7355.
5. Hank DeLonjay, $4,720
6. Shawn Deering, 4,235
7. Brandon Lennox, 3,915
8. Rob Carter, 3,640
9. Jeff Waterman, 3,460
10. Steven DeLonjay, 3,360

11. Jared Schlipman, 3,330
12. Wyatt Lantz, 2,785
13. Aura Griffith, 2,590
14. Frankie Wellman, 2,540
15. Joe Hooper,2,105
16. Justin Reed, 2.050
17. Kelly Bartz, 1,735
18. Adam Birck, 1,705
19. Todd Reed, 1,635
20. Ben Huff, 1,595

Top 10 season totals:
1. Michael Long, $6,650 (2007)
2. Michael Long, 5,350 (2008)
3. Hank DeLonjay, 4,720 (2007)
4. Tony Dunker, 3,915 (2007)
5. Robbie Reed, 3,475 (2007)
6. Steven DeLonjay, 3,360 (2008)
7. Tony Dunker, 3,350 (2008)
8. Dave Wietholder, 3,135 (2008)
9. Robbie Reed, 2,830 (2008)
10. Shawn Deering, 2,400 (2008)

BURGTORF SECOND TO AIKEY

Mark Burgtorf’s victory Thursday night in the Deery Brothers Summer Series at Quincy was his 18th tour win since 1998. That was the year Quincy started its IMCA affiliation. (Burgtorf has 21 total Deery victories in his career).

Only Jeff Aikey (26) has more Deery victories than Burgtorf since 1998. Here’s a breakdown of the tour wins in that period:

IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series Victories since 1998:

26: Jeff Aikey
18: Mark Burgtorf, Rob Toland
17: Terry Neal
11: Mike Smith
7: Darrel DeFrance, Boone McLaughlin, Curt Martin.
4: Darin Duffy, Gary Russell
3: Lonnie Bailey, Terry Schlipman, Brian Harris, Ray Guss Jr., Jeremy Grady, Todd Cooney
2: Jason Frankel, Tom Darbyshire, Terry Gallaher, Darren Miller, Jeremiah Hurst, Jason Friesen, Ken Schrader

1: Matt Strassheim, Mike Collins, Andy Nezworski, Justin Reed, Denny Woodworth, Marty Diercks, Brent Slocum, Bobby Toland, Johnny Johnson, Kevin Blum, Billy Tuckwell, Todd Bennett, Tommy Elston, Joe Kosiski, Greg Kastli, Dennis Erb Jr., Mark Preston, Johnny Spaw

The following is a condensed version of what appears in the print version of Friday’s Herald-Whig , plus some additional notes on Thursday night’s Deery Brothers Summer Series tour stop in Quincy:

By Steve Eighinger
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

See ya.

That was message Mark Burgtorf sent to the rest of the field once he secured the lead in Thursday night’s Deery Brothers Summer Series feature event at Quincy Raceways.

The Quincy driver wound up lapping all but nine challengers in the 24-car field en route to a one-sided victory and $2,000 payday. The checkered flag was his seventh in 21 Deery stops at the .29-mile Bullring.

Burgtorf, who started third and grabbed the lead on the high groove on lap 14, dominated the remainder of the 50-lap test. His biggest worry wound up being lapped traffic the final half of the race, which was caution free the closing 42 laps.

“When you’re in lapped traffic you just hope no one makes a mistake, that no one spins a tire and you’re trapped (in a crash),” he said.

The most interesting race was for the three spots behind Burgtorf, where Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., turned back Jason Frankel of Quincy and Jeff Aikey of Waterloo, Iowa. Frankel, the defending IMCA national champion, started 15th and improved the most positions (12) during the 19-minute, 43-second main event.

BURGTORF VOWS HE’S NOT RACING ENTIRE SERIES

Burgtorf remains adamant about not competing for this year’s Deery championship, a title he has won three times (2003, 2001, 1998). He’s currently the points leader after the first three events of the season.

