2010lasalle.htm

Track Promoter
Joe Izzo
Office Non-Race Days (815) 223-6939
photos by Dan Simpson, the La Salle Speedway track photographer....

    Thanks to Betty Glynn for the stories/results

2005 archives    2006 archives    2007 archives    2009 archives

Photo submitted by the Waite family.

Photo caption: "Bill Waite Jr. of Cherry was tragically killed in 2008 while aiding a stranded motorist on I80. Through the years, Junior raced in various classes until finding his true passion for the Sprint Cars. An Outlaw Sprint Car memorial race is scheduled for Sunday at La Salle Speedway."


Bill Waite Jr. to be remembered with Sprint Car Race Sunday at La Salle
By: Betty Glynn

"Racing is a humble sport...One day you're a hero, next day a chump... Everyone loves a winner!” Bill Waite Jr.

The above quote was taken from a website created for Bill Waite Jr. during his racing days. They are words spoken by a hero himself. The internet site remains forever frozen but the quote holds tremendous meaning for anyone who knew Bill Waite Jr.

In 2008, Bill, a lifelong Illinois Valley resident and businessman, was killed aiding a stranded motorist on I80 while working for his family’s towing business. He left behind the love of his life Lynn Anderson and a barrage of family and friends who still miss him tremendously.

If his tragic loss wasn’t enough, his family buried his sister Kathy Schmitt shortly after his death. The mother of two lost her brave battle with cancer. Recovering from the loss of two devoted family members back to back rocked the strong family.

Not only did he come from a large tight nit family, he grew up in Cherry where everyone is considered family. The small town embraces their own and mourned the loss of a great contributor to a town where the Waite name can be traced back for over 100 years.

Bill’s great grandfather, Walter, was deemed a hero for aiding fellow miners during their entrapment in the famous Cherry Mine Disaster. It has been historically documented that Walter kept the trapped miners spirits high during their darkest days when the only source of water was a trickle through the earth.

Ironically, the slag piles where Walter was trapped sit adjacent to the Waite’s Service and Towing a place Junior grew up helping in his fathers business. Junior, a nickname by which his friends and family knew him, was much like his great grandfather without ever noticing that same amazing trait in himself. He had the ability to make a smile shine on even the worst of days for anyone who came in contact with the soft spoken sometimes guarded guy. He took over the family business from his father and carried on with the tradition of providing support for the community they loved.

Not only did he continuously help in his immediate community he branched out to offer assistance to those in need. After Katrina, Junior felt compelled to do his part and had to find a way to generate funds for the relief effort.

“After Hurricane Katrina, Junior offered free oil changes to everyone,” younger brother Mike explained. “The only thing he asked was a $10 donation for the victims in Louisiana. He was just that type of person who always wanted to help someone.”

Junior could be found either in the Cherry shop or his tow truck. No matter what he was working on, someone was stopping by the shop for some laughs. According to his brother, he had the ability to bring laughter without ever even trying.

“I think one thing that anyone who really knew Junior would say is that he had a really great sense of humor. He was sometimes a bit guarded but he was so much fun and made us all laugh a lot,” Mike said with a chuckle.

Growing up in Cherry myself, I was lucky enough to share the memories of stopping by their shop, which was then a gas station, with my own father. At the time, it was his patriarch, Bill Sr., who was always willing to lend a helping hand with Junior and other siblings close by.

Junior’s love of driving fast started with his racing karts as a child in 1974 then moving into stock cars during the 1980’s and eventually into his true passion of sprint cars. His love of the sprints spanned over a fourteen year stint taking him all over the Midwest until he retired from the sport to run the family business.

“We were all extremely close. We’d work on the car during the week and travel all over the countryside to race on the weekends. Usually, it was me, my brother Kevin, brother-in-law Paul (Sandrolini), and sometimes Dave Despain, Brian Raef and of course Junior. Oh boy we had a lot of hours in the truck and we had a lot of fun. The stories seemed endless,” Mike laughed just thinking about those 8 – 10 hours jaunts in the truck. “We were all so extremely close.”

On Sunday, Junior will be remembered in the most suited fashion for the former speedster. The 800 horsepower winged outlaw sprint drivers from across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Michigan will return to the high banks of La Salle Speedway to honor the fallen racer. The Bill Waite, Jr. Memorial Outlaw Sprint Car Race promoted by PACE Promotions and presented by Interstate Batteries of Central Illinois tops the venue with the victor claiming $3,000 to win the event. Associate sponsors are Central Illinois Trucks, Inc. and the Phoenix Group.

It is quite fitting that a memorial race be held in his honor at the same track that boasted so much meaning for the die-hard racer. He used to say his most memorable race was qualifying for the World of Outlaw Sprint event at La Salle. Like everything the Waite family does, it will be a family affair. His parents, Toni and Bill, along with their entire family are ready to honor their hero.

“My Mom is so happy and excited about the race on Sunday,” Mike said. “I just wish he was here with us.”

The outlaw sprint cars will be sanctioned by the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association, and as of this date, will be next to the last point’s race for the series. Supporting classes will include the UMP Modifieds and the UMP Hornets. The purse for each division has been added to by the sponsors with several thousand dollars.

The IRA sprints will have a $16,000 purse, $3,000 to win and $300 to start. The UMP Modifieds will race for UMP points, $5,000 purse, $800 to win and $125 to start. The UMP Hornets will race for UMP points as well, $300 to win and $50 to start.

The event will start in the late afternoon with pit gates open at 1:00 p.m., grandstands at 3:30, hot laps at 4:30 and racing at 6:00. Admission will be: Adults $16, pit gate $30, high school students (with ID) $5, and age 13 and under with paying adult—FREE. Individual skyboxes (now only 4 available) (seating for 15) and individual skybox seats may be reserved (only 60 seats available) by contacting PACE Promotions. Skybox seats may be available on race day if not sold out.

For additional information contact: PACE Promotions: 630-279-3006; IRA Series: 815-759-9269 and the IRA Series website: www.irasprints.com

Mike Provenzano ends barn burner for final night at La Salle; champions honored
By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – The final night of racing typically produces twists, turns and hard charging disputes. Saturday night at La Salle Speedway the drivers were up for the challenge and gave a full house exactly what they were hoping for on Fan Appreciation Night.

To get things rolling, the Late Models and the Modifieds put their best lap in the books. Mike Provenzano posted the fastest Late Model lap with a time of 13.120. Nathan Balensiefen traveled the quickest lap of 14.604 for the Modifieds.

Eighteen Late’s were in the pits with two heats determining their feature grid. First heat pole sitter, Mike Provenzano took the point after a battle with Bret Sievert but it didn’t come easy. Sievert took the lead just before a last lap caution slowed the pace and put him back behind Mike Provenzano. For the restart, it was apparent a showdown was on tap. At the checkers, Mike Provenzano was first but Rich Bell was right there with him leaving Sievert in third and Mike Glynn fourth.

Jeff Small, the pole sitter of the second heat, was commander of the race all the way to the checkers. Todd Alexander finished second ahead of Jeff’s brother Jon Small and Terry Knutti.

With twenty five laps ahead, no one could have foreseen Lake Knutti flipping his ride before a lap could be scored. Luckily the driver exited the car on his own. Once the green flag was hanging, Mike Provenzano was in charge with Sievert in second over current champion Lil’ John Provenzano. After a restart of Lap 4, a three wide battle for the lead between the three ended when Bell took the low line and started challenging Lil’ John who was in second.

Bell took over the point during Lap 9 with Lil’ John now in second. Mike Provenzano fell back to third. Bell was flying but Lil’ John was fast on a lower line. Bell’s high run was fast and furious until he moved down in front of Lil’ John who was still charging hard on the bottom during Lap 14. The front runners tangled with Lil’ John ending the powerful run in a spin. After the restart, Bell moved his machine back to the high line on the point with Mike Provenzano second, Sievert third and Glynn running fourth as high on the track as he could run.

Early in the evening, Scott Schmitt took on the exhausting task of changing his engine in the pit area. Completing the job just as the feature cars were rolling around to take the green. His efforts paid off as he charged his power plant up the pack for a top six run.

Just after the flagman signaled one lap to go, Mike Provenzano hit the gas even harder in his lower line run. As he and Bell headed off the turn four corner, it was Bell ahead but by the time the duo crossed the finish line Mike Provenzano beat him by a nose.

Bell took home the runner up finish over Sievert, Glynn, Jamie McHugh, Schmitt, Keith Piano, Terry Knutti, Todd Alexander, Lil John Provenzano, Nathan Disney, Ed Williams, Randy Manos, and Brian Lock.

Nathan Balensiefen was on fire in the Open Wheel Modified class scoring the fastest lap, first heat and main event victories for the division. Like Mike Provenzano, Balensiefen finished third in the over all points but swept the last nights competition.

Balensiefen started the twenty lap feature on the pole next to Brad Stewart over Phil Line and Travis Kohler. He shot to the lead as soon as the green light signaled the start with Brad Stewart chasing him from a high line. With only a few laps in the books Stewart took the chase into a side by side battle.

A final lap caution brought the pack back into nose to tail for a single file start but didn’t change the final finish. At the line, Balensiefen picked up the victory for a second week in a row. Stewart and Vince Cooper were side by side at the line with Stewart edging his nose across the line in second. Justin McCoy took home an impressive third place over Tim Loomis, Travis Kohler, Derrick Doerr, Matt Gremminger, Jeramie Johnson, Tom Knippenberg, Austin Hewitt, first time racer Nick Lueth and Phil Line.

Balensiefen beat out Stewart, Line and Kohler in the first heat. Johnson won the second heat contest in front of Loomis, Allen Line and Ken Fischer.

Street Stock points champion Roger Rickels was at the top of his game for the final night of action. He took home the first of three heat races and then outran the competition to enter victory lane for the feature.

Rickels beat Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen and Nick Sell for the first heat. The second heat was won by Kevin Snowberger over Mike McKinney, Randy Lucas and Rick Koltveit. Brandon Maciejewski won the final heat with Tim Provenzano, Duane Peterson and Ande Bivens behind him.

The start of the Street’s main event started a bit rocky after Duane Brown and John Hogue tangled off turn four ending with Hogue flipping in front of the grand stands. Once back to green, the first several laps were filled with exciting side by side action between Rickels, Maciejewski and Kevin Snowberger. Rickels never gave up the lead no matter how hard Maciejewski tried to take it away.

Side by side at the line, Rickels narrowly crossed the line first. Maciejewski claimed second in front of Provenzano, McKinney, Snowberger, Keith Lucas, Randy Lucas, Justin Rutledge, Nick Sell, and Ande Bivens.

Phil Burdette worked his way up to the front of the 4 Cylinder feature contest to claim the victory over JR Brown, Steve Phillips, Allen Provenzano, Danger Williams, Jon Provenzano, Jerry Legner, Brandon Mallory, Rick Wagner and Freddie Thatcher.

JR Brown and Phillips won their heat races.

Lil’ John Provenzano, the Late Model track champion, was honored as he calls it quits on top after forty years of racing. Bell was second in points over John’s son Mike Provenzano.

Vince Cooper continued his points domination with his fourth Open Wheel Modified track championship. Phil Line took runner up ahead of Balensifen in the points challenge.

After a great season, Roger Rickels earned the Street Stock points championship over Brandon Maciejewski and Mike Hughes. Hughes finished third two years in a row.

After finishing second in points in 2009 Phil Burdette did what he needed to end this season differently. He won the 4 Cylinder Hornet divisional championship over JR Brown and Jerry Legner.

The only remaining event left for the year is the September 26th Bill Waite Jr. Memorial Outlaw Spring Car Race. The 800 horsepower winged outlaw sprint cars will compete on that Sunday for $3,000 to win. The even is being put together in honor of Bill an avid racer who was killed on Interstate 80 while assisting a stranded motorist in 2008.

In addition the UMP Modifieds will battle for $800 to win and the UMP Hornets for $300.

Any information regarding the event should be directed to PACE Promotions: 630-279-3006; IRA Series: 815-759-9269 and the IRA Series website: www.irsprints.com. other questions and comments: e-mail address at [email protected].




