2002danville.htm

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR VCS?
By Jack Taylor

(11/1/02) Just when local VCS fans and drivers were beginning to feel a whole lot better about the racing programs provided for them at Danville’s county fairgrounds track, a huge turn of events is taking shape behind the scenes. And the future outlook for racing at the popular speedway has prompted this writer to share his views with the die-hard loyal fans of this track. 

Those who have supported racing at this dirt oval can only feel a sense of shock as this tale unfolds. And first let me say that as a loyal follower of racing at this arena, I too, am deeply affected. 

Vermilion County Speedway has struggled throughout the past ten years or more with different enthusiastic promoters attempting to turn back the tide of critics All have struggled in the past and the last four years have seen a quelling of the flood gates of non-believers who bombarded any attempt to make the track successful. 

When local businessman, Bill Marietta, took over the helm, the track had little to offer except for a chance to make a change in the future plans and improve that goal bit by bit. Deteriorating conditions, including the track itself, a meager Sunday following of local fans and drivers, and a snub by the sanctioning UMP Summernational tour declining a long-standing profitable Sunday date for VCS and replacing it with a non-productive Tuesday slot. Of course, Marietta refused the new date and local fans were without an important event that had always filled the summer

Looking back, it is hard to recall whether rainouts, chilly weather, lack of cars, or what other obstacles might have affected gate receipts that year, but all who were close to Marietta as friends and workers knew this struggle to survive was a dominate economical factor on his mind. The rumor mill ran rampant at the close of the season. Would someone else be promoting the next season? Would the never-bending Fair Board listen to Marietta’s plea for levity so that he could continue his future plans?  Even the word was out that another promoter in the immediate area was considering a Sunday night track. 

In the 2000 season, after making the decision in the off months to continue his fight, Marietta made peace with UMP, added a strong Northern All Star schedule and a few UMP Hoosier Series dates to supply fans with some Late Model events The addition of some key friends as co-workers and productive gates on special races energized the momentum as VCS regained some of it’s prominence in Midwest racing.

Though the road was rocky and financial recovery from the previous two years remained a burden, the 2001 racing season saw VCS advance farther along Marietta’s vision of respectability. 

And as 2002 approached, the excitement generated by Marietta and his band of followers was loud and clear that there would be some sensational moves made in the coming season.  The first announcement coming from the track was that a $10,000 to win Late Model event would be run in the summer season. The Fair Board, sensing that things were looking better for everyone concerned, landed a grant from the State of Illinois and spent some of the grant money to rebuild the fencing around the racetrack. This improvement opened the eyes of fans and drivers to the energy that Marietta and his co-workers poured into it. A lap-time clock was added to the infield and fans were rewarded with an additional $10,000 Battle of the Borders Late Model show. These two events, along with the Ninth Annual Richardson Memorial race for UMP Modifieds and the Fourth Annual Labor Day Classic for UMP Modifieds, sent fans away at seasons end with visions of more great things to come in 2003 

Vermilion County Speedway had come all the back from the despair and frustration previous promoters, fans, and drivers had endured throughout those dry years Respect had been regained and the credit belongs to Bill Marietta and his band of volunteers for long hours of endurance. 

And now for the rest of the story and there is one. 

Vermilion County Speedway will probably have a new promoter for 2003. Negotiations are under way with a new promoter who, after having kept a vigil eye on the recent jump back into fame for VCS through the hard and stressful work of many, will soon be turning his attention to racing at VCS.

”If this does not work out in negotiations, I will not let the fans and drivers be left out in the cold,” Marietta said, “I’ll hang on another year”. A representative of Track Enterprises has met initially with Marietta and will meet again on Monday, November 10 with him. 

If this evolves over the next few days, Bob Sargent, successful promoter at Farmer City Raceway, Illinois State Fair Mile, DuQuoin State Fair Mile, Terre Haute, and others will be trying his hand at continuing the up-hill climb for VCS to respectability. 

Those of you who have witnessed this rise from the depths of scorn and scrutiny, engineered by Bill and Judy Marietta, at VCS can only feel an emptiness as this news emerges. 

And as one who has been close to the every day and every year happenings at VCS, I also feel that sadness. This story will be continued. 

As the Marietta’s move into a new business adventure, which has already been purchased, we wish them well and extend a thank you for all they have done. 

SCHWARTZ WINS POINTS TITLE

Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Illinois receives winners trophy for points championship in Labor Day Weekend races from Jack Taylor of Midwest Dirt Track Facts.com 
 

LABOR DAY WEEKEND TOP 20
 

(9/3/02) Covington, IN. UMP Modified drivers filed into three centrally located race tracks in Illinois over the Labor Day weekend to compete for $9,000 in winning feature money and a points fund of $1,500 awarding the winner an extra $800 and the two runners-up $400 and $300 respectively. The point fund was established by the three track promoters and the competition over the 3-day   marathon netted Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, IL the top prize in addition to his $5,000 in winning the opening two nights of racing at Brownstown and Charleston. On the finale at Danville, Schwartz garnered an additional 5 points for his 22^nd place finish in the Sunday night feature. 

Buffalo, IL driver, Jeff Leka, secured the second place money for a consistent run of third at Danville and fourth at Charleston to go with an opening 20^th place on Friday at Brownstown. Michael Bradley of Paris, IL finished third in the points battle on a second place run behind Jimmy Owens on Sunday at VCS and a fourth place finish at Brownstown on Friday. Dan Hamstra of Fair Oaks, IN. and Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL. rounded out the top 5 point producers for the weekend. 

191 cars took qualifying laps at the three tracks with VCS posting a turnout of 77 cars on Sunday night. Fans were able to see drivers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Ohio and a sneak preview of what could come down to a final day shootout at Eldora for the UMP Modified points championship.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND POINTS 

Top Twenty

1/Denny Schwartz-$800

2/Jeff Leka- $400

3/Michael Bradley- $300

4/Dan Hamstra

5/Kyle Logue

6/Don Kiger

7/Jimmy Owens

8/Scott Weber

9/Aaron Morey

10/Rusty Griffaw

11/Shane Cottle

12/R.J. Gall

13/Earl Plessinger

14/Randle Sweeney

15/Chris Veech

16/Mike Marlar

17/John Burdette

18/Jim Werner

19/Tom  Kroll

20/Billy Vaughn

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LABOR DAY CLASSIC WINNERS
1999- TOMMY BURNSIDE
2000- JIMMY OWENS
2001- EARL PLESSINGER
2002- JIMMY OWENS

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Owens comes out on top at VCS
By Rick Isaacson

(9/2/02)Skill and a little luck proved to be the recipe for Jimmy Owens at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois for the $4000 to win 4th annual Labor Day UMP modified special. On a track that was racey all evening long from top to bottom Owens used the high side of the speedway to outdistance Michael Bradley and Jeff Leka for the victory and some bad luck for Dan Hamstra and Denny Schwartz contributed to the win. A total of 77 modifieds signed in for tonights action with 73 taking time. Randall Sweeney captured fast time leading the way. With Sweeney and Dan Hamstra occupying the front row, UMP national contenders Schwartz and Owens took the second row followed by Michael Bradley and Delaware Ohio visitor Aaron Morey. At the start Hamstra got the jump with Sweeney on the bottom followed by Owens, Schwartz, Morey and Bradley. Early on Owens and Schwartz got by Sweeney leading to a three way battle for the lead which was 3 wide coming off turn 4 for the completion of lap 11. Hamstra held the lead on the top with Owens the meat in the sandwich and Schwartz running an uncharacteristic low line. Schwartz would get enough bite to pull ahead of Owens coming off the corners in the side by side duel and could even nearly get enough to pull even with Hamstra a couple of times. The complexion changed dramatically on lap 13 when Hamstra had what appeared to be a left front ball joint break while leading and led to his demise with the black flag (according to track rules) which he chose to ignore. Thus the real battle for the lead was between Schwartz and Owens when on lap 20 going into turn one the side by side duel led to a minor amount of contact but just enough to release the air pressure from the right front tire of Schwartz just as a caution flew for a spin by Kyle Logue in turn 3. During the caution the tire for Schwartz went completely down and Hamstra finally heeded the black flat and went pitside leaving Owens at the point. The battle for 4th was just as exciting as Bradley had moved up with Leka, Morey and bottom running Scott Weber along with Sweeney and John Burdette for a 5 car tug of war. On the restart Owens pulled away to a 5 car length lead which he held fairly easily during a couple of more caution periods with little pressure except on one restart where Bradley was making up ground on the high side while Owens would jump to the bottom in turn 3 and 4 but another caution thwarted the charge on lap 40. Joining the hunt for the top 5 at this time was 18th starting Roger Cary who was passing cars steadily and running 6th behind Owens, Bradley, Leka, Sweeney and Morey. At the gun Owens once again moved ahead with Cary getting by Morey then with 3 to go the consistent Sweeney made a costly mistake but going over the top in turn 3 resulting in him finishing 8th at the end. The final top 10 were Owens, Bradley, Leka, Cary, Morey, R.J.Gall (21st start), Don Kiger(22nd start), Sweeney, and Burdette. UMP officials were on hand to make sure of the inspection process and promoter Bill Marietta had decided before the race that the winner, no matter who that would be, would have to forfeit his MSD box for a new one or be disqualified which Owens handed his and the lead wires over for the new one. That box has been turned over to UMP for further inspection to make sure that traction control was not being used but at the track the box looked to not have been tampered with in any way. Results below:
Fast time: Randall Sweeney
Heats 15 laps top 3 transfer
1st heat: Randall Sweeney, Jeff Leka, Kevin Davis, Don Kiger
2nd heat: Dan Hamstra, John Burdette, Tommy Kroll, Tim O'Donnell
3rd heat: Denny Schwartz, Jerry Johnston, Bob Pohlman Jr., Travis Shoulders
4th heat: Jimmy Owens, Kyle Logue, Roger Cary, George Aimone
5th heat: Michael Bradley, Matt Boknecht, Scott Weber, Bill Davis
6th heat: Aaron Morey, Bobby Allen, Terry Duncan, Joey Moughan
Consis top 2 transfer 3-9 go to added B feature
1st consi: Tim O'Donnell, Don Kiger, Tim Reynolds
2nd consi: George Aimone, Rusty Griffaw, Ed Robey
3rd consi: R.J.Gall, Bill Davis, Ryan Thomas
Sponsers provisional: Tim Reynolds
B-Feature was an excellent race as well with the top 5 cars racing for the win the last 6 laps. The final pass came on the white flag lap. Ryan Young with the win had the option of giving up the $300 winners share and transfer to the A main or taking the win and money. He came to race and transfered to the A.
1. Ryan Young 2. Cory Rolfe 3. J.D.Roberts
4. Marvin Burton 5. Danny Schwartz 6. Elvin Herschberger
7. Keith Allen 8. Jesse Simmons 9. Mike Elliott
10.Jerry Hathaway 11.Billy Vaughn 12.Jeff Curl
13.Phil Line 14.Dave Hurst 15.Mike Porth
16.Everett Stauffer 17.Joey Moughan 18.Arby Burton
19.Jim Werner Jr.
A-Main:
1. Jimmy Owens 2. Michael Bradley 3. Jeff Leka
4. Roger Cary 5. Aaron Morey 6. R.J.Gall
7. Don Kiger 8. Randall Sweeney 9. John Burdette
10.Tommy Kroll 11.Kevin Davis 12.George Aimone
13.Jerry Johnston 14.Bobby Allen 15.Tim Reynolds
16.Rusty Griffaw 17.Scott Weber 18.Bob Pohlman Jr.
19.Tim O'Donnell 20.Terry Duncan 21.Ryan Young
22.Denny Schwartz 23.Bill Davis 24.Dan Hamstra
25.Kyle Logue 26.Matt Boknecht
Had a total of 144 cars in the pits. The mod feature ended at 11:30 and all racing finished before midnight.. Great show guys and kudos to Bill Marietta for adding 6 cars to the feature event over the advertised 20 starters and for adding the B-main and payoff for 21 more starters so they could have a chance to make more money for their time and efforts when he could have just as easily put all that money in his pocket and not one person would have complained. Don't know of ANY other promoter that would have done that. As a matter of fact at most of these types of races if you don't make the A-main you go home with absolutely nothing. Way to go Bill...

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CHARLESTON SPEEDWAY

RESULTS

Heat 1-Denny Schwartz, Ed Shamhart, Earl Plessinger, Terry Duncan
Heat 2-Dave Wheatley, Jeff Leka, Don Kiger, Brad Temples
Heat 3- Jason Lakey, Danny Schwartz, Mark Moore, Mike Marlar
Heat 4- Rob Fuqua, Jerry Johnston, Billy Vaughn, Charlie Carrell
Heat 5-Mark Foust, Matt Boknecht, Kyle Logue, Dan Hamstra
Heat 6-Jimmy Owens, Shane Cottle, Chris Veech
Semi's- No results at this time
Feature- De. Schwartz, Cottle, Plessinger, Leka, Marlar, Logue, Vaughn, Hamstra, Boknecht, Moore, Foust, Kiger, Byerline, Hood, Veech, Da. Schwartz, Johnston, Owens, Fuqua, Lakey, Shamhart, Wheatley

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Fayette County Speedway, Brownstown, IL
Official Results for Friday August 30, 2002

UMP MODIFIED DIVISION – 54 Cars
$100, Fast Qualifier – Jeff LeBaube (20) with a time of 14.375
Heat 1 – Rusty Griffaw (16), Jeff LeBaube (29), Kyle Logue (JJ1), Michael Bradley (7M)
Heat 2 – Don Hamstra (23), Ray Walsh (1W), RJ Gall (27), Rob Timmons (5)
Heat 3 – Cory Daugherty (96), Bobby Martintoni (48), Brent Mullins (41M), Jeff Leka (3L)
Heat 4 – Steve Picou (00Z), Brad Crosby (27X), Mark Leuck (3D), Danny Schwartz (21D)
Heat 5 – Brent Keyes (25), Rick Conoyer (14), Clint Eckenrodt (22X), Al Crawley (J20)
Heat 6 – Scott Weber (4J), Jim Werner, Jr (44), Leon Rakers (3R), Don Kiger (01)
$250 to Win, Dash – Rusty Griffaw (16), Don Hamstra (23), Steve Picou (00Z), Scott Weber (4J)
Consi #1 – Kyle Logue (JJ1), Jeff Leka (3L), Brent Thompson (18), Kelly Kovski (10K), Tim O’Donell (T33), Wes O’Dell (87), Clint Eckenrodt (22X), Joe Strawkas (2S), Albert Gardner (12G)
Consi #2 – Denny Schwartz (21S), Leon Rakers (3R), RJ Gall (27), George Aimone (G4), Gabe Menser (2), Danny Schwartz (21D), Billy Vaughan (112), Chuck Haga (1H)
Consi #3 – Michael Bradley (7M), Mike Brumley (6B), Bryan Collins (11Z), Brent Mullins (41M0, Brian Lynn (72), Al Crawley (J20), Bobby Pearson (23B), Steve Long Jr (70JR)
Consi #4 – Don Kiger (01), Jason Lakey (J16), Earl Plessinger (39), Mark Leuck (3D), Ed Shamhart (12S), Chris Veech (CV7), Jesse Snyder (12), Aaron Burcham (44B), Rob Timmons (5)
$2000 to Win, 50-lap Feature (22 Cars) – Denny Schwartz, (21S), Scott Weber (4J), Dan Hamstra (23), Michael Bradley (7M), Kyle Logue (JJ1), Jim Werner, Jr (44), Bobby Martintoni (48), Jeff LeBaube (29), Brad Crosby (27X), Rick Conoyer (14), Brent Mullins (41M), Chris Veech (CV7), Rusty Griffaw (16), Cory Daugherty (96), Leon Rakers (3R), Ray Walsh (1W), Mike Brumley (6B), Brent Keyes (25), Don Kiger (01), Jeff Leka (3L), Steve Picou (00Z), Jason Lakey (J16)
Also in Attendance – Dave Wheatley (88), Tom Merlo (3), Roger Drake (52), Jeramie Aimone (XXX), Bryan McDaniel (37), Terry Messenger (T5), Gary Archambault (N1), Chip Morgan (77)
 

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 2K,3K,4K to win Labor Day weekend in Illinois
Vermilion County Speedway Press Release-8/9/02

Labor Day weekend will be a profitable one in central Illinois for UMP modifieds Labor Day weekend 2002. Beginning Friday night August 30 at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown Ill. with a $2000 to win then on to the Charleston Speedway in Charleston Illinois for a $3000 to win show on Saturday evening August 31. The next evening the tour continues at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois with the annual Labor Day $4000 to win and $200 to start. The Sunday show has a Monday rain date. At VCS qualifying will begin at 6pm with racing at 7pm. Front gate admission is $15 for adults. The feature will be 40 laps in length and drivers must run through the heats and consi's to make the feature event. Heats will be lined up according to qualifying times. Sunday feature payoff is as follows: 1. 4000 2. 1500 3. 1250 4. 1000 5. 800 6. 600 7. 500 8. 400 9. 350 10. 325 11. 300 12. 250 13. 240 14. 235 15. 230 16. 225 17. 220 18. 215 19. 210 20. 200. A minimum of 20 cars will start with also the winner at Charleston and Brownstown guaranteed a starting position. To earn the spots the drivers must run their respective heat and consi and are only guaranteed the last starting position. VCS usually starts 24 cars at their special races. There is a $50 entry fee for all UMP modifieds and all cars entered will receive tow money at the pay window...

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Illinois Labor Day trifecta just got $1500 bigger

(8/16/02)Promoters Charlie DePew (Fayette County Speedway), Tad Olmstead (Charleston Speedway), and Bill Marietta (Vermilion County Speedway) have added a point fund to the upcoming three race series in Illinois over the Labor Day weekend. Beginning with Friday nights $2000 to win $200 to start at Fayette County then Saturday nights $3000 to win $200 to start at Charleston and Sundays big $4000 to win at Vermilion County the top 3 in points that have ran at all 3 tracks will split $1500. The top point getter will receive $800 on top of his winnings along with a trophy for the points donated by Jack and Carolyn Taylor of Midwestdirttrackfacts.com. Second position will receive $400 and third will receive $300 on top of their winnings. The point money will be awarded after the Sunday show at VCS and a driver must have raced at all 3 tracks to be eligible for the point money...

3 BIG NIGHTS OF UMP MODIFIED RACING
IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
                                                     
VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS

FOURTH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC

SPONSORED BY
PRIDE ENTERPRISES 
$4,000 TO WIN-$200 TO START
Vermilion County Speedway and Pride Enterprises will hold the 4th annual $4000 to win UMP modified race this coming Sunday. Gates open at noon with hot laps scheduled to begin at 4pm- then qualifyng and racing for the UMP mods to follow as soon as hot laps end. There will be 2 support classes also racing, the super streets and bombers will also be on the card.
Overnight camping is available
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BILL MARIETTA (217-443-6923)
OR 217-304-0429
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

AT
FAYETTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY
Brownstown, IL             
$2,000 TO WIN MODIFIED FEATURE
WINNER ALSO EARNS SPOT IN SUNDAY FEATURE
PRESS RELEASE
Fayette County Speedway, Brownstown, IL
Friday, August 30th
UMP Modifieds $2000 to Win, $200 to Start, $100 Fast Time, $250 Dash, $40 Entry Fee.
Support Classes: Street Stocks, Bombers, Team Cars, Hornets
Admission Prices: Pit Pass $25, Adult General Admission $10, Ages 8-12 $5 (free with paid adult admission), Ages 7 & Under Free.
Gates open at 5 pm, Hot Laps at 6:45 pm, Modified Qualifying at 7:15 pm, Racing immediately following Qualifying.
Questions? Contact Charlie Depew at (618) 347-2327 or (618)427-3966.
 