“There are too many things working against it,” he said. “We’ve talked about it, but there are just too many races four, five and six hours away … and they’re all during the week. Right now, staying close to home sounds good.”

The Deery series is idle until May 20 with a date in Allison, Iowa.

Burgtorf, who led at one enjoyed a half-track lead, settled for a 3.784-second margin of victory, which was still the third most dominant late model win since transponders started being used last season.

Burgtorf spent most of the night riding the cushion, but said that was not necessarily where his car was the strongest.

“That was where the opportunity was,” he said. “Right now, this new car (a Pierce chassis) will go anywhere. This is the best car I’ve ever had … so far.”

NOT SINCE 2001

Burgtorf has now won back-to-back Deery races for the first time since 2001. He had previously won the April 17 race in Davenport, Iowa.

Burgtorf’s victory was the fourth straight and fifth in the last six races by a local driver during Deery competition at Quincy. Although Burgtorf has three of those five victories, no driver has posted back-to-back wins at Quincy since Rob Toland of Bettendorf, Iowa, in September 2005 and April 2006. Toland was 15th Thursday night.

Forty late models were on hand, the sixth time in the last nine Deerys at Quincy there have been at least 40 in the pits.

FEATURE RESULTS

1. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy
2. Ray Guss Jr., Milan
3. Jason Frankel, Quincy
4. Jeff Aikey, Waterloo, Iowa
5. Jerry Weisenberger, Quincy
6. Terry Schlipman, Mendon
7. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, Iowa
8. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy
9. Joey Gower, Quincy
10. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, Iowa
11. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis, Iowa
12. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, Iowa
13. Nick Ingalls, Quincy
14. Ron Elbe, Augusta
15. Rob Toland, Davenport, Iowa
16. Matt Strassheim, West Burlington, Iowa
17. Robby Warner, Quincy
18. Luke Goedert, Holy Cross, Iowa
19. Bryan Klein, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
20. Justin Kay, Wheatland, Iowa
21. Terry Neal, Ely, Iowa
22. Denny Woodworth, Mendon
23. Stephan Kammerer, Blue Grass, Iowa
24. Justin Reed, Quincy

SUPPORT SERIES

Kevin Tomlinson in stock cars and Jim Powell in hobby stocks were the evening’s other feature winners.

Tomlinson’s switch from late models continues to go well as he won his first stock car feature. Tomlinson spent the first 17 of 20 laps chasing down Abe Huls, who wound up second. Tomlinson finished third in his first stock car feature April 6.

Terry Houston, Chris Wibbell and Jason Cook rounded out the top five in the 16-car field.

Jim Powell won the 17-car hobby stock feature, withstanding a late charge by James Leffew. Leffew had held off Powell in the previous hobby stock feature April 6.

Rookie Adam Scott had another impressive run with a third-place finish, followed by Steve Carlin and rookie Jake Powers. Scott and Powers have strung together back-to-back, top-five finishes.

HEAT RACE WINNERS
Late models: Luke Goedert, Jerry Weisenberger, Jay Johnson, Terry Schlipman.
Stock cars: Chris Wibbel, Abe Huls
Hobby stocks: Wes Mayfield, Jim Powell

CONSOLATION WINNERS
Late models: Lonnie Bailey, Boone McLaughlin

The first big paycheck for local late model drivers comes Thursday night when the Deery Brothers Summer Series tour makes a stop at the Bullring. The $2,000-to-win event was rained out last Sunday.

Mark Burgtorf is going for his fourth straight money earned title at 8000 Broadway. The 14-time track champ’s streak is likely much longer than that, but it only dawned on me to start tracking that particular stat for late models in 2006, and other series in 2007.

Here’s a look at the late model cashbox. We’ll look at the other series in the coming days. All figures are taken from weekly payouts and are unofficial.

