June 16, 2005

Racing and Family

After seeing the picture of Brent Slocum and his new baby daughter in National Dirt Digest, I knew what this article should be about. God Bless Brent Slocum and Best Wishes to His Family, Friends, and Team.

During the past years, sadly a lot of drivers have lost their lives, Dale Earnhardt, Adam Petty and Blaise Alexander, and Brent Slocum just to name a few. Sadly each of them had a family, who miss them everyday. Times like this make us wonder if a hobby is worth losing your life. 

Racing is a family activity. It is rare that a driver becomes a driver without having a family member involved in racing before. At Farmer City alone, the Shickel family has had four drivers on the track. Having a 3^rd generation racer is no longer an uncommon occurrence.

 Today like everything else, racing is not just for men and boys. Moms are always supportive of husbands and children that is no different in the Racing World. Sportsman driver Billy Nail’s biggest fan is his Mom Pam. Other then the normal Mom stuff, like gasping when another driver is too close or jumping up and down after a win. Racer Moms are more supportive then their every weekend supporters, since most are the reason the kids to get to race. The drivers with their Moms close are usually better behaved at the track too.  

Sadly some driver’s careers never get to be as big as the family dreams. From Soldiers to Drivers, the song “Only the Good Die Young”, is often to true. As Fans of the USA and of racing, its up to us to do all we can to support and love both. Because life is too short to be worried about a racing hobby over a family.

One for the Road

             Last nite I went to the Summer Nationals race at Farmer City Raceway, I had a cooler full of Mt. Dew and Gatorade. From what I could tell, a lot of people had coolers full of Beer. Most nites I’m not opposed to a having a beer or two. Unfortunately some people think its fine to have a 12 pack or more then drive home.

            So with that how many people drive drunk after being at the races? Its something that should make everyone worried. Driving drunk endangers everyone. Looking at National stats, a majority of Friday and Saturday nite accidents involve alcohol. During racing season, many Friday and Saturday nite drivers are race fans.

            Sadly the Race Fan may be the driver who hits and possibly kills an innocent person. Its really easy to fix the problem. 1. Don’t Drink and Drive. 2. Have a designated driver. 3. Drink early enough in the nite, so most of the alcohol is out of your system by the last checkered flag. 4. Hanging out at the track or taking a nap before leaving can help. The only right answer is don’t drink and Drive.

            If you wonder why this is away from my happier articles, it’s because of last nite at the track. Summer Nationals tend to have A LOT more drunk people, some driving big campers. Hopefully they stay overnight at the track instead of going home. Plus there are many children running around, with drunken people around, they in possible danger.

            Actually watching some drunk guy run into a car made me think. He got out of his Ford150 truck after hitting a car twice, to let someone less drunk get him out of a tight spot.  He could barely stand after getting out of the truck. The car he hit had some major damage and luckily someone got the jerks license plate number so he will be caught. So in conclusion, Think Before You Drink!            

Save Kankakee Now!

 As the shadows stretch across the dry warm Kankakee track, I look down the grand stands and what do I see, you ask. I see the good ole days when Kankakee was full to the bream with fans and racecars. Today I see a half empty pit with half empty stands. Sadly the track comes across a bad patch, just like so many others before it. Maybe its because people find the choice between Kankakee or Farmer City. The tracks are within 2 hours of each other and both are great tracks. Most tracks get within 20 to 30 late models, except the 8^th of July when Kankakee had 19 and Farmer City had 29. Both tracks also have some excellent modified drivers. But I’m not going to compare them. Maybe I’ll write about Farmer City another time.

            Back to Kankakee Valley Motor Speedway or K3 as some say. K3 is at the Kankakee county fairgrounds, just south of Kankakee on Route 49. The track is a high bank 3/8 mile (I think). With no walls through turns 1 and 2, there is always plenty of excitement from cars leaning over the edge. The track also has some of the safest and steadiest stands you will find anywhere. With plenty of parking away from people and dirt that may damage a vehicle is nice. And with an announcement last nite, the beer is now 50 cents cheaper making it only 2.50, which is cheaper then gas, well not yet. One thing the track does do right is, they have an ambulance and a fire truck with a fire crew. I highly support having a fire crew at any track. The track is usually really fast, like most Illinois tracks, they need rain. The track is wide, so 4 wide is a possibility especially in the modified class. The food is also good, a little expensive but I’m cheap, I can’t help it. The drivers are top notch and the announcer isn’t bad either. He also does a local radio show on WGFA, 94.1 FM for anyone local. Which doesn’t hurt track promotion either.

            Just like any other track, there are a few thing that could be done to help the track and please the fans, pleasing fans is what keeps them coming back. Here are a few suggestions I saw last nite.

