Jeep VanWormer hugs the inside line as Chub Frank charges the high banks of La Salle Speedway during the World of Outlaws Illinois Fall Nationals	Roger Brickler needed landing gear after his Late Model took to the skies during the Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle Speedway on September 16th.	Brickler was unscathed while his ride looked like a compact instead of a Late Model

Beep Beep watch out for Jeep
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Jeep Van Wormer is one of those drivers you can never
underestimate. He has what it takes to win races and pilot his familiar #55
up the field.
 
On Sunday night, he did just that at the La Salle Speedway’s final big
dollar late model event for 2007.
 
The Illinois Fall Nationals has been synonymous with the state capitol for
the past fifteen years but Sunday night Track Enterprises brought the World
of Outlaws Late Model north. The tour thundered into La Salle county nearly
130 miles from its usual home.
 
The ¼ mile speed arena is a far cry from the Springfield mile located at the
Illinois State Fairgrounds but the fierce competition may not have changed
much. At the completion one driver staked his claim to the 40 lap feature
victory worth an impressive $7,000 payday.
 
Earlier in the weekend, Jeep lost an uncle and had dedicated the weekend of
racing to him. During a post race interview, the loud speaker was breaking
up but it was clear to see the emotions were mounting as the soft spoken
Michigan racer thanked his family, fans, God and dedicated the race to him.
 
Out of the thirty eight entries for the Late Model special event, only
twenty four grid positions were available for the main.
 
Racing the way in was not as easy as most had hoped.
 
To kick off the night, the competition traveled two laps for their quickest
times. Next, four heat races decided the top sixteen main starters. The
transfer of three cars from two “B” Main races and two provisional drivers
capped the field at twenty four.
 
When the grid was posted, it was the current UMP national points leader Wes
Steidinger on the pole next to Matt Miller. Van Wormer rolled into the
second row inside of Steve Francis.
 
Miller shot to an impressive start but the caution was signaled with a mere
one lap scored. By the time the leaders were finishing the second lap out,
it was all about Jeep. He was a man on a mission and never looked back.
 
Taking nearly twenty minutes to record ten laps seemed a bit much but when
the racing laps were green early in the event it was a display of talent.
 
After caution on Lap 10, Van Wormer led Francis, Miller, Jimmy Mars, and
Darrell Lanigan. Five laps later, the third place runner Miller hit hard
into an infield tire succumbing to front end damage. The tires were
repositioned farther onto the racing surface taking away the lowest line of
the racing surface and a few more competitive machines.
 
Van Wormer distanced himself from time to time but Lannigan, Tim Fuller and
Francis were in hot pursuit.
 
During Lap 22, Dennis Erb Jr. was full throttle charging around Chub Frank
for fourth. His fourteenth starting spot was only a minor obstacle as he
piloted his way into the front. Just after Erb’s move, a yellow flag was
thrown for Steidinger ending his run and sending him back behind Frank for
the restart.
 
Ironically, Steidinger and Erb are in a down to the finish points battle for
the UMP National championship. Going into the La Salle event the two were
closer then ever and the outcome of Sunday may have changed the leadership.
 
After the restart, Frank hammered down hard and tried the outer rim for
momentum. Not only did he get the speed he wanted but he put on a show for
the spectators. Frank was solo in the line he chose as the highest man on
the track. His hustle over the marbles was much different then the lower
lines being used by Van Wormer, Lanigan, Francis, Erb and Babb.
 
At the completion of the forty laps, Van Wormer collected the checkers in
front of Lanigan, Frank, Fuller, Francis, Erb, Babb, Shane Clanton, Rick
Eckert, Brady Smith, Clint Smith, Mars, Josh Richards, Darren Friedman, Mike
Mataragas, Steve Sheppard Jr., and Jason Feger.
 
Kerry Hansen, Brian Shirley, Steidinger, Roy Mitchell, Miller, Terry Casey
and Ryan Dauber did not finish the race.
 
The first heat race was a showcase of talent when Mars, Chubb, Lanigan,
Brady Smith and Babb put on an unbelievable ten lap showing. Mars came out
on top over Chubb, Lanigan and Smith.
 
Miller won heat number two with Shirley, Clint Smith and Erb trailing.
Fuller outdistanced Van Wormer, Richards and Steve Sheppard to capture the
third heat.
 
The fourth and final heat race for the division was one Roger Brickler will
not soon forget. Just after the restart of the second lap, Brickler found
his ride climbing the front stretch wall and traveling airborne. During the
horrific crash, Brickler’s machine was high and nearly above the fencing
with the nose pointing straight at the clay surface. When the final rotation
ended, the nose to tail distance of his machine was shortened and looked as
though the car had been visited by a crushing machine.
 
Thankfully, the rollcage appeared well built enabling Brickler to walk away.
Once action went back to green, Francis ran high and low until he scored his
victory over Steidinger, Terry Casey, and Clanton.
 
Thirty four UMP Open Wheel Modified’s joined the Late’s for a $2,000
special.
 
Jeff Leka charged flag to flag from the pole with his only real challenge
coming from Kevin Weaver early in the race.
 
The thirty lap special hosted Jeff Morris as the outside starter ahead of
Thad Wilson and Weaver in row two. Kyle Logue and Dave Porth rolled into the
third row.
 
When the flag dropped Morris tried to give Leka a battle but the pole sitter
had an unmatched machine.
 
Leka pulled away making Morris fend off Weaver and Denny Schwartz.
 
On Lap 14, Weaver managed to reel the leader in and journeyed up to his
inside door but Leka shut the door. Weaver realized there wasn’t a chance to
pass him on the inside and took to higher ground. Weaver could close the gap
but Leka was unstoppable.
 
At the checkers it was Leka making a visit to victory lane. Weaver finished
up the night with a strong runner up finish over Schwartz, Logue, Morris,
Wilson, Porth, Vince Cooper, McKay Winger, Gary Cook Jr., Marty Thompson,
Mike Spatola, Donovan Lodge, Joel Funk, Jeb Friedman, Kevin Hastings, Jim
Phelps, Matt Cleary, Randy Whitten, and AJ Dixon.
 
Wilson, Morris, Logue and Porth each won their heats.
 
Next Saturday night will be the final night of action at the speedway for
the 2007 season. The Illinois Valley Fall Sprint Classic highlights the
venue. The IRA sanctioned Sprints will compete in addition to the UMP
Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and Hornet classes.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/16/07
 
World of Outlaw Illinois Fall Nationals
Feature: 1. Jeep Van Womer, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Chub Frank, 4. Tim
Fuller, 5. Steve Francis, 6. Dennis Erb Jr., 7. Shannon Babb, 8. Shane
Clanton, 9. Rick Eckert, 10. Brady Smith, 11. Clint Smith, 12. Jimmy Mars,
13. Josh Richards, 14. Darren Friedman, 15. Mike Mataragas, 16. Steve
Sheppard Jr., 17. Jason Feger, 18. Kerry Hansen - DNF, 19. Brian Shirley -
DNF, 20. Wes Steidinger - DNF, 21. Roy Mitchell - DNF, 22. Matt Miller -
DNF, 23. Terry Casey - DNF, 24. Ryan Dauber - DNF
 
UMP Modifieds 34 Cars
Feature: 1. Jeff Leka, 2. Kevin Weaver, 3. Denny Schwartz, 4. Kyle Logue, 5.
Jeff Morris, 6. Thad Wilson, 7. Dave Porth, 8. Vince Cooper, 9. McKay
Winger, 10. Gary Cook Jr., 11. Marty Thompson, 12. Mike Spatola, 13. Donovan
Lodge, 14. Joel Funk, 15. Jeb Friedman, 16. Kevin Hastings, 17. Jim Phelps,
18. Matt Cleary, 19. Randy Whitten, 20. AJ Dixon

‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals’ At La Salle Speedway Is VanWormer’s First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory

LA SALLE, IL – Sept. 16, 2007 – Now Jeep VanWormer is in the club.

VanWormer was victorious in Sunday night’s 16^th annual ‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals 40’ at La Salle Speedway, becoming the 28^th driver to win a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event since 2004.

“When you win with these guys, it’s top-notch,” VanWormer said of his first career triumph on the national tour. “They’re not the World of Outlaws for nothing, so winning a race against them is huge for your resume, huge for your career.”

VanWormer, 32, of Pinconning, Mich., drove a flawless race to pocket $7,725, including the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who had never won a tour event and was not ranked among the top 12 in the current points standings. He was the 18^th different driver to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2007.

Taking advantage of the third starting spot, VanWormer overtook Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, for the lead on lap two and never looked back. He turned back late challenges from WoO LMS regulars Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who finished second and third, respectively, to register one of his biggest wins ever.

WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished fourth and points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., placed fifth.

While VanWormer is known across the dirt Late Model landscape for his ‘Spiderman’ nickname and hard-charging style, it was his cool, calm approach that propelled him to victory at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval.

Once VanWormer was in the lead, he eschewed his usual rim-riding in favor of an effective line around the extreme inside of the track.

“I knew the bottom was gonna be good, so we tightened our car up and put a hard tire on so I could run through the middle,” said VanWormer, who was very familiar with the event’s UMP DIRTcar Racing Hoosier 20/40 tire rule thanks to his years spent chasing the UMP Summernationals series. “There was a lot of moisture on the bottom, and that helps you get good drive off the corners.”

“I wasn’t gonna get off the bottom. They were gonna have to go around me on the top.”

Several guys tried to unseat VanWormer, most notably Lanigan and Frank.

After the race’s fifth and final caution flag flew, on lap 23 for the stopped car driven by UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model national points leader Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., Lanigan closely tailed VanWormer around the inside of the speedway and Frank tossed his car around the extreme outside of the track.

VanWormer was too strong, however, and beat Lanigan to the finish line by about five car lengths. Not surprisingly, he was a very happy race car driver when he reached Victory Lane.

“Over this weekend I thought we had some good cars, but we just had some bad fortune,” said VanWormer, who finished 10^th on Friday night at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway (he relinquished the pole starting spot and started last in the 50-lapper because a leaking water pump forced him to run his backup car) and placed 12^th on Saturday night at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. “Tonight we started close to the front and really capitalized on it – and I’m stoked.”

VanWormer, whose previous career-best WoO LMS finish was a fifth on July 26 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, dedicated the triumph to his late Uncle Rick.

“This one was for him,” VanWormer said of his uncle, who passed away on Aug. 31. “He always supported me. It was behind the scenes, but he was always there to support me.”

Lanigan, 37, came from the ninth starting spot to bid for the lead after the halfway mark, but his hopes were hampered by a mechanical problem on his gottarace.com Rocket.

“We broke a bolt in the shock mount with about 10 to go, and it let the car rock up too high,” said Lanigan, who had been rained out after qualifying in his only previous visit to La Salle. “Before that we were pretty good, but once it did that the car started getting too much roll-steer and I was getting loose.

“(VanWormer) kept scooting out some, so I thought if I could get up to him I’d be alright on the bottom. But I didn’t have enough to really get up there.”

The night’s showstopper was Frank, who spiced up the final 17 laps with his bid to win the race running the track’s unruly cushion.

Frank, 45, looked like he was ready to sail by both Lanigan and VanWormer shortly after the race’s final restart, on lap 23, but he gradually lost ground to the leaders and had to settle for third place in his Lester Buildings Rocket.

“I needed a restart with about four or five (laps) to go so I didn’t have to wear myself out up there,” said Frank, who closed to within 54 points of Francis in the WoO LMS standings with six events remaining. “It was so far out and rough up there, I just couldn’t make it work for many more laps than that in a row.

“If I got a yellow with about four to go and then just hammered it for the rest of the race, I would’ve had a chance to win.”

The 39-year-old Fuller’s Gypsum Racing Rocket might have been the fastest car in the closing laps. He slid by 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals champ Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Francis in the closing stages to reach fourth place – and nearly overtook Frank as well.

“Man, I wish the race was a little longer,” said Fuller, who flew from Albany, N.Y., to Peoria, Ill., on Sunday morning after competing in Saturday night’s Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified 200 at New York’s Lebanon Valley Speedway (he finished fifth in that event to keep his Mr. DIRTcar Modified points lead). “It was going on, it was happening the last five laps. I found some traction right there in the middle, and no one else was running there.”

Francis, 40, started fourth and climbed as high as second early in the distance, but couldn’t keep pace with the leaders. He said his tire selection cost him dearly.

“We gambled on tires,” said Francis. “We went with four 20s (softer compound tires), and should have had (harder) 40s on the right side – or at least one on the right-rear, like Jeep did.

“I knew we were in trouble after I ran about 10 laps. I said to myself, ‘Uh oh, we messed up here.’ But that’s how it goes. We said we’re going to all these races to win, and we gambled to win it. It just bit us at the end.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Erb, who started 14^th; Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who started 17^th after winning a B-Main; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who recovered from a heat-race spin to transfer through the prelim; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.

WoO LMS title contender Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., finished 11^th after being forced to the rear of the field by a half-spin in turn one on lap two, and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., had to be content with a 13^th-place finish after he pitted during an opening-lap caution period to repair nosepiece damage his car sustained in a scrape with an inside tractor tire.

Thirty-eight cars were signed in for the event, which was promoted by Bob Sargent’s Macon, Ill.-based Track Enterprises, Inc. It was the first-ever WoO LMS stop at La Salle Speedway.

Frank earned $100 for his second National Interstate Insurance Fast Time Award of the season. He circled the track in 12.725 seconds.

Heat winners were Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Miller, Fuller and Francis, and the B-Mains were captured by Babb and Mike Mataragas of Dekalb, Ill.

The night’s most spectacular accident occurred during the fourth heat when Roger Brickler of Springfield, Ill., flipped wildly down the homestretch on a lap-two restart. Brickler’s four-race-old MasterSbilt car was destroyed, but he escaped injury in the wild wreck.

The WoO LMS returns to action this weekend with stops at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Friday night (Sept. 21) and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday night (Sept. 22).

For more info on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Jeep VanWormer/40 $7,725

2. (9) Darrell Lanigan/40 $3,625

3. (8) Chub Frank/40 $2,100

4. (7) Tim Fuller/40 $1,950

5. (4) Steve Francis/40 $1,500

6. (14) Dennis Erb Jr./40 $1,300

7. (17) Shannon Babb/40 $1,200

8. (16) Shane Clanton/40 $1,100

9. (19) Rick Eckert/40 $1,000

10. (13) Brady Smih/40 $900

11. (10) Clint Smith/40 $850

12. (5) Jimmy Mars/40 $800

13. (11) Josh Richards/40 $750

14. (20) Darren Friedman/40 $740

15. (18) Mike Mataragas/40 $710

16. (15) Steve Sheppard Jr./40 $680

17. (24) Jason Feger/40 $650

18. (22) Kerry Hansen/31 $630

19. (6) Brian Shirley/30 $620

20. (1) Wes Steidinger/23 $610

21. (23) Roy Mitchell/18 $600

22. (2) Matt Miller/16 $600

23. (12) Terry Casey/15 $600

24. (21) Ryan Dauber/4 $600

Yellow Flags: 5 (Laps 1, 2, 10, 16, 23)

Lap Leaders: Miller (1); VanWormer (2-40)

Provisional Starters: Mitchell, Feger

Rookie of the Race: Fuller ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: VanWormer ($500)

National Interstate Insurance Fast Time Award: Frank ($100)

National Interstate Insurance Hard Luck Award: Brickler ($50)

Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race ($100): Wayne Caskey (Darrell Lanigan)

Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.725

2. 7M-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 12.940

3. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 12.988

4. J1-Wes Steidinger/Fairbury, IL 13.013

5. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 13.065

6. 64-Ryan Dauber/Tonica, IL 13.067

7. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 13.067

8. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 13.111

9. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.131

10. M-Mike Provenzano/Aurora, IL 13.137

11. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 13.155

12. 89-Darren Friedman/Forest, IL 13.158

13. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 13.204

14. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 13.208

15. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.317

16. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.385

17. 2b-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 13.400

18. 83-Scott Bull/Fairbury, IL 13.431

19. 32J-Jason Jaggers/Wyanet, IL 13.462

20. 25-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 13.469

21. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.513

22. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.516

23. 1M-Mike Mataragas/Dekalb, IL 13.535

24. 42-Terry Casey/New London, WI 13.545

25. 49-Brian Ruhlman/Clarklake, MI 13.595

26. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 13.597

27. B5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 13.725

28. 82-Roger Brickler/Springfield, IL 13.737

29. 25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.805

30. 43-Jim Felker Jr./Bloomington, IL 13.961

31. 10x-Scott Schmitt/Tonica, IL 14.115

32. 13-Mike Fannin/LeRoy, IL 14.223

33. DC3-Don Cisco/Blue Mound, IL 14.255

34. 38-Will Harris/Malden, IL 14.370

35. M10-Bryan Moon/Wyanet, IL 14.408

36. 53-Mike Anderson/Chicago, IL 14.653

37. 93-Roy Mitchell/Hobart, IN 15.145

38. 16-Tony Izzo Jr./Utica, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Mars, Frank, Lanigan, B. Smith, Babb, Eckert, Feger, Ruhlman, Cisco, Mitchell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Miller, Shirley, C. Smith, Erb, Dauber, Provenzano, Bull, Felker, Harris, Izzo

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, VanWormer, Richards, S. Sheppard, Mataragas, Jaggers, B. Sheppard, Schmitt, Moon

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Steidinger, Casey, Clanton, Friedman, Hansen, Fannin, Anderson, Brickler

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Babb, Eckert, Dauber, Feger, Bull, Felker, Provenzano, Harris, Cisco, Mitchell, Ruhlman (DNS) Izzo

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mataragas, Friedman, Hansen, Jaggers, Schmitt, B. Sheppard, Fannin, Moon, Anderson (DNNS) Brickler

2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 16 - 38 features completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 3-22-34-$108,725-5,252 (-0)

2. Chub Frank 5-18-31-$112,955-5,198 (-54)

3. Clint Smith 4-16-28-$113,175-5,154 (-98)

4. Shane Clanton 2-13-26-$84,647-5,080 (-172)

5. Josh Richards 3-10-23-$88,732-5,066 (-186)

6. Rick Eckert 0-11-23-$72,110-5,058 (-194)

7. Darrell Lanigan 2-8-24-$77,365-4,804 (-448)

8. Tim Fuller 1-9-14-$67,455-4,115 (-1137)

9. Brian Shirley 1-4-11-$51,229-3,682 (-1570)

10. Shannon Babb 4-12-16-$82,060-3,582 (-1670)

11. Eddie Carrier Jr. 0-2-5-$23,720-2,571 (-2681)

12. Chris Madden 2-8-12-$89,215-2,379 (-2873)

13. Billy Moyer 1-9-12-$42,575-2,373 (-2879)

14. Roy Mitchell 0-0-0-$10,280-2,104 (-3148)

15. Brian Birkhofer 0-1-7-$23,410-2,004 (-3248)

16. Jimmy Mars 0-5-7-$27,930-1,773 (-3479)

17. John Blankenship 0-0-0-$10,720-1,663 (-3589)

18. Dennis Erb Jr. 2-4-7-$33,000-1,433 (-3819)

19. Dan Stone 1-1-3-$17,305-1,340 (-3912)

20. Brady Smith 0-2-4-$13,240-1,284 (-3968)

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on DIRTvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including National Interstate Insurance Company and contingency sponsors Wrisco Industries, Crane Cams, Ohlins Shocks, Quarter-Master, Hawk Brake, MSD Ignitions, Eibach Springs and Integra Shocks

Changes abound for the 16th running of the Best Western Illinois Fall
Nationals in 2007 but at least two things will remain a constant for this
year’s event, big name racing drivers and great competition as the Best
Western Illinois Fall Nationals moves from it’s home at the spacious
Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield to the friendly confines of the
LaSalle, Illinois Speedway one hour north of Bloomington. A large number of
World of Outlaw and UMP late model stock cars and modifieds are expected to
be on the grounds of LaSalle Speedway on Sunday, September 16 competing for
one of the largest purses in LaSalle history. Moving from the World’s
Fastest One Mile Dirt Track to the quarter mile bullring at LaSalle may mean
lower speeds for the late model and modified drivers but it certainly won’t
diminish the racing action as LaSalle Speedway is known for some of the best
dirt track racing in the Midwest.
 
The 16th Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals is the conclusion of a Midwest
tri-track racing weekend that will see World of Outlaw Late Model Series
action at the Paducah International Raceway on Friday September 14, with the
World of Outlaw Late Models heading to Missouri and the Ken Schrader owned
I-55 Raceway in Pevely for the annual Pepsi Nationals on Saturday September
15. The late model and modified teams then make their way up Interstates 55
and 39 to LaSalle for the 16th Fall Nationals event on Sunday. A winner’s
share of $7,000 is up for grabs at LaSalle for the winner of the 40 lap late
model main event, with $2,000 for the modified 30 lap feature winner.
 
This will be the second time that the World of Outlaws sanction an Illinois
Fall Nationals late model race having sanctioned the 2005 running at the
Illinois State Fairgrounds, an event won by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg,
Tennessee as the veteran late model campaigner won his second Fall Nationals
event, winning previously in 1999. Other past winners of the Best Western
Illinois Fall Nationals late model events include John Mason of Millersburg,
Ohio, NASCAR’s Ken Schrader, Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Shannon
Babb of Decatur, Illinois and the only four-time winner of the Fall
Nationals late model feature, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas. Moyer is
currently 13th in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series National points
with Birkhofer 14th and both are expected to make the trip to LaSalle along
with World of Outlaw point leader Steve “the Kentucky Colonel” Francis of
Ashland Kentucky. Other World of Outlaw drivers in the top slots in points
expected at LaSalle are Chubb Frank, Clint Smith, Josh “Kid Rocket”
Richards, Shane Clanton, Rick Eckert and Darrell Lanigan.
 
Illinois driver Darren "The Thriller" Miller is the defending late mode
winner of the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals and the one lap late
model track record holder at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Last year he
trailed Muscatine. Iowa's Bria Birkhofer for the first 19 laps of the Fall
Nationals late model main event before overtaking "Birky" and cruising to
the victory on the famed Springfield Mile. Birkhofer is expected to be at
LaSalle on September 16 as is Darren Miller.
 
A number of drivers from Illinois and surrounding states are also expected
at LaSalle including Chatham, Illinois’ Brian Shirley, currently 9th in
World of Outlaw Late Model points and winner of the 2006 Fall Nationals
Modified feature. Shirley won the prestigious Knoxville, Iowa Late Model
Nationals in 2006. Decatur’s Shannon Babb is currently 10th in the Late
Model points and in 2003 became the first central Illinois driver in 37
years to post a major race win on the Springfield Mile when he won the late
model portion of the Fall Nationals. Other drivers who may enter at LaSalle
include Joe Ross Jr. of Springfield, John Provenzano of Marsailles, UMP
Super Late Model national point leader Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Billy
Drake of Bloomington, Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, Illinois (2nd in UMP
points), Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Indiana and Jeep Van Wormer of
Pinconning, Michigan. Other drivers may make their intentions known closer
to the Fall Nationals date.
 
