The Northern All Star Late Models rolled into Farmer City on Friday night for the first night of the three night Illinois Speedweek series. 37 late model drivers came with them, although for the first time ever, the cars had to meet UMP standards, and UMP points would be awarded at a NALMS show. Bob Pierce came away the winner, but not after heavy wrestling for the lead midway with Joe Ross, Jr and Shannon Babb. Ross,Jr led from the green flag, but Pierce stayed right with him, taking the lead on lap 13, lose it back to Ross on lap 14, and regain it for good at lap 19 of the 30 lap, $3,000 to win feature. Pierce is a former UMP National Champion, UMP Summernationals Champion, and was the winningest driver on the NALMS circuit in 2001. Babb followed Pierce to the finish line with Joe Ross Jr, Don O'Neal, Kevin Weaver, Steve Barnett, Steve Hillard, Eric Smith, Gary May and Matt Taylor rounding out the top ten.

Roger Long had fast time at 13.072.

The first heat was like a who's who of Farmer City Raceway, with the top 4 finishers having a combined 12 late model, one street stock and one modified track championship. Joe Ross, Jr topped the veteran field over Kevin Weaver, Steve Hillard and Roger Long. The second heat was also a tough race, with the always tough Bob Pierce winning out over Shannon Babb and Gary May. Heat number three saw late model rookie Eric Smith win over Mike Mullvain, Matt Taylor and Steve Barnett. Heat number four had Don O'Neal leave the pack behind, winning easily over Kerby Damery, Marvin Burton, and Don Hammer.

Semi features were a wreck fest, with the first one going to Roger Long over Steve Sheppard, Jr, Bryan Clendenen, Chris Dick and Jim Curry. The second semi feature was an all Indiana show, as NALMS point leader Steve Barnett had a tough time holding off Shawn Negangard. Finishing well behind them, but side by side, were Donnie Waldon, Jason Feger and Jammie Wilson.

NALMS provisinals were awarded to Doug Ault and Jammie Wilson.

Feature Finish: Pierce, Babb, RossJr, O'Neal, Weaver, Barnett, Hillard, Smith, May, Taylor, Mullvain, Negangard, Long, Damery, Clendenen...29 laps: Wilson, Ault, Waldon, Burton...DNF: SheppardJr.

The 30 lap feature was run green to checkers with no yellows, 19 of the 20 starters still running and 15 on the lead lap.

Modified feature was won by Jeff Leka as he took the Randy Huffman and Al Crawley to driving school. Leka was previously in the semi-feature, finishing third, and started very near the back of the field.

A super night of three-wide racing with a total of over 150 cars on hand.

July 19, 2002

With 25 late models on hand for fair night, young Justin Allgaier set fast time at 13.317. The dash was won by Roger Long over Steve Sheppard, Jr and Allgaier. Heats went to Toby Scharp over Scott Duff, and Brian Shirley over Matt Taylor. The semi feature went to Cody Hupp over Mike Mullvain.

Don Hammer led the first 4 laps of the feature, after starting from the pole position. After a caution on lap 4, Joe Ross Jr. used the high groove to his advantage to pass both Long and Hammer to take the lead. It was a lead he would not relinquish, as he led to the checkers. Twelfth place starter Jr. Shickel gave chase and finished second, with Matt Taylor coming from ninth to finish third. Rookie Brian Shirley came home fourth. Steve Sheppard, Jr, Jason Feger, Roger Long, Eric Smith, Mike Mullvain and Justin Allgaier rounded out the top ten.

The sportsman feature went to Eric Smith over Rod Sandage and Jim Felker, Jr.

The modified feature was a real barn burner with Roben Huffman beating Jerry Huffman, Tim O'Donnell and Flip Shickel.

July 12, 2002

Twenty Two late models came to Farmer City Raceway, they came to put on a show, they succeded. Roger Long started the night off with fast time at 13.184 seconds.The dash went to Jr. Shickel over Eric Smith, Justin Allgaier, Mike Mullvain and Roger Long. Heat wins went to Donnie Waldon and Matt Taylor. Roger Long started the feature event of the pole and led all 25 laps. With a couple of late cautions, Mike Mullvain and Jr. Shickel closed the gap, and made the last few laps exciting, with the top three running three wide to the checkers. Long won, with Mullvain second and Shickel third.