La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 08/28/10

UMP Late Models 18 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Provenzano 13.120
Heat 1: Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Bret Sievert, Mike Glynn
Heat 2: Jeff Small, Todd Alexander, Jon Small, Terry Knutti
Feature: Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Bret Sievert, Mike Gllynn, Jamie McHugh, Scott Schmitt, Keith Piano, Terry Knutti, Todd Alexander, Lil’ John Provenzano, Nathan Disney, Ed Williams, Randy Manos, Brian Lock, Jon Small, Jeff Small, Lake Knutti, Mark Larson

UMP Moldifieds 18 Cars
Qualifying: Nathan Balensiefen 14.604
Heat 1: Nathan Balensiefen, Brad Stewart, Phil Line, Travis Kohler
Heat 2: Jeramie Johnson, Tim Loomis, Allen Line, Ken Fischer
Feature: Nathan Balensiefen, Brad Stewart, Vince Cooper, Justin McCoy, Tim Loomis, Travis Kohler, Derrick Doerr, Matt Gremminger, Jeramie Johnson, Tom Knippenberg, Austin Hewitt, Nick Lueth, Phil Line, Ken Fischer, Scott Hauge, Mike Marden, David Wagner

UMP Street Stock 24 Cars
Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell
Heat 2: Kevin Snowberger, Mike McKinney, Randy Lucas, Rick Koltveit
Heat 3: Brandon Maciejewski, Tim Provenzano, Duane Peterson, Ande Bivens
Feature: Roger Rickels, Brandon Maciejewski, Tim Provenzano, Mike McKinney, Kevin Snowberger, Keith Lucas, Randy Lucas, Justin Rutledge, Nick Sell, Ande Bivens, Justin Hamm, Duane Peterson, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Don Koltveit, Rick Koltveit, Ben Gallentine, Andrew Schwarko, Duane Brown, Tom Alexander, John Hogue, Steve Schwemlein

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets 14 Cars
Heat 1: Phil Burdette, Andrew Schwarko, JR Brown, Camron Poci
Heat 2: Rick Zifko, DJ Kilanowski, Dennis Polak, Erik Grosch
Feature: Andrew Schwarko, Rick Zifko, JR Brown, Eric Grosch, Loren Westerhold, Camron Poci, Mike Gossett, Greg Joewest, Mark Sutton, Marquis Hoover, Freddy Thatcher, Paul Smith, Josh Trahon, Dustin Forbes, Phil Burdette, Jerry Legner, DJ Kilanowski, Dennis Polak, Charles Greensly

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Sievert charges to victory; Father and Son in points chase countdown

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Late Model driver Bret Sievert started his night off with the second fastest qualifying run out of twenty two drivers on Saturday night at La Salle Speedway. Being second wasn’t good enough for the Wisconsin racer though.

The fastest eleven qualifiers took center stage for the first of two heat contests. Former track champion, Ryan Dauber, scored the quickest lap with a time of 13.342 to earn the pole of the fast heat.

By the completion of the first lap Sievert had charged his way into the lead with Dauber close behind. Sievert won the heat over Dauber, Rich Bell, and Lil’ John Provenzano.

Scott Schmitt hit the gas hard to move his way up from the back of the second heat to victory lane. He pulled away from his ten competitors to win over Gary Hunt, Jimmy Partipilo and Ed Williams.

With only one points night remaining next week, there is the chase of all chases happening in the Late Model division. Lil’John Provenzano has been a regular in the dirt track world for forty years. His son on the other hand is just starting to make a name for himself. The veteran racer announced before the season started that he is retiring at the completion of the 2010 season.

The father and son duo have found themselves door to door quite often but being in a championship title race is what they face right now. They have been within two points of one another for several races and at the completion of this week the pair remained the same. Although Mike dropped out of the heat contest and John earned two points, Mike passed John late in the feature to gain those two points back from his father who was suffering with a bad bought of the flu. Mike still sits on top by a mere two point spread.

Next week’s race will determine which Provenzano will wear the crown.

Sievert and Dauber hosted the front row feature grid over Bell and Lil’ John. Keith Piano and Bill Weistart Jr. were in row three. The fast and furious group struggled to get the ball rolling with numerous complete restarts until track officials decided a double file restart had been tried and failed.

Sievert shot to the lead during the first scored lap out with Dauber, Bell and Lil’ John following. Travis Mahoney found his world upside down after rolling off of turn two following contact during the fifth lap. Dauber managed to work his way up to the door of Sievert and passed him during Lap 9 but Sievert grabbed the lead back and pulled away for several laps.

Sievert took the checkers from a high line run leaving Dauber in second. Mike Provenzano stole third from his father during the final lap. Lil’ John took fourth in front of Bell, Schmitt, Piano, Jon Small, Gary Hunt, Mike Glynn, Williams, Jimmy Partipilo and Terry Knutti.

Ottawa racer Dale Lueth traveled the quickest lap in the Modified division and took the checkers for the first heat contest. Nathan Balensiefen took second over Travis Kohler and Milo Veloz. Defending track champion, Vince Cooper, won the second heat ahead of Steve Brooks, Matthew Gremminger and Austin Hewitt.

Lueth used a high line in the twenty lap feature with Veloz running low. Veloz stole the lead during the second lap out and never looked back. At times, Veloz created some significant real estate between himself and Balensiefen while Cooper and Lueth battled back and forth.

When the checkers dropped it was Veloz making a grand return to victory lane over Balensiefen, Cooper, Brooks, Lueth, Phil Line, Tom Knippenberg, Tim Loomis, Travis Kohler, Don Cole, Jeramie Johnson, Kevin Hughes, Kevin Thompson and Austin Hewitt.

Jamie Balensiefen was a force to be reckoned with in the Street Stock feature race. It was a great showing for the speedsters in the division. To kick the race off a three wide battle for second gave a taste of what was yet to come. Kevin Snowberger started on the pole and took command early while Balensiefen had to work up from a fourth place start.

He led every lap until a challenge from Balensiefen off the turn two corner of Lap 12 put Balensiefen into the lead. But not for long as Snowberger took the point back before the lap was scored. While they diced it up back and forth, Brandon Maciejewski was hard charging up the pack from a fourteenth place start.

During the final circuit, Balensiefen knew it was now or never and charged hard to challenge the leader with Maciejewski joining the fun. As they crossed the finish line it was Balesiefen stealing the show and capturing the checkers. Snowberger crossed second but contact between the trio sent Maciejewski across the finish line backwards.

Mike Hughes finished fourth over Roger Rickels, Aaron Near, Mike McKinney, Randy Lucas, Steven Schwemlein, Keith Lucas and Nick Sell.

Snowberger and Hughes each won their heats.

A showdown in the 4 Cylinder Hornet class between standout drivers JR Brown and Phil Burdette ended with Burdette as the victor. With a late race caution a green, white checkers finish was how it would end. The field was put the pack back together for a final showdown.

Burdette won the event with a great challenge by Brown who finished second. Dennis Pollak took third over Rick Zifko, Tyler Griswald, #25, DJ Kilanowski, Mark Sutton, Dustin Forbes, Aaron Sutton, Cameron Pocci, Freddie Thatcher and Andrew Schwarko.

Burdette and Pollak won their heat races.

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

UMP Late Models – 22 Cars

Qualifying: Ryan Dauber 13.342

Heat #1: Bret Sievert, Ryan Dauber, Rich Bell, John Provenzano

Heat #2: Scott Schmitt, Gary Hunt, Jim Partipilo, Ed Williams

Feature: Bret Sievert, Ryan Dauber, Mike Provenzano, John Provenzano, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, Keith Piano, Jon Small, Gary Hunt, Mike Glynn, Ed Williams, Jim Partipilo, Terry Knutti, Todd Alexander, Brian Lock, Lake Knutti, Josh Jones, Jeff Small, Travis Mahoney, Billy Weistart Jr., Bill Dauber

UMP Modifieds – 21 Cars

Qualifying: Dale Lueth 14.667

Heat #1: Dale Lueth, Nathan Balensiefen, Travis Kohler, Milow Veloz

Heat #2: Vince Cooper, Steve Brooke, Matthew Gremminger, Austin Hewitt

Feature: Milo Veloz, Nathan Balensiefen, Vince Cooper, Steve Brooks, Dale Lueth, Phil Line, Tom Knippenberg, Tim Loomis, Travis Kohler, Don Cole, Jeramie Johnson, Kevin Hughes, Kevin Thompson, Austin Hewitt, Scott Hauge, Matthew Gremminger, Brad Stewart, Allen Line, David Wagner, Derrick Doerr, Ken Fischer

UMP Street Stocks – 18 Cars

Heat #1: Kevin Snowberger, Roger Rickels, Aaron Near, Randy Lucas

Heat #2: Mike Hughes, Jamie Balensiefen, Jake Miller, Steven Schweimlein

Feature: Jamie Balensiefen, Kevin Snowberger, Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Huhges, Roger Rickels, Aaron Near, Mike McKinney, Randy Lucas, Steven Schwemlein, Keith Lucas, Nick Sell, Jake Miller, Ande Bivens, John Hogue, Don Koltveit, Ben Gallentine, Tim Provenzano

UMP Hornets – 17 Cars

Heat #1: Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Rick Zifko, Donnie Cole

Heat #2: Dennis Pllak, Andrew Schwarko, Jerry Legner, Tyler Griswold

Feature: Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Dennis Pollak, Rick Zifko, Tyler Griswald, #25, DJ Kilanowski, Mark Sutton, Dustin Forbes, Aaron Sutton, Cameron Pocci, Freddie Thatcher, Andrew Schwarko, Corey Joe West, Paul Smith, Donnie Cole, Jerry Legner

 

"Brandon Maciejewski (99) works the inside of Roger Rickels (59) and Mike Hughes (24) to win the UMP Street Stock Special event."
 
"Ray Bollinger (77) uses the low line to grab the lead from Eric Bruce (2) at La Salle Speedway."
 
 

Maciejewski a true speed racer

By: Betty Glynn

 

La Salle, IL – Brandon Maciejewski didn’t fare so well in the Street Stock heat race pulling off the track and out of competition early. But the La Salle Speedway Fan Appreciation Night’s attendees got what they paid for and then some for the main event due in part to Maciejewski’s determination and perseverance.

 

Current point’s leader Roger Rickels and Mike McKinney earned the front row starting spots ahead of Jamie Balensiefen and Tim Provenzano for the feature grid. As the green flag dropped, it was clearly going to be one of the best races of the season for the speedsters. Rickels and McKinney started their racey battle for the point during Lap 5 with McKinney edging in front by a nose until caution collapsed the pace.

 

For three laps, McKinney worked hard at finding a groove to make the pass again but spun at the turn four tire relinquishing his top running spot. For the restart, it was Rickels, then fifth place starter Mike Hughes, Balensiefen, Steve Lewis, Kevin Snowberger, Wayne Hoffman and the hard charging Maciejewski. Maciejewski had already moved up from nineteenth into the seventh place running position.

 

On the twelfth circuit, Maciejewski forced a three wide battle for fourth until a yellow brought them back to a single file restart. The pack being nose to tail proved to be an opportunity for him as he quickly moved into third.

 

Rickels and Hughes were running side by side lap after lap with Rickels continuing to hold the point. A Lap 18 caution stopped their battle after Balensiefen left the track with smoke trailing.

 

One lap later, as Rickels and Hughes were door to door, Maciejewski took his power to the low side for a trio dance down the back stretch. After a little contact, it was Maciejewski running like Speed Racer taking control. Hughes maintained his run up high on the track but Maciejewski took over and pulled away for the final laps.

 

Hughes earned his impressive runner up finish ahead of Rickels. McKinney stayed heavy on the gas to finish with a strong fourth place after his restart at the tail of the eighth lap. Lewis crossed in fifth over Jake Miller, Aaron Near, Provenzano, Hoffman, Keith Lucas, and John Hogue.

 

Maciejewski was fast qualifier. Rickels and McKinney each won their heat races.

 

Twenty three UMP Late Models signed in for action with the points battle tight between Lil’ John Provenzano and his son Mike. Coming into the evening, Lil John held the lead by twenty points but after the strong performance by his son there might be a mere six points separating the pair. Four race nights are remaining for the chase with crowns on the line in nearly all the divisions.

 

For the Late Models, Mike Provenzano got the ball rolling with a qualifying time of 13.165 to earn the pole of the fast heat. The pole was a great place for him to start as he quickly jumped to the lead. He scored the win over an impressive run by Keith Piano. Rich Bell beat Mike Glynn at the line for third.

 

Pole sitter, John Piccatto, hit head first into the concrete barrier of turn three ending his run up front of the second heat contest. Jon Small went on to outpower his brother Jeff to win the heat. Jimmy Partipilo claimed third over Scott Schoener. Travis Mahoney took advantage of his front row inside start to claim the final heat race. Finishing behind the young gun was Ed Williams Sr., Aaron Schmidt and Todd Alexander.

 

Mike Provenzano rolled into the pole for the feature grid with Piano on the outside. Bell and Glynn were in row two ahead of Bill Weistart Jr. and Jason Jaggers. Mike Provenzano shot out quick with Bell falling in behind him. Bell quickly chose a high line to run with Mike down lower.

 

Mike wasted little time pulling away from the pack. Bell was holding on to a steady second place while Lil’ John and Piano were battling for third. By Lap 10, Mike was running the lowest line of the turns to pull away from the field. He looked unstoppable until a caution during Lap 22 positioned the pack directly behind him.