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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
      AT     
CHARLESTON SPEEDWAY
Charleston, Illinois
$3,000 TO WIN MODIFIED FEATURE
 WINNER ALSO EARNS SPOT IN SUNDAY FEATURE
 PLUS FULL PROGRAM
*********************
FROM TAD OLMSTEAD, PROMOTER
Gates open at 4
Qualify at 6
Racing at 7
free camping

Any questions call me at 217-345-2929
good luck to all

**********************************************************************************
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BILL MARIETTA (217-443-6923)
OR 217-304-0429

LABOR DAY CLASSIC WINNERS
1999- TOMMY BURNSIDE
2000- JIMMY OWENS
2001- EARL PLESSINGER
2002- JIMMY OWENS
 

RECAP OF 2001 LABOR DAY RACE
FROM MIDWEST DIRT TRACK FACTS ARCHIVES

EARL PLESSINGER TAKES 4K AT VCS
By Namgalf
 

(9/2/01)A total of 94 UMP modifieds graced the fairgrounds at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois Sunday evening trying to snare the $4000 prize for the winner. Included were the top 3 point men presently in UMP Chad Kinder, Denny Schwartz and Jimmy Owens plus stars from at least 6 states. Indiana driver Dale Hayes turned the fastest lap in qualifing thus earning the pole for the first heat wherefrom the winner would grace the pole of the 40 lap feature. The winners of the following 7 heats would fall in line behind with second place filling out the next 4 rows. Four consi races were ran with the top 2 finishers also making the 24 car feature event. Also there was a non-qualifier feature of 25 laps with the winner given the option of taking the winnings and trophy from that race or tagging the tail of the main event. Enough of that and on to the results:
Fast time: Dale Hayes
First heat: Jeff Houchens, Dale Hayes, John Burdette, Terry Duncan
Second Heat: Scott Weber, Don Kiger, Roger Cary, Danny Schwartz
Third heat: Jimmy Owens, Elvin Herschberger, Matt Bachman, Richie Hedrick
Fourth Heat: Earl Plessinger, Chuck Haga, Bub Patrick, Todd Kirkland
Fifth Heat: Tommy Burnside, Denny Schwartz, Josh Ferguson, Sean Seavers
Sixth Heat: Michael Bradley, Gary Cook Jr., Chad Kinder, John Seets
Seventh Heat: Everett Bradham, Ryan Bowman, Jason Lakey, Mike Chasteen
Eighth Heat, Arby Burton, Wes Steidinger, Bobby Bittle, Mark Moore
Consi One: Roger Cary, John Burdette, Jeff Leka
Consi Two: Todd Kirkland, R.J.Gall, Lance Dehm
Consi Four: Bobby Bittle, Jason Lakey, Mark Moore
Consi Three: Chad Kinder, John Seets, Rob Fuqua
Non-qualifier Feature:
1. Mark Moore 2. Lance Dehm
3. Jeff Leka 4. Danny Schwartz
5. Tim O'Donnell 6. Matt Boknecht
7. Brian McDaniel 8. Tommy Kroll
9. Sean Seavers 10.Joel Funk
11.Brian Shirley 12.John Hudson
13.Leon Rackers 14.Matt Goulden
15.Cory Rolfe 16.John Hollifield
17.Duane Ekright 18.Charlie Phillips
19.Matt Bachman 20.Greg Wright
21.Zack Geist
This race was the 3 thru 8 finishers of the consi races. Three cars did not show for the start. Also the winner was given the option of taking the $300 winnings and trophy or tagging the tail of the A main. Mark Moore told the officials " I came here to race the big feature" thus took the challenge and tagged the A giving the win to Lance Dehm and moving everyone up one position. I believe there were only 2 cautions and a total of 17 cars finished the 25 lap affair. Main event was next and it was a dandy. Jeff Houchens and Scott Weber led the hive of bees to the green with Houchens immediatly jumping to the front with Jimmy Owens and Weber grappling for the second slot. Earl Plessinger, Tommy Burnside, Michael Bradley began tugging for position with all changing many times lap to lap. Houchens rolled to a 5 car length lead by lap 5 by which Owens had grabbed the #2 spot and Weber had fallen to the group behind to have a 4 car battle trying to catch the leaders. The only caution of the 40 lapper would wave at lap 9 allowing the field to close with Houchens still leading Owens followed by Plessinger, Burnside, Bradley and a fading Weber. With the leaders running the three leaders running the bottom of the speedway Burnside clearly had the faster car by going all the way to the very top and was making headway on the restart for a couple of laps when something broke in his automobile right at the flag stand causing him to retire very sportingly by rolling off the turn 2 exit allowing the race to continue. By this time all eyes were on 10th starting Don Kiger and 13th starting Denny Schwartz who were leading the wolves also at the rim of the quarter mile speed plant. At lap 15 Kiger had moved to the 6th spot with Schwartz right there with him 8th showing the top 2 point men at VCS are not slouches by any means. Also at lap 15 Plessinger had motored under Owens for the runnerup spot and was right on the bumper of Houchens for the lead. On lap 17 Plessinger moved around Houchens for the lead by using the middle groove to gain access. Owens would follow suit in the same groove at the halfway marker. Kiger and Schwartz had moved to the 5th and 6th positions with Weber struggling to hold the 4th slot. Just past half way Kiger made short work of Weber and began to make up the 5 lenght lead of the Owens-Houchens battle. By lap 25 Houchens fell victim and Kiger seemed to be the fastest car on the track with Schwartz following suit. Plessinger was coasting (if that can be done in a race like this) and had just caught a two car battle at the rear of the field then seemed to loose a little handle making passing difficult for him. Kiger meanwhile gaining momentum caught Owens and streaked by at lap 30 with Schwartz unable to keep up the pace of Kiger just now getting by Houchens for 4th. On lap 33 Schwartz had caught up to Owens but his charge would end there. Plessinger had built a half straight or more lead but Kiger was making up ground every lap especially with the leader stuck in a 4 car group of lappers that he could do nothing with. With 6 to go Kiger nearly went over the top of turn one but kept it on the track losing a couple of lengths in the process. At lap 35 he had gained over half of the lead but on lap 37 repeated the turn 1 mistake and would eventually fall 2 lengths short of the victory. Owens would hold on for third with Schwartz and Houchens filling out the top 5. Of the 25 starters 20 would finish with none lapped as the lapped cars pulled off just after getting lapped. Feature finish:
1. Earl Plessinger 2. Don Kiger
3. Jimmy Owens 4. Denny Schwartz
5. Jeff Houchens 6. Wes Steidinger
7. Chuck Haga 8. Scott Weber
9. R.J.Gall 10.Michael Bradley
11.Arby Burton 12.Gary Cook Jr.
13.Jason Lakey 14.Bobby Bittle
15.Roger Cary 16.Chad Kinder
17.John Seets 18.Mark Moore
19.Ryan Bowman 20.John Burdette
21.Dale Hayes 22.Elvin Herschberger
23.Everett Bradham 24.Todd Kirkland
25.Tommy Burnside
Track conditions were excellent with the track smooth and racing grooves from top to bottom with 3 and 4 wide racing very common throughout the field. Movers through the field were Kiger from 10th to 2nd, Lakey from 24th starter to 13th, Steidinger from 16th to 6th, Gall from 22nd to 9th. Fallers were Bradham from 7th to 23rd, Herschberger from 10th to 24th, Hayes from 9th to 21st. Great to see a wonderful field of cars and drivers and also a good crowd on hand. Pierce built race cars had 4 of the top 5 with Owens in his Lightning the only different chassis. All racing was finished at 11:25. Thanks to all and congratulations to Earl Plessinger. 

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THE FAMILIAR JJ1 OF KYLE LOGUE

KYLE LOGUE JOINS CHAMPIONS ROW
By Jack Taylor

(8/25/02) Danville, IL. Over a span of 13 years, Vermilion County Speedway fans have witnessed a strong invasion of UMP Modified drivers who have week after week and year after year challenged the 1/4 mile high-banked oval sitting amid the county fairgrounds near Danville, Illinois. VCS has become a geographical map-site for UMP jockeys to load up from as far away as Texas and West Virginia and try their luck at the usually tough track against the many local and area drivers who call VCS home. Those home boys are the reason local fans turn out each week to watch the exciting side-by-side racing from the entrance classes to the top of the menu on the weekly card. Add in some great attractions of visiting late model sanctions on given nights and fans receive the best of lot in dirt track racing.

When VCS joined ranks with UMP in 1990 and parted with IMCA, a long list of strong contenders began paying visits to the racy oval to see what UMP was all about. Many things have changed since the early days, but as more and more curious fans and drivers stopped in, the track prestige gained and it became recognized as a weekend happening. 

The UMP Modified track championship at Danville was now an important notch in the belts of area drivers and a Sunday night offering of extra weekend racing has added to that interest. Probably, if you polled every fan and driver, they would tell you Friday and Saturday are the best nights and Sunday is a hassle in returning home and getting to work on Monday. Friday has been tried several times over the years, but Sunday still fits into most schedules the best. And UMP drivers seeking that last shot at a weekly feature win for UMP points recognize this the most. 

Kyle Logue, of Oreana, Illinois, is a good indicator of the time and travel that drivers are willing to extend by pulling to Danville on a Sunday evening. He could easily concentrate on his local tracks at Farmer City and Macon and sit back and watch NASCAR on TV Sunday at home. But he wants to compete and an extra win on Sunday really adds to that UMP point total at years end. On Saturday night, Kyle won the Macon Speedway title and on Sunday joined an illustrious group of VCS UMP track champions of past years. This young driver now adds his name to a list that includes a UMP National champion in 1997 and several who were strong contenders for that title during previous years. Other past champions have won their UMP State titles during their VCS title years. 

This list includes Larry Dines of Bismarck, IL (Deceased) in 1990, 91, and 92; Rick Hufford of Danville, IL in 1993, 94, and 95: Bryon Clendenen of Oakwood, IL in 1996: Steve Hillard of Sadorus, IL. in 1997 (National UMP Champion); Tim O’Donnell of Champaign, IL in 1998; Dan Hamstra of Fair Oaks, IN  in 1999; Shane Cottle of Kokomo, IN in 2000; Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, IL in 2001; and now  Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL in 2002. 

Hundreds have competed over the years for this illusive title, but only a handful of fortunate drivers have ever claimed it. Ask any UMP Modified driver about the fierce competition between the area locals and the traveling guests.  A driver needs to be there often and bring some skill and luck along with him to make the challenge on the VCS track. 

1999 UMP National Champion, Jeff Martin of Kansas, IL was one who was unable to capture the track championship, although he was the hottest thing on wheels that year. Perennial local challenger, Don Kiger, of Oakwood, IL, with more total laps on the track than anyone any year, has been close twice, but no cigar. 

At Sunday’s finale, 37 Modifieds signed in for qualifying, including the normal tally of regulars and a few newcomers. UMP Late Model veteran, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, IL was there to drive the Aaron Ricketts car, which he will also drive in the Labor Day classic. The UMP Late Model ranks were not alone as Veteran drivers Bob Pierce and Steve Hillard were also there to watch the competition. Pierce drops in as often as possible to help in the pits with drivers who pilot his Pierce cars on the tracks throughout the Midwest. For Hillard, it was a night at the races to watch several of his protégés, including Michael Bradley of Paris, IL, who was tied for the final night of points with Logue going in. Another note of interest was the fans waiting for the arrival of Denny Schwartz at the track as it was announced that he had won the $8,000.00 UMP Modified race in Louisiana on Saturday night and was on his way back to race at Danville. Needless to say, that was an impossible task, even for the speed Schwartz can travel at. 

The evening unfolded with Logue setting fast time in qualifying, placing second to 16 year old Josh Ferguson of Covington, IN in his heat, while Bradley won his heat over Jeff Leka of Buffalo, IL to go ahead in the point battle. Winner if the third heat was Dan Hamstra over Roger Cary of Catlin, IL (another local contender in points). Jason Lakey of Urbana, IL won the Semi. 

As Bradley watched from his 7M machine in the feature on the start, Hamstra sprinted around the youngster, Ferguson, for the lead and Logue immediately moved in to challenge Hamstra. As Logue got by Hamstra, the duel lasted only a lap and the two switched positions. That was all, as Logue again took over and went for the title. Bradley moved up enough to keep Hamstra and Logue in striking distance, but had to settle for third with Leka taking fourth and Cary coming in fifth.  

Another crown was awarded on Sunday night to a deserving young driver, who was willing to face the veterans and locals at the VCS speedplant. Congratulations to Kyle Logue and all of the UMP drivers who gave the fans plenty of action on the track this season.

 Summary

Fast Qualifier- Kyle Logue
First Heat- Josh Ferguson, Logue, Al Crawley, Jr., Mark Grosvenor, Kevin Weaver

Second Heat-Dan Hamstra, Roger Cary, Rob Fuqua, Jim Moore, Jerry Hathaway
Third Heat-Bradley, Leka, Don Kiger, Arby Burton, Chuck Haga
Semi-Jason Lakey, Dave Rudisell, Matt Bex, George Aimone, Rich Isaacson
 

Feature-Logue, Hamstra, Bradley, Leka, Cary, Hathaway, Ferguson, Kiger, Lakey, Fuqua, Burton, Crawley, Brian McDaniel, Moore, Haga, George Aimone, Rudisell, Weaver, Kevin Davis, J.R. Coyner, Bex, Grovesner 

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First Annual Battle of the Borders
Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, Illinois

John Gill Rides off with $10,000 at Vermilion County Speedway!
By James Essex

(7/29/02)John Gill of Mitchell, IN won the First Annual Battle of the Borders on Monday Night, July 29 at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois. Gill piloting the Terry Eaglin Motorsports/Helena/Performance Plus Car Wash/Elrod Grain/Cyclone One/Draime Racing Engines/Hoosier Tires/Rocket Grand Prix earned $10,000 for the victory taking the cash back to the Hoosier State. The 42 year old Gill in his 21st year of dirt late model racing beat to the finish line a strong lineup of competitiors with Scott Bloomquist finishing second followed by Brian Birkhofer, Shannon Babb and Billy Moyer.

Gill would start on the outside of the front row of the 60 lap main event with Shannon Babb starting from the pole. Gill would immediately take the point getting the jump on Babb coming off of turn number two. Babb would settle into second with Scott Bloomquist in his first event since pocketing the $100,000 UMP Summernationals Tour 2002 running in third at this point. Gill, Babb, Boomquist would not be able to see what was happening behind them except the full house of fans did with two and three wide racing on the track for the middle positions.

Bloomquist would make his move around Babb on the sixth lap with all eyes now on Iowan Brian Birkhofer who was on the move from his eighth starting slot. Biirkhofer would pass Jeep Van Wormer and take fifth on the eighth circuit. Birkhofer would then challenge and make the move to get by Babb on the 18th lap. the first of two cautions during the race flew for the stalled mount of Steve Hillard on the 19th lap. Hillard who's primary car was detroyed in an accident at Fairbury on Saturday Night was behind the wheel of the Michael Bradley/Rayburn. Hillard would go pitside and be the first car out of the race.

When the race resumed it was Gill still on the point with Bloomquist in second followed by Birkhofer, Babb and Billy Moyer.
Moyer and Bob Pierce were seemingly on the move as in the first part of the race Pierce had gone from 14th to sixth and back to seventh were he stayed the rest of the race. The final caution came out on the 22nd lap for a stalled Don O'Neal as he would be the second car out of the race.

That would set up 38 laps under green flag that would determine the race. Gill had been on a rail not making any mistakes and driving the familiar #75 anywhere on the well prepared race track as anyone on this night. Traffic would start to play a role in the outcome of the race. As Bloomquist and Birkhofer had their own private battle for second, Gill was negotiating traffic in front of him. As the laps wound down both Bloomquist and Birkhofer would close the gap on Gill which at one point was more than a straightaway ahead of anybody else. With ten laps to go Bloomquist and Birkhofer had a clear race track in front of them as they two handled traffic with very little resistance. With five laps to go they were within five car lengths of Gill slicing his lead down lap after lap and with more traffic approaching Gill was in a vunerable position not knowing who was coming up behind him. Bloomquist and Birkhofer were able to slice the lead to two lengths with the white flag waving as both drivers were giving it their all in an attempt to take the win from Gill on the final lap. Their efforts however came up short as Gill just as he did for most of the entire race drove his same line and sped on to pickup the win. Two car lengths was the final advantage in the thrilling finish as both Bloomquist and Birkhofer made is interesting.

Shannon Babb would take fourth with teammate Billy Moyer rounding out the top five. the rest of the top ten finishers were Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Jeep Van Wormer, Darren Miller and Roger Long.

In preliminary events several drivers broke Steve Barnett's seven year old track record of 13.668 seconds. Shannon Babb would be the driver to do it last as he clocked an electrifying 13.305 seconds around the 1/4 mile oval. Babb, Gill, Van Wormer and Bloomquist won heat races. Billy Drake and Jim Curry won the two last chance consy races.

The official finish:

First Annual Battle of the Borders
Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, IL
Monday Night, July 29, 2002

Entries: 37 Cars from 7 States

Feature Finish:

1. John Gill-Mitchell, IN $10,000 Rocket/Draime/Hoosier Tires
2. Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN $4000
3. Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA $3000
4. Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL $2500
5. Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR $2000
6. Dan Schlieper-Pewaukee, WI $1800
7. Bob Pierce-Oakwood, IL $1600
8. Jeep Van Wormer-Pinconning, MI $1500
9. Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL $1200
10.Roger Long-Fithian, IL $1000
11.Matt Miller-Waterville, OH $800
12.Steve Barnett-Franklin, IN $700
13.Earl Pearson, Jr.-Jacksonville, FL $600
14.Billy Drake-Bloomington, IL $500
15.Doug McCammon-Palestine, IL $400
16.Mark Stetler-Attica, IN $400
17.Jammie Wilson-Hoopeston, IL $400
18.Wes Steidinger-Fairbury, IL $400
19.Jim Curry-Norman, IN $400
20.Kevin Weaver-Gibson City, IL $400
21.Don O'Neal-Martinsville, IN $400
22.Steve Hillard-Sadorus, IL $400

POST-RACE SUMMARY

36 CARS TOOK QUALIFYING TIME- 24 WERE IN UNDER A
14 SECOND LAP- STEVE BARNETT'S 1995 RECORD TIME
WAS BROKEN THREE TIMES BY JOHN GILL, THEN ROGER LONG,
AND FINALLY BY SHANNON BABB WITH A NEW VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY LATE MODEL TRACK RECORD OF 13:30

QUALIFIERS as they made their attempt-Rife, Erb, Pierce, Gill, Walden, O'Neal, Hillard, Kingma, Long, Clendenen, D. Miller, Stetler, James, O'Connor, Bloomquist, Pearson, Martin, VanWormer, Dick, Atkinson, M. Miller, Birkhofer, Burton, Babb, Schlieper, Grino, Steidinger, Barnett, Curry, Wilson, Moyer, McCammon, Reed, Drake, Weaver, Russell.