2008 LATE MODEL MONEY WON (All Races)

1. Mark Burgtorf, $12,535
2. Jason Frankel, 10,445
3. Lonnie Bailey, 10,045
4. Denny Woodworth, 9,135
5. Justin Reed, 8,750
6. Keith Pratt, 8,335
7. Nick Ingalls, 6,410
8. Jason Perry, 6,105
9. Bill Genenbacher, 5,620
10. Robby Warner, 5,605

Annual leaders:
2008: Mark Burgtorf, $12,535
2007: Mark Burgtorf, $13,715
2006: Mark Burgtorf, $17,510 (Note: This is the year Burgtorf won a series-record 28 races, including 10 features.)

Career leaders (2006-08):
1. Mark Burgtorf, $43,760
2. Denny Woodworth, 22,165
3. Lonnie Bailey, 21,450
4. Justin Reed, 18,835
5. Kevin Tomlinson, 18,460
6. Jason Frankel, 16,585
7. Jerry Weisenberger, 15,985
8. Terry Gallaher, 14,830
9. Keith Pratt, 14,665
10. Bill Genenbacher, 13,485

11. Robby Warner, 13,190
12. Jason Perry, 12,525
13. Joey Gower, 12,060
14. Nick Ingalls, 11,500
15. Dustin Neese, 11,105
16. Tom Darbyshire, 9,890
17. Matt Bailey, 9,715
18. Boone McLaughlin, 9,355
19. Dustin Griffin, 9,305
20. Ron Elbe, 9,045

Top 10 season totals:
1. Mark Burgtorf, $17,510 (2006)
2. Mark Burgtorf, 13,715 (2007)
3. Mark Burgtorf, 12,535 (2008)
4. Jason Frankel, 10,445 (2008)
5. Lonnie Bailey, 10,045 (2008)
6. Denny Woodworth, 9,135 (2008)
7. Justin Reed, 8,750 (2008)
8. Keith Pratt, 8,335 (2008)
9. Terry Gallaher, 7,660 (2007)
10. Denny Woodworth, 7,290 (2006)

2008 LATE MODEL MONEY WON (Points Races Only)

1. Jason Frankel, $8,080
2. Mark Burgtorf, 7,735
3. Justin Reed, 4,805
4. Lonnie Bailey, 4,095
5. Jason Perry, 3,980
6. Nick Ingalls, 3,660
7. Kevin Tomlinson, 3,665
8. Denny Woodworth, 3,625
9. Matt Bailey, 3,520
10. Keith Pratt, 3,485

Annual leaders:
2008: Jason Frankel, $8,080
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 9,840
2006: Mark Burgtorf, 10,460

Career leaders (2006-08):
1. Mark Burgtorf, $28,035
2. Lonnie Bailey, 13,500
3. Jason Frankel, 12,520
4. Justin Reed, 12,005
5. Terry Gallaher, 11,970
6. Denny Woodworth, 11,360
7. Jerry Weisenberger, 11,110
8. Kevin Tomlinson, 10,360
9. Joey Gower, 10,020
10. Robby Warner, 9,740

11. Jason Perry, 9,305
12. Bill Genenbacher, 9,035
13. Dustin Neese, 8,770
14. Matt Bailey, 8,315
15. Ron Elbe, 7,865
16. Nick Ingalls, 7,600
17. Keith Pratt, 7,415
18. Tom Darbyshire, 7,030
19. Dustin Griffin, 6,710
20. Brian Kenning, 6,160

Top 10 season totals:
1. Mark Burgtorf, $10,460 (2006)
2. Mark Burgtorf, 9,840 (2007)
3. Jason Frankel, 8,080 (2008)
4. Mark Burgtorf, 7,735 (2008)
5. Terry Gallaher, 6,360 (2006)
6. Lonnie Bailey, 5,095 (2007)
7. Justin Reed, 4,805, (2008)
8. Joey Gower, 4,775 (2006)
9. Denny Woodworth, 4,570 (2006)
10. Jason Frankel, 4,440 (2007)

2008 LATE MODEL MONEY WON (Non-Points Races Only)

Annual leaders:
2008: Denny Woodworth, $5,345
2007: Mark Burgtorf, 3,875
2006: Mark Burgtorf, 7,050

Maybe this acknowledgement should simply be renamed the “Tony Dunker Sharp Dressed Man Award.” After all, no other local driver has come close to Dunker’s dominance in putting a good-looking hot rod on the track.

