2007ump

2007ump.htm

Contact: DIRT MotorSports d/b/a World Racing Group
Kevin Kovac, DIRTcar Racing Public Relations
704-254-7929 • kkovac@dirtcar.com

UMP DIRTcar Racing Passes Out Over $80,000 In 2007 Points-Fund Cash To Racers In Five Support Divisions

EVANSVILLE, IN – Jan. 17, 2008 – UMP DIRTcar Racing rewarded support-division drivers for their 2007 efforts with over $80,000 in points-fund cash during the organization’s 24^th annual awards banquet on Jan. 12 in Springfield, Ill.

A total of 249 drivers spread over five divisions shared in the post-season booty, which reached $82,170 with the addition of two new entry-level classes to the UMP DIRTcar Racing sanctioning lineup in 2007. The introduction of the Factory Stock and Four-Cylinder divisions pushed the UMP DIRTcar Racing roster to seven classes, including the marquee Late Model and open-wheel Modified divisions.

Troy Naeger of Festus, Mo., walked off a combined $5,800 from the $31,960 UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman points fund for winning his second consecutive national championship and the Missouri State title. He also hailed UMP DIRTcar Racing for providing weekend warriors across the country some lucrative financial incentive.

“This is real money for us,” said Naeger, who calls Missouri’s I-55 Raceway home. “All of us racers in the support classes really, really appreciate UMP giving us a chance to race for money like this.”

The big winner in the UMP DIRTcar Racing Limited Modified ranks was Jonathan Clayton of Denham Springs, La. A first-time titlist, his national crown and first-place finish in the Louisiana State points standings brought him $5,800 in checks from a $19,085 points fund.

Jerrad Krick of Earl Park, Ind., and Jim Ransom of Williamsport, Ind., were co-national champions of the UMP DIRTcar Racing Street Stock division. They split the first- and second-place checks from the $20,925 Street Stock points fund, giving them each $3,500 for their 2007 efforts plus State points money ($110 for Krick, $115 for Ransom).

The Factory Stock division – a new addition to UMP DIRTcar Racing in 2007 that encompassed such entry-level classes as Pure Stocks, American Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Bombers and Novices – offered a points fund of $2,550 for the top 20 drivers in the national standings. Tom Ordway of Stryker, Ohio, earned $500 for winning the first UMP Factory Stock title.

Another new-in-’07 class, the Four-Cylinders, boasted a points fund of $7,650 divided among the top 20 drivers in three national regions. Cashing $500 checks as champions were D.J. Werkmeister of Braceville, Ill. (East), Mike Rittenberry of Clarksville, Tenn. (Mid-America) and Ryan Eilers of Highland, Ill. (Southern).

Combining the Sportsman, Limited Modified, Street Stock, Factory Stock and Four-Cylinder payouts with the points funds for the Late Models ($205,000) and Modifieds ($179,470), the total 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing points fund handed out at the awards banquet totaled over $465,000.

Below is a complete breakdown of the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing points fund distributions for the Sportsman, Limited Modified, Street Stock, Factory Stock and Four-Cylinder divisions.

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Sportsman National Points Fund Distribution ($12,585):

1. Troy Naeger $5,000; 2. Troy Medley $2,000; 3. Kent Nations $1,000; 4. Jimmy Cummins $700; 5. Greg Kimmons $500; 6. Pete Stefanski $400; 7. Justin Ketrow $375; 8. Dave Bissonnette $350; 9. Jeff Herzog $325; 10. Mike Jessen $300; 11. Ronnie Bader $275; 12. Kyle Borgman $250; 13. (tie) Tom Smallwood $200; 14. (tie) Chad Weinrick $200; 15. Stephene Lebrun $160; 16. Mike Harris $140; 17. (tie) Robbie Eilers $117.50; 17. (tie) Louie Jackson $117.50; 19. Justin Delong $100; 20. Clayton Benedict $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman State Points Fund Distribution ($19,375):

COLORADO: 1. John Anderson $800; 2. Eric McGowan $400; 3. Don Adams $200

FLORIDA: 1. Chris Day $800; 2. Stanton Mills $400; 3. Barry Sheffield $200; 4. Nick Kerr $150; 5. Robby Richardson $125

ILLINOIS: 1. Greg Kimmons $800; 2. Justiin Ketrow $400; 3. Justin Delong $200; 4. Mike Harris $150; 5. Tom Smallwood $125; 6. Jason Unzicker $115; 7. Darrell Dick $110; 8. Joel Funk $100; 9. Jimmy Cummins $100; 10. Alan Crowder $100

INDIANA: 1. Ryan Huddleston $800; 2. Doug McCullough $400; 3. Kenny Sweat $200; 4. Kenny Carmichael Jr. $150; 5. Troy Overstreet $125; 6. Brad Hancock $115; 7. Scott Buchanan $110; 8. Joe Whisler $100; 9. David Huff $100; 10. Mike Staggs $100

LOUISIANA: 1. Jason Jackson $800; 2. Jarred Fremin $400

MICHIGAN: 1. Kyle Borgman $800; 2. Chad Weinrick $400; 3. Stan Dodds $200; 4. Mike Guinon $150; 5. Ralph Sternberg $125; 6. Mike Peterson $115; 7. Kurt Woodard $110; 8. Jared Gunnin $100; 9. Rob Sternberg $100; 10. Mike Anderson $100

MISSOURI: 1. Troy Naeger $800; 2. Troy Medley $400; 3. Kent Nations $200; 4. Jeff Herzog $150; 5. Ronnie Bader $125; 6. Jason Keller $115; 7. Jimmy Cummins $110; 8. Kyle Stolzer $100; 9. Joe McCain $100; 10. Tim Hollerback $100

NEW YORK: 1. Pete Stefanski $800; 2. Dave Bissonette $400; 3. Louie Jackson $200 4. Joey Ladouceur $150; 5. Stephenn Lebrun $125; 6. Allen Peters $115; 6. Clayton Benedict $110; 8. Jason Parkhurst $100; 9. Bob Waters Jr. $100; 10. (tie) Don Barnes $50; 10. (tie) Denis Gauvreau $50

OHIO: 1. Mike Jessen $800; 2. Bruce Takach $400; 3. Brian Fisher $200; 4. Josh Steinacker $150; 5. Tom Johnson $125; 6. Tim Fisher $115; 7. Chris Smith $110; 8. Joe Derbeck $100; 9. Terry Hinkle $100; 10. Robert Mayle $100

TENNESSEE: 1. Joseph Hamm $800; 2. Robert Brooks $400; 3. Mike Hodges $200; 4. Neal Grisham $150; 5. Jon Wix $125; 6. Jimmie Davenport $115; 7. Kent Nations $110

*****

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Limited Modified National Points Fund Distribution ($12,585):

1. Jonathan Clayton $5,000; 2. Donnie Noland $2,000; 3. Damon McCabe $1,000; 4. Randy Dickman $700; 5. Dan Bimson $500; 6. Bobby Fehring $400; 7. Tim Sitton $375; 8. Larry Hull Jr. $350; 9. Todd Barrett $325; 10. Bill Deroy $300; 11. Brian Kinnaird $275; 12. Bill Gordon $250; 13. Brian Singleton $225; 14. Matthew Holmes $175; 15. Bryan Henry $160; 16. Ken Huber $140; 17. Thomas Schinderle $120; 18. Brandon Buhler $115; 19. Dale Taylor $100; 20. Christina Lemons $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Limited Modified State Points Fund Distribution ($6,500):

LOUISIANA: 1. Jonathan Clayton $800; 2. Donnie Noland $400; 3. Damon McCabe $200; 4. Bill Gordon $150; 5. Matthew Holmes $125; 6. Brandon Buhler $115; 7. Nicholas Lanclos $110; 8. Kevin Dupont $100; 9. Mark Buhler $100; 10. Kamron Campbell $100

MISSOURI: 1. Randy Dickman $800; 2. Dan Bimson $400; 3. Larry Hull Jr. $200; 4. Bill Deroy $150; 5. Brian Kinnaird $125; 6. Brian Singleton $115; 7. Ken Huber $110; 8. Christian Lemons $100; 9. Scott Anderson $100

TEXAS: 1. Bobby Fehring $800; 2. Tim Sitton $400; 3. Todd Barrett $200; 4. Bryan Henry $150; 5. Thomas Schinderle $125; 6. Dale Taylor $115; 7. Cody Williams $110; 8. Blake Witherspoon $100; 9. Charles Williford $100; 10. Derek Ross $100

*****

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Street Stock National Points Fund Distribution ($12,585):

1. (tie) Jerrad Krick $3,500; 1. (tie) Jim Ransom $3,500; 3. Steve Ewing $1,000; 4. Shad Eskew $700; 5. David Hurst $500; 6. Randy Lines $400; 7. Lee J. Hall $375; 8. Josh Griffith $350; 9. Michael Welch $325; 10. David Manisse $300; 11. (tie) Tim Feldhake $262.50; 11. (tie) Dan Meyers $262.50; 13. Stacy Tretter $225; 14. J.J. Miller $175; 15. Nathan Alexander $160; 16. Ron Hawker $140; 17. Kevin Lenzen $120; 18. Darrell Hartman $115; 19. Jesse Simmons $100; 20. David Pope $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Street Stock State Points Fund Distribution ($8,340):