 STATES REPRESENTED-(9) Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Mississippi

First Heat (top 5) Babb, Moyer, M. Miller, Hillard, James-top 4 advance
Second Heat (top 5) Gill, Barnett, Long, Pierce, O'Neal
Third Heat (top 5) VanWormer, D. Miller, Stetler, Steidinger, Walden
Fourth Heat (top 5) Bloomquist, Birkhofer, Schlieper, Pearson, McCammon
First Semi- Drake, O'Neal, Wilson, Reed-top 2 advance
Second Semi-Curry, McCammon, Erb, Clendenen-top 2 advance

Promoters Provisional to Weaver and Wilson

FEATURE-60 LAPS
$10,000.00 TO WIN
1/ GILL
2/BLOOMQUIST
3/BIRKHOFER
4/BABB
5/MOYER
6/SCHLIEPER
7/PIERCE
8/VANWORMER
9/D. MILLER
10/LONG
11/M. MILLER
12/BARNETT
13/PEARSON
14/DRAKE
15/McCAMMON
16/STETLER
17/WILSON
18/STEIDINGER
19/CURRY
20/WEAVER
21/O'NEAL
22/HILLARD

PRE-RACE SUMMARY

Monday Night, July 29, 2002
Rain Date-Wednesday, July 31

60 Lap Late Model Feature
For Immediate Release:
From James Essex-Guest Announcer

Danville, Illinois-The Vermilion County Speedway located in Danville,
Illinois will host the First Annual Battle of the Borders on Monday
Night, July 29.  It will be the largest Dirt Late Model feature purse
ever offered at the track with $10,000 going to the winner of the 60 lap
feature race out of a total feature purse of over $33,000.  The event is
being sponsored by Tatman's Towing and Albin Vending.  The event will
also feature UMP Open Wheel Modifieds paying $500 to win their main
event.
     Back in June Danville promoter, Bill Marietta hosted the largest
crowd in the history of Vermilion County Speedway for the
Summernationals race and with this type of money on the line on July 29
fans should arrive early as possible to get a good seat for the racing
action.  The "Battle of the Borders" will be a non sanctioned Late Model
event which means cars from UMP, UDTRA, RENEGADE and STARS BATTLE OF THE
BLUEGRASS will be eligible to compete.  There is no entry fee for the
race.  Hoosier and American Race Tires will be allowed to compete.
     Vermilion County Speedway is located off of I-74 at exit 210 then
one mile west on Route 150 in Danville, Illinois.  Gates will open at 3
pm with hot laps at 6 pm followed by time trials at 6:30 p.m.  The first
race is set to roll off at 7:30 p.m.  The raindate for the event will be
on Wednesday, July 31.  For more information please contact the track at
(217) 443-6588 or by calling (217) 304-0429.  Admission will be $20 at
the front gate for adults, with children ages 11-15 years of age
admitted for $10, Children 10 and under are admitted for free.  Pit gate
admission is $10.

First Annual Battle of the Borders
Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, Illinois

Monday Night, July 29, 2002
Rain Date-Wednesday, July 31

60 Lap Late Model Feature

Feature Payoff:
1.  $10,000.00 2.    4,000.00 3.    3,000.00 4.    2,500.00 5.    2,000.00 6.    1,800.00
7.    1,600.00 8.    1,500.00 9.    1,200.00 10.   1,000.00 11.     800.00 12.     700.00
13.     600.00 14.     500.00 15.     400.00 16-20.     400.00

FOUR-WIDE FAN SALUTE AT VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY

WHO COULD BE THERE????
Strictly due to speculation and based on the fact that Macon, Danville, LaSalle, and East Moline are all running consecutively.
Drivers listed below took qualifying times at VCS on Summernational night and barring work commitments might return for a shot at the $33,000.00 in prize money.

6M-Wendell Wallace, ARK	16A-Ed Dixon, MO	9D-Billy Drake, IL
117-Matt Taylor, IL	S9-Dan Schlieper, WI	55-Shawn Toczak, IN
36-Roger Long, IL	47-Steve Hillard, IL	23-Greg Johnson, IN
43-Mike Bush, IN	71-Don O'Neal, IN	83-Scott James, IN
35-Cody Hupp, IL	12-Rick Aukland, OH	28-Dennis Erb, IL
27-Rodney Melvin, IL	45-Don Hammer, IL	0-Scott Bloomquist, TN
44-Jimmy Burwell, IL	B12-Kevin Weaver, IL	9-Eric Smith, IL
S10-Jr. Shickel, IL	P10-Tim Prince, KY	21R-Shannon Reed, IN
5B-Steve Sheppard, Jr, IL	Z-Joe Harlan, IL	00-Jim Watson, IL
32-Bob Pierce, IL	18-Shannon Babb, IL	22-Chris Dick, IL
15J-Jeff Martin, IL	53-Bryan Clendenen, IL	55-Jeep VanWormer, MI
8-Tom Peltonen, IL	32T-Tom Thoennes, IL	75-John Gill, IN
6-Mark Anderson, IL	15-Brian Birkhofer, IA	1H-Chuck Haga, IL
8-Reece O'Connor, IL	91-Rusty Schlenk, IN	27-Bob Pohlman, IL
0-Richie Hedrick, IL	64-Ryan Dauber, IL	21-Billy Moyer, ARK
1*-Chub Frank, PA	17-Mark Stetler, IN	61-Jammie Wilson, IL
52-Gary Mathew, IN	38-Rick Sowders, IN	72-Ed Woodard, IN
89-Steve Barnett, IN	A1-Duke Whiseant, MISS	68-Rusty Coffman, IL
25-Dan Walden, IN	7-Jim Curry, IN

AND SOME AREA DRIVERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN APPEARANCE

17-Corey Turner, IL	45-Gary May, IL	s9-Wes Steidinger, IL
4-Mike Mulvain, IL	30-Mike Glascock, IL	71F-Bob Freeburg, IL
10-Ted Hilleary, IL	21-Eddie Leviner, IN	23-Ted Loomis, IL
25-Joe Ross, Jr, IL		166-Joe Izzo, IL
	1A-Justin Allgaier, IL will not be there

AND SOME UNEXPECTED GUESTS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN APPEARANCE

66-Bill Frye, ARK	75-Terry Phillips, MO	5-Jeff Taylor, ARK
96-Terry English, KY	C9-Steve Casebolt, IN	9-Mike Jewell, IN
29- Darrell Lanigan, KY	19- Timmy Yeager, KY	28-Kevin Claycomb, IN
33-Jesse James Lay, KY	1C-Eddie Carrier, KY	201-Billy Ogle, Jr, TN
7--Matt Miller, OH	72-John Mason, OH	E1-Mike Balzano, PA
24-Rick Eckert, PA	31-Skip Arp, TN	00-Freddie Smith, TN
1-Earl Pearson, Jr, FL	7m-Dale McDowell, GA	1-Steve Francis, KY
28-Jimmy Mars, WI	99-Donnie Moran, OH	00-Randy Korte, IL
53-Ray Cook, NC

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Jimmy Owens surprise visitor wins VCS

(7/14/02)Newport Tennessee driver Jimmy Owens showed up at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening and took the victory and precious UMP modified points home. Starting on the front row by virtue of winning his heat Owens followed fellow front row starter Rick Hufford very early until taking the lead on the bottom of the smooth slick speedway and never looking back. If he had however his eyes would have been filled with Kyle Logue for the first 10 laps right on his rear bumper then with Jason Lakey on the rim of the speedway who both were giving Owens a definite run for his money. Lakey motored by Logue on lap 11 and began a pursuit of Owens that would have the fans building with anticipation the possible pass for the lead even though Owens had built up a 10 car length lead. By lap 16 the lead had shrunk to 5 lengths and lap 20 was down to 3 lengths. With 2 to go Owens had caught the only car to go a lap down in Mark Grosvenor and put him one lap in arrears but Grosvenor was also running the top and effectively blocked Lakey from catching Owens in the end. It took Lakey about a lap to get by the lapper thus allowing the leader to finally win by 5 lengths at the finish. Following the lead duo Logue held onto third with Michael Bradley and Denny Schwartz battling the last 2/3rds of the race for the fourth and fifth positions, Bradley riding the bottom and Schwartz the middle, Schwartz was able to nose by a couple of times during the 25 lap grind but could never get enough in front to steal the spot allowing Bradley to capture the 4th finishing slot then followed by Schwartz. Results below:
Fast time: Josh Ferguson
1st heat: Jimmy Owens, Jason Lakey, Josh Ferguson, Don Kiger
2nd heat: Rick Hufford, Michael Bradley, Chuck Haga, Jerry Hathaway
3rd heat: Kyle Logue, Denny Schwartz, J.R.Coyner, Jesse Simmons
Consi: Tim O'Donnell, John Hudson, Terry Duncan, Marty Hiser
Feature:
1. Jimmy Owens 2. Jason Lakey 3. Kyle Logue
4. Michael Bradley 5. Denny Schwartz 6. Jerry Hathaway
7. Chuck Haga 8. Don Kiger 9. Josh Ferguson
10.Larry Raines 11.Cory Rolfe 12.Marty Hiser
13.Jesse Simmons 14.Craig Conyer 15.Terry Duncan
16.Rob Fuqua 17.Brad Crosby 18.Mark Grosvenor
19.Rick Hufford 20.Tim O'Donnell 21.J.R.Coyner
22.John Hudson
Three cautions during the event.. 31 cars signed in tonight with 112 cars total in the pits... Modified feature ended at 10:10 with all racing finished at 10:40... Track was smooth and dry slick from top to bottom but was racy as all grooves were used during the feature... I figure Owens had not gotten his UMP win thus the reasoning for the appearance here and would have been really interesting to see if Lakey could have reeled him in were it not for the lapped car but "thats racin". Another surprise visitor to the speedway was former Nascar driver and car owner Dave Marcis taking in the action from the pit area as a fan.. Good to see that some of the big guys still go to the real roots of racing every once in a while... In the Huffdaddy Hot Seat Huffdaddy ran really well in the heat and started front row outside taking a very early lead but after sliding back to the sixth position at about the halfway mark something broke in turns one and two forcing him to the infield for the remainder of the event... Next week the super streets run for $1500 to win their feature along with the regular classes on Sunday night... Hope to see ya here then

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WENDELL WALLACE TAKES 10 GRAND
By Smash the Loud Pedal

(6/16/02) 57 cars invaded the Vermillion County Speedway tonight in search of the $10,000 payday that would be the winners sum, and when the evening ended it was the Batesville Bullet, Wendell Wallace sitting in victory lane holding the oversized check for $10k!

After setting the fastest qualifying mark as the first car out Wallace was beat at the line in the dash by Scott Bloomquist, the pair towed Rick Aukland, Billy Drake, Steve Hillard and Kevin Weaver to the A-main from their respective dash finishes.

The first heat was topped by Don O'Neal over Jeep VanWormer, Steve Barnett, Jr. Schickel, Jammie Wilson, Joe Harlan, Duke Whiseant and Brian Clendenen.

The second heat saw Mr. UMP Summer Nat's Billy Moyer ahead of Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Dennis Erb, Rodney Melvin and Ryan Dauber.

The third heat was Roger Long taking the win over The Shoestring Traveler Chub Frank, Richie Hedrick, Jim Curry, Ed Dixon, Shawn Toczek, Steve Sheppard, Jr., Matt Taylor and Jimmy Burwell.

The fourth and final heat was won by The Modern Day Cowboy John Gill over Shannon Babb, Greg Johnson, Brian Birkhofer and Scott James.

The consi's which would transfer the final three from each to the A-main to complete the 24 car starting field were won by Erb over Melvin and Duke Whiseant, and Curry ahead of Birkhofer and James.

When the green flag flew on the main event it was Bloomquist jumping out to an early lead in convincing fashion ahead of Wallace, Aukland, Billy Drake, Hillard, Weaver, Moyer and O'Neal.

The first caution would show on lap 15 when Don O'Neal and Kevin Weaver made contact on the frontstretch coming off of turn four. Weavers car took a HARD right hand turn and headed straight into the wall at full spoeed ahead. Weaver, although a little dazed, seemed to be uninjured. His mount however, was much worse for the wear.

After the brief red to clear Weavers car from the track, the green was again displayed for the restart and sparks were flying from the undercarriage of Bloomquists car. However, Bloomquist continued to lead the field and even seemed to be pulling away slightly despite the cracking and popping from his powerplant and a smoke show that would make any mosquito exterminator envious!

Lap 31 would be the end of Bloomquists evening as his motor gave up and Bloomquist brought out the caution as he sat stopped in turns three and four with flames under the hood! After being extinguished the green was once again displayed and it was all Wally as he took to the hub and never looked back in his run to the checkers. Following Wallace at the stripe were Aukland, Drake, Hillard, Moyer, Babb, Schlieper, O'Neal, Frank, Pierce, Van WOrmer, Erb, Barnett, Johnson and Melvin.

All in all, a great show with multi groove passing up to the point of the feature when the track took rubber and passing was at a premium.

In return for the efforts put forth this season so far by track promoter Bill Marietta and crew, the speedway was blessed this evening with the largest crowd in the history of The Vermillion County Speedway!

My hats off to the entire track crew and looking forward to the return of the big gun late models to the track on July 29th as they seek out another $10,000 to win payday!

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Action Packed David Richardson Memorial Nets 9th Different Winner

by

Jeffrey A. Bayless

 

     (5//27/02)For the ninth year Vermillion County Speedway in Danville, IL played host to arguably the most prestigious UMP Modified race of the year, The David Richardson Memorial sponsored by Pride Enterprises.  With 108 UMP Modifieds on hand to take there shot at the $5000 top prize there would be plenty of action and thrills to fill the night.

 

     The evening began with Elvin Herschberger claiming the top qualifying lap with a time of 15.690.  Then the 108 entrees were separated into 8 heat races that were lined up straight up from the qualifying runs.  The top two finishers from each heat transferred directly to the main event with everyone else having to goto one of four semi's to find out there fate for the evening.  So with at least 13 cars in every heat you knew there was going to be some hotly contested heat races to see who could claim one of the top two spots and transfer to the 50 lap $5000 to win race.  The first heat saw Elvin Herschberger claim the win and the pole for the main over Randal Sweeney and Tony Duncan.  In the second heat local favorite Arby Burton beat Scott Wilbur and Jeff Leka to the stripe.  The third heat was won by Brent Lounderee but the talk of the race was Tommy Burnside who came from 14th to finish in the runner up spot ahead of Matt Boknecht.  The fourth heat saw Billy Vaughn beat Mark Moore and Everitt Brabham.  Local Late Model favorite Kevin Weaver brought his modified out for the evening and claimed the fifth heat in front of Shane Cottle and Jerry Hathway.  With the memory of Burnside's march through the field still fresh on the minds of many, the fans were entreated to Tony Roland one uping the former winner.  Roland started dead last in the sixth heat and came out the victor ahead of Tim O'Donnell and Lee Hobbs.  The seventh heat was the most entertaining as five cars fought it out swapping the lead several times but on lap 15 it was Kyle Logue followed by Bobby Bittle and Jimmy Owens.  The last heat went to Dan Hamstra as he cruised to victory ahead of Bob Pohlman and Tommy Kroll.  Pohlman, as well, came from deep in the field to find a transfer spot starting 12th in his heat.

 

     Next up, the 4 20 lap semi's would determine the rest of the field for the A-Main with the top two transferring to the show as well as determine the field for the $1000 to win B-Main with finishing positions 3-8 making that show.  Everyone else got a chance to beat the traffic home.  Semi 1 saw Jeff Leka win ahead of Tracy Leonard and Tony Duncan.  Semi 2 was won by Matt Boknecht as he beat Lance Dehm and Matt Rhyne to the stripe.  The third semi saw Mike Marlar transfer with a victory ahead of Jason Lakey and Lee Hobbs.   Jimmy Owens, a multiple UMP National Champion, won the 4th and final semi ahead of Michael Bradley and John DeMoss.  The field for both the A and B Main were now set.

 

     The 25 lap B-Main was the first race up after the intermission period was over.  The action was fast and furious at the start with Matt Rhyne taking the early lead ahead of Tony Duncan, Lee Hobbs, John DeMoss, and Phil Johns.  This running order would not last long as Johns was in second by lap two with his eyes on the lead with Daryl Herbert moving into third ahead of DeMoss and Roger Cary.  Johns made his moves on the third lap and was able to overtake Rhyne and separate from the pack as DeMoss began to battle Rhyne as well.  By the 10th lap Rhyne and DeMoss had caught the leader and the battle for the lead quickly turned into a three car battle until the caution waved for debris on the racing surface.   When the green waved again this battle resumed with the cars of Cary and Tommy Kroll in contact with them.  When they came around to complete the lap they were running Rhyne, Johns, DeMoss, Kroll, and Cary was the running order.  Rhyne found a groove that his car liked and began to distance himself from the field.  Meanwhile back in the pack the car of Herbert made a strong run to the front after falling backward early in the race.  It seemed as if he came from nowhere and all of a sudden he was running a strong second and closing on the leader.  With the laps winding down Rhyne began to run upon the backmarkers but Herbert was unable to capitalize as Johns, DeMoss, and Cary rounded out the top five for the B.  As was the custom the officials asked Rhyne if he was willing to give back the $1000 dollar winners purse for a shot at the $5000 winners purse in the A.  Rhyne wisely walked away with the $1000.

 

     As the 26 cars (24 transfers and two provisionals) in the A Main rolled onto the track fireworks were set off in the infield to set the tone for the 50 lap shootout.  The start of the race saw Elvin Herschberger, Arby Burton, and Billy Vaughn going around the track in a side by side contest for the lead as the rest of the field raced in packs of 3 or 4 jockeying for position.  As they came to the stripe the second time Vaughn had been able to maneuver into the top spot with Herschberger, Burton, Tony Roland, Kyle Logue behind him.  Vaughn began to pull away as 7 cars all engaged in a dual for second, fought behind him.  Tracey Leonard spun on the 6th circuit bringing out the race's first caution and erasing Vaughn's expanding lead.  When the green waved again it was short lived as Dan Hamstra spun going into one and the caution flew again.  The next attempt went much better as Vaughn continued to dominate quickly reestablishing his lead ahead of Burton, Roland, Tommy Burnside, and Kevin Weaver.   As Vaughn looked like he was driving a rocket ship stretching his lead every lap the cars of Burton, Roland, Burnside, Weaver, Randal Sweeney, Herschberger, and Shane Cottle all were nose to tail racing around the speedway.  Just when it looked as if Vaughn was going to cruise to an easy victory with a straight away lead he found himself sitting in turn four looking at the oncoming traffic on lap 17.  This had to be heartbreaking to Vaughn but a joyful relief to others who had to be wondering how they were ever going to catch this guy.  When the field restarted the top 12 raced off as if they were a train on rails, stuck together nose to tail.  The main battle in this group was Burnside trying to wrestle the second spot from Roland.  Roland would have none of it though as every time Burnside would  dip down underneath, Roland would power back by and maintain his position.   At the halfway point all of the leaders were still in contact with each other and the best battle was Burnside giving Roland all he could handle.  This battle continued for several laps with Roland holding off the former champion until the 30th lap when Roland's motor started going south.  As his power disappeared so did his positioning as Burnside and Weaver shot by and started a three car breakaway as Roland's slowing car created a bottleneck behind them.  The drivers received a chance to regroup on the 32nd lap as the caution flew.  The car of Kevin Weaver was asked to leave the track during this caution because he had a broken ball joint on the right front of his mount.  This left the front of the field lined up Burton, Burnside, Kyle Logue, Roland and Randall Sweeney.   Roland's night quickly came to an end however as his engine completely gave up on the 35th lap.  From this point the race became a follow the leader type of race with someone occasionally stepping up and trying to gain another spot but to no avail as the track had no grip left.  But things were about to get more interesting as with 4 laps to go Burnside got into the back of Burton coming out of three.  Burton got a bit sideways and Burnside backed out of the throttle to keep from taking Burton completely out.   However with $5000 on the line nobody is going to stay backed off to long and Logue and Burnside both drove in under Burton heading into three and they found out three wide on a dry slick surface will not work.  The end result of this attempt to go three wide was chaos as all three cars went around in front of a speeding field and car parts flew everywhere.  Burton, Burnside, and Logue all were eliminated in this accident as well as a few other top notch cars.  Defending champion Denny Schwartz got the worse end of the deal as he ended up sitting sideways out of 4 and several used him as a bouncing board.  He was shaken up but was able to walk away from his badly twisted race car.   Now with only a handful of cars left and the fourth place car of Sweeney suddenly finding himself leading this very prestigious race the green waved again and Sweeney raced home to the $5000 victory ahead of Mike Marlar, Michael Bradley, Elvin Herschberger, and Bobby Bittle.

