2006danville.htm

July 02 Sunday - Vermilion County Danville, IL $6000 to win 40 laps

Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, IL.
by: Terry Young

Shannon Babb continued his domination of the 2006 UMP Summer Nationals once again, winning his 5th consecutive event and his 9th overall in the first 14 races on the 2006 schedule. 32 cars passed through the gates at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois under the watchful eye of Bob Sargent and Bill Nelson, promoters of the event.

Tonights win would boost Babb's winnings to$70,000+ dollars in just over  a weeks work. Boss and team owner Bill Moyer was on hand and able to see Babb's handiwork as he rolled to the lead from his fourth place starting spot on the start and led every lap of the 40 lap A-Main event.

Babb began the evening recording the fast time honors and went on to win his heat over Randy Korte and Jack Sullivan. Other heats were won by Frank Heckenast, Jr. over Jason Feger and Kevin Weaver, Jeep Van Wormer over Don O'Neal and Dennis Erb and Brian Shirley over Rodney Melvin and Steve Sheppard.

By the time the feature event rolled onto the track, the bottom groove had become the preferred lane after heat race action seen 3 wide racing. Babb made his move early from the outside of row 2 knowing he would have to make a move early if he were to be a contender. Following Babb at the strip was Brian Shirley, Don O'Neal, Randy Korte, Jeep Van Wormer, Dennis Erb, Kevin Weaver, Rodney Melvin, Jack Sullivan and Frank Heckenast, Jr. rounding out the top 10.

Babb was driving his Bill Moyer, Sr. owned C.J. Rayburn built #18 that the team has dubbed "Wildside" powered by a RaceTek powerplant with sponsorship from CAR CITY, Watters Autoland, Hoosier by Smash, J&J Steel, Weld Wheels, Platinum Motors, Petroff Towing Outlawd Motorsports, Dyers Top Rods, OutPace Products, ALLSTAR Automotive and Team Petersen under the preperation of Jay Hunt, Andrew Barnes and Mike Mudd.


Summary:

Fast Qualifier: Shannon Babb

Heat 1: Heckenast, Jr., Feger, Weaver, Shawn Toczek, Patrick Sheltra, Dick Potts, Eddie Leviner, Jim Felker

Heat 2: Van Wormer, O'Neal, Erb, Richie Hedrick, Wendell Wallace, Billy Moyer, Jr., Don Cisco III, Don Mehalic

Heat 3: Babb, Korte, Sullivan, Derek Chandler, Shickel, Jr., Jordan Bland, Kerry Matthew

Heat 4: Shirley, Melvin, Sheppard, Jr., Joe Harlan, Corey Rolfe, Dan Walden, Lisa Shickel

Consi 1: Hedrick, Wallace, Toczek, Sheltra, Potts, Moyer, Jr., Cisco III, Mehalic

Consi 2: Chandler, Shickel, Jr., Harlan, Shannon Reed, Weaver, Troy Hudson, Walden, Rolfe, Shickel

Feature: 40 Lap A-Main Event $6,000.00 to WIN
Starting Position in Parenthesis

  1. (4) Shannon Babb
  2. (2) Brian Shirley
  3. (6) Don O'Neal
  4. (7) Randy Korte
  5. (1) Jeep Van Wormer
  6. (10) Dennis Erb
  7. (9) Kevin Weaver
  8. (8) Rodney Melvin
  9. (11) Jack Sullivan
10. (3) Frank Heckenast, Jr.
11. (15) Wendell Wallace
12. (13) Richie Hedrick
13. (12) Steve Sheppard, Jr.
14. (P) Patrick Sheltra
15. (19) Dan Walden
16. (P) Don Cisco III

(P) Denotes Provisional Starting Position

Media Contact: Michelle Petroff, (618) 406-6842 or [email protected]


4th ANNUAL TRI-TRACK CHALLENGE YIELDS THREE DIFFERENT WINNERS, ELUSIVE BONUS UNCLAIMED


MACON, IL (June 6, 2006) - For the third consecutive year, superb racing surfaces and stout competition yielded three different winners in the “Tri-Track Challenge” including a pair of first time tour winners. So, yet again, the $10,000 posted bonus for any competitor who can win two of the three “Tri-Track Challenge” events went unclaimed.