 

After the flagman signaled the green, Bell shot off to the outside rim and stole the lead. Mike Provenzano took second while his father Lil’ John managed to work his way into a third place finish after starting seventh. Jason Jaggers was third in front of Piano, Weistart, Glynn, Jon Small, Jeff Small, Mahoney, Aaron Schmidt, Ed Williams Sr., and Jim Partipilo.

 

The UMP Modified division boasted a stacked field with over 26 drivers showing up ready for action. Eric Bruce traveled the fastest lap and won the first heat race over Dale Lueth, Phil Line and Ray Bollinger. Nathan Balensiefen won heat two in front of Derrick Doerr, Tim Loomis, and Geno Hewitt. Former track champion Vince Cooper took home the checkers of the final heat race ahead of Jamie Lomax, Don Cole and Zack Odewalt.

 

Bruce and Lueth started the main on the front row and put on a great showing running the highside like a roller coaster ride. The two raced as far up the track as their right side tires would allow. Bruce held the point until Bollinger powered hard on the bottom of the track to steal the lead during the ninth lap out.

 

Bollinger, a former regular at La Salle, made a valiant return to the winners circle. Bruce took second in front of Balensiefen, Cooper, Lueth, Tom Duncan, Lomax, Steven Brooks, Phil Line, Travis Kohler, Charlie Harmon, Kevin Thompson and Tom Knippenberg.

 

Nineteen UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet cars were in attendance. JR Brown one of the division dominators held the point with Phil Burdette running in second. There have been many races where Burdette was runner up to Brown but it wasn’t happening again. Burdette powered up heavy on the gas to capture the victory stopping Brown’s winning streak.

 

Brown was runner up over Jerry Legner, DJ Kilanowski, Buddy Boyd, Gabe Schrader, Andrew Schwarko, Rick Zifko, Mark Sutton, and Bryce Garnhart.

 

Legner and Mudro won the heat races.

 

 

 

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 7/17/10

 

UMP Late Models 23 Cars

Qualifying: Mike Provenzano 13.165

Heat 1: Mike Provenzano, Keith Piano, Rich Bell, Mike Glynn

Heat 2: Jon Small, Jeff Small, Jimmy Partipilo, Scott Schoener

Heat 3: Travis Mahoney, Ed Williams Sr., Aaron Schmidt, Todd Alexander

Feature: Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano, Lil’ John Provenzano, Jason Jaggers, Keith Piano, Billy Weistart Jr., Mike Glynn, Jon Small, Jeff Small, Travis Mahoney, Aaron Schmidt, Ed Williams Sr., Jimmy Partipilo, Joe Fratt, Todd Alexander, Jim Hagedorn, Lake Knutti, Eric Rebholz, Ed Williams Jr., Scott Langer

 

UMP Moldifieds 26 Cars

Qualifying: Eric Bruce 14.739

Heat 1: Eric Bruce, Dlae Lueth, Phil Line, Ray Bollinger

Heat 2: Nathan Balensiefen, Derrick Doerr, Tim Loomis, Geno Hewitt

Heat 3: Vince Cooper, Jamie Lomax, Don Cole, Jack Odewalt

Feature: Ray Bollinger, Eric Bruce, Nathan Balensiefen, Vince Cooper, Dale Lueth, Tom Duncan, Jamie Lomax, Steven Brooks, Phil Line, Travis Kohler, Charlie Harmon, Kevin Thompson, Tom Knippenberg, Don Cole, Tim Loomis, Matt Gremminger, Geno Hewitt, AJ Dixon, Zack Odewalt, Derrick Doerr

 

UMP Street Stock Special 20 Cars

Qualifying: Brandon Maciejewski 15.732

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Jamie Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Kevin Snowberger

Heat 2: Mike McKinney, Tim Provenzano, Justin Hamm, Aaron Near

Feature: Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Mike McKinney, Steve Lewis, Jake Miller, Aaron Near, Tim Provenzano, Wayne Hoffman, Keith Lucas, John Hogue, Randy Lucas, Kevin Snowberger, Nick Sell, Justin Hamm, Jamie Balensiefen, Ande Bivens, Scott Schoener, Matt Henrichs

 

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets 19 Cars

Heat 1: Jerry Legner, Shannon Mudro, Cory Jo West, Mark Sutton

Heat 2: JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Rick Zifko, DJ Kilanowski

Feature: Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Jerry Legner, DJ Kilanowski, Buddy Boyd, Gabe Schrader, Andrew Schwarko, Rick Zifko, Mark Sutton, Bryce Garnhart, Asa Robart, Aaron Sutton, Dustin Forbes, Shannon Mudro, Cory Jo West, Butch Helfrich, Johsn Trahan, Josh Garnhart

 

 

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Maciejewski Rickels and Hughes Battle 7 17 10.jpg

Bollinger works the low side of Bruce 7 17 10.jpg

Kasey Kahne Saldana and Crew victory lane.jpg

Kenny Wallace and crew.jpg

Saldana takes lead from McMahan.jpg

WoO Sprint Cars record crowd.jpg

Photos attached submitted by official track photographer Dan Simpson.

"Lil' John Provenzano (58) still knows best as he schools son Mike (M27) on Saturday night at La Salle Speedway. The pair are now in a battle for the track championship in Lil' John's final year of racing."

"Mike McKinney (96M) and Brandon Maciejewski (99) battle until Mike's contact with a lapped ride ended his run."

 

Father knows best; Lil’ John scores again

By: Betty Glynn

 

La Salle, IL – Two time La Salle Speedway track champion, John Provenzano, led all twenty five laps to claim the UMP Late Model feature victory over his son Mike. The younger Provenzano is the defending track champion but father still knows best.

 

The forty year veteran took over the points lead from his son last Saturday night and just keeps staying a step ahead of him. From last weeks efforts he was fourteen points ahead and tallied another 6 point advantage.

 

To start the night off right, Lil’ John traveled the fasted qualifying lap with a time of 13.518 over Mike’s 13.662.

 

Next up, Lil’ John lined up for the division’s first heat on the inside of Mike and shot to a quick lead. He was unstoppable all the way to the line leaving Mike second in front of Keith Piano and Rich Bell. Ed Williams Jr. rallied to pull away from the pack in the second heat beating Aaron Schmidt, Tim Loomis and Lake Knutti.

 

Lil’ John and Mike were again positioned side by side on the front row of the grid for the main event. Piano and Bell took their positions behind the pair. Fifteen of the seventeen cars who signed in were race ready for the green signal. Lil’ John shot to an early lead with Mike staying close on his bumper. The duo ran nose to tail in the same groove on the inside trek.

 

During the first lap, Mike Glynn hit the brakes to avoid two cars searching for their racing lines and killed the engine in between turns three and four. It didn’t take Lil’ John long to put his power plant on the lowest line to set the pace again. Mike was running right on his tail leaving Piano and Bell to vie for the third place running position with Scott Schmitt and Bill Weistart Jr. battling for fifth.

 

Contact between the nose of Mike’s ride and the tail of Lil’ John’s nearly sent his dad sideways. The pair continued to make a challenge for the bottom line when a lapped ride held his ground where they wanted to run. With two laps remaining, Lil’ John helped Lake Knutti out of the way and brought out a caution for the ten cars still competing.

 

The showdown between father and son proved to be father claiming the win. Mike took home the second in front of Bell, Schmitt, Piano, Weistart, Jeff Small, Knutti and Schmidt.

 

Nathan Balensiefen came out on top for every event in the UMP Modified division. First up, he qualified the fastest lap with a time of 14.925. He then took the checkers of the first heat solo, from the pole, ahead of Brad Stewart, Phil Line, and Travis Kohler. Vince Cooper flew to victory lane solo also from the pole over Charlie Harmon, Joe Adam and Jeramie Johnson. JD Lomax won the final heat leading flag to flag from the front row inside over Tim Loomis, Don Cole and Allen Line.

 

Twenty Modifieds made the call for their feature race with Balensiefen as the polesitter next to Stewart. He took an early lead sailing through the circuits without any close competition. The real race was from second on back.

 

Lap after lap, the front runners of Stewart, Dale Lueth, Lomax and Cooper diced it up changing their running order often as they battled three and four wide at times. Lueth and Travis Kohler were the brave challengers taking their power to the high line while everyone else stayed down the track. Their powerful run up top seemed to be paying dividends as they moved their way into the runner up positions. A very exciting race was happening way behind the leader until contact was made between Lueth and Kohler leaving Kohler stopped on the track.

 

Balensiefen was brought back to the field leading Phil Line, Lueth and Lomax for the final restart. Lueth chose to run back at the top and nearly took second away from Line. Lomax finished fourth over Cooper, Stewart, Harmon, Joe Adam, Steve Brooks, and Derrick Doerr.

 

Brandon Maciejewski continued his winning ways in the Street Stock division. He has proved he is a force to reckon with staking claim on the trophy might just be his new past time.

 

Saturday night he started front row outside of another young racer, Mike McKinney. They raced side by side to start the events main feature. McKinney managed to race his way up to the door of Maciejewski several times until colliding with a lapped ride. The contact extinguished his chances at victory and sent him pitside for a new tire.

 

Maciejewski took the win over Roger Rickels, Mike Hughes, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Tim Provenzano, Randy Lucas, Steve Lewis, Aaron Near, McKinney, Nick Sell, Steve Schweimlein and Ande Bivens.

 

McKinney took the first heat challenge ahead of Provenzano, Balensiefen, and Mike Hughes. Maciejewski scored heat two in front of Rickels, Sell, and Lucas.

 

JR Brown has been making a name for himself in the 4 Cylinder Hornet class this season. He has managed to come out on top as the checkers fall for the third week in a row. He followed Phil Burdette for nearly the entire race until creating a side by side battle in the front.

 

The leaders were running at full throttle when Brown made contact with the leader sending him into a near spin. Brown then stole the head of the pack status claiming the trophy. Burdette collected second over Jerry Legner, Andrew Schwarko, Aaron Sutton, Brandon Mallery, Marqus Hoover, Aaron Sutton, #11B, Cory Jo West, Rick Wagner, Josh Trahan, and DJ Kilanowski.

 

Burdette beat Brown in their only heat. Wagner got third over Legner.

 

This coming Thursday night, the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars will return to the Speedway after a six year hiatus. Nascar star Kasey Kahne will be co-promoting the Showdown of the Bud Crown venue topper. The Modifieds will also be running.

 

The July 8^th event will kick off with Kahne meeting fans who purchased advance tickets, which are $29 for adults and $9 for children. Adult tickets increase to $35 on the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by phone during regular business hours at 704-795-7223.

 

The weekly racing program will return on July 17^th with the $5 Fan Appreciation Night.

 

 

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

 

UMP Late Models – 17 Cars

Qualifying: John Provenzano 13.518

Heat #1: Lil’ John Provenzano, Mike Provenzano, Keith Piano, Rich Bell

Heat #2: Ed Williams Jr., Aaron Schmidt, Tim Loomis, Lake Knutti

Feature: Lil’ John Provenzano, Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, Keith Piano, Bill Weistart Jr., Jeff Small, Lake Knutti, Aaron Schmidt, Travis Mahoney, Mike Glynn, Matt Ramer, Randy Manos, John Piccatto, Ed Williams Jr.

 

UMP Modifieds – 20 Cars

Qualifying: Nathan Balensiefen 14.925

Heat #1: Nathan Balensiefen, Brad Stewart, Phil Line, Travis Kohler

Heat #2: Vince Cooper, Charlie Harmon, Joe Adam, Jeramie Johnson

Heat #3: JD Lomax, Tim Loomis, Don Cole, Allen Line

Feature: Nathan Balensiefen, Phil Line, Dale Lueth, JD Lomax, Vince Cooper, Brad Stewart, Charlie Harmon, Joe Adam, Steve Brooks, Derrick Doerr, Jeramie Johnson, Allen Line, Travis Kohler, Tim Loomis, Don Cole, Geno Hewitt, Matthew Gremminger, Scott Hauge, Ken Fischer, Daniel Carson

 

UMP Street Stocks – 19 Cars

Heat #1: Mike McKinney, Tim Provenzano, Jamie Balensiefen, Mike Hughes

Heat #2: Brandon Maciejewski, Roger Rickels, Nick Sell, Randy Lucas

Feature: Brandon Maciejewski, Roger Rickels, Mike Hughes, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Tim Provenzano, Randy Lucas, Steve Lewis, Aaron Near, Mike McKinney, Nick Sell, Steve Schwemlein, Ande Bivens, Matt Hinrichs, Mike McQuilke, Matt Ramer,  Alex Thomas, Chris Kilpatrick, John Houge

 

UMP Hornets – 11 Cars

Heat #1: Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Jerry Legner

Feature: JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Jerry Legner, Andrew Schwarko, Aaron Sutton, Brandon Mallery, Marqus Hoorer, Aaron Sutton, #11B, Cory Jo West, Rick Wagner, Josh Trahan, DJ Kilanowski

 

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The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.