 

     Once again Vermillion County Speedway outdid themselves putting on a very fine show and I, personally, can't wait for next year for the 10th Annual race. 

 

RESULTS  (Heats [15 laps] Top 2 Transfer to A, Semi's [20 laps]Top 2 to A, 3-8 to B)

 

HEAT 1- Elvin Herschberger, Randall Sweeney, Tony Duncan, Dusty Moore, Brady Short

 

HEAT 2- Arby Burton, Scott Weber, Jeff Leka, Craig Conyer, RJ Gall

 

HEAT 3- Brent Londeree, Tommy Burnside, Matt Boknecht, Phil Johns, Dave Wheatley

 

HEAT 4- Billy Vaughn, Mark Moore, Everitt, Brabham, Matt Rhyne, Daryl Herbert

 

HEAT 5- Kevin Weaver, Shane Cottle, Jerry Hathway, Jason Lakey, Marvin Burton

 

HEAT 6- Tony Roland, Tim O'Donnell, Lee Hobbs, Mike Marlar, Dave Porth

 

HEAT 7- Kyle Logue, Bobby Bittle, Jimmy Owens, Michael Bradley, John DeMoss

 

HEAT 8- Dan Hamstra, Bob Pohlman, Tommy Kroll, Cory Rolfe, Doug Taylor

 

SEMI 1- Jeff Leka, Tracy Leonard, Tony Duncan, Jim Leka, Dennis Hux, Kevin Davis, Bob Martintoni, Jared Temples, Craig Coyner, Bill Gotti

 

SEMI 2- Matt Boknecht, Lance Dehm, Matt Rhyne, Phil Johns, Daryl Herbert, Kelly Kouski, Darrin Friedman, Kenny Carlson, Al Flick

 

SEMI 3- Mike Marlar, Jason Lakey, Lee Hobbs, Jerry Hathway, Don Kiger, Marvin Burton, Jeremy Hines, Dave Porth, Jack Taylor, Marc Kurth

 

SEMI 4- Jimmy Owens, Michael Bradley, John DeMoss, Tommy Kroll, Roger Cary, Cory Rolfe, JD Roberts, Gary Cook, Dave Rudisill, Rocky Griffin

 

B-MAIN 25 Laps $1000 to Win- 1) Matt Rhyne, 2) Darryl Herbert, 3) Phil Johns, 4) John DeMoss, 5) Roger Cary, 6) Tommy Kroll, 7) Don Kiger, 8) Tony Duncan, 9) Lee Hobbs, 10) Everitt Brabham, 11) Jerry Hathway, 12) Gary Cook, 13) Cory Rolfe, 14) JD Roberts, 15) Kevin Davis, 16) Dave Porth, 17) Dennis Hux, 18) Jared Temples, 19) Bob Martintoni, 20) Kelly Kouski, 21) Jim Leka, 22) Darrin Friedman, 23) Jeremy Hines, 24) Marvin Burton

 

A-MAIN 50 Laps $5000 to Win- 1) Randall Sweeney, 2) Mike Marlar, 3) Michael Bradley, 4) Elvin Herschberger, 5) Bobby Bittle, 6) Jason Lakey, 7) Tracy Leonard, 8) Lance Dehm, 9) Billy Vaughn, 10) Jeff Leka, 11) Dan Hamstra, 12) Kyle Logue, 13) Denny Schwartz, 14) Arby Burton, 15) Tommy Burnside, 16) Tim O'Donnell, 17) Bob Pohlman, 18) Josh Fergeson, 19) Shane Cottle, 20) Tony Roland, 21) Brent Londeree, 22) Mark Moore, 23) Kevin Weaver, 24) Jimmy Owens, 25) Matt Boknecht, 26) Scott Weber

Sweeney Collects $5,000 David Richardson Memorial

by Paul D. Bayne

DANVILLE, IL (May 26) - This Memorial Day holiday weekend, is a time to reflect on all the men and women who have so graciously gave their lives to fight and protect our freedoms through wars on the battlefield's. Sunday night, a battle of a different sort took place at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, IL. A night in which tribute is paid to the life of David Richardson in what very well may be the most prestigious UMP modified race in the Midwest.

The race itself could have been described by many superlatives, but one word that immediately comes to mind is "incredible". Another word that comes to attention is "attrition". Nonetheless, when all was said and done, it was Randle Sweeney of Clifty, KY, driving a 2001 Beckum chassis, powered by a Branon's Performance Engine, that would prove to be the beneficiary of a late race incident that claimed the top three cars. From that point on, Sweeney circled the track on the point and went on to pick up perhaps the biggest win of his career in the David Richardson Memorial race at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, IL.

Only ten of the 26 cars that started were able to keep it together and run the entire 50-lap distance. Five cars were involved in a lap 36 crash when leader Arby Burton, second place Tommy Burnside, and third place Kyle Logue all got together in turn four and collected the cars of Dan Hamstra and Denny Schwartz as well. With the cars running most of the race in single file on the rim of the race track, Burnside tried to get a look inside Burton going into turn four. Logue then dove to the inside of both Burton and Burnside, and when he couldn't hold that line, slid up into Burnside, who in turn collected Burton's machine. All three cars were damaged enough to be taken pitside. Logue also received the black flag for his move.

Burton, who had taken over the lead on lap 17 when leader Billy Vaughn spun in turn four, appeared to be on his way to the biggest payday of his career before the incident took place. Vaughn assumed the point on the opening circuit after powering by polesitter and fast qualifier Elvin Herschberger of Peru, IN, on the outside. Vaughn attacked the rim of the speedway in opening up a 12-car length lead over Burton and the boys.

Five laps into the contest, the first yellow flag waved for the car of Gary Leonard, who had spun in turn two. By this point, 2001 UMP National champion Jimmy Owens had already begun to make his presence felt. After starting 25th on the grid, Owens had already worked his way into the top ten. As positions 2 - 8 fought tooth and nail for every inch on the speedway, Vaughn was continually building a sizable cushion over his counterparts. Burnside of Kansas, IL, the 2000 Richardson Memorial champion, had moved into fifth after starting eleventh. On the ensuing restart, former track champion Dan Hamstra of Fair Oaks, IN spun in turn one, and was placed on the tail of the field. Brent Londeree, however, was finding the going rough at the start, as he slid from third to eleventh by this time.

Back under green, Vaughn wasted little time trying to rebuild the lead he saw vanish when the caution flag flew. On lap eight, Vaughn bobbled a bit off of turn two and allowed the field to close the gap. Burnside had moved past Weaver and began hounding Tony Roland's rear bumper. Ten laps into the contest it was Vaughn out front with Burton, Roland, Burnside, and Logue in tow. Weaver, Sweeney, Herschberger, Shane Cottle, and Owens rounded out the top ten.

The next caution flag flew on lap 17 when Vaughn found misfortune in turn four and relinquished his lead to Burton. Roland was able to move back into second after a Burnside pass was negated due to the caution. With 20 laps now in the books, it was Burton being chased by Roland, Burnside, Logue, and Weaver, followed by Herschberger, Sweeney, Cottle, Owens, and Mike Marlar.

By the half-way point, Tim O'Donnell had moved into the top ten while Cottle fell from it. As Burnside continued his assault on Roland for second, Weaver pressured Logue for the fourth spot. Owens meanwhile, pulled up lame on lap 28 with mechanical problems heading down the back-stretch and pulled his car into the pit area without incident. As Owens became a spectator, Burnside and Weaver both were able to out-muscle Roland back to the fourth spot, while Logue slipped to fifth.

On lap 31, caution waved for the fourth time after contact between defending Richardson Memorial champion Denny Schwartz and Mark Moore made contact in turn one. Both were able to keep moving, but the caution flew to check the slowing car of Moore. Under the caution, Weaver pulled up to track officials for consultation, and was informed that he had a busted ball-joint. Weaver's night had come to an end in the Lightning Chassis house car.

When the field took the ensuing green, it was Burton, Burnside, Logue, Roland, and Sweeney now, followed by Marlar, O'Donnell, Herschberger, Cottle, and Jeff Leka, who now was cracking the top ten for the first time of the night. About this time, Schwartz was starting to make a run up through the field and currently sat in 12th, after starting rear on the grid. Schwartz had been guaranteed a spot in the field by virtue of his win Friday night at nearby Charleston Speedway. The win Friday, netted Schwartz a sum of $3,000.

Sweeney had wrestled the fourth spot away from Roland on lap 32, but Roland answered the call and reclaimed the position moments later. Roland however, would see his stout performance come to an end on lap 34, when apparently he fell victim to engine woes after slipping off the top-side in turns three & four. Roland guided his TRI Motorsports/Buzzard chassis/Rhyne Competition Engines machine safely into the pit area without yielding a caution.

On lap 37, several cars got together in turn one when Cottle got loose, thus collecting both Leka and Bob Pohlman Jr. For Cottle the night was done as he limped back to the pits with a broken left-front ball-joint. Josh Ferguson also took his car behind the wall with the same problem as Cottle.

With ten to go, the lineup was Burton, Burnside, Logue, Sweeney, and Marlar, with O'Donnell, Schwartz, Herschberger, Michael Bradley, and Hamstra rounding out the top ten. Hamstra, had successfully worked his way back up through the field and into the top ten, after his lap six miscue.

With time running out and patience wearing thin, the track was for the most part becoming unpassable. To pass, drivers had to use a good run off of the corners heading down the straight-aways, or get downright pushy with the car in front of them. On lap 36, the yellow flag flew once again when O'Donnell found trouble in turn three. With his car smoking, O'Donnell was forced to the infield by track officials which was much to his unliking. Pohlman Jr. retired to the pit area just prior to the yellow.

This incident would set the stage for what would spark great controversy in the laps to come. With just fifteen cars now left on the track, Burton would lead them down again off of turn four for the restart. As Burton led the troops around to get the five-laps-to-go signal from starter Rick Isaacson, the top three cars could be covered seemingly by a postage stamp. In turn three Burnside edged his right front wheel alongside the left rear of Burton, while Logue saw an opportunity to gamble on the bottom of the racetrack in an attempt to slide by both of the front-runners. The gamble did not pay off, as all three cars collided causing chaos in turn four. While Logue was able to continue on and appear to be the new race leader, several other cars were collected by the ruckus, including Schwartz and Hamstra. Schwartz could only offer a wry smile, but did say that his car was "trashed" now. Hamstra thought he had cleared the carnage in turn four, but said, "Burnside came rolling down the track, and I slowed to avoid him, but someone behind me ran over the right front of my car and broke the Pittman arm. I thought I had made it through there".

Visibly upset, Burton rifled his helmet at the car of Logue when he came back around, while Burnside and others including Burton, discussed what had taken place. Burton had seen what seemingly was the biggest payday of his career go down the tubes. "Guys just got greedy there at the end," said Hamstra. "I was beginning to work that middle part of the track because it was just starting to come in," he added.

While the wreckage was cleared, Logue was informed that not only did he break something on the rear of his car, but that he would be black-flagged for rough driving. Sweeney on the otherhand, found himself the new leader with just four laps to go, with Marlar, Herschberger, Bradley, and Bobby Bittle all set to give it their final shot. Without any further problems, Sweeney was able to fend off Marlar to claim the big prize. Bradley outdueled Herschberger to the line for the third spot.

Rounding out the top ten at the stripe were Jason Lakey, Leonard, Lance Dehm, Vaughn, and Leka. It was most certainly a night where it paid to be at the back of the pack when the race got underway. Marlar of Winfield, TN, started 19th, Bradley of Paris, IL, started 24th. Leka, Marlar, Leonard, Dehm, Jason Lakey, and Bradley all came from out of the semi-features to reach the starting grid. All ended up with top ten finishes.

While Sweeney celebrated in victory lane with his family, he said "this is my fourth time here, and we've always been bitten by bad luck. Flat tires, broken rear-end...tonight it feels good to come out on the other end for a change. It was very satisfying to get a little redemption". When asked to describe the events that led to the collision in turn four that claimed the top three cars, Sweeney said "it looked like good hard racing, I mean everyone was racing as clean as they could. I don't think it was anything intentional anywhere. It was just racing it looked like to me. Usually I come out the victim, this time I come out ahead". The winning entry was sponsored by ShadeTree Motorsports, Willhite Speed & Performance, and R&S Lumber Co.

Only ten of the 26 cars that started the race were able to finish. The race saw three lead changes among four drivers, and was slowed by seven caution periods. In all 109 modifieds passed through the gates and took qualifying.

As if the feature event didn't satisfy even the most die-hard race fan, well the heat races surely did. Some of the best action seen at Vermilion County this year occured in the heat races. Heat race winners included Herschberger over Sweeney, Burton over Scott Weber, Londeree over Burnside, Weaver over Cottle, Roland over O'Donnell, Logue over Bittle, and Hamstra over Pohlman Jr. Sweeney, Burnside, Roland, and Pohlman Jr. all came from deep in the pack to pick up transfer spots. Only Roland was able to power on to the heat race checkers.

 

 

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SHANNON BABB TOPS FIELD AT VCS
By Terry Young

(5/5/02)The Decatur Invader Shannon Babb rolled into the Vermillion County Speedway tonight and picked up a $2,000 paycheck for his dominating performance.

There was a Decatur connection to victory lane this evening as Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL. which is just outside Deactur claimed the U.M.P. modified main event over Michael Bradley in a close, down to the wire battle.

2002 news

2002 VCS NEWS FROM NAMGALF
(aka Rick Isaacson)

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VCS results 8-17

Fast time: Josh Ferguson
First heat: Denny Schwartz, Josh Ferguson, Jerry Hathaway, Chuck Haga
Second heat: Don Kiger, Kyle Logue, John Hollifield Jr., Ryan Bowman
Feature:
1. Denny Schwartz 2. Jerry Hathaway 3. Josh Ferguson
4. Michael Bradley 5. Kyle Logue 6. Chuck Haga
7. Arby Burton 8. Rob Fuqua 9. Ryan Bowman
10.Jason Lakey 11.Jim Moore 12.Cory Rolfe
13.Troy Carter 14.Mickey Bailey 15.Jason Collins
16.Don Kiger 17.Rich Isaacson 18.Kevin Davis
19.Jesse Simmons 20.John Hollifield Jr 21.Larry Cunningham
22.Rick Hufford
Lowest car count of the year with 23 mods entered. Total of 117 cars in the pits. Mod feature was finished at 9:40 even with the annual kids night crowd and allowing all kids rides on the cars at intermission...All racing was finished at 10:40 because of several red flags and cautions during the bomber and hornet features.. Schwartz led green to checkered with little pressure except during the first couple of laps from Kiger who pulled off about midway after fading to about 7th spot. Hathaway and Ferguson put on a spirited battle for the runnerup spot trading it three or four times the last 5 laps. Bradley hooked up in the middle of the speedway the last 10 laps and moved forward just getting by Logue the last couple of laps for the 4th spot. Huffdaddy hotseat this week was mixed as he pulled off after one lap in the mod feature but ran a strong second in the super street feature to Haga... That class is getting stronger every week with 35 cars entered this week and great racing along with the mods making the weekly show at VCS great racing. Next week the Hornets are running for $300 to win and will get to qualify for their heat starting positions... Hope to see ya here..

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Wed. winner at VCS is Denny Schwartz

(8/7/02)Denny Schwartz snared the 25 lap UMP modified feature event at Vermilion County Speedway Wednesday night and in the process kept his quest for the national championship on track. Mr. Excitement as he is also known started in the 6th position but let it be known early that he was going to be reckoned with as at the end of lap 1 he had moved to third in the running order and quickly made the move around VCS point leader Kyle Logue for the runnerup spot during lap 2 and set out for the front runner Jason Lakey and cut into his 5 car length lead. Catching would turn out to be much easier than passing the pace setter as lap after lap Schwartz would try different lines every where on the multi groove track to no avail. On lap 14 lapped traffic would play a part as Lakey appeared to hesitate just a little coming out of turn 2 while lapping Dustin Elliott which allowed Schwartz enough momentum to get under Lakey and complete the pass going into turn 3. With both cars running the high side of the speedway Schwartz commenced to begin to pull away from the early leader. Meanwhile 4th starting Kyle Logue held on to the 3rd position pretty much all alone the complete race then began to also reel in Lakey and finally catching him with 2 laps to go but could not muster enough speed to get by at the finish. Ninth starting Michael Bradley had to weave his way through the field and keep the pressure on Logue for the points championship to finsh in the 4th slot. Roger Cary battled his way to finish 5th on the very racy track. Results below:
Fast time: Roger Cary
Heat one: Chuck Haga, Kyle Logue, Roger Cary, Brian McDaniel, John Hollifield, Chris Richards
Heat two: Jason Lakey, Jerry Hathaway, Danny Schwartz, Don Kiger, Mark Grosvenor, Tom Merlo
Heat three: Tony Roland, Denny Schwartz, Michael Bradley, Kevin Davis, Robin Huffman, Dustin Elliott
Feature:
1. Denny Schwartz 2. Jason Lakey 3. Kyle Logue
4. Michael Bradley 5. Roger Cary 6. Chuck Haga
7. Jerry Hathaway 8. Tony Roland 9. Brian McDaniel
10.Danny Schwartz 11.Don Kiger 12.John Hollifield
13.Kevin Davis 14.Robin Huffman 15.Jesse Simmons
16.Cory Rolfe 17.Chris Richards 18.Dan Hamstra
19.Mark Grosvenor 20.Albert Gardener 21.Dustin Elliott
22.Tom Merlo 23.Jason Collins
26 cars signed in tonight and all cars that were able to make it through the heats were in the feature. Track was excellent with racing everywhere. 3 wide was very common and I saw 2 different times cars 4 wide entering turn 1. 15 cars were on the lead lap at the end and the race went green to checker without a caution. Mod feature ended at 11:14. Next race at VCS is the NALMS late models this coming Sunday with the UMP mods, super streets, bombers along with the LM on the card.. Front gate admission is $15. Hope to see ya here... Oh yeah almost forgot the Huffdaddy Hotseat was a no show in the mods but he entered his Super street in the special $1500 to win show and took the lead at the 20 lap mark the stretched the lead to half a straight and take home the money.....

