2004NewsArchives

scroll down for the articles....they are in the same order as you see them here

*11-18-04- Midwest Speed Expo/U.M.P. Late Model banquet set to go Jan. 22, 2005
*10-21-04- Lap by Lap report of the DTWC by PAL-U
*10-19-04- Wisconsin Racers Swap Meet will be held January 29, 2005
*10-12-04- Earl Pearson Jr. And Lucas Oil To Participate in Xtreme Fan Festival & Trade Show at Knoxville
*10-09-04- EARL PEARSON CLINCHES 2004 STACKER2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
*10-08-04- U.M.P. NATIONALS AT ELDORA SPEEDWAY SET TO CLOSE 2004 SEASON
*10-07-04- HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS SIGNS CHASE AUSTIN
*09-15-04- World 100 pics by Shawn Crose
*09-14-04- 13th Fall Nationals at Springfield IL (press release)(updated9-14-04)
*08-27-04- DuQuoin Press Releases (updated 9-08-04)
*08-24-04- WDRL Press Release....Davenport, Kankakee, Crown Point (updated 09-04-04)
*08-20-04- Southeast Motorsports Debuts New Website
*08-19-04- 11th Wynn's Sportsman Race at Illinois State Fair (includes results)
*08-18-04- ARCA RE/MAX Series invades the Illinois State Fairgrounds (includes results)
*08-17-04- ILLINOIS STATE FAIR USAC SILVER CROWN BETTENHAUSEN 100*08-06-04- Hornets at Macon IL $1,000 to win
*07-16-04- CHASE AUSTIN TURNS IN STRONG PERFORMANCES
*07-09-04- UMP Founder Bob Memmer Passes Away
*06-17-04- New Racing Facility Opening In Pulaski County, Indiana
*06-17-04- Dirt Track Insider.Com Announces Summer Racing Series
*06-08-04- Top NASCAR Teams Show High Level of Interest in Austin
*06-01-04- MICHIANA VINTAGE RACERS TO HARTFORD
*05-21-04- MINORITY RACER CHASE AUSTIN READY FOR NASCAR’S DIVERSITY DRIVE
*05-14-04- New Management team to take over Barren County KY
*04-29-04- Illinois State Fair Celebrates 94th Anniversary of Auto Racing!
*04-24-04- 2004 Illinois State and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds schedules
*03-29-04- Curt Piercy, wife and four others perish in plane wreck
*03-11-04- A National Geographic Channel Racing Documentary
*02-14-04- UMP Banquet
*02-02-04- Kentucky Speed Weeks Late Model Series
*01-30-04- UMP Headlines Special Dirt Nation Show

Midwest Speed Expo/U.M.P. Late Model banquet set to go Jan. 22, 2005.. info. here..

November 18, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Midwest Speed Expo set for January 22 and January 23 in Springfield, IL.

Springfield, IL.
On the heels of a succesful 1st Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO in 2004, plans are well under way for the 2nd Annual MIDWEST SPEED EXPO to be held on January 22 and January 23, 2005 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. The event takes place in the beautiful ultra-modern 39,000 square feet heated RICHARD ORR Building.

What better way to spend a Saturday or Sunday just before the start of the new race season? This is your opportunity to look over and purchase both new and used race parts for Dirt Late Models, Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Midgets, Drag Race etc. as well as see the latest from motorcycle dealers and transporter/trailer dealers who will be on hand.

There will also be represnetatives on hand from local tracks as well as the U.M.P. and Northern All Star Late Model organizations as well as the U.M.P. Challenge of Champions and the STACKER 2 Xtreme Dirt Car Series to discuss rules and whats new for their series for the 2005 race season. Additionally, the U.M.P. Late Model and the Northern All Star Late Model Series awards banquets will take place at the fairgrounds in the Artisans Building on the Saturday night of the trade show, January 22, 2005 beginning at 6:30 P.M.

Shannon Babb, 2001 Topless 100 Champion, 2002 Dirt Track World Champion and 2004 N.A.R.A. Late Model division champion will be on hand signing autographs and will have his car on display as will 2004 Northern All Star Late Model Series champion Brian Shirley. Additional guests will include Justin Allgaier, ARCA Super Car Series, UMP Late Model, U.S.A.C. Midget and Silver Crown Series veteran as well as additional GUESTS of HONOR to be announced soon.

Accomplished late model veterans, Shannon Babb and Don O’Neal, 2004 U.M.P. Summer Nationals Champion, along with Hoosier Tire Midwest Dirt Late Model Product Manager Gene Smith will also hold an informal tire grooving.maintenance seminar for all those in attendance. In the wake of the U.M.P. Late Model division going to a downsized tire selection for the 2005 season this seminar should be very informative and beneficial to all late model competitiors.

Make this a family event and bring the kids out for a day of action packed fun. Make your plans now and mark your calendar and don’t miss the biggest trade show/swap meet to hit the midwest in over a decade!

Food will be available at the show as well as alcoholic refreshments provided by NELSON Catering of Springfield, Illinois.

Show hours are Saturday January 22, 2005 from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. and Sunday, January 23, 2005 from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. Admission is just $7.00 per day and if you have a valid U.M.P. membership card, you will recieve a $2.00 discount when you display your card at the time you purchase your admission ticket. Children under 10 are FREE!

Booth space is available on a limited basis by calling Terry Young at (217) 522-1955 or (217) 553-1963 days or (217) 529-6205 in the evening, or you can visit our website for further information at www.MIDWEST-SPEED.com 10’X10” booth spaces are $65.00 and includes two 2 day vendor passes. Vendor set-up will be on Friday January 21, 2005 from 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and the building will be available that day for vendors only with valid vendor passes. Set-up night is not open to the public!

Further announcements will be made in the near future concerning additional show information!

Also.. U.M.P./Northern All Star banquet tickets can be obtained by calling Terry Young at the above numbers. Ticket prices are $25.00 for an individual or $45.00 per couple.

10-21-04DTWC-PAL-U

For those visiting from 4m, thank you....
As requested, here is the DTWC Lap by Lap report from PAL-U
unedited by this website
10-21-04

Nor, rain, nor wind, nor cool temperatures could contain the fans and the action of night 2 of the Dirt Track World Championship at the Bluegrass Speedway. With 93 cars and 8 heats, the fans were treated to some restaurant quality action as the joint that sent the field to the rubber all last weekend a year ago opened up from rim to hub with more passing in some heats that complete DTWC events in years past alone. With that said, here’s a quick recap of all 8 Late Model heats from Friday night.

HEAT 1:

SCOTT BLOOMQUIST grabbed the lead from the start ahead of JIMMY OWENS as DALE McDOWELL pulled alongside the Newport Nightmare down the back chute. BRAD HALL then moved to the bottom of three and under McDowell taking the battle for the lead three wide off four. Hall worked his way to third as Owens shook the battle for third and settled into second. Meanwhile back up front the Big Evil rolled away from the field by ¾ straightaway, enough to move around on the track in the final few laps to find a better line. Only lapped traffic could slow Black Sunshine as Bloomquist and Jimmy Owens moved to the DTWC ahead of McDowell, Hall, Jackie Boggs, Ed Behn and Lee Devasier.

HEAT 2:

MIKE BALZANO grabbed the lead from the pole ahead of CHRIS MADDEN who rolled along side up the backstretch. Fourth starting TIMMY YEAGER then went to work on Madden as Blaze-O settled into the lead. Fourth starting BRANDON KINZER then made it a three wide battle for second as the Chosen One moved to the runner up spot ahead of Kinzer and Madden who was backsliding. Yeager then began to eat into Balzano’s lead while Kinzer quietly worked the low side chipping away at both leaders. When Yeager was to the rear of Balzano’s Rocket, Kinzer parked Barry Wright’s entry on the hub and under first Yeager, then Balzano. Yeager continued to ride the top side that carried him to second fast time reeling in Balzano, but a swat of the cement off four allowed the Floodwall Flyer to scoot away as Kinzer and Balzano transferred to the main event ahead of Yeager and Madden.

HEAT 3:

With three false starts that saw four wide action for the lead sending the field single file, MARK BANAL lead the field to green only to see BART HARTMAN move by off two and into the lead. Third fast qualifier CHUB FRANK was on the move though rolling by Banal on the bottom of the back chute then under Hartman in three and into the lead. Following a caution, Chub moved away from the field as Hartman rode alone in second. Further back in the field, TIM McCREADIE moved to the topside and went to work on JESSE JAMES LAY who was part of the four wide battle for the lead. McCreadie was able to sneak under Lay on the hub as Chubzilla and the Bartman locked themselves into the DTWC while McCreadie, Lay, Johnny Wheeler and Dustin Neat are consi bound.

HEAT 4:

JOSH WILLIAMS’ bid for a start in the DTWC came to an end early when a dive to the bottom of turn one sent him into the slim and up and around in front of the field. Contact with another car put him on the hook and moved BRAD NEAT to the pole.

When the green fell, Neat grabbed the lead then parked himself on the rim that’s carried him to several wins at Bluegrass as then third starting JOHN BLANKENSHIP was able to drive away from BRIAN RUHLMAN and DAN SHCLIEPER. As Heim and Blankenship separated themselves by a half straightaway from the field, Ruhlman and Schlieper went door to door for the remainder of the race. At the finish Brad Neat raced his way into his second DTWC ahead of Blankenship who’ll start his first. Ruhlman was able to nip Schlieper at the line as they’re consi bound.

HEAT 5:

In what will be a race worth the price of the video and one of the best of the weekend, JOHN GILL darted to the lead from the outside of row one ahead of STEVE FRANCIS. Gill quickly held down the bottom and was able to pull away from Beevo who poked a nose to the bottom. Meanwhile, third starting SHANNON BABB went to the outside and rolled along the topside then running the diamond shaped laps that have carried him to two Bluegrass Speedway wins this year. Babb was able to get rolling on the rim only to have Francis slam the door off two. As Gill pulled out to a nine car length lead, Babb stepped to the outside of one and took advantage of a Francis slip in one and two to dive to the bottom of two and into second.

