By STEVE EIGHINGER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
The scenario will be a familiar one Tuesday night when the United Midwestern Promoters Summer Nationals visits Quincy Raceways.
A year ago at this time, Dennis Erb Jr. roared into town in control of the month-long tour, having relied on a steady diet of top-five finishes and an occasional victory en route to what ended up as a composite $77,400 payday for the winning Summer Nationals championship.
And the Carpentersville, Ill., driver is doing the same thing again this year.
"I am very happy with how we are performing right now, but there is still a long way to go on this deal," Erb said a couple of days ago. "We have to keep qualifying up front and running strong in the heat race like we (have). It is a whole lot easier when you start up front in these features instead of coming from mid-pack. Hopefully, we can continue to stay out of trouble and keep finishing in the top five."
Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., has been Erb's chief pursuer. The two have even flip-flopped the points lead on a couple of different occasions. Also refusing to go away have been Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., and Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich.
Van Wormer, always a fan favorite, partly because of his outspokenness and short fuse (as in temper), has been building a head of steam over the past week. Van Wormer won his first feature on this year's tour Tuesday in Peoria.
"Hopefully we can win the rest of them (Summer Nationals events)," Van Wormer said afterward. "That wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit."
Van Wormer brought the Quincy Raceways crowd to its feet in 2006 after being taken out -- unfairly in his mind -- by Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill. During the caution laps when the field was being re-set, Van Wormer drifted to the high groove and waited in turn four for Sheppard to come around the track. As Sheppard headed for the front straight, Van Wormer turned down the track and speared him, earning a black flag and a rousing ovation.
Racing starts Tuesday night at 7, preceded by qualifying at 6:30 and hot laps at 6. The feature will be 40 laps, paying $6,000 to the winner.
Previous Summer Nats winners in Quincy have been Shannon Babb (2007) of Mowequa, Ill., and Randy Korte (2006) of Highland, Ill. Babb is currently competing in the World of Outlaws tour, but Korte should be in town.
Tonight: The usual Sunday night lineup of late models, modifieds, stock cars and hobby stocks are on tap tonight at 8000 Broadway. Racing starts at 6:30, give or take 15 minutes.
Jason Frankel in late models, Michael Long in modifieds, John Oliver Jr. stocks and Aaron Brocksieck in hobbies are the points leaders.
Erb climbs in rankings: Erb's Summer Nationals success has catapulted him to No. 7 in this week's www.latemodelracer.com national rankings.
Season-long No. 1 Billy Moyer continues to pace the rankings ahead of Jimmy Owens, Scott Bloomquist, Steve Francis, Shane Clanton and Josh "Kid Rocket" Richards.
McLaughlin prevails: Quincy fan favorite Boone "Hound Dog" McLaughlin won the Thursday Deery Brothers Summer Series tour race in Independence, Iowa.
McLaughlin is the eighth different driver to win on the tour and is also the newest points leader for the IMCA-sanctioned late model series. McLaughlin's victory (worth $2,000), combined with Todd Cooney's early exit from his heat and consolation events, gives the "Hound Dog" a
10-point edge over Tom
Darbyshire near the
midway point of the series
season.
Justin Reed of Quincy drew his third pole start of the season, led the first two laps and chased McLaughlin to the checkers. Jason Hahne of Webster City, Iowa, also spent time at the front before ending the 40-lapper in third. Darbyshire, of Morning Sun, Iowa, and rookie contender Mike Garland of DeWitt, Iowa, completed the top five.