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(8/4/02)
Bradley Takes Another Win at VCS
Sorry since the board was down my memory may be a little behind but will do the best I can so here goes... Using his pole position Michael Bradley needed every bit of that advantage to hold on and win his 6th main event of the year at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday night. Jumping to the front at the outset and holding off Dave Wheatley for the first few laps Bradley led every lap on his way but point leader (not by much) Kyle Logue had him in his cross hairs the entire 25 laps. Surviving 4 caution flags for minor incidents Bradley and Logue pulled away from the battle for third every time and at one time had a near full straight lead only to let it slip away when the cautions fell. The final yellow banner flew at lap 18 and once again Logue stayed glued to the bumper of Bradley with both running the top of the perfectly prepared speedway until lap 23 when Bradley momentarily jumped the cushion in turn 2 allowing Logue to pull nearly even racing down the backstretch. Bradley jumped on the throttle just enough to pull back in front and hold on for the victory. The battle for third was just as exciting with Wheatley and Dan Hamstra going back and forth every lap then Jason Lakey joining the fight on the high side late in the event and following the leaders in that order at the finish. Excellent racing ... Results below
Fast time : Dan Hamstra
First heat: Michael Bradley, Dan Hamstra, Brian McDaniel, Danny Schwartz, Jerry Hathaway, Arby Burton
Second heat: Dave Wheatley, Rick Hufford, Ryan Thomas, Cory Rolfe, Phil VanSant, Mark Grosvenor
Third heat: Kyle Logue, Jason Lakey, Chuck Haga, Don Kiger, Matt McDonald, Jim Moore
Consi ; Larry Raines, Josh Ferguson, Mike Parker, Bill Gatti
Feature:
1. Michael Bradley 2. Kyle Logue 3. Dave Wheatley
4. Dan Hamstra 5. Jason Lakey 6. Danny Schwartz
7. Chuck Haga 8. Don Kiger 9. Jerry Hathaway
10.Phil VanSant 11.Brian McDaniel 12.Ryan Thomas
13.Arby Burton 14.Josh Ferguson 15.Mark Grosvenor
16.Mike Parker 17.Larry Raines 18.Jim Moore
19.Rick Hufford 20.Cory Rolfe 21.Matt McDonald
22.Bill Gatti
Track was great with not a hint of dust and tacky all night. Racing was anywhere the drivers wished to run, top, bottom or middle, and three wide battles evident throughtout the pack. 29 cars entered with a total of 119 cars in the pits. Modified feature was finished at 10:34 and all racing except for the powder puffs were over at 11:10. Powder puff was finished by 11:30. Next race is Wednesday night as the rained out July 21 race is being ran with the super streets paying 1500 to win. Mods and bombers are having a regular show. Huffdaddys Hotseat was not good this night as he finished second in the second heat making for a 5th starting slot in the feature however a flattened right front tire forced him from the event . Hope to see ya sunday... oh yeah sorry for not having last weeks results in here but a lot of different things happened during the week keeping me from the computer with enough time to recognize Denny Schwartz's victory and also the other 26 cars in attendance...
 

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7/29/2002

John Gill Rides off with $10,000 at Vermilion County Speedway!
By James Essex

(7/29/02)John Gill of Mitchell, IN won the First Annual Battle of the Borders on Monday Night, July 29 at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois. Gill piloting the Terry Eaglin Motorsports/Helena/Performance Plus Car Wash/Elrod Grain/Cyclone One/Draime Racing Engines/Hoosier Tires/Rocket Grand Prix earned $10,000 for the victory taking the cash back to the Hoosier State. The 42 year old Gill in his 21st year of dirt late model racing beat to the finish line a strong lineup of competitiors with Scott Bloomquist finishing second followed by Brian Birkhofer, Shannon Babb and Billy Moyer.

Gill would start on the outside of the front row of the 60 lap main event with Shannon Babb starting from the pole. Gill would immediately take the point getting the jump on Babb coming off of turn number two. Babb would settle into second with Scott Bloomquist in his first event since pocketing the $100,000 UMP Summernationals Tour 2002 running in third at this point. Gill, Babb, Boomquist would not be able to see what was happening behind them except the full house of fans did with two and three wide racing on the track for the middle positions.

Bloomquist would make his move around Babb on the sixth lap with all eyes now on Iowan Brian Birkhofer who was on the move from his eighth starting slot. Birkhofer would pass Jeep Van Wormer and take fifth on the eighth circuit. Birkhofer would then challenge and make the move to get by Babb on the 18th lap. the first of two cautions during the race flew for the stalled mount of Steve Hillard on the 19th lap. Hillard who's primary car was destroyed in an accident at Fairbury on Saturday Night was behind the wheel of the Michael Bradley/Rayburn. Hillard would go pitside and be the first car out of the race.

When the race resumed it was Gill still on the point with Bloomquist in second followed by Birkhofer, Babb and Billy Moyer.
Moyer and Bob Pierce were seemingly on the move as in the first part of the race Pierce had gone from 14th to sixth and back to seventh were he stayed the rest of the race. The final caution came out on the 22nd lap for a stalled Don O'Neal as he would be the second car out of the race.

That would set up 38 laps under green flag that would determine the race. Gill had been on a rail not making any mistakes and driving the familiar #75 anywhere on the well prepared race track as anyone on this night. Traffic would start to play a role in the outcome of the race. As Bloomquist and Birkhofer had their own private battle for second, Gill was negotiating traffic in front of him. As the laps wound down both Bloomquist and Birkhofer would close the gap on Gill which at one point was more than a straightaway ahead of anybody else. With ten laps to go Bloomquist and Birkhofer had a clear race track in front of them as they two handled traffic with very little resistance. With five laps to go they were within five car lengths of Gill slicing his lead down lap after lap and with more traffic approaching Gill was in a vulnerable position not knowing who was coming up behind him. Bloomquist and Birkhofer were able to slice the lead to two lengths with the white flag waving as both drivers were giving it their all in an attempt to take the win from Gill on the final lap. Their efforts however came up short as Gill just as he did for most of the entire race drove his same line and sped on to pickup the win. Two car lengths was the final advantage in the thrilling finish as both Bloomquist and Birkhofer made it interesting.

Shannon Babb would take fourth with teammate Billy Moyer rounding out the top five. the rest of the top ten finishers were Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Jeep Van Wormer, Darren Miller and Roger Long.

In preliminary events several drivers broke Steve Barnett's seven year old track record of 13.668 seconds. Shannon Babb would be the driver to do it last as he clocked an electrifying 13.305 seconds around the 1/4 mile oval. Babb, Gill, Van Wormer and Bloomquist won heat races. Billy Drake and Jim Curry won the two last chance consy races.

The official finish:

First Annual Battle of the Borders
Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, IL
Monday Night, July 29, 2002

Entries: 37 Cars from 7 States

Feature Finish:

1. John Gill-Mitchell, IN $10,000 Rocket/Draime/Hoosier Tires
2. Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN $4000
3. Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA $3000
4. Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL $2500
5. Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR $2000
6. Dan Schlieper-Pewaukee, WI $1800
7. Bob Pierce-Oakwood, IL $1600
8. Jeep Van Wormer-Pinconning, MI $1500
9. Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL $1200
10.Roger Long-Fithian, IL $1000
11.Matt Miller-Waterville, OH $800
12.Steve Barnett-Franklin, IN $700
13.Earl Pearson, Jr.-Jacksonville, FL $600
14.Billy Drake-Bloomington, IL $500
15.Doug McCammon-Palestine, IL $400
16.Mark Stetler-Attica, IN $400
17.Jammie Wilson-Hoopeston, IL $400
18.Wes Steidinger-Fairbury, IL $400
19.Jim Curry-Norman, IN $400
20.Kevin Weaver-Gibson City, IL $400
21.Don O'Neal-Martinsville, IN $400
22.Steve Hillard-Sadorus, IL $400

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7/28....NO RACES

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7/20/ PROGRAM RAINED OUT

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Jimmy Owens surprise visitor wins VCS

(7/14/02)Newport Tennessee driver Jimmy Owens showed up at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening and took the victory and precious UMP modified points home. Starting on the front row by virtue of winning his heat Owens followed fellow front row starter Rick Hufford very early until taking the lead on the bottom of the smooth slick speedway and never looking back. If he had however his eyes would have been filled with Kyle Logue for the first 10 laps right on his rear bumper then with Jason Lakey on the rim of the speedway who both were giving Owens a definite run for his money. Lakey motored by Logue on lap 11 and began a pursuit of Owens that would have the fans building with anticipation the possible pass for the lead even though Owens had built up a 10 car length lead. By lap 16 the lead had shrunk to 5 lengths and lap 20 was down to 3 lengths. With 2 to go Owens had caught the only car to go a lap down in Mark Grosvenor and put him one lap in arrears but Grosvenor was also running the top and effectively blocked Lakey from catching Owens in the end. It took Lakey about a lap to get by the lapper thus allowing the leader to finally win by 5 lengths at the finish. Following the lead duo Logue held onto third with Michael Bradley and Denny Schwartz battling the last 2/3rds of the race for the fourth and fifth positions, Bradley riding the bottom and Schwartz the middle, Schwartz was able to nose by a couple of times during the 25 lap grind but could never get enough in front to steal the spot allowing Bradley to capture the 4th finishing slot then followed by Schwartz. Results below:
Fast time: Josh Ferguson
1st heat: Jimmy Owens, Jason Lakey, Josh Ferguson, Don Kiger
2nd heat: Rick Hufford, Michael Bradley, Chuck Haga, Jerry Hathaway
3rd heat: Kyle Logue, Denny Schwartz, J.R.Coyner, Jesse Simmons
Consi: Tim O'Donnell, John Hudson, Terry Duncan, Marty Hiser
Feature:
1. Jimmy Owens 2. Jason Lakey 3. Kyle Logue
4. Michael Bradley 5. Denny Schwartz 6. Jerry Hathaway
7. Chuck Haga 8. Don Kiger 9. Josh Ferguson
10.Larry Raines 11.Cory Rolfe 12.Marty Hiser
13.Jesse Simmons 14.Craig Conyer 15.Terry Duncan
16.Rob Fuqua 17.Brad Crosby 18.Mark Grosvenor
19.Rick Hufford 20.Tim O'Donnell 21.J.R.Coyner
22.John Hudson
Three cautions during the event.. 31 cars signed in tonight with 112 cars total in the pits... Modified feature ended at 10:10 with all racing finished at 10:40... Track was smooth and dry slick from top to bottom but was racy as all grooves were used during the feature... I figure Owens had not gotten his UMP win thus the reasoning for the appearance here and would have been really interesting to see if Lakey could have reeled him in were it not for the lapped car but "thats racin". Another surprise visitor to the speedway was former Nascar driver and car owner Dave Marcis taking in the action from the pit area as a fan.. Good to see that some of the big guys still go to the real roots of racing every once in a while... In the Huffdaddy Hot Seat Huffdaddy ran really well in the heat and started front row outside taking a very early lead but after sliding back to the sixth position at about the halfway mark something broke in turns one and two forcing him to the infield for the remainder of the event... Next week the super streets run for $1500 to win their feature along with the regular classes on Sunday night... Hope to see ya here then

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Same ole , same ole at VCS
7/7/02

For the 3rd week in a row Michael Bradley came out on top at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday night July 7. After one aborted start VCS point leader Kyle Logue led the field to the green with Bradley joining him in the front row. After a few lap side by side battle Bradley fell in behind Logue and continuously stayed glued to his rear bumper but using a somewhat different line around the speedway just not getting enough umph to grab the front spot. Also the battle for third was a good one as Don Kiger (got a big break from the aborted start), fast qualifier John Hollifield and Rick Hufford all struggling for the position. Tim O'Donnell was making his patented move to the front from another terrible starting spot (13th) and was challenging for the 6th position on the outside when a yellow as thrown for a collision in turn 3 between Jesse Simmons and I believe Josh Ferguson (not sure) about lap 9 . On the ensuing restart O'Donnell was the victim of some overdriving behind him and was collected in the ensuing carnage forcing enough damage to his vehicle to sideline him for the remainder. At the restart Logue led the single file start with Bradley and Hollfield in tow. On lap 13 Kiger moved under Hollifield for the third spot now about 10 lengths behind the 2 front runners still nose to tail. Lap 17 saw Hufford also move under Hollifield coming out of turn 2 and going into turn 3 and appeard to take control of the position but in turn 3 Hollifield (in track officials observations) turned left when they were side by side forcing Hufford into the infield marker tires and forcing both cars to a stop and out of the race (more on this later). On the restart Logue once again led the field and looked to have the race in hand until lap 23 when going into turn one he slipped up just enough to allow the charging Bradley room to take the bottom away and pull to a lead he would hold for the final 2 laps. Kiger held on for third with John Hudson moving to 4th and Roger Cary snagging the 5th spot. Results below:
Fast time: John Hollifield
1st heat: Kyle Logue, John Hollifield, Don Kiger, Rick Hufford
2nd heat: Michael Bradley, John Hudson, Tim Reynolds, Greg Wright
Feature:
1. Michael Bradley 2. Kyle Logue 3. Don Kiger
4. John Hudson 5. Roger Cary 6. Brian McDaniel
7. Josh Ferguson 8. Ryan Bowman 9. Tim Reynolds
10.Cory Rolfe 11.Greg Wright 12.Kelly Aldrich
13.John Gurley 14.John Hollifield 15.Rick Hufford
16.Don Fleetwood 17.Jerry Hathaway 18.Jesse Simmons
19.Tim O'Donnell 20.Mike Elliott 21.Chuck Haga
22.Terry Duncan
26 cars signed in and this whole night was a struggle for everyone involved it seemed. Track was not the best it has been (little rough) but racing was two lanes for the most part. Brian McDaniel mostly used the top side to move up from his 19th start slot to finish 6th. Roger Cary started 22nd and finished 5th this after a two car penalty(on a restart) for jumping one of the starts. Josh Ferguson made it all the way back to 7th after having to go to the rear for his early collision. 13 cars finished the event with none being lapped. In the Huffdaddy Hotseat it sure got really warm tonight. As documented above Huffdaddy was involved with John Hollifield on lap 17 and when both cars came to a stop Huffdaddy's temper got the best of him and he exited his car to confront Hollifield. In turn Hollifield also exited his vehicle but before both drivers could get together promoter Bill Marietta got between the combatants and cooler heads prevailed. For his driving Hollifield was going to be sent to the pits as officials determined his acts to be intentional but Huffdaddy also had to be removed from the event as the rule at VCS is that if a driver exits his car for any reason other than by the request of an official he is through for the remainder of that event. During the altercation Hollifield also got too heated with Bill Marietta and was not only ejected from the event but also was suspended from VCS for the remainder of the year. Also tonight 3 red flags were used , 2 for rollovers and one for a really scary and serious accident at the beginning of the super street semi where one car was hit drivers side door full speed by another causing the door bars to collapse over the left leg and around the left side of the driver completely to the steering column. Extrication took approx. 45 minutes and with the other accidents the mod feature finished at 10:40 and all racing was done at 11:20. Too Late!!! Hope for a better night next week as Friday the Midwest Sprint car series returns for the last time in '02 along with the bombers and hornets. Sunday returns with a complete show including the UMP modifieds, super streets, bombers, and hornets... see ya Sunday..

6/30/02....Bradley Sunday's winner at VCS Michael Bradley won his second in a row and 4th of the season at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday night. Starting in the third slot by virtue of winning the third heat Bradley had to work to grab the lead on lap 11 while in a 3 way battle with Terry Duncan and Jerry Hathaway. Kyle Logue was making progress forward and followed suit around Hathaway 3 laps later for the second position trying to reel in the fleet Bradley who had opened up a half straight lead by this time. With the front 2 pretty much cruising and neither really making and distance the attention turned to the race for third. For the last 10 laps of the event 11 cars ran side by side, bumper to bumper switching back and forth each and every turn of every lap with all 11 within less than one half a straightaway. Each and every one did a great job of racing 3 and 4 wide for the 10 laps without a caution and I personally don't remember any banging or pushing by any. Tim O'Donnell who seems to have the top figured out at VCS methodically picked off one by one by going all the way to the rim of the speedway and sometimes using the middle to advance to the 3rd spot at the finish followed by Roger Cary and Jerry Hathaway.. Bradley went on to win by 5 lengths over Logue. Results below: Fast time: Jason Lakey Heat 1: Terry Duncan, Roger Cary, Josh Ferguson, Jason Lakey Heat 2: Jerry Hathaway, Kyle Logue, J.R.Coyner, Cory Rolfe Heat 3: Michael Bradley, John Hudson, Jeff Leka, Rick Hufford Feature: 1. Michael Bradley 2. Kyle Logue 3. Tim O'Donnell 4. Roger Cary 5. Jerry Hathaway 6. Terry Duncan 7. Rick Hufford 8. Jason Lakey 9. Don Kiger 10.Josh Ferguson 11.Brian McDaniel 12.Jeff Leka 13.John Hudson 14.Kevin Davis 15.Cory Rolfe 16.Robin Huffman 17.Steve Evans 18.Mike Elliott 19.Rich Isaacson 20.Karl Krueger 21.J.R.Coyner 22.Jesse Simmons 23.Jeff Sanford 24.Chris Richards Although the track was over watered early in the day and the racing got started approx. 30 minutes late the modified feature was finished at 9:24 and all racing over at 10:02. Exactly 100 cars were in the pits and the track was great... tacky all night long allowing for racing in all classes to be side by side anywhere on the track. 25 modifieds signed in with Denny Schwartz blowing a motor in hot laps and loading on the trailer for the night. Big mover was O'Donnell from 13th start to 3rd and biggest faller was Coyner from 8th to 21st.. New this week and as long as I don't forget will be the Huffdaddy Hotseat. Hotseat news this week the Huffdaddy started 12th and finished a respectable 7th amongst all the battle for the 3rd finishing position. Next Sunday will be a regular show at VCS with the UMP modifieds, Super Streets, Bombers and Hornets with the Bombers racing for a whopping $500 to win... Hope it aint a full moon...

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BRADLEY CLAIMS THIRD WIN AT VCS

(6/23/02)Paris Illinois driver Michael Bradley grabbed his 3rd UMP modified victory at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois on Sunday night. Hot and humid evening did not deter the drivers as 2 and 3 wide racing was evident throughout the event with the track somewhat dry and dusty (least on the frontstretch). Front row starters Don Kiger and Rick Hufford led the 23 car field to the green flag starting a battle that would be halted one lap at a time until lap 4 when the racing really began. Mechanical failures and spins were the culprits with the only person leaving the event early was unlucky John Hudson who had nowhere to go when Roger Cary got loose and looped his mount in turn 1 then Hudson could not avoid the Cary car and ran over the top on his front end forcing him from the race. Once the racing got going Hufford and Kiger were battling along with Tim O'Donnell for the lead for the next few laps when Kyle Logue and Michael Bradley began their charge to the front at the stripe on lap 15 O'Donnell on the high side Logue in the middle and Bradley on the bottom were three wide from turn 3 to turn 1 exciting the crowd for the lead. Kiger had fallen to 5th and Hufford was snooping around the front 3 to take advantage of any mistakes. Logue appeared to lift the earliest allowing Bradley to move under O'Donnell in turn 2 and snatch the lead away. At the same time Hufford also moved next to Logue and for the next couple of laps ran side by side before Hufford moved ahead for 3rd. Kiger would also move under Logue for 4th before the finish leaving Logue the 5th slot. Racing behind the front pack was also side by side for many spots. Results below.
Fast time : J.R.Coyner
1st heat: Don Kiger, Kyle Logue, Roger Cary, Larry Raines
2nd heat: Rick Hufford, Michael Bradley, Jerry Hathaway, Brian McDaniel
3rd heat: Tim O'Donnell, Jason Lakey, Mark Moore, Jesse Simmons
No consi as Bill Marietta allowed all cars able to run to start the feature
Feature:
1. Michael Bradley 2. Rick Hufford
3. Tim O'Donnell 4. Don Kiger
5. Kyle Logue 6. Jason Lakey
7. Jerry Hathaway 8. Brian McDaniel
9. Jesse Simmons 10.Roger Cary
11.Bill Gatti 12.Cory Rolfe
13.Aaron Buckham 14.Larry Raines
15.J.R.Coyner 16.Steve Evans
17.Karl Kruger 18.Kevin Davis
19.Terry Duncan 20.Jeff Sanford
21.Mark Moore 22.Josh Ferguson
23.John Hudson
Lowest car count of the season for the UMP modifieds with 26 signing in. 18 cars finished the feature with none being lapped. A total of 108 total cars were in the pits with the modified feature finished at 9:40 and all racing over at 10:14... Not too bad for a full moon evening even though there was a scary 8 car crash in the bomber feature with one car rolling over twice and landing on top of anothers roll cage during one of the flips. Thank goodness all drivers were ok (Joe Buyno and Bill Kingore) but not the same could be said for their cars nor many of the others caught up in the accident. Next week is fair week with the bombers and hornets racing Friday night with the non winged Midwest Sprint cars and Sunday being a regular show with the UMP modifieds , Super streets , Bombers and Hornets racing...