As the Babbster cut into Gill’s lead, the Modern Day Cowboy spurred his imaginary horse to pull out to a half straightaway, but the Moweaqua Missile got going and pulled under Gill. The lead duo then danced toe to toe through three and four for a pair of laps as Gill was able to carry his momentum off the top shelf and back into the lead. With two laps remaining, Babb marched past Gill into the lead as the pair of NARA regulars rolled to the 4^th and 13^th starting spot in Saturday’s feature. Following Babb and Gill were Francis, Wendell Wallace and Freddy Smith.

HEAT 6:

Pole sitter RICK CORBIN lead the field into one before BILLY MOYER stepped into the lead off two and settled into the top line. Corbin meanwhile held second before 6^th quick qualifier AARON HATTON found his home on the low line and ran down Corbin. Behind them WHITNEY McQUEARY faded a bit while TIM TUNGATE found the top shelf and moved to fourth. JEFF WATSON then began to make noise from the rear of the field as the youngster scooted to sixth as business closer to the front picked up.

With Moyer a half straightaway ahead of the field, Hatton worked the low side and managed to wrestle second away from Corbin. Tungate and McQueary used the race for second to pull to the rear of Corbin. Tungate then pulled to the bottom of two and under Corbin but contact sent the Bluegrass Invader spinning collecting McQueary. Corbin finished the race at the tail while the Whit Rock retired with front end damage.

Back at the front, Moyer was rocking the field to sleep as Hatton raced his way into the DTWC. Tungate was able to fight off Watson at the line by a nose.

HEAT 7:

In another dandy, DARRELL LANIGAN grabbed the point from the outside of row one ahead of JOSH RICHARDS. MIKE JEWELL found familiar ground on the top side and chased down the 2003 DTWC winner rolling by Richards on the outside. As the Scottsburg Express was about to move to the lead, Lanigan slammed the door off four. Jewell continued to look around Lanigan but Lanigan’s Rocket was getting wider as fifth starting RICK ECKERT was on the move on the hub.

Following a caution on lap 7, Eckert scooted under Jewell into second and rolled to the back of Lanigan. While Lanigan protected the outside, Eckert rolled under and into the lead. Jewell was able to pull alongside on a couple of occasions, but while Eckert rolled to an outside front row starting spot in the main event, Lanigan was able to hold on to second. Jewell rode home third ahead of Richards, Jeff Smith, Doug Smith and Tommy Carlton.

HEAT 8:

In the run for the pole, VICTOR LEE lead the field into one and off two before RJ CONLEY grabbed the point on the back side. Behind the, MIKE MARLAR fought off CLINT SMITH then rolled under Lee off four into second. Lee was able to keep Smith behind him as Marlar poked a nose under Conley in three. When the bottom held nothing for the Winfield Warrior, he stepped to the outside of RJ in one and into the lead off two. Further back in the field, RICK AUKLAND battled with BRYAN BARBER as Smith moved to third.

With Marlar’s half straightaway lead growing each lap, Cat Daddy crept closer to Conley and was able to find his way to second on the bottom of the back chute and into three when the lapped car of SCOTT POUNDS was a nice pick. Marlar continued to roll away from the field in one of the most dominating performances of the night to roll to the pole of his second DTWC ahead of Clint Smith. Conley, Aukland and Barber rounded out the top five.

With action ending at a decent hour and racing from top to bottom, everyone who claimed that Bluegrass was no good in October can now say they’ve witnessed what Central Kentucky sees each week. Hopefully the early start time on Saturday won’t hinder things and we’ll be on the road earlier.

Back to Bluegrass Saturday for the main events. Hopefully the early start time and lack of laps on the track for one day will give the fans exactly what they paid to see and that’s a Bluegrass Speedway quality main event. So until then, we’ll be giving a shout to the gang to our right with the wig and snazzy lid, and rollin’ em around!

RICK ECKERT grabbed the lead from the start and lead all 50 miles to become the 2004 Dirt Track World Champion. In an event that became a one-laner, the pre race hyjinks among a few drivers will be what this edition will be remembered for. In the end the Arizona Sports Shirts title sponsor could’ve been exchanged for Ewing Oil with certain Boundless ties to OPEC.

Prior to the start of the main event NARA officials placed cones on the track and sent cars to both the inside and outside of the speedway with hopes of running in an extra lane of rubber to allow for more passing. With cars on the bottom, a few cars rode on the outside alone with their arms out the windows and quarts of oil in their hands pouring it on the speedway. Several quarts on the track later, the field was realigned and sent to green. When the first two starts resulted in carnage, the majority of the field was unhappy. With that said, here’s a recap of the 50 miles that was the DTWC.

START 1 Lap 1: Marlar and Eckert race into turn one, Marlar slips high as Eckert grabs the lead. Shannon Babb splits both Marlar and Moyer off two before a crash in turn one ends the night for John Gill, Aaron Hatton and sends Mike Balzano and Clint Smith to the infield.

START 2 Lap 1: Eckert again takes the lead as Marlar spins in front of the field collecting Brandon Kinzer and Darrell Lanigan. Marlar retakes his spot at the front but the damage has been done.

START 3: Lap 1: Eckert grabs the lead once again ahead of Marlar who takes second after again going three wide with Moyer and Babb. Babb settles into third ahead of Moyer after taking the spot in three.

Lap 2: Babb reels in Marlar and takes a look in one. Marlar holds him off as Eckert pulls to a half straightaway lead. Brad Neat tucks in behind Scott Bloomquist on the low side.

Lap 3: Eckert eases away from the field while Moyer races to the back of Babb. A slip by Moyer in three allows Chub to close.

Lap 4: Babb and Marlar go at it for second as Babb takes a look off four.

CAUTION Lap 5: Babb works under Marlar but a slip by Marlar reveals a flat left rear tire that brings out the first yellow of the night.

RESTART Lap 6: Eckert races away from the field. Bloomquist goes under Neat who drops to the bottom in front of Blankenship who attempts to follow Black Sunshine.

Lap 7: Jimmy Owens rolls under Blankenship on the back chute as Chub Frank goes to third.

Lap 8: Eckert’s lead is a half straightaway. Bloomquist pulls to the back of Moyer.

Lap 9: Yang takes a look under Moyer for fourth. Owens goes to work on Neat who tries to pick up Bloomquist’s line ahead of him.

Lap 10: The field drops to the low side on the hub. Owens takes another look under Neat.

Lap 11: Moyer and Bloomquist continue to race for fourth.

Lap 12: Eckert’s lead is ¾ straightaway. Babb is ½ straightaway ahead of Chub.

Lap 13: Moyer closes on Chub to pressure for third.

Lap 14: Eckert moves on Mike Balzano to put him a lap down.

Lap 15: Eckert follows Balzano as Babb quietly closes.

Lap 16: Eckert moves around a bit on the track looking for a way around Blaze-O.

Lap 17: Eckert’s lead is a straightaway as he works on Balzano.

Lap 18: Dale McDowell slows on the back chute and pulls out.

Lap 19: Neat and Owens close on Bloomquist.

Lap 20: The rubber on the low side is quietly being raced off the track.

Lap 21: Eckert is in lapped traffic working on Freddy Smith.

Lap 22: Babb closes making up most of his ground in turn three.

Lap 23: Neat follows Bloomquist closely.

Lap 24: Chub, Moyer, Bloomer, Neat, Owens and Blankenship race nose to tail.

Lap 25: Babb moves in closer to Eckert who follows Smith.

Lap 26: Smith battles with Ruhlman looking low keeping him from being able to move for Eckert.

Lap 27: Babb creeps even closer.

Lap 28: Steve Francis moves from a consi winning starting spot to 10^th. Freddy goes by Ruhlman as Eckert follows to put Ruhlman a lap down.

Lap 29: Freddy sees the lay over flag but keeps his car in the paint then pulls away from Eckert a bit.

Lap 30: Eckert holds Babb to a five car length lead. Neat slips allowing Bloomquist to pull away.

CAUTION Lap 31: Joey Daniel slows to bring out the caution just as Eckert was getting pressure from Babb.

RESTART Lap 32: Eckert rolls away from the field. Babb pulls away from Chub off two. Chub, Moyer and Bloomquist remain nose to tail.

Lap 33: Eckert pulls out by 9 car lengths. Wendell Wallace rolls by Francis.

Lap 34: 25^th starting Wendell Wallace rides in the top ten.

Lap 35: Eckert’s lead is half straightaway ahead of Babb who is a half straightaway ahead of the field.

Lap 36: Blankenship pokes a nose under Owens off two. Moyer hikes up on three wheels to pull to the rear of Chub.

Lap 37: Eckert pulls away even more off turn two where he’s the strongest.

Lap 38: Moyer reels in Chub and takes a peek under off two.

Lap 39: Eckert and Babb are a half straightaway ahead of the field that seems to follow itself.

Lap 40: Moyer reels in Chub again who continually manages to shake him for a few laps.

Lap 41: Eckert seems to be on cruise. Babb however is better getting into turn three.

Lap 42: Neat pulls to the rear of Bloomquist again.

Lap 43: Chub and Moyer pull away from Bloomquist by five car lengths.

Lap 44: The field rides the low side while Moyer keeps looking under Chub.

CAUTION Lap 45: Eckert again reels in traffic. Tim McCreadie stops in turn two to bring out another caution.

RESTART Lap 46: Eckert pulls away again. Neat takes a look under Bloomquist on the back side. Moyer pushes high a bit to allow Bloomquist to roll under going into three.

Lap 47: Moyer pulls away from Bloomquist as Neat keeps up the heat on Yang. Wallace pulls to the back of Blankenship.

Lap 48: Wallace works the low side off two and goes very low down the back stretch.

Lap 49: Eckert’s lead is a half straightaway. Owens reels in Neat and Bloomquist and stabs a nose under Neat in three.

Lap 50: Chub and Moyer pull away from Bloomquist. A slip by Moyer allows Bloomquist to close again.

Lap 51: The field rides the hub and several cars race on three wheels.

Lap 52: Eckert seems to be on cruise again.

Lap 53: Moyer pulls under Chub in three.

Lap 54: Eckert rides to nearly a straightaway lead. Chub grabs a handful of wheel and gets away from Moyer.

Lap 55: Babb three wheels off the corners, but 7 cylinders aren’t enough to pull him closer to Eckert.

Lap 56: Eckert rides as McCreadie calls it a night.

Lap 57: Wallace and Blankenship race to the rear of Owens.