UMP Modified drivers will be competing with the late models and the last 15
years have seen a variety of winners in the modified division, including
Charlie Sentman, Hank Delonjay, Curt Rhodes and Jim Shereck. A large number
of modified pilots can be expected and LaSalle and some may do double duty
in the late model division as well. Last year Jeff Leka set a modified
qualifying record at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the UMP Modifieds
but it was Shirley who led all 20 laps of the main event.
 
Pit Gates for the 16th Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals open at 2 p.m.
on Sunday September 16, with the grandstand open at 4, practice at 5,
qualifying at 5:30 and the first race at 6. Tickets are $25 for adults and
$5 for children 11 and under. Tickets can be obtained through Track
Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or through LaSalle Speedway at 815-223-6939.
 

The Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals Will Be Held at the LaSalle Speedway For The First Time Ever!
---------------------------------
Posted Thursday, September 6, 2007 by Track:
Outlaw Late Models and UMP Modifieds Invade LaSalle Speedway for the Illinois Fall Nationals September 16th
 
LaSalle, IL – The normal tranquil Sunday nights in the LaSalle, IL community will be shattered with the raw horsepower and thunder of the World of Outlaw Late Model Series September 16th. The Illinois Fall Nationals will make its first appearance at the high banked 1/4 mile oval after 15 years of racing on the Springfield Mile and will feature some of the areas top notable Late Model drivers. Come watch Steve Francis, Josh Richards, Rick Eckert, Shannon Babb and the rest of the stars in the World of Outlaw Late Model tour battle for the $7000 to win the 40 lap feature. The UMP Modifieds will also join the Late Models this night providing an entertaining night of racing. The Modifieds will compete in their 30 lap feature event paying the winner $2000. Darren “The Thriller” Miller was the 2006 Fall Nationals winner in the Late Model division with Brian Shirley driving to the win in the UMP Modified division.
 
Track Enterprises welcomes Best Western Hotels of Illinois as the Official Hotel of the Illinois Fall Nationals. Pit Gates open at 2pm, the Grandstand gates open at 4pm, practice at 5pm, time trials at 5:30 pm and the first race for the Illinois Fall Nationals is set to take the green flag at 6pm. Grandstand admission for adults is $25, Children 11 and under is $5, Pit Passes $35 per person.
 
The LaSalle Speedway is located at 578 US-6 in LaSalle, IL 61301 which is 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford, and 60 miles north of Bloomington. For further details or to purchase advanced general admission tickets please phone Track Enterprises - 217-764-3200, LaSalle Speedway – 815-223-6939 or by e-mail [email protected], or visit www.trackenterprises.com

 "Steve Oeder (67) uses the outside line while 2007 Track Champion Ralph Markham (10)
battles below him for the final Triple Crown Series 100 lap special."
 
Markham goes three-for-three in Triple Crown campaign
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham took charge of his destiny on April 28th when
he kicked off what would become the best season of his racing career. The
Maple Park standout blew his Rayburn chassis into victory lane on opening
day and hasn’t stopped running in the front since.
 
Flying around the ¼ mile clay speed arena of the LaSalle Speedway, Markham
has proven he has both the talent and drive to get the job done. Ten feature
wins at a single track equals a stellar season by anyone’s standards and
deservingly so.
 
The Steel Block Late Model division boasts a field of racers who are not new
to the sport and can certainly give the best of drivers a run for their
money. Not to mention a couple of former track champions in the lineup. Now
add in those who have improved tremendously since opening day and you have
to be ready for showtime when the green flag waves.
 
The ability of the Maple Park driver to hook up and go was evident no matter
the track surface. Some drivers do better with dry slick while others favor
a tackier terrain. It didn’t appear to make a difference for the newly
crowned champion.
 
The final race didn’t end exactly as planned but when the checkers dropped
it was Markham adding yet another trophy to his mounting bounty. His tenth
return to victory lane was just the topping on the cake for a driver who
wanted a championship and fell short in recent years.
 
Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown Series was top billing with twenty
cars taking their positions for the 100 lap feature. Markham already had
the first two Triple Crown trophies all that was left was one more.
 
Qualifying was the first event with Scott Schmitt posting the fastest timed
lap of 13.385. His quick time status was the second in a row for the young
Tonica driver.
 
Once qualifications were complete, the top six qualifiers were inverted for
the trophy dash. At the completion of the six laps, Steve Oeder of Princeton
had out ran La Salle’s Mike Glynn, Keith Piano of Oglesby and Schmitt to
earn the pole position.
 
Their finishes determined the top six grid spots of the lengthy feature the
remaining fourteen contenders were lined up based on their qualifying times.
 
Oeder took the lead with a fast and furious pace. Glynn and Schmitt were
both flying right along with him and the trio had already caught the tail of
the field by the fifth lap in the books.
 
A caution during the eleventh lap out gave the pack a break from their pace
and restarted six laps later. Laps traveled under caution are counted until
the final ten laps during the Triple Crown Series.
 
Oeder charged the higher line with Glynn on the bottom and Schmitt running
high as well. While the trio commanded the front in an action packed format,
Eric Dauber also used a higher run to battle Piano.
 
Glynn and Schmitt were putting on a show for second when Schmitt exited the
track on Lap 26 with mechanical trouble closing the season in a
disappointing return to the pits.
 
During the next fifteen laps, Oeder had Glynn to fend off while Dauber’s
high run was being challenged by Markham. Slipping back and forth in the
top five positions was Piano in a consistent line ahead of Ed Williams and
Jim Loomis. The front runners changed grooves as they dodged lapped traffic.
 
During Lap 53, the field was under red after contact between Dauber’s high
run and Glynn’s bottom spot sent Glynn into the air and over the turn three
infield tire. His front running car could no longer go forward and returned
pit side on the hook.
 
For the single file restart six cautions laps later, Oeder still had the
lead over Markham, Dauber, Piano, Loomis, Williams, and Mark Larson. The
action didn’t last long as Dauber slammed hard into the outside retaining
wall of turn three bringing out another red flag. He exited the car and was
able to walk away.
 
By Lap 78, Oeder had a strong hold on his lead with Markham holding back
Piano. Williams was looking promising until he hit the turn two tires hard.
For the next ten laps, Markham chased down Oeder and eventually closed in on
him.
 
Oeder lost his line briefly up high and nearly lost the lead but once he
straightened his machine out, he was side by side with Markham in turns one
and two. With two to go, the pair had a wide open run for a showdown. But
the two made contact with Oeder meeting the turn three concrete barrier.
 
Oeder exited his car to check for damage and the leaders were surprisingly
granted their positions back. For the restart, it was Oeder, Markham and
Piano to close out with a green, white, checkered finish.
 
The decision to put the leaders in front together proved costly as again
contact was hard and heavy between Oeder and Markham. Their inability to run
side by side resulted in a stacked up field. Piano who had a good run on the
pair had no where to go but on the hook.
 
Oeder led the entire event but succumbed to damage to close out his last
racing season.
 
Due to cars being lapped down or not still in action at the finish, the
final scoreboard results became a scoring nightmare.
 
The officially posted results had Markham on top over Jim Loomis, Larson,
Joe Fratt, John Piccatto, Oeder, Piano, Tim Loomis, Dave Miller, Dan
Dogherty, Robert Voice, Brian Lock, Glynn, Williams, Jack Benson, Dauber,
Aaron Schmidt, Joe Jelinek, Schmitt and Darin Furar.
 
Fifteen UMP Modified drivers showed up with Marty Thompson posting the
fastest timed lap. Travis Kohler beat Thompson, Joe Adam and Casey Lappin
for the first heat win. Jim Phelps flew from fourth to first to capture the
second heat race victory over Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe and Milo Veloz
Jr.
 
Thompson is a seasoned driver who once he figures out a track he is tough to
beat. His recent ability to master La Salle has kept him returning to the
winners circle in two different divisions.
 
Thompson collected the checkers for the fourth Mod feature over the current
track champ Veloz, Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Lappin, Adam, Matt Cleary,
Travis Kohler, Justin McCoy, Bill Theodorf, Dan Goodhand, Forsythe, Felecia
Collins, Ray Bollinger and Don Cole.
 
Ironically, Street Stock driver Justin Rutledge’s previous victory was the
night of the last Triple Crown Late Model event in July.
 
Rutledge swept the division after winning both his heat and the main feature
race. Nathan Balensiefen finished second over Steve Lewis, Brandon
Maciejewski, Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt, Rick Kotveit, Jimmy Partipilo, Nick
Sell, Duane Peterson, Larry Yardley, Karl Hayes, Alex Clubb, K. Hughes, Al
Gray and Jerrod Thomas.
 
The Hornet class has become the stage for fourteen year old standout DJ
Werkmeister’s dream season. In his eighth victory in a row, this youngster
has proven he can handle the pressure.
 
Only two other drivers have each won one race in a division that has been
dominated by Werkmeister. His thirteenth feature victory came with a clean
sweep after taking both the heat and feature wins.
 
Werkmeister beat Loren Westerhold, JR Brown, Phil Briddick, Nick Clubb, Gabe
Koncor, Asa Robart, Mark Sutton, Chad Williams, Bubba Siwinski, Ande Bivens
and Brent Carlson.
 
The Speedway is closed next week but will return with the World of Outlaws
Late Model Fall Nationals on September 16th. The $10,000 to win event will
be promoted by Track Enterprises. The UMP Modifieds will also compete with a
special for $2,000.
 
The last race is scheduled for September 22nd when the IRA Sprint Cars
return to the area. The Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hornets are also on the
schedule. This event will be promoted by the IRA Sprint Cars.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/01/07
 
Steel Block Late Models – 22 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.385
Fast Qualifier Dash: Steve Oeder, Mike Glynn, Keith Piano, Scott Schmitt
Feature: 1. Ralph Markham, 2. Jim Loomis, 3. Mark Larson, 4. Joe Fratt, 5.
John Piccatto, 6. Steve Oeder, 7. Keith Piano, 8. Tim Loomis, 9. Dave
Miller, 10. Dan Dogherty, 11. Robert Voice, 12. Brian Lock, 13. Mike Glynn,
14. Ed Williams, 15. Jack Benson, 16. Eric Dauber, 17. Aaron Schmidt, 18.
Joe Jelinek, 19. Scott Schmitt, 20. Darin Furar
 
UMP Modifieds 15 Cars
Qualifying: Marty Thompson 14.638
Heat One: Travis Kohler, Marty Thompson, Joe Adam, Casey Lappin
Heat Two: Jim Phelps, Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe, Milo Veloz
Feature: 1. Marty Thompson, 2. Milo Veloz, 3. Jim Phelps, 4. Nathan
Balensiefen, 5. Casey Lappin, 6. Joe Adam, 7. Matt Cleary, 8. Travis
Kohler, 9. Justin McCoy, 10. Bill Theodorf, 11. Dan Goodhand, 12. Wally
Forsyth, 13. Felicia Collins, 14. Ray Bollinger, 15. Don Cole
 
UMP Street Stocks 16 Cars
Heat One: Justin Rutledge, Larry Yardley, Jimmy Partipilo, Steve Lewis
Heat Two: Nathan Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Al Gray, Brandon Maciejewski
Feature: 1. Justin Rutledge, 2. Nathan Balensiefen, 3. Steve Lewis, 4.
Brandon Maciejewski, 5. Mike Hughes, 6. Gary Schmitt, 7. Rick Koltveit, 8.
Jimmy Partipilo, 9. Nick Sell, 10. Duane Peterson, 11. Larry Yardley, 12.
Karl Hayes, 13. Alex Clubb, 14. K. Hughes, 15. Al Gray, 16. Jerrod Thomas
 
Hornets 12 Cars
Heat One: DJ Werkmeister, Gabe Koncor, JR Brown, Nick Clubb
Heat Two: Loren Westerhold, Phil Briddick, Bubb Swinski, Asa Robart
Feature: 1. DJ Werkmeister, 2. Loren Westerhold, 3. JR Brown, 4. Phil
Briddick, 5. Nick Clubb, 6. Gabe Koncor, 7. Asa Robart, 8. Mark Sutton, 9.
Chad Williams, 10. Bubba Swinski, 11. Ande Bivens, 12. Brent Carlson

August 25, 2007
Marty Thompson (#90) works the inside line of the highbanks at La Salle
Speedway as Dave Porth (25P) runs the outside. Lance Dehm (D1) looks for an
opening between the two.
 
Thompson does double duty; Oeder goes flag to flag from front row
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Being behind the wheel of a racecar is a way of life for
Marty Thompson of Mineral. Not only is he a weekend warrior on dirt, he is a
multi track champ with a winning list that includes every division he
competes.
 
Saturday night at La Salle Speedway the veteran racer competed in the UMP
Modified’s and the Illinois Valley Cellular Street Stock special. The
outcome was the same – another trophy times two.
 
First up was the qualifying of both cars, then the Modified heat. He didn’t
earn the fastest timed laps but had positioned himself in good starting
positions for both divisions.
 
The Street Stock feature topped the venue as twenty seven contenders
registered for the event. Without preliminary races, drivers were lined up
based on their qualifying times and four transfer positions from the
consolation race.
 
The newly crowned divisional track champ, Rick Koltveit, and Alex Clubb were
on the front row ahead of Thompson and Randy Lucas. Koltveit was quick to
lead but fell back in the pack on lap three.
 
Immediately following, the field was under caution and Thompson was now the
race leader. A position he didn’t let go of for the remaining twenty two
laps.
 
Justin Rutledge was commanding second and even made his way close to the
tail of Thompson on more then one lap while Clubb and Steve Lewis gave
chase. The real action was with three of the semi feature transfers who were
working their way up from last.
 
Brandon Maciejewski started seventeenth but he was certainly a force to
reckon with. By the twelfth lap, he had already advanced six spots. At the
same time, the last place grid starter, Jimmy Partipilo was moving up just
as fast and furious.
 
When the checkers dropped, it was Thompson with the win over Rutledge.
Maciejewski, Koltveit, and Clubb were all racing nose to tail respectively
at the finish. Nathan Balensiefen ended his night in sixth over Lewis,
Partipilo, Jay Hamilton, Randy Lucas, Eric Whittington, and Nick Sell.
 
Koltveit scored the fastest qualifying lap of 15.785.
 
Thompson’s second act came when he rolled out for the twenty lap UMP
Modified show. This time he was on the pole next to Dave Porth while Jason
Hastings and Lance Dehm were in row two.
 
The front row contenders put on a show from the first corner of green flag
racing. The pair flew side by side with a strong running Dehm on their tail.
Dehm tried to take the trio into a three wide battle but couldn’t find the
room to slide in the middle.
 
The action was heating up when a car spun collecting two victims. Getting
past the five lap mark was a challenge all its own. Once they managed to get
past it, the green flag didn’t stay out long creating a painful beginning to
what was building up to be a competitive showing.
 
With the restart of Lap 15, it was evident the group was struggling as only
fifteen of the twenty one starters were still running. Two laps later, Porth
had made his charge on the outside for a door to door run but caution again
was signaled slowing his momentum. The showdown was not to be.
 
At the finish line, Thompson took the win over Porth, and Dehm. Casey Lappin
started sixth on the grid but gave Dehm a run for third in his low line
travel. He ended with a strong fourth place finish over Jason Hastings, Mike
Garland, Kevin Hastings, Justin McCoy, Cory Gerdes, Joe Adam, Brian
Carrington and Mark Novorolsky.
 
Thompson, Porth and Jason Hastings each won the heats. Garland posted the
quickest time of 14.500.
 
Steve Oeder and Scott Schmitt hosted the front row of the Late Model feature
in front of Jeff Hartzell and Ralph Markham.
 
Oeder quickly pulled ahead of Schmitt, Markham, Hartzell and Keith Piano.
Schmitt used every inch of the clay to hold Hartzell in third during the
early laps until contact was made between the pair. Hartzell slid back in
the pack. Schmitt continued to rule the second place running position until
Markham found room to get around him with four laps to go.
 
Oeder drove away with the win without contest finishing ahead of Markham.
Schmitt crossed in third after holding back Piano who could not find enough
room to pass. Glynn advanced the most positions moving up from tenth to a
fifth place finish on his first return to the Speedway since leaving in the
middle of July.
 
Eric Dauber moved up two positions from an eighth place start finishing over
John Piccatto, Ed Williams, Hartzell and Loomis.
 
Loomis and Piano each won the heats. Schmitt held the fastest qualifier
title.
 
The Hornet special got off to a rough start after a horrific flip ended the
night of Tanner Phelps. In his first night of racing, the young rookie was
hit hard in the wrong spot of his inside quarter panel as he exited the turn
two corner. The powerful and unrelenting push sent him on an airborne
journey he will not soon forget. Phelps was not injured in the incident.
 
DJ Werkmeister, the current divisional champ, won the feature marathon
adding to his stellar season. Nearly half the field was missing by the time
the checkers dropped.
 
Loren Westerhold tried everything to get a good run on DJ but ended in the
runner up spot over Jimmy Ellison, Ryan Webster, Scott Powell, Mike Weaver,
Jerry Legner, Nathan Lyday, Asa Robart, and Bubba Siwinski.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 08/25/07
 
Steel Block Late Models – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.744
Heat One: Jim Loomis, Jeff Hartzell, Scott Schmitt, John Piccatto
Heat Two: Keith Piano, Steve Oeder, Ralph Markham, Eric Dauber
Feature: 1. Steve Oeder, 2. Ralph Markham, 3. Scott Schmitt, 4. Keith Piano,
5. Mike Glynn, 6. Eric Dauber, 7. John Piccatto, 8. Ed Williams, 9. Jeff
Hartzell, 10. Jim Loomis, 11. Doug Newlin, 12. Brian Lock, 13. Dan Doherty,
14. Joe Jelinek, 15. Joe Fratt, 16. Ande Bivens, 17. Jeff Small, 18. Terry
Knutti
 
UMP Modifieds 28 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Garland 14.500
Heat One: Marty Thompson, Lance Dehm, Kevin Hastings, Mike Garland
Heat Two: Dave Porth, Jay Ledfred, Justin McCoy, Phil Line
Heat Three: Jason Hastings, Casey Lappin, Matt Barker, Joe Adam
Semi Feature: Results not provided
Feature: 1. Marty Thompson, 2. Dave Porth, 3. Lance Dehm, 4. Casey Lappin,
5. Jason Hastings, 6. Mike Garland, 7. Kevin Hastings, 8. Justin McCoy, 9.
Cory Gerdes, 10. Joe Adam, 11. Brian Carrington, 12. Mark Novorolsky, 13.
Matt Barker, 14. Travis Kohler, 15. Wally Forsythe, 16. Phil Line, 17. Ken
Fischer, 18. Matt Cleary,19. Brian Lucas, 20. Mike Dyas, 21. Jay Ledfred
 
UMP Street Stocks 27 Cars
Qualifying: Rick Koltveit 15.785
Feature: 1. Marty Thompson, 2. Justin Rutledge, 3. Brandon Majewski, 4. Rick
Koltveit, 5. Alex Clubb, 6. Nathan Balensiefen, 7. Steve Lewis, 8. Jimmy
Partipilo, 9. Jay Hamilton, 10. Randy Lucas, 11. Eric Whittington, 12. Nick
Sell, 13. Kevin Hoffman, 14. Mike Hughes, 15. Keith Lucas, 16. Mike Stewart,
17. Gary Schmitt, 18. John Peterson, 19. Jamie Balensiefen, 20. Jay
Mesarchik
 
Hornets 27 Cars
Heat One: Brown, DJ Werkmeister, Jon Small, Matt McCarty
Heat Two: Brian Webster, Scott Powell, Chad Williams, Phil Briddick
Heat Three: Loren Westerhold, Tanner Phelps, Jamie DeFord, Jimmy Ellison
Semi Feature: Nathan Lyday, Gabe Koncor, Phil Burdette, Dan Whittercomb,
Nick Clubb, Don Slover, Travis Mahoney
Feature: 1. DJ Werkmeister, 2. Loren Westerhold, 3. Jimmy Ellison, 4. Ryan
Webster, 5. Scott Powell, 6. Mike Weaver, 7. Jery Legner, 8. Nathan Lyday,
9. Asa Robart, 10. Bubba Swinski, 11. Gabe Koncor, 12. Tony Harlacher, 13.
Chad Williams, 14. Jon Small, 15. Jamie DeFord, 16. Mark Sutton, 17. Phil
Briddick, 18. Matt McCarty, 19. Jr. Brown, 20. Tanner Phelps

The races for Saturday August 18th have been rained out.

Eric Dauber made his grand return to La Salle Speedway's winners circle. The victory moved him to second in the points championship challenge."	Sixteen year old Street Stock standout, Jimmy Partipilo, used his familiar #14 as a stepping stone with his third seasonal victory at La Salle Speed

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Dauber leaves competition in dust at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – The 2007 points chase ended on Saturday night at La Salle
Speedway with four new champions ready to be crowned. The real highlight was
the grand return of a former champ to victory lane.
 
Ralph Markham was out so far in points that any outcome for the evening
could not hinder his chance at the coveted Late Model championship. But the
battle for second came down to the final laps of their feature event.
 
Princeton’s Steve Oeder was leading former division champ Eric Dauber in
second by a mere four points prior to signing in.
 
Dauber shot out to narrow the lead with qualifying the second fastest
picking up two points. But Oeder’s fourth place heat finish put two points
back in his favor. Next up, Oeder won the dash adding six points to his
corner.
 
The feature was still on tap and the runner up chase was about to get
interesting.
 
Oeder and Keith Piano were at the helm of the grid with Ritchie Bell and
fast qualifier Scott Schmitt in row two.
 
Oeder powered up hard to start the nineteen car field but got himself
sideways and nearly spun collecting quite a few of the front runners. Bell
and Billy Weistart Jr. were not as lucky as Oeder, they both returned to the
pits for quick repairs but were not granted their original grid positions
back for the complete restart.
 
The pack struggled to get past one lap on the board. As they came down the
back stretch Schmitt was running wide open and crashed hard into the outside
concrete barrier. His promising season has been shadowed by heavy damage as
a result of his love of the high side.
 
Oeder set the pace quick with Piano pulling under his door repeatedly during
the early laps. Dauber on the other hand was hunting for an opening. Heavy
on the gas, he worked every line he could find but favored a higher groove
for momentum. The momentum was hard to come by as the caution flag was
flying far too often.
 
During Lap 14, Dauber got the opening he was waiting for and used the
outside to stake his claim on second.
 
Just after, Oeder’s ride suffered mechanical woes and he ended his night
climbing up the back retaining wall. Now, it was Dauber in the lead of the
single file restart over Markham, Jeff Hartzell, Jim Loomis and Brian
Claudnic.
 
One lap later, Loomis and Claudnic made significant contact ending with
Claudnic’s machine briefly airborne. The division’s main event looked more
like a demo then the side by side racing everyone enjoys.
 
