Pro Briggs podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The 37th edition of the Quincy Grand Prix took place from June 27-28 with karters gathering from all over the country to the South Park in Quincy, Illinois. The 2026 edition was the third year for event promoter Jeff Scott hosting the historic street race with roots dating back to 1970. The city and region showed their support for the street race festival with thousands of spectators lining the streets to take in the action over the two days of racing with many off-track activities for the public to enjoy. Rain once again was an issue over the weekend, however, the seven Saturday Feature races and 14 Sunday Championship main events were completed around the 1.1-mile course in ‘The Park’.

Two-time winner at 2026 Quincy Grand Prix Matt Krechel (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

“The event was great,” stated event promoter Jeff Scott. “We had 10,000 people in The Park over the weekend. We are already talking about next year and what we can do to make it safer including moving the finish line to stop last lap, final corner crashes. We’ve had at least one there every year since it came back in 2018. It’s time for a change. Our sponsors were there in full force and many signed on for next year! We are looking at dates and trying to stay off other big events on the schedule, but we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to The Park in 2027!”

Briggs Heavy podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Despite the many drivers running multiple categories on the weekend, only one driver came away with more than one win in the Sunday Championship main events – Matt Krechel. With his first two wins at The Park coming in 1997 and 1998 as a Junior driver, Krechel added five more over the 2018 to 2025 to bring his total to seven wins – including two last year. Krechel was 13th in qualifying for the headline Bob Scott Memorial Pro Briggs by Rober & Phillips. The timed session was led by Avery Schwalm with a 1:15.695 laptime to edge out Thomas Shereck and Jake Walsh by 79 thousandths. A great jump by Krechel put him into the top five over the opening lap as Shereck led the first circuit. Huntington Bolton took over the point and led the next five laps before Krechel grabbed the lead. From there, Krechel led the remainder of the 12-lap race to reach the checkered flag first, winning by 86 thousandths over Bolton. Evan Stamer was third with Jaiden Beckman and Walsh completing the top five.

Ignite Senior podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The first victory for Krechel of the Championship Sunday came in Briggs 206 Heavy presented by Lawson Speed Shop. Three-time class winner Tony Neilson led the way in qualifying with a 1:15.706 with Krechel recording the second quickest lap. Hunter Bolton was able to claim the Saturday Feature victory in a last lap move with Krechel slipping to fourth on the final circuit behind Thomas Sherock and David Borntreger. Krechel fell to sixth over the opening lap of the Sunday Championship main event as Neilson kept the lead over the first three laps. Bolton took control until Krechel claimed the lead on lap seven. From there, Krechel paced the field to the checkered flag, earning his first victory in class by over a tenth. Neilson was second with Borntreger in third ahead of Bolton and three-time class winner Riley Scott.

Ignite Masters podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The largest category of the event was the Margay Ignite Senior presented by Mike Gadberry Motorsports. Ashton Wheeler edged out Aidan Liber by 58 thousandths for the fast time in the 34-driver field. The Saturday Feature welcomed a seventh different winner over the seven editions for the category, welcoming Nathan Levenhagen for his first ever Quincy win, holding off Wheeler by 83 thousandths at the line. The order was shuffled around on the opening lap of the Sunday Championship main event with Jaiden Beckman at the point, leading the first two laps before Brady Tyler took over. He led up to the white flag when a charging Evan Stamer working past over the final lap to claim his first Quincy victory. Avery Schwalm was only 16 thousandths off at the line with Tyler back to third. Avery Scott was fourth with Wheeler placing fifth.

Ignite Heavy podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The Margay Ignite Masters presented by Quincy Recycle featured the only driver to win both the Saturday Feature and the Sunday Championship main event. Jeremiah Davis was quickest of the 20 drivers in qualifying with a 1:17.970 lap over former winner Tony Neilson and last year’s Feature winner Justin Vancil. Neilson led the first 11 laps of the Feature until Vancil and Matt Krechel worked past for the 1-2 finish. The Sunday Championship main event was similar to the Saturday Feature, this time with Krechel out to the lead over Vancil and Neilson. Krechel led to the white flag when both Vancil and Neilson worked past for a 1-2 finish, giving Vancil his first victory in the category. Only 83 thousandths off was Neilson in second with Krechel third. Jeff Scott and Andrew Coulter made up the top five.

Ignite Legends podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The Margay Ignite Heavy by Eric Green Construction and Margay Ignite Legends by See Quincy made up a race group of 20 drivers. Jeremiah Davis set fast time in Heavy, edging out Bryan Strackelijahn by 48 thousandths. Strackelijahn led the opening lap of the Sunday Championship main event until getting shuffled back to fifth, eventually retiring on lap eight. Robert Lynn took over the lead on lap two with two-time defending class winner Avery Schwalm into second. They ran that way until the final circuit with Schwalm scoring a third straight victory. Lynn settled for second over Davis with Tyler Stroud and Gregory Mefford completing the top five.

