2011fairbury

Mother Nature has not been kind to the Fairbury American Legion Speedway's biggest races this season. The Summer Nationals were rescheduled earlier and now FALS will try for the third time to get the 22nd Annual Prairie Dirt Classic sponsored by Lynn Chevrolet Buick, Livingston Stone Company, Schahrer Trucking Inc., and Brandt Consolidated run this coming Sunday, September 25th. The 60-lap UMP Late Model feature will pay $10,000 to win and the 30-lap UMP Modified feature will pay $3,000 to win. The UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Sunday night.

Being as it's a Sunday night, everything will start earlier so you can get home at a decent hour. Hotlaps will get underway at 4:00 p.m. (sign-in closes at 4:00 as well), with qualifying at 4:30 p.m., and racing immediately following. All wrist bands from the original race date on September 3rd will be honored.

The speedway is located three blocks south of U.S. 24 on 3rd St. in Fairbury, IL (at the fairgrounds). For more information visit www.fairburyspeedway.com. In case of inclement weather on race day, please monitor the track site forum for the latest event information.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will conclude their 2011 season on Sunday, September 18th with the running of the 22nd Annual Prairie Dirt Classic sponsored by Lynn Chevrolet Buick, Livingston Stone Company, Schahrer Trucking Inc., and Brandt Consolidated paying $10,000 to win for the UMP Late Models and $3,000 to win for the UMP Modifieds. All (green) wrist bands from the original race date on September 3rd will be honored. The UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Sunday night.

fairbury 8/27/11‏

1 fairbury'a american legion speedway honored their 2011 track champions prior to the nights race program. left to right late model eric smith modified jeff curl sportsman daniel flessner street stock andrew funk

3 69 jim farris won the battle, but lost the war to 12 jeff curl in the battle for the track championship. farris claimed his 4th win of the year.

7 foster and 2 other female competitiors came across the finish line, 3 wide at the checkered flag. foster rolled her car several times. after the adrenline from the win and wreck wore off, foster was taken to the hospital with a fractured back

A big weekend of racing is coming up on September 2nd and 3rd as the Fairbury American Legion Speedway concludes their 2011 season. Starting on Friday, September 2nd, FALS will host the 2nd Annual Prairie Dirt Shootout sponsored by Livingston Stone Company, Schahrer Trucking Inc., and Brandt Consolidated paying $5,000 to win for the UMP Late Models and $1,500 to win for the UMP Modifieds. Then on Saturday, September 3rd, it's the 22nd Annual Prairie Dirt Classic sponsored by Lynn Chevrolet Buick, Livingston Stone Company, Schahrer Trucking Inc., and Brandt Consolidated paying $10,000 to win for the UMP Late Models and $3,000 to win for the UMP Modifieds.

Fairbury, Ill. (8/20/11) Saturday nights racing program at the Fairbury American Legion Speedway was the final night for drivers in the 3 classes racing to pick up track points. Eric Smith needed to only start the late model race to claim his second straight title, while Jeff Curl (modified) and Daniel Flessner still had to put on the finishing touches.

In the 30 lap UMP Late Model race, Ryan Unzicker started on the pole with Scott Bull alongside. At the green flag, Unzicker took the lead and Kevin Weaver tucked in behind him. A caution fell, bringing a restart to the race. After the cars got lined back up, the green fell and Unzicker once again went to the lead, with Weaver running second. Bull, Eric Smith, and Derek Chandler followed. After a lap 2 caution for debris, Unzicker went to the top and Weaver, on the bottom tried to take the lead, but Unzicker had enough momentum to hold him off. Chandler was running a smooth line at the top of the track and began to challenge Bull and Smith for the third spot. Unzicker was able to open a three car length lead over Weaver on the straights, but Weaver could catch Unzicker in the turns and tried to pass, but Unzicker held on. As Unzicker was about to lap Brian Dunn, Dunn lost the tire on his car and Unzicker narrowly missed an accident. The Dunn incident and an caution on the following lap, allowed drivers to cool their tires. When flagman, Mark Habb waved the green, Unzicker and Weaver ran side by side for 4 laps before Unzicker took command. Smith and Chandler, both racing for the third position, gained ground on the leaders. Chandler looked to have the fastest car on the track took second from Weaver on lap 17. A lap later, Bull and Smith both got by Weaver, as Weaver began to fall back. With 8 laps remaining, Unzicker held a five car length lead over Chandler. Bull and Smith began to battle Chandler for the 2^nd position, but before they could make a move caution fell with 6 laps to go. After the caution, Unzicker jumped out to the lead and Bull moved by Chandler for second. Bull was able to close the gap on Unzicker , but the laps ran out and Unzicker picked up the win. Bull, Smith, Chandler, and Weaver completed the top 5, followed by Daren Friedman, Billy Drake, Joe Harlan, Jimmy Dehm, and Wes Steidinger.