Thirty-four entries, which included a strong mix of national touring drivers and regional hotshoes, converged at Paducah International Raceway to kick off the “4th Annual Tri-Track Challenge”. The “master” of PIR and three-time U.M.P. National Late Model Champion, Terry English, recorded fast time honors and heat race winners included Chub Frank, Rodney Melvin, Terry English and Randy Korte. Using the Tri-Track Frisbee draw for the top 2 finishers of each heat, it was Joe Morris of Galatia, IL, who started on the pole for the 40-lap main event. Morris steadily used the low groove at Paducah International Raceway to sneak past race leader Brian Shirley with five laps to go. The $10,000 Tri-Track payday was the biggest win to date for the 2000 PIR track champion and his first national victory.

Morris then trekked to I-55 Raceway on Saturday hoping to beat out the thirty-five other entrants for Round 2 so he could capture the $10,000 bonus money. After several showers and a rain delay, the staff of I-55 diligently worked to save the track and made an awesome racing surface. The ultra-quick track provided three and four-wide racing all night long. Illinois leadfoot Randy Korte notched quick time and a heat win along with Billy Moyer, Steve Sheppard and Joe Morris. Korte had everything to lose when it was time for the Frisbee draw but his string of good luck continued as he flipped over the disc with #1 and started the feature from the pole. Korte was fast with no exception and catapulted to the lead and only faced a little heat from 6th place starting Shannon Babb before sealing the deal for his ten grand. Korte was followed to the stripe by travelers Babb, Billy Moyer, Darren Miller and Brian Shirley.

Going in to the final leg of the “Tri-Track Challenge” tour, two driver were positioned to end the night $20,000 richer if they could win the finale at Vermilion County Speedway. Morris‚ absence left the door open for Randy Korte to take top honors in his home state but the thirty-car field once again boasted some of the best names in the industry. Korte again set the bar during qualifying and won a heat race along with Shannon Babb, Ryan Dauber and Jimmy Mars. “King Kong” was positioned to become the only driver other than Babb to take the bounty but a bauble on lap one resulted in a multi-car pileup. Moyer commanded the lead but it was “The Moweaqua Missile” and Illinois powerhouse Shannon Babb that diced his way to the front from his fifth place starting spot to steal the lead from the polesitting “Mr. Smooth”. Moyer made attempts at Babb but the 33-year-old Illinoisan cruised to his sixth Tri-Track win with Moyer, Korte, Dauber and reigning U.M.P. National Champion Rodney Melvin in tow.

All of us at Paducah International Raceway, I-55 Raceway, Vermilion County Speedway and United Midwestern Promoters would like to thank all of the competitors, sponsors and spectators who joined us for the “4th Annual Tri-Track Challenge”. We are looking forward to more Tri-Track excitement in 2007 once again during the first weekend in June. We look forward to seeing you again soon during the popular Summernationals’ tour which will visit us at PIR on June 29th, I-55 Raceway on July 1st and Vermilion Co. Speedway on July 2nd.


4th Annual Tri-Track Challenge

Round 1: Paducah Int’l Rcwy - Paducah, KY (34 entries)

Fast Qualifier: Terry English
Heat Race 1: Chub Frank, Shannon Babb, John Tindal, Kevin Cole
Heat Race 2: Rodney Melvin, Joe Morris, Wendell Wallace, Kevin Weaver
Heat Race 3: Terry English, Jimmy Mars, Jimmy Owens, Billy Drake
Heat Race 4: Randy Korte, Brian Shirley, Darren Miller, Bryan Collins
B-Main: Terry Phillips, Billy James, Michael Steele, Jeff Sloan
Feature: 1. Joe Morris (1), 2. Brian Shirley (2), 3. Shannon Babb (4), 4. Darren Miller (12), 5. Jimmy Mars (5), 6. Randy Korte (3), 7. Terry English (7), 8. Terry Phillips (17), 9. Billy Drake (15), 10. Kevin Weaver (14), 11. Bryan Collins (16), 12. Billy James (18), 13. Jimmy Owens (11), 14. Michael Steele (19), 15. Chub Frank (8), 16. John Tindal (9), 17. Jeff Sloan (20), 18. Matt Liner (22), 19. Rodney Melvin (6), 20. Jarryd Holshouser (23), 21. Kevin Cole (13), 22. Wendell Wallace (10), 23. Dylan Thompson (21)