Dauber opened up full throttle to leave Markham, Hartzell, Aaron Schmidt,
Loomis, Jack Benson, Doug Newlin, Joe Fratt and Brian Lock in his dust.
 
Dauber’s return to victory lane was well overdue and moved him into the
second place points finish overall.
 
“We worked for that,” Dauber said trackside following his grand return. “It
feels so good finally getting a win. I was starting to get a little down.”
 
Markham beat Piccatto, Schmidt, and Jeff Small in the first heat. Weistart
won the fast heat over Hartzell, Piano and Oeder. Oeder took home the dash
in front of Piano, Bell and Scott Schmitt.
 
Morris driver Vince Cooper used the outside rails to win the UMP Open Wheel
Modified feature race in a flag to flag victory.
 
Cooper was unstoppable from his front row start next to Nathan Balensiefen
with Matt Barker and Milo Veloz Jr. in row two.
 
Fifteen drivers made the feature call but not as many were so lucky when the
checkers dropped. Much like the Late’s the Modified’s were struggling to get
a consistent run of green flag racing laps.
 
Cooper pulled away from Balensiefen, Veloz, and Joe Adam for the first ten
laps. By Lap 14, Veloz took over second and shut the door on Balensiefen.
 
Cooper charged high to capture the win over Veloz, Balensiefen, Adam, AJ
Dixon, Jim Phelps, Matt Barker, Mark Vervynck, Bill Theodorf, Ray Bollinger,
and Matt Cleary.
 
Bollinger traveled the fastest lap with a time of 14.584. Barker won the
first heat race in front of Cooper, Phelps, and Vervynck. Balensiefen took
home the second heat over Theodorf, Veloz and Cleary.
 
Veloz easily won the divisional championship as Bollinger’s evening was not
in his usual standout fashion. Veloz led the chase by twelve points prior to
the night but with a tenth place finish in the feature Bollinger’s hope of a
championship was not in the cards.
 
Young newcomer, Jimmy Partipilo, started the UMP Street Stock feature fourth
on the grid behind Nick Sell, Mike Hughes and Steve Lewis.
 
Sell led the pack for the first six laps when he fell back giving up the
lead to Partipilo for the first and final time.
 
Partipilo was unstoppable en route to his third main event victory. A late
race restart brought everyone back together but it didn’t make an impact on
the drive of Partipilo.
 
The youngster collected the checkers over Lewis, Justin Rutledge, Al Gray,
Hughes, Jay Mesarchick, Shawn Whittington, Rick Koltveit, Gary Schmitt, and
Sell.
 
Sell and Hughes each won their heats.
 
Koltveit won the Street Stock points challenge over Justin Rutledge.
 
DJ Werkmeister continued his winning ways in the Hornet division but not
without a well driven fight from Travis Mahoney.
 
Mahoney was flying in the lead until Werkmeister stole it on the outside
while they traveled the back stretch. After a restart, Mahoney gave it all
he had but Werkmeister continued doing what he does best, leading the field.
 
Mahoney’s chances were nixed when the event was yellow checkered with
Werkmeister as the leader. Mahoney finished a strong runner up over Loren
Westerhold, Jon Small, Jamie DeFord, Chad Williams, Asa Robart, Gabe Koncor,
Mark Sutton, and Dan Slover.
 
Westerhold and Mahoney each won their preliminary races.
 
Werkmeister won the championship uncontested.
 
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 08/11/07
 
Steel Block Late Models – 19 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.735
Heat One: Ralph Markham, John Piccatto, Aaron Schmidt, Jeff Small
Heat Two: Billy Weistart Jr., Jeff Hartzell, Keith Piano, Steve Oeder
Dash: Steve Oeder, Keith Piano, Ritchie Bell, Scott Schmitt
Feature: 1. Eric Dauber, 2. Ralph Markham, 3. Jeff Hartzell, 4. Aaron
Schmidt, 5. Jim Loomis, 6. Jack Benson, 7. Doug Newlin, 8. Joe Fratt, 9.
Brian Lock, 10. Ed Williams, 11. Brian Claudnic, 12. Steve Oeder, 13. Keith
Piano, 14. Ritchie Bell, 15. Joe Jelinek, 16. Jeff Small, 17. John Piccatto,
18. Scott Schmitt, 19. Billy Weistart Jr.
 
UMP Modifieds 18 Cars
Qualifying: Ray Bollinger 14.584
Heat One: Matt Barker, Vince Cooper, Jim Phelps, Mark Vervynck
Heat Two: Nathan Balensiefen, Bill Theodorf, Milo Veloz Jr., Matt Cleary
Feature: 1. Vince Cooper, 2. Milo Veloz Jr., 3. Nathan Balensiefen, 4. Joe
Adam, 5. AJ Dixon, 6. Jim Phelps, 7. Matt Barker, 8. Mark Vervynck, 9. Bill
Theodorf, 10. Ray Bollinger, 11. Matt Cleary, 12. Wally Forsythe, 13. Duane
Peterson, 14. Mark Novorolsky, 15. Brian Lucas
 
UMP Street Stocks 20 Cars
Heat One: Nick Sell, Jimmy Partipilo, Jay Mesarchick, Justin Rutledge
Heat Two: Mike Hughes, Steve Lewis, Al Gray, Shawn Whittington
Feature: 1. Jimmy Partipilo, 2. Steve Lewis, 3. Justin Rutledge, 4. Al Gray,
5. Mike Hughes, 6. Jay Mesarchick, 7. Shawn Whittington, 8. Rick Koltveit,
9. Gary Schmitt, 10. Nick Sell, 11. Mike Stewart, 12. John Peterson, 13.
Alex Club, 14. Randy Lucas, 15. Ryan Johnson, 16. Joe Hamilton, 17. Roger
Rickels, 18. Jerrod Thomas
 
Hornets 19 Cars
Heat One: Loren Westerhold, DJ Werkmeister, Mark Sutton, Asa Robart
Heat Two: Travis Mahoney, Jon Small, Don Slover, Chad Williams
Feature: 1. DJ Werkmeister, 2. Travis Mahoney, 3. Loren Westerhold, 4. Jon
Small, 5. Jamie DeFord, 6. Chad Williams, 7. Asa Robart, 8. Gabe Koncor, 9.
Mark Sutton, 10. Don Slover, 11. Jon Wagner, 12. Tony Harlacher, 13. Ande
Bivens, 14. #72, 15. Bubba Siwinski, 16. Nick Clubb, 17. Dan Leonard
 

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Jimmy Owens (20) works an outside line of Tim McCreadie (39) during the second heat race of the Lucas Oil special at La Salle Speedway."	"Jimmy Owens collects his $10,000 check after dominating the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Illinois Valley Challenge 50 at La Salle Speedway."

Owens Struts Solo for Lucas Win at La Salle; Weistart Claims 2nd Career
Victory
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Jimmy Owens rolled into La Salle Speedway for the first time
Monday night but quickly became a fan of the ¼ mile high banked speed arena.
The Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Illinois Valley Challenge 50 race was the
farthest north this Tennessee driver has won but it might not be the last
time he visits.
 
With a hefty payday of $10,000 on the line, the thirty five year old racer
strutted in solo style using every groove to lead the best of the best from
start to finish.
 
“This is a pretty nice track,” Owens told the crowd in a post race
interview. “It’s my first time here and I really like it a lot.”
 
He was being interviewed from victory circle with a profitable win and a
television timeslot on Speed TV – what more could a guy ask for.
 
Scott James and Owens were on the front row over Illinois drivers Darren
Miller and Dennis Erb Jr while fast qualifier Wendell Wallace and Tim
McCreadie were in row three on the grid.
 
Once the flagman gave the go, it was Owens fast on an outside line and
quickly pulled away from James in second as Miller and Erb battled for
third. By the second lap on the board, Owens was dominating some of the best
professional dirt track drivers in the country in his Bloomquist chassis.
 
While he was in his own zip code dodging lapped traffic, James circled in
second ahead of Miller, Erb, Wallace, McCreadie, and former LaSalle track
champ Ryan Dauber.
 
The first of only two cautions happened on Lap 20 when Garrett Durrett
stopped just shy of the racing surface. This brought the front runners back
together with their leader in front as the remainder lined up in double file
fashion without lapped cars.
 
Nothing changed his pace, or his mission, the fact that the pack was on his
back bumper and the surface turned black and slick didn’t slow him up. He
shot back into a solo run for the entire duration of the race.
 
James gave chase remaining in the consistent second place runner position
over Darren Miller. Those three top running spots never changed during the
twenty minute fifty-lap special.
 
Fourth place was another story altogether, Erb and Wallace diced it up back
and forth while Dauber and McCreadie did the same.
 
During Lap35, Owens was rapidly approaching Billy Drake and Billy Moyer Jr.
as they raced side by side. Owens took the action into a three wide battle
as he flew between the two cars to take them a lap down.
 
Two laps later, the second and final caution was signaled for Dauber when he
stopped on the track following contact with Dan Schlieper. It took numerous
yellow laps before the action got started again but once it did, the battle
for fourth between McCreadie and Wallace was worth watching. McCreadie moved
to a higher line but so did Wallace who looked tough on the back stretch and
corners.
 
Owens outdistanced the competition with James alone in second. Darren Miller
took an easy third, while Wallace held back McCreadie to finish fourth. Don
ONeal ended his night in sixth over Matt Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy
Mars, Jeep VanWormer, Erb who fell back to eleventh following the last
restart, Earl Pearson Jr., Schlieper, Terry English, Donnie Moran, Justin
Rattliff, Drake, Dauber, Steve Casebolt, Freddy Smith, Mike Mataragas, Damon
Eller, and Moyer.
 
Wallace led the first heat race until the final turn of the final lap when
Darren Miller brought the action side by side and stole the show at the
finish line. O’Neal took third ahead of VanWormer, Eller, Moyer, Jason
McBride.
 
Owens easily beat McCreadie, Pearson, Birkhofer, Casebolt, Durrett, and Mike
Provezano in the second heat.
 
Erb passed English during the third lap to win the third heat race. Matt
Miller, Drake, Freddy Smith, Mataragas and Steve Dimmick crossed the line
after him.
 
James and Dauber traveled side by side for much of the beginning laps during
the fourth and final heat. At the end of the ten laps, James took the
checkers in front of Dauber, Mars, Rattliff, Moran, and Shawn Toczek.
 
Casebolt and Moran each won the B Main’s.
 
The weekly steel block Late Model’s provided the support class with a
caution free twenty five lap main event for the evening.
 
Oglesby’s Billy Weistart Jr. dominated the class in his first feature
victory in at least seven years.
 
Thirteen contenders signed in for competition with two heat races
determining their starting feature grid. Dave Miller and Weistart were on
the front row over Ralph Markham and John Piccatto.
 
Markham jumped to the front but Weistart was heavy on the gas and
unstoppable from start to finish.
 
By the tenth lap out, Weistart was in complete control of the pace and his
ride. Markham, who has had a stellar season, trailed in second over Keith
Piano, Aaron Schmidt and Steve Oeder.
 
Weistart’s drought was worth the wait as he sailed easily back to the
winners circle without contest sweeping the division.
 
“The car was working good”, Weistart said. “It has been a long long time
since we won.”
 
Crossing the finish line behind him was Markham, Piano, Schmidt, Oeder,
Piccatto, Ritchie Bell, Scott Schmitt, Doug Newlin, Ed Williams, Dave
Miller, Jeff Small and Joe Fratt.
 
Miller beat a hard charging Markham, Piano and Newlin in their first heat
race. Weistart charged hard to win over Piccatto, Schmitt and Schmidt in the
second heat.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 08/06/07
 
Lucas Oil Late Model Illinois Valley Challenge 50 – 35 Cars
Qualifying: Wendell Wallace 14.355
Heat One: Darren Miller, Wendell Wallace, Don O’Neal, Jeep VanWormer, Damon
Eller, Billy Moyer Jr., Jason McBride, Kerry Hansen, Steve Morgan
Heat Two: Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie, Earl Pearson Jr., Brian Birkofer,
Steve Casebolt, Garrett Durrett, Mike Provenzano, George Scheffler, Tony
Izzo Jr.
Heat Three: Dennis Erb Jr., Terry English, Matt Miller, Billy Drake, Freddy
Smith, Mike Mataragas, Steve Dimmick, Scott Schmitt, Brian Claudnic
Heat Four: Scott James, Ryan Dauber, Jimmy Mars, Justin Rattliff, Donnie
Moran, Shawn Toczek, Dan Schlieper, Aaron Ricketts
B Main #1: Steve Casebolt, Garrett Durrett, Damon Eller, Kerry Hansen,
George Scheffler, Jason McBride, Mike Provenzano, Billy Moyer Jr., Tony Izzo
Jr., Steve Morgan
B Main #2: Donnie Moran, Freddy Smith, Dan Schlieper, Shawn Toczek, Aaron
Ricketts, Mike Mataragas, Scott Schmitt, Steve Dimmick
Feature: 1. Jimmy Owens, 2. Scott James, 3. Darren Miller, 4. Wendell
Wallace, 5. Tim McCreadie, 6. Don O’Neal, 7. Matt Miller, 8. Brian
Birkhofer, 9. Jimmy Mars, 10. Jeep VanWormer, 11. Dennis Erb Jr., 12. Earl
Pearson Jr., 13. Dan Schlieper, 14. Terry English, 15. Donnie Moran, 16.
Justin Rattliff, 17. Billy Drake, 18. Ryan Dauber, 19. Steve Casebolt, 20.
Freddy Smith, 21. Mike Mataragas, 22. Damon Eller, 23. Billy Moyer Jr., 24.
Garrett Durrett
 
Steel Block Late Models – 13 Cars
Heat One: Dave Miller, Ralph Markham, Keith Piano, Doug Newlin
Heat Two: Billy Weistart Jr., John Piccatto, Scott Schmitt, Aaron Schmidt
Feature: 1. Billy Weistart Jr., 2. Ralph Markham, 3. Keith Piano, 4. Aaron
Schmidt, 5. Steve Oeder, 6. John Piccatto, 7. Ritchie Bell, 8. Scott
Schmitt, 9. Doug Newlin, 10. Ed Williams, 11. Dave Miller, 12. Jeff Small,
13. Joe Fratt

Markham, Veloz, Koltveit and Werkmeister claim wins at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham has become a victory circle regular at La Salle
Speedway this season. The Maple Park Late Model driver added his ninth
feature trophy to his collection without contest on Saturday night.
 
Sixteen steel block Late’s signed in for action with Tonica’s Eric Dauber
posting the quickest lap time of 13.600. Oglesby’s Keith Piano outdistanced
the competition in the first heat race. Markham finished runner up over
Dauber and Ed Williams. Aaron Schmidt stayed strong and held back a late
race challenge by Darin Furar to collect the second heat victory. Furar
ended his run second over Scott Schmitt and Billy Weistart Jr.
 
Dauber and Schmitt controlled the front row starting positions of the
feature grid ahead of Markham and Furar. Once the green was dropped, Dauber
took the lead. By the end of the first lap his outside partner, Schmitt, had
a meet and greet with the outside retaining wall and quickly fell back in
the pack.
 
During Lap 2, Markham shot into the lead and began to pull away from the
field. Dauber used a higher line trying to gain momentum but once the leader
took them into lapped traffic he was unstoppable.
 
Seventh place starter, Williams, was moving his way up the pack and rolled
under Dauber for second place by Lap 12.
 
Markham was in a zip code all his own when he took the checkers of the
caution free twenty-five lapper. Between the top five cars there was a lot
of real estate with no side by side action down to the wire.
 
During a victory lane interview Markham discussed his ride.
 
“It was working real good,” Markham announced to the crowd following his
impressive run. “It’s been a real good season.”
 
Markham’s stellar season will be topped by his first Late Model track
championship as the division only has one race left and he is sitting far
enough ahead of the points.
 
“It’s wrapped up already,” Markham told the announcer.
 
Williams finished second over Dauber, Piano, John Piccatto, Weistart, Furar,
Steve Oeder, Aaron Schmidt, Jack Benson, Joe Fratt, Dave Miller, Doug
Newlin, Brian Lock, Jeff Small, Schmitt.
 
Sixteen UMP Modifieds rolled onto the grounds with one driver ending his
evening high above the quarter mile high banks on the retaining fence when a
pre race activity didn’t go so well. Modified driver of the #87 ended his
night stuck up the fencing with too much damage to continue.
 
Leah Monfries took home the first heat race win with Brian Lucas, Mark
Vervynck, and Joe Adam in tow. Nathan Balensiefen won the fast heat over
Milo Veloz, Tom Otrembiak, and Marty Thompson. Veloz barely held off a late
race charge by Marty Thompson to win the dash race. Cooper finished third
ahead of fast qualifier AJ Dixon.
 
Fifteen cars made the main event call with Veloz and Thompson on front row
starting spots. Cooper and Dixon rolled up in the second row.
 
During the first lap out, Thompson got a little too close and personal with
the concrete barrier wall and took a few cars into the mayhem. Everyone
safely got their spots back for a complete restart except Dixon who had to
return to the pit area.
 
Now fourteen drivers were starting over. Veloz didn’t waste anytime pulling
into the lead with Cooper hot on his trail. By Lap 9, Thompson and Cooper
were providing some side by side action for second place. By the time the
pair returned to the start finish line, Cooper was still runner up in
second.
 
Nathan Balensiefen was in a strong fourth place run leaving Jim Phelps, Joe
Adam and Ray Bollinger to fight for fifth.
 
Up front, Thompson continued to work a higher line then Cooper but seemed to
fall shy on the straights as Cooper sailed down them.
 
With two remaining laps left, Cooper had his sights set on the win and
traveled all the way to the leaders door when they flew into lapped traffic.
 
Cooper gave it all he had but Veloz took the checkers.
 
“Cooper is pretty fast and I like racing against him,” Veloz told the
announcer during his winning interview.
 
Cooper picked up a powerful second place finish in front of Thompson,
Balensiefen, Adam, Phelps, Bollinger, Vervynck, Wally Forsythe, Duane
Peterson, Brian Lucas, Monfries, Scott Hauge, Tom Otrembiak, and Dixon.
 
The Street Stock class hosted sixteen competitors for the twenty lap main
event. Alex Clubb and Justin Rutledge rolled into the front starting
positions over Nick Sell and Rick Koltveit.
 
During Lap 1, Gary Schmitt lost control of his line and spun. With no where
to go several cars joined him including Jimmy Partipilo and Mike Hughes.
Partipilo hooked the front end hard on the tractor tires that keep drivers
out of the infield. The three went to the back of the field for the restart.
 
Rutledge was heavy on the gas and led the field until Koltveit began a
challenge from the lower line and grabbed it during Lap 9. Five laps later,
Partipilo was hard charging up the field from last into third.
 
Koltveit easily won the feature over Rutledge, Partipilo – certainly the
hardest charger of the night, Clubb, Sell, Mike Stewart, Hughes, Gary
Schmitt, Jerrod Thomas, Bill Dauber, Steve Lewis, Jay Mesarchik, Justin
Sellers, Shane Whittington, Neilson, and Tim Loomis.
 
Clubb and Rutledge won the heats.
 
DJ Werkmeister is proving to be the force to reckon with in the ultra
competitive 4 Cylinder Hornet division. This fourteen year old has been the
man to beat all season long.
 
Jon Small started as the pole sitter next to Chad Williams with Travis
Mahoney and DJ behind them.
Small was carrying the field as DJ made his way up for the lead challenge
when the front right tire took a ride solo off of Small’s machine.
 
DJ took over the lead for the restart and never looked back. Williams
finished second ahead of Eric Boudreau – who was later DQ’d, Loren
Westerhold, Jamie DeFord, Mahoney, Mark Sutton, Gabe Koncor, Phil Briddick,
Don Slover, Dan Leonard and Asa Robart.
 
Small and Williams won the preliminary events.
 
On Monday, August 6th, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Illinois Valley
Challenge 50 is slated to top the venue at La Salle. The weekly Steel Block
Late Models will be the support class.
 
Qualifying for the $10,000 to win Late Model televised event begins at 6:30
pm with racing at 7:30 pm.
 
Pit gates open at 1:00 pm, Grandstands 5:00 pm, Hot Lap at 6:00 pm.
Admission prices are as follows: Adults $25, Kids 11 and under $5, Skybox
$30, and Pit Passes $35.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 08/04/07
 
Late Model – 16 Cars
Qualifying: John Piccatto 13.600
Heat One: Keith Piano, Ralph Markham, Eric Dauber, Ed Williams
Heat Two: Aaron Schmidt, Darin Furar, Scott Schmitt, Billy Weistart Jr.
Feature: Ralph Markham, Ed Williams, Eric Dauber, Keith Piano, John
Piccatto, Billy Weistart Jr, Darin Furar, Steve Oeder, Aaron Schmidt, Jack
Benson, Joe Fratt, Dave Miller, Doug Newlin, Brian Lock, Jeff Small, Scott
Schmitt
 
UMP Modifieds – 16 Cars
Qualifying: AJ Dixon 14.393
Budweiser Dash: Milo Veloz, Marty Thompson, Vince Cooper, AJ Dixon
Heat One: Leah Monfries, Brian Lucas, Mark Vervynck, Joe Adam
Heat Two: Nathan Balensiefen, Milo Veloz, Tom Otrembiak, Marty Thompson
Feature: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Marty Thompson, Nathan Balensiefen, Joe
Adam, Jim Phelps, Ray Bollinger, Mark Vervynck, Wally Forsythe, Duane
Peterson, Brian Lucas, Leah Monfries, Scott Hauge, Tom Otrembiak, AJ Dixon
 
UMP Street Stocks – 16 Cars
Heat One: Alex Clubb, Nick Sell, Mike Stewart, Tim Loomis
Heat Two: Justin Rutledge, Rick Koltveit, Gary Schmitt, Jay Mesarchik
Feature: Rick Koltveit, Justin Rutledge, Jimmy Partipilo, Alex Clubb, Mike
Stewart, Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt, Jerrod Thomas, Billy Dauber, Steve
Lewis, Jay Mesarchik, Justin Sellers, Shane Whittington, Neilson, Tim Loomis
 
UMP Hornets – 21 Cars
Heat One: Jon Small, Travis Mahoney, Asa Robart, Eric Boudreau
Heat Two: Chad Williams, DJ Werkmeister, Jamie DeFord, Mark Sutton
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Chad Williams, Eric Boudreau – DQ’d, Loren
Westerhold, Jamie DeFord, Travis Mahoney, Mark Sutton, Gabe Koncor, Phil
Briddick, Don Slover, Dan Leonard, Asa Robart, Phil Burdette, Don Sims, Tony
Harlacher, Bubba Swinski, Ande Bivens, Jon Wagner, Nick Clubb, Nick
Kearfott, Jon Small

Markham steals the show at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – It is without a doubt that Ralph Markham is having a dream
season behind the wheel of his dirt Late Model. Last season he fell shy of
even one feature victory at La Salle Speedway but the Maple Park regular has
picked up the pace and dominated the division for 2007.
 
