2008belle.htm

200 S. BELT EAST
 BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS 62220
(618) 233-0052
Track Reporter Jack Pugh
2003 archives    2004 archives    2005 archives    2006 archives    2007 archives

August 29, 2008

The racing at Belle Clair Speedway continued with warm weather and hot action on the track.

   In the UMP Late Model division, there were 18 cars in the pits. Heat race winners were Paul Bailey and Michael Kloos. He dash went to Kloos.

   The front row for the 25 lap feature consisted of Kloos and Frankie Martin. With the dropping of the green flag, Kloos jumped to the lead and the race was on. Following Kloos was Martin, Mike Schulte, Vince Gronzki and Jim Gibson.

   Kloos had the lead, but Martin and Schulte were applying the pressure. Kloos mainly was running the bottom, but would move to the top for a few laps.

   There were only two caution to slow the action and there was plenty of action up front during this race.

   Kloos and Schulte had the fans on the edge of their seats during the latter part of this race as they traded places on the track. But a new ingredient was threw in late in the race. Brian Bielong started seventh and it was his first time at the track in a Late Model. He took the high side and was on the move late in the race.

   Between Kloos, Schulte and Bielong, the race was one of the better races of the year.

   Kloos took the win for his third of the year and a sweep for the night. He was followed by Bielong, Schulte, Martin and Gibson to complete the top five.

   The point chase in the Late Model class is heating up as Mike Hammerle took over the first spot as he and Dixon were tied last week and Dixon decided to race elsewhere. With Kloos’ win, he moved into second place.

   In the UMP Modified class, there were 17 cars ready to race.  Heat winners were Tom Ratajczyk and Lenny Bryant. The dash went to Dean Hoffman.

   The 20 lap feature started with Hoffman and Ratajczyk on the front row. With the green light on, Hoffman jumped in front with Ratajczyk, Aaron Kleine, Bryant and Dave Hartnagle trailing.

  There were only two cautions in this race to slow the action. Hoffman jumped to the bottom and putted away from the field. Once again, Kleine was the driver to try to challenge Hoffman for the lead. Kleine was on the top but could not catch Hoffman.

   Hoffman would win his seventh feature of the year and most of all the classes. Hoffman was followed by Kleine, Bobby Bittle, Ratajczyk and Bryant to complete the top five.

   In the UMP Sportsmen class, there were 16 ready to compete. The heat winners were Mark Schaefer and Brian Shubirg. The dash went to Joe Volluz.

   The 15 lap feature started with Volluz and Scheafer on the front row. Volluz jumped to the early lead and he was chased by Scheafer, Tom Smallwood, Shubirg and Drew Scott.

   Schaefer took over the lead running the high line during the earlier laps. The race would go green until lap 12 when Volluz had a run in with the outside wall on the back straight.

   Schaefer was leading with Shubirg, Smallwood, Drew Scott and Mike Jones in the top five on the restart.

  Schaefer would win his first feature of 2008 after being out most of the year after blowing an engine on the first night of the season. Schaefer was followed by Smallwood, Shubirg, Jones and Scott. Scott was light at the scales and was disqualified. Wade Sutter moved up to fifth.

July 18, 2008 

The racing continued at Belle Clair Speedway this past Friday night with cars in the pits and fans in the stand for the next regular night of racing that included a nickel race for the kids.

  In the UMP Late Models divinizing, there were 19 cars ready to race. The heat winners were Brian Wolfmeier, Mike Hammerle and Mike Schulte. The dash went to Hammerle.

   The 25 lap feature race started with Hammerle and Wolfmeier on the front row.With the start of the rae, Wolfmeier jumped to the lead and never looked back. Trailing Wolfmeier were Hammerle, Clay Baumann, Ed Dixon and Frankie Martin at the beginning of the race.

  As the race went on, it was a two car battle between Wolfmeier and Hammerle. Wolfmeier was using the middle of the track while Hammerle was on the bottom. Wolfmeier ran a smooth race and stayed a car length or better ahead of Hammerle.

   There were several caution during the race and several were early in the race. Wolfmeier held off all challenges that Hammerle could muster.

   As the race ran down, lapped traffic was going to play a role in the outcome of the race. On the last lap, the two leaders ran up on lapped traffic and that was a factor in the outcome of the race. Coming out of turn four, the two leaders had to make a decision as to which lane to be in in order to finish. As it turned out Wolfmeier took a higher lane and best Hammerle by a fender at the checkered flag. It was Wolfmeier’s first win of the year at Belle Clair Speedway.

   Following Wolfmeier was Hammerle, Schulte,, Ed Dixon and Rick Standridge to complete the top five.

  In the UMP Modified class, there were 16 cars in the pits. The heat winners were Tim Hancock and Aaron Kleine. The dash went to Hancock.

  The 20 lap feature started with Hancock and Chris Smith on the front row. With the dropping of the green flag, it was Smith to the lead with Hancock, Kleine, Paul Reinneck and Richie Standridge in tow.

  The race for the lead was intense between Smith and Hancock. Smith would hold the lead until lap 10 when Hancock got by Smith coming out of turn two. The two made some contact in turn two, but Hancock maintain control and took over the lead.

   Hancock had his hands full as Kleine pressured him for the lead. Smith slowed with problems on lap 15 to bring out the caution.

   Hancock went on to win his first ever feature win followed by Kleine, Standridge, Dean Hoffman and Paul Reinneck.

   In the UMP Sportsmen class, there were 21 cars trying to made the feature. Heat race winners were Wade Sutter, Tim Haeffner, and Jim Clark. The dash went to Haeffner with the semi going to Jason Keller.

   The front row of the 15 lap was made up with Haeffner and Clark. Clark took the lead with the dropping of the green flag. He was followed by Haeffner, Danny Ems, Tom Smallwood and Sutter.

   Clark ran a clean, steady race to take his second consecutive feature race and third of the year. He also held on to the point lead. He was followed by Ems, Haeffner, Jimmy Cummins and Smallwood to round out the top five.

May 30, 2008 
The weather warmed up a bit, but Mother Nature play role in the nights entertainment. There was one new good event during this night.

   In the UMP Late Model division, there were 18 cars ready to race. Heat winners were Aaron Kleine and Michael Kloos. The dash went to Kleine.

   With a front row of Kleine and Jim Gibson, the 25 lap race was ready to begin. With the dropping of the green flag it was Kleine to the front on a track that once again very racy.   Kleine was chased by Gibson Mike Hammerle and Kloos.

   After the first caution on lap four, Kleine continued to run out front, but Gibson was giving him a run for the lead. On lap six, Gibson got the break he needed and got by Kleine for the lead. Gibson would hold off the challenges from Kleine and then Hammerle to get his first ever feature win in the Late Model class at Belle Clair Speedway.

  Gibson moved into the Late Model class from the Sportsmen class in 2003. He has finished second twice since then, but had never taken the checkered flag.

   Following Gibson were Hammerl, Kloos, Mike Shulte and Kleine to complete the top five.

  In the UMP Modified class, there were 16 cars in the pits. Heat races went to Dean Hoffman and David Seger. The dash was won by Tim Hancock.

  The 20 lap feature started with Hancock and Hoffman on the front row. With the dropping of the green flag, Hoffman jumped to the early lead with Hancock, Richie Standridge, Seger and Tom Ratajczyk giving chase.

   This race saw a bunch of cautions to slow the race, but it turn other to be one of the best so far this year. Eighth starting, Bobby Bittle used a different groove to make his way forward. Bittle chose the high line and made it work.

   As Hoffman continued to lead, Bittle was plucking cars off one at a time. Hoffman and Hancock continued battle for the lead, but it was Bittle who the crowd was watching.

   Bittle moved into the top five on lap five and was into third by lap eight. Hoffman and Hancock continued to battle for the lead, but it was Bittle on the top that made the race exciting.

   Bittle took the lead on lap 17 to win his fourth feature of the year with Hoffman, 12^th starting Aaron Kleine, Hancock and Ratajczyk completing the top five.

  The UMP Sportsmen class had 19 cars in the pits. Heat race winners were Jimmy Cummins, Jim Clark and Tom Smallwood. The dash went to Mike Jones.

   The 15 lap feature started with Jones and Cummins on the front row. On the start of the race, Cummins jump into the lead and never looked back. He was trailed by Jones, Clark and Harris.

   The race was marred by Mother Nature as moisture slowed the completion of the race twice. The cars continued to circle the track so that the moisture would not take over the track. The race was restarted and Clark was now chasing Cummins for the lead, but could never get to overtake him as the track was too slick.

  Cummins took the checked flag for his second win of the year with Clark Harris, Jones and Scott Drew completing the top five.

   They tried to get the Pure Stock feature in, but Mother Nature had other plans.  A heavy down pour and hail hit the area and stopped the race. The race was stopped with half the race completed.   

Friday May 16

  The races continues on Friday night at Belle Clair Speedway, but Mother Nature had an influence on the racing. The race track did not hold up well and had to be reworked several times due to a rough racing surface.

   In the UMP Late Model division, there were 21 cars ready to race. The heat winner were Mike Schulte, Michael Kloos and Frankie Martin. The dash went to Kloos and the semi was won by Brian Wolfmeier.

  The 25 lap race started with Kloos and Jim Gibson on the front row. With the dropping of the green flag, Gibson jumped to the lead with Kloos, Martin, Schulte and Ed Dixon chasing.

   Gibson and Kloos were running hard up front when Kloos climbed on the back of Gibson’s car in turn one early in the race.  The running order was now Gibson, Martin, Schulte, Dixon and Vince Grondzki in the top five.

  With the green back out, Gibson continued to lead before Martin took over the lead. Martin held the lead until lap 13 when Dixon took over the front spot.

   Dixon went on to win his first feature of the year and his career 594 feature win. Following Dixon were Gibson, Rick Standridge, Martin and Grondzki.

   None of the other features were able to run as the curfew forced the Modified and Sportsmen features to be run next week.

  Scott Ponder won the 60^th anniversary special race for Pure Stock cars.

May 20, 2008
These are the most up-to-date points. There were no Modified or Sportsmen features last week and will be made up this coming week.

Belle-Clair Rained out May 9
NOT Racing Sunday in honor of Mother's Day

BELLE CLAIR SPEEDWAY - Cancelled for Friday April 18th - Racing Sunday April 20

April 11....Rained Out

03-17-08

Belleville, IL -   In the year 2008, Belle Clair Speedway is celebrating it’s 60^th year of operation. With that in mind, Belle Clair Speedway will be hosting many special events to celebrate this memorable event. Look for many special events such as special races, special nights and a big new event in 2008.

  Improvements to the speedway this year include a new tower in turn one. This tower will be used to entertain sponsors and give the people a unique view of both the track and the inside pit area.  Twenty loads of new dirt have been added to the track. Sponsors signs will be added in the corners as sponsors are obtained.

   Special races will included for the first time in the Speedway’s history. Belle Clair Speedway will host a UMP Summer Nationals race on June 18^th. This will be a 40 lap $6,000 to win race for the UMP Late Models. Many of the area’s top Late Model drivers will vie for the chance to win the race and there will be drivers from other areas of the country. It is too early to say who may compete, but from past history of this series look for local drivers like Ed Dixon, Randy Korte, Mike Schulte, Frankie Martin, Michael Kloos, Steve Sheppard and Mark Voigt to compete against Brian Shirley, Dennis Erb, Rodney Melvin, Rusty Schlenk and others. This will be an event that Belle Clair Speedway fans will enjoy.

   Other races that are on the calendar are special races for each class with special purses and extra laps. For example the Pure Stocks will start the unique event on May 9 with a 20 lap race as part of the weekly program. Then one class once a month will have their night to be featured.

   There will be two other special nights to mark your calendar for. On June 6, Old Timers night will be held and we will have drivers from the past come and take part in autographs and discussions with the fans. The next night will be on July 11, Announcer’s Night will take place. Many of the current fans know only about Mike Muerer as being the announcer they identify with. There have been several others over the 60 years of racing and those available and willing to come are being invited back for a night of memories.

   The POWRi midgets will again return and have five nights of racing along with the 600cc Mini Sprints.

   The kids are not left out at Belle Clair Speedway as there will nickel races almost monthly. There is the Junior Fan Club that the kids like. And there will be a bike race.

   There will be items that will be available to commentate the year and we are working on them. Opening night each fan will receive a Belle Clair Speedway ink pen.

   Opening night for the 2008 racing season at Belle Clair Speedway will be March 28 Come celebrate the 60^th year of racing and enjoy the races. For more information as events unfold, visit either www.belleclairspeedway.com or www.stlracing.com for the latest information.

2008 Belle-Clair Speedway Schedule 

March 16    Practice for all classes of cars

March 28     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

April 4     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

April 11    UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

            Military Night. Military with ID get in free.

April 18    UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

              Nickel race for kids

April 25    UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

May 2       UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

May 9       UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

            Pure Stock special 20 laps

May 16      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

             Nickel race for kids   

May 23      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

May 30      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

June 6      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

             Old Timers Night

June 7      POWRi Midgets and 600cc Mini Sprints

June 13     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

June 18     UMP Summer Nationals - $6,000 to win Late Models, UMP Modifieds, Sportsmen

June 20     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

             Fan Appreciation night

June 27     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

             Sportsmen special - 25 laps

July 11     UMP Late Models, Modified and Sportsman and Pure Stocks

               Announcers Night           

July 18     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

               Nickel race for kids

July 19     POWRi Midgets and 600cc Mini Sprints

July 25     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

            Modified Special - 30 laps

Aug 1       UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

Aug 5       AARA Special - UMP Sportsmen, UMP Pure Stocks

Aug 6       POWRi Midgets – 17th Annual Arnie Knepper Memorial

Aug 7       Motorcycle Flat Track Races

Aug 8       UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

                (100 Laps for Late Models)

Aug 9       Demolition Derby

Aug 15      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

Aug 22      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

                Nickel race for kids 

Aug 29      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

Sept 5      UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

             Late Model special - 35 laps                 

Sept 12     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsman and Pure Stocks

Sept 19     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsmen and Pure Stocks

                Season Championship for Sportsman and Pure Stocks

Sept 26     UMP Late Models, Modified, Sportsmen and Pure Stocks

                Season Championship for Late Models and Modifieds

Oct 3        Weather date for season championships

Oct 4        POWRi Midgets and 600cc Mini Sprints

This is the 60th year of racing at Belle Clair Speedway. See us at www.belleclairspeedway.com.