Total Positions Advanced (A-Main): 54
Most Positions Advanced: Terry Phillips (9)



Round 2: I-55 Rcwy - Pevely, MO (36 entries)

Fast Qualifier: Randy Korte
Heat 1: Billy Moyer, Tim Ratajczyk, Brian Shirley, Ed Dixon
Heat 2: Steve Sheppard, Darren Miller, Jimmy Owens, Jeff Johns
Heat 3: Randy Korte, Shannon Babb, Jimmy Mars, Dennis Erb Jr.
Heat 4: Joe Morris, Mark Voigt, Billy Faust, Danny Haynes
B-Main #1: Brian Birkhofer, Bryan Collins, Michael Kloos, Steve Shive
B-Main #2: Terry Phillips, Rodney Melvin, Kevin Weaver, Tim Manville
Feature: 1.Randy Korte (1), 2. Shannon Babb (6), 3. Billy Moyer (7), 4. Darren Miller (8), 5. Brian Shirley (9), 6. Steve Sheppard (5), 7. Jimmy Mars (11), 8. Joe Morris (2), 9. Brian Birkhofer (17), 10. Billy Faust (12), 11. Ed Dixon (13), 12. Dennis Erb Jr. (15), 13. Terry Phillips (18), 14. Bryan Collins (19), 15. Mark Oller (25), 16. Tim Manville (24), 17. Mark Voigt (3), 18. Jimmy Owens (10), 19. Danny Haynes (16), 20. Michael Kloos (21), 21. Kevin Weaver (22), 22. Steve Shive (23), 23. Tim Ratajczyk (4), 24. Rodney Melvin (20), 25. Jeff Johns (14)

Total Positions Advanced (A-Main): 64
Most Positions Advanced: Mark Oller (10)



Round 3: Vermilion Co. Speedway - Danville, IL (30 entries)

Quick Time: Randy Korte
Heat 1: Ryan Dauber, Dennis Erb Jr., Rodney Melvin, Jason Feger
Heat 2: Shannon Babb, Don O‚Neal, Steve Hillard, Joe Harlen
Heat 3: Jimmy Mars, Brian Birkhofer, Tim Lance, Brian Shirley
Heat 4: Randy Korte, Billy Moyer, Darren Miller, Michael Bradley
B-Main: Richie Hedrick, Kerry Matthew, Junior Shickel, Terry Babb
Feature: 1. Shannon Babb (5), 2. Billy Moyer (1), 3. Randy Korte (7), 4. Ryan Dauber (2), 5. Rodney Melvin (9), 6. Don O'Neal (3), 7. Jimmy Mars (6), 8. Richie Hedrick (17), 9. Brian Shirley (15), 10. Steve Hillard (10), 11. Joe Harlan (14), 12. Kerry Matthew (18), 13. Jason Feger (13), 14. Jr Shickel (19), 15. Darren Miller (12), 16. Brian Birkhofer (4), 17. Dennis Erb Jr. (8), 18. Michael Bradley (16), 19. Terry Babb (20), 20. Tim Lance (11)

Total Positions Advanced (A-Main): 41
Most Positions Advanced: Richie Hedrick (9)



2003-2006 Tri-Track Challenge Feature Winners
Shannon Babb = 6 (3 - 2003, 1 - 2004, 1 - 2005, 1 - 2006)
Don O‚Neal = 2 (1 -  2004, 1 - 2005)
Billy Moyer = 1 (2004)
Jimmy Mars = 1 (2005)
Joe Morris = 1 (2006)
Randy Korte = 1 (2006)