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WENDELL WALLACE TAKES 10 GRAND
By Smash the Loud Pedal

(6/16/02) 57 cars invaded the Vermillion County Speedway tonight in search of the $10,000 payday that would be the winners sum, and when the evening ended it was the Batesville Bullet, Wendell Wallace sitting in victory lane holding the oversized check for $10k!

After setting the fastest qualifying mark as the first car out Wallace was beat at the line in the dash by Scott Bloomquist, the pair towed Rick Aukland, Billy Drake, Steve Hillard and Kevin Weaver to the A-main from their respective dash finishes.

The first heat was topped by Don O'Neal over Jeep VanWormer, Steve Barnett, Jr. Schickel, Jammie Wilson, Joe Harlan, Duke Whiseant and Brian Clendenen.

The second heat saw Mr. UMP Summer Nat's Billy Moyer ahead of Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Dennis Erb, Rodney Melvin and Ryan Dauber.

The third heat was Roger Long taking the win over The Shoestring Traveler Chub Frank, Richie Hedrick, Jim Curry, Ed Dixon, Shawn Toczek, Steve Sheppard, Jr., Matt Taylor and Jimmy Burwell.

The fourth and final heat was won by The Modern Day Cowboy John Gill over Shannon Babb, Greg Johnson, Brian Birkhofer and Scott James.

The consi's which would transfer the final three from each to the A-main to complete the 24 car starting field were won by Erb over Melvin and Duke Whiseant, and Curry ahead of Birkhofer and James.

When the green flag flew on the main event it was Bloomquist jumping out to an early lead in convincing fashion ahead of Wallace, Aukland, Billy Drake, Hillard, Weaver, Moyer and O'Neal.

The first caution would show on lap 15 when Don O'Neal and Kevin Weaver made contact on the frontstretch coming off of turn four. Weavers car took a HARD right hand turn and headed straight into the wall at full spoeed ahead. Weaver, although a little dazed, seemed to be uninjured. His mount however, was much worse for the wear.

After the brief red to clear Weavers car from the track, the green was again displayed for the restart and sparks were flying from the undercarriage of Bloomquists car. However, Bloomquist continued to lead the field and even seemed to be pulling away slightly despite the cracking and popping from his powerplant and a smoke show that would make any mosquito exterminator envious!

Lap 31 would be the end of Bloomquists evening as his motor gave up and Bloomquist brought out the caution as he sat stopped in turns three and four with flames under the hood! After being extinguished the green was once again displayed and it was all Wally as he took to the hub and never looked back in his run to the checkers. Following Wallace at the stripe were Aukland, Drake, Hillard, Moyer, Babb, Schlieper, O'Neal, Frank, Pierce, Van WOrmer, Erb, Barnett, Johnson and Melvin.

All in all, a great show with multi groove passing up to the point of the feature when the track took rubber and passing was at a premium.

In return for the efforts put forth this season so far by track promoter Bill Marietta and crew, the speedway was blessed this evening with the largest crowd in the history of The Vermillion County Speedway!

My hats off to the entire track crew and looking forward to the return of the big gun late models to the track on July 29th as they seek out another $10,000 to win payday!

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JASON LAKEY WINS MODIFIED FEATURE
 

Urbana Illinois driver Jason Lakey garnered his first UMP modified win of the season at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening in front of an overflow crowd (literally) in conjunction with the UMP summernationals tour for Late models. Lakey took advantage of a caution on lap 17 and move around race long leader Tim O'Donnell for the victory. O'Donnell had taken the lead from early leader Dave Wheatley on lap 2 and stretched to a half straight lead before the caution that did him in. After the green reappeared O'Donnell appeared to have either the tires flat give up or have some kind of mechanical problem as he went from the lead to finish 13th in just 7 laps at the end. Kyle Logue moved to the second spot with Wheatley finishing a consistent 3rd and Josh Ferguson running good for the second week in a row for 4th followed by Denny Schwartz who had to come from the rear after an early ballet spin with Tommy Kroll at lap 4. Results below:
No qualifing tonight
1st heat: Dave Wheatley, Tommy Kroll, Josh Ferguson, Gabe Menser
2nd heat: Tim O'Donnell, Wes O'Dell, Cory Rolfe, Rob Fuqua
3rd heat: Denny Schwartz, Jason Lakey, Steve Faust, Jeff Leka (Michael Bradley finished 2nd but was disqualified for being light at the scales)
4th heat: Don Kiger, Kyle Logue, Brian McDaniel, Matt Rhyne
1st consi: Roger Cary, Bill Gatti, Craig Conyer
2nd consi: Jamie Henson, J.R.Coyner, Rodney Standerfer
Feature:
1. Jason Lakey 2. Kyle Logue
3. Dave Wheatley 4. Josh Ferguson
5. Denny Schwartz 6. Jeff Leka
7. Wes O'Dell 8. Roger Cary
9. Don Kiger 10.Rodney Standerfer
11.Cory Rolfe 12.Steve Faust
13.Tim O'Donnell 14.Jamie Henson
15.J.R.Coyner 16.Tommy Kroll
17.Craig Conyer 18.Gabe Menser
19.Brian McDaniel 20.Rob Fuqua
21.Bill Gatti 22.Matt Rhyne
Three cautions during the event. 43 modifieds signed in tonight with a total of 130 cars in the pits.. LM feature ended at 10:24 the mod feature at 10:48 and all racing done at 11:10... Movers were Schwartz from the rear to 5th, Cary from 17th to 8th, Leka from 15th to 6th, and Standerfer from 22nd to 10th.. Track was slick and smooth with racing from top to bottom for the mods. Good show guys and congrats to Jason for his win but sorrow for Tim O'Donnell for leading and seemingly having the race in hand before the last yellow. Another loser was Don Kiger who was fighting for the 3rd spot before the yellow and fell to 9th after the same caution. Cannot remember when tires seemed to make such of a difference after a yellow during a modified race. Regular show next Sunday with the UMP mods, super streets, bombers and hornets on the card...

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16 YEAR OLD JOSH FERGUSON CAPTURES VCS FEATURE

Sunday, June9

The maturization process of a young racer took a major step at Vemilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday night June 9. Second year driver and just 16 years old Josh Ferguson of Veedersburg Indiana led every lap for the victory in the UMP modified feature event however it certainly was not nearly as easy as it sounds. Using the pole position by virtue of winning the first heat Ferguson started next to former Winston Racing Series champion Jeff Leka leading the 22 car field to the green flag. Ferguson was able to get the jump on the field however a spin by Jason Lakey and resulting contact from hard luck driver John Hudson made for a complete restart without the two crashed combatants. On the next go Ferguson again used the bottom to take the point with Leka letting him go to jump to the hub of the speedway in the second slot. Third starting John Hollifield followed with Don Kiger, Brian McDaniel and Larry Raines in hot pursuit. The field pretty much stayed the same on the bottom until lap 3 when the stacked deck for 3rd on back shuffled around with McDaniel taking to the high side outside of Raines and Kiger applying pressure to Hollifield. Fast timer Tommy Kroll had joined in the fun with McDaniel on top when going into turn one starting lap 5 Raines also moved up to the center of the speedway from the bottom in front of Kroll who had no place to go unintentionally tapping the right rear of Raines and unfortunately sending him around and slowing the field with Raines sent to the rear for the restart. When the yellow banner unfurled Hollifield quickly applied his brakes forcing Kiger into his rear and a surprised Chuck Haga into the left rear of Kiger puncturing the tire and forcing Kiger's retirement for the evening. Haga who had started 8th was in the fight with McDaniel, Kroll, Raines at the time. On the restart Ferguson again held the lead with Leka doing all he could to shake the concentration of the youngster to no avail. In the meantime 7th starting Tim O'Donnell who faded a little early started moving forward as he was the first driver to utilize the top of the speedway and pick off cars quickly. By lap 10 O'Donnell had moved to the 4 position and was making ground on third running Haga who in turn was playing tag with Leka. Just as it looked as if O'Donnell would surprise the front runners Leka jumped to the rim and the fight was on. Haga used the opportunity to move to the bumper of Ferguson providing the fans with a wonderful race to the end. Leka would get the advantage in turns one and two and many times take the lead in the backstretch but Ferguson always seemed to have just a little bit more off of turn four and would lead at the stripe every lap albeit not by more that a wheel many times. Waiting for the youngster to make the expected mistake Haga stayed glued to the back of the leader and his chance came on lap 17 when Ferguson slipped just a little high in turn 4 allowing Haga to get up to his door going into one where Ferguson slammed the door forcing Haga to fall in behind also allowing Leka to take the biggest lead he would have at 3/4 a length going into turn three but Ferguson would fight back to nip the former champ at the line on lap 18. From there the fight would continue each and every turn on each and every lap until the white flag lap where Leka slipped just enough in turn 2 to allow Ferguson to pull away and Haga to follow in the place position. O'Donnell could not muster quite enough to keep up with the front three but held on for the fourth finishing spot 3 lengths behind the lead pack. Jostling in the pack was 3 wide throughout the field and racing was great all the way back. A total of 17 cars finished with none being lapped at the end and once again only one caution during the main event. Results below: Fast time: Tommy Kroll Heat1: Josh Ferguson, Don Kiger, Tim O'Donnell, Kyle Logue Heat2: Jeff Leka, Brian McDaniel, Terry Duncan, Jason Lakey Heat3: John Hollifield, Larry Raines, Chuck Haga, Jerry Hathaway Consi 1: John Hudson, Kris Richards Consi 2: Roger Cary, Kevin Davis Feature: 1. Josh Ferguson 2. Chuck Haga 3. Jeff Leka 4. Tim O'Donnell 5. John Hollifield 6. Tommy Kroll 7. Brian McDaniel 8. Jesse Simmons 9. Terry Duncan 10.Roger Cary 11.Jerry Hathaway 12.Kyle Logue 13.Kevin Davis 14.Bill Gatti 15.Jamie Henson 16.Cory Rolfe 17.Larry Raines 18.Denny Schwartz 19.Kris Richards 20.Don Kiger 21.Jason Lakey 22.John Hudson Good to see McDaniel, Simmons, Davis, Gatti and Henson all make the show and finish as all have had a hard time so far this year for the most part. A total of 32 UMP modifieds signed in tonight with 119 total cars in the pits. The mod feature ended at 9:55 and all normal racing was over at 10:25. Also on the card was the ladies powder puff races where 37 ladies signed in and raced making for 156 total racers for the evening and the ladies were finished at 10:50... Track was excellent with 3 grooves of racing in the features and for the 4th time in two weeks features were decided on the last lap with tonights bomber event also decided at the end... last corner in fact. Next week the UMP summernationals are in town with the modifieds and super streets also on the card... See ya sunday.... Great show guys and congrats to Josh on his first win ever... Best finish before this was a 5th place I believe...

 

Sunday, June 2
Waiting until the final lap to lead Michael Bradley led the most important one to take the win at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening. On the break on the 25 lapper front row starters Cory Rolfe and Roger Cary diced for the lead at the outset with Cary leading lap one and second row starter Dan Hamstra on his tail. Rolfe had fallen to third followed by Don Kiger and Tony Roland. Lap 2 saw Hamstra scoot under Cary for the lead and Michael Bradley get by Roland for the 5th slot. With 2 laps in the books Jerry Hathaway and Josh Ferguson near the tail of the field went spinning in turn one bringing out the caution. The single file start saw Hamstra and Cary battling for the lead and beginning to stretch to a 5 car lead over Kiger, Bradley and Roland that would stay pretty much constant through the halfway mark. Kiger and Bradley running side by side for many laps were putting on a show of their own when on lap 18 Kiger clipped an inside tire slowing him just enough to let Bradley slide ahead into the 3rd position. Bradley had found a groove to his liking by having to run beside Kiger for so long that the middle was fastest for him. At lap 21 Bradley and Kiger had caught the front 2 where Hamstra had not made any bobbles with Cary right on his rear bumper. Bradley moved to the outside of Cary and snared the second slot officially on lap 22 making for a 3 lap dash to the finish with the top 3 cars under a blanket with Hamstra and Cary on the bottom and Bradley running the middle of the speedway. At the white flag Bradley pulled even with the leader then pulled to a lead in turn 2 of a car length and going into 3 pulled to the bottom blocking any chance of Hamstra to retake the lead. Further back in the pack 11th starting John Hollifield and 18th starting Tim O'Donnell were putting on a show of their own by improving to the 5th and 7th finishing positions in the final rundown. Roland ended up 6th. Excellent racing. Results below:
Fast time Cory Rolfe
First heat: Cory Rolfe, Don Kiger, Arby Burton, Dale Hayes
Second Heat: Roger Cary, Michael Bradley, Chuck Haga, John Hollifield
Heat three: Denny Schwartz, Dan Hamstra, Tony Roland, Phil Van Sant
Semi 1: Larry Raines, Josh Ferguson
Semi 2: Jerry Hathaway, Kyle Logue
Feature:
1. Michael Bradley 2. Dan Hamstra
3. Roger Cary 4. Don Kiger
5. John Hollifield 6. Tony Roland
7. Tim O'Donnell 8. Rob Fuqua
9. Chuck Haga 10.Jesse Simmons
11.Kyle Logue 12.Cory Rolfe
13.Brian McDaniel 14.Jerry Hathaway
15.Dale Hayes 16.Larry Raines
17.Jim Moore 18.Phil Van Sant
19.Mike Elliott 20.Josh Ferguson
21.Arby Burton 22.Terry Duncan
A total of 34 UMP modifieds took time tonight. Track was smooth and hard by feature time allowing for racing top middle an bottom (although most on the bottom). A total of 127 cars were in the pits (21 hornets) and the modified feature ended at 9:44 with all racing finished at 10:25. Next week is a regular show along with the popular powder puff. Hope to see ya Sunday..

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Perseverance Pays off for Michael Bradley at VCS!

By Toby Hallett 

(6/2/02)Sunday night at Vermilion County Speedway was one of the faster nights in recent memory as all features were completed by 10:30pm and the UMP modifieds breaking into the 14-second bracket! 

Corey Rolfe from Sidney, IL set the tone for the evening coming out first for qualifying and setting fast time with a lap of 14.763. Rolfe held off Terry Duncan and Denny Schwartz for his first quick time in his very young career! 

Corey Rolfe did not want to end his night in qualifying though as he took to the point in the first heat race after Jerry Hathaway and Larry Raines got together in turn one. Rolfe took advantage of the mishap and cruised to the win. Don Kiger, Arby Burton, Dale Haynes, Rob Fuqua and Mike Elliott rounded out the transfer spots. 

Heat number two saw Roger Cary take the lead from Chuck Haga on lap four and never look back. Cary used his Bob Pierce chassis to best Michael Bradley in the eight-lap event. Following Cary and Bradley were, Chuck Haga, Phil VanSant, Terry Duncan and Kevin Davis. After the race was over Kevin Davis was moved to last place after officials determined that he had jumped a restart on lap six, thus handing the last transfer spot to Tim O’Donnell. 

Dan Hamstra led the first four laps of the final heat race but Denny Schwartz took the lead on lap five. After Schwartz took the lead an object flew from the hood of his machine and the motor began to smoke. With smoke pouring from the engine compartment Schwartz was able to pick up the heat race win. After the race it was apparent what happened, one of the fan blades came off of the fan causing a severe vibration and the result was the belts came off of the pulleys due to vibration. After the motor overheated Schwartz decided he would not run the car again Sunday night. 

Two semi-feature events were held to determine the final four spots of the feature lineup. Larry Raines was able to gain a spot in the feature after an early heat race confrontation with Jerry Hathaway. Also grabbing a spot in the feature was Josh Ferguson in the 2f. Jerry Hathaway took the second consolation race with Kyle Logue in a borrowed machine from Rodney Standerfer after a rough Saturday night at Macon. 

When the feature rolled onto the speedway it looked as if the track would be one groove and that would be on the bottom. After a lap 2 spin by Kyle Logue and Josh Ferguson the race went green the rest of the way! Dan Hamstra was right on the bottom of the racing surface with Roger Cary in tow. Michael Bradley worked his way around Don Kiger setting his sights on the leader around lap 22. On lap 23 Bradley took his White Sheet Metal, M&B Services, Heil heating and Cooling, MastersBuilt machine to the outside of both Cary and Hamstra, grabbing the lead on lap 24! Bradley dipped to the low side on the last lap in turn three and four ensuring himself of his second win at VCS in three weeks. 

Official Feature Results:

1)      Michael Bradley

2)      Dan Hamstra

3)      Roger Cary

4)      Don Kiger

5)      John Hollifield Jr.

6)      Tony Roland

7)      Tim O’Donnell

8)      Rob Fuqua

9)      Chuck Haga

10)  Jesse Simmons

11)  Kyle Logue

12)  Corey Rolfe

13)  Brian McDaniel

14)  Jerry Hathaway

15)  Dale Haynes

16)  Larry Raines

17)  Jim Moore

18)  Phil VanSant

19)  Kevin Davis

20)  Josh Ferguson

21)  Arby Burton

22)  Terry Duncan 

Tommy Treadway picked up his first win of the year in the growing super street class besting Randy Shuman and Chuck Haga, and Jarrett Like picked up the bomber feature win.
 

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PRESS RELEASE(5/30/02)
Promoter Bill Marietta of Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois has decided that in the interest of the fans and drivers he will change the Battle of the Border $10000 to win LM race to Monday July 29. UDTRA has agreed to put in writing that should the race at Macon be rained out on the 28th they will not reschedule for the 29th. This should give fans in central Illinois 3 nights of racing in a row with Macon, Danville, and LaSalle all racing for $10000 to win. Also UDTRA has agreed to help advertise the Danville show as much as possible at their races. Bill felt that he being in the entertainment business he owes it to the fans to put on the best show possible with the best drivers possible and that running against the Macon race would divide both so he reluctantly changed the date. This should help the fan and car count at both tracks as now both will not have to decide where to go... Thanks for you support

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Action Packed David Richardson Memorial Nets 9th Different Winner

by

Jeffrey A. Bayless

 

     (5//27/02)For the ninth year Vermillion County Speedway in Danville, IL played host to arguably the most prestigious UMP Modified race of the year, The David Richardson Memorial sponsored by Pride Enterprises.  With 108 UMP Modifieds on hand to take there shot at the $5000 top prize there would be plenty of action and thrills to fill the night.

 

     The evening began with Elvin Herschberger claiming the top qualifying lap with a time of 15.690.  Then the 108 entrees were separated into 8 heat races that were lined up straight up from the qualifying runs.  The top two finishers from each heat transferred directly to the main event with everyone else having to goto one of four semi's to find out there fate for the evening.  So with at least 13 cars in every heat you knew there was going to be some hotly contested heat races to see who could claim one of the top two spots and transfer to the 50 lap $5000 to win race.  The first heat saw Elvin Herschberger claim the win and the pole for the main over Randal Sweeney and Tony Duncan.  In the second heat local favorite Arby Burton beat Scott Wilbur and Jeff Leka to the stripe.  The third heat was won by Brent Lounderee but the talk of the race was Tommy Burnside who came from 14th to finish in the runner up spot ahead of Matt Boknecht.  The fourth heat saw Billy Vaughn beat Mark Moore and Everitt Brabham.  Local Late Model favorite Kevin Weaver brought his modified out for the evening and claimed the fifth heat in front of Shane Cottle and Jerry Hathway.  With the memory of Burnside's march through the field still fresh on the minds of many, the fans were entreated to Tony Roland one uping the former winner.  Roland started dead last in the sixth heat and came out the victor ahead of Tim O'Donnell and Lee Hobbs.  The seventh heat was the most entertaining as five cars fought it out swapping the lead several times but on lap 15 it was Kyle Logue followed by Bobby Bittle and Jimmy Owens.  The last heat went to Dan Hamstra as he cruised to victory ahead of Bob Pohlman and Tommy Kroll.  Pohlman, as well, came from deep in the field to find a transfer spot starting 12th in his heat.