Lil John and Mike battle July 3 2010.jpg

McKinney and Majiewski July 3.jpg

Bell chimes loudly under full moon at La Salle Speedway

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – The superstitions about the moon's affect has existed for centuries. Whenever a full moon is glowing in the night sky, the lunar effect is blamed for all that goes awry. Everyone knows it's not safe to go out on a bright moonlit night (despite the good lighting) for fear of werewolves, or, even worse. Well that is how the story goes anyway.

The full moon illuminated the high banks of the La Salle Speedway Saturday night and left many wondering if that was cause to a crazy night at the races. With recent rains most of us have noticed the soil is saturated and the rain has no where left to go leaving massive puddles in areas we don’t normally see filled. Things are no different with the clay oval. As track preparers worked the surface the moisture was coming back up to the top creating a challenge for those who were trying to prep the speed arena. After a delayed start, it seemed as though things just were all out of whack in nearly every division.

Due to the delay, the Late Model and Modified qualifying had to be replaced with heat positions based on the draw system and the feature lineup determined straight up by the heat finishes.

Rich Bell started the first heat contest on the front row and wasted little time leaving the competition in the dust. Lil’ John Provenzano scored second ahead of Joe Fratt and Keith Piano. Wisconsin driver Bret Sievert also started on the front row outside and pulled away from the competition to win the second heat. Bill Rezutek took second in front of Bill Weistart Jr. and Mike Provenzano.

Bell’s victory earned him the coveted feature pole position next to Sievert. Behind the pair, was last week’s winner Lil’ John Provenzano and then Rezutek. Sievert shot to the lead early with Bell on his tail. It was a rocky start with several cautions slowing the action from the get go. During Lap 5, the corner between turns one and two played host to a six car pile up.

At the restart, Bell was put in the lead and started to pull away from the competition evening taking the action three wide as he lapped rides in the rear of the field. Sievert and Lil’ John found themselves side by side with Sievert always able to keep his nose in second.

Bell won the twenty five lapper with Sievert continuing in a strong second ahead of Mike Provenzano who beat his father Lil’ John to the line for third. Mike Glynn charged his way into the fifth place finish from a fourteenth start on the grid. Keith Piano finished sixth ahead of Rezutek, Mark Larson, John Piccatto and Randy Manos.

Twenty four Modified drivers signed in but either the full moon was to blame or it was just a bad night for the class. The corner between turns one and two seemed cursed as lap after lap cars spun in the corner bringing the caution flag out more than green.

The scoreboard was inoperable due to being struck several times by the recent bad storms so counting the laps during the Modified feature was a challenge to say the least. It didn’t seem as though the field of twenty four could travel more than one lap under the fast pace they are capable of without a stopped ride somewhere on the high banks. That somewhere was almost always in the corner of turns one and two. The event turned into a marathon of sorts taking around thirty five minutes until track officials called the event before all scheduled laps could be scored. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem as though there were even ten laps in the books when they dropped the checkers.

Vince Cooper took the victory for the second week in a row in solo action. He was out front without contest leaving Phil Line in the runner up position with AJ May, Kevin Thompson, Tim Loomis, Dale Lueth, Steve Brooks, Dale Manson, Matt Gremminger, Derrick Doerr and Jeramie Johnson crossing the line after him.

Line won the first heat over Marty Thompson, Kevin Thompson and Tom Knippenberg. Cooper claimed the second heat without another ride close by beating Justin McCoy, Loomis and Brad Stewart. Justin Munson won the final heat race ahead of a hard fought battle between May and Lueth who were side by side at the line. May narrowly held the second spot followed by Lueth and Brooks.

Brandon Maciejewski dominated the Street Stock division claiming both their heat and feature races. His ability to avoid contact and sail thru lapped traffic enabled him to pull away from the competition in their feature event.

Like the Mods the corner of turns one and two was continuously hosting a stalled machine. Seventeen started but only eight were still rolling at the conclusion.

Rickels took home second from a third place start over Randy Lucas, Mike McKinney, Orin Naramora, Steve Schwemlein, Wayne Huffman and Ande Bivens.

Maciejewski beat Rickels to the line for the first heat with Kevin Snowberger taking third in front of Huffman. Jake Miller won the second preliminary race in front of Steve Lewis and Mike Hughes.

Twelve cars were on tap for the 4 Cylinder Hornets. The best feature racing of the night may have come from this class of drivers. With action on the track more than yellows it was a nice ending to a long night.

Phil Burdette took the pole with JR Brown on the outside. By the third lap, Burdette looked strong leading but fell off the pace and out of competition. Two laps later, a four wide battle for the point was underway between Jerry Legner, Brown, DJ Kilanowski and Rick Wagner. Legner won that battle but Brown was still knocking on his door.

With two laps to go, Brown stole the lead as the leaders raced hard with lapped traffic in front of them. Legner took second ahead of Wagner, Kilanowski, Rick Zifko, DenisPollak, Dustin Forbes and #13R.

Burdette beat Kilanowski to the line for the first heat win while Josh Trahan took third over Forbes. Brown claimed the second heat with Legner, Zifko and Wagner behind him.

The evenings feature winners also claimed their heat contests in every division.

Next Saturday night, the La Salle Speedway will host their annual spectacular fireworks display for the Fourth of July along with the regular racing program.

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

UMP Late Models – 18 Cars

Heat #1: Rich Bell, John Provenzano, Joe Fratt, Keith Piano

Heat #2: Bret Sievert, Bill Rezutek, Bill Weistart Jr., Mike Provenzano

Feature: Rich Bell, Bret Sievert, Mike Provenzano, John Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Keith Piano, Bill Rezutek, Mark Larson, John Piccatto, Randy Manos, Bill Weistart Jr., Joe Fratt, Jon Small, Todd Alexander, Ed Williams Jr., Aaron Schmidt, Jeff Small, Travis Mahoney

UMP Modifieds – 24Cars

Heat #1: Phil Line, Marty Thompson, Kevin Thompson, Tom Knippenberg

Heat #2: Vince Cooper, Justin McCoy, Tim Loomis, Brad Stewart

Heat #3: Justin Munson, AJ May, Dale Lueth, Steve Brooks

Feature: Vince Cooper, Phil Line, AJ May, Kevin Thompson, Tim Loomis, Dale Lueth, Steve Brooks, Dale Manson, Matt Gremminger, Derrick Doerr, Jeramie Johnson, Mike Marden, Ken Fischer, Brad Stewart, Tom Knippenberg, Justin Manson, Scott Hauge, Geno Hewitt, Don Cole, Chadd Gray, Marty Thompson, AJ Dixon, Justin McCoy, Joe Adam

UMP Street Stocks – 19 Cars

Heat #1: Brandon Maciejewski, Roger Rickels, Kevin Snowberger, Wayne Huffman

Heat #2: Jake Miller, Mike McKinney, Steve Lewis, Mike Hughes

Feature: Brandon Maciejewski, Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas, Mike McKinney, Orin Naramoca, Steve Schwemlein, Wayne Huffman, Ande Bivens, Tim Provenzano, Duane Peterson, Mike Hughes, Nick Sell, Wesley Elkins, Steve Lewis, John Hogue, Kevin Snowberger, Jake Miller

UMP Hornets – 12 Cars

Heat #1: Phil Burdette, DJ Kilanowski, Josh Trahan, Dustin Forbes

Heat #2: JR Brown, Jerry Legner, Rick Zifko, Rick Wagner

Feature: JR Brown, Jerry Legner, Rick Wagner, DJ Kilanowski, Rick Zifko, Dennis Pollak, Dustin Forbes, 13R, Aaron Sutton, Josh Trahan, Asa Robart, Phil Burdette

Lil’ John is top Dad; Brown claims special for 18^th Anniversary of La Salle Speedway

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Lil’ John Provenzano has been racing for forty years. Saturday night the experience and knowledge he has gained led him to victory lane for his last Father’s Day weekend race. The Jeff Perry Fan Appreciation Night marked the eighteenth anniversary of the Izzo ownership of La Salle Speedway.

On May 29^th, Lil’ John had made a mistake with tires that cost him the feature win to his son Mike but that would not be the case this time.

John took his favored starting position on the pole next Rich Bell with Keith Piano and Bill Weistart Jr. behind the duo. It didn’t take long for Bell, to take the point. A great battle was underway between Lil’ John and Bell as soon as the green flag dropped. Unfortunately, the early laps were caution plagued but once the action stayed green, it was door to door competition. The leaders battled back and forth with Bell giving all he had.

“I knew he (Bell) was going to overheat his tires,” John Provenzano told. “I did that a couple of weeks ago when I was racing Mike (Provenzano) for the lead. So I knew it was going to happen.”

By Lap 7, John charged his way back into the lead leaving Bell to fend off Piano and Scott Schmitt. John started pulling away from the fast pack with Piano second over Schmitt. Glynn and Bell drove a couple of circuits side by side. With about seven laps to go, Eric Rebholz dove deep into the infield but decided to return to action in between turns three and four. Unfortunately, he entered into a path of action that was already three wide. His slower machine didn’t stand a chance as he was bounced between them as they flew through the corner.

Contact was made with him and Bell first but the contact with Schmitt and Weistart stopped the action. The yellow forced some of the front runners to the tail of the lead lap for the single file restart.

Once the flagman dropped the green, it was John Provenzano leading the way with Piano in second. Glynn’s ride seemed to be coming alive during the last part of the race after a sixth place start. He looked good in the turns but didn’t have enough to take over second on the backstretch. With two laps remaining, Glynn stole the runner up spot in his hunt for the lead.

Lil’ John captured the victory over Glynn, Piano, Mike Provenzano, Bell, John Piccatto, Schmitt, Travis Mahoney, Weistart, Joe Fratt, and Aaron Schmidt.

At the end of the season, John is putting away his helmet and retiring from a hobby that has spanned over four decades. But in typical Lil’ John style he is putting forth his every effort to finish strong. Going into the night, he was just four points behind son Mike but with his winning ways he took over the points lead.

“Finishing second to Lil’ John is not a bad place to be,” Glynn said. “My car was coming on but quite honestly beating him isn’t easy on your best night.”

John also won his heat contest over Bell, Piano and Weistart. Todd Alexander took home the second heat victory ahead of Joe Fratt, Mahoney, and Jeff Small. Rebholz claimed heat three with Matt Ramer, Nick Fratt and Schmidt crossing the line after him.

Seventeen 4 Cylinder Hornet drivers rolled onto the high banks for their 25-lapper special. A first lap wreck left many rides out of contention. By the fifth lap out, JR Brown had charged his way to the front from a sixth place start.

At times the Princeton driver was pulling away from Phil Burdette and Nick Clubb while Rick Zifko and Jon Scott were racing each other side by side for fourth.

As the leaders rounded the last turn, it was Brown without a challenger as Nick Clubb narrowly stole the second place finish at the line. Burdette collected third in front of Andrew Schwarko, Marcus Hoover, and Josh Trahan. Zifko was sending smoke from his ride during the final laps but managed to finish seventh over Aaron Sutton and Jon Scott.

Jerry Legner and Zifko each won their heats.

Modified standout Vince Cooper gave his dad a special birthday and early Father’s Day present by winning his heat and feature events while adding to his current points lead.

Cooper and Dale Lueth took the front row of the grid over Phil Line and Nathan Balensiefen for their main event.

Once the flag dropped, it was Cooper and Lueth side by side with Lueth taking a higher line. By the end of the third lap, Balensiefen had managed to move into second.

Cooper outran the field on the inside trek until the checkers. His effort sent him to victory lane for a birthday celebration with his father Larry.

Balensiefen finished second with Phil Line third ahead of Lueth, Travis Kohler, Brad Stewart, Justin McCoy, Joe Adam, Tim Loomis, Shawn Scripter, Geno Hewitt, Mike Marden and Allen Line.

Cooper’s heat win was in front of Lueth, Phil Line and Balensiefen. Stewart took the second heat checker with Chad Osterhoff, Loomis and Hewitt trailing. Charlie Harmon beat Scripter, Tom Knippenberg and Marden.

Steve Lewis swept the Street Stock division events for the evening. He won his heat contest in front of Brandon Maciejewski, Jamie Balensiefen and Nick Sell. Mike Hughes won the second heat ahead of Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas and Jay Mesarchik.

Lewis started on the point with Hughes next to him for their main event. After several restarts Hughes and Lewis were side by side when Hughes had to leave the field with a flat tire.

Lewis now had Rickels on his tail followed by Jamie Balensiefen and Lucas.

Lewis checked out to win over his nineteen competitors. Balensiefen took second ahead of Kevin Snowberger, Rickels, Jake Miller, Lucas, Mike McKinney, Sell and Tim Provenzano.

“Saturday night was the anniversary of our eighteenth year at La Salle,” owner Kerry Izzo acknowledged during an interview on Sunday. “I have to say I have really enjoyed watching our drivers evolve through the years. So many of them have been with us since we opened our doors and now their children are racing as well It truly is a family sport.”

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

UMP Late Models – 23 Cars

Qualifying: Lil’ John Provenzano

Heat #1: Lil’ John Provenzano, Rich Bell, Keith Piano, Bill Weistart

Heat #2: Todd Alexander, Joe Fratt, Travis Mahoney, Jeff Small

Heat #3: Eric Rebholz, Matt Ramer, Nick Fratt, Aaron Schmidt

Feature: Lil’ John Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Keith Piano, Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell,  John Piccatto, Scott Schmitt, Travis Mahoney, Billy Weistart, Joe Fratt, Aaron Schmidt, Todd Alexander, Randy Manos, Eric Rebholz, Matt Ramer, Nick Fratt, Jeff Small, Jim Partipilo, Scott Langer, Jon Small, Lake Knutti

UMP Modifieds – 22 Cars

Heat #1: Vince Cooper, Dale Lueth, Phil Line, Nathan Balensiefen

Heat #2: Brad Stewart, Chad Osterhoff, Tim Loomis, Geno Hewitt

Heat #3: Charlie Harmon, Shawn Scripter, Tom Knippenberg, Mike Marden

Feature: Vince Cooper, Nathan Balensiefen, Phil Line, Dale Lueth, Travis Kohler, Brad Stewart, Justin McCoy, Joe Adam, Tim Loomis, Shawn Scripter, Geno Hewitt, Mike Marden, Allen Line, Tom Knippenberg, Don Cole, Ken Fischer, DJ Werkmeister, Charlie Harmon, Chad Osterhoff, Scott Hauge, AJ Dixon

UMP Street Stocks – 20 Cars

Heat #1: Steve Lewis, Brandon Maciejewski, Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell

Heat #2: Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas, Jay Mesarchik

Feature: Steve Lewis, Jamie Balensiefen, Kevin Snowberger, Roger Rickels, Jake Miller, Randy Lucas, Mike McKinney, Nick Sell, Tim Provenzano, Jay Mesarchik, Mike Hughes, Andy Biven, Justin Hamms, Steve Schwemlein, Matt Hinrich, Chris Kilpatrick, Tom Alexander, Danny Allen, John Hogue, Brandon Maciejewski

UMP Hornets – 17 Cars

Heat #1: Jerry Legner, Shannon Mudro, Andrew Schwarko, DJ Kilanowski

Heat #2: Rick Zifko, Nick Clubb, JR Brown, Phil Burdette

Feature: JR Brown, Nick Clubb, Phil Burdette, Andrew Schwarko, Marcus Hoover, Josh Tranan, Rick Zifko, Aaron Sutton, John Scott, Brandon Mallery, Jerry Legner, Paul Smith, DJ Kilanowski, Eric Grouch, Harold Reiter, Shannon Mudro, Cameron Poci

Mike Provenzano uses dads bag of tricks in showdown; Balensiefen sweeps the Mods

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Saturday night at La Salle Speedway it was a father and son duel. Veteran racer Lil’ John Provenzano has been a familiar sight on dirt tracks for forty years. His son on the other hand may not have raced as many years but he has been there watching his father since he was very little. Mike Provenzano has obviously been taking notes on his fathers driving style.

Twenty-four UMP Late Models took their spots on the starting grid with Keith Piano and Lil’ John on the front row ahead of Rich Bell and Mike Provenzano. Scott Schmitt and John Piccatto were partners in the third row.

Once the green flag dropped, Lil’ John fired up to the point but a caution for Nick Fratt slowed the pace. During the first lap, another yellow was thrown after Schmitt skimmed the infield tire of turn three sending his ride into the wrong direction. Lake Knutti had nowhere to go but slid slightly into him.

Schmitt went to the tail of the pack but it wasn’t long before he was powering his way back into a top ten run. Due to several cautions in the rear of the field, the battle up front was not able to get rolling into the half way marker of the race when Mike Provenzano took the outside line of his dad putting the pressure on.

They battled side by side until Mike stole the lead during the eleventh circuit. Piano and Bell were too far back to make a challenge. The Provenzano patriarch was not giving in so easily. He took his machine to the outside line but just didn’t have enough to make it around his son.

A caution during Lap 14 brought the entire field back to a single file restart with Mike leading Lil’ John, Bell, Piano, Jimmy Partipilo, Schmitt and Piccatto. Once the flagman signaled green, it was the beginning of an exciting battle for the lead. For the next five laps, Lil’ John worked hard to bring his ride into a nose to nose battle taking back the point at the end of Lap 21.

Lapped traffic was the biggest player when Lil’ John got caught up behind slower traffic and Mike knew just where to power into the lead. With two laps left the younger Provenzano grabbed the helm for the final time leaving his father as the runner up.

“I know his (Lil’ John) tricks, Mike Provenzano admitted after the race. “I learned from the best.”

Bell took home third place while a side by side battle of Piano and Schmitt was still going for the last lap all the way to the line. Piano placed fourth in front of Schmitt, Partipilo, Piccatto, Matt Ramer, Ed Williams Jr., Aaron Schmidt, Joe Fratt, Jon Small, Travis Mahoney, Don Knippenberg, and Eric Rebholz.

Piano qualified the quickest lap with a time of 13.262. He also went on to win the fastest heat over Lil’ John, Bell and Mike Provenzano. Randy Manos won the second heat contest with Rebholz, Todd Alexander and Gary Hunt crossing the line after him. Schmidt took the third heat victory with Joe Fratt, Justin Rutledge and Lake Knutti in tow.

Nathan Balensiefen was at the top of his game and swept the twenty two UMP Modifieds. First up he traveled the fastest lap with a time of 14.585 over Travis Kohler’s quickest time of 14.773.

After passing Kohler during the fifth lap of the heat, Balensiefen powered away to the checkers. Vince Cooper stole second in the final lap ahead of Kohler and Dale Lueth. Phil Line flew solo to win the second preliminary race with Brad Stewart, Steven Brooks and Kevin Thompson behind him. Tom Knippenberg beat Tim Loomis, Mike Marden and Don Cole for the third and final heat.

Before the first lap could be recorded, second place starter Vince Cooper was off the pace and left the field. A caution of two cars in the tail stuck together like glue kept the infield officials and tow truck workers busy trying to pry them apart.

Once the action was well underway, it was Balensiefen pulling away from the pack leaving Lueth to fend off Stewart. During Lap 13, it was quite apparent that the fastest machine on the highbanks was driven by Balensiefen and he was unstoppable.

Balensiefen led the twenty lap main event flag to flag to return to victory lane. Line took second ahead of Stewart, Brooks, Kohler, Lueth, Joe Adam, Knippenberg, Derrick Doerr, Justin McCoy and Thompson.

A first lap caution in the UMP Street Stock feature event could have been made even worse after the field stayed heavy on the gas and racing long after the yellow light was illuminated for Justin Hamm. Hamm’s start didn’t go as planned when he found himself hanging upside down in his flipped over ride.

Last weeks winner, Brandon Maciejewski, was leading the pack with Mike Hughes in a lower line when he went too high and tagged the outside retaining wall. His journey to the top of the track cost him four running positions. Hughes led for a couple of laps until Roger Rickels took command.

Rickels won without a close competitor while Hughes had to fight for second against Maciejewski. Hughes managed to put his nose across the line second with Maciejewski third over Mike McKinney, Rick Koltveit, Nick Sell, Randy Lucas, and Kevin Snowberger.

Snowberger won the first heat race over Kolveit, Steve Lewis, and Sell. Maciejewski beat Hughes, Rickels, and McKinney in the second heat.

Allen Provenzano took the UMP Hornet division with a double play. He won both his heat and their main event. Starting on the pole of the feature he quickly moved into a strong lead with JR Brown trailing over Phil Burdette.

By Lap 8, Brown was putting on the pressure as they rounded the turn three corner. Brown moved into the lead but not before there was contact between the leaders. Provenzano put on a slick move to steal back the lead.

Brown finished second ahead of Burdette, Rick Zifko, Jerry Legner, John Provenzano, Freddy Thatcher, Shannon Mudro, Asa Robart and Andy Schwarko.

Zifko won the second heat

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

UMP Late Models – 24 Cars

Qualifying: Keith Piano 13.262 Rich Bell 13.302

Heat #1: Keith Piano, Lil’ John Provenzano, Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano

Heat #2: Randy Manos, Eric Rebholz, Todd Alexander, Gary Hunt

Heat #3: Aaron Schmidt, Joe Fratt, Justin Rutledge, Lake Knutti

Feature: Mike Provenzano, Lil’ John Provenzano, Rich Bell, Keith Piano, Scott Schmitt, Jim Partipilo, John Piccatto, Matt Ramer, Ed Williams Jr., Aaron Schmidt, Joe Fratt, Jon Small, Travis Mahoney, Don Knippenberg, Eric Rebholz, Mike Locke, Lake Knutti, Jeff Small, Todd Alexander, Randy Manos, Gary Hunt, Nick Fratt, Mike Glynn, Scott Langer

UMP Modifieds – 22 Cars

Qualifying: Nathan Balensiefen 14.585, Travis Kohler 14.773

Heat #1: Nathan Balensiefen, Vince Cooper, Travis Kohler, Dale Lueth

Heat #2: Phil Line, Brad Stewart, Steven Brooks, Kevin Thompson

Heat #3: Tom Knippenberg, Tim Loomis, Mike Marden, Don Cole

Feature: Nathan Balensiefen, Phil Line, Brad Stewart, Steven Brooks, Travis Kohler, Dale Lueth, Joe Adam, Tom Knippenberg, Derrick Doerr, Justin McCoy, Kevin Thompson, Mike Marden, Tim Loomis, Jeramie Johnson, Don Cole, Allen Line, Wally Forsythe, Geno Hewitt, DJ Werkmeister, Vince Cooper, Paul Smith

UMP Street Stocks – 19 Cars

Heat #1: Kevin Snowberger, Rick Koltveit, Steve Lewis, Nick Sell

Heat #2: Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Mike McKinney

Feature: Roger Rickels, Mike Hughes, Brandon Maciejewski, Mike McKinney, Rick Koltveit, Nick Sell, Randy Lucas, Kevin Snowberger, #02, Ande Bivens, Matt Ramer, John Hogue, Donny Allen, Jay Mesarchik, Danny Deutsch, Tim Provenzano, Steve Lewis, Jake Miller, Justin Hamm

UMP Hornets – 11 Cars

Heat #1: Allen Provenzano, JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Freddy Thatcher

Heat #2: Rick Zifko, Asa Robart, Jerry Legner, John Provenzano

Feature: Allen Provenzano, JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Rick Zifko, Jerry Legner, John Provenzano, Freddy Thatcher, Shannon Mudro, Asa Robart, Andy Schwarko

Bloomquist has no weak links in front of record crowd at La Salle Speedway

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Scott Bloomquist is undeniably one of the most successful veterans in dirt track racing. When his famous number 0 machine arrives sporting his mantra “No Weak Links” it is without a doubt that the crowd will be filled with cheers and jeers for one of the most successful dirt track racers ever. Saturday night the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series Spring Shootout at La Salle Speedway was no different. As soon as the nose of his racecar rolled onto the high banks from the pit area, the record breaking crowd turned up the volume for the forty-six year old Tennessean.

Forty eight drivers signed in for the 50 lapper that topped the venue but only one winner would take home the larger than life trophy and the $10,000 payday. That winner would turn out to be none other than one driving his self manufactured chassis who had to deny his own teammate a fourth straight victory.

Bloomquist started the A Main on the outside of pole sitter Mark Burgtorf. He wasted little time after the green was thrown to set the pace for the field of 25 of the best racers in the country. Doug Drown and Mike Marlar were in row two ahead of defending track champion Mike Provenzano and Ray Cook.

Third place starter, Drown worked the low side until passing Burgtorf after a side by side battle during the ninth circuit. Two laps later, Bloomquist was already deep in lapped traffic leaving Drown to dodge them with him if he wanted to keep him in his sights. During Lap 18, Drown made his way up to the door of Bloomquist but didn’t have enough in his power plant to pass him.

The first caution came at the half way marker for Dale McDowell whose ride was facing the wall. For the restart, it was Bloomquist out front of the double file cars of Drown and Owens. The restart gave Owens the opportunity he needed to seek out the leader. By Lap 28, Bloomquist was outdistancing the competition but it didn’t take long for Owens to close the gap.

During Lap 32, Owens brought some major excitement when he hunted high and low to challenge his teammate. Three laps later he put his nose under the leader but unfortunately caution stole the “O Show”.

Owens was his worst nightmare as he moved from a seventh place start up to the drivers door of Bloomquist’s ride for numerous laps. With a mere six laps unscored, trouble in turn four shut him out again. Bloomquist is a master at his game not only when the green is flying but all the time.

“Under caution I drove around slow enough to keep the tires warm because I knew he (Owens) had a little harder tire on the left rear,” Bloomquist told during an interview at victory circle.

Bloomquist tamed the high banks with his victory and replaced Owens as the current series points leader.

Eleventh starting Earl Pearson Jr. was up and coming and positioned third for the final restart. He worked and worked until taking Owens on the final lap from the inside trek.

Matt Miller was fast and furious working his way up the pack from eighteenth to a fourth place finish in front of Drown, Dennis Erb Jr who started sixteenth, Don O’Neal, Cook, Tim Isenberg, John Blankenship, Jason Feger, Bub McCool, Burgtorf, Brad Neet, Chris Wall, Dan Schlieper, McDowell, Steve Casebolt, Eric Well and Marlar. Drivers Ryan Unzicker, Kevin Weaver, Jason Hughes, Mark Voigt and Provenzano did not finish.

As Bloomquist strolled through the pit area post race with his dog leading the way he was still sporting a smile from ear to ear. No sign of a hard fought battle from one of the best in the business.

“Pretty intense, wasn’t it,” he was quick to add before being asked about the victory. “I knew he was there because I saw his nose a couple of times.”

With the record breaking crowds and high car counts the evening was extended a little longer than track officials had hoped but one thing for certain the crowd got their moneys worth with great racing all night long.

“We want to thank Scott Bloomquist and Lucas Oil. We hope you enjoyed the 48 absolutely great Late Models here tonight,” track owner Kerry Izzo told the crowd. She repeated what her daughter Kerrianne had just proclaimed over the loud speaker. “We want to thank you all for coming.”

As the crowd dispersed the chattered turned back to “Bloomer” as so many have nicknamed him. Love him or not he knows how to the get the job done and proved it at LaSalle.

Burgtorf traveled the fastest qualifying lap with a time of 13.243.  He also went on to win the first heat contest without a challenge. Finishing second was local talent Mike Provenzano, Hughes, and Unzicker. Drown won the second heat from the pole beating out Owens, Pearson, and Voigt. The third heat contest didn’t get off to such a great start for Jeep Van Wormer. Before a lap could be scored he found his ride on its lid off of the second turn. The heat winner was Bloomquist from the pole uncontested over Cook, Isenberg, and Blankenship. The final heat winner was Marlar in front of Feger, McDowell, and Erb. The A Consi was won by McCool over Wall and Weaver. The B Consi winner was Miller in front of O’Neal and Neat.

Winnings: Bloomquist $10,000, Pearson $5,000, Owens, $3,000, Miller $2,500, Drown $2,000, Erb $1,500, O’Neal $1,400, Cook $1,300, Isenberg $1,200, Blankenship $1,100, Feger $1,000, McCool $950, Burgtorf $900, Neat $875, Wall $850, Schlieper $825, McDowell $800, Casebolt $775, Wells $750, Marlar $700.

Twenty nine UMP Modifieds signed up for action with a field of twenty one for the main event. Former track champion Vince Cooper started the main as the pole sitter next to Nathan Balensiefen ahead of Milo Veloz and Jeff Larson.

Cooper turned up the speed and shot off to a fast lead over Veloz until Lap 6. Veloz run ended when something broke in the front end stopping his ride in the path of Joe Adam. The contact ended their chance at a finish.

Larson moved into the runner up position and a quest for the lead. By Lap 10, only twelve cars were still in action. Larson was digging hard looking for the point. Six laps later he made his way to the helm.

Cooper finished second over Mike Spatola, Phil Line, Brad Stewart, Steven Brooks, Charlie Harmon, Travis Kohler, Dale Lueth, AJ Dixon, Brock Baughmon and Nathan Balensiefen.

Cooper, Balensiefen, Veloz and Larson each won their heat contests.

Brandon Maciejewski continued his winning ways claiming the UMP Street Stock victory. Roger Rickels took a strong second in front of Steve Lewis, Randy Lucas, and Mike Hughes. Only five of the thirteen rides were still in the race at the checkers.

Real men drive pink in the UMP Hornet division. Racer JR Brown won the feature in his pink ride over Phil Burdette, #0, Asa Robart, Jerry Legner, Matt McCarty, Rickey Kay, Shannon Mudro and Freddie Thatcher.

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series Spring Shootout – 48 Cars

Heat #1: 1) Mark Burgtorf  2) Mike Porvenzano 3) Jason Hughes 4) Ryan Unzicker 5) Jason McBride 6) Kevin Weaver 7) Allen Christy 8) Michael Walker 9) Kerry Hanson 10) Randy Manos Jr 11) Will Vaught 12) Dan Schlieper
Heat #2: 1) Doug Drown 2) Jimmy Owens 3) Earl Pearson Jr. 4) Mark Voigt 5) Bub McCool 6) Rich Bell 7) Chris Wall 8) Bret Sievert 9) Gary Hunt 10) Gary Schalmo 11) John Murphy 12) John Provenzano
Heat #3: 1) Scott Bloomquist 2) Ray Cook 3) Tim Isenbberg 4) John Blakenship 5) Matt Miller 6) Brad Neat 7) Don O’Neal 8) Steve Casebolt 9) Frank Heckanast Jr. 10) Jeff Larson 11) Brian Birkhofer 12) Jeep VanWormer

Heat #4: 1) Mike Marlar 2) Jason Feger 3) Dale McDowell 4) Dennis Erb Jr. 5) Mike Collins 6) Brian Shirley 7) Tyler Reddick 8) Jimmy Mars 9) Jason Jaggers 10) Eric Wells 11) Shanon Babb
A Consi: 1) Bub McCool 2) Chris Wall 3) Kevin Weaver 4) Rich Bell 5) Jason McBride 6) Mike Murphy 7)Randy Manos
B Consi: 1) Matt Miller 2) Don O’Neal 3) Brad Neat 4) Steve Casebolt 5) Mike Collins 6) Brian Shirley 7) Eric Wells 8) Tyler Reddick 9) Jeff Larson 10) Jason Jaggers 11) Frank Heckenast Jr 12) Shannon Babb
Spring Shootout – 50 Laps $10,000

1) Scott Bloomquist 2) Earl Pearson Jr 3)  Jimmy Owens  4) Matt Miller  5) Doug Drown 6) Dennis Erb Jr  7) Don O'Neal 8) Ray Cook 9) Tim Isenberg 10) John Blankenship 11) Jason Feger 12) Bub McCool 13) Mark Burgtorf 14) Brad Neat 15) Chris Wall 16) Dan Schlieper 17) Dale Mc Dowell 18) Steve Casebolt 19) Eric Wells 20) Mike Marlar 21) Ryan Unzicker 22) Kevin Weaver 23) Jason Hughes 24) Mark Voigt 25) Mike Provenzano

UMP Modifieds – 29 Cars

Heat #1: 1) Vince Cooper 2) Brad Stewart 3) Travis Kohler 4) Jeramie Johnson

Heat #2: 1) Nathan Balensiefen 2) Mike Spatola 3) Shawn Scripter 4) Matt Gremminger

Heat #3: 1) Milo Veloz 2) Phil Line 3) Matt Goulden 4) Steven Brooks

Heat #4: 1) Jeff Larson 2) Justin McCoy 3) Brock Baughman 4) Allen Line

Semi Feature: 1) Joe Adam 2) Tim Loomis 3) Dale Lueth 4) Charlie Harmon 5) AJ Dixon 6) Tom Knippenberg 7) Ryan Kortge

Feature: 1) Jeff Larson 2) Vince Cooper 3) Mike Spatola 4) Phil Line 5) Brad Stewart 6) Steve Brooks 7) Charlie Harmon 8) Travis Kohler 9) Dale Lueth 10) AJ Dixon 11) Brock Baughman 12) Nathan Balensiefen 13) Allen Line 14) Matt Gremminger 15) Milo Veloz 16) Joe Adam 17) Justin McCoy 18) Tim Loomis 19) Matt Goulden 20) Shawn Scripter 21) Jereamie Johnson

UMP Street Stocks – 17 Cars

Heat #1: 1) Kevin Snowberger 2) Rick Koltveit 3) Nick Sell 4) Randy Lucas

Heat #2: 1) Jamie Balensiefen 2) Brandon Maciejewski 3) Mike Hughes 4) Roger Rickels

Feature: 1) Brandon Maciejewski 2) Roger Rickels 3) Steve Lewis 4) Randy Lucas 5) Mike Hughes 6) Nick Sell 7) Jamie Balensiefen 8) Mike McKinney 9) Rick Koltveit 10) Kevin Snowberger 11) Jake Miller 12) John Hogue 13) Tony Provenzano Jr.

UMP Hornets – 17 Cars

Heat #1: 1) JR Brown 2) #0 3) Phil Burdette 4) John Provenzano

Heat #2: 1) Rickey Kay 2) Shannon Mudro 3) Josh Larson 4) Andrew Sharwarko

Feature: 1) JR Brown 2) Phil Burdette 3) #0 4) Asa Robart 5) Jerry Legner 6) Matt McCarty 7) Rickey Kay 8) Shannon Mudro 9) Freddie Thatcher 10) John Provenzano 11) Harold Reiter 12) Andrew Sharwarski 13) Josh Larson 14) Rick Wagner

Bloomquist Takes Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Win at La Salle Speedway Before Huge Crowd

La Salle, IL (May 22, 2010) - Before one of the largest crowds in the history of La Salle Speedway, reigning Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion, Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN raced to the win. This victory marks his 21st career series win and the 390th of his Hall of Fame career. The Annual Spring Shootout on Saturday Night earned Bloomquist $10,000 for his triumph.  Bloomquist crossed the line ahead of 11th starting Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL. Pearson passed Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN on the final lap for second.  Owens saw his three-race win streak end by finishing third.  Eighteenth starting Matt Miller of Waterville, Oh finished fourth followed by Doug Drown of Wooster, OH; who recorded his best ever LOLMDS finish in fifth.   Red Buck Cigars Fast Qualifier Mark Burgtorf and Bloomquist made up the front row for the eighth appearance for the LOLMDS at La Salle Speedway.  Bloomquist grabbed the early lead, setting the pace, followed by Burgtorf, Mike Marlar, Drown and Ray Cook.  Marlar challenged Drown for third as the two went back-and-forth for three laps with Drown finally regaining the spot.   Up front, Bloomquist held a narrow lead over Burgtorf, who was making his first Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series start of 2010. At the same time, a tremendous battle for third was taking place between Drown, Marlar, and Cook.  Drown, who had broken away from Marlar, began to put the pressure on Burgtorf for second by lap ten.   Drown cleared Burgtorf for second on lap eleven as he started to make a run on the leader, Bloomquist.  Bloomquist had started to pick-up the tail end of the field by lap 15, allowing Drown to close even closer.  Bloomquist put, Quarter Master Rookie of the Year contender, Eric Wells, a lap down. Wells then stayed between Bloomquist and Drown until the first caution of the race came out on lap 25 for a spinning Dale McDowell.   On the restart, Bloomquist was out in front for the Delaware double-file restart with Drown and Owens. With 30 laps in the books Bloomquist was starting to receive some heavy heat from Owens and Pearson, who was now up to third, as he had come from the inside of row number six. Matt Miller was now in the hunt as the 18th starting spot driver had moved within striking distance of the leaders.   A caution for debris on lap 36 slowed the field once more. Bloomquist had to fight off challenges from both Owens and Pearson. On the restart Owens and Pearson crowded Bloomquist on his deck lid as the duo made the Team Zero captain work hard for the lead.   Owens tried lap after lap to sneak to the inside of Bloomquist coming off of turn four. He pulled even with Bloomquist coming down the main straightaway multiple times, but Owens could not clear Bloomquist to take over the lead.  With six laps to go, the final yellow came out for Steve Casebolt.   Bloomquist re-fired for the final restart of the race and pulled away from Owens. Bloomquist went on unchallenged the remainder of the race to pick up his fourth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season. The duo of Bloomquist and Owens are now tied for the Lucas Oil Championship Points Standings with 1565 points, and Pearson closely behind in third.   In the Sunoco Race Fuels Road to Wheatland Victory Lane, Bloomquist mentioned that the last restart was to his benefit and felt that it killed Owens' chance for the win.  "The car fired real well out of the corner, we had a push across the corner on the other side, I saw his nose a couple of times before the caution, but under the caution we slowed down enough to keep the tires warm, because I knew he (Owens) went with a little harder on the left rear, I have to thank Tommy Hicks, my crew chief and the entire crew, they did a great job getting this car ready, we've run the Jay Dickens and the Vic Hill, both are great engines."   The 46-year-old Bloomquist drives his own Bloomquist Race Cars Monte Carlo SS powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine and sponsored by Miller Brothers Construction/Hawkeye Trucking/Sweet Mfg/VP Racing Fuels/Hoosier Tires/Arizona Sport Shirts/Ohlins and Lane Automotive.   Pearson finished second, passing Owens on the last lap, in the Bobby Labonte Racing/Lucas Oil Products/MasterSbilt Dodge Charger to maintain third in the points standings.  Owens, who fell into a tie with Bloomquist for the points lead after entering the event leading by 30, was third in the Mike Reece/Reece Monument/Bloomquist Race Cars Ford Fusion.    Completing the top five were Miller, who charged from 18th to earn the PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race was fourth in the McCullough Industries/Gressman Racing Engine/MasterSbilt; with Drown scoring his best ever Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series finish in the Wooster Glass Company/Malcuit Racing Engines/Lazer Chassis.   Completing the top ten were Dennis Erb, Jr. of Carpentersville, IL; Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN; Ray Cook of Brasstown,NC; Tim Isenberg of Marshfield, WI; and John Blankenship of Williamson, WV.     For the latest breaking news on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, log on to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.   Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Race Summary Saturday Night, May 22nd, 2010 "Spring Shootout 50" La Salle Speedway - La Salle, IL   Red Buck Cigars Fast Time: Mark Burgtorf / 13.243 seconds   Wiles Driveshaft's First Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Mark Brugtorf, Mike Provenzano, Jason Hughes, Ryan Unzicker, Jason McBride, Kevin Weaver, Allen Christy, Michael Walker, Randy Manos, Jr., Kerry Hansen, Will Vaught, Dan Schlieper   AFCO Racing Products Second Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advances): Doug Drown, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson, Jr., Mark Voigt, Bub McCool, Rich Bell, Chris Wall, Bret Sievert, Mike Murphy, Gary Schalmo, John Provenzano, Gary Hunt   Allstar Performance Third Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Scott Bloomquist, Ray Cook, Tim Isenberg, John Blankenship, Matt Miller, Brad Neat, Don O'Neal, Steve Casebolt, Frank Heckenast., Jr., Jeff Larson, Brian Birkhofer, Jeep VanWormer   SuperFlow Fourth Heat (10 Laps-Top 4 Advance): Mike Marlar, Jason Feger, Dale McDowell, Dennis Erb Jr., Mike Collins, Brian Shirley, Tyler Reddick, Jimmy Mars, Jason Jaggers, Eric Wells, Shannon Babb, Todd Alexander-DNS   Hawk Brake First B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfers): Bub McCool, Chris Wall, Kevin Weaver, Rich Bell, Jason McBride, Mike Murphy, Bret Sievert, Dan Schlieper, Gary Schalmo, Will Vaught, Randy Manos, Jr., Kerry Hansen, Gary Hunt, Allen Christy, Michael Walker, John Provenzano-DNS   Performance Rod and Custom (PRC) Second B-Main (12 Laps- Top 3 Transfers):  Matt Miller, Don O'Neal, Brad Neat, Steve Casebolt, Mike Collins, Brian Shirley, Eric Wells, Tyler Reddick, Jeff Larson, Jason Jaggers, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Shannon Babb, Jimmy Mars-DNS, Brian Birkhofer-DNS, Jeep VanWormer-DNS, Todd Alexander-DNS     Finish - Start - Car Number - Driver Name - Hometown   FINISH START CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN 1 2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 2 11 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 3 7 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 4 18 7 Matt Miller Waterville, OH 5 3 12d Doug Drown Wooster, OH 6 16 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL 7 20 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN 8 6 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 9 10 9t Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI 10 14 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 11 8 25f Jason Feger Bloomington, IL 12 17 57j Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 13 1 7b Mark Burgtorf Quincy, IL 14 22 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 15 19 71w Chris Wall Holden, LA 16 24 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI 17 12 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 18 23 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 19 25 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 20 4 157 Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 21 13 24 Ryan Unzicker El Paso, IL 22 21 b12 Kevin Weaver Gibson City, IL 23 9 12 Jason Hughes Watts, OK 24 15 30 Mark Voigt Marine, Il 25 5 m27 Mike Provenzano Grand Ridge, IL Race Statistics Entrants: 48 Lap Leaders: Scott Bloomquist (Laps 1-50) Caution Flags: Lap 25 (Dale McDowell); Lap 36 (Debris); Lap 44 (Steve Casebolt) Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Provisionals: Steve Casebolt, Dan Schlieper Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Emergency Provisional: Eric Wells PBM/Erson Cams Hard Charger of the Race: Matt Miller (Started 18th; Finished 4th; Advanced 14 positions) Ohlin's Shocks Performer of the Race: Doug Drown K&N Filters Clean Pass of the Race: Matt Miller Quarter Master Rookie of the Race: Tim Isenberg Comp Cams Engine Builder of the Race: Vic Hill Racing Engines Dominator Race Products Hard Luck Award: Mike Marlar DirtonDirt.com Crew Chief of the Race: Tommy Hicks (Scott Bloomquist) E3 Spark Plugs TV Challenge All stars: n/a Time of Race: 25 minutes, 14 seconds   Lucas Oil Championship Point Standings:   POS CAR # DRIVER NAME HOMETOWN POINTS 1 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 1565 1 20 Jimmy Owens Newport, TN 1565 3 44 Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL 1405 4 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN 1310 5 71w Chris Wall Holden, LA 1250 6 17m Dale McDowell Chickamauga, GA 1220 7 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN 1190 8 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC 1185 9 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI 1120 10 28e Dennis Erb, Jr. Carpentersville, IL 1085 11 18e Eric Wells Hazard, KY 1055 12 157 Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 1045 13 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 1040 14 25f Jason Feger Bloomington, IL 1015 15 57j Bub McCool Vicksburg, MS 960 16 41n Brad Neat Dunnville, KY 940 16 1 Will Vaught Crane, MO 940 18 9t Tim Isenberg Marshfield, WI 875 19 3c Mike Collins Council Bluffs, IA 800 20 11t Tyler Reddick Corning, CA 770 21 64 Michael Walker Franklin, TN 705

2010 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Sponsors   ASI Racewear - "The Official Merchandise Vendor" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series   Canidae Pet Foods - "The Official Pet Foods" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series DART Machinery - "The Official Engine Components" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series     E3 Spark Plugs - "The Official Spark Plug" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Geico Power Sports - "The Official Insurance" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series     General Tire - "The Official Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series   Hoosier Tire - "The Official Race Tire" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series   K&N Filters - "The Official Filter" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series   Lucas Oil Products - "The Official Oil" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series   Magnaflow Exhaust - "The Official Exhaust" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series  MavTV - "The Official Men's Network" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series     R&L Carrier - "The Official Carrier" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rockstar Energy Drink - "The Official Drink" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Speedco - "The Official Truck Lube and Tire Center" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series     Sunoco Race Fuels - "The Official Fuel" of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series     2010 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Supporters Include: AFCO, Allstar Performance, American Racer, Banshee Graphics, Bloomquist Race Cars, COMP Cams, Cornett Racing Engines, Cruise with the Champions, Custom Race Engines, DirtonDirt.com, Dominator Race Products, Dyers Top Rods, ECR Race Engines, Eibach Springs, Fast Shafts, GRT Race Cars, Hawk Performance, Hypercoil Springs, Jay Dickens Race Engines, JRi Shocks, Malcuit Race Engines, MasterSbilt Chassis, ?hlins, Penske Shocks, PBM/Erson Cams, Performance Bodies, Performance Rod & Custom, Pro Power Racing, Quarter Master, Red Buck Cigars, Rhyne Race Engines, Rick Schwallie Photography, Rocket Chassis, Safety Solutions, SuperFlow, Sweet Manufactuing, Vic Hill Race Engines, Warrior Race Cars, Weld Racing Wheels, Wiles Drive Shafts, Wrisco, WD Enterprises, 5150 Race Trailers.   James Essex, Public Relations Coordinator, [email protected]

Schmitt dialed in the perfect set up; Griffaw out runs field

By: Betty Glynn        

La Salle, IL – Tonica’s Scott Schmitt had a good thing going on the low side of the high banks at La Salle Speedway Saturday night. His ability to dodge trouble and use the inside line to work his way through the field earned him his first feature victory of 2010.

Twenty-eight racers signed in for the UMP Late Model action with a field of twenty making the main event. Ryan Unzicker and Keith Piano were positioned at the front of the line up grid with defending points champion Mike Provenzano and Schmitt in row two. Rich Bell and Lil’ John Provenzano rolled up in the third row. Without a doubt this was going to be an exciting feature race.

Proven to be the fastest two cars were Unzicker holding the pole next to Piano but the speedsters didn’t get an opportunity to strut their stuff for even a whole lap. Coming off the second turn, contact with Mike Provenzano and Unzicker stole the opportunity for a potentially great race between the top six contenders. Unzicker and Provenzano’s tangle sent a domino effect rippling through the front runners. Unzicker and Piano suffered the most damage retiring both rides by the end of the first lap.

With the two out, Mike Provenzano took over the pole with Schmitt as his front row partner ahead of Bell and Lil’ John Provenzano. Mike Provenzano was quick to take the lead but Schmitt was already looking for his opportunity for the point by the end of the second lap. A side by side battle was short lived between the pair after Schmitt cruised around the leader coming off turn two in the second lap.

Schmitt never had a challenge for the lead as he traveled under lapped traffic and away from the competition. The battle for second place was left between Mike Provenzano, Bell and Lil’ John Provenzano. It didn’t take the veteran racer Lil’ John long to find his niche and pull away for a strong runner up finish.

Schmitt’s solo journey boasted a great deal of real estate between him and second place. Schmitt’s consistent effort sent him to victory circle with Lil’ John claiming the runner up position ahead of Bell, and Mike Provenzano. Jimmy Partipilo started the twenty-five lapper in ninth on the grid but managed to work his way up the pack for a fifth place finish in front of Kyle Madison, Randy Manos, Matt Schultz, Jon Small, and Jimmy Dehm.

Unzicker scored the fast heat victory with Piano close in second. Mike Provenzano collected third over Schmitt. Ed Williams Jr. won the second heat contest ahead of Small, Travis Mahoney and Brian Locke. Dehm took the checkers in the third heat ahead of Manos, Aaron Schmidt and Schultz. Eric Rebholz won the semi-feature race.

Thirty-five UMP Modified drivers were in attendance for their division. Rusty Griffaw took home the first heat race win ahead of Vince Cooper, McKay Wenger and Dale Lueth. Robert Pohlman Jr. claimed the second heat win ahead of Matt Gremmenger, Mike Spatola and Darcy Wey. Nathan Balensiefen looked like a rocket ship as he powerfully took the third heat race checkers away from Joe Adam with Shawn Scriptor and Jeremy Johnson crossing the line behind him. Justin McCoy won the final heat over Matt Barker, Darrell Lowe and Allen Line. Mike Porth won the semi feature event.

Griffaw and Cooper were at the top of the starting grid ahead of Wenger and Lueth followed by AJ Dixon and Brad Stewart. It took a couple of tries to get a pace rolling but once the pack did it was all Griffaw controlling the field. At times he led with more than a half a track distance between him and his fellow competitors.

There wasn’t much of a race for the lead with Griffaw sailing his way around the oval. The contest was not in the front but there was action with a few rides moving up the field. One such ride was driven by Pohlman who journeyed his way from tenth place into the fourth place running position with five laps un-scored.

Griffaw finished the race uncontested with Wenger holding on to second place in front of Cooper, Pohlman, Balensiefen, Stewart, Spatola, Lueth, Phil Line, McCoy, and Adam.

Young gun Brandon Maciejewski stole the show during the events he raced in the UMP Street Stock class. He came out strong winning his heat in front of Nick Sell, Matt Ramer and Nick Clubb. Steve Lewis drove fast and furious to win the second preliminary race over Jake Miller, Timmy Provenzano, and Jeff Siemmens. Rick Koltveit won the final heat over Terri Simmons, Jamie Balensiefen and Randy Lucas. Eric Gaus won the consi race.

Maciejewski was an unstoppable force in the fifteen lap feature event. He carried the torch like an Olympic champion. Lewis claimed second ahead of Koltveit, Sell, Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Siemmens, Roger Rickels, Ramer, Laura Jackinowski, #6, Eric Gaus, and John Houge.

Sixteen UMP 4 Cylinders showed up race ready. Phil Burdette kicked off the night with a heat race win in front of Jerry Legner, Asa Robart, Freddie Thatcher. Rick Zifko won the other heat over Alan Provenzano, Anna Cain and Shannon Mudro.