Eighteeen drivers made the call for the twenty-five lap main event with
Princeton’s Steve Oeder and Keith Piano, of Oglesby, at the front of the
grid. Markham and Billy Weistart Jr., also of Oglesby, rolled up in the
second row.
 
When the flagman signaled the green, Oeder was the fastest out of the blocks
with Markham filing in behind him. Oeder wasted little time powering away
from the pack. During Lap 5, he was already preparing to lap the back of the
field as they raced for their own positions.
 
Within two laps, Markham was putting the pressure on him and even caught him
in the turns. Oeder was faster off of turn two but would drift a little too
high at times off the corners.
 
While the duo was setting the pace, Weistart and Piano were trading spaces.
The battle for third place was heating up with each and every passing lap
while Tonica’s Eric Dauber and John Piccatto of Spring Valley kept up.
 
Oeder maintained the lead using the highline but at times had trouble
keeping control in the rough terrain knocking him off his pace. Markham was
just waiting for the door to open. With two laps to go, Oeder slammed the
back of Lake Knutti and lost a little speed.
 
As the leaders were going into the last turn of the final lap, Oeder’s high
drive gave Markham just what he had waited for the whole race, an opening.
 
At the finish line, it was Markham stealing the show in grand style for his
eighth win of the season. Oeder took home second ahead of Weistart, Piano,
Dauber, Piccatto, Ed Williams, Dave Miller, Aaron Schmidt, Doug Newlin ,
Jeff Hartzell and Knutti.
 
Piccatto earned the fastest lap with a time of 13.478.
 
The six lap dash for the fastest six qualifiers got off to a rocky start
when several cars made contact sending Dauber hard into the outside
retaining wall and off on a hook. Oeder won without contest over Pinao.
 
Due to mechanical woes of the fifth place qualifier, Darin Furar, Markham
was added to the lineup and finished third.
 
Jim Loomis won the first heat with Markham capturing the second.
 
Kewanee’s Ray Bollinger and Marty Thompson of Mineral put on a crowd pleaser
in the UMP Modified main event. Starting side by side in the sixteen car
line up was just the beginning for the pair as they traveled in similar
fashion for much of the race.
 
Bollinger led every lap with Thompson running the same line on the topside.
As they threw their right side tires over the berm and three wheeled much of
the passes through turn two, Peru’s Jim Phelps played it safe on a lower
run.
 
During Lap 14, Thompson’s ride was showing signs of trouble when smoke
started rolling out of the rear. One lap later, he slid to a stop bringing
out a caution. For the restart, Bollinger led Phelps, AJ Dixon, Nathan
Balensiefen, Milo Veloz and Justin McCoy.
 
With Thompson out of the picture, Bollinger didn’t use as high of a line
while Phelps stayed strong on the bottom.
 
Bollinger took home the checkers for the third time. Phelps charged til the
end to collect second place in front of Dixon, Balensiefen, Veloz, McCoy,
Wally Forsythe, Brian Lucas, Tom Otrembiak, Mark Vervynck and Leah Monfries.
 
Balensiefen and Bollinger each won the preliminary races. Thompson was fast
qualifier.
 
Justin Rutledge started the Street Stock main on the front row outside and
nearly lost it on the first lap. Good driving not only kept him on the
straight and narrow but also in the lead. By the end of lap one, he had
Steve Lewis and Jimmy Partipilo knocking on his door.
 
Five laps later, Partipilo took over second and had his sights on the
leader. He worked high then moved his machine low in an effort to find the
right groove and opportunity.
 
That opening came during the fourteenth lap of competition when he drove
like a seasoned veteran and took control of the track. In lapped traffic,
the sixteen year old showed off his skills as he dodged the competition.
 
At the checkers, it was Partipilo with plenty of real estate over Rutledge
in second. Tim Loomis started eleventh and managed to work his way into a
third place finish ahead of Lewis, Todd Balensiefen and Al Gray.
 
Gary Schmitt began his journey in eighteenth after a second place finish in
the consi and finished with an impressive seventh place showing for the
feature. Nick Sell took eighth with Jerrod Thomas, Rick Koltveit and Matt
Ramer behind him.
 
Rutledge, Gray and Partipilo won the heat races. Shane Whittington earned
the semi win.
 
Fourteen year old standout, DJ Werkmeister just keeps on winning trophies.
The Hornet rookie is continuing his magical season claiming his ninth race
so far at just La Salle.
 
The car count in the division was up but that still didn’t stop him from
winning both the heat and the main event.
 
With three laps in the books, DJ darted to the lead around Gabe Koncor and
drove away with the win. During the final lap, four front runners got
tangled up with Chad Williams ending his sixth place run in back.
 
Jamie DeFord who transferred from the consi took second in front of Ryan
Webster, Koncor, Dan Leonard, Jon Small, Loren Westerhold, Mark Sutton, Dan
Slover, Phil Burdette, and Nick Clubb.
 
Westerhold, Rob Werkmeister and son DJ each won the heats. DeFord took home
the semi win.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 07/28/07
 
Late Model – 19 Cars
Qualifying: John Piccatto 13.478
Budweiser Dash: Steve Oeder, Keith Piano, Ralph Markham, Billy Weistart Jr.
Heat One: Jim Loomis, Joe Jelinek, Jeff Hartzell, Ed Williams
Heat Two: Ralph Markham, Scott Schmitt, Dave Miller, Eric Dauber
Feature: Ralph Markham, Steve Oeder, Billy Weistart Jr., Keith Piano, Eric
Dauber, John Piccatto, Ed Williams, Dave Miller, Aaron Schmidt, Doug Newlin,
Jeff Hartzell, Lake Knutti, Jeff Small, Brian Lock, Scott Schmitt, Jim
Loomis, Joe Fratt, Joe Jelinek
 
UMP Modifieds – 16 Cars
Qualifying: Marty Thompson 14.314
Heat One: Nathan Balensiefen, AJ Dixon, Marty Thompson, Tom Otrembiak
Heat Two: Ray Bollinger, Jim Phelps, Joe Adam, Justin McCoy
Feature: Ray Bollinger, Jim Phelps, AJ Dixon, Nathan Balensiefen, Milo
Veloz, Justin McCoy, Wally Forsythe, Brian Lucas, Tom Otrembiak, Mark
Vervynck, Leah Monfries, Marty Thompson, Ken Fischer, Scripter, Joe Adam,
Scott Hauge
 
UMP Street Stocks – 23+ Cars
Heat One: Justin Rutledge, Rick Koltveit, Joe Hillman, Todd Balensiefen
Heat Two: Al Gray, Jerrod Thomas, Justin Sellers, Tim Loomis
Heat Three: Jimmy Partipilo, Steve Lewis, Nick Sell, Jason Abens
Semi Feature: Shane Whittington, Gary Schmitt, Tom Legner,
Feature: Jimmy Partipilo, Justin Rutledge, Tim Loomis, Steve Lewis, Todd
Balensiefen, Al Gray, Gary Schmitt, Nick Sell, Jerrod Thomas, Rick Koltveit,
Matt Ramer, Shane Whittington, Jason Abens, Justin Sellers, Tom Legner,
Randy Lucas, Billy Dauber, Joe Hillman
 
UMP Hornets – 24+ Cars
Heat One: Loren Westerhold, Gabe Koncor, Asa Robart, Tony Harlacher
Heat Two: Robert Werkmeister, Nick Clubb, Chad Williams, BJ Grabow
Heat Three: DJ Werkmeister, Ryan Webster, Dan Leonard, Mark Sutton
Semi Feature: Jamie DeFord, Phil Burdette, Dan Slover, Dawn Spellious, Bubba
Siwinski, #88, Ande Bivens
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jamie DeFord, Ryan Webster, Gabe Koncor, Dan
Leonard, Jon Small, Loren Westerhold, Mark Sutton, Dan Slover, Phil
Burdette, Nick Clubb, Mike Weaver, Jimmy Ellison, Tony Harlacher, Chad
Williams, BJ Grabow, Asa Robart, Robert Werkmeister

Markham overcomes rough start to win 75 lap marathon at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
07-14-07
 
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham collected his seventh Late Model victory in the
second leg of the Euclid Triple Crown Series at La Salle Speedway. The Maple
Park standout started his night off on the wrong foot but with a lot of hard
work and a good pit crew he managed to rise above the tough beginning.
 
After hot laps, he knew something wasn’t quite right.
 
“At hot laps, the power rack was broken,” Markham said after the race. “The
little ears were broke off and we had to weld them here.”
 
Next, the nineteen competitors traveled two laps looking for their fastest
time. Scott Schmitt of Tonica earned the quick time of 14.643. Markham, on
the other hand, didn’t fare so well during the preliminary event. He
qualified eighth determining his fourth row start in the feature.
 
“We had two rocker arms broke at qualifying, that’s why we qualified bad. So
then we worked on that.”
 
The racer competed in the Thursday night Summernationals and spent all day
and night Friday preparing for Saturday.
 
“We went through the entire car. I took off work on Friday and did nothing
but work on the car. We had no time to check the rockers though. Just didn’t
have enough time.”
 
He did manage to roll into his spot for showtime ready to race.
 
The top six qualifiers were inverted based on their time for the Budweiser
Dash for Cash. The finish of this quick six lap event determined the top six
feature starting positions.
 
Billy Weistart Jr. of Oglesby held the pole with Compton’s Eric Rebholz as
his front row partner. Weistart got off to a quick start with Rebholz, La
Salle’s Mike Glynn, Schmitt, Jim Loomis and Keith Piano behind them.
 
Glynn was on the move by the third lap when the pace was starting to fly and
Rebholz lost control nearly spinning out. He took Glynn with him but Rebholz
didn’t stop. Glynn had to go to their rear with only three laps remaining.
 
At the finish, it was Weistart, Rebholz, Schmitt, Glynn, Loomis, and Piano.
 
Eighteen made the call for the 75-lapper.
 
Weistart and Rebholz started at the helm ahead of Schmitt and Glynn. As the
pack started into the backstretch run of the first lap, there was contact
with Schmitt, from the inside, and Glynn on his right. This ended Glynn’s
night.
 
It was also the beginning of a caution marathon.
 
During the longer lapped specials, each time the leader crosses the finish
line under yellow the lap is counted until the final ten. At times, the laps
under one caution were in the double digits. Getting a real pace or momentum
was nearly impossible.
 
A much different experience then the Summernationals forty lap race that was
caution free.
 
Weistart pulled away from Schmitt by the third lap out. It didn’t take long
for Schmitt to reel him in after each restart. During Lap 7, Weistart had
Schmitt under his door for a challenge and even slipped up a little. Schmitt
saw the opening and powered in front but a caution ended the run.
 
Two laps later, the same thing happened again and Schmitt was hard on the
gas but didn’t have enough to steal the lead. While the two battled back and
forth, Markham was moving forward in the pack and under Schmitt off the turn
two corner of Lap 11.
 
Following a restart of Lap 28, Schmitt was looking strong on the low side
but Weistart stayed in charge. The painful yellows ruined some potentially
great racing.
 
Schmitt’s second place run slowed a bit after cruising in some rough turf on
the highside cushion.
 
All the while, Piano was quietly making his entrance to the front runners.
For the single file restart of Lap 41, Weistart got a little out of his
groove and Markham charged to the lead for the final time. A caution
followed again and even turned into a red stop.
 
During Lap 58, Piano moved into second and had his ride hooked up on the
lower line of Markham. He stayed on the bottom in the turns and looked like
a first place contender during the closing laps.
 
In the final lap, Piano gave it all he had but nearly lost control and slid
across the line for third.
 
Markham collected the checkers with Weistart ending a great night of racing
in second place. Rebholz finished fourth behind Piano.
 
Schmitt took fifth ahead of Jim Loomis, Dave Miller, Doug Newlin, Eric
Dauber, Joe Fratt, Lake Knutti, Joe Jelinek and Brian Lock.
 
The UMP Modified feature was much like the Lates and Street Stocks with a
challenge of yellows. Eighteen took the call for their main event.
 
Travis Koehler and Bill Theodorf hosted the front row over Milo Veloz and
Brian Lucas. Before a lap could be scored, Theodorf went into a tail spin
and took several cars with him.
 
During the first lap out, Veloz also nearly lost control but straightened it
out. Koehler was in command with Peru’s Jim Phelps hot on the trail looking
for an opening.
 
Phelps used different grooves to try and pass the leader but each time he
had a run on him the yellow flag dropped halting his efforts.
 
Just when things were getting interesting with nose to tail racing between
Koehler, Phelps and the fast qualifier Marty Thompson contact between AJ
Dixon and Veloz sent Dixon into a spin and unhappy with the outcome.
 
The first time the white flag signaled the last lap Phelps finally got the
lead he was after but yet another caution came out. He didn’t get the lead
back and the single file restart put Koehler, then Phelps, Thompson, Nathan
Balensiefen, and Ray Bollinger behind them.
 
Shortly after the green, Thompson made a move on Phelps and he lost control
collecting half the remaining field with him.
 
On the back straight of the last lap, Thompson got what he was after taking
the lead but not without a fight by Koehler.
 
At the finish line it was close but Thompson took home the honors over
Koehler, Balensiefen, Bollinger, Mark Vervynk, Tom Otrembiak, Dan Goodhand,
Lucas, Wally Forsythe and Justin McCoy.
 
Koehler beat Veloz, Thompson and Forsythe in the first heat. Phelps won the
second heat by a half a track lead over Theodorf, Otrembiak and Gustoff.
 
The Street Stock’s main was a long event with a lot of torn up cars at the
completion.
 
Justin Rutledge survived to take home the victory over Brandon Maciejewski,
Rick Koltveit, Steve Lewis, Gary Schmitt, Mike Hughes, Shane Whittington,
Justin Sellars, Seth Dauber and Jay Mesarchik.
 
DJ Werkmeister is still the hot driver in the 4 Cylinder Hornet division.
The fourteen year old rookie is continued his dream season with an
impressive seventh victory.
 
Finishing runner up was a Lightning McQueen, the rookie racer in Disney’s
Cars movie, look alike driven by Rob Shaw.  In his first outing to the
speedway, he looked settled in to the highbanks finishing in front of Jamie
DeFord, Schmidt, Dan Leonard, Mark Sutton, Jon Small, Dan Slover , Gabe
Koncor, and Loren Westerhold.
 
 
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 07/14/07
 
Late Model – 19 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 14.643
Budweiser Dash: Billy Weistart Jr., Eric Rebholz, Scott Schmitt, Mike Glynn
Feature: Ralph Markham, Billy Weistart Jr., Keith Piano, Eric Rebholz, Scott
Schmitt, Jim Loomis, Dave Miller, Doug Newlin, Eric Dauber, Joe Fratt, Lake
Knutti, Joe Jelinek, Brian Lock, Steve Oeder, John Piccatto, Jeff Small,
Jack Benson, Mike Glynn
 
UMP Modifieds – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Marty Thompson 15.907
Heat One: Travis Koehler, Milo Veloz, Marty Thompson, Wally Forsythe
Heat Two: Jim Phelps, Bill Theodorf, Tom Otrembiak, Jeremy Gustoff
Feature: Marty Thompson, Travis Koehler, Nathan Balensiefen, Ray Bollinger,
Mark Vervynck, Tom Otrembiak, Dan Goodhand, Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe,
Justin McCoy, Jeremy Gustoff, Jim Phelps, Milo Veloz, Bill Theodorf, AJ
Dixon, Michael Ahlgren, Ken Fischer, #F18
 
UMP Street Stocks – 18 Cars
Heat One: Steve Lewis, Matt Ramer, Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt
Heat Two: Justin Rutledge, Tim Loomis, Jimmy Partipilo
Feature: Justin Rutledge, Brandon Majciewski, Rick Koltveit, Steve Lewis,
Gary Schmitt, Mike Hughes, Shane Whittington, Justin Sellers, Seth Dauber,
Jay Mesarchik, Jimmy Partipilo, Stan Daiger, Roger Rickels, Mike Stewart,
Matt Ramer, Alex Clubb, Tim Loomis, Chuck Provenzano
 
UMP Hornets – 23 Cars
Heat One: Jamie Deford, Dan Leonard, Gabe Koncor, Mark Sutton
Heat Two: Jim Lazier, Robert Werkmeister, Phil Burdette, Dawn Spellious
Heat Three: DJ Werkmeister, Rob Shaw, Jon Small, Don Slover
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Rob Shaw, Jamie Deford, Schmidt, Dan Leonard, Mark
Sutton, Jon Small, Don Slover, Gabe Koncor, Loren Westerhold, Asa Robart,
Jim Lazier, Nick Clubb, Tony Harlacher, Jimmy Johnson, Dawn Spellious, Dan
Widdicombe, #24, #88, Robert Werkmeister, Burdette, Sims, Jon Wagner
 

Nascar’s Ken Schrader wins fans at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Thursday night the noise echoing heavily in the air was not
the skies rumbling or road construction. It was some of the greatest dirt
track racers, a Nascar professional, and the local hotshoes competing in the
much anticipated UMP DIRTcar Summernationals special event at the La Salle
Speedway.
 
The engines roared inside their expensive machines and rolled to impressive
speeds as they ran full throttle on the ultra exciting ¼ mile high banked
oval without caution.
 
The legendary Summernationals tour was in town. During the dog days of
summer contenders from across the nation, travel to 28 different venues in
30 days hoping to score the big win and the coveted tour championship.
 
It is one of the toughest schedules a racer and crew can endure. Much like
the reality show “Dirty Jobs”, this is truly a dirty career path. Of course,
when you have a job that starts out as a hobby and the passion rolls into a
career it can be a lifetime dream.
 
For many of the racers, they have fulfilled their childhood fantasy of
growing up to be nothing less then a racecar driver. But most will admit it
isn’t always fun and games. What is hard to comprehend is the long hours in
the garage, the road trips that stop being glamorous way too quickly,
finding and keeping sponsorships, filling up at the gas pump and that isn’t
even the half of it.
 
For one racer this life has been a good one and he is more then willing to
share his feelings on what he knows best…racing. And of course the grueling
schedule and the competition of the tour he had to check out for himself.
 
“A lot of the guys here have the stuff they need to win. If their not torn
up yet then you know they have their cars where the need to be,” Nascar
driver Ken Schrader told the crowd.
 
Schrader has been driving every since he could remember and loves to do
nothing more then race. Doesn’t matter what he is behind the wheel of but
one thing for sure he isn’t willing to give that passion up any time soon.
 
At age 3, his father would use a cable to tie his go-kart to a post in their
backyard. He would spend hours driving in circles until he eventually ran
out of gas. This was the beginning of a lifetime of turning left.
 
At 52, Schrader is still a die hard race fan and driver. He competes at the
highest level in the Nascar’s Nextel Cup and various other sanctioned series
but his heart still belongs in a dirt machine. He has been known to drop in
on races throughout the Midwest to keep his passion fed.
 
Upon first meeting Schrader it is easy to see why he is such a likable
person. He appears most comfortable hanging around the pit area and just
talking shop. A quick smile, a kind laugh and a very approachable
personality make him a fan favorite.
 
Several times during the interview he politely stopped to give an
appreciative fan a personal autograph.
 
He spoke candidly of his life and where he is headed.
 
“I am going to keep doing Nascar a few more times this year, and then maybe
that’s it – we’ll see after that.”
 
Schrader leads a pretty busy life as he travels the Nascar circuit, races
dirt any time he can and has sponsorship events to attend. But known as the
racer’s racer he doesn’t care as long as he can climb into the car and do
what he knows best.
 
“June, July and August are very hectic for our family. My son has been with
me a lot this summer and I like that.”
 
His son is now 11 but shows little to no interest in pursuing a racing
career like dad.
 
“He has no desire what so ever to race. It’s okay with me. I know how hard
it is to make any money doing it but I just like having my family with me.”
 
“This was a hobby and turned into a profession for me. I’m lucky to have
done it and want to keep doing it until I just can’t get into a car
anymore.”
 
Not only is Schrader a driver but for over 10 years he has co-promoted the
I55 Raceway near his childhood stomping ground of Pevely, Missouri.
 
“The people here are the backbone of auto racing.”
 
At the end of the day, Schrader took home a thirteenth place finish. He
didn’t win the venues top billing but he may have won over quite a few new
fans in process.

July 12....Thursday....LaSalle Speedway, LaSalle, IL 40 laps 6000 to win..815-223-6900

Thanks to Betty Glynn

Steve Sheppard roars wide open to caution free Summernationals win
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Steve Sheppard has been to the La Salle Speedway four or five
times through the years. None of them were as rewarding as Thursday night’s
UMP DIRTcar Summernationals with a hefty payday of $6,000.
 
Money is good but nothing could compare to the fact that he led some of the
biggest names in dirt in an incident free forty lapper. Not only did he lead
uncontested he put a whooping on drivers who don’t normally get lapped when
they are cruising in the front of the pack.
 
Forty two drivers signed in for the third to the last tour date. This
grueling 30 day marathon can take its toll on even the best of the best. But
Sheppard looked no worse for the wear as he laughed and recounted his
evening.
 
When asked about keeping up with such a difficult schedule Steve was quick
with a smile and shake of his head.
 
“I have been tired since the first half of the series,” Sheppard said.
 
Former track champ and current Summernationals points leader, Dennis Erb
Jr., has been gone from home since June 14th but he isn’t complaining. Erb
is on the home stretch with only two races left for the tour and increased
his lead with a strong third place feature finish.
 
“The Summernationals is a fun month,” Erb commented before the races. “It’s
a lot of work but its great to race almost every night and go to different
places – it is a challenge though.”
 
The title and points fund money will be a constant reminder of his
accomplishments.
 
To kick things off, Jason Feger of Bloomington scored the fastest qualifying
lap with a clocked time of 12.922. Sheppard also was in the twelve second
range after completing a lap of 12.957.
 
Russ Scheffler pulled away from Feger using his front row outside start to
capture the first heat race. Kevin Weaver ended his run on the low side over
Utica’s Tony Izzo Jr.
 
Sheppard’s flag to flag lead in the second heat was nearly stolen when Wes
Steidinger put on a show for the crowd in a final lap duel. Sheppard won it
at the line with Steidinger, Scott Bull and Mike Marlar behind him.
 
Don O’Neal was the third heat pole sitter and pulled out to an early lead
over Tonica’s Ryan Dauber. Brady Smith had a run on Dauber but finished
third in front of AJ Diemel.
 
The most exciting heat race was the fourth and final one. Randy Korte
started front row outside but had to hold back strong performances by
Shannon Babb, who has been on a hot streak, and Erb. Erb and Babb were side
by side much of the event but Babb took second, Erb third and Eddie Kerchoff
fourth.
 
Twenty two cars lined up for the starting grid with O’Neal and Sheppard at
the helm. Once the flagman dropped the green flag, it was nothing short of a
perfect race. Not one single yellow to slow up the momentum or pace.
 