Final rundown:

36 Roger Long

4 Mike Mullvain

S10 Jr Shickel

9 Eric Smith

1A Justin Allgaier

117 Matt Taylor

16A Ed Dixon

25 Jason Feger

5s Steve Sheppard, Jr

6 Mark Anderson

45 Don Hammer

32 Tom Thoennes

5F Lonnie Franklin, Jr

23s Flip Shickel

10 Kerby Damery

1w Donnie Waldon

The modified class had a lot of action also, with the dash going to Brian Lynn over Mark Anderson and Tim O'Donnell. Heats went to Flip Shickel, Kelly Kovski, and Rodney Standerfer. The feature was an acton packed feature, with Rodney Standerfer holding off Tim O'Donnell, Jeff Leka, Kyle Logue and Brian Lynn.

Blake Shelley won his first ever street stock feature, making his night a clean sweep.

More than 50 hornets also joined in the fun, with 5 heats and 4 features being run.

The complete show was done before 10:15.

The UMP Summernationals made it's annual visit to Farmer City Raceway, and as normal, the fans got to see a great show! Although the car count was down to only 38 late models, the near-capacity crowd was first wowed by Scott Bloomquist turning in fast time at 12.991. The 'local' drivers then put on a show in the dash, with Bloomquist on the pole, and Roger Long on the outside, Long took the win over ninth place starter Shannon Babb, Bloomquist, Justin Allgaier, Kevin Weaver, Joe Ross, Jr and Matt Taylor.

The first heat went to Matt Taylor over Bob Pierce, Don O'Neal, Jr Shickel, Doug McCammon and Todd Bennett.

Heat number two saw Billy Moyer cruise to the win over Mark Anderson, with Steve Hillard edging out Don Hammer and Cody Hupp. The final heat saw Dennis Erb, Jr battle to the win over Mike Mullvain, Ryan Dauber, Jeep Van Wormer and Jeff Martin.

Semi feature action was to be tight, as only the winner would advance. The first semi went to Jason Feger over Jeff Martin, Billy Drake, Brent Larson, and Doug McCammon. The second semi had Todd Bennett over Gary May, Cody Hupp and Tim Routson.

The feature event was proof that Bob Sargent knows how to prepare a fast, driveable race track. The fans in the main grandstands ate some dirt, thanks to the breeze from the east, but were treated to a great race in the process. Shannon Babb took off in the the lead from his outside front row starting position. Bloomquist tried every way possible, but just could not wrestle the lead from Babb, except for sliding by in traffic at lap 19, only to watch as Babb slid his way back to the lead one lap later. Babb never did get more than a car length lead, as the leaders diced in and out of lapped traffic. The feature ended with Babb winning over Bloomquist, with Ross, Pierce, O'Neal, and Weaver all nose to tail behind them. Dennis Erb was seventh, Billy Moyer eighth and Roger Long ninth, the last car on the lead lap. Seventeen of the twenty starters were still running at the end of the caution-free 40 lap race.

Finish:

18 Shannon Babb-40 laps

0 Scott Bloomquist

25 Joe Ross, Jr

32 Bob Pierce

71 Don O'Neal

28 Dennis Erb, Jr

21 Billy Moyer

36 Roger Long

47 Steve Hillard-39 laps

117 Matt Taylor

55 Jeep Van Wormer

1A Justin Allgaier

S10 Jr Shickel

4 Mike Mullvain

64 Ryan Dauber

25 Jason Feger

T2 Todd Bennett- dnf

45 Don Hammer- dnf

6 Mark Anderson- dnf

Jeff Leka won the modified feature

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May 31, 2002

Thirty three late model drivers showed up to do battle at Farmer City Raceway Friday night. With the winter cold finally gone and the summer heat showing up, Steve Hillard turned up the heat a bit more. Hillard turned in fast time at 13.346. Kerby Damery won the dash over last year's track champion Joe Ross, Jr, Todd Bennett and Justin Allgaier. Heat races were won by Jim Laws over Donnie Waldon, Jay Sparks over Mike Glasscock, and Steve Sheppard Jr over Roger Long. The semi feature went to Mike Glasscock as he held off 19th place starter and current point leader Matt Taylor. The feature event earned its name as outside polesitter Kerby Damery took off at the start of the race, appearing well on the way to his first ever win at Farmer City. As the laps wore on, Steve Hillard got tired of running side by side with Todd Bennett, Joe Ross Jr, Jason Fegers and Eric Smith for 2nd place. On lap 19, he made his move to gain 2nd place by himself, and on a lap 21 restart, blasted low beneath Damery for the lead and never looked back. Hillard won, with Ross Jr in second and Todd Bennett in his best ever Farmer City finish at third. Jason Fegers and Eric Smith finished side by side, with Jr. Shickel, Damery, Roger Long, Steve Sheppard Jr, and Matt Taylor rounding out the top ten.