COLORADO: 1. Ashley Chiles $800; 2. Dan Droll Sr. $400; 3. Billy Cumby $200; 4. Brian Cumby $150; 5. Joe Esquibel $125; 6. Terry Chiles $115

FLORIDA: 1. Erik Nelson $800; 2. Grady Christian $400

ILLINOIS: 1. Steve Ewing $800; 2. Shad Eskew $400; 3. Josh Griffith $200; 4. Tim Feldhake $150; 5. J.J. Miller $125; 6. Travis Copley $115; 7. Billy Wicker $110; 8. Kevin Lenzen $100; 9. David Shain $100; 10. Darrell Beckham $100

INDIANA: 1. David Hurst $800; 2. Randy Lines $400; 3. Dan Meyers $200; 4. Lee J Hall $150; 5. Ervin Turner $125; 6. Jim Ransom $115; 7. Jerrad Krick $110; 8. Marlin Burns $100; 9. Bob Weems $100; 10. Nate Alexander $100

KENTUCKY: 1. Stacy Tretter $800; 2. Darrell Hartman $400; 3. Poncho Elder $200; 4. Mitch Fiers $150; 5. Mike Watson $125; 6. Lloyd Lingle $115; 7. Michael Watson $110; 8. Paul Howard $100; 9. Richie Crenshaw $100; 10. Mitchell Penrod $100

LOUISIANA: 1. Mark Debate $800; 2. Brian Jarreau $400; 3. Kent Maher $200; 4. Jeff Teal $150; 5. Shaun Romero $125

MISSOURI: 1. Randy Dickman $800; 2. Eddie Lowery $400; 3. Buddy Lowery $200; 4. Dan Pitti $150; 5. Beau Davis $125

NEW YORK: 1. Michael Welch $800; 2. David Manisse $400; 3. Ron Hawker $200; 4. Nick Rizzo $150; 5. Nathan Peckham $125; 6. David Pope $115; 7. Scott Smith $110; 8. Blane Smith $100; 9. Phil Marsden $100; 10. Andy Fisk $100

TENNESSEE: 1. Mike Neighbors $800; 2. Floyd Clinard Jr $400; 3. Dale Phillips $200; 4. Jon Wix $150; 5. David Cline $125; 6. Chris Peltier $115; 7. Mike Watson $110; 8. Jason Todd $100

TEXAS: 1. Jodie Moon $800; 2. Ben Sharp $400; 3. Ben Poole $200; 4. Dewey C Miller Sr $150; 5. Dewey C Miller Jr. $125

*****

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Factory Stock National Points Fund Distribution ($2,550):

1. Tom Ordway $500; 2. Dan Dippman $300; 3. Craig Dippman $200; 4. Jim Scout $175; 5. Brett Miller $150; 6. Chris Sale $140; 7. Robert Erickson $130; 8. Bill Delong $120; 9. Chris Henry $110; 10. Tony Weinrick $100; 11. B.J. Gregory $95; 12. Mike Reagan $90; 13. Mike Harmon $85; 14. Larry Smith Jr. $80; 15. John Schrand $75; 16. Charles Morris $70; 17. Jamie Lorenz $65; 18. Devin Vanderstelt $60; 19. Danny Ripperda $55; 20. Tinker Beals $50

*****

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Four-Cylinder National Points Fund Distribution ($7,650):

MID-AMERICA: 1. Mike Rittenberry $500; 2. Mark Farber $300; 3. Don Keech $200; 4. Jeff Bailey $175; 5. Keith Mayo $150; 6. Jeff Rittenberry $140; 7. Rick Champagne $130; 8. Trevor Bailey $120; 9. Jerry Myering $110; 10. Emily Crowell $100; 11. Amber Walden $75; 12. Ray Reynolds $75; 13. Robert Canter $75; 14. Luke Near $75; 15. Edward Abbitt $75; 16. James Scott $50; 17. April Spriggs $50; 18. Nick Alexander $50; 19. Levi Baker $50; 20. Donnie Whited $50

EASTERN: 1. D.J. Werkmeister $500; 2. Rich Mueller $300; 3. Jerrod Thomas $200; 4. Ryen Johnson $175; 5. Mark Adkins $150; 6. Jeremy Grove $140; 7. Lake Nicholds $130; 8. Axle Wicker $120; 9. Bill Lawson $110; 10. Dan Kerr $100; 11. Eddie Johnson $75; 12. Andy Parks $75; 13. Daniel Flessner $75; 14. Jerry Adkins $75; 15. Harley Weidner $75; 16. Russell Robinson $50; 17. Beau Bradley $50; 18. Mike Adkins $50; 19. Jessica Summer $50; 20. Robert Frohnapfel $50

SOUTHERN: 1. Ryan Eilers $500; 2. Joe Reed $300; 3. Chris Fisher $200; 4. Jim Cross Jr. $175; 5. Chris Burton $150; 6. David Shaw $140; 7. Rob Shaw $130; 8. Jon Ripperda $120; 9. Josh James $110; 10. Aaron Wood $100; 11. Stacy Whitehouse $75; 12. T.J. Eilers $75; 13. Bill Burke $75; 14. Bruce Duglar $75; 15. Chad Burgess $75; 16. Justin Shaw $50; 17. Tracy Vonrohr $50; 18. Larry Hawk $50; 19. Jason Crump $50; 20. E.J. Gregory $50

UMP DIRTcar Racing Open-Wheel Modified Drivers Share Over $175,000 In 2007 Points-Fund Cash

EVANSVILLE, IN – Jan. 17, 2008 - UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified drivers collected a total of $179,470 in 2007 points-fund cash during the organization’s 24^th annual awards banquet on Jan. 12 in Springfield, Ill.

The richest points fund in the nation for the type of open-wheel Modifieds sanctioned by UMP DIRTcar Racing included $74,975 for the national points race; $61,350 for the Region points battles; $36,900 for the State points races; and $6,245 for the UMP-sanctioned Wolfpack Challenge Series.

Denny Schwartz, 47, of Ashmore, Ill., walked off with the lion’s share of the lucrative points fund, pocketing $23,650 in checks following a 2007 season that saw him capture the UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified national championship for the second time in three years.

Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Ill., who lost the national title to Schwartz by four points in a dramatic battle that wasn’t decided until the season’s final lap, settled for a points-fund take that totaled $14,425.

Other drivers who accumulated attractive points-fund returns in 2007 with their UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified action included Shelby Miles of Bloomington, Ind. ($11,000), Bobby Martintoni of Livingston, Ill. ($8,800), Randle Sweeney of Clifty, Ky. ($7,000) and Ben Stephens of Hattiesburg, Miss. ($5,770).

Below is a complete breakdown of the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified points-fund distribution, which was divided among 210 drivers.

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Open-Wheel Modified National Points Fund Distribution ($74,975):

1. Denny Schwartz $20,000; 2. Jeff Leka $10,000; 3. Shelby Miles $5,000; 4. Bobby Martintoni $3,000; 5. Gary Cook Jr. $2,000; 6. Jesse Cramer $1,500; 7. Kent Robinson $1,400; 8. Bobby Bittle $1,300; 9. Bub Patrick $1,200; 10. Randle Sweeney $1,100; 11. Dave Porth $1,000; 12. Ryan Thomas $900; 13. McKay Wenger $800; 14. Todd Sherman $700; 15. Danny Schwartz $650; 16. Matt Bex $600; 17. Mike Spatola $550; 18. Tim Reynolds $500; 19. Chuck Haga $490; 20. Jon Henry $475;

21. Matt Boknecht $470; 22. Andy Sprague $465; 23. Lance Dehm $460; 24. Rob Fuqua $455; 25. Scott Orr $450; 26. Kevin Hastings $445; 27. John McCaul $440; 28. Bill Lewis $435; 29. Greg Amick $430; 30. Derek Losh $425; 31. Matt Goulden $420; 32. Doug Adkins $415; 33. Tony Anderson $410; 34. Brian Bielong $405; 35. Arby Burton $400; 36. Clayton Miller $395; 37. Jason Hastings $390; 38. (tie) Chad Evans $382.50; 38. (tie) Ray Walsh $382.50; 40. Dan Dykman $375;

41. Ben Stephens $370; 42. Lee Hobbs $365; 43. Tim Rivers $360; 44. Jeff Curl $355; 45. Tommy Kroll $350; 46. Richie Ginn $345; 47. Mike Vanderiet $340; 48. Randy Myers $335; 49. Mark Herbert $330; 50. Jeff Wellum $325; 51. Gabe Menser $320; 52. Jeb Freidman $315; 53. Kenny Carmichael $310; 54. (tie) Gary Richard $302.50; 54. (tie) John Demoss $302.50; 56. Jim Farris $295; 57. Matt Bachman $290; 58. Chad Osterhoff $285; 59. Mike Wilbern $280; 60. Brian Lynn $275;

61. Rich Neiser $270; 62. Mike Harrison $265; 63. Tim Hancock $260; 64. Randy Whitten $255; 65. Vince Cooper $250; 66. Todd Gilpin $245; 67. Brent Londeree $240; 68. Kevin McCarty $235; 69. Tim Tuttle $230; 70. Jamie Wilson $225; 71. Mark Miner $220; 72. Kyle Cooper $215; 73. Dean Hoffman $210; 74. Brad Wieck $205; 75. Brett Korves $200; 76. Miles Thalman $195; 77. Tim Walker $190; 78. Devin Gilpin $185; 79. Scott Weber $180; 80. Chris Smith (#155) $175;

81. Josh Ferguson $170; 82. (tie) Daniel Lewellwn $162.50; 82. (tie) A.J. Garber $162.50; 84. Justin Houston $155; 85. Chad Sellers $150; 86. Jamie Cobb $145; 87. (tie) Aaron Ricketts $137.50; 87. (tie) Paul Bailey $137.50; 89. Matt Miley $130; 90. Daryl Herbert $125; 91. Joel Funk $120; 92. Nick Poole $115; 93. Cody Hood $110; 94. Brian Yeatman $105; 95. Randy Shuman $100; 96. Jon Horn $95; 97. Michael Bolyard $90; 98. Marty Smith $85; 99. Jason Henry $80; 100. Shane Hebert $75

2007 Wolfpack Challenge Series Points Fund Distribution ($6,245):

1. Craig Conyer $2,500; 2. Jeff Wellum $1,200; 3. Wes McClara $600; 4. Matt Goulden $450; 5. Rick Weekly $300; 6. Kent Robinson $275; 7. Rob Fuqua $260; 8. McKay Wenger $240; 9. Chad Kinder $220; 10. Shelby Miles $200

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Open-Wheel Modified Region Points Fund Distribution ($61,350):

NORTH: 1. (tie) Denny Schwartz $3,500; 1. (tie) Jeff Leka $3,500; 3. Gary Cook Jr. $1,000; 4. Dave Porth $700; 5. McKay Wenger $500; 6. Mike Spatola $400; 7. Tim Reynolds $375; 8. Chuck Haga $350; 9. Andy Sprague $325; 10. Kevin Hastings $300; 11. John McCaul $275; 12. Lance Dehm $250; 13. Derek Losh $225; 14. Jason Hastings $175; 15. Arby Burton $160; 16. Bub Patrick $140; 17. Dan Dykman $120; 18. Tommy Kroll $115; 19. Jeff Curl $100; 20. Rob Fuqua $75

SOUTH: 1. Randle Sweeney $5,000; 2. Clayton Miller $2,000; 3. Miles Thalman $1,000; 4. Tim Walker $700; 5. Justin Houston $500; 6. Jamie Cobb $400; 7. A.J. Garber $375; 8. Jeff Elliott $350; 9. Michael Bolyard $325; 10. Steve Ladd $300; 11. Brandon Dierlam $275; 12. Fred Thalman $250; 13. Matt Thomas $225; 14. Dustin Isom $175; 15. Jeff Parks $160; 16. Dustin Ladd $140; 17. Brian Shaw $120; 18. Michael Coakley $115; 19. Ron Wall $100; 20. George Herter $75

EAST: 1. Shelby Miles $5,000; 2. Todd Sherman $2,000; 3. Matt Bex $1,000; 4. Jon Henry $700; 5. Matt Boknecht $500; 6. Bill Lewis $400; 7. Kent Robinson $375; 8. Tony Anderson $350; 9. Scott Orr $325; 10. Doug Adkins $300; 11. Lee Hobbs $275; 12. Greg Amick $250; 13. Gary Richards $225; 14. Jesse Cramer $175; 15. Todd Gilpin $160; 16. Brent Londeree $140; 17. Kevin McCarty $120; 18. Brad Wieck $115; 19. Devin Gilpin $100; 20. Tim Rivers $75

WEST: 1. Bobby Martintoni $5,000; 2. Bobby Bittle $2,000; 3. Brian Bielong $1,000; 4. Ray Walsh $700; 5. Matt Goulden $500; 6. Chad Evans $400; 7. Mark Miner $375; 8. Mike Vanderiet $350; 9. Dean Hoffman $325; 10. Brett Korves $300; 11. Tim Hancock $275; 12. Chris Smith #155 $250; 13. Randy Myers $225; 14. Mike Harrison $175; 15. Marty Smith $160; 16. Chad Sellers $140; 17. Paul Bailey $120; 18. Scott Weber $115; 19. Doug Wood $100; 20. Kenny Neu $75

DEEP SOUTH: 1. Ben Stephens $5,000; 2. Richie Ginn $2,000; 3. Mark Herbert $1,000; 4. Matt Miley $700; 5. Nick Poole $500; 6. Jason Henry $400; 7. Shane Hebert $375; 8. Kent Wood $350; 9. Gregg Hollingsworth $325; 10. D.J. Purvis $300; 11. Brad Rose $275; 12. Lance Broadus $250; 13. Michael Barfield $225; 14. Chris Smith #88 $175; 15. Chris Cassano $160; 16. Charlie MacNichol $140; 17. Danny Hebert $120; 18. Jerry Cassano $115; 19. Troy Seidl $100; 20. Robby Barker $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Open-Wheel Modified State Points Fund Distribution ($36,900):

CALIFORNIA: 1. Kenny Neu $800; 2. Ed Daviess $400; 3. Donny Bottoms $200; 4. Joel Hannagan $150; 5. Mike Salazar $125; 6. Jack Waldon $115; 7. Smoke Oakley $110; 8. Rickey Berndt $100; 9. John Toolanen $100; 10. Aaron Crowell $100

COLORADO: 1. Robbie Chiles $800; 2. Tommy Spurlock $400; 3. Jason Kirkpatrick $200; 4. Trevan Pepper $150; 5. Terry Chiles $125; 6. Kris Asbell $115; 7. Matt Ratzlaff $110; 8. John McCormick $100; 9. Michael McKinsey $100; 10. Chris Boone $100

FLORIDA: 1. Matt Miley $800; 2. Nick Poole $400; 3. Charlie MacNichol $200; 4. Chris Smith #88 $150; 5. Patrick Williams $125; 6. Dave Barber $115; 7. Rick Scott $110; 8. Greg Vandergriff $100; 9. Eddie Tribble $100; 10. Don Rollison $100

ILLNOIS: 1. Jeff Leka $800; 2. Gary Cook Jr. $400; 3. Dave Porth $200; 4. McKay Wenger $150; 5. Lance Dehm $125; 6. Brian Bielong $115; 7. Chad Evans $110; 8. Jason Hastings $100; 9. Kevin Hastings $100; 10. Jeff Curl $100

INDIANA: 1. Shelby Miles $800; 2. Jesse Cramer $400; 3. Kent Robinson $200; 4. Matt Bex $150; 5. Ryan Thomas $125; 6. Greg Amick $115; 7. Matt Boknecht $110; 8. Bub Patrick $100; 9. Lee Hobbs $100; 10. Bill Lewis $100

KENTUCKY: 1. Randle Sweeney $800; 2. Miles Thalman $400; 3. Justin Houston $200; 4. Jamie Cobb $150; 5. Tim Walker $125; 6. Jeff Elliott $115; 7. Steve Ladd $110; 8. Fred Thalman $100; 9. Dustin Ladd $100; 10. Michael Coakley $100

LOUISIANA: 1. Shane Hebert $800; 2. Michael Barfield $400; 3. Chris Blaszak $200; 4. Richie Ginn $150; 5. Leslie Hendrix $125; 6. Danny Hebert $115; 7. Chris Cassano $110; 8. Tommy Cannon $100; 9. Jerry Cassano $100; 10. Kevin Maddox $100

MICHIGAN: 1. Andy Sprague $800; 2. John McCaul $400; 3. Day Dykman $200; 4. Mike Wilbern $150; 5. Rich Neiser $125; 6. Randy Whitten $115; 7. Tim Tuttle $110; 8. Jon Horn $100; 9. Jacob Poel $100; 10. Jeremy Holman $100

MISSOURI: 1. Bobby Martintoni $800; 2. Ray Walsh $400; 3. Bobby Bittle $200; 4. Mark Miner $150; 5. Doug Wood $125; 6. Mike Vanderiet $115; 7. Jason Russell $110; 8. Leroy Haney $100; 9. Dennis Richards $100; 10. Ray Wagner $100

MISSISSIPPI: 1. Mark Herbert $800; 2. Ben Stephens $400; 3. Richie Ginn $200; 4. Jason Henry $150; 5. Kent Wood $125; 6. Gregg Hollingsworth $115; 7. D.J. Purvis $110; 8. Brad Rose $100; 9. Lance Broadus $100; 10. Robby Barker $100

OHIO: 1. Jon Henry $800; 2. Doug Adkins $400; 3. Tony Anderson $200; 4. Todd Sherman $150; 5. Gary Richard $125; 6. Brian Post $115; 7. Brent Hole $110; 8. Anthony Kinkade $100; 9. D.J. Cline $100; 10. Darryl Banks $100

OREGON: 1. Mark Wauge $800; 2. Monte Bischoff $400; 3. C.J. Putnum $200; 4. Jeff Hudson $150; 5. Kevin Putnum $125; 6. Justin Holt $115; 7. Wayne Kniffen $110; 8. Travis Peery $100; 9. Jeremy Richey $100; 10. Jerry Severson $100

TENNESSEE: 1. Clayton Miller $800; 2. A.J. Garber $400; 3. Matt Thomas $200; 4. Billy Palmer $150; 5. David Flowers $125; 6. Charles Zimmerman $115; 7. Steve Mullinax $110; 8. Dustin Isom $100; 9. Randle Sweeney $100; 10. Aaron Ogle $100

TEXAS: 1. Troy Seidl $800; 2. Jay Vinson $400; 3. Mike Girardo $200; 4. Edward Wickham $150; 5. Benny Perry $125; 6. Johnny Brown $115; 7. Richie Ginn $110

CANADA: 1. Curtis Coulter $800; 2. Jim Dale Jr. $400; 3. Joey Brousseau $200; 4. Abe Unger $150; 5. Aaron Wiebe $125; 6. Chris Vandewiele $115; 7. Brian Spellman $110; 8. Brad McLeod $100

FLORIDA DIRTcar NATIONALS: 1. Steve Arpin $800; 2. Brian Strand $400; 3. Joey Kramer $200; 4. Lee Hobbs $150; 5. Ray Walsh $125; 6. Kenny Wallace $115; 7. Tom Seets $110; 8. Brad Waits $100; 9. Kevin Adams $100; 10. Mark Dotson $100

FLORIDA WINTERNATIONALS: 1. Steve Arpin $800; 2. Kevin Weaver $400; 3. Jeff Mathews $200; 4. Denny Schwartz $150; 5. Jeff Leka $125; 6. Dave Groves $115; 7. Rob Fuqua $110; 8. J.E. Stadler $100; 9. Scotty Kincaid $100; 10. Julie McDermid $100

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Points Fund Exceeds $200,000

EVANSVILLE, IN – Jan. 17, 2008 – A total of $205,000 in 2007 points-fund cash was distributed to UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model competitors during the organization’s 24^th annual awards banquet on Jan. 12 in Springfield, Ill.