$10,000 Bonus Winner(s)
Shannon Babb (2003)

THE RICHARDSON REVISITED
By Jack Taylor

(5-31-06) This will be my story, not a recap of Chad Kinder's triumphant win just completed in the 13th Annual Richardson Memorial of 2006 after finishing second to Denny Schwartz in 2005. Chad became the 12th different winner of the historic Memorial Day weekend race for UMP Modified racers throughout the Midwest. Only Schwartz has won the classic two times, in 2001 and 2005. On the average, more than 100 cars and drivers have rolled into the pits each year to test their talents against the always tough to tame Vermilion County Speedway track on Memorial Day weekend. The record turnout was 141 cars in 2001. Mother Nature has been an enemy on several events, but this weekend was soaked in 90 degree heat with sunshine in abundance.

If you have followed my race reports and summaries over the past few years, you will have already formed an opinion on my loyalties to Vermilion County Speedway, a track I have never raced on or will, but it is my home track. Everybody has one. Sometimes I feel this special annual event has been left behind as other tracks attempt to duplicate the Richardson by offering sizeable incentives to modified drivers, even late model drivers who have their own special races for large purses, not needing to force out eligible, regular well deserving modified drivers. I suppose if the payout is high enough, late model drivers feel its open season whenever the money is available. Large corporate sponsors with money will attract many  drivers, even late models. Can't say I blame them. 

My point is, I feel it is time for a special race with the prominence that the Richardson has, to continue increasing the  winning purse each year until they reach a point  where the top modified drivers want to come and race against their best counterparts. The promoters in the past few years have added a "B" feature paying a $1,000 purse to help drivers unable to make the feature. That helps drivers to pay their expenses. The cost of fuel has left many to worry about traveling. Maybe the Richardson should be expanded to a two-day show. VCS needs to move into the future and generate more incentives to draw the top modified drivers who compete regularly at their home tracks. No late model drivers allowed without a Ump modified competitors card. And more additional races to draw more cars from farther away. I realize this all costs money to promote and I wish I had the right answers. VCS is a leader in modified racing and it should strive to remain as the track that belongs on top. 

UMP National Champions such as Jimmy Owens, Denny Schwartz, Jeff Leka, Mike Marlar, Dean Hoffman, Jeff Martin, Steve Hillard, and other greats have all displayed their talents to the fans over the years. The Richardson Memorial has always been the the place to be for the best modified drivers 

Over the past few years, I have arrived at the track a few days early with my understanding better half and our camper in tow to relax in the shade of  a large tree-line. A bonfire to sit around and tell racing stories with friends before and after race night is a priority.

I have felt the pain a promoter feels when there is a threatening rain approaching just as time trials are starting, or the tardiness of fans before race time when you know this is a break-even night at best,  or the exhilaration of looking at the stands and seeing a sold-out crowd still filing in. I worry if there is too much water or too little on the track to start hot laps. I wonder how the concessions will do on certain nights when I had it all figured out perfectly, then the crowd surprises me and I worry now if there is enough to compensate for a bigger crowd I see coming through the gate. Oh well, hopefully it will be enough. Maybe I'll concentrate on track preparation and not dwell on it for a while.

There have been three promoters who given their all to the continued success of the Richardson Memorial race and I am proud to say they are all very good friends whom I have watched on race nights as they strived to present the best show possible to fans and drivers. Phil Richardson, Bill Marietta, and Bill Nelson have all done their part in presenting this greatest Modified event every year for the fans and drivers. I visited with all three this past weekend and I am blessed to have them as friends. And the flagman, Rick Isaacson, has been flagging at VCS since the beginning of the Richardson. Pretty hard to find anyone knowing more about the drivers than he does. And he also is a very good friend, sharing with me his knowledge on the background of the Richardson. We met with everyone we could find and hope all the bases were covered. We were treated with respect and we really appreciate it. Here's to continued success for many years for the Richardson Memorial.