1. Most tracks if they did this would make every woman a big fan. Fix the bathrooms. Porta Potties all around the track is real hard to operate in, even worse during the nite.
2. Don’t qualify ever car on hand. Modifieds maybe, but not street stocks. It’s hard on the track and it takes way too LONG. Give them their own nite if they really want to qualify.
3. WATER! WATER! WATER! I understand if there is a drought and the water table is low not to water the track. But if you do #2, the track may last a little longer before becoming a dust bowl.
4. I’m not being an expert here but I think the Flagman needs to stay in his flag stand. Jumping down the stairs and onto the track to line the guys up kind of makes you look funny. Having a childish fit in the middle of a race isn’t that cool. That’s why you have guys ON the track to line them up during a caution. Flag people should just stand up on the stand and watch. 

 Other then that the track is pretty darn good. I try to make a trip up to K3 every once in awhile. I hope everyone will. The future of racing could be there. Frankie Heckanast Jr., the son of late model driver Frank Heckanast and the younger brother to KLMS promoter Sherri Heckanast, was the point leader in the late model class. Heckanast is only 17. Wes Steidinger is one of the top young drivers in the area and he runs both Farmer City and Kankakee about 50/50, he is only 22. Brett Peters got his license last week and ending up 2^nd in the feature that Friday. It would be worth the $10 to get in. Come on up to Kankakee Valley Motor Speedway!

 Here is the remaining schedule:

July 29- $2500 to Win Late Model. Big Wheel Race and Ronald McDonald.

August 3 – Fair Nite Mods and Street Stock Only

August 12- Joe Weaver $1300 to Win Street Stock and Full Show

August 19- Fan Appreciation $5.00 Admission. Back to School Prize Drawing

August 26- Northern All Stars plus Full Show

September 2- Bud’s $4000 to Win Modified. No Late Models

September 9 - Full Program

September 16- Full Program

September 23- I MODS and Full Show

September 30 – Full Program Season Points Final

      October races to be added if weather permits.

Give Fairbury Another Chance

7/12/05

            I for one had thought Fairbury American Legion Speedway was about done. For years the crowd got smaller and smaller. The racers kept coming but the crowds didn’t. For the drivers to come to FALS was an easy choice. There really isn’t a closer track. Spoon River, Macon, and LaSalle all run on Saturdays but they are a while away. The track is smooth, from what I gather from talking to drivers. Thinking back to the days when Pierce beat O’Neal by feet at a Prairie Dirt Classic, makes you wonder what happened? All the choo choo races since then had almost closed the doors, until this year.

             Maybe it was luck or maybe it was volunteers that knew what to do, but the days of train races are gone like the old west. And what is back is 3 wide racing in all three classes. With all the good racing, surely crowds would want to see it. They are starting to trickle back into the once ghostly grandstand. The late models are coming too, from 25 to 30 lates a week now. Battling for the points lead are the 9 Eric Smith, who is the point leader at Farmer City and 0 Richie Hedrick, who is picking up wins left and right. Each week so far have produced side by side racing. But along with racing come wrecks, like the one when sportsmen Gary Eden flipped going into turn 1, he was ok.

             Fairbury is one of the older tracks in the area. With a long history, a new chapter can be added this season, titled “2005 the Year Back from the Dead”.  The track is fully enclosed by walls and outside of that is a horse track. The backstretch stands sit closer to the ¼ mile track. The front stretch stands are covered and very strong. The pits have enough room for a lot of cars; hopefully the Summer National race will fill the pits.

             The track also has some big races. Already past are the Bob and Pappy Allen Memorial and the Curt Piercy Memorial Sportsmen Race. Yet to come are the UMP Summer National race on July 16. The pride and joy of Fairbury, The Prairie Dirt Classic September 3, a $10,000 to win and $500 to start show. It is the 16^th annual race. Bob Pierce had won 5 PDC before he retired. Defending champion of the race is Dennis Erb. The 2003 winner was Don O’Neal. Shannon Babb took the money in 2002.

             There is still a lot of good stuff left at Fairbury. Good food, great racing, not bad bathrooms, a pretty good announcer and awesome racers. Back to life is this little hopping track just northeast of Bloomington, IL. Its not a ghost town now, lets help it grow! Check out Fairbury American Legion Speedway, it’s worth another look! Listed below are the points and remaining schedule…

 Here are the Points as of July 11, 2005;

Late Models                                          Modifieds                                 Sportsman

1. Eric Smith                   433                  1. Gary Cook Jr             468            1. Darrell Dick      317

2. Richie Hedrick            429                  2. Scott Bull                   442            2. Jeb Friedman 304

3. Mike Mullvain            361                   3. Matt Bachman            396            3. Billy Nail          295

4. Z Joe Harlan                                     4. Lance Dehm                 373            4. Loren Haberkorn267

    1 Wes Steidinger            347                  5. Aaron Rickets                358            5. Rick Thomas    254

6. Darin Friedman            308                  6. McKay Wegner            318

7. Donny Walden            282                  7. Joel Funk                  315

8. John Provenzano            273                  8. Jay Ledford                        242

9. Jr. Shickel                  242                  9. Nick Neville              234

10. RJ Gall                     231                   10. Gary Turpin                  208

 