Lap 58: Wallace continues to look under Blankenship but can’t make things stick in three.

Lap 59: RJ Conley pressures Steve Francis in the back half of the field.

Lap 60: Eckert closes in on traffic.

Lap 61: Moyer, like Wallace drives low on the back stretch. Wallace continues to hound Blankenship off four following contact in three.

Lap 62: Wallace and Blankenship keep up the battle as Eckert again closes in on traffic.

Lap 63: Freddy is again the lapped traffic that approaches Eckert.

Lap 64: The lapped traffic is a trio in the form of Hartman, Ruhlman and Freddy Smith. Babb takes advantage and moves in on the leader who follows the pack.

Lap 65: Eckert’s lead is evaporating each lap. Babb seems to be racing harder off the corners again riding on 3 wheels.

Lap 66: Eckert’s lead is going away as Babb races harder off two.

CAUTION Lap 67: Ruhlman and Hartman race as Eckert goes by Freddy in three bringing Babb by off four. Freddy then stops to bring out the caution. Under the yellow Bloomquist dives very low to cool his tires getting mud all over the low side of two and covering the left rear.

RESTART Lap 68: Eckert pulls away from the field. Neat sneaks under Bloomquist off two as Owens draws alongside in three. Bloomquist crowds the Newport Nightmare in three to catch the rubber and hold down sixth.

Lap 69: Eckert pulls away at will putting most of the distance on the field off two.

Lap 70: Bloomquist runs down Neat but Heim is better through the center of the corners.

Lap 71: Eckert’s lead is a half straightaway.

Lap 72: Neat slips high in two allowing Bloomquist to close and take a look in three. Neat settles himself and pulls away off four.

Lap 73: Owens runs down Bloomquist whose car is hiking up higher as well.

Lap 74: Eckert rides a half straightaway ahead of the field.

Lap 75: Eckert and Babb are each a half straightaway ahead of the field. Blankenship slips off two allowing Wallace and Lanigan to go by.

Lap 76: Eckert is riding more than ¾ of the way on his way to the win.

Lap 77: Moyer pressures Chub for 3^rd.

Lap 78: Eckert is more cautious about racing into lapped traffic.

Lap 79: Neat slips again allowing Bloomquist to close.

Lap 80: Moyer keeps Chub racing on three wheels ahead of Neat and Bloomquist.

CAUTION Lap 81: Steve Francis slows and begins to pull in erasing another threat of traffic for Eckert. On the restart, the double file restarts are shelved for a single file finish.

RESTART Lap 82: Eckert rolls away as Neat pressures Moyer for third.

Lap 83: Owens slips off two allowing Wallace to peek going into three.

Lap 84: Eckert pulls out to a half straightaway lead.

Lap 85: Lanigan, Blankenship and Schlieper race nose to tail.

Lap 86: Neat follows Moyer.

Lap 87: The field rides the hub staying in the paint.

Lap 88: Eckert is now running lower in one and two than he has all night.

Lap 89: Eckert’s lead continues to grow.

Lap 90: A straightaway ahead of the field, Scrub begins to go on auto pilot.

Lap 91: Schlieper and Blankenship battle in the back half of the field.

Lap 92: Eckert seems to slow his pace to keep from racing into the lapped traffic.

Lap 93: Eckert’s lead fades to a half straightaway.

CAUTION Lap 94: Babb begins to race harder seeing Eckert getting closer. Lanigan then slows with a flat right rear tire.

RESTART Lap 95: Eckert leads the field to green as Babb takes a look to the bottom of three. Eckert pulls away off two where he’s been his strongest all night. Bloomquist pressures Neat who pulls away off two.

Lap 96: Eckert pulls away even more with the wick turned up a little higher for good measure.

Lap 97: Jimmy Owens begins to fade a bit as his right rear is going south.

Lap 98: Eckert is on cruise as Owens pulls to the outside and slows allowing the field to pass.

Lap 99: Eckert takes the white flag as Owens limps through three and pulls to the track entrance and stops clearly out of the way.

Lap 100: Rick Eckert rides the low side into one and off two before tiptoeing into three and off four on the hub to become the 2004 Dirt Track World Champion.

Following the race several drivers voiced their displeasure about the oil situation that took place during the pre race warm ups. Those involved in the early cautions sited the oil for the yellows. Others still liked the idea but not the circumstances. Nonetheless, those involved claimed it was a good thing while others cried foul. In the end, several drivers fell off the respected list of the PAL-U crew.

A possible trip to KLMS may be on tap next week for the PAL-U Crew for a return to the Commonwealth Cup. Cool winds and details are still sketchey. But until next time, we'll be wondering how wonderful the DLMHOF will be when the right ideas and revisions are made and rollin' 'em around!

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10-19-04-Shoestring

Press Release

Shoestring Racing is proud to announce the addition of a second show! That’s right, the presenters of the biggest circle track Swap Meet/Trade Show in Indiana, the Hoosier Racers Swap Meet in Kokomo, will be promoting a new show in Milwaukee, WI. The Wisconsin Racers Swap Meet!
The Wisconsin Racers Swap Meet will be held January 29, 2005 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. Just outside turn 4 of the famous Milwaukee Mile! This Swap Meet/Trade Show will bring together all forms of circle track racers in one building! Whether it’s local racers, professional racers, racing business’s (manufacturers & dealers), race tracks, sanctioning bodies, or if it just goes fast and turns left, it’s welcome @ the WI. Racers Swap Meet. The show is being put together with the help of Midwest Racing News (MRN) who will be presenting the "MRN Legends Round Table"! This will be an open round table discussion to feature some of the greatest in Wisconsin racing! The table, which will be moderated by Bryan Gapinski, already has a couple of legends ready to answer your questions: Billy (Oh Sooo Smooth) Engelhart and multi time champ/hero, Gib Wiser! More names will be announced as the show date draws closer, line-up of guests subject to change.
Door prizes will also be awarded from these fine folks: Behling Racing Equip., Benic Enterprises, C & R Racing, Diamond Racing Wheels (who by the way was our first commitment for booth space), Hepfner Racing Products, Impact Racing, and Weiland Racing Ent.. We will announce more door prize sponsors as we get them in!
Meanwhile, the Hoosier Racers Swap Meet 5 is set to take place the week before. January 22, 2005 is the date for this year’s show @ the Joahnning Civic Center in Kokomo, IN. Many Vendor entries have already come in for the show, which has been a complete sell-out by mid-December the last two years!
Last year we were fortunate to have J.J. Yeley do an autograph session, which went over well. This year, we will be holding a "Roundy Round Table"! Like the "Legends Round Table", but with current area movers & shakers in the racing world. On deck so far for Jan. 22nd: Rollie Helmling; President of the U.S.A.C., Bob East; owner of Beast/East Ent., and Steve Ellis; owner of Ellis Race Cars! More names will be announced as the show date draws closer, line-up of guests subject to change.
Door Prizes sponsors for this year include: Advanced Racing Suspensions, Beast, Benic Ent., C & R Racing, Ellis Race Cars, Hoosier Tire Midwest Indy, Indy Race Parts, Kercher Engines, Kokomo Speedway (who will be giving out 2 season passes), and Weiland Racing Ent..
Make your plans now to either vend, or attend... You won’t be disappointed. The Hoosier Racers Swap Meet 5 January 22nd in Kokomo, IN. and the Wisconsin Racers Swap Meet January 29th in West Allis, WI.. For further information go to: http://www.shoestringracing.com/ or call 317-381-9931 (in Indiana) or 1-866-688-8665

10-12-04PearsonKnoxville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Earl Pearson Jr. And Lucas Oil To Participate in Xtreme Fan Festival & Trade Show at Knoxville, Iowa

Jacksonville, FL (October 11, 2004)- Earl Pearson Jr.will be participating in several events at the Stacker2 UMP Xtreme National Finals on October 14-16 at the legendary Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville Iowa. The three-day Fan Festival and Trade Show will feature many vendors and fan-interactive exhibits including the official Earl Pearson Jr. merchandise booth. Fans can visit with Earl and purchase his latest merchandise including his new "Hurricane Earl" T-shirts, Hats, and Diecast. Earl will also have his backup car on display at the booth for fans to get pictures and a close look at his racecar.

Lucas Oil will also have a representative inside of Earl's booth to greet and talk to race fans and drivers about Lucas Oil products. Lucas Oil will have several of their products and apparel to purchase as well. "Lucas Oil has been a big part of our success in 2004, and we wanted to show our appreciation to them by participating in the Fan Festival and Trade Show and help promote their new products" states Earl.

Earl will also be participating in daily driver autograph sessions at the Dyer-Hudson Hall and he has agreed to be a "Celebrity Waiter" for the Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Auction on the second floor of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville. The museum-benefit charity event, will start at 12 Noon, Saturday with the live auction commencing at 1:30 p.m.

"By participating in many of the activities and having a booth at the Fan Festival I wanted to show my appreciation to all the race fans and give a little something back for all their support. I am very thankful for all the support and encouragement I have received from so many people this year, but I am very grateful to Carlton and Kemp Lamm to have the opportunity to drive for the Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports Team. I couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys to work with than my crew" stated Earl.

Earl and Lucas Oil are looking forward to meeting everyone at the Knoxville Finals during the Fan Festival and Trade Show and invite everyone to stop by the Earl Pearson Jr. booth. Not only will Earl have new merchandise at the Knoxville event, the team will also have a new design on the car as well.

To learn more about Earl Pearson Jr. and the Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports team, visit their official website at www.dunnbensonfordmotorsports.com.

###

Media Contact for Earl Pearson Jr.
Wayne Castleberry
WD Enterprises Inc

10-09-04Stacker2champ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Hurricane Earl Clinches 2004 Stacker2 National Championship!

Jacksonville, FL (October 8, 2004) - Earl Pearson Jr. and the Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports team clinched the 2004 Stacker 2 UMP/Xtreme DirtCar Series championship by virtue of his 4th place finish Friday night at Dixie Speedway. Heading into the next to last race at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock GA, Pearson had a 71 point lead over Jimmy Mars. Pearson won the second heat race which qualified him for the dash where he would finish 5th and gain 2 more points on Mars.