Media Contact: Michelle Petroff, (618) 406-6842 or [email protected]


DIRT TEAMS AND FANS PREPARE FOR THIS WEEKEND’S “4th ANNUAL TRI-TRACK CHALLENGE”

 
MACON, IL (May 31, 2006) - After weeks of anticipation, several of the best dirt late model teams in the nation are making final preparations for this weekend’s “4th Annual Tri-Track Challenge”.  The upcoming U.M.P.-sanctioned trifecta consists of three independent $10,000-to-win shows plus an additional $10,000 bonus available to any competitor who can win two of the three events.
 
National touring drivers, series champions and regional throttlestompers are ready for door-to-door, mud slingin’ racing action in the three state showdown.  Past and present champions and rookies from United Midwestern Promoters, Lucas Oil DirtCar Series/NARA, Xtreme DirtCar Series/Hav-A-Tampa, Northern Allstars Late Model Series, U.M.P. Challenge of Champions’ Series and U.M.P. Summernationals will be on tap with hopes of winning the $10,000, 40-lap main events.
 
The Tri-Track Challenge will debut this Friday night at the Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Ken Schrader-owned Paducah International Raceway.  The 3/8-mile, high-banked track conveniently located off of I-24 in McCracken County, KY, has recently undergone numerous upgrades to the track and facilities that both spectators and competitors will recognize and benefit from.  The new PIR will host their first Tri-Track as a prelude to their U.M.P. Summernationals’ event slotted for June 29th. We would also like to remind fans and competitors to enter PIR’s hot new promotion the “Chevrolet Silverado Sunset Giveaway” at the track for a chance to win a new 2007 Chevy Silverado Pickup and ride in style like Dale Jr.!
 
Teams will then caravan to the Show Me State for another Ken Schrader-owned facility –  the 1/3-mile highbanks of I-55 Raceway.  The Pevely, MO, track is located 30 miles south of St. Louis on I-55 and boasts an impressive pedigree of weekly racers and special event winners.  I-55 Raceway has hosted all three previous installments of the Tri-Track Challenge and each event yielded a different winner.  Shannon Babb, the winningest driver on the circuit and only driver to ever nab the $10,000 bonus, won the inaugural event but Indiana’s own Don O’Neal stole the show in 2004 and Jimmy Mars from Elk Mound, WI, took top honors last year.
 
Back on the schedule for the third year, Vermilion Co. Speedway in Danville, IL, will host the 2006 Tri-Track Challenge finale. The 3/8-mile semi-banked facility is now promoted by a renowned duo in dirt late model racing – Bill Nelson, Director of the Northern Allstars Late Model Series, and veteran track and special events promoter Bob Sargent of Track Enterprises.  National touring veterans Billy Moyer and Don O’Neal both claimed Tri-Track victories at Vermilion County but the 2006 entry list boats impressive names looking to reign supreme.
 
This year’s “Tri-Track Challenge” retains popular features including the Frisbee draw, free general admission for kids 12 and under at all tracks, no entry fees for competitors and the $10,000 bonus opportunity but the format has been slightly modified to accommodate the wishes of competitors and to make for the best possible show.  Here’s how it works…

Each competitor will participate in a pill draw for qualifying.  Competitors will then be placed into groups based on the pill draw and you will hotlap, qualify and compete in the heat race with this same group of cars. The top two finishers from each heat race will draw a Frisbee marked with a secret number on the frontstretch during driver introductions to determine their starting spot in the feature event.  Consolation races will be lined up according to your finish in the heat result and the remainder of the A-Main starting field will also be started according to heat race transfer order.  Each main event will consist of 40 laps of wide-open dirt late model racing with the winner receiving a $10,000 payday.  Each track has also selected 2-5 additional divisions that will provide great racing during the night’s activities.
 
The response to the “4th Annual Tri-Track Challenge” has been very strong and we anticipate a stellar field of cars each night but a dozen names tentatively slotted to compete to the partial or full tour include: