HEDRICK & REYNOLDS VCS WINNERS
By Jack Taylor 

(9/22/01) Danville, IL Vermilion County Speedway officials will have to take solace in the fact that they have promoted some great races trough-out the 2001 season. Over the season, fans have been treated to a weekly program of exciting dirt racing on a well-maintained track. 

The final night of regular racing jumped up to bite the hand that has successfully produced quality racing at VCS and caused a long night of frustration for fans, drivers, and officials. Efforts to make the conditions better were attempted, but when the final flag was thrown just before midnight, all met the end with a sigh of relief. The stubborn, tacky track had won. 

With Late Models on the program as a trial move for fans and drivers, only 14 cars were in the pits. With all classes competing on the final night, 94 cars total took to the track. UMP Modifieds were 33 strong, with many Charleston area drivers missing from action due to their local track stilling running.

Late Model heat winners were Marvin Burton and Dick Potts after Barry Carlson had set fast time in qualifying. With Burton and Potts, two veterans spanning several decades of racing, on the front row of the feature, two much younger drivers, Rich Hedrick and Jammie Wilson, filled the second row. On the first lap, Burton tapped Potts and the Morroco, IN. native kissed the front straight wall. After the restart, Potts was only able to continue for a few more laps, as Hedrick pressured Burton for the lead. Burton was also passed by Wilson and the two moved on to dominate the feature run, followed by Dan Walden, Burton, and Carlson. 

Don Kiger set fast time for the Modifieds with Phil Johns, Tim Reynolds, and Josh Ferguson winning heats. Rod Sandage and Kirk Anderson won Semi’s to advance to the feature. 

22 Cars lined up for the feature Reynolds and Johns pacing the field. With the top berm still causing problems, the track was pretty much a two groove surface, but fast on the bottom. Three laps into the main event, a massive pile-up in turn three resulted in a heavy loss of machines with 9 cars suffering damage. Kiger’s 01 car was pretty well destroyed as he was bottled in the middle as several cars piled into him. The wreck took out everyone from second to tenth place in the field including Ferguson, Jeff Houchens, Mark Anderson, Kiger, Brad Denney, Kirk Anderson, Chuck Haga, and Terry Duncan. 

As the feature reached the half-way point, and after seeing five yellows in the first ten laps, only 9 cars were still running. By race end, with no more cautions, 8 cars took the checkered. Reynolds had led from flag to flag, probably the only car not showing any signs of the struggle which took place. Jim Farris, Sean Seavers, Jesse Simmons, and Rick Hufford followed Reynolds across the line 

Reynolds, of Ambia, Indiana posted his first feature win at VCS in over four years of competing. Always a threat  wherever he runs, Reynolds was one proud guy Saturday night, feeling he had finally got that elusive monkey off his back. A well-deserved win for a very well-liked and popular driver. 

Matt Davis won the Super Street feature and Jerrod Krick was the winner in the Bomber Class. Abe Deavers took the Hornet feature. 

VCS will host a Northern Allstar Series race on October 20 (NALMS 2K FINALE) with a $5,000 to win prize and a UMP Modified $1,000 to win race is also included. This show has a rain date of October 21. 

The Banquet for VCS drivers and fans will be held on November 10 at the Danville Ramada Inn. Champions in the four regular classes will receive jackets and the top 10 drivers in each class will receive trophies. There will be a band afterwards. Tickets are $25 per couple or $15 single ticket. Anyone interested should call Bill Marietta for reservations by November 9. You may reach Bill at 217-443-6923 or 217-304-0429

 SUMMARY
UMP LATE MODEL
Fast Time-Barry Carlson
Heat 1-Marvin Burton, Carlson, Dan Walden, Troy Overstreet
Heat 2-Dick Potts, Rich Hedrick, Jammie Wilson, Ed Woodard
Feature-Hedrick, Wilson, Walden, Burton, Carlson, Juan Grino, Don Hillary, Bob Franklin, Woodard

UMP MODIFIED
Fast time- Don Kiger
Heat 1-Phil Johns, Don Kiger, Chuck Haga, Mark Anderson
Heat 2-Tim Reynolds, Mike Gritton, Sean Seavers, Carl Silvey
Heat 3-Josh Ferguson, Jim Farris, Terry Duncan, Jeff Houchens
Semi 1-Rod Sandage, Kirk Anderson
Semi 2-Arby Burton, Jesse Simmons
Feature-Reynolds, Farris, Seavers, Simmons, Rick Hufford, Burton, Jerry Hathaway, Sandage, Tim O'Donnell

SUPER STREET
Heat 1-Marcus Phelps, Butch Meeker, Dave Watkins
Heat 2-Matt Reitz, Joe Weathers, Gene Bowling
Heat 3-Matt Davis, Kenny Eads, Kevin Allen
Semi-Chuck Haga, Zack Carney
Feature- Davis, Meeker, Eads, Bowling, Ernie Hail

BOMBER
Heat 1- Jerrod Krick, Larry Pruitt, Steve Nolan
Heat 2-Joe Buyno, Dave Mackey, Chris McCoy
Feature-Krick, Pruitt, Buyno, Nolan, Mackey

HORNETS
Heat 1-Abe Deavers, Steve Cates
Feature-Deavers, Curt Saunders, Cates, Alex Bradfield