Outside front row starter, Nick Allen took the lead for the start of the 20 lap UMP Modified race. Matt Bachman, Gary Cook Jr., and Justin Delong had a battle for second, with Jeb Friedman, Jeff Curl and Jim Farris following. Cook stuck his car on the bottom, broke away from Bachman and Delong, and started to close up on Allen. Delong moved to third on the 5^th lap, while Cook Pressured Allen for the lead. With Allen and Cook in a race for first, Delong was able to close on the leaders. On the 7^th lap, Cook and Allen ran side by side and Delong just behind, Delong saw an opening on the front straight to take the lead. The trio of cars made contact, sending Allen and Cook into the wall. All three drivers were able to continue, with Delong the new race leader. Delong pulled out to a 5 car length lead, while Bachman and Friedman raced for second. Jim Farris moved up to forth, dropping Curl to fifth. Delong, in the closing laps, opened up a 5 car length lead and never looked back to pick up his first career win at Fairbury in a modified. Bachman, Friedman, Curl, Steven Brooks, Farris, Lance Dehm, Bobby Crego, Jay Ledford, and Darren Kohler took the first ten positions. With Curl’s fourth place finish, he became the 2011 Modified track champion.

Joel Funk held a narrow lead over Daniel Flessner, with Richard Craven, Jason Maier, and T.D. Burger trailing in the 15 lap UMP Sportsman race. While Flessner changed his line to run at the bottom and take over the lead from Funk, Burger moved into the fourth spot. At the halfway mark, Funk held a car length lead over Flessner, with Craven 8 back in third. With 5 laps left, Craven got down on the wheel and closed up on Flessner. The laps ran out and Funk was able to snap the win streak of Flessner, and put his car in victory lane. Flessner was able to turn back Craven for second and also became the new Sportsman track champion. Burger, Maier, Richie Rich, Scott Hatzer, Dustin Mounce, Tanner Tibbs, and Paul Graf rounded out the top 10.

On the first night of the 135 Fairbury Fair, racing returned to the track after a lengthy absence. In the 30 lap UMP Late Model race, Kevin Weaver made a last lap pass on Scott Bull to take the win. In the 20 lap UMP Modified race, infrequent visitor, Nick Allen led all the way for his first career Fairbury win over Jeff Curl. In the 15 lap UMP Street Stock race, Nate Zimmer turned back Brandon Kessinger for the victory. Andrew Funk’s seventh place finish earned him his first track championship.

This Saturday will be a regular night of racing. The top 10 in points for each class will be presented on the front stretch.

Fairbury, Ill. (8/13/11) Although the Fairbury American Legion Speedway was hit by a late afternoon rain, the track crew quickly had the track prepared for another Saturday night of racing. Something a little unusual, all feature winners repeated from the previous week.

In the 30 lap UMP Late Model feature, polesitter Joe Harlan grabbed the early lead, with Mike Spatola, Eric Smith, Ryan Unzicker, and Derek Chandler following. With Spatola running the top and Smith on the bottom, the two ran side by side, keeping Harlan in sight. Smith grabbed second on the forth lap and had his sights set on Harlan. Smith reeled in Harlan and the two ran side by side, before Smith moved to the lead on lap 6. Smith opened a 3 car length lead, while Harlan had to contend with Spatola and Unzicker for second. Spatula moved to second on lap 9, dropping Harlan to third. As the leaders began to work through slower cars, Harlan got caught behind Brandon Freeburg, allowing Unzicker and Scott Bull to get by. Unzicker was on the move, taking second at the halfway point. Smith encountered heavy lap traffic, putting Unzicker on Smith’s bumper. Unzicker was able to use the slower cars to his advantage and took the lead on lap 17. Spatola got high in turn three, putting Harlan back to third. Meanwhile, Kevin Weaver was on the move and was up to fifth with ten laps to go. Weaver got by Spatola with 8 to go, as Unzicker had a half a straight away lead over the field. Weaver and Harlan raced side by side, before Weaver took third and had sights set on Smith. Unzicker appeared to slow up, giving Smith and Weaver the chance to close up. Smith cut the margain to a car length, as the white flag was waved. With Unzicker at the top of the track, Smith tried in vain to overtake Unzicker, but Unzicker held on for the win. Track point leader Smith took second, with Weaver, Harlan, Spatola, Chandler, Jimmy Dehm, Ryan Dauber, Scott Bull, and Aaron Ricketts rounding out the top 10. Smith was fast qualifier for the night. Heat race wins went to Dehm, Weaver, and Harlan.