Sheppard grabbed the lead at the start line and never looked back. By the
eighth lap out, he had distanced himself from O’Neal, Korte, Steidinger,
Russ Scheffler and Feger.
 
Sheppard was already lapping cars by the tenth lap in the books. The fact
that he lapped the back of the field did not seem too unusual but what was a
little uncommon was the way he flew through the high banks picking off one
car after another until he made his way to the front runners.
 
The man on the move was Erb he quietly passed his way up from twelfth into
fifth before the half way marker.
 
Starting on Lap 24, Sheppard was strategically stuck behind three cars vying
for their own spots. It looked like O’Neal was going to reel him in but it
was clearly Sheppard’s night to shine and make a mark all his own.
 
Forty laps, without caution, is incredible but to lead it flag to flag is
even a better memory.
 
“This is the biggest win I have ever had,” Sheppard declared after the race.
 
He’s been racing for about 15 years and is now watching his 14 year old son,
Brandon, strap on a helmet as a Late Model racer.
 
When the checkers dropped, O’Neal was protecting his second place run over
Erb, Korte, Steidinger, Smith, Babb, Feger, Jeep VanWormer, Russ Scheffler,
Dauber, Bull, Nascar driver Ken Schrader, Weaver, Eddie Kerchoff and George
Scheffler. Not finishing the race was Mike Marlar, Greg Johnson, AJ Diemel,
Tim Manville, Mike Glynn and Ralph Markham.
 
Bob Pohlman Jr. made his second trip in the UMP Open Wheel Modified class
and took home the top honors for their feature race. He started on the pole
next to weekly standout Ray Bollinger and grabbed the lead early.
 
Bollinger took his action to the highside grinding his back quarter panel
along the unforgiving wall on several laps.
 
Polhman pulled away to a generous lead leaving Bollinger to fend off Dave
Porth and Mike Spatola.
 
Pohlman went the distance solo with Porth collecting second in front of Gary
Cook Jr., Bollinger, Casey Lappin, Spatola, Jeff Curl, #12, Marty Thompson,
Jay Ledford, Lance Dehm, Jim Phelps, Mike Garland, Vince Cooper, Nathan
Balensiefen, Jason Hastings, Dan Deinel, Joe Adam, John McCaull and Bill
Gray.
 
Dehm, Spatola and Porth each won their heat events.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 07/12/07
 
UMP Summernationals Late Model – 42 Cars
Qualifying: Jason Feger 12.922
Heat One: Russ Scheffler, Jason Feger, Kevin Weaver, Tony Izzo Jr.
Heat Two: Steve Sheppard, Wes Steidinger, Scott Bull, Mike Marlar
Heat Three: Don O’Neal, Ryan Dauber, Brady Smith, AJ Diemel
Heat Four: Randy Korte, Shannon Babb, Dennis Erb Jr., Eddie Kerchoff
Semi Feature One: Greg Johnson, Mike Marlar, George Scheffler, John
Provenzano, Jim Felker, Rich Bell, Jim Partipilo, Tony Izzo Jr., Jim Mineo,
Shawn Toczek, Scott Schmitt, Mike Provenzano, Mike Mataragas, Brian Moon,
Charles Hess
Semi Feature Two: Jeep VanWormer, Eddie Kerchoff, Ken Schrader, Jason
Jaggers, Ralph Markham, Ted Loomis, Steve Oeder, Jason McBride, Keith Piano,
Mike Glynn, Tim Manville, AJ Diemel, Jim Westaway
Feature: Steve Sheppard, Don O’Neal, Dennis Erb Jr., Randy Korte, Wes
Steidinger, Brady Smith, Shannon Babb, Jason Feger, Jeep VanWormer, Russ
Scheffler, Ryan Dauber, Scott Bull, Ken Schrader, Kevin Weaver, Eddie
Kerchoff, George Scheffler, Mike Marlar DNF, Greg Johnson DNF, AJ Diemel
DNF, Tim Manville DNF, Mike Glynn DNF, Ralph Markham DNF
 
UMP Modifieds – 28 Cars
Heat One: Lance Dehm, Bob Pohlman Jr., Ray Cook Jr., #12
Heat Two: Mike Spatola, Joe Adam, Mike Garland, Vince Cooper
Heat Three: Dave Porth, Ray Bollinger, Jay Ledford, Jim Phelps
Feature: Bob Pohlman Jr., Dave Porth, Gary Cook Jr., Ray Bollinger, Casey
Lappin, Mike Spatola, Jeff Curl, #12, Marty Thompson, Jay Ledford, Lance
Dehm, Jim Phelps, Mike Garland, Vince Cooper, Nathan Balensiefen, Jason
Hastings, Dan Deimel, Joe Adam, John McCaull, Bill Gray

Thanks to UMP DIRTcar

Night 23 of the 26-Event UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals: Steve Sheppard Jr. Captures First-Ever Tour Win At La Salle Speedway

LA SALLE, IL – July 12, 2007 – Steve Sheppard Jr. was on top of the world after winning Thursday night’s 40-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals A-Main at La Salle Speedway.

“This is one of the greatest days of my life,” pronounced Sheppard, a smile dominating his face as he signed autographs and accepted congratulatory handshakes in the pit area. “I ain’t kidding. This was only a $6,000 (to win) show, but it’s the biggest one I’ve ever won.

It was the first career Summernationals triumph for the New Berlin, Ill., driver, who ran the complete tour in 2004 and every race but the finale last year.

Sheppard, 32, had come close to a Summernationals victory several times, including a late-race loss to Highland, Ill.’s Randy Korte in 2006 at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway and runner-up finishes on this year’s series at Morgan County Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill., and Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.

“Hopefully they’re gonna start coming a little easier now,” quipped the relieved Sheppard.

Sheppard certainly made his milestone win look easy. The event’s outside polesitter, he drove his Pro Power-equipped Rayburn No. 5s into the lead at the initial green and was never headed in a caution-free A-Main.

No one was able to offer even token pressure to Sheppard, who beat 2004 Summernationals champion Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., to the finish line by nearly a full straightaway margin on the quarter-mile oval.

Current tour points leader Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., finished a close third, followed by Korte and Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill.

Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who entered the night riding a four-race Summernationals win streak, settled for a quiet seventh-place finish.

“I’ve always been good on these shorter tracks, but I ain’t never been that good,” said Sheppard, whose biggest previous victory came in an August 2006 MARS DIRTcar Series event at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., that paid $3,000 to win. “That thing was so good, I could just drive it anywhere I wanted. I was amazed.”

Lapped traffic was barely a problem for Sheppard, who kept his car perched on the outside lip of the high-banked track for most of the distance.

“When I got to lapped traffic, I just knew I had to stay patient,” he said. “I didn’t hear anybody under me, but I didn’t know I was that far ahead. I just figured if I stayed smooth, I’d be alright.”

Could Sheppard have envisioned his first Summernationals win coming at La Salle Speedway?

“Not in a million years,” said Sheppard, whose team is owned by his father. “I’ve run here probably five times in my life.

“I over-think myself sometimes and do too much to the car, but tonight Babb and the other guys said to me, ‘Don’t out-think yourself.’ So I just stepped back a second and said, ‘You know, they’re right,’ and we ended up with a perfect race car.”

O’Neal, who started from the pole position, ran a distant second to Sheppard for the entire distance in his Jerry Jones-owned Rayburn. He spent the last nine circuits holding off the furious challenges of Erb, who made a strong charge from the 12^th starting spot.

“The longer the race got, the faster the car was going,” Erb said of his Rayburn mount. “I could roll through the middle real good.

“I was thinking I could get up in there (to challenge Sheppard), but I couldn’t get by O’Neal. He got wide, protecting his position like I figured he would. There was no sense crashing to try getting by him.”

Especially not with the $25,000 UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals title waiting for Erb to grab it. Finishing third kept Erb 34 points ahead of O’Neal in the standings with two points events left, on Friday at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway and Saturday at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

“It’s there,” Erb said of his first-ever Summernationals championship. “I just gotta run good the next two nights. We’ll be going for a win both nights, but we’re gonna make sure we don’t do anything stupid.”

Forty-two dirt Late Models were signed in for the program, which was promoted by Bob Sargent’s Track Enterprises Inc.

Heat winners were O’Neal, Korte, Russ Scheffler of Waukasha, Wis., and Sheppard, and the B-Mains were captured by Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind., and Jeep VanWormer of Pinconning, Mich.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals A-Main Finish (40 laps):

1. Steve Sheppard Jr.

2. Don O’Neal

3. Dennis Erb Jr.

4. Randy Korte

5. Wes Steidinger

6. Brady Smith

7. Shannon Babb

8. Jason Feger

9. Jeep VanWormer

10. Russ Scheffler

11. Ryan Dauber

12. Scott Bull

13. Ken Schrader

14. Kevin Weaver

15. Eddie Kirchoff

16. George Scheffler

17. Mike Marlar

18. Greg Johnson

19. A.J. Diemel

20. Tim Manville

21. Mike Glynn

22. Ralph Markham

DNQ: Brian Moon, Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano, John Provenzano, Charles Hess, Jim Partipilo, Tim Lance, Keith Piano, Bret Seivert, Jason McBride, Tony Izzo Jr., Jim Mineo, Scott Schmitt, Mike Mataragas, Shawn Toczek, Jim Felker, Jason Jaggers, Jimmy Westaway, Ted Loomis, Seve Oeder

UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals Points Standings (after 23 events):

1. Dennis Erb Jr. 1,562

2. Don O’Neal 1,528

3. Wes Steidinger 1,452

4. Mike Marlar 1,430

5. Jeep VanWormer 1,386

6. Steve Sheppard Jr. 1,360

7. Eddie Kirchoff 1,050

8. Kevin Weaver 1,004

9. Jason Feger 984

10. Randy Korte 974

11. A.J. Diemel 874

12. Rodney Melvin 866

13. Billy Moyer 770

14. Shannon Babb 737

15. Terry Casey 686

16. Ryan Dauber 439

17. Greg Johnson 424

18. Brady Smith 388

19. Jordan Bland 342

20. Rusty Schlenk 313

UMP Summernationals kick up the dust in La Salle; Nascar’s Schrader to play
in dirt
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – The UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals is one of the most
popular touring series in dirt track racing today. With its continuously
growing popularity, comes a stacked line up of superstars from dirt and die
hard followers. Now add at least one well known Nascar driver and it is a
true dream come true for racing enthusiasts.
 
The fantasy is about to become a reality at the Illinois Valley’s largest
outdoor entertainment complex. On July 12th, the Summernational’s will storm
the grounds of the La Salle Speedway with at least one Nascar standout
returning to his roots in a UMP Late Model.
 
The super Late Model tour is a grueling 28 race schedule which runs in the
heat of the summer over a 30 day period. The series pays over three quarters
of a million dollars in prize money. For those who commit to the entire
schedule, it can be prosperous but it is taxing and feels comparable to a
triathlon.
 
The team members endure long road trips, experimental setups, weather
tracking, marathon strategy sessions, late nights, food on the run,
makeshift workshops wherever they can find the space - sometimes along the
road, and much more.
 
This years anticipated event, along with the Illinois Fall Nationals on
September 16th, is being promoted by Track Enterprises of Macon, IL.
 
According to Track Enterprises Bob Sargent, they are ready for what might be
the largest car count of Late Models to date at the Speedway.
 
“We are very, very excited to bring the Summernationals and Ken Schrader to
the fans of La Salle,” Sargent told during a recent phone interview.
 
“There are a lot of fans up there and La Salle Speedway is a great facility.
It will be an incredible show for the fans of dirt track racing.”
 
Thursday’s race boasts a $6,000 payday for the forty lap main event winner
and one of the last cracks at the coveted title and generous points fund
during the home stretch.
 
The event at La Salle falls on the eve of the Nascar weekend less then an
hours drive away at Chicagoland Speedway. During the phone interview,
Sargent was able to confirm only one Nascar driver for sure. That Nascar
celebrity is veteran racer Ken Schrader.
 
However, with a heavily stacked field and big money on the line more Nascar
racers may make a surprise visit.
 
Schrader competes weekly in the Nextel Cup behind the wheel of his asphalt
machine but still finds the time to kick up some dust.
 
As the legend goes, his dirt roots started at the early age of three when
his father used a cable to tie up his go-kart to a post in their backyard
and let the youngster go round and round in circles until he ran out of gas.
This began his love of turning left.
 
At 52 years of age, he has a vested interest in the dirt world and has been
the co-promoter of I-55 Raceway in Pevely, MO for over ten years. He races
approximately 90 times a season and has been known to just show up at dirt
tracks across the Midwest.
 
In the last ten years of racing in the Nextel Cup, Schrader has earned more
then $23 million dollars. His largest payout in one season was in 2006 when
he hit a high mark of $4,130,880 in earnings. This combined with
endorsements and events he has clearly made a career all his own. Through
the years, he has also driven for his self-owned team in a variety of other
series including the Craftsmen Truck Series, the Nascar Grand National West
Division, the Nascar Auto Zone Elite Southwest Series and the ARCA
Series.
 
Before becoming a Nextel racer he was well known in the for his open wheel
racing. He won in every division raced, including two USAC championships;
the Silver Crown and Sprint Car divisions in the early eighties.
 
As for Summernationals news: Leading into the final races of the series
Dennis Erb Jr., a former track champ at La Salle, is sitting atop the
Summernationals points chase by a mere 2 points following a July 9th race in
Iowa. The Carpentersville driver used to make the trek, over 100 miles,
weekly to La Salle not only as a driver but with his father, the late Dennis
Erb Sr, who drove for many years as well.
 
His Saturday’s are not spent on the high banks of La Salle anymore, except
for an occasional big dollar event, as he now races professionally across
the country. He has made many headlines not only as a top competitor but as
a “One Man Band”. The difference between Erb and so many of his comrades is
that he normally arrives either solo or with only one helper, a female
none-the-less, where others have a full crew.
 
Trailing in the second place points spot is Don O’Neal of Indiana. The
former Summernationals champ will be more then willing to put on a show and
keep the suspense for the crown building til the finish.
 
After La Salle, there will be only two more venues left in the demanding
tour. A make up race in Farmer City on Friday and the final event at Ohio’s
Oakshade Raceway on Saturday.
 
Between the touring pro’s, the local hotshots and Nascar stars it is a dream
come true for racing fanatics. The thrilling UMP Open Wheel Modifieds will
be the only other class set to compete for the weeknight special.
 
The pit gates will open at 4:00 P.M. with Grandstands opening at 5 P.M.
Qualifications will begin at 6:30 P.M. while racing is scheduled to begin at
7:30 P.M.
 
Tickets prices are $20.00 for adults; children 6 – 11 are $5.00; and
children 5 & under will be admitted for free.

Oeder, Balensiefen and Partipilo get their Firsts on 7/7/07
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – It was a lucky night for four talented drivers on Saturday at
the ¼ mile speed arena of La Salle Speedway. With the calendar date of
7/7/07 it had to be lucky.
 
For all four main event winners it might have been more then just luck to
end their main events in the coveted victory circle. But for three out of
the four it was paying their dues and hard work that led them each to their
memorable first trip ever.
 
Princeton’s Steve Oeder has put on a show numerous times in his Late Model
ride but finally got a well deserved feature win off the Speedway’s ¼ mile
highbanks. Traveling in circles, with the roar of a powerful engine, is
nothing new for this former Bureau County track champion. However, his visit
to LaSalle’s winners circle was well overdue in what has been tagged as his
final season of racing.
 
Tonica’s Eric Dauber, a former divisional champ, delivered a strong
performance and led much of the race but finished second in front of
Oglesby’s Bill Weistart Jr.
 
Ralph Markham, of Maple Park, has been lighting up the division with his
impressive six victories thus far ended his run in fourth over Mark’s Darin
Furar, Oswego’s Aaron Schmidt, John Picatto of Spring Valley, Ottawa’s Mark
Larson, Kingston’s Jim Loomis, Dave Miller of Carol Stream and West
Chicago’s Doug Newlin.
 
Oeder posted fast time with a clocked lap of 13.929. Malden’s Will Harris
won the first heat race in front of Furar, Oeder and Schmidt. Dauber
captured the second heat win with Miller following. Tonica’s Scott Schmitt
took third in the heat but retired early in the feature with possible engine
troubles.
 
Nathan Balensiefen, of Sheffield, has had some good runs in 2007 but
Saturday was his night to shine in the UMP Modified class. He held off some
of the toughest competition to capture his first ever Modified main event at
LaSalle.
 
Former regular, Bob Pohlman Jr., made a return to his old stomping grounds
and picked up both the fast qualifier title and second in the feature race.
Kewaunee’s Ray Bollinger kept his car up front finishing third over Vince
Cooper of Morris, Peru’s Jim Phelps, Milo Veloz of Colona, Tom Bell, Mike
Dyas of Morris, Bill Theodorf, and Joe Adam of Peru.
 
Pohlman’s fastest lap was timed at 14.378. Phelps put on a crowd pleasing
show to take the dash win in front of Balensiefen, Bollinger and Cooper.
Theodorf won the first heat race with Travis Koehler, Burbank’s Wally
Forsythe and Mendota’s Dan Goodhand following. Bell, in his first trip to
the track, took the top honors in heat two ahead of Adam, Bollinger and
Brian Lucas.
 
Jimmy Partipilo, of Elmhurst, may come from a family of racers and even
sports a familiar look in his Street Stock ride but is quickly making a name
all his own. His red #14 paint scheme is quite familiar for many of us who
enjoyed his father, Jim’s, performance weekly in the Late Model division.
 
This young stand out has been showing a style all his own running in the
front of the pack and was certainly favored to get his own victory before
too long. Well Saturday night the youngster collected his own checkered flag
after winning his first Street Stock feature race.
 
Mendota’s Matt Ramer crossed the line in second over Justin Sellers of Carol
Stream, Ottawa’s Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt of Tonica, Streator’s Rick
Koltveit, Roger Rickels of Ottawa, Shane Whittington of Princeton, Justin
Rutledge and Leon Cade.
 
Ramer beat Partipilo, Kevin Hoffman and Randy Lucas in the first heat. Steve
Lewis won the second heat with Rutledge, Cade and Koltveit in tow.
 
DJ Werkmeister continued his domination in the 4 Cylinder Hornet class with
his sixth win in his rookie season. Jon Small of Marseilles crossed the line
second in front of Streator’s Loren Westerhold, Jamie DeFord of Ottawa, Don
Slover of Marseilles, Streator’s Gabe Koncor, Princeton’s Jimmy Johnson,
Ottawa’s Asa Robart, Dan Patnoe and Mark Sutton of Neponset.
 
Thursday night July 12th the UMP Summernationals Nascar Night will top the
venue as some of the greatest dirt track stars from across the country
compete for $6,000. Nascar star, Ken Scrader, is scheduled to compete in a
UMP Late Model and hold a fan autograph session. The UMP Modified’s is also
slated to do battle.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 07/07/07
 
Late Model – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Steve Oeder 13.929
Heat One: Will Harris, Darin Furar, Steve Oeder, Aaron Schmidt
Heat Two: Eric Dauber, Dave Miler, Scott Schmitt, Ralph Markham
Feature: Steve Oeder, Eric Dauber, Billy Weistart Jr., Ralph Markham, Darin
Furar, Aaron Schmidt, John Piccatto, Mark Larson, Jim Loomis, Dave Miller,
Doug Newlin, Lake Knutti, Scott Schmitt, Jeff Small, Will Harris, Brian
Lock, Joe Fratt, Roger Rickels
 
UMP Modifieds – 20 Cars
Qualifying: Bob Pohlman 14.378
Heat One: Bill Theodorf, Travis Koehler, Wally Forsythe, Dan Goodhand
Heat Two: Tom Bell, Joe Adam, Ray Bollinger, Brian Lucas
Dash: Jim Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Ray Bollinger, Vince Cooper
Feature: Nathan Balensiefen, Bob Pohlman Jr., Ray Bollinger, Vince Cooper,
Jim Phelps, Milo Veloz Jr., Tom Bell, Mike Dyas, Bill Theodorf, Joe Adam,
Joe Forsythe, Mike Ahlgren, Tom Otrembiak, Tony Jauch, Justin McCoy, Brian
Lucas, Mark Novorolsky, Mark Vervynck, Travis Koehler, Dan Goodhand
 
UMP Street Stocks – 18 Cars
Heat One: Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Kevin Hoffman, Randy Lucas
Heat Two: Steve Lewis, Justin Rutledge, Leon Cade, Rick Koltveit
Feature: Jimmy Partipilo, Matt Ramer, Justin Sellers, Mike Hughes, Gary
Schmitt, Rick Koltveit, Roger Rickels, Shane Whittington, Justin Rutledge,
Leon Cade, Bill Dauber, Stan Dagger, Steve Lewis, Kevin Hoffman, Randy
Lucas, Jay Mesarchik, Mike Stewart, Alex Clubb
 
UMP Hornets – 18 Cars
Heat One: Jamie Deford, Jon Small, DJ Werkmeister, Don Slover
Heat Two: Loren Westerhold, Jimmy Johnson, Jr Brown, #11s
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jon Small, Loren Westerhold, Jamie Deford, Don
Slover, Gabe Koncor, Jimmy Johnson, Asa Robart, Dan Patnoe, Mark Sutton,
#11s, Bubba Siwinski, Tony Harlacher, Nick Clubb, Dawn Spellious, Jon
Wagner, Philip Briddick, Jr. Brown

Thompson powers to IVCS win at La Salle; Full moon shines brightly
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Saturday night at La Salle Speedway qualified as one of the
longest racing nights ever for the Illinois Valley speed arena. To kick off
the evening, a power outage shut down the normal schedule of events until
the power company located the problem and got the electricity flowing.
 
The full moon illuminated the sky with a bright glow high above the track
and the evening seemed befitting of what one expects when the moon has that
eery look and feel.
 
Once the power was restored, the Street Stocks held time trials while the
Late Model and UMP Modifieds had their heat races decided by draw to help
save time.
 
Veteran racer Marty Thompson has been a common name in victory lane longer
then some of his competitors have been alive. The Mineral driver is not only
a former multi track champion at several facilities he also holds the title
in various car classes.
 
In a combined effort with Bureau County Speedway, the Street Stock drivers
have four races split between the two tracks with many prizes and added
payouts highlighting their events.
 
With thirty three drivers signed in for the Illinois Valley Cellular Street
Stock Series, La Salle promoter Kerrianne Izzo couldn’t help but feel
fortunate to have such a great turnout.
 
“I’m pretty lucky to have this many Street Stocks and they put on a helk of
a show,” Izzo announced over the loud speaker after the main event.
 
Thompson led the twenty five lapper flag to flag after his front row outside
start. He was uncontested until the final laps of the race. The first
challenge came from former division champion Jeff Hamilton who had a great
run on him until he spun himself out in lapped traffic with only three laps
remaining.
 