Anna Caine put on a Lightning McQueen style performance after she drove up the retaining wall’s concrete surface bouncing back onto the softer clay without missing a beat. She managed to keep her nose heading in the right direction and racing.

Burdette was all alone from the fourth lap scored. He managed to hold on to a generous lead until the checkered flag was dropped. Robart took home second for the second week in a row.  Zifko finished third infor of Jerry Legner who beat Thatcher, Andrew Sharwarko, and Rick Wagner.

Next Saturday night, the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series will make a grand return to the track for the $10,000 to win Spring Shootout. In addition to the Late Model class, the UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and UMP 4 Cylinders will be competing as well.

 La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results May 15, 2010

UMP Late Models – 28 Cars

Qualifying: Ryan Unzicker 12.83

Heat One: Ryan Unzicker, Keith Piano, Mike Provenzano, Scott Schmitt

Heat Two: Ed Williams Jr., Jon Small, Travis Mahoney, Brian Locke

Heat Three: Jimmy Dehm, Randy Manos, Aaron Schmidt, Matt Schultz

Semi Feature: Eric Rebholz, Jon Small, Mike Marden, Karl Hayes

Feature: 1. Scott Schmitt, 2. John Provenzano, 3. Rich Bell, 4. Mike Provenzano, 5. Jimmy Partipilo, 6. Kyle Madison, 7. Randy Manos, 8. Matt Schultz, 9. Ed Williams Jr., 10. Steve Pastva, 11. Aaron Schmidt, 12. Jon Small, 13. Jimmy Dehm, 14. Jeff Small, 15. Travis Mahoney, 16. Eric Rebholz, 17. Brian Lock, 18. Ryan Unzicker, 19. Keith Piano

UMP Modifieds – 35 Cars

Heat One: Rusty Griffaw, Vince Cooper, McKay Wenger, Dale Lueth

Heat Two: Robert Pohlman Jr., Matt Gremmenger, Mike Spatola, Darcy Wey

Heat Three: Nathan Balensiefen, Joe Adam, Shawn Scripter, Jeremy Johnson

Heat Four: Justin McCoy, Matt Barker, Darrell Lowe, Allen Line

Semi Feature: Mike Porth, Jeremy Johnson, Dave Porth, Travis Kohler, Darcy Wey, DJ Werkmeister, Tom Knippenberg, Geno Hewitt, Allen Line, David Wagner

Feature: 1. Rusty Griffaw, 2. McKay Wenger, 3. Vince Cooper, 4. Robert Pohlman Jr., 5. Nathan Balensiefen, 6. Brad Stewart, 7. Mike Spatola, 8. Dale Lueth, 9. Phil Line, 10. Justin McCoy, 11. Joe Adam, 12. Matthew Gremmenger, 13. Steven Brooks, 14. Matt Barker, 15. Shawn Scripter, 16. Mike Porth, 17. Jeremy Johnson, 18. Darrell Lowe, 19. AJ Dixon, 20. Derick Doerr

UMP Street Stocks – 25 Cars

Heat One: Brandon Maciejewski, Nick Sell, Matt Ramer, Nick Clubb

Heat Two: Steve Lewis, Jake Miller, Timmy Provenzano, Jeff Siemmens

Heat Three: Rick Koltveit, Terri Simmons, Jamie Balensiefen, Randy Lucas

Semi Feature: Eric Gaus, Roger Rickels, Alex Clubb, Tony Provenzano, Ande Bivens, Jackinowski, Ben Gallentine

Feature: 1. Brandon Maciejewski, 2. Steve Lewis, 3. Rick Koltveit, 4. Nick Sell, 5. Jamie Balensiefen, 6. #24, 7. Jeff Siemmens, 8. Roger Rickels, 9. Matt Ramer, 10. Laura Jackinowski, 11. #6, 12. Eric Gaus, 13. John Houge, 14. #01, 15. Dave McKinney, 16. Terri Simmons, 17. Nick Clubb, 18. Jake Miller, 19. Tim Provenzano, 20. Randy Lucas

UMP Hornets – 16 Cars

Heat One: Phil Burdette, Jerry Legner, Asa Robart, Freddie Thatcher

Heat Two: Rick Zifko, Alan Provenzano, Anna Cain, Shannon Mudro

Feature: 1. Phil Burdette, 2. Asa Robart, 3. Rick Zifko, 4. Jerry Legner, 5. Freddie Thatcher, 6. Andrew Sharwarko,  7. Rick Wagner, 8. John Provenzano, 9. Anna Cain, 10. Harold Reiter, 11. Shannon Mudro, 12. Chuck Johnson, 13. Alan Provenzano, 14. Aaron Sutton, 15. Josh Larson

La Salle’s defending champ beats father to sweep Late Model’s; Street’s and Hornet’s go caution free

By: Betty Glynn           

La Salle, IL – Mike Provenzano ended last season with the coveted UMP Late Model track championship crown after posting a stellar season at La Salle Speedway. Saturday night, the racing returned to the Illinois Valley’s speed arena with Mike ready to rumble.

He started his evening off right by outdistancing the competition to win the first heat race of the 2010 racing season. Rich Bell took second finishing in front of Scott Schmitt and John Piccatto. Billy Weistart Jr. took command of the second heat race when the green flag dropped. Weistart crossed the finish line a half of a lap ahead of Jimmy Partipilo, Todd Alexander and Eric Rebholz. Unfortunately, Weistart forgot to cross the mandatory scaling area immediately after the race forfeiting the favored dash and feature starting positions.

Keith Piano held back Lil’ John Provenzano to score the final heat contest. Ryan Dauber and Ed Williams Sr. crossed the line behind them. The Late Model dash was a father and son showdown til the very end. Mike Provenzano and his father Lil’ John started side by side on the front row and battled back and forth with Bell and Piano on their tail. Mike took home the trophy, followed by Bell who snuck into second, Lil’ John and Piano.

Just before the twenty-one Late’s could hit the track for their main event, Mother Nature decided to moisten the sky. As rain drops sprinkled on May Day over the area, the drivers tried to keep the track race ready. Once the drops stopped, the racers turned on the horsepower. The sound of high powered engines didn’t last long as a tangle between Piano and Partipilo on the back stretch ended with heavy damage to the new ride of Piano. This was just the first complete restart of what became far too many for a division of this caliber. They struggled repeatedly to score the first lap.

Front row starters, Mike Provenzano and Bell set the pace with Lil’ John and Todd Alexander on the second row ahead of Schmitt and Partipilo for the third double file start. Shortly after green, trouble mounted between Bell and Schmitt leaving Schmitt’s machine headed the wrong way. The pair were sent to the tail where not long after another caution was signaled. This time Bell left the competition and headed pitside.

With only fifteen cars left in the very beginning of actual scored laps, Mike Provenzano was running low with his father challenging his every move. Without a scoreboard, it was difficult to know how many laps were actually in the books due to all the cautions but it appeared by the eighth lap that it was a Provenzano show up front leaving the competition to battle for third.

During the final laps, Mike Provenzano worked thru the lapped field with Lil’ John finding his own route. At the completion, Mike Provenzano beat the 40 year veteran racer to the line. Schmitt was right there with the pair after he had moved up the pack to finish an impressive third place. Former Street Stock standout Partipilo scored fourth ahead of Dauber, Ed Williams Sr., Piccatto, Alexander, Rebholz, Travis Mahoney, Gary Schalmo and Ed Williams Jr. as the only other finishers.

Nathan Balensiefen flew to a solo victory during the first UMP Modified heat contest. He beat Kevin Thompson, Darryl Lowe and Scott Hauge. Joe Adam and Vince Cooper put on a great showing during the second preliminary event with a side by side battle and a little contact. Adam took the checkers as Cooper traveled the last two laps with a flat tire. Travis Kohler took third ahead of Tim Loomis. AJ Dixon went from the last row to claim the checkers in the final heat. Phil line took second followed by Shawn Scripter and Matt Gremminger.

During the final lap of the dash race, Line was leading with Adam going to challenge the leader when Adam lost control collecting Dixon and Balensiefen. Balensiefen ended his night flipped upside down in turn four. Line earned the win over Cooper, Thompson and Adam.

Due to their dash efforts, Line and Cooper got the front row of the feature grid ahead of Thompson, Adam and Lowe. Cooper headed quickly to the outside after green but Line was not giving up. The duo put on a challenge for the lead lap after lap with Line always coming out ahead by the start/finish line.  

Line’s impressive driving style earned him the first feature of the season in front of Cooper, Kohler, Thompson, Justin McCoy, DJ Werkmeister, Gremminger, Steve Brooks, Knippenburg and Lowe.

Fifteen UMP Street Stocks signed in for action on Saturday. From the first lap of the first heat they put on an impressive showing for the fans. Roger Rickels and Rick Koltveit battled in an exciting challenge for the point. Rickels took the win with Koltveit, Matt Ramer and Jamie Balensiefen behind him. Dave McKinney took home the second heat over Steve Lewis, Randy Lucas and Nick Sell.

The Street’s put forth a great performance in their main event. Twelve competitors made the call and raced an impressive caution free first feature.

McKinney was smooth sailing from the first lap to the final one collecting the victory. Koltveit was not close enough to challenge for the lead but had a fight of his own to hold off Rickels for the runner up spot. He managed to pull it off with Lewis fourth ahead of Lucas, Provenzano, Scott Hauge, Miller, Sell, Ramer, Jackinaust, and Himichs.

Fifteen UMP 4-Cylinder Hornets showed up for the first night of racing. Asa Robart held off Phil Burdette, #15, and Jerry Legner to score heat one. Allen Provenzano beat Rick Zifko, Harry Reiter and Fred Thatcher in the second heat.

Allen Provenzano started the main front row outside and wasted little time taking the point. He was unstoppable flying solo in the caution free event. Robart earned second while Burdette, Zifko, Reiter, Legner, #04, Mark Sutton, Robert Houtz, and #26 crossed the line to complete the ten cars.

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results May 1, 2010

UMP Late Models – 21 Cars

Heat One: Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, John Piccatto

Heat Two: Billy Weistart Jr., Jimmy Partipilo, Todd Alexander, Eric Rebholz

Heat Three: Keith Piano, John Provenzano, Ryan Dauber, Ed Williams Sr.

Dash: Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, John Provenzano, Keith Piano

Feature: 1. Mike Provenzano, 2. John Provenzano, 3. Scott Schmitt, 4. Jimmy Partipilo, 5. Ryan Dauber, 6. Ed Williams Sr., 7. John Piccatto, 8. Todd Alexander, 9. Eric Rebholz, 10. Travis Mahoney, 11. Gary Schalmo, 12. Ed Wiliams Jr., 13. Mike Marler, 14. Billy Weistart Jr., 15. Lake Knutti, 16. Brian Lock, 17. Rich Bell, 18. Dave Patva, 19. Manos, 20. Keith Piano, 21. Aaron Schmidt

UMP Modifieds – 20 Cars

Heat One: Nathan Balensiefen, Kevin Thompson, Darryl Lowe, Scott Hauge

Heat Two: Joe Adam, Vince Cooper, Travis Kohler, Tim Loomis

Heat Three: AJ Dixon, Phil Line, Shawn Scripter, Matt Gremminger

Dash: Phil Line, Vince Cooper, Kevin Thompson, Joe Adam

Feature: 1. Phil Line,  2.Vince Cooper, 3. Travis Kohler, 4. Kevin Thompson, 5. Justin McCoy, 6. DJ Werkmeister, 7. Matt Gremminger 8. Steven Brooks, 9. Knippenburg, 10. Darryl Lowe, 11. Vacha, 12. Line, 13. Shawn Scripter, 14. Brad Stewart, 15. Joe Adam, 16. Tim Loomis, 17. Scott Hauge

UMP Street Stocks – 15 Cars

Heat One: Roger Rickels, Rick Koltveit, Matt Ramer, Jamie Balensiefen

Heat Two: Dave McKinney, Steve Lewis, Randy Lucas, Nick Sell

Feature: 1. Dave McKinney, 2. Rick Koltevit, 3. Roger Rickels, 4. Steve Lewis, 5. Randy Lucas, 6. Tim Provenzano, 7. Scott Hauge, 8. Miller, 9. Nick Sell, 10. Matt Ramer, 11. Jackinaust, 12. Himichs

UMP Hornets – 15 Cars

Heat One: Asa Robart, Phil Burdette, #15, Jerry Legner

Heat Two: Allen Provenzano, Rick Zifko,, Harry Reiter, Fred Thatcher

Feature: 1. Allen Provenzano, 2. Asa Robart, 3. Phil Burdette, 4. Rick Zifko, 5. Harry Reiter, 6. Jerry Legner, 7. #04, 8. Mark Sutton, 9. Robert Houtz, 10. #26