 

     Next up, the 4 20 lap semi's would determine the rest of the field for the A-Main with the top two transferring to the show as well as determine the field for the $1000 to win B-Main with finishing positions 3-8 making that show.  Everyone else got a chance to beat the traffic home.  Semi 1 saw Jeff Leka win ahead of Tracy Leonard and Tony Duncan.  Semi 2 was won by Matt Boknecht as he beat Lance Dehm and Matt Rhyne to the stripe.  The third semi saw Mike Marlar transfer with a victory ahead of Jason Lakey and Lee Hobbs.   Jimmy Owens, a multiple UMP National Champion, won the 4th and final semi ahead of Michael Bradley and John DeMoss.  The field for both the A and B Main were now set.

 

     The 25 lap B-Main was the first race up after the intermission period was over.  The action was fast and furious at the start with Matt Rhyne taking the early lead ahead of Tony Duncan, Lee Hobbs, John DeMoss, and Phil Johns.  This running order would not last long as Johns was in second by lap two with his eyes on the lead with Daryl Herbert moving into third ahead of DeMoss and Roger Cary.  Johns made his moves on the third lap and was able to overtake Rhyne and separate from the pack as DeMoss began to battle Rhyne as well.  By the 10th lap Rhyne and DeMoss had caught the leader and the battle for the lead quickly turned into a three car battle until the caution waved for debris on the racing surface.   When the green waved again this battle resumed with the cars of Cary and Tommy Kroll in contact with them.  When they came around to complete the lap they were running Rhyne, Johns, DeMoss, Kroll, and Cary was the running order.  Rhyne found a groove that his car liked and began to distance himself from the field.  Meanwhile back in the pack the car of Herbert made a strong run to the front after falling backward early in the race.  It seemed as if he came from nowhere and all of a sudden he was running a strong second and closing on the leader.  With the laps winding down Rhyne began to run upon the backmarkers but Herbert was unable to capitalize as Johns, DeMoss, and Cary rounded out the top five for the B.  As was the custom the officials asked Rhyne if he was willing to give back the $1000 dollar winners purse for a shot at the $5000 winners purse in the A.  Rhyne wisely walked away with the $1000.

 

     As the 26 cars (24 transfers and two provisionals) in the A Main rolled onto the track fireworks were set off in the infield to set the tone for the 50 lap shootout.  The start of the race saw Elvin Herschberger, Arby Burton, and Billy Vaughn going around the track in a side by side contest for the lead as the rest of the field raced in packs of 3 or 4 jockeying for position.  As they came to the stripe the second time Vaughn had been able to maneuver into the top spot with Herschberger, Burton, Tony Roland, Kyle Logue behind him.  Vaughn began to pull away as 7 cars all engaged in a dual for second, fought behind him.  Tracey Leonard spun on the 6th circuit bringing out the race's first caution and erasing Vaughn's expanding lead.  When the green waved again it was short lived as Dan Hamstra spun going into one and the caution flew again.  The next attempt went much better as Vaughn continued to dominate quickly reestablishing his lead ahead of Burton, Roland, Tommy Burnside, and Kevin Weaver.   As Vaughn looked like he was driving a rocket ship stretching his lead every lap the cars of Burton, Roland, Burnside, Weaver, Randal Sweeney, Herschberger, and Shane Cottle all were nose to tail racing around the speedway.  Just when it looked as if Vaughn was going to cruise to an easy victory with a straight away lead he found himself sitting in turn four looking at the oncoming traffic on lap 17.  This had to be heartbreaking to Vaughn but a joyful relief to others who had to be wondering how they were ever going to catch this guy.  When the field restarted the top 12 raced off as if they were a train on rails, stuck together nose to tail.  The main battle in this group was Burnside trying to wrestle the second spot from Roland.  Roland would have none of it though as every time Burnside would  dip down underneath, Roland would power back by and maintain his position.   At the halfway point all of the leaders were still in contact with each other and the best battle was Burnside giving Roland all he could handle.  This battle continued for several laps with Roland holding off the former champion until the 30th lap when Roland's motor started going south.  As his power disappeared so did his positioning as Burnside and Weaver shot by and started a three car breakaway as Roland's slowing car created a bottleneck behind them.  The drivers received a chance to regroup on the 32nd lap as the caution flew.  The car of Kevin Weaver was asked to leave the track during this caution because he had a broken ball joint on the right front of his mount.  This left the front of the field lined up Burton, Burnside, Kyle Logue, Roland and Randall Sweeney.   Roland's night quickly came to an end however as his engine completely gave up on the 35th lap.  From this point the race became a follow the leader type of race with someone occasionally stepping up and trying to gain another spot but to no avail as the track had no grip left.  But things were about to get more interesting as with 4 laps to go Burnside got into the back of Burton coming out of three.  Burton got a bit sideways and Burnside backed out of the throttle to keep from taking Burton completely out.   However with $5000 on the line nobody is going to stay backed off to long and Logue and Burnside both drove in under Burton heading into three and they found out three wide on a dry slick surface will not work.  The end result of this attempt to go three wide was chaos as all three cars went around in front of a speeding field and car parts flew everywhere.  Burton, Burnside, and Logue all were eliminated in this accident as well as a few other top notch cars.  Defending champion Denny Schwartz got the worse end of the deal as he ended up sitting sideways out of 4 and several used him as a bouncing board.  He was shaken up but was able to walk away from his badly twisted race car.   Now with only a handful of cars left and the fourth place car of Sweeney suddenly finding himself leading this very prestigious race the green waved again and Sweeney raced home to the $5000 victory ahead of Mike Marlar, Michael Bradley, Elvin Herschberger, and Bobby Bittle.

 

     Once again Vermillion County Speedway outdid themselves putting on a very fine show and I, personally, can't wait for next year for the 10th Annual race. 

 

RESULTS  (Heats [15 laps] Top 2 Transfer to A, Semi's [20 laps]Top 2 to A, 3-8 to B)

 

HEAT 1- Elvin Herschberger, Randall Sweeney, Tony Duncan, Dusty Moore, Brady Short

 

HEAT 2- Arby Burton, Scott Weber, Jeff Leka, Craig Conyer, RJ Gall

 

HEAT 3- Brent Londeree, Tommy Burnside, Matt Boknecht, Phil Johns, Dave Wheatley

 

HEAT 4- Billy Vaughn, Mark Moore, Everitt, Brabham, Matt Rhyne, Daryl Herbert

 

HEAT 5- Kevin Weaver, Shane Cottle, Jerry Hathway, Jason Lakey, Marvin Burton

 

HEAT 6- Tony Roland, Tim O'Donnell, Lee Hobbs, Mike Marlar, Dave Porth

 

HEAT 7- Kyle Logue, Bobby Bittle, Jimmy Owens, Michael Bradley, John DeMoss

 

HEAT 8- Dan Hamstra, Bob Pohlman, Tommy Kroll, Cory Rolfe, Doug Taylor

 

SEMI 1- Jeff Leka, Tracy Leonard, Tony Duncan, Jim Leka, Dennis Hux, Kevin Davis, Bob Martintoni, Jared Temples, Craig Coyner, Bill Gotti

 

SEMI 2- Matt Boknecht, Lance Dehm, Matt Rhyne, Phil Johns, Daryl Herbert, Kelly Kouski, Darrin Friedman, Kenny Carlson, Al Flick

 

SEMI 3- Mike Marlar, Jason Lakey, Lee Hobbs, Jerry Hathway, Don Kiger, Marvin Burton, Jeremy Hines, Dave Porth, Jack Taylor, Marc Kurth

 

SEMI 4- Jimmy Owens, Michael Bradley, John DeMoss, Tommy Kroll, Roger Cary, Cory Rolfe, JD Roberts, Gary Cook, Dave Rudisill, Rocky Griffin

 

B-MAIN 25 Laps $1000 to Win- 1) Matt Rhyne, 2) Darryl Herbert, 3) Phil Johns, 4) John DeMoss, 5) Roger Cary, 6) Tommy Kroll, 7) Don Kiger, 8) Tony Duncan, 9) Lee Hobbs, 10) Everitt Brabham, 11) Jerry Hathway, 12) Gary Cook, 13) Cory Rolfe, 14) JD Roberts, 15) Kevin Davis, 16) Dave Porth, 17) Dennis Hux, 18) Jared Temples, 19) Bob Martintoni, 20) Kelly Kouski, 21) Jim Leka, 22) Darrin Friedman, 23) Jeremy Hines, 24) Marvin Burton

 

A-MAIN 50 Laps $5000 to Win- 1) Randall Sweeney, 2) Mike Marlar, 3) Michael Bradley, 4) Elvin Herschberger, 5) Bobby Bittle, 6) Jason Lakey, 7) Tracy Leonard, 8) Lance Dehm, 9) Billy Vaughn, 10) Jeff Leka, 11) Dan Hamstra, 12) Kyle Logue, 13) Denny Schwartz, 14) Arby Burton, 15) Tommy Burnside, 16) Tim O'Donnell, 17) Bob Pohlman, 18) Josh Fergeson, 19) Shane Cottle, 20) Tony Roland, 21) Brent Londeree, 22) Mark Moore, 23) Kevin Weaver, 24) Jimmy Owens, 25) Matt Boknecht, 26) Scott Weber

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DAVID RICHARDSON MEMORIAL RACE SET FOR MAY 26
By Rick Isaacson

Memorial Day weekend is nearly here and its time for the 9th annual David Richardson Memorial at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois for UMP modifieds this Sunday sponsored by Pride Enterprises. This has grown from a dream for then promoter Phil Richardson to an extravaganza for the modified class where last year 147 cars attempted to make the field leaving a stellar field of drivers for the 50 lap run to the $5000 to win share of the purse. Last place in the main event will pay $300. Also this year to help more racers take home some better pay a B-feature will pay $1000 to win for the next 20 (possibly 24) cars and also award UMP points. If over 100 cars the B-main will get regular points for the feature event and if over 200 cars show then promoter Bill Marietta is finding out if the B-main participants will be awarded 1.5 times the regular points as the A-main is rewarded with double points according to UMP rules. So far no one has been able to repeat and with so many quality cars in attendance it will be very difficult to do so this year. Jimmy Owens, Denny Schwartz, Dean Hoffman, and Tommy Burnside are expected to try and end that streak. Add to the field of entrants (no pre-entry) the local racers at VCS plus all the top talent that shows up and it makes for a great evening of racing. Also a change this year is that since there is so much support from the modifieds there will NO other classes running this Sunday. Modifieds only. UMP will have their officials on hand to control the inspections and rules of UMP so be legal. Entry fee is $50 but every car that enters receive a minimum of $50 at the pay window. Front gate admission is $15 with ages 10-15 $10 and under age 12 FREE. Bring the kids. Front gate opens at noon with qualifying at 5pm and racing at 6pm (hopefully). Also for the racers a race at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown Ill on Friday night pays 2000 to win and that winner will be guaranteed a spot in the feature event at Charleston Illinois Speedway Saturday night that pays 3000 to win. Both winners of these races will be guaranteed a spot in the A-main at VCS on Sunday if they show up. Forecast for Sunday as of Wednesday afternoon is for cloudy skies and a high of 68 with a low of 50. Bring em on and run with the big boys. Will keep you updated as much as possible until Sunday..

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Michael Bradley Best of Bunch
(5/19/02) Paris Illinois resident Michael Bradley prevailed over a stellar field to capture the tune up to the David Richardson Memorial at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday night. Shane Cottle and Tommy Kroll led the field to the green flag with Terry Duncan and Lance Dehm in the second row. Bradley started in the 5th hole alongside Chuck Haga. At the drop of the green Cottle jumped to the front leaving the others grappling for the runner-up spot with Kroll, Dehm and Duncan nipping back and forth in a 3 wide struggle. Bradley joined the group at lap 3 and began his march forward by gaining the 4 position over Duncan. Next lap saw Dehm go by the wayside allowing a clear shot at Kroll whom had fallen about 10 cars lengths behind the leader. At lap 6 going down the backstretch the Mastersbilt modified drove under Kroll to grab second. Increasingly cutting into the lead of Cottle, Michael took another 7 laps to catch up and almost seemed easy as the went by the leader at the halfway mark of the 25 lap main event. A slipping Cottle then had 5 more cars nipping at his heals for the second slot. Kroll, Dehm, Kyle Logue, Don Kiger and Jeff Leka all were under a blanket in the race for second keeping all eyes on the quintet jostling back and forth and using every inch of the full quarter mile speedplant. The one and only caution of the event flew on lap 20 when Dave Rudicill made a quick right turn and came to a halt on top of turn 4. The single file restart gave Logue the chance to make it 3 in a row at VCS for 2002 but Bradley had way too much and pulled away to a half straight lead for the win. Dehm, Kroll and Leka finished out the top 5.
Fast time: Josh Ferguson 15.000
Heat transfers
Heat 1: Shane Cottle, Michael Bradley, Don Kiger, Rob Fuqua
Heat 2: Tommy Kroll, Tony Roland., Jason Lakey, Dave Rudisill
Heat 3: Terry Duncan, Chuck Haga, Jeff Leka, Denny Schwartz
Heat 4: Lance Dehm, Kyle Logue, Roger Cary, Tim O'Donnell
Consi 1: Dennis Hux, John Hollifield Jr.
Consi 2: Larry Raines, Jesse Simmons
Feature:
1. Michael Bradley 2. Kyle Logue
3. Lance Dehm 4. Tommy Kroll
5. Jeff Leka 6. Shane Cottle
7. Tim O'Donnell 8. Don Kiger
9. Jason Lakey 10.John Hollifield Jr
11.Chuck Haga 12.Rob Fuqua
13.Terry Duncan 14.Tony Roland
15.Larry Raines 16.Jesse Simmons
17.Dennis Hux 18.Dave Rudisill
19.Denny Schwartz 20.Roger Cary
Movers tonight were O'Donnell from 16th start to 7th, Hollifield from 19th to 10th. Track was great tonight with racing all over from top to bottom and 3 wide common through out the entire field on the smooth surface. The race for second among the 5 cars was totally awsome before the caution on lap 20. Only 2 cars failed to finish the event Schwartz and Cary and not one car was lapped with only one caution. A huge field of 44 cars took qualifications tonight and a total of 141 cars were in the pits including the Midwest Sprint Cars. Modified feature was concluded at 10:03 with the sprint car feature finished at 10:20 as it went green flag to flag. All racing was finished at 10:50. Next week is the biggie with 5000 smackers to the winner... Should be great again .. Any guesses on how many cars this year... Last year 146 showed up ... maybe over 200 this year ya think? See ya sunday

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PRESS RELEASE
5/14/02
As promised earlier in the spring, the second $10000 to win LM show at VCS will be ran on Sunday July 28. Bill Marietta, with the help of nationally known central Illinois racer, Bob Pierce will hold the first annual Battle of the Border that will be the biggest purse ever at VCS. Along with the winners share 10th place will pay $1000 and starters will earn $400. There will be NO ENTRY FEE. Length of the feature will be 60 laps and qualifing will determine the line ups of the heat races that will require all racers to transfer through their heats for the feature line ups. This will be an unsanctioned race with UMP or UDTRA body rules (Renegade rules also) and UMP or UDTRA tire rules both being allowed. For any technical or other car rules contact Bob Pierce at 217-354-2971. Any other inquires should be directed to promoter Bill Marietta at 217-443-6923. This should be an excellent date as UDTRA is running at Kentucky Lake the previous 2 evenings and also scheduled at LaSalle Speedway in LaSalle Illinois two nights later. Rain date for this race is Monday July 29. General Admission will be $20 for adults.
 

The racing program for May 12 has been cancelled due to rain
 

SHANNON BABB TOPS FIELD AT VCS
By Terry Young

(5/5/02)The Decatur Invader Shannon Babb rolled into the Vermillion County Speedway tonight and picked up a $2,000 paycheck for his dominating performance.

There was a Decatur connection to victory lane this evening as Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL. which is just outside Deactur claimed the U.M.P. modified main event over Michael Bradley in a close, down to the wire battle.

Babb Takes Hoosier Series Checkers!

By Toby Hallett

 (5/5/02)Vermilion County Speedway provided the setting for the first race of the UMP Hoosier Series Sunday night, and with 34 late models checked in to the speedway and the fans were treated to a spectacular night of racing!

By the time qualifying rolled around for the late models, the track seemed to take on two different perspectives. In turns one and two moister was prevalent, but turns three and four were very dry and slick causing teams to search for that perfect setup. Greg Johnson proved that he indeed had the right stuff, turning in a lap of 14.296 and grabbing quick time on his first lap. On his second lap however, Johnson slammed his C.J. Rayburn chassis into the new concrete barrier in turns three and four causing extensive right side damage.

Johnson was able to repair his #23j for the eight lap trophy dash, but it seemed the car wasn’t the same. Shannon Babb starting on the front row jumped out to an early lead and never really got a challenge from Ed Dixon or Kevin Weaver, but by lap six saw a very familiar face jump up to second, as Bob Pierce grabbed the spot from Weaver. Pierce was able to catch Babb, but could not execute a pass on the #18 Petroff Towing, C.J. Rayburn Monte Carlo. Babb was followed to the stripe by Pierce, Weaver and, Rodney Melvin.

As heat race action got underway the track finally began to equal out, as both sets of corners became very dry slick. Dennis Erb Jr. took the early race lead over Ed Dixon in the 16a, but the lead was relinquished quickly to Matt Taylor in his brand new Rayburn chassis. Taylor led the remaining 8 laps proving he is going to be a very strong runner this year. Taylor led Erb, Richie Hedrick, Ed Dixon and Doug McCammon to the finish line.

Heat number two was a classic battle of rookie against veteran, as Wes Steidinger battled Roger Long for what seemed like all 10 laps. Steidinger utilized the low grove to its maximum capabilities, holding off the very tough racer from Fithian, IL. It seemed at times that Long might have had the faster car, but the low side was the way to go and the s9 never moved from the bottom forcing Long to settle for second. Trailing the two, were Terry Eaglin, a surprising Eric Smith in his first year of late model competition and Jason Feger.

The third and final heat provided the most excitement, after it looked like Steve Hillard was going to dominate. Joey Izzo was able to clear traffic and close in on the leader, and just when it looked like he was going to catch Hillard the caution flew setting up a green, white, checker situation. On the restart Hillard pulled Izzo off of turn two but Izzo charged back in turn four. The two were setting up one of the greatest finishes in VCS history! As the two came out of turn four on the last lap Izzo slipped high but was unable to best Hillard. Rounding out the top five were, Ryan Dauber, Jason Setsor, and Justin Allgaier.

Doug McCammon set the pace in the semi-feature as the track began to take on an asphalt look. Many drivers refer to this as “the track has locked down” meaning that tire rubber has begun to mate with the clay surface. Once this happens the track often is a one-grove track, and in this case the bottom is where you wanted to be. Jason Feger, Bobby Foster, and the 45 of Don Hammer followed McCammon rounding out the final transfer spots.