Young gun Jimmy Partipilo is showing signs of a bright future with each
passing week. The final lap just added to his reputation when he tried to
steal Thompson’s thunder. A yellow halted his efforts. But Partipilo didn’t
go easily, he gave it all he had coming off the turn two corner but Thompson
was on a roll til the end.
 
Thompson took home the top honors with Partipilo in second. Provenzano
charged from a mid pack start to finish third over Tim Loomis, Matt Ramer,
Justin Sellers, Roger Rickels, Mike Lucas, Spud Balensiefen, Jay Mesarchik,
Gary Schmitt and Nick Sell.
 
Justin Rutledge, Bill Dauber and Rick Koltveit each won their Heat races.
Hamilton scored the fastest qualifying lap.
 
A “B” Main was held for the division but official results were not
presented.
 
Twenty two Late Model drivers showed up for competition. What they got was
bit less then competitive action however. The entire feature was plagued by
a caution epidemic.
 
There was really never much of a rhythm for what used to be the premier
class of racing action. From the early laps it was truly painful trying to
get the entire field across the start line to complete a lap.
 
La Salle’s Mike Glynn had a strong hold and was even able to pull away from
the pack until Lap 13 when he lost his groove briefly coming off turn four
and Ralph Markham saw the door was open and charged outside to the lead.
 
The caution fest continued when a lap later Scott Schmitt hit the front
retaining wall hard. His powerful drive on the outside has ended with his
car smashing into the concrete barrier more then once so far this season.
 
Soon after green, Glynn had a tire going down and just couldn’t keep the
pace and quickly fell back. Eric Dauber on the other hand was moving quickly
to the front and found his way around Darin Furar for second.
 
The race was called early ending long before planned. Markham continued his
stellar season with his sixth victory. Dauber took home second in front of
Steve Oeder, Furar, Glynn, John Picatto, Ed Williams, Keith Piano, Billy
Weistart Jr., Jim Loomis and Eric Rebholz.
 
Glynn and Markham each won their heats.
 
Twenty eight UMP Modifieds rolled into the grounds with nineteen making the
starting grid. Vince Cooper and Joe Adam held the front row over Ray
Bollinger and Mike Dyas.
 
Before a lap could be scored, it was already showing signs of similarity to
the Late’s with one caution after another. The clock hands were signaling
midnight with a mere sixth laps in the books. It was almost too much to bear
and yet there was still one more feature, the B Main, to be completed for
the Street Stock drivers.
 
Ten cars remained for the restart of Lap 14. Cooper led the shortened race
from beginning to end while the Street Stock winner, Thompson, was on the
move.
 
He had made the transfer from a semi feature positioning himself in
seventeenth but journeyed up to a third place run by Lap 15.
 
The checkers were thrown early with the reigning divisional champ Cooper
capturing the win on his first night back after a hiatus from La Salle.
Thompson beat Ray Bollinger narrowly back to the finish line for second.
Adam took home fourth with Nathan Balensiefen, Terry Hayes, Jim Phelps, Bill
Theodorf, and Scott Carlson behind him.
 
Dyas, Adam and Matt Barker each won the heat events.
 
Jon Small made a clean sweep for the Hornet class after he took home top
honors in the Heat and the twelve lap feature event. Jamie DeFord, DJ
Werkmeister, Mark Sutton, Loren Westerhold, Gabe Koncor, Dan Slover, Don
Leonard, Asa Robart, Jimmy Johnson and Trevor Pertell were the top eleven
finishers respectively.
 
Sutton and DeFord won the other preliminary races.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 6/30/07
 
Late Model – 22 Cars
Heat One: Ralph Markham, Eric Rebholz, Darin Furar, Scott Schmitt
Heat Two: Mike Glynn, Eric Dauber, Ed Williams, John Piccatto
Feature: Ralph Markham, Eric Dauber, Steve Oeder, Darin Furar, Mike Glynn,
John Piccatto, Ed Williams, Keith Piano, Billy Weistart Jr., Jim Loomis,
Eric Rebholz, Lake Knutti, Dave Miller, Jack Benson, Jerry Vance, Jeff
Small, Joe Fratt, Brian Lock, Scott Schmitt, Aaron Schmidt, Doug Newlin,
Brian Claudnic
 
UMP Modifieds – 28 Cars
Qualifying: N/A
Heat One: Mike Dyas, Vince Cooper, Ray Bollinger, Brian Lucas
Heat Two: Joe Adam, Scott Carlson, Steve Clark, Mark Vervynck
Heat Three: Matt Barker, Jeremy Gustaf, Milo Veloz Jr., Nathan Balensiefen
Semi Feature: Jim Phelps, Darryl Lowe, Marty Thompson
Feature: Vince Cooper, Marty Thompson, Ray Bollinger, Joe Adam, Nathan
Balensiefen, Terry Hayes, Jim Phelps, Bill Theodorf, Scott Carlson, Darryl
Lowe, Jeremy Gustaf, Matt Barker, Mark Vervynk, Steve Clark, Milo Veloz Jr.,
Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe, Mike Dyas, AJ Dixon, Jason Anderson
 
UMP Street Stocks – 33 Cars
Qualifying: Jeff Hamilton 15.253
Budweiser Dash: Chuck Provenzano, Marty Thompson, Spud Balensiefen, Jeff
Hamilton
Heat One: Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Mike Hughes, Randy Lucas
Heat Two: Bill Dauber, Jay Mesarchik, Gary Schmitt, Justin Sellers
Heat Three: Rick Koltveit, Jason Abens, Matt Ramer, Al Gray
Feature: Marty Thompson, Jimmy Partipilo, Chuck Provenzano, Tim Loomis, Matt
Ramer, Justin Sellers, Roger Rickels, Mike Lucas, Spud Balensiefen, Jay
Mesarchik, Gary Schmitt, Nick Sell, Jason Abens, Bill Dauber, Justin
Rutledge, Jeff Hamilton, John Peterson, Mike Hughes, Ed Williams, Al Gray,
Rick Koltveit
 
UMP Hornets – 18+ Cars
Heat One: Mark Sutton, Dan Leonard, Don Slover, Gabe Koncor
Heat Two: Jon Small, Asa Robart, 25M, Jimmy Johnson
Heat Three: Jamie DeFord, DJ Wekmeister, Loren Westerhold, Tony Harlacher
Feature: Jon Small, Jamie DeFord, DJ Werkmeister, Mark Sutton, Loren
Westerhold, Gabe Koncor, Don Slover, Dan Leonard, Asa Robart, Jimmy Johnson,
Trevor Pertell, 03, 25, Jr Brown, Tony Harlacher, Travis Mahoney, Eric
Bourdreau, Jim Lazier

Kewanee's Ray Bollinger took his UMP Modified to the top to claim his second victory of 2007 at La Salle Speedway on June 16th.	"DJ Werkmeister, only 14, continued his dream season with win number five at La Salle Speedway."

Bollinger takes it from the top; Werkmeister continues magical season
By: Betty Glynn
06-16-07
 
La Salle, IL – Ray Bollinger charged hard and heavy along the topside of the
highbanks on La Salle Speedway’s ¼ mile en route to his second victory of
the season. The Kewanee Modified standout broke the five race winning streak
of Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr. in grand style to put himself back in victory
lane.
 
The feature starting grid hosted AJ Dixon and Bollinger on the front row
over Peru’s Joe Adam and Wally Forsythe. The next set of drivers in row
three was Veloz and Mark Vervynk. Immediately following the start of the
race, a six car pile up in between turns one and two stalled the action.
Everyone was race ready for the next complete restart.
 
Quite a few yellow ridden laps early kept shutting down the action but when
the field remained green it was a rigorous pace to keep.
 
“I didn’t want to see any more cautions come out that is for sure,”
Bollinger commented after the race.
 
Bollinger wasted little time grabbing the lead from a higher line leaving
Dixon to fend off a strong running Adams with Forsythe and Vervynk in tow.
Adams didn’t last long as he pulled out of contention later to find an issue
with his battery.
 
By Lap 10, Bollinger was riding the outer berm so fast his #77 looked like
an amusement park style ride. His ability to live dangerously up there did
not come without tension filled moments. He carried his way within inches of
the concrete retaining walls narrowly missing an unforgiving greeting.
 
With four laps to go, he took his ride too far into the marbles and lost
ground but not for long as he powered out of turn four right back into
control.
 
Nathan Balensiefen started as the last car on the lineup but didn’t let that
hold him back. He moved quickly up the pack and into fourth during the early
laps out.
 
“It was a fast track tonight,” Bollinger said. It was a fast track but he
set the bar.
 
During the final lap, Bollinger’s ride again got a little tangled up in the
rough terrain but managed to power his way to victory over Dixon, Veloz,
Balensiefen, newcomer Matt Barker, Terry Hayes, Bill Theodorf and Brian
Lucas.
 
Bollinger and Dixon each won their heat races. Veloz posted the fastest
qualifying lap.
 
Ralph Markham returned to victory lane for the fifth time this season in the
Late Model division. The Maple Park winner took advantage of his pole
position and carried the field flag to flag back to victory circle.
 
Twenty cars signed in for the night’s action with nineteen making the call.
On the front row was Markham with Mike Glynn on the outside. Following the
pair was Jim Loomis and Scott Schmitt.
 
As the head of the pack entered turn one, Loomis and Schmitt were starting
to take the first corner when Schmitt, with no where to go, ended his night
with a hard crash into the concrete safety barrier. Schmitt exited the car
on his own but his heavily damaged machine was not so lucky.
 
Markham quickly pulled into a generous lead over Glynn, Keith Piano and
Steve Oeder. Glynn reeled him back in on several occasions but Markham was
unstoppable dodging lapped traffic.
 
During Lap 13, Glynn found himself racing against the lapped ride of Lake
Knutti. The challenge ensued and gave Markham even more time to distance
himself.
 
For the restart of Lap 21, fifteen cars remained in action with Markham
still in charge.
 
Markham closed the final laps out unchallenged flying solo til the end.
 
Glynn picked up the second place finish ahead of Oeder, eighth place starter
Darin Furar, Eric Dauber, Loomis, Billy Weistart Jr., Piano, Ed Williams,
John Piccatto, Doug Newlin, Brian Claudnic and Brian Lock.
 
Markham won the Budweiser Dash from his front row start to earn the feature
pole. Glynn moved up from the last row to finish second over Loomis and
Schmitt.
 
Claudnic powered his way to victory in the first Heat race over Weistart,
Knutit and Lock. Furar took home the second Heat race checkers with
Williams, Dauber and Piccatto following. Schmitt earned fast time with a lap
of 13.970.
 
Leon Cade made his first trip to the speedway using a borrowed Street Stock
and held back some stiff competition to capture the main event.
 
Cade started on the second row outside but grabbed the lead during the
fourth lap of competition. One lap later, he was already lapping the back of
the pack. His highside run did not go uncontested as Tim Loomis challenged
him until the very end.
 
Near the conclusion of the race, Cade lost his grasp briefly almost looping
the car but managed to hang on. Cade and Loomis were rubbing hard and
battling for the win.
 
Cade prevailed with Loomis driving an admirable runner up. Gary Schmitt
finished with third place in front of Rick Koltveit, Randy Lucas, Justin
Rutledge, Mike Hughes, Jay Mesarchik, Bill Dauber, Justin Sellars, Alex
Clubb, Stan Daigger, Mike Stewart and Jim Partipilo.
 
Loomis and Hughes each won the Heat race.
 
DJ Werkmeister looked as though his chances of adding to his mounting Hornet
trophy collection might not be a reality during the second turn of the first
lap. His Saturn was stopped facing the wrong way coming off turn two but at
only 14, he already knew he needed to bring out the caution so he would get
a complete restart and his position back.
 
His thinking ahead paid off as he hung in there to win his fifth race in a
row. This youngsters name is making waves at more tracks then just La Salle.
His winning ways have been the name of the game in racing venues throughout
Illinois.
 
Werkmeister continued his dream season with the win over Jamie DeFord, Asa
Robart, Eric Boudreau, Mark Sutton, Jr Brown, Jon Small, Gabe Koncor, Jimmy
Johnson, Nick Clubb, Jon Wagner, Jim Lazier, Don Slover and Travis Moahoney.
 
DeFord and Small each won their heats.
 
Next Saturday night, the Illinois Valley Cellular Street Stock Series will
top the venue for the first of two visits at La Salle Speedway. The event
pays $500 to the winner.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 6/16/07
 
Late Model – 20 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.970
Budweiser Dash: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn Jim Loomis, Scott Schmitt
Heat One: Brian Claudnic, Billy Weistart Jr., Lake Knutti, Brian Lock
Heat Two: Darin Furar, Ed Williams, Eric Dauber, John Piccatto
Feature: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn, Steve Oeder, Darin Furar, Eric Dauber,
Jim Loomis, Keith Piano, Ed Williams, John Piccatto, Doug Newlin, Brian
Claudnic, Brian Lock, Jerry Vance, Foe Fratt, Al Atkinson, Lake Knutti, Jeff
Small, Scott Schmitt
 
UMP Modifieds – 16 Cars
Qualifying: Milo Veloz 14.899
Heat One: AJ Dixon, Joe Adam, Tony Molnar, Bill Theodorf
Heat Two: Ray Bollinger, Wally Forsythe, Mark Vervynk, Mike Janis
Fast Car Dash: Molo Veloz, Jeremy Gustaf, Jim Phelps, Marty Thompson
Feature: Ray Bollinger, AJ Dixon, Milo Veloz Jr., Nathan Balensiefen, Matt
Barker, Terry Hayes, Bill Theoldorf, Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe, Mark
Vervynk, Mike Janis, Tony Molnar, Mark Novorolski, Joe Adam, Dan Goodhand
 
UMP Street Stocks – 19 Cars
Heat One: Tim Loomis, Justin Rutledge, Steve Schwemlein, Randy Lucas
Heat Two: Mike Hughes, Leon Cade, Jay Mesarchik, Steve Lewis.
Feature: Leon Cade, Tim Loomis, Gary Schmitt, Rick Koltveit, Randy Lucas,
Justin Rutledge, Mike Hughes, Jay Mesarchik, Bill Dauber, Justin Sellars,
Alex Club Stan Daigger, Mike Stewsart, Jim Partipilo, Kevin Hoffman, Roger
Rickels, Al Gray, Steve Lewis, Steve Schwemlein
 
UMP Hornets – 21 Cars
Heat One: Jamie DeFord, Dan Leonard, DJ Werkmeister, Loren Westerhold
Heat Two: Jon Small, Eric Boudreau, Asa Robart, Jr Brown
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jamie DeFord, Asa Robart, Eric Bourdreau, Mark
Sutton, Jr Brown, Jon Small, Gabe Koncor, Jimmy Johnson, Nick Clubb, Jon
Wagner, Jim Lazier, Don Slover, Travis Mahoney, Dawn Spellious, Dan
Widdercombe, Tony Harlacher, Cory Jo West, Bubba Swinski, Dan Leonard, #13L

Mike Glynn roars to victory; Werkmeister and Veloz continue domination
By: Betty Glynn
06-09-07
 
La Salle, IL – Saturday night was La Salle Speedway’s first Fan Appreciation
night of the year sponsored by Jeff Perry Buick Pontiac Cadillac GM. The
evening kicked off with half price admission and surprises for fans
throughout the night. The ticket price was less but the show was not.
 
La Salle’s own Mike Glynn has been traveling the course for many years and
certainly knows the fast lane of the ¼ mile clay oval. The reigning Late
Model Track Champ is a regular in victory lane but Saturday night it just
seemed different for the veteran racer.
 
“We really needed this win tonight,” Glynn commented. “To be honest, even
before the season started I’ve seemed a little burnt out and everyone who
helps us has noticed so this week’s win helped our whole crew.”
 
The first event on the roster was qualifying with Tonica’s Scott Schmitt
powering his way into the fast qualifier position with a time of 13.987. His
efforts didn’t help him too much with the passing points system used as he
found himself mid way back in ninth on the feature grid.
 
Aaron Schmidt of Oswego held off some tough competition to secure the first
Heat race from the front row. Keith Piano and Billy Weistart Jr., both of
Oglesby, diced it up with Piano finishing second.
 
The second Heat was a bit unnerving when Robert Voice’s ride tumbled down
the front stretch landing back on his wheels. The driver was taken by
ambulance to the hospital but had exited the car on his own. Princeton’s
Steve Oeder was heavy on the gas holding off Ralph Markham of Maple Park and
Darin Furar for the win.
 
The final showing for the Late’s, was the Feature event with nineteen
contenders on the grid. Piano held the pole next to Markham. Glynn and Oeder
rolled up in row two while Aaron Schmidt and Furar took their place in the
third row.
 
Just after the green flag was dropped, Markham contested Piano while Glynn
too wanted a piece of the action and brought his machine up to the leaders.
Before another lap could be counted a caution slowed the pace and put Piano
back at the helm with Markham and Glynn behind him.
 
It was obvious Glynn was ready to rumble and hungry for the win when the
green light lit up. He dashed quick and hard to the low side of Markham and
went for the leader but another try of the restart ended when the infield
tires got in the way Aaron Schmidt, the fourth place car.
 
The three front runners tried their door to door battle again but Piano’s
stronghold ended when he found himself in a spin. The caution ridded
beginning kept stalling the excitement.
 
Glynn now was in command with Markham close in tow over Furar, Oeder and a
mover and shaker Scott Schmitt on the highest line he could find. It didn’t
take long for Glynn to pull away but Markham reeled him back in whenever he
distanced himself too far.
 
During Lap 13, Glynn showed his seat time experience when he narrowly
avoided a collision after a lapped machine spun right in front of his nose.
The pace was fast and furious but the cautions were too many.
 
One lap later, Oeder was powering his way around Markham to second leaving
Markham and Scott Schmitt to battle it out. The real advantage to Glynn was
his ability to navigate lapped traffic without interruption in his
impressively smooth run on the low side.
 
Glynn sailed to his second win of the season with ease.
 
Before the checkers, Markham had taken back his second place run finishing
over Oeder, Scott Schmitt, Furar, Rich Bell, Eric Dauber, John Piccatto,
Eric Rebholz, Aaron Schmidt and Mark Larson.
 
The UMP Modified’s got some new perks in the horizon as the speedway
promoters raised their pay and added a fast qualifier dash for the class.
 
For the newly added Dash, it was divisional star Milo Veloz Jr. staking
claim to the win and the front row feature starting position. For the eight
lap event, the momentum of the six car field was fast paced and intense from
the first lap on. Veloz charged his way to the win from fifth beating Jeremy
Gustaf, Peru’s Jim Phelps and Marty Thompson of Mineral.
 
The main event of the division was just as intense with their pace but too
many yellows kept the pack back together. Veloz has not disappointed thus
far in the season as his dominating ways continue to roll with his fifth win
in a row.
 
By the sixth official lap out, the fifth place starter Ray Bollinger of
Kewanee had thundered through the field to the rear quarter panel of the
leader. Five laps later, Bollinger finally got a great run on Veloz using
the inside trek and was ready to give him a challenge. But the infield tires
captured another casualty when he smoked the turn two tractor tire hard
enough to pop off his own driver’s side tire completely off.
 
“I wasn’t taking second,” Ray joked after the race. “I just was not racing
for second and then I hit it.”
 
Veloz now had Phelps to contend with in the runner up spot followed by Joe
Adam of Peru, Terry Hudson and Brian Lucas of Malden.
 
Veloz distanced himself in first just as Phelps did for second all the way
to the checkers. Newcomer Hudson took home third over Lucas, Mark Vervynck,
Wally Forsythe and Bill Theodorf.
 
Theodorf and Bollinger each won the heat contests.
 
Rick Koltveit of Streator earned his first Street Stock feature victory of
the season in style when he powered his way from third to a generous lead by
the fifth lap out. He swept both the heat and feature races.
 
With Koltveit flying solo, it was Jimmy Partipilo as the car to keep an eye
on. This youngster started in seventh in the line up but had already moved
to second by Lap 8.
 
Koltveit was completely uncontested but Partipilo put on a great run ending
second over former division champ Jeff Hamilton, Ed Williams Jr., Gary
Schmitt, Mike Hughes, Chuck Provenzano, Steve Lewis, and Brent Carlson.
 
New Hornet superstar DJ Wekmeister is having the season of his life. At a
mere 14 years of age this racing prodigy has become a name to know in the
racing circles whenever the Hornet class is spoken of.
 
Not only is this young gun dominating at La Salle, he is taking his cause on
the road winning at various dirt and asphalt tracks in Illinois. His victory
posted his name in the record books for not only winning the last four races
at LaSalle but twelve features since 2007 kicked off.
 
John Small took second in front of Mark Sutton, Loren Westerhold, Roy Alm,
Eric Boudreau, Asa Robart, Jimmy Johnson, Gabe Koncor, and Cory Jo West.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 6/9/07
 
Late Model – 19 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.987
Heat One: Aaron Schmidt, Keith Piano, Billy Weistart Jr., Mike Glynn
Heat Two: Steve Oeder, Ralph Markham, Darin Furar, John Piccatto
Feature: Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham, Steve Oeder, Scott Schmitt, Darin Furar,
Rich Bell, Eric Dauber, John Piccatto, Eric Rebholz, Aaron Schmidt, Mark
Larson, Dave Miller, Brian Lock, Jeff Small, Keith Piano, Joe Fratt, Ed
Williams, Andy Atkinson, Billy Weistart Jr.
 
UMP Modifieds – 15 Cars
Qualifying: Milo Veloz 14.960
Heat One: Bill Theodorf, Mark Vervynck, Brian Lucas, Andre LaPorte
Heat Two: Ray Bollinger, Milo Veloz, Marty Thompson, Jim Phelps
Fast Car Dash: Molo Veloz, Jeremy Gustaf, Jim Phelps, Marty Thompson
Feature: Milo Veloz, Jim Phelps, Terry Hudson, Brian Lucas, Mark Vervynck,
Wally Forsythe, Bill Theodorf, Mark Novorolsky, Scott Hauge, Andre LaPorte,
Nathan Balensiefen, Joe Adam, Ray Bollinger, Adam Otrembiak, Jeremy Gustaf
 
UMP Street Stocks – 20 Cars
Heat One: Rick Koltveit, Mike Hughes, Chuck Provenzano, Jimmy Partipilo
Heat Two: Steve Lewis, Kevin Hoffman, Jeff Hamilton, Ed Williams Jr.
Feature: Rick Koltveit, Jimmy Partipilo, Jeff Hamilton, Ed Williams Jr.,
Gary Schmitt, Mike Hughes, Chuck Provenzano, Steve Lewis, Brent Carlson,
Mike Stewart, Randy Lucas, Justin Rutledge, Justin Sellers, Jay Mesarchik,
Nick Sell, Roger Rickels, Stan Daigger, Bill Dauber, Nick Clubb, Kevin
Hoffman
 
UMP Hornets – 19 Cars
Heat One: Asa Robart, Jon Small, Adam Odell, Bubba Swinski
Heat Two: DJ Wekmeister, Dan Leonard, Don Slover, Mark Sutton
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jon Small, Mark Sutton, Loren Westerhold, Roy Alm,
Eric Bourdreau, Asa Robart, Jimmy Johnson, Gabe Koncor, Cory Jo West, Jon
Wagner, Don Slover, Travis Mahoney, Dawn Spellious, Nick Clubb, Tony
Harlacker, Bubba Swinski, Don Leonard, Adam Odell

Markham and Veloz each claim fourth win in 2007 campaign at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
06-03-07
 
La Salle, IL ・Ralph Markham, of Maple Park, has been on the ultimate winning
streak so far in 2007. In just five races he has managed to visit the
winners circle an impressive four times. A much different year compared to
last season where he fell shy of even one victory.
 