In the 20 lap UMP Modified race, in a repeat of last week, Jeff Curl started on the pole and Lance Dehm was on the outside. Dehm took the lead at the start, while Curl had his hands full, contending with Justin Delong. Delong took second from Curl on lap 4 and a caution for debris fell on lap 5. After the caution, Delong challenged Dehm for the lead, but caution fell on lap 6. Dehm jumped out to a 5 car length lead after the caution, with Delong, Curl, and Matt Bachman following. Behind the top 4, a 3 way battle for fifth was taking place with Jim Farris, Jeb Friedman, and Gary Turpin. Several late race cautions, proved to be of no help to Dehm’s challengers, as Dehm was able to pull away from the field and take his second straight victory. Delong, Curl, Farris, Bachman, Friedman, Tim Bohm, Chris Gaither, Jared Cagley, and Dennis Wilson completed the top 10. Dehm was fast qualifier, with heat wins going to Cory Schwengel, Kevin Hastings, and Curl.

Daniel Flessner jumped out to the lead in the 15 lap UMP Sportsman race, with Rick Thomas, Scott Hatzer, Dustin Mounce, and Ben Hulse trailing. Flessner was setting a rapid pace and by lap 4 encountered slower cars. After a lap 7 caution, Flessner quickly pulled away, while Thomas had his hands full with Mounce and Hatzer. Thomas slipped in turn two, allowing Mounce and Hatzer to get by. Hulse was in fifth, with T.D.Burger on the move. Hulse dropped out with 5 laps to go, moving Burger to fifth. Flessner held a straight away lead as Mounce had a 5 car length lead over Hatzer, who had to contend with Burger. After 2 back to back cautions fell, Flessner jumped out to the lead as Mounce had to contend with Burger who moved to third. As the checkered flag waved for Flessner who claimed his third straight win, Mounce held off Burger for second. Richard Craven, Hatzer, Richie Rich, Jason Maier, Thomas, Tyler Roth, and Ron Bohm took the top ten positions. Hatzer, Flessner, and Thomas picked up heat wins.

Cautions plagued the 15 lap UMP Street Stock feature. An opening lap wreck finished point leader, Andrew Funk for the night. After the track was cleaned, Brandon Kessinger jumped out to the lead, with Terry Simmons and Don Hilleary following. After a lap 2 caution, Kessinger pulled away, with Simmons, Hilleary, and A.J. Meiferdt in a battle for second. Following a lap 6 caution, Joel Funk was over taken by Eric Gaus for fifth. Simmons got high in the turn, giving Meiferdt and Gaus another track position. Simmons night ended on lap 12, as he exited the track with mechanical problems. Kessinger was able to go the remaining three laps uncontested and he took his second straight win. Meiferdt, Gaus, Hilleary, Jeff Semmens, Ron Donaldson, Cody Clubb, Jeremy Scher, Eric Wilson, and Robert Turner completed the top ten.

The Hornet drivers returned to the track with Dion Smith leading flag to flag in picking up his first win in the ten lap race. Ben Gernentz, Larry Hawk, Casey Gernentz, and Tyler Griswold the top 5 positions. Shannon Mudro and Smith took heat wins.

Wednesday the 135^th annual Fairbury Fair begins. Racing will take place on Wednesday night with late models, modifieds, and street stocks in action. It will be the last night for track points in the street stock class, as Andrew Funk looks to dethrone brother Joel as the track champion. Qualifying starts at 6 and racing will follow.

In conjunction with the 135th annual Fairbury Fair, the Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting regular nights of racing on both Wednesday, August 17th and Saturday, August 20th...

Fairbury , Ill. (8/6/11) Ryan Unzicker took advantage of Derek Chandler’s slight miscue to take the 30 lap UMP Late Model feature race Saturday night at Fairbury American Legion Speedway.