As fireworks lit up the beautiful Sunday night sky, 22 UMP late models rolled onto the speedway. Shannon Babb started from the pole position with Bob Pierce on his outside, and with the track in “full lockdown” passing was going to be tough! Babb jumped out to an early lead over Pierce, only to be slowed when Richie Hedrick spun on lap three. On the restart Babb once again took to the point gaining about one car length per lap. By lap 10 Babb had a comfortable lead over Pierce and a strong running Melvin. Lap 14 saw Kevin Weaver in his early 90’s paint scheme red and white car slip under Melvin for the third position. When the caution flew on lap 19 for Joey Izzo going high off of turn three it looked as if Weaver might have something for the two front-runners, but after the restart, Weavers right rear tire began to lose air. Lap 25 saw Weaver leave the Speedway with a completely flat right rear tire. Rodney Melvin assumed position back and was able to carry home a third place finish. Babb was never seriously challenged by Pierce and cruised to the $2000 payday!

“We are real happy with the way it turned out tonight,” Babb stated after the race. “Any time you come to Danville you have to figure you are going to have to beat Pierce to win the feature.” Babb stated that he wants to get back to some of the things and racetracks that he knows, instead of having to “guess all of the time”. Bob Pierce told me in a post race interview “Believe it or not, that little motor I got in there I didn’t gear it low enough for the racetrack”. “It was a 50-50 chance on whether or not the track was going to lock down until he put that water on top of the black and any time you do that it takes away what dust there is, and when that happens we are rubber to rubber.” “ I just want to thank Murphy Trucking, Clawson Heating and Air, Clubhouse Restaurant from Greymont, IL, Peterson Aluminum, Rayburn, Fine Line Decals, and Pro Environmental out of Iowa.”

A stellar field of UMP late models gave the fans everything they wanted, side-by-side action, a local hero, and the man they call the “Decatur Invader” riding off with the cash! Vermilion County Speedway continues to bring high quality late model racing to the area, and with several big shows planned for this year, it should continue!

Official Feature Results

1)      Shannon Babb

2)      Bob Pierce

3)      Rodney Melvin

4)      Dennis Erb Jr.

5)      Greg Johnson

6)      Roger Long

7)      Matt Taylor

8)      Steve Hillard

9)      Wes Steidinger

10)  Ed Dixon

11)  Doug McCammon

12)  Jason Setsor

13)  Eric Smith

14)  Jason Feger

15)  Kevin Weaver

16)  Bobby Foster

17)  Joey Izzo

18)  Marvin Burton

19)  Ryan Dauber

20)  Don Hammer

21)  Terry Eaglin

22)  Richie Hedrick

LOGUE WINS SECOND STRAIGHT
 

(5/5/02)Using the outside front row starting position Kyle Logue jumped to the lead at the start and held tight to the end to garner the 25 lap UMP modified feature at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening. Logue jumped to the lead by out gunning Roger Cary in turn one with Shane Cottle, Cory Rolfe, and Dan Hamstra giving the crowd a 3 wide battle for the 3rd spot. Logue stretched to a 4 car length lead when Don Kiger and Dave Wheatley hooked up in turn 3 with Kiger rolling to a stop on lap 4 rendering him to a tail end restart spot. On the restart Logue again rolled to a comfortable lead but Cary had his hands full of chargers with Michael Bradley moving from his 6th start spot to garner the runner up postion on lap 9. Around the same time Rolfe had moved impressively to the 4th spot when going down the backstretch he and 5th running John Hollifield Jr. made contact spinning Rolfe to the infield ending Rolfe's bid for a finish which allowed the racing to continue. At halfway Bradley had cut the nearly straightaway lead to 3 lengths. At lap 20 Bradley used lap traffic to close up on the bumper of the leader then pulled door to door on lap 21 with Logue on the top side and Bradley hugging the tires but Logue had enough power to pull away in turn two and hold the lead at 2 lengths till lap 23 when once again Bradley showed his bumper to the leader but never could get the lead. Logue held on for a length win. Meanwhile Hamstra fell off the pace and pulled out at about lap 15 leaving Cary and Hollifield to battle for the show slot with the ex late model driver prevailing. Shane Cottle also in the mix faded a little at the end for fifth. Complete results below:
Fast time: Arby Burton
Transfers:
1st heat: Roger Cary, Cory Rolfe, Mark Wireman, Dave Wheatley, Terry Duncan, Jesse Simmons
2nd heat: Kyle Logue, Shane Cottle, Don Kiger, Rob Fuqua, Tim O'Donnell, Chuck Haga
3rd heat: Dan Hamstra, Michael Bradley, John Hollifield Jr., J.R.Coyner, Dave Taylor, Josh Ferguson
1st consi: Kyle Byerline, Tony Roland
2nd consi: Charlie Carrell, Kevin Davis
Feature:
1. Kyle Logue 2. Michael Bradley
3. Roger Cary 4. John Hollifield Jr
5. Shane Cottle 6. Tim O'Donnell
7. Dave Wheatley 8. Rob Fuqua
9. Tony Roland 10.J.R. Coyner
11.Terry Duncan 12.Don Kiger
13.Kyle Byerline 14.Chuck Haga
15.Dan Hamstra 16.Josh Ferguson
17.Doug Taylor 18.Jesse Simmons
19.Kevin Davis 20.Charlie Carrell
21.Mark Wireman 22.Cory Rolfe
Final tally on the UMP modifieds tonight was 40. A total of 154 cars were in the pit area and the modified feature ended at 10pm. Late model feature ended at 10:20 with all features finished at 11:25. Only one caution in the modified feature with attrition somewhat high as 6 cars left the track during the event. Three of the remaining were lapped. The movers were Roland from 21st to 9th, O'Donnell from 14th to 6th, Byerline from 20th to 13th. Track was dry slick and rubbered up but allowed for 3 and sometimes 4 wide racing back in the field for the consi's and feature but the heats had plenty of track to play with. Next Sunday the non-winged sprints invade the speedway along with the UMP modifieds and at least one other class... See ya next Sunday
 

MAY 5 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to the cooler weather so far this spring Vermilion County Speedway will move up the start times for racing on May 5. Featuring the UMP Hoosier Series Late Models along with the UMP modifieds and super streets. Gates will open at 3pm with hot laps at 5:15 and qualifing at 5:30. Racing will begin at 6:30. IMPORTANT... The draw will end at 5pm sharp... Admission is Adult $12 Ages 13-15 $5 Ages 12 and under FREE.... Bring the whole family!!!!! Pit Passes are an additional $10.... Another note is that this year only 14" coolers will be allowed in the grandstands.... See ya sunday..

RACING PROGRAM FOR APRIL 28 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN. VERY POSSIBLE THAT SAME PROGRAM WILL BE  RESET FOR MAY 5

(4/28/02)
The UMP Hoosier series for late models will kick off the LM racing at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois this coming Sunday evening April 28. The $2000 to win purse should have an excellent turnout of cars plus those chasing the UMP point championship will make for an interesting field. Also racing will be the UMP modifieds and the super street classes. Gates will open at 4pm with qualifying beginning at 6:15 and racing at 7pm. Take note: THE DRAW FOR QULAIFING WILL END AT 6PM SHARP. Hot laps will begin at 6pm also. Also of note are the prices for admission. Adults $12 ages 13-15 only $5 and 12 and under FREE... Bring the whole family!!!!! Pit admission is and extra $10. Hope to see ya Sunday...

(4/21/02)
Heavy rain has forced racing to be cancelled for Sunday night. Racing will resume next Sunday evening with the UMP Hoosier series LM along with the UMP modifieds and super streets the only classes racing. See ya next week...

LOGUE TAKES VCS OPENER
By Rick Isaacson

(4/15/02)The first race of 2002 at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville,Illinois had
somewhat similar results as the last race of 2001 in that another of the nice
guys in racing came up a winner. Kyle Logue of Oreana, Ill. after dominating
for 22 laps, had to scratch and claw for the final 3 to come out on top over
perennial hard charger Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Ill. Using the outside
front row starting spot as a catalyst Logue jumped to the lead when fellow
front row starter Tim Wright pulled to the infield on the backstretch of lap
one with mechanical gremlins. Seventh starting Schwartz ripped around the
outside of cars to advance to the #2 spot at the end of lap one with Rob
Fuqua, Jerry Danford, Dan Hamstra, Tony Roland and the rest of the 22 car
platoon nipping at each other for positions. A caution for a spinner in turn
three during lap 2 set up a single file restart with Schwartz on the heals of
Logue. At the green flag Schwartz went high in turn one and two allowing 5
cars to slip by and dropping him to the 7th spot while roaring down the
backshute. In the meantime Logue was setting sail and leaving everyone out to
dry by pulling to about a straighaway lead by lap 10 over Fuqua, Hamstra, and
good running Terry Duncan in the mix with Schwartz advancing to the 4 spot.
By the halfway signal on lap 13 Schwartz had moved around everyone else but 5
or 6 lapped cars were between himself and the leader. In the pack Hamstra,
Fuqua, Danford and Duncan were joined by Don Kiger in the battle for the top
5. At lap 20 the lead had been cut in half but Logue was still on cruise
control with a more than comfortable lead and Schwartz getting a large
cushion of cars between himself and 3rd running Fuqua who was pressured every
turn by Hamstra. Lap 22 made it interesting when J. R. Coyner and if I remember
correctly, Carl Silvey, made contact on the back stretch spinning both cars and
the yellow banner flew making for a 3 lap dash to the stripe. The line up
showed 2 lapped cars between the leaders and 5 more between second running
Schwartz and Fuqua. Hamstra, Danford, Kiger and Duncan were digging for the
following spots. During the yellow Tony Roland pulled from the speedway
allowing only one car between the 2 leaders. When the green appeared lapped
John Hollifield Jr. moved low to allow Schwartz the outside which he took
full advantage and pulled even with Logue entering turn 3. Logue however not
to be outdone hammered the throttle keeping the lead at the end of 23. During
lap 24 Schwartz again pulled even twice but Kyle percervered with him having
a wheel length lead at the white flag. Getting into one Schwartz bobbled just
enough to allow a full length lead which Logue held to the finish. During the
last three laps Hamstra was able to muscle past Fuqua for the show position
with Kiger rolling forward to finish 5th. The fans got their monies worth of
excitement tonight. Congratulations to Kyle Logue and crew plus the family.
(You too, Blondie). Complete results below...
Fast time: Denny Schwartz 14.900
Heat 1 transfers: Rob Fuqua, Dan Hamstra, Denny Schwartz, Arby Burton, Craig
Conyer, Cory Rolfe
Heat 2: Kyle Logue, Tony Roland, Terry Duncan, Don Kiger, John Hollifield
Jr., Tobie Massie
Heat 3: Tim Wright, Jerry Danford, Roger Cary, J.R.Coyner, Jim Moore, Tim
Reynolds
Consi: Craig Conyer, Carl Silvey, William Gatti, Jamey Henson
Feature:
1. Kyle Logue 2. Denny Schwartz
3. Dan Hamstra 4. Rob Fuqua
5. Don Kiger 6. Jerry Danford
7. Arby Burton 8. Tobie Massie
9. Terry Duncan 10.Carl Silvey
11.J.R.Coyner 12.John Hollifield Jr.
13.Craig Conyer 14.Jamey Henson
15.Tim Reynolds 16.Jim Moore
17.Cory Rolfe 18.William Gatti
19.Tony Roland 20.Roger Cary
21.Brian McDaniel 22.Tim Wright
Biggest movers of the night were Kiger from 12th to 5th, Massie from 18th to
7th and Silvey from 20th to 10th. Track was great except for a large hole in
turn 3 that showed up the week before on practice day then the rain during
the week would not allow for proper repair. Hopefully this week will be
better weather wise and it will be fixed. A total of 37 UMP modifieds were in
attendance and a total of 104 cars in the pits tonight with the modified
feature ending at 10:15 and all racing finished by 10:45. Accidents caused 3
cars to flip (none due to the track conditions) during the evening including
the modified of Jerry Hathaway in his heat when Tony Roland got sideways in
front of the field causing a chain reaction with Hathaway vaulting the left
front of Roland and landing hard on the top. A sore driver crawled out ok but
the car was retired for the night. Racing resumes next Sunday with a regular
show of UMP modified, super street, bombers and hornets gates opening at 4
hot laps at 6:30 qualifing at 7 and racing at 7:30. See ya here......
Super street top 10:
1. Rick Hufford 2. Chuck Haga
3. Matt Davis 4. Marcus Phelps
5. Pay Gayer 6. Johnny Gibbs
7. Joe Jeffries 8. Ed Martin
9. John Grosvenor 10.Steve Nolen
Bomber top 10:
1. Lee Hall 2. Chris Wilkinson
3. Jason Turner 4. Tommy White
5. Steve Nolen Jr. 6. Mike Hope
7. Darrell Copas 8. Robbie Rife
9. Josh Troxtell 10.Dave Mackey    
     
 

NINTH ANNUAL DAVID RICHARDSON MEMORIAL
By Rick Isaacson 
(3/26/02)Make your plans now to attend!!!! With what is possibly the most prestigious UMP modified race already a huge success, the 9th annual David Richardson Memorial sponsored by Pride Enterprise at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois will get even better this Memorial Day May 26,2002. The A-main pays $5000 to win and $300 to start and will start a minimum of 23 cars. The first 20 will be determined by the heats which all cars must transfer through. The last 3 cars will be the winners of the May 24 Friday night winner at Brownstown, Ill. (Fayette County Speedway) which will pay $2000 to win and $200 to start and the May 25 Saturday night winner at Charleston, Ill. which will pay $3000 to win and $200 to start. Also a provisional decided by Pride Enterprise will be included. Every year this race has started 24 cars so another will likely be added to the field. The big change is that a 25 lap B feature that will also pay full UMP points is being added to the card and will pay $1000 to the winner and $75 to start with a minimum of 20 cars starting. This field will be filled by the finishing positions of the consi races that do not transfer to the A-main. Promoter Bill Marietta decided to add this feature to help more teams receive decent payoffs with a record number of entries last year totaling 146 from 11 states. An entry fee of $50 is required and as has been the case in all DRM races in the past ALL cars receive a minimum payoff of the entry fee at the pay window. The rain date for the DRM is the next day Monday May 27. Also this year with the large field of UMP modifieds expected no other class of cars will be running this evening to make for a somewhat shorter evening. Total feature payoffs below:
25 lap B-Main
1. 1000 2. 400 3. 300 4. 250
5. 225 6. 200 7. 175 8. 150
9. 125 10.100 11. 95 12. 90
13. 85 14. 80 15-20. 75
50 lap A-Main
1. 5000 2. 2000 3. 1500 4. 1000
5. 700 6. 500 7. 450 8. 400
9. 350 10. 345 11. 340 12. 335
13. 330 14. 325 15. 320 16. 315
17. 310 18. 305 19. 300 20. 300
Any other starters receive 300.
As you may or may not know this race has never had a repeat winner attesting to the quality of the drivers attending. Previous winners are 1994 Butch Shay (Ky.), 1995 Scottie Dehm (Ill.), 1996 Scott Patman (In.), 1997 Dean Hoffman (Ill.), 1998 Jimmy Owens (Tn.), 1999 Jeff Martin (Ill.), 2000 Tommy Burnside (Ill.), 2001 Denny Schwartz (Ill.). Maybe the streak will continue and your driver will win. For more info call Bill Marietta at 217-443-6923. If interested discounts are available at the Ramada Inn 10 miles from the track at exit #220 off Interstate 74 but get them early as Indy sells many rooms.

LATEST PRESS RELEASE
(2/19/02)With the so called winter season fast closing the racing will quickly be upon
us in central Illinois. The annual racing show at the Village mall in
Danville will be held March 1-3 giving fans and racers the opportunity to get
a jump and just a little bit of a wiff of racing fever. In the past many cars
have joined in and given their sponsors an extra benefit for their
advertising dollar. Also the speedway will have a booth where schedules,
class rules, yearly passes and also anyone interested in sponsoring races,
signs, or advertising in the speedway program will be available. The actual
racing will begin on April 7, 2002 with a practice day and racing commencing
the following Sunday April 14 presenting a regular card of UMP modifieds,
super streets, bombers, and hornets. Also the fans and participants will be
able to view somewhat of a facelift at VCS in 2002 with a new fence, provided
by the fair board, that should start at the turn one end of the front stretch
and proceed all the way around to the beginning of turn three. The fence
should be 12 to 16 feet tall depending on where it is installed. Also the
beat up guard rails along the complete length of the back stretch and outside
turns three and four will be removed and replaced with large concrete blocks
which should make the appearance of VCS much better. Also there are very good
possibilities of a timing and position board hopefully to be installed before
the beginning of the season. One other thing that the racing fans can do to
shake off some of the winter dust is attend the Bob Pierce racing party at
the Ramada Inn in Danville this coming Saturday night Feb.23 commencing at 6
pm. Word has it some very BIG racing names will attend as it is also Mr.
Pierce's 50th birthday party.


VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY PRESS RELEASE
(1/2/02) Vermilion County Speedway promoter Bill Marietta has most of the schedule for
2002 set.
 Most dates are confirmed at this time with the regular night
shows consisting of 4 classes.
 UMP modifieds anchor weekly Sunday racing
along with the Bombers,  Hornets and new rules for the Super Streets. The
rules for the Super Streets are available from Bill at 217-443-2693 and are
now in line with Benton County, Fairbury, and Shady Hill streets and also
Farmer City sportsman cars and will pay $300 to win weekly. Also the new
promoters at Charleston Speedway have changed their Super Street rules to
mirror VCS so all these cars can run at all the tracks with only minor
changes to some. The effort to make the rules comparable should be commended
and they will be rewarded with a $1500 to win and $100 to start Super Street
special on Sunday July 21.
 The season will break at the Danville, Illinois
speedplant with a car show at the Village Mall on a weekend yet to be
announced. Practice day will be Sunday April 7 and opening night one week
later on Sunday April 14.

 Also on the aggressive schedule will be the
cornerstone races for UMP modifieds which are the prestigious 9th annual
David Richardson Memorial  paying $5000 to win and $300 to start on Memorial
Day May 26. Added to the event will be another feature paying UMP points and
a whopping $1000 to win for cars that do not make the big feature. Last years
field of 146 cars will be hard to top but with the extra feature paying more
competitors that will be challenged also only one other class will be racing
that evening.
 Then Labor Day Sep.1 will also be a UMP modified special which
has paid $4000 to win and $200 to start the past years and will be at least
that much in 2002. Last years 96 car field was the most for that race so far.

 Non wing sprint cars will make 2 appearances at VCS in 2002 with the Midwest
Sprint Car series racing on Sunday May 12 and Friday July 12 (Vermilion
County Fair).
 There will also be a big Monster Truck show at VCS in 2002 with
the details still being worked out but if the names being bandied about come
to fruition then this has the makings to be a blockbuster with the date
probably in July but subject to change.

 The dates that most are waiting for
are the Late Models and as of now 5 shows are on the schedule but they are
"gooduns" that you will want on your schedule. First is the UMP Hoosier
series on Sunday April 28 paying $2000 to win. Next will be the biggest ever
paying event at VCS  on June 16 (night before Macon UDTRA) which will pay the
winner $10000 (yup thats ten thousand)  for Late model racers. Basic rules
will be UDTRA, Stars, UMP , Nalms body rules along with UMP tires or D-55
tires. An allowance for the McCreary tires will be worked out. With UDTRA in
the area (Macon, Ill.) and also Hales Corners, Wis. summernationals running
the next evening the field should be filled with names uncommon to central
Illinois. The next event will be the UMP summernationals which always is an
exciting evening on June 30. This could also be a  $10000 to win event IF
everything works out but is guaranteed to be a $5000 to win show as all
summernationals are a minimum of $5000 to win. July 28 will also host the
Late models with the purse to be announced at a later date. Then on Aug. 11
the Northern All Star Late Models will make an appearance at VCS with a $3000
to win show during the Illinois Speed Weeks
. The schedule is more appealing
than anything that has ever been at VCS in previous years and the fans along
with the competitors appear to be the winners. Cmon April......