Mother Nature stole the thunder last Saturday at La Salle Speedway when she
rained out the Modified $2,000 special but her attempts to soak the Late
Model Euclid Beverage Triple Crown Series fell short. The only thing she did
due was strike out the scoreboard with her lightning on Friday night.
 
Twenty one Late Model・s signed in for the first round of the series. First
up the competitors traveled two qualifying laps with the scorers keeping the
fastest time to determine their dash and feature starting positions. La
Salle・s Mike Glynn earned the fastest qualifying lap with a time of 13.785
 
To determine the top six for the feature grid, the division competed in a
six car dash that was lined up using an invert. In other words, the fastest
qualifier Glynn started the event sixth while the sixth quickest, Darin
Furar was on the pole next to Tonica・s Eric Dauber.
 
When the green was signaled Dauber was out front with Furar in a close
second. Glynn, Markham and Steve Oeder were three wide for third early.
 
At the finish it was Dauber earning the feature pole with the dash win ahead
of Furar, Glynn, Markham, Scott Schmitt then Oeder.
 
The 75 lapper・s first six starting positions were now set. Dauber would host
the pole on the inside of Furar. Glynn and Markham rolled up in row two.
 
In past year・s, the longer race has always proven to be a crowd pleaser,
this event would prove to be no different. Dauber set the pace quicker then
we have seen in the division this season. By the sixth lap out, he was
already distancing himself from Markham, Furar and Glynn who were well into
a fight for third. A caution around Lap 7 slowed the moment and brought the
field back to single file format.
 
Without a scoreboard, to easily identify the number of laps in the books, it
was difficult to have an exact lap number when the events took place. In
addition, the yellow laps are counted during this longer race until the
final ten laps.
 
Each time a caution is signaled, and the cars cross the start/finish line
under yellow, the lap is added to the total number scored. There were a lot
of cautions especially during the first half of the race making it difficult
for the drivers and fans to keep track of how many had already been scored.
 
・I never saw the half way flag and then I saw him (flagman) wave the green
and was surprised,・ Markham explained after the race. Markham wasn・t alone
as it became a challenge trying to figure out what lap we were on.
 
Near Lap 14, the field was just getting back to green flag racing when
another caution slowed the pace.
Just after the return to green, Markham got under Dauber and took the lead
but Dauber was hot on a higher line and took it right back. Glynn and Furar
were side by side with Glynn grabbing third, temporarily as yet another
caution ended their duel.
 
While the top four were on the move, so was Schmitt as he used every inch of
the track en route to the front. It was pretty common to see him three
wheeling the turns and riding his tires over the highest berm of the track.
He could gain ground but then would loose several positions at a time.
 
Around Lap 25, as Dauber approached lapped traffic, Markham made an
aggressive move with two lapped cars and the leader. He stole the lead like
a bandit in the night then slid his tail in front of Dauber not giving an
inch of racing surface for him to make a run to get the lead back.
 
From this point forward the race was for second on back as Markham was
untouchable and could drive any line he chose.
 
・The car felt good wherever I put it,・ Markham explained. ・Low, high it
worked well anywhere on the track tonight.・
 
By Lap 32, Glynn was on the low side of Dauber with the two in a door to
door battle.
 
・I had a lot of fun running with those guys tonight,・ Dauber said after the
race.
 
Glynn took over the runner up spot but Dauber was still in the game and
powered back a couple laps later. This time it was Glynn fighting off
attempts from Schmitt, Oeder and Furar for third.
 
The four of them diced it up back and fourth until Schmitt brought out a
caution with mechanical woes around Lap 45.
 
With about fourteen laps still to go, seventeen cars were left to compete
after the final caution.
 
Markham continued to distance himself in lapped traffic while Dauber, Oeder,
Glynn and Furar put on a great show to the finish line.
 
Dauber claimed a hard fought second over Oeder, Glynn, Furar, Aaron Schmidt
and Ed Williams Sr. Keith Piano finished his run in eighth ahead of John
Piccatto, Jim Loomis, Mark Larson, Dave Miller, Billy Weistart Jr., Lake
Knutti, Joe Fratt, Brian Lock and Jeff Small.
 
UMP Open Wheel Modified star Milo Veloz Jr. made a clean sweep of the
night・s activities.
 
The Colona driver posted the quickest lap with a time of 14.615, then held
off Jim Phelps of Peru for both the heat win and the feature checkers.
 
His triumphant night of racing earned him his fourth feature win for only
the fifth night of racing.
 
Veloz started on the front row inside next to Ray Bollinger, of Kewaunee.
Veloz was on fire from flag to flag while Bollinger and Phelps worked side
by side until Phelps took the second place run over.
 
At the finish, Phelps scored second ahead of Bollinger, Nathan Balensiefen,
Jeremy Gustaf, Theodorf, Mike Dyas, Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe, Mark
Novorolsky, Mark Vervynck, Joe Adam, Tom Otrembiak, and Mike Ahlgren.
 
Veloz and Bollinger each won their Heat races.
 
Twenty Street Stock・s lined up for the feature race with Oglesby contender
Nick Sell on the pole next to Mike Stewart.
 
Sell was fast off the blocks with Gary Schmitt and Justin Rutledge
following. Sell sailed through the corners completely in command of the
field. Around Lap 15, Ed Williams Jr. got into the back of Sell getting him
loose and out of his line. Schmitt took over the point but a caution was
signaled before the lap was scored.
 
Sell got his spot back with Williams and Schmitt behind him.
 
With only a few laps un-scored, Williams clipped Sell・s back bumper hard and
sent him into a spin halting his impressive efforts. Sell stopped on the
edge of the track but no yellow was granted for the displaced leader.
 
Schmitt quickly saw the opening and charged up to the helm en route to his
first win of the season.
 
Williams collected second over Rutledge, #76, Jimmy Partipilo, Justin
Sellers, Jay Mesarchik, Steve Lewis, Timmy Loomis, Mike Stewart, #621, Rick
Koltveit, Billy Dauber, Steve Schwemlein, Mark Kurrle and Nick Sell.
 
DJ Werkmeister won his third race of the season in the 4 Cylinder Hornet
class. This youngster has been on a rampage staking claims to the division
at several tracks in Illinois.
 
Roy Alm finished second in front of Gabe Koncor, Mark Sutton, Eric Bourdeau,
Kyle Fisher, Asa Robart, Don Slover, Jimmy Johnson, Travis Mahoney, Cory
West and Don Widdicombe.
 
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 6/2/07
 
Late Model ・ 21 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Glynn 13.785
Fast Car Dash: Eric Dauber, Darin Furar, Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham
Feature: Ralph Markham, Eric Dauber, Steve Oeder, Mike Glynn, Darin Furar,
Aaron Schmidt, Ed Williams Sr., Keith Piano, John Piccatto, Jim Loomis, Mark
Larson, Dave Miller, Billy Weistart Jr., Lake Knutti, Joe Fratt, Brian Lock,
Jeff Small, Scott Schmitt, Robert Voice, Andrew Atkinson, Eric Rebholz
 
UMP Modifieds ・ 14 Cars
Qualifying: Milo Veloz 14.615
Heat One: Milo Veloz, Jim Phelps, Jeremy Gustaf, Nathan Balensiefen
Heat Two: Ray Bollinger, Bill Theodorf, Joe Adam, Mike Dyas
Feature: Milo Veloz, Jim Phelps, Ray Bollinger, Nathan Balensiefen, Jeremy
Gustaf, Bill Theodorf, Mike Dyas, Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe, Mark
Novorolsky, Mark Novorolsky, Mark Vervynck, Joe Adam, Tom Otrembiak, Mike
Ahlgren
 
UMP Street Stocks ・ 20 Cars
Heat One: Nick Sell, Mike Stewart, Roger Rickels, Justin Rutledge
Heat Two: Gary Schmitt, Rick Koltveit, Jim Loomis, Ed Williams Jr.
Feature: Gary Schmitt, Ed Williams Jr., Justin Rutledge, #76, Jimmy
Partipilo, Justin Sellers, Jay Mesarchik, Steve Lewis, Timmy Loomis, Mike
Stewart, #621, Rick Koltveit, Billy Dauber, Steve Schweimlen, Mark Kurrle,
Nick Sell, Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Alex Clubb, Stan Daigger
 
UMP Hornets ・ Over 20 Cars
Heat One: Roy Alm, Jon Small, Gabe Koncor, Kyle Fisher
Heat Two: DJ Wekmeister, Dan Leonard, Jamie Deford, Jim Lazier
Heat Three: Asa Robart, Mark Sutton, Phil Burdette, Travis Mahoney
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Roy Alm, Gabe Koncor, Mark Sutton, Eric Bourdeau,
Kyle Fisher, Asa Robart, Don Slover, Jimmy Johnson, Travis Mahoney, Cory
West, Dan Widdicombe, #J14, #4, Jamie Deford, Dan Leonard, Phil Burdette,
Jon Small, Jim Lazier

The La Salle Speedway race events have been rained out for May 26th.

Kentucky youngster Justin Rattliff (#16) uses the inside line to pass
veteran racer Don O'Neal (#71) en route to the winners circle at La Salle
Speedways Lucas Oil Spring Shootout on May 19th.
 
Photo submitted by La Salle Speedway Track Photographer Dan Simpson

The Rattler strikes $10,000 payday at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL ....Justin Rattliff sports the name Rattler on the side of his
#16 CJ Rayburn Late Model and could easily be guessed as a bad boy of the
sport. Determining ones personality can be a bit difficult when the average
spectator only sees the graphics and personalization of their cars once they
roll out for competition.
 
This twenty year old could definitely hide behind the tough exterior of his
speed plant but once the helmet comes off it is easy to like who was inside.
 
Rattliff is soft spoken, coming across as very friendly and humble to say
the least. When the conversation switched to his thoughts on La Salle he
wasted little time complimenting the Illinois Valley speed arena. This
place is nice, I will definitely be back, Rattliff said.
 
Last season he raced a total of 100 races but never followed a touring
series such as he has done in 2007. We went to 100 races last year but
never ran a series. We weren't sure about following one but Lucas Oil has
been great, Rattliff commented.
 
Saturday night, the Rattler closed in for the strike during the twenty
seventh lap of competition en route to the biggest payday of his young
career. Thirty eight competitors signed the roster board for the Lucas Oil
Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout at La Salle Speedway but only one
could claim stake to the bounty.
 
The fifty lap main event topped the venue with the who's who in the sport.
Eight states were represented in just the first eight starting spots. On the
grid's front row was fast qualifier Don O'Neal from Indiana on the inside of
the Kentucky young gun Rattliff. Behind the duo, Billy Moyer of Arkansas and
Rick Eckert of Pennsylvania rolled up ahead of Iowa's Brian Birkhofer and
Wisconsin's Jimmy Mars. The fourth row held West Virginia's Steve Shaver and
finally an Illinoisan, Darren Miller.
 
Once the green flag racing got under way, O扤eal wasted little time grabbing
the lead, Rattliff took his position in the runner up seat over Eckert,
Mars, Moyer and Miller.
 
With a mere six laps in the books, the races only caution was thrown
bringing the twenty four contenders back to a single file format. It didn抰
take O扤eal long to pull into his own zip code until he caught the tail of
the field during the eighteenth lap. While O扤eal followed the soon to be
lapped traffic Rattliff was forming a strategy all his own with a perfect
view of what was happening.
 
揑 moved down a bit because it was starting to rubber up,?Rattliff
explained during a post race interview. 揟he track was good during the heats
and there was some marbles up on top but half way through the feature it
took rubber.?
 
During Lap 27, Rattliff put his instincts to good use when he pulled up and
under the drivers door of O扤eal and into command for the first and final
time. Now it was Rattliff maneuvering the lapped machine of Eddie Carrier
Jr. once around him it was in the bag.
 
There wasn抰 a lot of passing going on as they flew around the bottom side
of the deep highbanked clay.
 
Rattliff scored the $10,000 check putting himself in the record books and
his name on the map. O扤eal captured second over Eckert, Mars, Bikhofer,
Moyer, Miller, Florida抯 Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James of Indiana, Shaver,
Brady Smith, Jeep VanWormer, Dan Schlieper and Brian Shirley.
 
O扤eal grabbed the lead using the outside rim during the first Heat race to
beat Birkhofer, Smith and Terry English. Rattliff secured his outside front
row feature start with the second Heat victory over Mars, James and
Schlieper. Eckert won Heat race number 3 with Shaver, Shannon Babb and Brian
Shirley trailing. The final Heat win was earned by Moyer with Miller,
Pearson and VanWormer in tow.
 
Carrier and Damon Eller won their 揃?Main races.
 
The weekly Late Model class at La Salle competed as one of the support
classes for the night.
 
Maple Park抯 Ralph Markham dominated the division抯 sixteen car field with
his third feature victory for the 2007 season.
 
Markham started on the front row outside next to Tonica抯 Scott Schmitt.
Oglesby抯 Keith Piano and Mike Glynn of La Salle were in row two.
 
Once green, Markham quickly took the lead as Glynn dodged around Schmitt
into second. By the fourth lap of competition, Markham was already on the
back bumper of Jeff Small. Markham made contact with his back side sending
the almost lapped car into a tail spin and a caution.
 
Immediately following a restart of Lap 10, Ed Williams running in third
didn抰 quite cut the turn two corner right and found his nose slammed into
Glynn抯 ride. Both exited for the pits and returned to the tail of the field
before the action got under way again.
 
With Markham and Schmitt out front, Piano held onto a strong third place run
while Billy Weistart Jr. was busy moving up the field. Weistart and Steve
Oeder diced it up for fourth.
 
Markham outpowered Schmitt to claim the win. Piano finished third over
Weistart, who began his journey ninth on the grid, Oeder, Mark Larson, Eric
Dauber, Dave Miller, Doug Newlin, Glynn, Williams, and John Piccatto.
 
Piano and Schmitt won the Heat races.
 
The UMP Modified race ended in controversy. Mineral抯 Marty Thompson started
on the pole next to Nathan Balensiefen while last weeks winner Milo Veloz
and Mike Dyas were in row two.
 
Thompson took off quick to grab the lead with Veloz close behind. Several
restarts kept bringing the pack back together. Veloz gave it his all to get
around Thompson but just didn抰 have enough until Lap 15 when Thompson
slipped up a little higher and Veloz shot to the leader role. A caution
before the lap could be completed put Veloz back to second.
 
Before they could really keep it under green, Thompson took his ride back to
the pits with mechanical woes. Veloz was now safely at the helm with
Balensiefen running second over Joe Adam, Ray Bollinger, Mike Spatola and
Jeremy Gustaf.
 
Just after the Mod抯 got the eighteenth lap in the books, something went
terribly wrong with the leaders. A sight not often witnessed and probably
couldn抰 be repeated without practice. Coming out of turn two, Veloz lead
the field with Balensiefen close on his tail.
 
There was contact between Veloz?back bumper and Balensiefen抯 front bumper.
Next the unthinkable, six cars connected looking like the cars of a
miniature freight train. Front bumpers on top of back bumpers the resolution
?the race was called.
 
After much discussion with the drivers and track decision makers, the finish
order was declared with the last lap scored.
 
The following was the paid finish respectively; Veloz, Balensiefen, Adam,
Bollinger, Spatola, Gustaf, Dyas, Justin McCoy, Brian Lucas, Mark Vervynk,
Mike Ahlgren, and Mark Novorolsky.
 
Veloz and Thompson each took home the Heat race wins.
 
Ed Williams Jr. collected the UMP Street Stock feature win edging out Rick
Koltveit, Spud Balensiefen, Justin Rutledge, Jimmy Partipilo, Nick Sell,
Matt Ramer Jim Phelps, Gary Schmitt and Mike Hughes.
 
Koltveit and Rutledge won their Heats.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Results 5/19/07
 
Lucas Oil Late Model ?Dirt Series ?39 Cars
Fast Qualifier: Don O扤eal 12.773
Heat One: Don O扤eal, Brian Bikhofer, Brady Smith, Terry English, Ryan
Dauber, Kerry Hansen, Kevin Weaver, Scott Schmitt, Dennis Erb Jr.
Heat Two: Justin Rattliff, Jimmy Mars, Scott James, Dan Schlieper, Eddie
Carrier Jr., Donnie Moran, Freddy Smith, Brad Neat, Mike Provenzano, George
Scheffler
Heat Three: Rick Eckert Steve Shaver, Shannon Babb, Brian Shirley, Damon
Eller, Steve Casebolt, Ray Cook, Tony Izzo, Billy Drake
Heat Four: Billy Moyer, Darren Miller, Earl Pearson Jr., Jeep VanWormer,
Mike Mataragas, Andrew McKay, Rich
揃?Main #1: Eddie Carrier Jr, Donnie Moran, Kerry Hansen, Kevin Weaver,
Brad Neat, Freddy Smith, Dennis Erb Jr., Scott Schmitt, Mike Provenzano,
George Scheffler John
揃?Main #2: Damon Eller, Steve Casebolt, Ray Cook, Billy Drake, Andrew
McKay, Mike Mataragas, Tony Izzo, Rich Bell
Feature: Justin Rattliff, Don O扤eal, Rick Eckert, Jimmy Mars, Brian
Birkhofer, Billy Moyer, Darren Miller, Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James, Steve
Shaver, Brady Smith, Jeep VanWormer, Dan Schlieper, Brian Shirley, Brad
Neat, Billy Drake, Terry English, Kerry Hansen, Eddie Carrier Jr., Ray Cook,
Damon Eller, Shannon Babb, Donnie Moran, Steve Casebolt
 
Late Model ?16 Cars
Heat One: Keith Piano, Mike Glynn, Ed Williams, Steve Oeder
Heat Two: Scott Schmitt, Ralph Markham, Aaron Schmidt, Mark Larson
Feature: Ralph Markham, scott Schmitt, Keith Piano, Billy Weistart Jr.,
Steve Oeder, Mark Larson, Eric Dauber, Dave Miller, Doug Newlin, Mike Glynn,
Ed Williams, John Piccatto, Aaron Schmidt, Lake Knutti, Joe Fratt
 
UMP Modifieds ?16 Cars
Qualifying: Milo Veloz 14.930
UMP Modifieds – 16 Cars
Heat One: Marty Thompson, Nathan Balensiefen, Joe Adam, Mark Vervynk
Heat Two: Milo Veloz Jr., Mike Spatola, Mike Dyas, Ray Bollinger
Feature: Milo Veloz, Nathan Balensiefen, Joe Adam, Ray Bollinger, Mike
Spatola, Jeremy Gustaf, Mike Dyas, Justin McCoy, Brian Lucas, Mark Vervynck,
Mike Ahlgren, Mark Novorolsky, Matt Weibel, Marty Thompson, Wally Forsythe,
Donnie Cole
 
UMP Street Stocks ?20 Cars
Heat One: Rick Koltveit, Gary Schmitt, Jimmy Partipilo, Spud Balensiefen
Heat Two: Justin Rutledge, Ed Williams, Nick Sell, Brent Carlson
Feature: Ed Williams Jr., Rick Koltveit, Spud Balensiefen, Justin Rutledge,
Jimmy Partipilo, Nick Sell, Matt Ramer, Jim Phelps, Gary Schmitt, Mike
Hughes, Brent Carlson, Steve Lewis, Justin Sellers, Roger Rickels, Alex
Clubb, Jay Mesarchik, Joe Jelinek, Billy Dauber, Steve Schwemlein, Matt
Hinnoks
 

Markham sets the pace, Ramer gets first win since ‘96
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – The track surface at the Illinois Valley speed arena is far
from the racey multi groove haven  that it is widely known for. The La Salle
Speedway’s high banks became the topic of conversation Saturday night at all
turns.
 
Is it global warming, the wind, the sun’s piercing rays, the infield tire
position or just a change of the times. The correct answer is probably a
combination of multiple factors. One thing undeniable – it is different. The
track surfaces for many racing facilities across Illinois have the same
problems being discussed. Anyone in the area attempting to update or work
their landscaping has the similar complaints also, the ground is terribly
dry and it is only May.
 
When the Late Model qualifiers hit the track early in the night, the lap
times were clocking slower than ever but by the eighth qualifier there
wasn’t much left for the remaining competitors to work with. Dauber posted
the quickest timed lap with 14.205.
 
Next up for the Late’s, was their eight lap heat races. Oglesby’s Keith
Piano was fast from the front row outside and distanced himself to beat
Maple Park’s Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn of La Salle and Eric Dauber of
Tonica. Kingston’s Jim Loomis started the second heat in fourth but took
over the lead during Lap 3 to secure the second race over Billy Weistart Jr.
of Oglesby, Ed Williams and Dave Miller.
 
A watering of the track just before the main event kept the seventeen
contenders busy as they hosted hot lap sessions in an effort to ready the
track for racing. The starting grid was set for the twenty five lap main
event, it was Markham as the pole sitter next to Weistart. Dauber and Loomis
rolled up in row two ahead of Piano and Williams.
 
As soon as the green was signaled, Markham found his groove high and set the
pace for the field. He quickly found his own zip code as he hit the gas
hard. It sounded as if he never gave the engine a rest while he flew through
the corners full steam ahead. Weistart followed in a strong run by himself
for second. Loomis controlled third until he pulled off after the tenth lap
out.
 
Dauber then moved into third running in front of Glynn, Aaron Schmidt and
Steve Oeder. Dodging lapped cars and several spin outs, helped Tonica’s
Scott Schmitt move his way to the front from seventeenth. Schmitt made it to
the track just in the nick of time for the feature race as he was a no show
for qualifying and the heat races. He arrived in time for several of the
pre-feature hot lap sessions.
 
Markham was unstoppable capturing his second victory for 2007. After packing
up his car half torn up last week and mechanical woes the first week, the
second place finish for Weistart was a nice change of scenery.  Dauber took
home third. Schmitt closed up with fourth over Oeder, Glynn, Schmidt, Piano
and Lake Knutti.
 
Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr. is on fire. Dubbed ‘Primetime’ by fans it was just
that when he swept the UMP Modified’s three events. He traveled the fastest
lap and took home the checkers in his heat race. The only thing left was
their feature and yet again he claimed his stake for the second week in a
row.
 
On the front row of the twenty lap main, Veloz and Morris driver Vince
Cooper were side by side. The two are both very strong competitors with a
keen sense for where to put their cars.
 