All eyes were on Pearson and Mars, as they would start the feature event 5th and 17th, respectively. The championship was in reach for Pearson if he could finish 5 positions ahead of Mars. Pearson again showed his consistency by staying in the top 5 throughout the race and came home a solid 4th place finish. Mars would advance from his 17th starting spot to finish 12th.

After the smoke clears from the calculators, Pearson will head to the Stacker 2 National Finals in Knoxville, Iowa with a 106 point lead. The maximum points that Jimmy Mars could gain in the final event are 93 points. Pearson has to only start the feature event Saturday night at Knoxville and he will be crowned the 2004 Stacker 2 UMP/Xtreme DirtCar Series champion! "This is a huge relief to be able to go to Knoxville with the championship clinched. I have to thank my car owners, Carlton and Kemp Lamm, for giving me the opportunity to drive for one of the top race teams in the country", stated Pearson after the race.

Pearson's championship can be attributed to his tremendous consistency throughout the year. After 23 events, the Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports team has 4 wins, 18 top 5's and 21 top 10 finishes on the Stacker 2 UMP/Xtreme DirtCar Series. "I have to give a lot of credit to Lucas Oil for their support and great products that enabled us to have such consistency. Our engine program this year with Larry Wallace engines gave us more horsepower than ever before and was a large part of our success this year", stated Pearson.

Pearson can now add a national championship to his 1997 "Rookie of the Year" accomplishment. The Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports has been very successful over the many years in racing, but this championship is the first national championship for the team. To learn more about the Dunn-Benson Ford Motorsports team and driver "Hurricane" Earl Pearson Jr., visit the official website at www.dunnbensonfordmotorsports.com.

###

Media Contact for Earl Pearson Jr.
Wayne Castleberry
WD Enterprises Inc.

10-08-04EldoraUMPnationals

U.M.P. NATIONALS AT ELDORA SPEEDWAY SET TO CLOSE 2004 SEASON
Press Release, United Midwestern Promoters

EVANSVILLE, IN (October 7, 2004) – A historic racing season will draw to a close this weekend during the U.M.P. National Championships at Eldora Speedway. The U.M.P. Nationals traditionally mark the conclusion of yet another successful U.M.P. racing season but this year’s edition of the event will also be poignant as we remember United Midwestern Promoters’ founder Bob Memmer and wish legendary Eldora promoter Earl Baltes well in his retirement. Baltes, 83, will step down from the helm of Eldora Speedway at the conclusion of this weekend’s events after fifty-one consecutive years of leadership.

“The 2004 U.M.P. Nationals will yield the superior racing that teams and fans have come to count on at Eldora but it will also be the capstone to an era and act as a threshold to exciting new adventures,” commented Michelle Petroff, speaking on behalf of U.M.P. “Not only do we wish to remember Bob Memmer who passed away on July 8th, but also recognize Earl and Berneice Baltes for their commitment to dirt racing, Eldora Speedway and U.M.P. and wish them well in their retirement. This year’s Nationals mark the end of an era for U.M.P. and Eldora Speedway but they have all left an amazing blueprint for success and we hope to continue their legacy and tradition of excellence.”

Large crowds and several premier teams including former U.M.P., A.L.M.S. and N.A.L.M.S. champions as well as World 100 and $100,000 Dream victors are expected to participate in this weekend’s events. Over 248 drivers competed in the 2003 U.M.P. Nationals but it was Jeep Van Wormer who claimed the $10,000 prize in the late model division while Brian Ruhlman captured the title and $3,000 pay day for modifieds. Racing will commence on Saturday, October 9, 2004, with gates opening at 11 a.m. and heat races beginning at 7 p.m. as teams vie for one of the coveted 24 feature starting spots. Pre-race ceremonies will kick off at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, and will be followed by the Chassis Challenge, Race of States and feature events.

The schedule of events and more information on tickets is available online at http://www.eldoraspeedway.com . Come out and join us for the U.M.P. points’ finale, a weekend of exciting racing and Earl’s final farewell!

Contact Information
Michelle Petroff
United Midwestern Promoters
4500 Crestview Drive
Evansville, IN 47711
HQ 812.479.8760
Direct Line 618.398.9929
Cell 618.406.6842
pr@umpracing.com
http://www.umpracing.com

Hendrick Motorsports Signs Chase Austin

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Oct 6, 2004) – Team owner Rick Hendrick today announced the signing of 15-year-old Chase Austin, who will join Hendrick Motorsports’ driver development program in 2005 by entering a full season of competition in the American Speed Association (ASA) Late Model Series with Hendrick ally SS Racing.

“On the race track, this young man has a ton of talent and potential, but he’s also an exceptional person,” Hendrick said. “We’re looking forward to working with Chase over the next few years and, hopefully, bringing him along when he’s ready.

“It will be fun to see how he matures as a driver throughout this process. Time is on our side, and his.”

Austin started racing go-karts in 1998, earning more than 60 feature wins and 150 heat-race victories before progressing to micro sprint cars by 2001.

After 16 victories in less than two seasons in micro sprints, the Eudora, Kan., native jumped to full-size sprint cars before trying his hand at dirt modifieds, along with late models on dirt and pavement.

While competing primarily in the Midwest, Austin has scored more than 100 feature wins at various levels -- go-karts, sprint cars and stock cars -- since 1998. Sanctioning bodies include the Mid America Racing Series (MARS), the Xtreme Dirt Car Series (XDCS) and the Topless Outlaw Racing Association (TORA).

Since its inception in April, the Hendrick Motorsports driver development program has posted three first-place finishes and 10 top-10 results in 10 Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) events with pilots Blake Feese, Boston Reid and Kyle Krisiloff.

As part of the development initiative, Hendrick Motorsports has allied itself with the No. 87 NASCAR Busch Series entries of NEMCO Motorsports; ARCA outfit Bobby Gerhart Racing; and ASA powerhouse SS Racing, which fielded Krisiloff in a limited schedule this season.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2004, Hendrick Motorsports fields five full-time teams in two different NASCAR divisions with drivers Terry Labonte, Jeff Gordon, Brian Vickers, Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch. The organization has won nine NASCAR championships in the last decade, including five at the NEXTEL Cup Series level.

*09-15-04-World 100 pics by Shawn Crose

09-14-04FallNat

13th Fall Nationals at Springfield Stacker2 Xtreme vs. UMP Late Models!

The recent announcement that the 13th annual Turbo Blue Illinois Fall
Nationals at the Illinois State Fairgrounds would be part of the Stacker2
Xtreme Dirt Car Series 2004 Schedule has generated a lot of excitement about
the annual late model and modified festival of speed. A number of top late
model and modified drivers are expected to make the trip to the "World's
Fastest One Mile Dirt Track" in Springfield, Illinois for the Fall Nationals
event on Sunday, September 19.

This year's late model portion of the Illinois Fall Nationals will be a
co-sanctioned event between the Xtreme Dirt Car Series and the United
Midwestern Promoters Series, meaning that the many local and area stars will
get a unique chance to battle nationally known late model drivers on their
own turf. They may also get a chance to be on national television as the
Xtreme Series has many events on Speedchannel and it is possible that
highlights of the Fall Nationals or portions of the event could appear on
the cable network or SpeedNews.

Earl Pearson, Jr. of Jacksonville Florida currently leads the Stacker2
Xtreme points chase with 4 wins in 20 starts. Pearson is one of the
fourteen drivers atop the point standings who have made all 20 Stacker2
races to date, and it is possible that most of the top fourteen will make an
appearance Sunday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Jimmy Mars of Elk Mound, Wisconsin is second and is tied with third place
Donnie Moran in wins with 5. Moran, from Dresden, Ohio is a five-time
winner of the World 100 at Eldora and owns two wins on the "Moody Mile" of
the New York State Fairgrounds. Fourth place Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine,
Iowa is very familiar with the Illinois State Fairgrounds, he owns two
Illinois Fall National late model wins, those coming in 1998 and 2002.

Fifth in the Stacker2 standings is Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, followed
by Streve Shaver of Vienna, West Virginia and Shane Clanton of Locust Grove,
Georgia. Two Illinois drivers occupy the eight and nine slots and are very
familiar with the Illinois soil. Bloomington's Billy Drake is the son of
former USAC and ARCA driver Steve Drake, while Chadwick's Darren Miller is a
former Fall Nationals competitor.

North Carolina's Ray Cook is 10th in the points, ahead of Eddie Carrier,
Jr., Michigan's Jeep Van Wormer, John Mason, winner of the first tw Illinois
Fall Nationals Late Model events, and Sonny Conley.

A number of local drivers who currently compete weekly on the area UMP late
model tracks may be in attendance as well. They include Springfield's Roger
Brickler, Joe Ross, Jr., Matt Taylor and Brian Shirley, New Berlin's Steve
Sheppard, Jr., and Bloomington's Eric Smith. Another local driver expected
is the fast qualifier for last year's Fall Fationals, Springfield's Justin
Allgaier. Allgaier is coming off of a fourth place finish in the ARCA
RE/MAX Stock Car series at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and is the youngest
fast qualifier in the 94 year history of auto racing at the Illinois State
Fairgrounds. Several drivers from Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri are
also possible entrants for the 13th Illinois Fall Nationals.

Last year's Fall Nationals late model event saw Allgaier, Darrell Lanigan
and John Provenzano win the heat races, while Springfield's Joe Ross, Jr.
won the "Dash for Cash". In the main, Darren Miller led the first five
circuits before Lanigan passed him on lap six and led the remianing circuits
for the Kentucky driver's first mile track triumph. Kevin Gundaker finished
second, followed by Provenzano, Jamie Zidar and Tim Hamburg.

Several Illinois and area UMP Modified drivers are expected to battle for
the first place trophy in the modified main as well, including former Fall
Nationals modified winner Jeff Leka of Buffalo, off of a fine ride from 23rd
to 3rd at DuQuoin, defending Illinois Fall Nationals modified winner Jim
Shereck of St. Charles, Missouri, DuQuoin winner Brian Shaw of Robinson, Mt.
Zion's Todd Kirkland, Springfield's Kelly Kovski (who finished 15th in the
ARCA event at DuQuoin) and Steve Adams of Humboldt.