The points-fund money handed out at the Springfield Crowne Plaza included $74,975 for the national points race; $56,600 for the UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals series; $37,755 for the three Region points battles; $21,900 for the State points races; $1,500 for the top-three in the Rookie of the Year standings; and $12,270 for the UMP-sanctioned Northern Allstars Late Model Series/Challenge of Champions.

Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who made UMP DIRTcar Racing history in 2007 by becoming the first driver to win the national Late Model title and Summernationals championship in the same season, led the division in points-fund earnings. The checks he received for his ’07 work totaled $46,240.

Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., finished second in the national points race and third in the Summernationals standings, but he nevertheless reaped some sweet points-fund rewards for his career year. Buoyed by a North Region title and Illinois State crown, Steidinger rang up $23,800 in points-fund checks from UMP DIRTcar Racing.

Other big points-fund collectors included Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill. ($13,000), Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind. ($10,595), Kevin Cole of Harrisburg, Ill. ($7,775), Randy Korte of Highland, Ill. ($7,700), Brian Ruhlman of Clarklake, Mich. ($6,300), Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich. ($6,000) and Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill. ($5,100). Ruhlman also earned $5,000 for winning the UMP-sanctioned Sunoco American Late Model Series title, but that money was presented to him during the recent Eldora Speedway awards banquet.

Below is a complete breakdown of the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model points-fund distribution, which was divided among 137 drivers.

2007 UMP DIRT Car Racing Late Model National Points Fund Distribution ($74,975):

1. Dennis Erb $20,000; 2. Wes Steidinger $10,000; 3. Randy Korte $5,000; 4. Steve Sheppard Jr. $3,000; 5. Jason Feger $2,000; 6. Kevin Cole $1,500; 7. Mike Hammerle $1,400; 8. Ryan Dauber $1,300; 9. Mike Schulte $1,200; 10. Kevin Weaver $1,100; 11. Jeep VanWormer $1,000; 12. Richie Hedrick $900; 13. Brian Ruhlman $800; 14. Rusty Griffaw $700; 15. Scott Bull $650; 16. Rusty Schlenk $600; 17. Rodney Melvin $550; 18. Shannon Babb $500; 19. Ed Dixon $490; 20. Don O'Neal $475;

21. Joe Harlan $470; 22. Rick DeLong $465; 23. Ryan Unzicker $460; 24. Mark Voigt $455; 25. Dustin Mooneyham $450; 26. Billy Faust $445; 27. Brian Diveley $440; 28. Daren Friedman $435; 29. Chris Shelton $430; 30. Frankie Martin $425; 31. Chris Dick $420; 32. Billy Moyer $415; 33. Ted Loomis $410; 34. Michael Kloos $405; 35. Mike Mataragas $400; 36. Eric Smith $395; 37. Dusty Moore $390; 38. (tie) Matt Taylor $382.50; 38. (tie) Mike Marlar $382.50; 40. Chad Zobrist $375;

41. Frank Shickel Jr. $370; 42. Brad Looney $365; 43. Kevin Reeve $360; 44. Bryan Collins $355; 45. Kerry Mathew $350; 46. Rick Salter $345; 47. Mark Faust $340; 48. Donny Walden $335; 49. Brandon McCormick $330; 50. Larry Jones $325; 51. Darrell Mooneyham $320; 52. Tim Manville $315; 53. Casey Noonan $310; 54. (tie) Jarryd Holshouser $302.50; 54. (tie) Derek Chandler $302.50; 56. Jayme Zidar $295; 57. Ron Miller $290; 58. Andy Pryor $285; 59. Dave Thornton $280; 60. Aaron Scott $275;

61. John Beck $270; 62. Don Klein $265; 63. (tie) Will Vaught $262.50; 63. (tie) Daniel Wallace $262.50; 65. (tie) Ryan Little $247.50; 65. (tie) Terry Phillips $247.50; 67. Tyler Boggs $240; 68. George Lindsey $235; 69. DJ Cline $230; 70. Gil Smith $225; 71. Eddie Kirchoff $220; 72. Daniel Walden $215; 73. Steven Ashby $210; 74. Alan Vochaska $205; 75. Duane Chamberlain $200; 76. Jack Sullvain $195; 77. Jason Riggs $190; 78. Hillard Miller $185; 79. Bill Frye $180; 80. Dylan Thompson $175;

81. Mike Provenzano $170; 82. (tie) Jason McBride $162.50; 82. (tie) Ronnie Perrine Jr. $162.50; 84. Jeremy Payne $155; 85. Randy Sellars $150; 86. Josh Richards $145; 87. (tie) Ron Mayle $137.50; 87. (tie) John Tindal $137.50; 89. Ky Harper $130; 90. Burl Woods $125; 91. Kris Patterson $120; 92. Cory Rolfe $115; 93. AJ Diemel $110; 94. Darrell Lanigan $105; 95. Roger Brickler $100; 96. Steven Unterbrink $95; 97. Steve Francis $90; 98. Andrew Reaume $85; 99. Chub Frank $80; 100. Clint Smith $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals Points Fund Distribution ($56,600):

1. Dennis Erb Jr. $25,000; 2. Don O’Neal $10,000; 3. Wes Steidinger $7,000; 4. Jeep VanWormer $5,000; 5. (tie) Mike Marlar $2,500; 5. (tie) Steve Sheppard Jr. $2,500; 7. Eddie Kirchoff $1,000; 8. Kevin Weaver $800; 9. Jason Feger $700; 10. A.J. Diemel $600; 11. Randy Korte $500; 12. Rodney Melvin $400; 13. Shannon Babb $300; 14. Billy Moyer $200; 15. Terry Casey $100

2007 Northern All-Star Late Model Series/Challenge of Champions Points Fund Distribution ($12,270): 1. Steve Sheppard Jr. $5,000; 2. Ryan Unzicker $2,000; 3. Wes Steidinger $1,000; 4. Randy Korte $700; 5. Jason Feger $500; 6. Kevin Weaver $400; 7. Kevin Cole $375; 8. Don Cisco $350; 9. Terry Babb $300; 10. Rodney Melvin $275; 11. Dennis Erb Jr. $225; 12. Rusty Schlenk $200; 13. Mike Mataragas $175; 14. Richie Hedrick $160; 15. Billy Faust $140; 16. Don O’Neal $120; 17. Michael Kloos $100; 18. Frank Heckenast $100; 19. Brian Diveley $75; 20. Ryan Dauber $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Rookie of the Year Points Fund Distribution ($1,500):

1. Scott Bull $1,000; 2. Kevin Reeve $300; 3. Tyler Boggs $200

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Region Points Fund Distribution ($37,755):

NORTH: 1. Wes Steidinger $5,000; 2. Steve Sheppard Jr. $2,000; 3. Jason Feger $1,000; 4. Dennis Erb Jr. $700; 5. Richie Hedrick $500; 6. Ryan Dauber $400; 7. Scott Bull $375; 8. Kevin Weaver $350; 9. Joe Harlan $325; 10. Daren Friedman $300; 11. Chris Dick $275; 12. Ryan Unzicker $250; 13. Eric Smith $225; 14. Mike Mataragas $175; 15. Frank Shickel Jr. $160; 16. Ted Loomis $140; 17. Kerry Mathew $120; 18. Donny Walden $115; 19. Matt Taylor $100; 20. Derek Chandler $75

SOUTH: 1. Kevin Cole $5,000; 2. Mike Schulte $2,000; 3. Randy Korte $1,000; 4. Rusty Griffaw $700; 5. Dustin Mooneyham $500; 6. Mike Hammerle $400; 7. Chris Shelton $375; 8. Ed Dixon $350; 9. Frankie Martin $325; 10. Mark Voigt $300; 11. Brad Looney $275; 12. Rick Salter $250; 13. Billy Faust $225; 14. Larry Jones $175; 15. Michael Kloos $160; 16. Darrell Mooneyham $140; 17. Brandon McCormick $120; 18. Rodney Melvin $115; 19. Jarryd Holshouser $100; 20. Chad Zobrist $75