Tony Dunker

For the second time in three years and fifth since 2002, Dunker has earned a best-looking modified award. This year’s black and green with a splash of white is eye-catching and, as usual, there is never any doubt what car is Dunker’s when he is on the track.

This season’s other “ZZ Top Sharp Dressed Man Award” winners are first-timers Robby Warner in the late models, Kevin Tomlinson in stock cars and Adam Scott in hobby stocks.

Warner, too, adopted a green-black-white body that has a huge No. 79 on the sides, making it easy for scorers and fans alike to always pick out his car.

Tomlinson, a long-time late model driver, made the switch to stock cars and made it with a great looking No. 49. He also went for a bold number, coupled with a neatly packaged flourescent look.

The stock cars were the toughest choice to select. It came down to Tomlinson and Terry Houston (No. 97), whose silver car at least deserves a tip o’ the hat. It’s a sharp-looking ride.

Scott’s orange-and-blue hobby stock was an obvious pick — a big, easy-to-read blue No. 93 is offset by a mostly orange body with blue trim. All too often in this class, the car bodies are lacking appearance-wise, but this one is first class all the way.

In the Most Improved Look category, this year’s winners were Dustin Griffin in late models, Wyatt Lantz in modifieds, John Oliver Jr. in stock cars and Nathan Anders in hobby stocks.

ZZ TOP SHARP DRESSED MAN AWARD

LATE MODELS

2009: Robby Warner
2008: Jason Frankel
2007: Lonnie Bailey
2006: Terry Gallaher
2005: Mike Dyche
2004: Brent Slocum
2003: Jamie Wilson
2002: Jamie Wilson
2001: Denny Woodworth
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Terry Gallaher

MODIFIEDS

2009: Tony Dunker
2008: Jared Schlipman
2007: Tony Dunker
2006: Shawn Deering

“A” Modifieds
2005: Ted Allen
2004: Robby Warner
2003: Michael Long
2002: Steve Grotz
2001: Ryan Meyer
2000: Bob Dale
1999: Steve McCarley

“B”Modifieds
2005: Tony Dunker
2004: Wyatt Lantz
2003: Tony Dunker
2002: Tony Dunker
2001: Joe Hooper
2000: Rob Carter
1999: Greg Uppinghouse

HOBBY STOCKS/BOMBERS

2009: Adam Scott
2008: Bobby Anders
2007: Todd Reichert
2006: Michael Larsen
2005: Todd Reichert
2004: Jim Powell
2003: Jim Powell
2002: Brent Chapman
2001: Eddie Dieker
2000: Eddie Dieker
1999: Rick Coats

IMCA STOCK CARS

2009: Kevin Tomlinson
2008: Jeff Mueller

MOST IMPROVED LOOK

LATE MODELS

2009: Dustin Griffin
2008: Dustin Neese
2007: Bill Genenbacher
2006: Justin Reed
2005: Terry Gallaher
2004: Terry Schlipman
2003: Mike Dyche
2002: Keith Pratt
2001: Joey Gower

MODIFIEDS

2009: Wyatt Lantz
2008: Frankie Wellman
2007: Shawn Deering
2006: Brandon Lennox

“A” Modifieds
2005: Jim Powell
2004: Danny Lake
2003: Tim Warning
2002: Brandon Brown
2001: Les Harding

“B” Modifieds
2005: Wes Mayfield
2004: Wes Mayfield
2003: Rob Carter
2002: Bill Baker
2001: Rob Carter

HOBBY STOCKS/BOMBERS

2009: Nathan Anders
2008: Mike Wiley
2007: Bruce Hatfield
2006: Aaron Brocksieck
2005: Steve Carlin
2004: Steve Carlin
2003: Brian Kenning
2002: Richie Wagy
2001: Brent Chapman

STOCK CARS

2009: John Oliver Jr.