Thirty modifieds were on hand to see Jeff Leka hold off a charging Kyle Byerline for the win. Third went to Tim O'Donnell, followed by Don Kiger and Kelly Kovski.

Eric Smith again won the Sportsman feature. Richard Petticourt won the street stock feature.

Total car count was down, with only 111 cars in 4 divisions.

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May 24, 2002

Mike Mullvain had to pass Roger Long a couple of times to win Friday's late model feature at Farmer City.
Jr Shickel had fast time
rookies Brian Shirley and Jason Fegers won the heats
Points leader Matt Taylor won the dash
Feature finish:
Mullvain
Taylor
Long
Chris Dick
Jr Shickel
Kerby Damery
Brian Shirley
Lonnie Franklin,Jr
Justin Allgaier
Jason Fegers

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May 17, 2002....Rain

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May 14, 2002

Kenny Schrader may have been the headliner tonight, but Roger Long proved to be the show. Starting on the outside front row, Long did the unexpected and went to the low side of the track into the lead on lap one and never looked back. As the race progressed, he might not have liked what he saw anyway. Seventh place starter Matt Taylor had worked his magic on the high groove, with Long eventually going up there also. Terry English made a last lap effort, but no one could get around Long tonight. Long won, English second with a hard charging Matt Taylor in third. Fast qualifier Kerby  Damery was fourth with polesitter Mark Faust coming home fifth. Jr Shickel, Jason Fegers, Brian Shirley, Todd Bennett and Kenny Schrader rounded out the top ten. Heats were won by Jay Sparks, by half a lop over Ron Bowman, Steve Sheppard, Jr over Billy Tuckwell, and the fast heat was won by Eric Smith over fellow rookie Brian Shirley.

34 late models were on hand, with a total of 121 cars in the pits.

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May 10, 2002

With 34 late models signed in to the pits, Bret Sievert from New Berlin, WI had the car to win with. He started the evening with turning in fast time at 13.015. Although he had problems in the dash and his heat, he came on strong in the feature, taking the lead from Jr. Shickel on lap nine and sailing to the win. Finishing a close second was a fast moving Gary May, with Jr Shickel, Roger Long, Mike Mullvain and Justin Allgaier in tow. Roger Long won the dash over Marvin Burton. Heats were won by Steve Sheppard, Jr, Eric Smith, and Eric Kwasigroh. Joe Harlan won the first semi over Bobby Foster with Sheppard Jr taking the second semi over Don Hammer.

Top ten feature finish:

5 Bret Sievert

45 Gary May

S10 Jr Shickel

36 Roger Long

4 Mike Mullvain

1A Justin Allgaier

3s Brian Shirley

B97 Marvin Burton

10 Kerby Damery

4F Bobby Foster

Modified heats were won by Jeff Leka, Don Kiger, Lance Dehm, and Aaron Ricketts. Modified feature finish was Lance Dehm, Aaron Ricketts, Don Kiger, Jeff Leka, and Roben Huffman

The street stock make-up feature from a recent rainout was won by Hot Rod Bicknell, with regular feature going to Ryan Unsicker.

Over 170 cars were in the pits.

59 hornets were signed in running five heats and a bunch of features. As normal, the hornets seem to have a knack for at least one getting upside down. Tonight the lucky driver was 16 year old Heather Blackaby in her feature. She had passed several cars, but on the white flag lap, went through turns one and two a little too hard and went over three times. Unhurt, and undaunted, the first night driver emerged from the car with the words "Is the car ok, can I finish the race?"