EAST: 1. Brian Ruhlman $5,000; 2. Rick DeLong $2,000; 3. Kevin Reeve $1,000; 4. Dusty Moore $700; 5. Ron Miller $500; 6. Casey Noonan $400; 7. Rusty Schlenk $375; 8. Daniel Wallace $350; 9. George Lindsey $325; 10. DJ Cline $300; 11. Aaron Scott $275; 12. Ronnie Perrine Jr. $250; 13. Hillard Miller $225; 14. Ron Mayle $175; 15. Duane Chamberlain $160; 16. Kris Patterson $140; 17. Ky Harper $120; 18. Alan Vochaska $115; 19. Andrew Reaume $100; 20. Tyler Boggs $75

2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model State Points Fund Distribution ($21,900):

CALIFORNIA: 1. Jeff Decker $800; 2. Shawn Deforest $400; 3. Jeremy Petrell $200; 4. Kellen Chadwick $150; 5. Paul Guglielmoni $125; 6. Derek Nance $115; 7. Randy Shafer $110; 8. David Newquist $100; 9. Marcus Aue $100

CANADA: 1. Andrew Reaume $800; 2. Joe Field $400; 3. Jim Dale Jr. $200; 4. Brett Reaume $150; 5. Dale Glassford $125; 6. John Pinsonneault $115; 7. Kirk Hooker $110; 8. Jim Jones $100; 9. Dan Smolders $100; 10. Paul Rivait $100

ILLINOIS: 1. Wes Steidinger $800; 2. Steve Sheppard Jr. $400; 3. Mike Hammerle $200; 4. Mike Schulte $150; 5. Ryan Dauber $125; 6. Dennis Erb Jr. $115; 7. Scott Bull $110; 8. Jason Feger $100; 9. Joe Harlan $100; 10. Kevin Weaver $100

INDIANA: 1. Jason Feger $800; 2. Dan Walden 1074; 3. Mike Mataragas 913; 4. Richie Hedrick 869; 5. Cory Rolfe 798; 6. Guy Volk 754; 7. Ted Loomis 768; 8. Dennis Erb Jr. 720; 9. Kerry Mathew 691; 10. Steve Sheppard 646

KENTUCKY: 1. Kevin Cole $800; 2. Randy Sellars $400; 3. Jason Riggs $200; 4. John Tindal $150; 5. Dylan Thompson $125; 6. Chris Shelton $115; 7. Terry English $110; 8. Michael Steele $100; 9. Jarryd Holshouser $100; 10. Jason McBride $100

MICHIGAN: 1. Alan Vochaska $800; 2. Kevin Reeve $400; 3. Ron Miller $200; 4. Terry Sroufe $150; 5. George Lindsey $125; 6. Rusty Seaver $115; 7. Derek Didone $110; 8. Eric Spangler $100; 9. Brian Ruhlman $100; 10. Daniel Wallace $100

MISSOURI: 1. Dustin Mooneyham $800; 2. Brad Looney $400; 3. Larry Jones $200; 4. Darrell Mooneyham $150; 5. Brandon McCormick $125; 6. Bryan Collins $115; 7. Will Vaught $110; 8. Terry Phillips $100; 9. Burl Woods $100; 10. Jeremy Payne $100

OHIO: 1. Rick DeLong $800; 2. Brian Ruhlman $400; 3. Casey Noonan $200; 4. Dusty Moore $150; 5. DJ Cline $125; 6. Ronnie Perrine Jr. $115; 7. Ron Mayle $110; 8. Aaron Scott $100; 9. Rusty Schlenk $100; 10. Hillard Miller $100

TENNESSEE: 1. Rusty Griffaw $800; 2. Gil Smith $400; 3. Steven Ashby $200; 4. Chris Shelton $150; 5. Duane Hodges $125; 6. Jarryd Holshouser $115; 7. Mike Chandler $110; 8. Perry Delaney $100; 9. Dylan Thompson $100; 10. Kevin Cole $100

FLORIDA SPEEDWEEKS: 1. Josh Richards $800; 2. Chub Frank $400; 3. Earl Pearson Jr. $200; 4. Shannon Babb $150; 5. Steve Shaver $125; 6. Darrell Lanigan $115; 7. Shane Clanton $110; 8. Rick Eckert $100; 9. Steve Francis $100; 10. Dennis Erb Jr. $100

News & Notes From The 24^th Annual UMP DIRTcar Racing ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jan. 17, 2008 –

POSITIVE VIBE: World Racing Group Chief Operating Officer Tom Deery delivered an uplifting speech to nearly 1,000 attendees of the 24^th annual UMP DIRTcar Racing ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 12 at the Springfield (Ill.) Crowne Plaza.

Asserting that “this is where the real racing is” during his remarks, Deery pointed out the $465,000-plus in cash that was distributed at the affair – “without a doubt, the largest point fund of a short track series, dirt or pavement, in the United States,” he said. “That’s something to be proud of.”

Deery also mentioned the marriage of UMP and its sister DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit. Pro Stock and Street Stock racers from DIRTcar Northeast competed for UMP points-fund cash in the Sportsman and Street Stock divisions, respectively, in 2007.

“For the first time in 2007, we blended together two of North America’s biggest sanctioning bodies – UMP and DIRT MotorSports Northeast –creating without a doubt the biggest motorsports sanctionoing body in the country,” said Deery. “That marriage was a great success, and we look to continue to grow DIRTcar across the country.”

Deery closed by pledging that the World Racing Group will continue working hard to expand UMP DIRTcar Racing.

“The future – starting in 10 days (with the season-opening UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Late Model event at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga.) – and beyond is very bright,” said Deery. “We are here to stay. We intend to carry the tradition forward that (late UMP founder) Bob Memmer and a group of like-minded men started 24 years ago.

“Bob brought all the stakeholders together in hopes of strengthing dirt track racing, and with your help, your professionalism, and your support, the years to come will provide great memories and rewards.”

HUGE AFFAIR: The turnout for the UMP DIRTcar Racing Awards Banquet was so impressive that three giant video screens were spread across the ballroom so attendees at every table could easily see the activities happening on the stage, which was hosted by World of Outlaws Late Model Series announcer Rick Eshelman.

And UMP DIRTcar Racing director Sam Driggers shook plenty of hands during the gala, as in attendance were many of the 593 drivers who received at least one of the 990 points-fund checks from the 2007 season.

The breakdown of competitors sharing in the points fund cash included 210 open-wheel Modified drivers; 137 Late Model drivers; 76 Sportsman drivers; 71 Street Stock drivers; 60 Four-Cylinder drivers; 24 Limited Modified drivers; and 20 Factory Stock drivers.

Five drivers received money in two divisions: D.J. Cline, Jim Dale Jr. and Kevin Weaver in the Late Models and Modifieds; Jon Wix in the Sportsman and Street Stocks; and Randy Dickman in the Limited Modifieds and Street Stocks.

PRESTIGIOUS TROPHY: The third annual Bob Memmer Memorial Achievement Award was presented to Eldora Speedway’s Larry Boos.

Making the moment more special for Boos, he received the award from his old boss: legendary former Eldora owner Earl Baltes, who attended the banquet with his wife Berniece.

“Bob Memmer was a man with a vision, and I’m glad I got to work with him,” said Boos. “And this man right here (pointing at Baltes) has a great vision, and he taught me a lot. Now, working for (new Eldora owner) Tony Stewart, he’s allowed me to proceed with that vision for Eldora.

“I thank Bob (Memmer) for all he’s done for racing. Now his vision is being carried on by Sam (Driggers) and everybody else with UMP. In Bob’s eyes, everybody was a racer, not just the top dogs, and now with Sam bringing in all these other divisions (under UMP), everybody is here as a family like Bob would have wanted.”

Boos mentioned the points-season-ending UMP DIRTcar Racing Fall Nationals at Eldora Speedway is set for the first weekend in October once again, but will feature some new wrinkles in 2008. He said he’s hoping to make the weekend even more of a destination event for the UMP DIRTcar Racing set and will announce details in the near future.

TOP OVAL: UMP DIRTcar Racing members voted Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway as the organization’s ‘Track of the Year’ for the second season in a row.

A unique facility that is actually owned by the local American Legion, Fairbury is successfully operated by a team of volunteers. The 2008 campaign will mark Fairbury’s 62^nd consecutive season of dirt-track racing.

NUMBER ONE OPERATORS: Terry and Pam Henricks were overjoyed to receive the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Promoters of the Year Award for their work at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

“It’s been 30-some years for us at Oakshade,” an emotional Pam Henricks told the crowd. “My family built the track (in 1976), and I’ve missed one race (all those years) – when my daughter Christie was born.

“Running Oakshade has always been a family affair, and we’re thrilled to receive this award from UMP.”

MOVIN’ ON UP: Oakshade Bomber division standout Tom Ordway of Stryker, Ohio, is hoping that his 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Factory Stock national championship will serve as a springboard for his racing career.

A 34-year-old who has been racing for seven seasons, Ordway has purchased a UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified and will advance to the division in 2008. Oakshade doesn’t run Modifieds, so he plans to compete on Friday nights at either Limaland Motorsport Park in Lima, Ohio, or Indiana’s Gas City I-69 Speedway.

NICE WORDS: Coming off his first season as promoter of Winston Motor Speedway in Rothbury, Mich., former dirt Late Model racer Tom Sprague spoke glowingly of UMP DIRTcar Racing when called to the stage for special recognition.

“I didn’t realize what kind of operation UMP was until I got involved with it,” said Sprague. “I will definitely be back (as a UMP-sanctioned track) again this year.”