ALL-TIME BEST LOOKING CAR

Jamie Wilson’s 2002 late model with the silver, green and black color scheme remains the best of them all. Wilson always had a great knack for putting together a great look.

Runner-up would be Mark Burgtorf’s 2000 blue late model, which was used sparingly in Quincy. Burgtorf’s rides always possess a traditional look, subtle yet commanding. The blue car stood out so much because all of Burgtorf’s other cars in the 11-year history of this award had been red until this year’s white model.

Quincy Raceways owner Tony Rhinberger announced this afternoon tonight’s rained-out Deery Brothers Summer Series tour event will be made up Thursday night.

Support series for the night will be IMCA stock cars and hobby stocks. Stock cars will be racing for points, but not the hobby stocks.

Modifieds will not be racing.

Fans in attendance are reminded to keep their ticket stubs from Thursday night for a $3 disocunt on their Sunday night, April 26 tickets.

Pit gates open Thursday at 4, grandstands at 5. Racing will begin at 6:30.

The first two Deery events of the season have drawn a combined 127 cars.

Quincy drivers Mark Burgtorf (99) and Jason Frankel (96) lead the Deery ppoints standings. Jeff Aikey (95) of Waterloo, Iowa, is third.

For more information, go to www.quincyraceways.com.

The following column appears in Sunday’s print version of The Herald-Whig:

The dirt-track season’s first major event at Quincy Raceways unfolds tonight when the Deery Brothers Summer Series late model tour visits for a 12th consecutive year and its 21st stop at 8000 Broadway.

Here¹s an updated look back at 10 of my most memorable Deery memories at the Bullring, for one reason or another:

1. Mark Burgtorf¹s domination: No other driver from West-Central Illinois, Northeast Missouri or southeastern Iowa has dominated Deery races at Quincy like hometown hero Burgtorf. He¹s won six times — and it should have been
seven.

2. Burgtorf¹s disqualification: Burgtorf was disqualified two days after “winning” the first 2007 race because of “unapproved alterations made to a spec cylinder head” that reportedly could have increased horsepower of the engine.  Let’s just say the ruling was questionable and leave it at that.

3. Frankel’s first: Jason Frankel capped his perfect storm of a 2008 season with his first Deery win last September. That victory punctuated a summer that included an IMCA national and two track (Quincy, West Burlington) championships.

4. Curt Martin’s 1999 win: Martin held off eventual series champion Jeff Aikey to win a July 4 weekend spectacular that included post-race fireworks. Drivers, reporters and track officials in the pits were kept busy dodging the falling debris from the fireworks. Mark Holtmeyer of Quincy was third, scoring the first-ever podium finish for a local driver in a Deery race in Quincy.

5. Lonnie Bailey¹s 2002 victory: Bailey, who went on to win the track championship that season, won the July Deery as part of a 1-2-3 sweep by Quincy regulars. The late Brent Slocum and Burgtorf followed him across the finish line. The only other 1-2-3 finish by Quincy regulars came in the September 2007 race when Burgtorf, Frankel and Kevin Tomlinson dominated.

6. Go, Johnny, Go: Veteran driver Johnny Johnson, in his late 60s at the time, dominated the 50-lap event. Mike Karhoff was second.

7. Terrific Toland: Rob Toland strung together four Deery wins in five starts between 2004-06 for the most dominant performance by a driver at Quincy. Terry Neal kept him from winning five in a row with an April 2005 victory in the middle of those five races. Ironically, Toland had not won a Deery race at Quincy before that and has not won one since.

8.  Consistency: No driver has matched Burgtorf’s consistency. The three-time series champ has won more races and finished in the top five more than any other participant. Only five times, including the 2007 DQ, has Burgtorf finish outside the top 10.

9.  Big draw: The Deery races annually bring in some of the largest fields of late models to Quincy. Five times in the last eight races the car count has been 42 or higher, with a best of 48 for the April 2007 race.

10. Aikey¹s 1998 victory: It was the first Deery race at the Bullring and set the tone for what has been a profitable relationship with the IMCA.