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RACING ACTION CONTINUES TO HEAT UP AT FARMER CITY
Posted Saturday, May 4, 2002 by Shawn:
The racing action continues to heat up at the Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois.  There were a 150 cars signed in to race and a large crowd on hand, including all of the Boy & Girl Scouts that came out to witness a great night of racing excitement.  Everyone witnessed a full night of racing action, including the four regular Friday night divisions including UMP Late Models, with the feature win going to Matt Taylor of Springfield, Roger Long, Mike Mullvain, Steve Sheppard Jr., and Gary May rounding out the top five all battled to the end before Taylor ended up taking the win.  There were two Modified features ran, Denny Swartz of Ashmore took the checkers in last nights feature beating out Kyle Logue and Tim O’Donnell.  The rained out feature from April 19 was also  ran on Friday and was won by Jeff Leka of Buffalo.  Sportsman feature winner was Eric Smith of Bloomington and Kevin Grammer of Creve Coure won the Street Stock feature.

Next Friday the Farmer City Raceway will host the first night of racing in 2002 season for the Hornets.  Along with the Hornets, UMP Late Models, UMP Modified, and Street Stock divisions will be ran, with double features being ran for the Street Stocks.

Ken Schrader will be at the Farmer City Raceway on Tuesday, May 14th running his UMP Late Model along with all of the top UMP Late Model drivers from the Midwest.  May 14th will also be the first Sportsman qualifier of the year for the annual Turbo Blue Illinois Fall Nationals held in September at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Next Friday gates will open at 5:00 p.m., time trials at 7:00 p.m., and the racing action will get started at 7:30 p.m.

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April 26, 2002

Taking the win in the rained out feature from last Friday was Dennis Erb, Jr. And he didn't just take the win, he ran away and hid with it. Leading all 25 laps, Erb was never really challenged, with Matt Taylor coming home second and Cody Hupp in third. Steve Hillard, Todd Bennett, Ryan Dauber, Kerby Damery, Justin Allgaier, Steve Sheppard, Jr and Joe Harlan rounded out the top ten.

For the regular show, Steve Hillard took fast time of 12.978, the only one of the 37 drivers on hand to turn in a time under 13 seconds. Trophy Dash honors went to Joe Harlan over Justin Allgaier, Steve Hillard and Chris Dick. Heat wins were posted by Jeff Wallis over Eric Dauber, Todd Bennett over Matt Taylor and Steve Sheppard Jr over Ryan Dauber. The first semi feature went to Brian Shirley over Eric Smith and Dave Smith. Matt Taylor held off Jason Fegers and Todd Bennett in the second semi feature. With an extremely smooth and 3 grooved fast race track, the second feature was quite a different story than the first. While outside pole sitter Joe Harlan led the first ten laps, eleventh place starter Steve Sheppard,Jr came on strong and took the lead on lap 11. The next eleven laps would be run virtually side-by-side with Jr Shickel before Sheppard Jr finally got a late race break with the help of a yellow flag. This slowed down Shickel's momentum, and Sheppard proved that he was worthy of the checkered flag on this evening. Shickel was second, followed close by Steve Hillard and semi feature winner Matt Taylor in fourth.

The rest of the top ten:

Joe Harlan

Roger Long

Brian Shirley

Todd Bennett

Kerby Damery

Jason Fegers

With four classes, there were 134 cars in the pits.

44 modifieds were on hand with Roben Huffman winning the dash. Heats were won by Denny Schwartz, Jeff Leka, Don Kiger, and Todd Kirkland.

Semi features were won by Flip Shickel in his first night out in his new modified, over Matt Goulden and Shane Maple. The second semi went to Tim O'Donnell over Randy Huffman and Bobby Fowler. Denny Schwartz won the feature, but had constant pressure from Rocky Griffin, Jeff Leka and Roben Huffman. That is also how they finished.

The rained out sportsman feature went to Rod Sandage at the flag over Rick Weekly. The regular show feature went to Eric Smith over Rod Sandage.

Brent Win, in his first ever appearance took his street stock #1313 to the front of the feature late in the race and kept it there for the win.