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing, visit www.umpracing.com.

Erb & Schwartz Cash In As Nearly Half-Million Dollars Is Distributed
At Saturday’s 24^th Annual UMP DIRTcar Racing Awards Banquet

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jan. 12, 2008 – Dennis Erb Jr. basked in the glory of his history-making 2007 Super Late Model season during Saturday night’s 24^th annual UMP DIRTcar Racing ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet inside the Springfield Crowne Plaza Hotel’s ballroom.

As a reward for a campaign that saw him become the first-ever driver to sweep the UMP DIRTcar Racing National and Summernationals championships, the 36-year-old star from Carpentersville, Ill., pocketed a total of $46,240 in points-fund checks.

Sharing the evening’s spotlight with Erb was Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Ill., who was saluted for capturing his second open-wheel Modified national championship in the last three years.

The coronation of UMP DIRTcar Racing’s 2007 champions and recognition of its top performers came in front of nearly 1,000 attendees from more than a dozen states and Canada, all of whom watched as nearly a half-million dollars was distributed.

Erb spent much of his championship acceptance speech showering praise on his racing team’s backers, including C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, Thomason Transportation, J&J Steel, Petroff Towing, Peterson Aluminum and Malcuit Race Engines.

“I was fortunate to have a really good bunch of people behind me this year,” said Erb, who won a personal-high 20 features en route to his career season. “That includes Heather (Lyne, his chief mechanic) – I have to thank her for giving up all her time to help me.

“And I want to thank (UMP DIRTcar Racing director) Sam (Driggers), DIRT MotorSports (World Racing Group) and all the promoters and fans for giving us a place to race and letting me be able to live my dream and be out there racing every weekend.”

Erb earned $25,000 for winning the UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals, the grueling, month-long series of events throughout the Midwest that was his primary focus from the start of the 2007 season. He picked up another $20,000 for capturing the organization’s Late Model national title, which he began pursuing in earnest shortly after securing the Summernationals crown.

The normally reserved Erb showed a bit of emotion when talking about his late father.

“Most of all, I want to thank one person who’s no longer with me, and that’s my father, who got me started in this,” said Erb. “I know he’s not here, but he’s up there looking down and I know he would be proud.”

Erb pledged that he would take a shot a duplicating his impeccable 2007 season.

“It’s gonna be kind of hard to top this year, but we’ll see what we can do,” he said. “We’ll be out there again and racing as hard as we can.”

Erb’s points fund also included $700 for finishing fourth in the North Region; $225 for placing 11^th in the Northern Allstars Late Model Series/Challenge of Champions; $115 for taking sixth in the Illinois State standings; $100 for finishing eighth in the Indiana State points; and $100 for 10^th in the Florida DIRTcar Nationals battle.

Schwartz, 47, went home with checks totaling $23,650 for his UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified efforts, including a cool 20-grand for winning the national title.

A veteran of three decades racing around Midwest dirt tracks, Schwartz battled for the national crown with longtime rival Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Ill., right down to the points-season finale at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Schwartz’s final championship margin was a mere four points over Leka.

“I better thank my wife first of all,” Schwartz told the crowd. “She’s put up with me doing this for 30 years.”

Schwartz, who also earned $3,500 for finishing in a tie with Leka for the North Region title and $150 for placing fourth in the Modified Winternationals standings, was joined on stage by all his family and crew members in attendance. The group included his wife, son and fellow racer Danny, and longtime mechanic/partner Bud Price.

Troy Naeger, 39, of Festus, Mo., repeated as the UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman national champion, rolling up 15 feature wins en route a $5,000 paycheck that left him smiling broadly.

Jerrad Krick of Earl Park, Ind., and Jim Ransom of Williamsport, Ind., were co-national champions of the UMP DIRTcar Racing Street Stock division. The weekly rivals at Indiana’s Kamp Motor Speedway finished in a tie atop the points standings and thus split the first- and second-place checks, giving them each $3,500 for their 2007 efforts.

Jonathan Clayton of Denham Springs, La., made the long trip north from the Gulf Coast to be feted for his first-ever UMP DIRTcar Racing Limited Modified national title. He earned $5,000.

With the addition of the entry-level Factory Stock and Four-Cylinder classes to the UMP DIRTcar Racing sanctioning lineup in 2007, drivers from seven divisions received recognition during Saturday’s festivities.

Making history as the first-ever national champions of the new UMP DIRTcar Racing divisions were Oakshade Raceway regular Tom Ordway of Stryker, Ohio, in the Factory Stocks and D.J. Werkmeister of Braceville, Ill. (East), Mike Rittenberry of Clarksville, Tenn. (Mid-America) and Ryan Eilers of Highland, Ill. (Southern) in the Four-Cylinders. Each driver picked up a $500 check.

Region and State champions were named in the Late Model and Modified classes.

* Late Model Region champions Wes Steidinger (North), Kevin Cole (South) and Brian Ruhlman (East) each received a check worth $5,000.

* Pocketing $1,000 apiece as Late Model State champs were Jeff Decker (California), Andrew Reaume (Canada), Steidinger (Illinois), Jason Feger (Indiana), Cole (Kentucky), Alan Vochaska (Michigan), Dustin Mooneyham (Missouri), Rick DeLong (Ohio) and Rusty Griffaw (Tennessee).

* Modified Region titlists were Schwartz and Leka (tie-North), Randle Sweeney (South), Shelby Miles (East), Bobby Martintoni (West) and Ben Stephens (Deep South). Sweeney, Miles, Martintoni and Stephens each earned $5,000, while Schwartz and Leka received $3,500 apiece after dividing the first- and second-place cash.

* Earning $1,000 each as Modified State champions were Kenny Neu (California), Robbie Chiles (Colorado), Matt Miley (Florida), Leka (Illinois), Miles (Indiana), Sweeney (Kentucky), Shane Hebert (Louisiana), Andy Sprague (Michigan), Martintoni (Missouri), Mark Herbert (Mississippi), Jon Henry (Ohio), Mark Wauge (Oregon), Clayton Miller (Tennessee), Troy Seidl (Texas), Curtis Coulter (Canada), Joey Kramer (Winternationals) and Steve Arpin (Florida DIRTcar Nationals).

The Sportsman, Street Stock and Limited Modified State champions were each presented $800. The Sportsman titlists were John Anderson (CO), Chris Day (FL), Greg Kimmons (IL), Ryan Huddleston (IN), Jason Jackson (LA), Kyle Borgman (MI), Naeger (MO), Pete Stefanski (NY), Mike Jessen (OH) and Joseph Hamm (TN); Street Stock champs were Ashley Chiles (CO), Erik Nelson (FL), Steve Ewing (IL), David Hurst (IN), Stacy Tretter (KY), Mark Debate (LA), Randy Dickman (MO), Michael Welch (NY), Mike Neighbors (TN) and Jodie Moon (TX); and Limited Modified winners were Bobby Fehring (TX), Clayton (LA) and Randy Dickman (MO).

Other UMP-sanctioned series titlists honored during Saturday’s festivities were Steve Sheppard Jr. of New Berlin, Ill., who collected a $5,000 check for winning the Northern All-Stars/COC crown, and Craig Conyer of Jamestown, Ind., who pocketed $2,500 for capturing the Wolfpack Challenge Series championship.

A number of special awards determined by a vote of the UMP DIRTcar Racing membership were handed out:

* In the Mechanic of the Year category, Erb’s crew chief Heather Lyne and Steidinger’s head wrench Terry Aaron shared the Late Model award and Rob Coulter received the Modified trophy.

* Scott Bull of Fairbury, Ill. (Late Models) and Jeff Leka (Modifieds) received Sportsman of the Year hardware.

* Fairbury (Ill.) American Legion Speedway was announced as the UMP DIRTcar Racing Track of the Year for the second consecutive season.

* Terry and Pam Henricks of Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio, were honored as the organization’s Promoters of the Year.

Eldora Speedway’s Larry Boos, meanwhile, received the third annual Bob Memmer Achievement Award, which honors the memory of UMP DIRTcar Racing’s late founder. The prestigious plaque was presented to Boos by legendary former Eldora owner Earl Baltes, the winner of the inaugural Memmer trophy and Boos’s boss for a decade.

Drivers recognized with Rookie of the Year awards during the program were Bull, who earned the nod as the top first-year UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model racer, and Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., who earned $2,000 for the NALMS/COC rookie honor.

The 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Chassis Builder of the Year awards went to C.J. Rayburn Race Cars of Whiteland, Ill., in the Late Models and Bob Pierce Race Cars of Oakwood, Ill., in the Modifieds. Rayburn led all manufacturers with 151 UMP-sanctioned Late Model feature wins, while Pierce set the pace on the Modified side with 235 victories.

Rayburn, a well-known Late Model racer and car builder, was not on hand to accept his award. Pierce, also an accomplished Late Model driver, came to the stage to receive his award with his family at his side.

Claiming the 2007 Engine Builder of the Year awards were Pro Power Engines (50 Late Model wins) and Mullins Race Engines (99 Modified victories). Pro Power’s Bill Schlieper did not attend the banquet, while Chad Mullins accepted the Modified award.

Darren Friedman, the 2007 Late Model track champion at Fairbury American Legion Speedway, stood in for his father Roger of Dyer’s Top Rods to present special prizes to Erb and Sheppard for their series championships. Both drivers received a set of Dyer’s Top Rods and a leather jacket.

Promoters or representatives of UMP DIRTcar Racing tracks in attendance were recognized throughout the affair. Recipients of appreciation plaques included Eldora’s Boos; Farmer City Raceway; Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway; Oakshade’s Pam Henricks; La Salle Speedway; Bob and Gayle Kamp of Kamp Motor Speedway; Bill and Jean Nelson of Vermilion County Speedway; Mike Null of Montgomery County Speedway; William Scoggins of Clarksville/Crossville speedways; Stan Shanter of Belle Clair Speedway; Tom Sprague of Winston Motor Speedway; Billy West of Morgan County Speedway; Fairbury American Legion Speedway; I-55 Raceway; Track Enterprises (Macon Speedway and Paducah International Speedway); Highland Speedway; and Callaway Speedway.

In addition, Phil Richardson, who will take over the operation of Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Ill., in 2008, was introduced to the assemblage.

World Racing Group Chief Operating Office Tom Deery delivered an uplifting speech on the future of UMP DIRTcar Racing to the banquet attendees – and also pointed out that the organization’s 2008 season will kick off in less than two weeks. The ‘Super of Bowl Racing’ runs from Jan. 23-Feb 2 at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga., and features UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model programs on seven of its 10 nights, and the marquee 37^th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park follows with competition for both UMP Modifieds (Feb. 5-12) and Late Models (Feb. 11, 12, 13, 15).

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing, visit www.umpracing.com.

Missouri’s Troy Naeger Doubled His Pleasure By Repeating As UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman National Champion In 2007

EVANSVILLE, IN – Nov. 30, 2007 – Troy Naeger enjoyed winning the 2006 UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman National championship so much, he decided to go after a repeat this season.

The veteran racer from Festus, Mo., made good on his goal for 2007, winning the UMP DIRTcar Racing support-division crown for the second consecutive year.

Title number two, however, had a slightly different feel for Naeger. This time around he was focused on winning the national championship from the first green flag of the season.

“Last year I had no intention of running for the national title,” said the 39-year-old Naeger. “I thought if you wanted to win it you would have to run a lot more races than I was willing to run, so I started the year just planning to run on Saturday nights at my local track (I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo.).

“But about three-quarters of the way through the (2006) season, I started looking at the points and I told my guys, ‘You know, this is do-able. If we really set our mind to it, we could win this thing.’ We spent the rest of the year going to some other tracks in Illinois to get some more races under our belt (the national title was determined using a driver’s best 20 finishes) and we were able to pull it out.”

The points-chasing experience Naeger gained en route to the championship led him to alter his strategy for the 2007 campaign.

“This year I said, ‘I’m not gonna run around at the end of the year trying to get points,’” said Naeger. “I knew that winning the championship this year would probably take running about 30 or 35 races because UMP made it the best 25 races (to determine the national champion), so we decided to run Friday (at Auto Tire & Park Speedway in Benton, Mo.) and Saturday (at I-55) every week.”

Racing two nights per week was “a big commitment,” said Naeger. A married father of two young sons (ages 11 and 8) who makes his living as the owner of a trucking company that hauls mobile homes from factories to dealers, Naeger fields his own racing equipment and does most of the preparation work on it himself.

“I have some good guys who help me at the track and come by the shop occasionally, but I pretty much do all my own work on the car,” said Naeger. “That definitely makes it harder to race two nights a week, but everybody has different things that they like about racing, and what I enjoy most is the time I spend working in the garage.

“For me, going to the racetrack is the proving ground for what you do in the garage. Running well on Saturday night is validation of what you do in the shop.”

Naeger’s handiwork earned plenty of validation in 2007. He won 16 features – just one less than UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman national win leader Pete Stefanski of Wheatfield, N.Y. – behind the wheel of his No. 12 machine, an ’85 Chevy Monte Carlo built by Impressive Race Cars and powered by a 350 Chevy engine.

After overtaking Greg Kimmons of Pleasant Plains, Ill., for the national points lead about three-quarters of the way through the season, Naeger was never headed. But a strong late push by Missouri’s Troy Medley gave Naeger reason to worry.

“We started off the season really good, but when the weather got hot and the tracks dried out and got slick we kinda struggled for a little bit,” said Naeger. “Then Troy Medley started catching fire, and it was a real challenge to hold him off.”

Naeger took the championship by a narrow 22-point margin (1,637-1,615) over Medley, who won eight features. He’ll collect a $5,000 national title check on Jan. 12, 2008, during the UMP DIRTcar Racing ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet in Springfield, Ill.

“That $5,000 makes life a lot easier,” smiled Naeger, who also captured the UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman Missouri State points title. “Before UMP started the national points for the Sportsman, if you won a track championship all you had to look forward to was probably about $500 (in points-fund cash). That money from the track was definitely appreciated, but having a national championship and some bigger money to shoot for really means something to a driver.”

It also gives a race team a nice shot in the arm. Just ask Naeger, who uses the championship cash to fill his racing bank account and the championship glory to help entice more sponsors to back his operation.

“I’ve been lucky enough during my career to accumulate a great bunch of sponsors,” said Naeger, whose dozen-plus backers include longtime sponsor Brookside Homes, Tire Bargains, High Caliber Graphics and Oil Time. “And now, after winning the UMP championship, instead of having to go hunting for more sponsors, I’ve had people asking me if they can be on my car. When that started happening, I said, ‘This is different!’”

With the exception of a couple seasons away from competition after he got married and bought a house, Naeger has been racing since 1987. He’s driven in an array of different divisions – including Street Stocks, economy Late Models, open-wheel Modifieds, Mod Lights and 600cc Mini-Sprints – but he’s found a home with the UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman.

Naeger loves the Sportsman class, which encompasses such similar divisions as Super Streets, Pro Stocks and Limited Sportsman. UMP DIRTcar Racing sanctions Sportsman/Pro Stock racing in 10 states and Canada.

“I’ve had people ask me, ‘Why don’t you move up? Why don’t you get a Modified?’” said Naeger. “I tell them that the Sportsman class just fits me budget-wise. I’m not going to take money away from my family to go racing – and with all the great sponsors I have, I don’t have to spend my own money to run a Sportsman.

“Racing is my hobby, and if I run in a division that’s more expensive, it will take the fun out of it for me. If I can’t afford to race competitively, I don’t want to do it.”

Naeger paused, and then added, “When UMP picked up the Sportsman and made a national points race for the division, it was the best thing that ever happened – especially for me. You always used to wonder how you stacked up against other drivers like you around the country who don’t really travel a lot, and now we have a chance to see.”

Will Naeger see if he can top the UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman Nation for a third straight year in 2008? He’s not committing to a title assault – not yet, at least.

But there’s little doubt Naeger would be a favorite to three-peat. His championship reputation, after all, now precedes him.

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing, visit www.umpracing.com.

Official Final 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman Points Standings

National Points Standings (Rank/Driver/Races Counted/State/Points): 1. Troy Naeger 25 MO 1637; 2. Troy Medley 25 MO 1615; 3. Kent Nations 25 MO 1609; 4. Jimmy Cummins 25 IL 1561; 5. Greg Kimmons 25 IL 1558; 6. Pete Stefanski 25 NY 1503; 7. Justin Ketrow 25 IL 1493; 8. Dave Bissonnette NY 1483; 9. Jeff Herzog 25 MO 1479; 10. Mike Jessen 25 OH 1476; 11. Ronnie Bader 25 MO 1444; 12. Kyle Borgman 25 MI 1430; 13. Tom Smallwood 25 IL 1425; 14. Chad Weinrick 25 MI 1425; 15. Stephene Lebrun 25 NY 1403; 16. Mike Harris 25 IL 1400; 17. Robbie Eilers 24 IL 1390; 17. Louie Jackson 25 NY 1390; 19. Justin Delong 25 IL 1389; 20. Clayton Benedict 25 NY 1381; 21. Joey Ladouceur 25 NY 1368; 22. Jason Keller 25 MO 1361; 23. Jason Unzicker 25 IL 1356; 24. Joseph Hamm 24 TN 1346; 25. Denis Gauvreau 25 NY 1343;

26. Jason Jackson 24 LA 1343; 27. Darrell Dick 25 IL 1341; 28. Josh Steinacker 22 OH 1315; 29. Allen Peters NY 1309; 30. Joel Funk 25 IL 1304; 31. Robert Brooks 24 TN 1298; 32. Stan Dodds 25 MI 1255; 33. Mike Hodges 24 TN 1246; 34. Alan Crowder 25 IL 1245; 35. Ricky Thompson 25 NY 1225; 36. Bruce Takach 22 OH 1214; 37. Brock Bauman 25 IL 1209; 37. Jeff Graham 25 IL 1209; 39. Brian Fisher 21 OH 1199; 40. Jarred Fremin 22 LA 1184; 41. Dion Oakes 25 NY 1178; 42. Kyle Stolzer 25 MO 1170; 43. Rock Aubin 25 NY 1160; 44. P.J. Peters 24 NY 1136; 45. Mike Guinon 20 MI 1129; 46. Tom Johnson 21 OH 1126; 47. Ralph Sternberg 20 MI 1122; 48. Tim Fisher 20 OH 1114; 49. Chris Smith 21 OH 1091; 50. Neal Grisham 21 TN 1088