The 2003 Modified event witnessed qualifying for the UMP contingent for the
first time in Fall Nationals history, and Shereck set a world record in
qualifying for the modifieds in excess of 102 miles an hour. Shereck and
Mark Voight won the heat races, and in the 20-mile main event Shereck led
every lap to join Jeff Leka and Charlie Sentman as the only two time
Modified winners at the Illinois Fall Nationals. Voight chased Shereck to
the line, with Hank Delonjay, Brian Shirley and Dan Schlup, Jr. trailing.

Many of the same UMP stars and cars are expected to return in 2004, along
with the stars and cars of the Stacker2 Xtreme series. The schedule calls
for the pit gates to open on September 19 at 7 a.m., with the driver's
meeting at 9 and practice at 10. Late model qualifying begins at 11, with
drivers shooting for Billy Moyer's world record of 28.175, 127.773 miles an
hour. Racing action starts on the Springfield Mile at 1 p.m. The late
models will be racing for $12,000 to win, with the UMP Modified feature
paying $2,000 to the winner.

Tickets are on sale now at 217-764-3200 and will be available at the
Illinois State Fairground Ticket Office from September 16 through race day.
Tickets are $25 for adults, and $10 for children 11 and under.

Additional information can be obtained by calling Track Enterprises at
217-764-3200 or at www.trackenterprises.com.

09-08-04
ARCA Wrap-Up From DuQuoin

The only thing that you could say about Frank Kimmel's performance during
the 52nd Federated Car Care-Southern Illinois 100 at the DuQuoin State
Fairgrounds is "WOW", or perhaps "dominating". The Clarksville, Indiana
native looked as if he had a rocket in the trunk of the Advance Auto-Pork
Ford Taurus on Monday, leading sixty-six laps enroute to his third Southern
Illinois 100 win before a large crowd. The win is Kimmel's seventh in the
last ten ARCA dirt track events dating back to 2000, and puts him just 1 shy
of the late Dean Roper's record nine ARCA dirt track wins. Should the 2005
schedule hold true to form, Kimmel could tie Roper's record at Springfield
next August, and possibly break that record at DuQuoin next September.

Kimmel had quite a weekend over Labor Day, he won the Toledo race on Friday
night, then took the Southern Illinois 100 as well. Statistically, Frank
becomes the third driver with at least three ARCA sanctioned victories at
DuQuoin, and the seventh driver with three or more Southern Illinois 100
trophies to his credit. The victory was the fifth for car number 46 and the
fifth for owner Larry Clement. Kimmel's victory was the ninth for a Ford
product in the 54 stock car races run at the DuQuoin "Magic Mile".

Kimmel now moves to third on the ARCA lap leader list at DuQuoin with 296,
and fifth overall in stock car events held at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
Billy Thomas is the all-time and ARCA lap leader at DuQuoin with 438 miles
in the front slot.

Sunday marked the first time in 54 years and 54 races that a 100-mile stock
car event at DuQuoin failed to go the 100-mile distance due to weather. A
heavy downpour during a caution drew the red and the checkered flags from
Hank Wetzel Monday at the 93-mile mark, giving Kimmel the rain shortened
win. Last year's event was stopped after the 100-mile distance had been
exceeded, in part due to rain but also in part due to Jerry Nemire's serious
guard rail impact entering turn one.

The downpour Monday was so heavy that the track resembled a muddy river and
it was amazing the cars were able to make it back to the pit area. Even
more amazing is the fact that just north of DuQuoin, no rain had fallen and
it was dry just a few miles south of town as well!

Kentucky's Bill Baird really has shaken off the retirement rust in a big
way, winning Springfield and running second to Kimmel Monday. Baird was
closing on the leader when the caution came out for Josh Allison's stall on
lap 88, and then the rains came 5 laps later. Baird had his car hauled in
again on the back of a flatbed, with very little in the way of equipment.
Kimmel's crew assisted Baird once again in a great display of sportsmanship.

Poor Ken Schrader cannot break the DuQuoin "jinx", even though it's one of
his favorite places. Kenny made his USAC Stock Car debut at DuQuoin in
1979, and while he has posted wins at Springfield and the Indiana State
Fairgrounds, he has yet to win at DuQuoin. Winning the pole and the absence
of defending race winner Tony Stewart seemed to enhance Schrader's chances,
but he had virtually nothing for the Ford of Kimmel, and late in the race
contact with another car flattened one of the tires, forcing a pit stop. He
was 8th when the rains came.

A great run for rookie T.J. Bell, who fell in love with the mile dirt tracks
at Springfield. Bell could hardly wait for DuQuoin, started 6th, was
pressuring Schrader early and by lap 15 had the lead. Bell was third when
the rain fell. A good weekend, but not so great a day for fellow rookie
A.J. Fike, one of the Illinois drivers who had the attention of the partisan
crowd. Fike qualified on the outside of the front row, and ran up front
until plagued by what appeared to be vehicle damage and overheating. He ran
several laps without the front bumper and grille, and had a flat right front
toward the end. Fike was busy all weekend, becoming the first driver since
Tom Bigelow in 1989 to run the USAC and ARCA races on Labor Day weekend at
DuQuoin, and the first driver since Larry Cannon in 1971 to run three
different events at DuQuoin Labor Day weekend. Fike finished eleventh in
the USAC Silver Crown race Sunday night, ninth in the UMP Modified event
Monday and then seventeenth in the ARCA RE/MAX race Monday.

Fellow Illinois driver Justin Allgaier of Springfield had a better ARCA
weekend than Fike, Justin led part of the Toledo race and finished second to
Kimmel, then ran a fine fourth Monday. However, his DuQuoin "double"
attempt went awry Sunday night when his Silver Crown car expired while
running in a transfer slot in the semi. Centralia's Joe Cooksey, the
favorite son of the partisan Southern Illinois crowd was spectacular in
practice, running completely sideways much of the time. However, he could
only muster 15th in qualifying and ended up 9th, a lap down.

Seventy one year old Red Farmer was also a crowd favorite, but didn't have
the success at DuQuoin that he had in 2002, or at Springfield for that
matter. Red started 19th, and was 10th at the end. His crew obviously had
lots of fun with the veteran, painting a handicapped symbol on his mud
screen!

Jason Jarrett, son of NASCAR champ Dale Jarrett and grandson of NASCAR champ
Ned Jarrett qualified a strong 7th, but struggled with overheating and ended
the day 2 laps in arrears. Mark Gibson, despite a spin in turn two,
finished a strong fifth at his favorite venue. Young Josh Allison qualified
24th, got into the top ten then smacked the wall not once, but twice coming
off of turn two, both of which seemed to contribute to his exit. Brent
Sherman, second in the points started 4th and fell back to 18th, one lap in
arrears.

A tip of the hat to the ARCA drivers Monday, as much more emphasis seemed to
be placed in running the race under the green flag. There were ten
cautions, but for only 39 circuits and there was extended green flag
running. Many of the cautions were for harmless, single car spins and there
was really very little wall contact. Christi Passmore did tag the turn two
wall after a spin during the 100-miler, and Mike Haggenbottom shortened an
Andy Belmont Ford in qualifications. Belmont sported a new bright yellow
paint scheme on the number one Ford, but it overheated after 22 laps.

A nice debut for Springfield, Illinois' Kelly Kovski who made his first ARCA
start Monday. The modified ace qualified 25th and used a lot of common
sense to end up 15th. A great display of that sense was found just past
halfway, when several faster cars passed him in turns three and four. While
it was three and sometimes four wide, Kovski held his line and let the
faster cars go through.

Returns to the dirt were only so-so for two other drivers, former
Springfield pole sitter Damon Lusk lost a rocker arm after 58 laps, while
former ARCA champ Bobby Bowsher, son of former DuQuoin winner Jack Bowsher,
started and finished 20th.

Norm Benning turned in another strong dirt performance, going from 13th to
7th and part-time driver Randy VanZant went from 12th to 6th.

The companion modified event was taken by Brian Shaw.

For the first time, the race teams were asked to move the big rigs to the
back pit area, outside the infield. This action was met with many positive
comments during and after the race by the large crowd in attendance, as many
commented for the first time in several years, they could actually see the
entire race track.

One improvement was in place this year, a paved pit lane for the ARCA cars.
The new pavement seemed to make it much easier to get in and out of pit
road, and was much safer for the crews and teams.

Next up for the ARCA RE/MAX stock cars is a race just 250 miles from
DuQuoin, at the 1.5-mile oval at Chicagoland Speedway. Kimmel has virtually
locked up his sixth ARCA crown with just three races remaining.

DuQuoin USAC Tidbits

Sixteen years ago on the morning of the Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin, Gary
Bettenhausen told Billy Vukovich the 3rd that by running a dirt car on one
of the miles, he was about to become a man. Sunday night Tyler Walker
passed the manly test with flying colors when he shaved .8 off the track
record, lowering the standard to a world record 29.138, or 123.550 miles an
hour! Walker then did an incredible A.J. Foyt impersonation, backing the
car in and riding the cushion to lead all 100-miles of the 54th Ted Horn 100
and take his first mile dirt track win. Of course, Tyler ran on the dirt
miles before 2004, but when the historians open up the championship racing
records books 100 years from now, proudly displayed with DuQuoin winners
such as Jimmy Bryan, Rodger Ward, A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti and Al Unser
will be the name Tyler Walker. No matter what happens the rest of Tyler
Walker's career, he will always have a victory on one of the historic
fairground dirt tracks.

Bob Sargent, DuQuoin State Fair manager John Rednour, assistant manager Norm
Hill and even Illinois Governor Rod Blagoevich get a lot of credit for the
success of Sunday's exciting event and large crowd. Rednour, Hill and
Blagoevich have been responsible for continuing the infrastructure
improvements to the 58 year old facility to the point it is as state of the
art as any dirt track and many paved venues in the country. This year a new
paved pit lane was added, and the teams asked to remove the large haulers
from the infield. The latter met with significant approval from the crowd,
as many commented during and after the race they could actually see turns
three and four for the first time in several years.

Sargent, moving the race to Sunday night with cooperation from the fair, got
one of the largest crowds in recent memory for the Ted Horn 100.
Conservative estimates placed the crowd at anywhere between 8 and 10
thousand. In fact, for the first time in a long time, the Silver Crown
crowd was pretty close to, if not bigger than Monday's ARCA crowd which was
large in it's own right.