By the completion of the first lap out, Veloz was using the whole track when
he worked the low line in the corners and moved higher on the straightaways.
Cooper was on his tail in second over Ray Bollinger, Justin McCoy, Nathan
Balensiefen and Jason Anderson.
 
By Lap 8, Veloz was dodging lapped traffic making new lines to run. But two
laps later he found himself three wide in the middle of two of the lapped
cars.
 
During Lap 12, Cooper sent sparks flying when he scraped his tail on the
outside retaining wall running as high as he could go for momentum. Quickly
after that he was pushing the back bumper of Milo trying to get around him.
 
As the drivers crossed under the flag stand for Lap 14, the two leaders
tangled on the front stretch at a scary pace nearly crashing. They kept
going but the flag man stopped the race and a conversation was held with the
leader.
 
“They stopped me and said I was being too rough,” Veloz said after the race.
“I told them I’m the leader, who have I hit.”
 
At the finish line it was Veloz heading to winners circle. Cooper gave it
all he had for second over Bollinger, McCoy, Anderson, Joe Adam, Balensiefen
and Eric Alwin.
 
Veloz earned the first heat while Cooper, the reigning track champ, picked
up the second heat.
 
Mendota’s Matt Ramer was one happy camper at the completion of the UMP
Street Stock feature race. Ramer and his young son were sporting big smiles
and a trophy they were proud to carry and show anyone willing to look.
 
“It’s been a long, long, long time that I have been wanting this,” Ramer
said with a huge smile. “I haven’t won a feature since ’96.” The trophy was
won by dad but will be proudly displayed in his biggest fans bedroom.
 
Ramer started on the front row next to Gary Schmitt with Nick Sell and Tim
Loomis behind them. A couple complete restarts stalled the action but once
the racing was consistent the Street Stock’s put on a good showing.
 
Ramer led the twenty one car pack flag to flag en route to the winners
circle. At the checkers, it was Loomis with an impressive second place
finish in front of Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Jimmy Partipilo, Rick Koltveit,
Sell, Mike Hughes, Justin Sellers and Steve Lewis.
 
Sell and Schmitt each won their heat races.
 
Nineteen Hornets (aka 4 Cylinders) made the call but DJ Wekmeister continued
his winning ways. The young driver closed in on his second win in a row.
Eric Boudreau took second over Loren Westerhold, Kyle Fisher, Jon Small, Roy
Alm, Alex Fisher, Mark Sutton, Dan Leonard, Don Slover, and Asa Robart.
 
Bordreau and Werkmeister won the heat events for the class.
 
Next week is the first big dollar show at the speedway. The Lucas Oil Spring
Shootout is topping the venue with a $10,000 payday to the victor. In
addition, the weekly Late Model class, UMP Modifieds and UMP Street Stocks
will provide the support action.
 
 
La Salle Speedway Results 5/12/07
Late Model – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Eric Dauber 14.205
Heat One: Keith Piano, Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn Eric Dauber
Heat Two: Jim Loomis, Billy Weistart Jr., Ed Williams, Dave Miller
Feature: Ralph Markham, Billy Weistart Jr., Eric Dauber, Scott Schmitt,
Steve Oeder, Mike Glynn, Aaron Schmitt, Keith Piano, Lake Knutti, Doug
Newlin, Joe Fratt, Brian Lock, Andrew Atkinson, Dave Miller, Jim Loomis, Ed
Williams, Robert Voice, Jeff Small
 
UMP Modifieds – 16 Cars
Qualifying: Milo Veloz 14.930
Heat One: Milo Veloz, Matt Weibel, Jason Anderson, Justin McCoy
Heat Two: Vince Cooper, Nathen Balensiefen, Ray Bollinger, Bill Thedorf
Feature: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Ray Bollinger, Justin McCoy, Jason
Anderson, Joe Adam, Nathan Balensiefen, Eric Alwin, Mark Vervynck, Mike
Dyas, Brian Lucas, Wally Forsythe, Mark Novorolsky, Bill Thedorf, Mike
Algren, Matt Weibel
 
UMP Street Stocks – 21 Cars
Heat One: Nick Sell, Matt Ramer, Rick Koltveit, Steve Lewis
Heat Two: Gary Schmitt, Jimmy Partipilo, Timmy Loomis, Jason Abens
Feature: Matt Ramer, Tim Loomis, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Jimmy
Partipilo, Rick Koltveit, Nick Sell, Mike Hughes, Justin Sellers, Steve
Lewis, Eric Whittington, Jason Abens, Brent Carlson, Mike Stewart, Jay
Mesarchik, Steve Schweimlen, Alex Clubb, Mark Kurrle, Greg Cravatta, Joe
Jelinek, Eric Rebholz
 
UMP Hornets – 19 Cars
Heat One: Erc Boudreau, Kyle Fisher, Asa Robart, Brian Stoker
Heat Two: DJ Wekmeister, Loren Westerhold, Roy Alm, Alex Fisher
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Eric Boudreau, Loren Westerholdt, Kyle Fisher, Jon
Small, Roy Alm, Alex Fisher, Mark Sutton, Dan Leonard, Don Slover, Asa
Robart, Gabe Koncor, Jimmy Johnson, Travis Mahoney, Nick Clubb, Tony
Harlocker, #14, Brian Stoker, Bubb Swinski

Glynn goes flag to flag at La Salle; Veloz follows suit
By: Betty Glynn
May 5, 2007
 
La Salle, IL – The reigning track champion always has something to prove
with a new season under way. The question is quickly to be asked by someone,
does he still have it. Saturday night the Late Model champ at La Salle
Speedway gave his answer with an exclamation point.
 
La Salle’s Mike Glynn scored the fastest qualifying lap, finished second in
his heat race after a journey from sixth and captured his first victory for
2007.
 
Eighteen Late’s showed up for the second night of action at the Illinois
Valley speed arena. For the feature line up Glynn had earned the pole title,
with his collection of passing points, to lead the pack. On the front row
outside next to Glynn was his cousin Keith Piano of rural Oglesby. Rolled up
behind the duo was last week’s feature winner, Ralph Markham, and Ed
Williams Sr.
 
As soon the flagman signaled green flag racing, Glynn shot out of the blocks
with Markham staying on his tail. It was a rough start to the twenty five
lap main as the field struggled to get it going.
 
Tires in the turns and corners are common place at most dirt track racing
facilities and La Salle is no different. What was different Saturday was the
repeated moving of the tires between turns one and two during the Late Model
feature. Just before the competitors lined up for the feature the ‘tire
moving’ began.
 
For the leader, the tire relocation was not a problem. “Usually it is me
hitting the tires, like last week, but every time they moved them it just
reminded they were there,” Glynn laughed.
 
At times, Glynn would pull into a nice lead but cautions brought the pack
together. By Lap 14, Glynn and Markham were out by themselves as Jim Loomis
put the pressure on Piano for third. Loomis was working his own line a
little higher then the three leaders but just couldn’t get enough momentum
to stay in front of Piano. Princeton’s Steve Oeder, who started fifth, kept
his pace in fourth.
 
Numerous cautions brought the action to a halt and into single file format
but Glynn was coming home with the win.
 
“We have a lot of sponsors and fans who support us and it always feels good
when you have a good night,” Glynn remarked after his victory. “Last year
was pretty good for our team. We are actually still running the same car and
this Rayburn normally goes right where I want it to.”
 
Last week it was Glynn in the runner up spot to Markham but that role was
reversed when Markham crossed the finish line in second. Piano collected
third place over Oeder, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie Bell, Will Harris, Dave
Miller, Darin Furar and Doug Newlin.
 
Markham won the first heat race over Glynn, Harris and Oeder. Williams took
home the second heat victory over Furar, Piano and Schmidt.
 
Seventeen UMP Modifieds traveled the highbanks with Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr.
running the show.
 
Veloz took command when he charged from a fifth place heat start to win the
preliminary event. Next up was their feature race.
 
Veloz was at the helm and much like Glynn found his rhythm right away. His
comfort zone seemed like anywhere he wanted his four wheels to travel. Not
far behind Veloz was last season’s Mod champ, Vince Cooper, ready to steal
his thunder.
 
During Lap 6, the two made contact coming out of turn four and Cooper fell
back but just briefly. Cooper stayed on the gas and worked his way back to
the chase with Marty Thompson right behind him.
 
Veloz continued to work a line much lower then Cooper and Thompson who were
so high on the track their rear tires were over the burm and into rough
territory. Next in the running was Ray Bollinger and Jim Phelps lower on the
track.
 
With only a few laps remaining, Veloz was unstoppable. Veloz ended with a
trip to victory lane while Cooper kept Thompson at bay to take home second.
Bollinger collected fourth with Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy,
Tom Otrembiak Mike Dyas and Wally Forsythe crossing the finish line after.
 
Veloz’ win in the first heat for the Mod’s came from hard work and smart
driving. The fastest qualifier, Cooper, ended the eight laps in second over
Phelps and McCoy. The second heat race was a survival of the fittest when
only two cars were in action at the completion of the eight lap event.
Otrembiak came out on top Zac Odewaldt.
 
A full field of twenty three Street Stocks paired up for their main event.
Once green, Rick Koltveit was flying with Matt Ramer close in tow over a
high running Ed Williams Jr.
 
Patience paid off for Williams as he used the first seven laps to reel in
the two leaders. By the end of Lap 7, Williams was piloting the pack. He
pulled away with a big win for the second week in a row over Koltveit,
Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary
Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens and Jay Mesarchik.
 
Stewart and Koltveit won their heats.
 
DJ Wekmeister took home the top honors in the Hornet feature race. The
Hornet class is definitely gaining popularity as the car counts continue to
soar. This week twenty five cars in attendance.
 
Jeff Seitz earned second ahead of Rob Hammit, Loren Westerhold, Dave Roggy,
Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam Odell and
Jon Small.
 
The first ‘Hometown Heroes’ night will honor Cooper and Clubb night at the
track. Any resident from their hometown of Morris, will receive $2.00 off
their general admission.
 
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Results 5/5/07
Late Model – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Glynn 13.467
Heat One: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn, Will Harris, Steve Oeder
Heat Two: Ed Williams, Darin Furar, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt
Feature: Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie
Bell, Will Harris, Dave Miller, Darin Furar, Doug Newlin, Brian Lock, Jim
Loomis, Robert Voice, Billy Weistart Jr., Mark Larson, Ed Williams, Jeff
Small, Eric Dauber
 
UMP Modifieds – 17 Cars
Qualifying: Vince Cooper 14.049
Heat One: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Jim Phelps, Justin McCoy
Heat Two: Tom Otrembiak, Zac Oedewaldt, Mark Vervynck, Mike Janis
Feature: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Marty Thompson, Ray Bollinger, Jim
Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy, Tom Otrembiak, Mike Dyas, Wally
Forsythe, Mark Vervynck, Jimmy Thompson, Zac Oedewaldt, Joe Adam, Mike
Janis, Mike Algren, Brian Lucas
 
UMP Street Stocks – 23 Cars
Heat One: Mike Stewart, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Jason Abens
Heat Two: Rick Koltveit, Ed Williams, Steve Lewis, Nick Sell
Feature: Ed Williams Jr., Rick Koltveit, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric
Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge,
Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens, Jay Mesarchick, Stgeve Lewis, Steve
Schwemlein, Nick Sell, Mark Kurrle, Stan Daigger, Mike Hughes, Roger
Rickels, Alex Clubb, #49, Eric Rebholz, Joe Jelinek
 
UMP Hornets – 25 Cars
Heat One: Jamie DeFord, Loren Westerhold, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Roggy
Heat Two: Jr. Brown, Rob Hammit, Tony Harlacher, Dan Slover
Heat Three: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Mark Sutton, Chris Brown
Semi Feature: Kyle Fisherm, Jon Small, Gary Wetzel, Timmy Faust, Asa Robart,
Travis Mahoney, #14, Bubba Swinski, # 56, Cory West
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Rob Hammit, Loren Westerholdt, Dave
Roggy, Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam
Odell, Jon Small, Jamie Deford, Chris Brown, Gary Wetzel, Tony Harlacher,
Dan Slover, Josh Larson

Markham’s black cloud blown away at La Salle; Bollinger survives marathon

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham is a weekly warrior at La Salle Speedway and always running strong. Last season what he wanted most seemed to elude him week in and week out. A feature victory was in his sights and close but finished runner up far too many times for the Maple Park racer.

Saturday night, that black cloud vaporized when he powered his familiar #10 Late Model Rayburn chassis into the coveted winners circle.

Sixteen Late’s lined up in double file format to kick off their first feature of ’07. On the front row sat the reigning champ, Mike Glynn, on the inside of Tonica’s young gun, Scott Schmitt. Markham was positioned behind the pole sitter next to Steve Oeder on the outside.

Glynn took off to a quick lead as Schmitt moved back in the pack. Before the second lap could be scored, a caution was signaled. Under the single file start, Markham was now on the back bumper of Glynn as Oeder, Schmitt, Eric Dauber, Keith Piano and Will Harris filed in.

Markham wasted little time putting the pressure on once the light turned green. He moved to the outside then side by side with Glynn. Glynn got the lead back before the starting line but it was only temporary.

Markham squeezed his way through lapped traffic to take the lead during the sixth lap of competition. With him now in command Glynn gave chase. Four laps later, Glynn hit the turn two infield tires hard but tried to keep his pace.

As the leaders flew through the corners, Oeder was busy racing Schmitt and Dauber for third. During Lap 17, Schmitt rallied hard and took the action door to door until a yellow slowed his run.

Three laps later, only eleven drivers were left on the field when they struggled to get the restart rolling.

The laps were winding down and Markham had only one goal left unfinished, taking the checkers and collecting his biggest fan for the winners circle celebration.

“As soon as I won, I knew I was going to head right to the scales and then pick up Dale (his son). I wanted him down there with me,” Markham told after the race.

“If feels good to get the win, it has been too long.”

It was obvious emotions were running pretty high when they arrived trackside and the hugs began.

The father and son team don’t always have the opportunity to spend their racing nights together as Dale raced in Sycamore last season while his father charged the high banks of La Salle.

Glynn scored a second place finish over Oeder, Schmitt, Dauber, Ed Williams Sr., Aaron Schmidt, Doug Newlin, Shawn Kemp and Brian Lock.

Markham traveled the fastest qualifying run with a time of 13.227. Glynn won the first heat from a fifth place start as Markham collected second in front of Dauber and Billy Weistart Jr.

Schmitt won the second preliminary race from sixth. Oeder, Piano and Lake Knutti finished second through fourth.

Modified racer Ray Bollinger finished his 2006 points season in the same runner up position as Markham did in Late’s but ironically they both held the reigning champions to their back bumper.

Last season, when the crowning of the champs took place, it was Bollinger second to Vince Cooper and Markham ending the season behind Glynn. But opening night was sweet revenge as both drivers came back to beat the ones they finished second to.

The UMP Modified’s main event was more then a just a feature, it was a marathon. The first five laps were nothing less then painful for the drivers, their freshly prepared cars and spectators. The twenty one cars who originally lined up for the race seemed to be way too many for green action. During the first lap out twelve cars found themselves in a melee between turns three and four.

Only thirteen racers were left in action before the third lap could be officially scored.

Bollinger, who started on the pole next to Jim Phelps, led flag to flag but not without a powerful struggle with Cooper.

If it weren’t for the cautions continually hovering over the field, the green flag racing was incredible especially between the Bollinger and Cooper showdown.

Cooper kept the pressure on using the highside and trekked down low using every bit of ground he could travel as the two led the nine cars remaining.

When the checkers finally flew it was Bollinger ahead of Cooper, Mike Janis, Nathan Balensiefen, Mark Vervynk, Terry Hudson, Joe Adam, Jim Phelps and Scott Carlson.

Cooper traveled the fastest lap in qualifications. Bollinger and Phelps each won their heat races.

The UMP Street Stock class hosted a strong car count with 26 and was full throttle racing from the first event to the last.

Mendota’s Matt Ramer started the field at the helm next to Oglesby’s Nick Sell. Before the second lap was scored, red flag stopped them in their tracks until the three car crash could be cleared away. Before the restart of the fifth lap, officials talked to Ramer who had some rear damage and went pit side briefly sacrificing his lead to Ed Wiliams Jr.

Williams never gave up the lead and held off a good run by Sell. At the checkers it was Eric Whittington in third over Rick Koltveit, Tim Loomis, Mike Stewart, Jimmy Partipilo, Justin Sellers and Justin Rutledge.

Ramer, Sell and Loomis each took home the heat race wins. Kevin Lenzen won the semi.

The UMP Hornets showed up in full force with an impressive twenty four cars. Rick Wishard took home the top honors over Dan Leonard, Roy Alm, Josh Wishard, Jr. Brown, Jarrod Gall, Bob Barkes, Kyle Fisher, Loren Westerhold, Cory West, Gabe Koncor, Jame DeFord, Josh Larson and Mark Sutton.

Alm, Leonard and Jimmy Johnson won their heat races. Barkes won the semi feature.

La Salle Speedway Results 4/28/07

Late Model – 17 Cars

Qualifying: Ralph Markham 13.227

Heat One: Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham, Eric Dauber, Billy Weistart Jr.

Heat Two: Scott Schmitt, Steve Oeder, Keith Piano, Lake Knutti

Feature: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn, Steve Oeder, Scott Schmitt, Eric Dauber, Ed Williams Sr., Will Harris, Aaron Schmidt, Doug Newlin, Shawn Kemp, Brian Lock, Keith Piano, Dave Miller, Lake Knutti, Jeff Small, Jerry Vance

UMP Modifieds – 21 Cars

Qualifying: Vince Cooper 13.921

Heat One: Ray Bollinger, Travis Koehler, Vince Cooper, Tom Otrembiak

Heat Two: Jim Phelps, Mike Janis, Joe Adam, Justin McCoy

Feature: Ray Bollinger, Vince Cooper, Mike Janis, Nathan Balensiefen, Mark Vervynk, Terry Hudson, Joe Adam, Jim Phelps, Scott Carlson, Jason Anderson, Bill Thedorf, Zac Oedewaldt, Tom Otrembiak, Brian Bushong, Wally Forsythe, Justin McCoy, Milo Veloz, Travis Koehler, Mark Novorolsky, Terry Hayes, Eric Alwin

UMP Street Stocks – 26 Cars

Heat One: Matt Ramer, Eric Whittington, Ed Williams Jr., Steve Lewis

Heat Two: Nick Sell, Steve Schwemlein, Jimmy Partipilo, Mike Stewart

Heat Three: Tim Loomis, Rick Koltveit, Bud Balensiefen, Justin Rutledge

Semi Feature: Kevin Lenzen, #99, Eric Rebholz, Jason Abens, #5D, Joe Jelinek, Bill Dauber

Feature: Ed Williams Jr., Nick Sell, Eric Whittington, Rick Koltveit, Tim Loomis, Mike Stewart, Jimmy Partipilo, Justin Sellers, Justin Rustledge, Kevin Lenzen, Chuck Provenzano, Mark Kurrle, Gary Schmitt, Steve Schwemlein, Alex Clubb, Matt Ramer, Spud Balensiefen, Steve Lewis

UMP Hornets – 24 Cars

Heat One: Roy Alm, Mark Sutton, Brown, Jarrod Gall

Heat Two: Dan Leonard, Rick Wishard, Jamie DeFord, Loren Westerhold

Heat Three: Jimmy Johnson, Josh Wishard, Cory West, Kyle Fisher

Semi Feature: Bob Barkes, Albert Hardisty, Bubba Siwinski, Travis Mahoney, #H57, Nick Clubb, #723, Brown, Don Slover

Feature: Rick Wishard, Dan Leonard, Roy Alm, Josh Wishard, Brown, Jarrod Gall, Bob Barkes, Kyle Fisher, Loren Westerhold, Cory West, Gabe Koncor, Jamie DeFord, Josh Larson, Mark Sutton, Albert Hardisty, Jimmy Johnson, Jim Lazier, Bubba Siwinski

Nascar Drivers and Hometown Heroes Highlight La Salle Speedway Schedule

By: Betty Glynn 

La Salle, IL ?After a long cold winter, the prospect of warmer days is a welcome relief for those of us who had hoped the ground hog prediction was accurate. With beautiful blooming flowers, greener lawns, and flowering trees the dreams of the lazy days of summer starts looking like a reality.  

For many in the Illinois Valley it is another outdoor pleasure that quickly comes to mind with the anticipation of spring ?it is show time at La Salle Speedway. 

That show officially begins with a season opener on Saturday, April 28^th. Every Saturday night from then through September, the dirt will fly and engines will roar as the weekend warriors go to battle.  

The stage is set with a twenty-one event schedule stacked for racing fanatics. It seems as though each year the promoters try to bring more to the plate with a bigger show, a televised race or just something new and unique. 

During a recent interview with the speedway promoter, Kerrianne Izzo, she talked about what topping their venue for 2007 and it is a lot.  

e have the four weekly divisions - Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP Four Cylinders for our regular programs, Izzo said?/FONT> 

2007 LASALLE SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE Full Program includes Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stock & 4-Cylinder Hornets
DAY OF WEEK	DATE	EVENT
Saturday	April 21	Open Practice for All Divisions from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. FREE GRANDSTANDS
Saturday	April 28	Opening Night
Saturday	May 5	Full Program
Saturday	May 12	Illinois Valley Street Stock Series
Saturday	May 19	SPRING SHOOTOUT Late Model Special - ($10,000 to win) + Modifieds & 4-Cylinder Hornets
Saturday	May 26	Full Program
Saturday	June 2	Triple Crown Series for Late Models (75 Laps)
Saturday	June 9	FAN APPRECIATION $5.00 NIGHT
Saturday	June 16	Full Program
Saturday	June 23	Illinois Valley Street Stock Series
Saturday	June 30	Full Program Plus FIREWORKS
Saturday	July 7	Full Program
Thursday	July 12	UMP SUMMERNATIONALS Late Model Special ($6,000 to win) + Open Wheel Modifieds & NASCAR Night [promoted by Track Enterprises]
Saturday	July 14	Triple Crown Series for Late Models (75 Laps)
Saturday	July 21	Full Program
Saturday	July 28	Full Program
Saturday	August 4	FAN APPRECIATION $5.00 NIGHT
Wednesday	August 8	ILLINOIS VALLEY CHALLENGE 50 Late Model Special ($10,000 to win)
Saturday	August 11	Full Program (End of Championship Points)
Saturday	August 18	Illinois Valley Street Stock Series
Saturday	August 25	Full Program Street Stock & Hornet Champions Honored
Saturday	September 1	Triple Crown Series for Late Models (100 Laps) Late Model & Modified Champions Honored
Saturday	September 8	No Races
Sunday	September 16	16th Annual ILLINOIS FALL NATIONALS ($10,000 to win) + Modified Special [promoted by Track Enterprises]
Saturday	September 22	To Be Announced
ALL EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!