ILLINOIS STATE: 1. Greg Kimmons 1558; 2. Justiin Ketrow 1493; 3. Justin Delong 1389; 4. Mike Harris 1373; 5. Tom Smallwood 1357; 6. Jason Unzicker 1356; 7. Darrell Dick 1341; 8. Joel Funk 1304; 9. Jimmy Cummins 1272; 10. Alan Crowder 1245

TENNESSEE STATE: 1. Joseph Hamm 1346; 2. Robert Brooks 1298; 3. Mike Hodges 1246; 4. Neal Grisham 1088; 5. Jon Wix 968; 6. Jimmie Davenport 330; 7. Kent Nations 58

OHIO STATE: 1. Mike Jessen 1465; 2. Bruce Takach 1214; 3. Brian Fisher 1199; 4. Josh Steinacker 1135; 5. Tom Johnson 1128; 6. Tim Fisher 1114; 7. Chris Smith 1091; 8. Joe Derbeck 1083; 9. Terry Hinkle 1004; 10. Robert Mayle 944

FLORIDA STATE: 1. Chris Day 970; 2. Stanton Mills 948; 3. Barry Sheffield 740; 4. Nick Kerr 616; 5. Robby Richardson 540

MICHIGAN STATE: 1. Kyle Borgman 1430; 2. Chad Weinrick 1425; 3. Stan Dodds 1255; 4. Mike Guinon 1124; 5. Ralph Sternberg 1122; 6. Mike Peterson 1027; 7. Kurt Woodard 992; 8. Jared Gunnin 964; 9. Rob Sternberg 961; 10. Mike Anderson 937

INDIANA STATE: 1. Ryan Huddleston 1084; 2. Doug McCullough 968; 3. Kenny Sweat 966; 4. Kenny Carmichael Jr. 936; 5. Troy Overstreet 913; 6. Brad Hancock 910; 7. Scott Buchanan 852; 8. Joe Whisler 837; 9. David Huff 822; 10. Mike Staggs 816

MISSOURI STATE: 1. Troy Naeger 1646; 2. Troy Medley 1585; 3. Kent Nations 1572; 4. Jeff Herzog 1479; 5. Ronnie Bader 1412; 6. Jason Keller 1369; 7. Jimmy Cummins 1341; 8. Kyle Stolzer 1133; 9. Joe McCain 1017; 10. Tim Hollerback 851

LOUISIANA STATE: 1. Jason Jackson 1343; 2. Jarred Fremin 1184

COLORADO STATE: 1. John Anderson 892; 2. Eric McGowan 752; 3. Don Adams 120

NEW YORK STATE: 1. Pete Stefanski 927; 2. Dave Bissonette 907; 3. Louie Jackson 889; 4. Joey Ladouceur 876; 5. Stephenn Lebrun 875; 6. Allen Peters 870; 6. Clayton Benedict 870; 8. Jason Parkhurst 866; 9. Bob Waters Jr. 837; 10. Don Barnes 834; 10. Denis Gauvreau 834

UMP DIRTcar Racing Offers First Crate-Engine Division With Introduction Of Pro Late Models In 2008

EVANSVILLE, IN – Nov. 21, 2007 – UMP DIRTcar Racing will offer its first division that uses crate engines exclusively with the 2008 introduction of the Pro Late Model class, organization officials announced today.

Designed to provide racers an economical pathway to UMP DIRTcar Racing’s marquee Super Late Model and open-wheel Modified divisions, the Pro Late Models will combine the increasingly popular crate-engine concept with UMP DIRTcar Racing’s trademark uniform technical rules and other cost-cutting measures.

Tracks spread across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and other states are expected to be part of the UMP DIRTcar Racing Pro Late Model program in 2008.

“For the last three years the biggest question I’ve heard from people has been, ‘When is UMP DIRTcar Racing going to offer a crate Late Model division?’” said UMP DIRTcar Racing director Sam Driggers. “I’ve repeated that we’ve just been waiting for the right time to do it – and that time has come.”

The centerpiece of the Pro Late Model class will be the GM 602 and 604 crate engines. Aspiring competitors will be able to purchase the durable powerplants at a cost of approximately $3,500 (GM 602) or $5,000 (604).

UMP DIRTcar Racing’s Late Model body and chassis rules will be used for the Pro Late Models. Additional rules, including mandates on such items as shocks and tire compounds, will be put in place to help keep costs in check.

Complete Pro Late Model rules and information about purchasing GM crate engines will be available within the next week by visiting the UMP DIRTcar racing website at www.umpracing.com or calling the UMP DIRTcar Racing office at 812-426-1200.

The Pro Late Models will compete for UMP DIRTcar Racing National and State points championships in 2008, said Driggers.

This will be the eighth division sanctioned by UMP DIRTcar Racing, which sanctions over 100 racetracks in the United States and Canada. The Pro Late Models will be the first class in UMP DIRTcar Racing history that allows only crate engines to be used in competition.

The UMP DIRTcar Racing Sportsman/Pro Stock division did have a number of crate-engine entries in action in 2007 with the addition of DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s Pro Stock racers to the UMP title chase, but crates were not mandatory.

“We invite all UMP DIRTcar Racing tracks currently running crate-motor Late Model classes to join our Pro Late Model division in 2008,” said Driggers. “We see the division growing every year and serving as a great stepping-stone to our Super Late Models and open-wheel Modifieds.”

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing, visit www.umpracing.com.

Jeff Leka Tops 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Open-Wheel Modified Ranks In Feature Wins, But Falls Short In National Points Battle

EVANSVILLE, IN – Nov. 13, 2007 – The unfortunate side of a dramatic, razor-close championship points battle is that there will probably be a loser.

In 2007 that fate befell Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Ill., who came up a mere four points short in one of the tightest national points races in the history of the UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified division.

Leka, 41, led all UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified drivers in 2007 with 27 feature wins during the points season (29 overall), but the lofty total wasn’t enough to bring him a first career national title. He finished second in the points standings to Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Ill., who captured 18 features but accumulated four more points (2,517-2,513) than Leka.

Despite losing a $20,000 title that was literally in doubt until the last circuit of the points-season finale – the 25-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Fall Nationals on Oct. 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio – the preternaturally positive Leka showed no disappointment.

“There’s no reason to hang our heads,” asserted Leka, “because we’ve been fast all year.”

Indeed, Leka’s distinctive Bob Pierce Race Cars/Hovis Racing Engines No. 3L was blazing fast in ’07. He dominated the action at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway (winning 11 features en route to his fourth consecutive championship at his Friday-night home), but he was no one-track wonder. Leka won at 13 other racetracks in four states, including Illinois’s Lincoln Speedway (five wins), Fairbury American Legion Speedway (two wins), Macon Speedway, Highland Speedway, Spoon River Speedway, Morgan County Speedway, Kankakee Motor Speedway and La Salle Speedway; Indiana’s Shady Hill Speedway and Lawrenceburg Speedway; Kentucky’s Paducah International Raceway and Western Kentucky Speedway; and Missouri’s I-55 Raceway.

All the visits to Victory Lane couldn’t get Leka a firm grip on the UMP DIRTcar Racing national points lead, however. After swapping the top spot in the standings with Schwartz several times during the late-summer and early-fall, he entered Eldora’s deciding Fall Nationals weekend trailing Schwartz by two points.

Under the UMP DIRTcar Racing points system, the national open-wheel Modified champ is determined using a driver’s best 35 finishes/points nights with an emphasis on car counts. A field of 21 cars provides one bonus point for each finishing position, with a one-point-per-car increase up to a maximum of 20 bonus points for fields numbering 40 or more.

Schwartz gained his slight advantage on Leka thanks to performing well in some events with higher car counts, but the title was still up for grabs in Eldora’s $3,000-to-win open-wheel Modified A-Main. If Leka could win the feature with Schwartz finishing outside the top four, the championship would belong to Leka by two points. Beyond that, the points would end in a tie if Leka won and Schwartz finished fourth or if Leka placed second and Schwartz couldn’t crack the top four.

The title battle in the Fall Nationals appeared to be a moot point after Leka qualified through a B-Main and Schwartz had to use a points provisional to start the A-Main because he experienced an assortment of problems during preliminary action.

But Leka refused to go down without swinging. Mired with the 20^th starting spot, he made a breathtaking charge forward, reaching second place behind Scott Orr by lap 11. With Schwartz having just cracked the top 10 at that point and battling an ailing engine to boot, Leka’s hopes suddenly appeared bright.

Alas, Leka couldn’t pull off a pass of Orr and had to settle for second place – and Schwartz made a valiant late-race assault of his own to finish third and hold on for his second career UMP DIRTcar Racing open-wheel Modified national points crown.

“I looked up at the scoreboard once and seen we were second and I didn’t know where Denny was, so I thought we might have a shot at pulling it out,” Leka said after the race. “But then I got in the cushion and packed the right-rear (wheel) full of mud. The car started vibrating, and after that I couldn’t slide-job Scotty without getting into him.

“I wasn’t gonna get into Scotty to win the race, so I said, ‘Well, let’s take our stuff home in one piece, and if we don’t win the points, we don’t win the points.’”

Leka didn’t win the UMP DIRTcar Racing national open-wheel Modified championship, the one honor that has proved elusive for a driver who has arguably been the Midwest’s biggest Modified star for the past decade. He has won over 200 features in the span, but his national points finishes include second (2004), third (1998), fourth (2006) and fifth (2003 and 2005).

“I’ve got second-place trophies, and third-place trophies, and fourth-place trophies, but I haven