Remaining Schedule;

*July 16, 2005              UMP Summer Nationals - $10,000 to win            50 Laps              $20 to get in

July 23                          Regular Nite of Racing with Hornets                  $10 to get in

July 30                         Modified Special- $1,200 to Win               $10

August 6                       Regular Nite of Racing                                       $10

August 13                      Regular Nite of Racing with Hornets                  $10

August 20                     Fair Nite with Hornets and NO Qualifying            $10

August 27                     Regular Nite of Racing                                       $10

September 3                 16^th annual Prairie Dirt Classic- $10,000 to win 75 Laps
$20 to get in                 Modifieds $2,000 to win  30 Laps   NO SPORTSMAN

 

FAIRBURY SUMMER NATIONALS

JULY 16, 2005

              I sit and sweat in Mid-July Summer National heat. Even after a record setting run by Shannon Babb, the crowds are forming at Fairbury American Legion Motor Speedway in Fairbury, Illinois. The backstretch is lined with blankets, since the gates opened at 9am. The pits are full of notables including, Moyer, Babb, and Erb. Also the locals are here, Hedrick, Shickel, and Weaver. The historic grandstands are littered with small groups. The anticipation mounts. 50 or so late models are checked in.

                        2 rainouts and 13 wins by Babb in 20 races, the points are almost locked up. The people came to see the best racers in the country (most of them anyways). Some come to cheer on the underdogs, others to come watch the big guns. Yet others just want to see if anyone can beat red-hot Shannon Babb. But WOW it is HOT, HOT! (This was before the races started).

             Here is qualifying: Dennis Erb- Shannon Babb- Terry English- Jimmy Mars- Kevin Weaver- Billy Moyer

                                                Jeep Van Wormer- Ryan Unicker

                        Dash Results: Babb- Mars- Erb- Moyer- Weaver- Melvin- English- Korte-Mike Mullvain

 Heat 1: Top 3 Went To Feature:

                        Terry English- Steve Hillard- Patrick Sheltra

            Heat 2:

                        Brian Shirley- Eric Smith- Billy Drake

            Heat 3:

                        Mike Mullvain- Richie Hedrick- Mark Voigt

            Heat 4:

                        Jeep Van Wormer- Mike Marlar- Roger Long

            Semi Feature 1: Only Winner Goes:                       Semi Feature 2:

            Daren Friedman                                                        Wes Steidinger

 Someone did beat Babb, Jimmy Mars. Mars won his first SN race of the season. Mars is also 2^nd in UMP SN points. Babb ended up beating himself. The only car that tried to run the high side late, ended up running up the wall and almost turning the 18 car over. Richie Hedrick, the hottest local driver, gave Mars and Babb a run. Hedrick started 13^th and ended up 2^nd.  Brian Shirley in the 3s also had a quick car and was challenging Hedrick towards the end. The 2^nd place points man, Dennis Erb finished 4^th after starting 3^rd.  World of Outlaws points’ leader Billy Moyer rounded out the top 5.

The track slicked over during the 50-lap feature. A caution at lap 5 was for Roger Long in the deep cushion that engulfed the wall in turns 3 and 4. The caution flew again on lap 13 was a little payback from heat 2 when Randy Korte spins Eric Smith. The next 2 cautions were on laps 32 and 39 for Terry English and Mike Marlar’s flat tires. The last caution came with 3 laps to go for Babb in the wall. The crowd seemed very happy to see someone other then Babb win. Sorry Babb fans!

In other action, 32 modifieds joined in the action of the nite. In the Bob Pierce Racecar number 22, Chad Kinder took the quick time with 14.39. A 14.39 compared to a 13.12 by Dennis Erb in a late model. The top eight were locked into the feature they included; Kinder, Kyle Logue, Lance Dehm Scott Bull, Joel Funk, Matt Medvert, Matt Bachman, and Jay Ledford. In each of the 3 heats, 2 were taken into the feature that includes, McKay Wegner, Jason Meyers, Dale Lueth, Nick Neville, Jeff Leka, and Gary Cook Jr. The final heat was for line up in the feature. The semi features took 3 apiece, Burchem, Jordan, and Anthony Ricketts, Jim Farris, Rocky Griffin, and Gary Turpin. The feature was won by Kyle Logue, followed by, Kinder, Leka, Bull, Medvert, Funk, and Cook.

Sportsmen also joined in the fun. Nick Macklin a Farmer City regular winner won over Rick Thomas.

 After the entire racing nite, the crowds filed back into the pits. Racing was over around 11:30. All in All the nite of racing was good. Sadly the track had 1 lane. The cushion was on the wall – actually covering the wall, making turns 3 and 4 a little hard to run high and hard to see. The crowd was a good size, even though the gates opened at 9am, there were seats still at 5 pm.

 Congrats To Jimmy Mars and Team!!