Event promoter Jeff Scott was able to complete the sweep in Ignite Legends for his third career victory. Scott posted a 1:20.723 lap in qualifying before a three driver fight took place in the Sunday Championship main event. Scott, Pete Vetter and 2024 winner Rick Fulks all led until Scott secured the lead and the victory for his first in the class. Vetter was second with Fulks third. John Hickey and Matt Hermsmeier rounded out the top five.

Briggs Medium podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Briggs 206 Medium by Neil Oil was the first class in the order, welcoming 14 drivers. Justin Jennings was able to clear the field by over a half second with a lap of 1:15.989 over David Borntreger and Thomas Shereck. Qualifying fourth was Avery Scott, jumping out to the lead over the opening three laps in the Sunday Championship main event. Jennings returned to the point with Shereck following through. Huntington Bolton slipped into the second spot by lap seven and they ran that way until the final circuit. Over the final lap, Shereck went from third to first, securing his first Quincy victory. Borntreger was second at the line over Bolton and Jennings. Matt Krechel completed the top five.

Briggs Super Heavy podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Briggs 206 Super Heavy presented by Neikamp Trucking and Briggs 206 Legends presented by Refreshment Services Pepsi combined for the second race group on the track. Super Heavy category, making its debut at Quincy Grand Prix, began with Buddy Dailey setting fast time in qualifying to edge out Jeremiah Davis by 21 thousandths. Third place qualifier Matt Zigaitis was able to secure the inaugural victory with a last lap pass, beating out Robert Lynn at the line by 31 thousandths. Davis was third with Ryan Pinson fourth and Mikel Henderson in fifth.

Briggs Legends podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

One of Quincy Grand Prix legends added another victory to his total. Rick Fulks first won at The Park in 1991 and came into the weekend with six career victories. He qualified second to Don Newman in the Briggs 206 Legends session, missing out by 32 thousandths. Newman led the first 11 laps before Fulks grabbed the spot over the final circuit for the victory. Newman settled for second with Jeff Scott in third. Pete Vetter was fourth with John Hickey in fifth.

Briggs Masters podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

The final 4-cycle category of the event is Briggs 206 Masters presented by Keck Heating & Air, featuring 13 drivers. Jeremiah Davis recorded a third top qualifier award of the event with a lap of 1:16.916. Jeff Scott came away with the Saturday Feature for a second straight year beating out Rick Fulks and Davis. Don Newman jumped out to the lead over the opening two laps of the Sunday Championship main event before Andrew Coulter took over. Both Scott and Allen Borntreger retired on consecutive laps, along with Fulks, allowing two-time class winner Tony Neilson to move up into the second spot. Neilson pulled the trigger on the final lap, securing the lead and the victory for his 10th career triumph at The Park. Krechel slipped into second with Coulter dropping to third. Newman was fourth with Buddy Dailey in fifth.

Ignite 100 podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Margay Ignite 100 presented by Parrish Inc. made its second start at the Quincy Grand Prix. Matt Krechel set fast time of 1:09.835 to lead the way in qualifying over defending race winner Aidan Liber. Krechel led over the first two laps of Sunday Championship main event before Brody Strong took the lead. Liber led for the first time on lap six and showed the way until the final circuit. Strong secured the lead and the victory for his first at The Park. Krechel was second with Liber in third. Pete Vetter and Lane Mayer completed the top five.

Pro FK-100 podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Three different drivers led the way in the Pro FK-100 category presented by Adams Country Glass. Aidan Liber set fast time of 1:07.940 in qualifying while Clay Robbins was named winner in the Saturday Feature after provisional winner Gage Rucker was hit with a two position penalty for jumping the start. The Sunday Championship main event was all Rucker. The 2024 class winner led all 12 laps, driving away to a four second advantage over Thomas Shereck. Liber was third over Robbins with Brody Strong in fifth.

Anthony Ciccone was able to sweep the action in Pro Open Shifter presented by Golden Eagle Distributing. Ciccone recorded a lap of 1:05.413 in qualifying before leading all 12 laps of the Saturday Feature. Ciccone improved his pace for the Sunday Championship main event, setting a fast time of 1:02.638, driving away to massive victory for his first at The Park. Aidan Liber and Riley Scott were second and third with Clay Robbins and Jacob Tenk completing the top five.

Pro Open Shifter podium (Photo: Mark Schwigen)

Pete Vetter was the other sweep of the weekend as he paced the field in Vintage presented by Auto Owners Insurance / Freiburg Agency. Vetter led the way in qualifying before leading every lap of the Saturday Feature and the Sunday Championship main event. Daniel Birge was second with Cameron Stock in third. Caleb Roll was fourth with Dillon Heinecke in fifth.

The all-time win list has shuffled with Pete Vetter now taking over fourth overall at 12 wins thanks to his two wins over the 2026 edition. Tony Neilson is now at double digits at 10 wins overall, tied for fifth overall with Rod Stewart. Matt Krechel is tied for sixth with Jason Birdsell and Riley Scott at 9 wins overall. Rick Fulks is tied with Jack Gerber for eighth on the win list at 7 wins.

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