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April 19, 2002

Thirty five late models showed up ready for battle Friday night, but it was not meant to be. Rain came in and washed out the show just before the Street Stock semi-feature. Last week's feature winner Matt Taylor turned in the fastest time trial at 14.130, battling a fierce wind that kept the race track dry. The trophy dash was won by Peorian Todd Bennett, battling off Ryan Dauber and Dennis Erb for the win. First heat action saw Jammie Wilson holding off Don Hammer and Brian Shirley, who led the majority of  the race. Second heat went to Jr. Shickel over Corey Turner and Tom Thoennes. The fast heat of the evening went to Steve Hillard in a furious battle over Jason Fegers and Kerby Damery. Semi- feature action saw Steve Sheppard, Jr win the first one over Jr. Shickel, and Corey Turner  taking the second semi over the smooth rookie Wes Steidinger. Then the rains moved in and postponed the feature event until next Friday,  April 26, where fans will be treated to two feature events.

118 cars total in the pits.       

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4/12/2002

There was a chill in the air, but not on the racetrack, as 36 late models showed up to do battle Friday night at Farmer City Raceway. Fast time went to Steve Sheppard, Jr with a time of 13.083. The trophy dash was just the first race to warm things up. Roger Long bested Mike Mullvain and Steve Hillard for the win. Heats went to Don Hammer over Jeff Wallis and ninth place starter Allen Thomas with Sherri Heckenast in tow. Second heat was another barn-burner with late model rookie driver Chris Dick winning over Cody Hupp, another rookie Wes Steidinger and Corey Turner. The final heat started the #3s of Brian Shirley on the pole, in his third night of racing cars leading right up until the checkered flag was waving, and 28 year veteran Roger Long made the outside groove work to his favor once again for the win. Hillard was third with Matt Taylor fourth. Semi-feature #1 had Chris Dick again in victory lane over Cody Hupp and Jason Fegers. Semi-feature #2 again had a rookie late model pilot show the way, as young Wes Steidinger drove a very smooth line to hold off Jeff Wallis for the win with Don Hammer third. The feature event had everyone excited as for the first 5 laps, it was a three and four way battle for the lead between Mullvain, Taylor,  Hillard and Long with Joe Harlan also taking a shot at the point. By lap 5 however, Matt Taylor took the lead for good and sailed to the victory. Roger Long made several attempts in lapped traffic to get past Taylor to no avail.

Unofficial finish:

117 Matt Taylor

36 Roger Long

47 Steve Hillard

5s Steve Sheppard, Jr

3s Brian Shirley

4 Mike Mullvain

64 Ryan Dauber

10 Kerby Damery

S10 Jr Shickel

22 Chris Dick

Street Stock feature went to Hod Rod Bicknell over Jim Palmer and Richard Petticourt.

The Sportsman feature went to Eric Smith for the second week in a row.

The Modifieds put on a show of their own racing three and four wide all evening long. Kyle Logue led the first 18 laps of the feature trying for the three-peat, but it was not to be as last week's winner Jeff Leka got past to lead the last 2 laps and hold on for the win. Logue would end up second with Lance Dehm third and rookie driver Mike Porth holding off Mike Chasteen for fourth.

128 cars total.

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4/5/2002

The season opener at Farmer City Raceway was a cold, breezy one. There was a small crowd that braved the winter type weather. But the racing action was as hot as could be. Thirty late models signed in, with Steve Hillard of Sadorus taking fast time and the feature win.  Trophy dash went to Matt Taylor over Roger Long and Ryan Dauber with Hillard in fourth. Bret Sievert beat Brian Shirley in the first heat, with Jr. Shickel holding off young Justin Allgaier in the second heat. The third heat saw plenty of action with Matt Taylor again taking the checkered flag over the last place starter Hillard. The semi-feature had Steve Sheppard Jr holding off Eric Dauber and Jr. Shickel. The feature event saw a slow start by the polesitting Hillard with Dennis Erb Jr blasting out into the lead, only to see the yellow fly as one of the field did not make it all the way around. On the restart, however, Hillard was was awake, took off and was in total command the rest of the race, surviving several more cautions to take the win over Erb, Long and Taylor.

Finish:

47 Steve Hillard

28 Dennis Erb, Jr

36 Roger Long

117 Matt Taylor

Z Joe Harlan

4 Mike Mullvain

3s Brian Shirley

S10 Jr Shickel

64 Ryan Dauber

35 Cody Hupp

The sportsman feature was won by Eric Smith over Billy Wilhour.

The street stock feature went to Richard Petticourt over Jim Quinn and Jim Palmer.

There were 118 cars on hand.....the track was smooth and tacky all evening.