Placing the race on Sunday night led to the track and world one lap record
for the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown dirt cars being broken three times.
Tracy Hines became just the third man in over 80 years of championship dirt
track racing history to run over 120 miles an hour in a championship machine
on one of the mile dirt tracks, posting a 29.952 as the second qualifier,
just .005 off Teddy Beach's 2003 record circuit. Jerry Coons, going out
19th for Roger Johnson, posted a 29.655 on his second lap and that seemed
secure until Walker, out 28th ripped off a 1st lap of 29.448, then posted
his record on the second circuit. Records fell on the "Magic Mile" all
week, with the horses posting several track and world records themselves.

The cool of the night, the humid air and the moisture from the nearby
infield lake made for one of the best DuQuoin tracks ever. Drivers enjoyed
a nice cushion, that by the end of the night was less than 6 inches off the
wall in many places, and at the wall in others. Speed was the feature of
the night, Dave Steele was clicking off 116 mile an hour laps in the last
chance race, while with a full load of fuel, Walker was running over 113
miles an hour in the first few laps of the Ted Horn 100. In fact, Sunday
was the fastest top twenty in DuQuoin history, as it took a 30.920 just to
avoid the "hooligan".

Statistically speaking, Tyler Walker became the 33rd different winner of the
Ted Horn 100, and the 36th different winner of the 59 championship dirt
races held at DuQuoin. He is the 13th driver to win from the pole position,
and the eighth to lead all 100 laps of a dirt track championship event at
the "Magic Mile" Ironically, the last driver to start from the pole and
lead all 100 circuits was Walker's car owner, current NASCAR rookie Kasey
Kahne!.

Sixty year old Johnny Parsons, the 1992 and 1995 winner was back in the seat
of the Ricky Nix Beast Sunday night. When "JP" made the show, it marked his
23rd dirt car start on the "Magic Mile" dating back to 1970. That ties him
with Tom Bigelow for second behind George Snider's record 27 starts at
DuQuoin. Parsons night ended quickly, the engine blew on the opening lap,
ending his night. Bigelow, a three-time DuQuoin winner, was in attendance
helping young Aaron Pierce.

Speaking of Pierce, he wowed the crowd and chief announcer Jim Childers when
he "FLAT FOOTED" the Sam Pierce 26 into turn one on his first qualifying
lap, and did the same over in turn three. Many people thought the throttle
had stuck open and it was an incredible display of bravery and car control.

Jerry Coons, Jr. may soon become "Front Row Jerry" at the two Illinois dirt
miles. He made arrangements with Roger Johnson and Ron Hemelgarn to run as
a teammate to Boston Reid, put a car back together he had driven before, and
sat it on the pole at Springfield, and the outside front row at DuQuoin. He
pressured Walker for a good portion of the race then ran out of fuel around
lap 90. In fact, it appeared that several of the cars might have been light
on fuel at the end.

Brian Tyler put on another one of his patented charges for second, and was
gaining on the leader at the end. Tyler, who says he doesn't qualify well,
started 10th and moved up methodically to the second slot toward the end.
He stated after the event that his car was light on fuel and sputtering the
last four laps.

Hines started third and ended the night there, while the "Pup" Kevin Huntley
started 6th and finished fourth after a spirited duel with Dave Darland, who
finished sixth and may himself been out of fuel at the end. Former Horn 100
winner Paul White was fifth, the last car on the lead lap, while former
winner Russ Gamester finished 12th and former winner Tony Elliot ended the
night in 9th.

Bud Kaeding gained twenty points on Dave Steele with a solid 8th (from
18th). Steele, who won the consi, moved up from 21st but ended the night in
17th, a lap down. Tyler also moved to less than 100 points back of the
leader, just 93 behind Dave Steele with Tulsa and Eldora remaining on the
schedule.

Several Illinois drivers made up the healthy 41 car entry list Sunday night,
with three from Springfield alone. Springfield's Donnie Beechler had
problems once again, transferring through the last chance race and having a
magneto go bad on lap 28. Jim Moughan started 28th and had the engine let
go on lap 67, while eighteen year old Justin Allgaier missed his quest to
become the first driver to run a champ dirt car and stock car on the same
weekend at DuQuoin since Bigelow in 1989. Allgaier's J&J chassis was
running in the 4th slot in the last chance race and gaining on the third
place machine when it appeared the engine let go. Justin had finished
second at the Toledo ARCA race Friday, then placed 4h in the Monday ARCA
race at DuQuoin.

Murphysboro veteran Randy Bateman, coming off a promising 16th at
Springfield installed a new Mark Cummins powerplant for Sunday night and was
running well in a transfer slot in the semi when the car quit, ending his
night. Marion's Alex Shanks, who had his car on display on the main route
in his hometown on Friday, made his first 100-miler and started 29th,
completing 28 laps before the engine quit. Chris Urish, from Elkhart,
Illinois is a sprint car regular at the Jacksonville Speedway. He had a
Galas chassis entered, finished the semi in 7th and ran until lap 74 when
the throttle broke.

One Illinois driver not only became the first driver since Bigelow to run
the dirt car and stock car race, he became the first since Larry "Boom Boom"
Cannon in 1971 to run three different cars in three different events on the
Labor Day weekend at DuQuoin. Galesburg's A.J. Fike took over the family
Beast from brother Aaron for the weekend. He was very fast in USAC
practice, qualified the car in 16th and finished 11th, a lap down. He also
finished fifth in his modified heat race to qualify for the Oldani Memorial
the next day. Monday, he qualified Andy Hillenburg's ARCA car on the front
row but got caught up in a spin, damage put him a lap down in 17th. He ran
the 20 mile UMP Modified race and finished 9th. His versatility did not go
unnoticed by the fans, nor by many members of the media.

Whatever defending Horn 100 winner Rich Tobias, Jr. did to his creation
Sunday, it did not like the set up. The car never hooked up, relegating him
to the last chance race and while he finished 16th, he was never in
contention . John "Hot Rod" Heydenreich, a top five at Springfield two
weeks earlier could manage no better than 15th. Matt Westfall, also a top
five at Springfield qualified fourth in the beautiful Daugherty 14, but the
car quit on the second lap and he was a scratch for the night. One of the
early favorites, Jay Drake, had the Snider-Stewart Mopar Eagle go out from
under him during practice and the team left early. Also leaving early was
Gene Nolen, with new shoe Levi Jones and still trying to work out their new
Twister chassis. The car apparently lurched an engine in hot laps.

One driver who may have been all smiles was sixty something Nelson Stewart.
Nelson made his first dirt mile start Sunday night in John Lawson's machine,
a car that certainly is pleasing to the eye for it's old style lines.
Nelson has a famous racing son, Tony is a former NASCAR champ who just
happens to be the 2003 winner of the ARCA stock car race at DuQuoin.

Tom Capie looked like the Tom Capie of old Sunday night, putting his white
and red flamed Beast in 5th during qualifying and running in the top ten
before sliding to 13th.

O'Fallon's Bob Galas brought out his familiar orange and white number 12
Magnum for MARA Midget driver Tim Siner, who looked pretty comfortable at
times in the car but spun three times in turn three, the last time during
the semi and damaging the front end. Galas has a number of DuQuoin wins as
a chief wrench, five with Gary B. and one with Jeff Swindell.

No shows at the "Magic Mile" included Granite City's Tad Roach, the Gambler
of Ralph DePalma and driver Mike Brecht, Kyle Wissmiller in Red Petersen's
54, the Mataka 3n1, the Galas chassis of Danny Long and veteran Jerry Nemire
and his familiar 76. Another no show on the dirt continues to be a mystery.
Bobby East, in the top 10 in the Weld Silver Crown title chase, entered the
Hoosier 100 but failed to enter the Springfield or DuQuoin events.

Next up for the series is the Tulsa 100 at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, Saturday
night September 18. A USAC Sprint show is slated for Tulsa on the 17th.

09-07-04
Sunday night, Sept. 5 Tyler Walker of Los Angeles set a new world's record
for the United States Auto Club Silver Crown Championship dirt cars in
qualifying of over 123 miles an hour, then led from start to finish to win
the Ted Horn 100 at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. The event, run for the
first time during the fair at night, drew a large crowd that enjoyed old
style dirt track racing on the "Magic Mile". Parma, Michigan's Brian Tyler
finished second, with Indiana's Tracy Hines in third. Randy Bateman of
Murphysboro, Illinois and Alex Shanks of Marion, Illinois made the 100-mile
event, but both fell out with mechanical problems.

On Labor Day, NASCAR's Ken Schrader won the pole position for the ARCA
RE/MAX Federated Car Care Southern Illinois 100 stock car race, but in the
end it was Frank Kimmel taking his third DuQuoin trophy in a race shortened
by rain a few miles short of the scheduled distance. Bill Bird of Sturgis,
Kentucky was second, with Nevada's T.J. Bell third. Galesburg, Illinois
driver A.J. Fike became the first driver in 22 years to run three different
race cars in three different races at DuQuoin on the Labor Day weekend.

Robinson, Illinois Brian Shaw won the 20 mile Bill Oldani Memorial UMP
Modified event.

*For additional information contact TRACK ENTERPRISES at
www.trackenterprises.com, USAC at www.usacracing.com, or ARCA at
www.arcaracing.com.

09-01-04
The "Indy 500" of Modified racing returns to the DuQuoin State Fair with the
11th running of the Bill Oldani Memorial for the area short
track modified racers on Labor Day weekend.

Drivers from Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Iowa and event
Texas are expected to make the trip to the "Magic Mile". Winners
over the 11 year history of the Oldani Memorial include Centralia, Illinois'
Joe Cooksey, Kevin Gundaker, Jim Shereck and Kyle Steffens, all of St.
Charles, Missouri, Brian Shaw of Robinson, Illinois and Mark Voight of
Alahambra, Illinois.

Qualifying events for the Modifieds will be run Sunday night, September 5 in
conjunction with the USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100, and the 20-mile
Oldani Memorial will take place before Monday's ARCA Federated-Southern
Illinois 100.

Entry information can be found at www.trackenterprises.com of by calling
217-764-3200.

09-01-04
NASCAR Invades ARCA RE/MAX Series at DuQuoin!

Nearly forty entrants are expected to compete for over $140,000 in prize
money and a coveted trophy from a victory on the historic DuQuoin State
Fairground mile on Labor Day as the Automobile Racing Club of America RE/MAX
Stock Car Series visits the nation's premier one mile dirt oval. Only four
of the famous mile dirt tracks in the United States currently host forms of
automobile racing, so a victory in one of the 100-mile grinds is rare and
appreciated. The entry list may include most of the top ten in the current
ARCA RE/MAX series point chase, several young and talented drivers, two
famous veterans coming out of semi-retirement for the ARCA dirt races and
several popular home state drivers. The entry list includes one NASCAR
Nextel Cup pilots, and could include more in the coming days depending on
the NASCAR race in California.

One NASCAR pilot whose entry at DuQuoin is not in question is local favorite
Ken Schader of Concord, North Carolina, formerly of Fenton, Missouri.
Schrader is well known throughout the Midwest, not only for his racing
exploits but as the co-promoter of the I-55 Raceway in Peveley, Missouri.
Schrader, currently the driver of the BAM Schwan's Dodge in Nextel Cup
Competition, is sponsored on the ARCA circuit by race sponsor Federated Car
Care. He considers DuQuoin his "home" mile dirt track having grown up just
90 miles from the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds and making his big time stock
car debut in the Southern Illinois 100 in 1979 where he qualified third.
While he owns several victories on the miles at Springfield and
Indianapolis, DuQuoin remains the lone Midwestern fairground facility that
has not been conquered by Ken Schrader. In an attempt to break that jinx,
Schrader again filed the first entry this year for the Federated 100.

Will he or won't he is the question once again regarding defending Federated
100 winner and 2002 NASCAR champ Tony Stewart. The "Rushville Rocket" has
been a fixture in ARCA competition at the "Magic Mile" since 2001, finishing
second in 2001 and 2002 to five-time ARCA national champ Frank Kimmel. Last
year Stewart did not make his intentions to compete at DuQuoin known until
just before race day. The former USAC Triple Crown champion obtained a
Chevrolet from his NASCAR owner Joe Gibbs, and with sponsorship from his
NASCAR sponsor Home Depot, dominated the 100-mile event for a well received
win. The triumph put Stewart in a rare class that includes boyhood hero
A.J. Foyt, a class of drivers who have won 100-mile races on one of the
fairground mile dirt tracks.

Whoever the ARCA "Invaders" are should present significant competition to
the ARCA regulars who are led by five time ARCA RE/MAX Series champ and
two-time Federated-Southern Illinois 100 winner Frank Kimmel of
Jeffersonville, Indiana. Kimmel, the winner at DuQuoin in 2001 and 2002
comes into DuQuoin with a nearly insurmountable points lead in the 2004
standings. Kimmel has won 6 of the last 9 ARCA races held on the dirt, a
surface he originally did not care for!

Other drivers currently in the top ten in the ARCA points expected to enter
the Federated 100 include top rookie T.J. Bell (5th), Jason Jarrett, (4th)
son of 1999 NASCAR champ Dale Jarrett, Winder, Georgia's Mark Gibson (8th)
who lists DuQuoin as one of his favorite tracks, improving Christi Passmore
(6th), Indiana's Darrell Basham (10th) and second generation driver Todd
Bowsher (9th). DuQuoin fans should be familiar with the Bowsher name, Todd'
s dad Jack was a standout with ARCA and the now defunct USAC Stock Car
series and won the 1972 Southern llinois 100 in record time, the only
DuQuoin stock car event to be run without a yellow flag.

In addition to the top ten in points, ARCA regulars Andy Belmont and Norm
Benning of Pennsylvania, Mike Buckley and Brad Smith of Michigan, and rookie
Brandon Knupp of Ohio are expected to enter the Federated 100.

Labor Day weekend always draws a strong contingent of drivers from Illinois
and the surrounding area, and this year is no different as three Illinois
drivers currently sit in the top ten slots in the ARCA RE/MAX standings, one
of those near the top of the ARCA Rookie Point chase as well.

North Barrington's Brent Sherman continues to improve each year in the ARCA
stock cars, and is second in this year's title chase. Right behind Sherman
is another second generation driver with a familiar name, Chicago's Billy
Venturini. Young Bill is the son of Bill Venturini, a former ARCA national
champ and a frequent DuQuoin competitor with ARCA and USAC. Seventh in the
points is another familiar face, rookie A.J. Fike of Galesburg. A.J., who
ran last year's Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin in the USAC Silver Crown Series,
switched to the ARCA cars this season and has teamed with former ARCA champ
and USAC Silver Crown shoe Andy Hillenburg for a full season run. A.J. will
be attempting something at DuQuoin no driver has accomplished in 33 years
Labor Day weekend. He stunned many by announcing last week that he would
enter the USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100 on Sunday, as well as the ARCA
event and the UMP Modified race as well. The list of drivers that have run
three different races at DuQuoin on labor Day weekend includes legendary
names Rodger Ward, Tony Bettenhausen and A.J. Foyt, but no driver has done
the DuQuoin "hat trick" since the late Larry Cannon in 1971. Ironically,
Cannon was also an Illinois native, hailing from Oakwood.

Sentimental favorite Joe Cooksey of Centralia was hired earlier this season
by the SERVPRO team after Ron Cox suddenly retired from competition. Joe
became the first Southern Illinois driver to capture a Federated 100 pole
position when he qualified for the top slot in 2000. Other Illinois drivers
expected at DuQuoin include Carlyle's Charlie Schafer and eighteen year old
Justin Allgaier of Springfield, in his third year of ARCA competition.
Justin will be trying to make history at DuQuoin, he has a ride for Sunday's
USAC Silver Crown Ted Horn 100 and if he can make both events he will become
the first driver to accomplish that feat in fifteen years, not to mention
the youngest driver ever to run both races.

An area driver who may have a ride at DuQuoin is Fredericktown, Missouri's
Perry Tripp. Tripp is a veteran of stock car and sprint car competition in
Missouri and Illinois, and has run several ARCA races.

Two veterans come out of retirement to compete once again at DuQuoin, as
Sturgis, Kentucky ace Bill Baird returns to the ARCA series. The 1999 ARCA
National Champion has a victory at Springfield and has promised to jump in
the infield lake should he win at DuQuoin. The other veteran is ageless Red
Farmer, an original member of the famous "Alabama Gang" that included Bobby
and Donnie Allison, and the late Neil Bonnett. Should he make the race,
Farmer would extend his record as the oldest driver ever to compete at
DuQuoin, as he turns 72 in October!

These men and several others will be continuing a tradition of one of the
most unique forms of auto racing in the country, full bodied stock cars
racing on a fairground dirt track. Big stock cars on the dirt is unusual,
only twice a year do they take to the dirt surface requiring dirt screens,
grooved tires and at times windshield wipers! Both of the dirt venues are
in Illinois, and one is the beautiful DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.

Set on several hundred acres in the town of DuQuoin Illinois, the former
strip mine was converted to Illinois second State Fair by the late Bill
Hayes in 1923. Hayes thought that the trip to Springfield was too much to
make for the citizens of Southern Illinois and was determined to give them
the same entertainment as citizens near the state capitol. A lifelong horse
enthusiast, Hayes quickly discovered the entertainment and profitability of
auto racing as a draw for the fair, the first fairs included auto racing
events on the half mile track on the west side of the grounds.

Shortly after World War II the present one mile track was complete along
with seating for nearly 18,000 spectators. When the American Automobile
Association added stock cars to its racing schedule in 1950, DuQuoin was one
of the five events. Jay Frank won before a large crowd on that Labor Day in
1950. Stock cars returned in 1954, and have been a regular part of the fair
lineup ever since.

Many racing legends have won at DuQuoin, even more have been thrilled to
compete here. Indy winner Jimmy Bryan won the 1957 Southern Illinois 100,
then future NASCAR legend Fred Lorenzen took the next two. USAC Stock Car
greats Don White and Norm Nelson dominated the sixties at DuQuoin, with A.J.
Foyt slipping into victory lane in 1969. The late Butch Hartman dominated
the seventies, a decade that ended with a young USAC rookie named Rusty
Wallace besting A.J. Foyt in a 1979 thriller.

The eighties saw the late Dean Roper establish himself as the master of the
dirt miles with six DuQuoin triumphs, the first DuQuoin stock car race under
ARCA sanction and the last USAC Stock Car race in history, while the
nineties saw a second generation winner in Bobby Bowsher, with NASCAR
veterans and future NASCAR drivers all trying their hand on the DuQuoin
dirt. In fact, the list of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers who have entered or
participated at DuQuoin is quite extensive and includes Jeremy Mayfield,
Gary Bradberry, Nelson Stacy, Dick Trickle, Curtis Turner, Joe Ruttman, Mike
Wallace and the late Alan Kulwicki.

The 2004 field for the Federated 100 carries on a DuQuoin stock car
tradition that goes back over fifty years when the cars are started on
Labor Day. Practice for the ARCA RE/MAX series begins at 9 a.m., with Old
Milwaukee qualifying at 10:30. The 52nd Federated Southern Illinois 100 is
slated to begin at 1:30.

Tickets are going fast but are still available at the DuQuoin State Fair Box
Office, Ticketmaster or by calling Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200.
Additional information can be found on the world wide web at
www.trackenterprises.com or at www.arcaracing.com.

08-30-04

DuQuoin ARCA Lincoln Welders 50 Rained Out Saturday

DuQuoin, IL-The scheduled 50-mile race for the Automobile Racing Club of
America Lincoln Welders Truck Series at the DuQuoin State Fair was canceled
due to weather Saturday night. The event will not be rescheduled. The
cancellation marked the first time since 1968 that a motorsports event
scheduled for the DuQuoin State Fair was canceled (and not rescheduled).

A torrential downpour that began at 3 p.m. (Central) led to several inches
of rain in the DuQuoin area and a flash flood warning. At one point water
covered U.S. Route 51 South of DuQuoin. A track that may be unraceable for
the next day or two plus a tight schedule for the ARCA Truck Series and the
DuQuoin State Fair led promoter Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises to cancel
the event.

Also canceled was the companion Wynn's Southern Sportsman Nationals for
short track steel block late model stock cars.

Next up for the DuQuoin State Fair Motorsports program is the Sunday night,
September 5 Ted Horn 100 for the USAC Silver Crown cars. This marks the
first time the upright dirt cars have competed at night during the DuQuoin
State Fair.

FOR MORE INFO ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT TRACK ENTERPRISES AT 217-764-3200

08-30-04

Illinois' A.J. Fike and Justin Allgaier Seeking History at DuQuoin

DuQuoin, IL-Twenty-three year old A.J. Fike of Galesburg and college
freshman Justin Allgaier of Springfield are looking to write their names in
the auto racing history books at the DuQuoin State Fair on Labor Day
weekend. Each driver is hoping that their versatility helps them enter the
history ledger as well as advancing each of their auto racing careers.

Fike ran in the USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown series last year, finishing
12th in the Ted Horn 100 at DuQuoin. A.J. moved to the ARCA RE/MAX Stock
Car Series this year and is one of the leading candidates for Rookie of the
Year, winning the pole and leading several laps at Springfield, Illinois on
August 22. Fike drives in the ARCA series for former USAC driver Andy
Hillenburg. Fike made a stunning announcement last week when he made his
intentions known to enter the Southern Illinois 100 ARCA event at DuQuoin,
as well as the USAC Ted Horn 100 and the UMP Modified Oldani Memorial! If
Fike can make the finale for all three events, he would become the first
driver in 33 years to race three different types of cars in three different
races on Labor Day weekend at DuQuoin. The list of drivers who have been
successful at the DuQuoin "triple" is short, but filled with legendary names
such as A.J. Foyt, Tony Bettenhausen, Rodger Ward and Bobby Marshman. The
last driver to run three different races Labor Day weekend at DuQuoin is
ironically also from Illinois. In 1971, the late Larry "Boob Boom" Cannon,
a barber and future politician from Oakwood, Illinois ran the USAC Midget,
Stock Car and Dirt Car events at DuQuoin.

Joining A.J. Fike in the quest for racing immortality is a young Springfield
resident who entered college this fall, Justin Allgaier. Justin, a veteran
of ARCA and short track late model competition is the youngest man ever to
start the Southern Illinois 100 stock car race at DuQuoin. His exploits in
stock cars and midgets caught the attention of his current mention, NASCAR
star and DuQuoin ARCA entrant Ken Schrader. Allgaier received a call this
winter from Arcola's Ebby Bergfield who purchased a Silver Crown car run
last at DuQuoin by Eric Gordon a few years ago. While the car was well
prepared for the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at Springfield, Justin missed by one
spot making the 100-mile event and thus becoming the first driver since Tom
Bigelow to run a championship dirt car and stock car on the same weekend at
Springfield. Bigelow is also the last driver to perform that feat at
DuQuoin, running the USAC and ARCA events on labor Day weekend in 1989.

A.J. Fike and Justin Allgaier's quests begin when the annual DuQuoin State
Fair auto racing extravaganza takes place on Labor Day weekend. For the
first time the festival of speed opens on a Sunday night, September 5 with
the 54th running of the Ted Horn 100 for the USAC Silver Crown cars and
qualifying events for the UMP Modifieds. Practice begins at 5, with the
Horn 100 slated for 8:30 p.m.

Less than 12 hours later the gates of the "Magic Mile" swing open again,
this time for the ARCA RE/MAX Stock Car Series and the 52nd Federated Car
Care-Southern Illinois 100, plus the 20-mile Bill Oldani Memorial for the
UMP Modifieds. Practice on Labor Day begins at 9 a.m., with the Oldani
Memorial at approximately 12:30 and the Federated-Southern Illinois 100 at
1:30 p.m.

Advance tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children and on sale at Track
Enterprises at 217-764-3200, Ticketmaster or the DuQuoin State Fair Box
Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT TRACK ENTERPRISES AT
217-764-3200 OR JAY HARDIN AT jhardin@midamer.net.

08-27-04DuQuoin

Second DuQuoin 50 for ARCA Truckers Set for August 28 along with Wynn's
Southern Sportsman Race

DuQuoin, IL-August 23, 2004-The ARCA Lincoln Welders 50 at the beautiful
DuQuoin State Fairgrounds promises to be an exciting opener for the motor
sports lineup of the 2004 DuQuoin State Fair as the trucks of the Automobile
Racing Club of America Lincoln Welders Series make their second appearance
on the historic "Magic Mile". The second running of the Lincoln Welders 50
is slated for Saturday August 28. 2004 and is scheduled once again to be run
under the lights, along with the second running of the Wynn's Southern
Sportsman Nationals.

The ARCA Truck Series, now in it's sixth season, has experienced steady
growth and increased interest as evidenced by the twenty seven trucks and
drivers listed on the 2004 active roster. A great majority of those drivers
and trucks are expected to be in DuQuoin on the 28th vying for one of the
starting positions in the Lincoln Welders 50.

Defending winner Brian Rowe of Barboursville, West Virginia is expected to
be among those competing at DuQuoin, Rowe currently sits third in the ARCA
truck points and has yet to post a win in 2004. Last year, he led the last
26 laps to post a historic win at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds as the first
truck race winner in DuQuoin State Fair history.

Current point leader and two time defending ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck champ
Chad Guinn of Erie, Michigan is also expected to be at DuQuoin. Guinn has
three wins in the seven races held so far this year and came into this
season leading the ARCA trucks in all-time victories with 18. Guinn has one
victory this season on dirt, that coming on the fast quarter mile at
Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Second in the point chase in 2004 is Brett Rowe,
brother of Brian Rowe. He too has three win this year, one coming on the
dirt at the historic Terre Haute Action Track in June.

Also expected is current DuQuoin track record holder Tully Esterline of
Pettisville, Ohio. Esterline led the first 24 circuits last season after
setting a track record in qualifying of 36.767 seconds, or 97.914 miles an
hour around the "Magic Mile". Esterline finished second to Rowe in the
event, and owns one career truck win, that coming on the dirt at LaSalle,
Illinois.

Presently fourth in the ARCA Lincoln Welders chase, thirty-five year old
Kevin Reeb finished fifth in the DuQuoin 50 last year. Reeb, from Columbus,
Ohio has sixteen top ten finishes in 22 Lincoln Welder starts including one
victory at Lake Erie in 2003. Other drivers in the top ten in the Lincoln
Welders standings include Bill Withers of Columbus, Ohio, Mark Otting of
Plainwell, Michigan, John Kasmierski of Toledo, Ohio, Donnie Porter of
Columbus, Ohio, Craig Meyers of Belleville, Michigan and Rick Knowles of
Willis, Michigan.

The ARCA Truck Series was initiated as a series for smaller, mid sized
trucks such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10, and the Toyota Tacoma. Four
cylinder or six cylinder engines are used in the trucks, which maintain a
stock appearance while having a full bred racing chassis underneath the
sheet metal.

The second running of the Lincoln Welders 50 is slated to begin with
practice for the trucks at 5 p.m. on August 28, followed by Pork Pole
Qualifying at 7. The Wynn's Southern Sportsman main event precedes the 50
mile Lincoln Welders race, which is scheduled to push off at approximately
9 p.m. Several local drivers have expressed an interest in running the
Sportsman race, including Paducah track champ Jeff Walston and Kentucky Lake
regular Matt Liner. Several drivers from area track such as Mt. Vernon,
Flora, Paducah and Kentucky Lake are expected to compete in the Sportsman
event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT TRACK ENTERPRISES AT
217-764-3200 OR JAY HARDIN at jhardin@midamer.net

08-24-04WDRL
Thanks to Tom Lathen for the following stories (Davenport story is below Kankakee story)

WDRL Crown Point Story

MARS CRUISES TO IMPRESSIVE WDRL WIN AT CROWN POINT
Wisconsin Driver Leads from Wire-to-Wire for Win

(Crown Point, IN) Jimmy Mars led from flag-to-flag Saturday night to win the Buck’s Pit Stop 50, a WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Super Series sanctioned event at Crown Point Motor Speedway in Crown Point, Indiana.

The Elk Grove Wisconsin driver grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back enroute to the $5,000 victory.

“I don’t know if we had the best car tonight,” commented Mars following the win. “I just tried to pace myself so I didn’t get too far ahead and get into lapped cars, yet stay aggressive enough to keep the guys behind me.

“I know there was a heck of a battle behind me and we were just lucky to be able to get out there early.”

Coming from his inside front row starting position, Mars immediately went to the top side of the high banked quarter mile race track and roared into the lead, with outside front row starter Terry Casey battling wheel-to-wheel with Denny Eckrich, Kyle Berck, Bret Sievert, and Donnie Moran for second.

The initial caution flag waved on lap two when Dave Eckrich and T.J. Dolhon got together in turn four, but the caution period failed to slow down the leader, as Mars quickly regained the advantage when racing resumed.

By the eighth circuit, the front runners were beginning to run up on slower traffic, with Mars leading Keith Foss, who had battled his way into second, Berck, Darren Miller, and Brady Smith through congestion in the corners.

A second caution appeared on lap 22 when Smith slowed in turn two with a flat tire, with the yellow flag again waving on laps 25 and 29. During the lap 25 caution period, Smith again took his Big Red Motor Sports/Kapus Erickson Chrysler entry back into the pits, with the popular Solon Springs, Wisconsin driver rejoining the field at the rear 28 laps from the finish.

Smith kept the crowd on its feet over the final circuits, powering his way through traffic and back into the top ten by lap 31 and into the top five a half dozen laps later.

Mars meanwhile, was challenged by Darren Miller, who’s car number 32D was beginning to work well at the bottom, and the pair ran wheel-to-wheel out of the corners and in front of the grandstands over the final ten circuits. The driver of the Stacker 2/MasterSbilt/Monte Carlo was able to hold on for the win though, with Miller coming up just short at the line to finish second.

“The bottom started coming in a little bit there at the end.” said Mars.

“I got kind of tight on the top so I couldn’t really roll the top like I wanted to, but the car was still good enough to win.”

Following Mars and Miller at the checkers was Winona, Minnesota’s Keith Foss, with Terry Casey and Smith completing the top five. Series points leader Kyle Berck finished one position behind Smith in sixth.

RACE REPORT:

First PolyDome Qualifier: 1. Bret Sievert (Mukwonag