Polesitter Chandler took the lead at the start, with Joe Harlan, Scott Bull, Unzicker, and Kevin Weaver following. Chandler was able to extend his lead to 5 car lengths as Harlan and Bull raced side by side before Bull took second on the 5^th lap and closed up on Chandler. On the 8^th lap, Unzicker who was running on the top of the track, got by Harlan for third. After two back to back cautions on the 9^th lap, Chandler opened up a slight lead, with Bull who was running on the bottom, racing with Unzicker. Unzicker wrestled second position from Bull and closed up to Chandler’s bumper. As Chandler exited turn 2, he bobbled enough for Unzicker to scoot by and take the lead. Unzicker who was running on the top of the track, was soon joined by Chandler and Bull, who also went to the top. As the first three cars got into slower traffic, Chandler got by Unzicker for the lead, only to see the caution flag out giving the lead back to Unzicker. Following the caution, Unzicker jumped out to the lead, while Bull squeezed by Chandler. The final caution came out on the 27^th lap. Unzicker, again jumped out to the lead, with Bull and Chandler racing hard for second. At the finish, Unzicker was able to pick up his first win of the year at Fairbury. Bull and Chandler raced hard to the end , with Bull edging Chandler for second. Harlan, Ryan Dauber, Mike Glasscock, Torin Mettille, Scott Schmitt, and Steve Thorsten completed the top 10. Bull was fast qualifier for the night. Heat winner went to Billy Drake, Dauber, and Chandler. Snooky Dehm won the semi feature. A special 15 lap trophy dash, paying $1000 to the winner went to Bull, over Chandler, Unzicker, and Harlan. The race was for the 9 fastest qualifiers. The race was dubbed the Chandler Clash, in honor of Don Chandler’s 60^th birthday. Gunner Sullivan and Charlie Hoselton headed the event, where friends, Businesses, and fans honored one of Fairbury’s legendary drivers.

In the 20 lap UMP Modified race, outside front row starter, Lance Dehm got the jump on Jeff Curl to take a early 5 car length lead. Behind the two, Justin Delong and Steve Brooks ran side by side for the third spot. Dehm encountered slower cars on the 12^th lap, allowing Curl to close the gap. Dehm made a daring moved to split two cars, but Curl stuck with Dehm. After a lap 14 caution, Curl stuck his nose under Dehm, but Dehm prevailed. After two lap 15 cautions, Dehm was able to open a small lead and held on for his 2^nd win of the year. Curl , Brooks, Delong, Jeff Leka, Bobby Crego, Darrin Kohler, Cory Schwengel, Matt Bachman, and Jared Cagley completed the top ten. Kohler, Crego, and Curl won heat. Curl was also the night’s fast qualifier.

Polesitter Ben Hulse took a early lead in the 15 lap UMP Sportsman feature, with Richard Craven and T.D. Burger trailing closely. Craven took the point on lap 4, as Hulse soon fell off the pace. While Burger was having mechanical problems, Rick Thomas and Dustin Mounce got by Burger, with a hard charging Dan Flessner joining the mix. Craven had a half straight away lead over the field. While maneuvering through lapped traffic, Thomas got caught behind slower cars, giving second to Flessner. Flessner started to reel in Craven and caught a break with a caution out on lap 12. After the caution, Craven and Flessner ran side by side. Flessner took the lead on the white flag and held on at the checker to pick up his 4^th win at Fairbury. Craven, Thomas, Mounce, Burger, Scott Hatzer, Richie Rich, Joel Funk, Chris Eden, and Craig Vincent rounded out the top 10. Hulse and Craven took heat race wins.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting the UMP Summer Nationals sponsored by Lynn Chevrolet Buick this coming Saturday, July 23rd. The 50-lap UMP Late Model feature will pay $10,000 to win. As part of the DIRTcar Modified Nationals, the UMP Modifieds will also have an increased purse racing for $1,200 to win. The UMP Sportsman and UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Saturday night. All wrist bands from the original race date on June 25th will be honored.

The 3rd street gate will be opened at approximately 1:00 p.m. Friday (no staging on 3rd street prior to 1:00 p.m., Fairbury Police will be monitoring). When the gate is opened, vehicles will proceed into the pits and proceed to the back pit gate to get on the grounds. You must have wrist bands from previous rainout or purchase new at time of entry. You will then be parked right away.

A spot must be reserved with a vehicle with no additional spots saved without a vehicle in them (NO CAUTION TAPE OR STAKES ALLOWED). An alternate vehicle may be substituted (i.e. a car may be parked where a camper will go). These rules apply to everyone without exception.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting a Modified Special this coming Saturday, July 9th. The 30-lap UMP Modified feature will pay $1,200 to win. The UMP Late Models, UMP Sportsman, and UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Saturday night.

99j jimmy dehm survived a late challenge from 9 eric smith to pick up his 2nd winof the year. smith the current point leader, took the runner up spot.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting a Hornet Special sponsored by Casey’s General Stores this coming Saturday, July 2nd. The 15-lap UMP Hornet feature will pay $100 to win. The UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Sportsman, and UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Saturday night. There will also be a Dash for Cash for the kids ages 9-10.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting the UMP Summer Nationals sponsored by Lynn Chevrolet Buick this coming Saturday, June 25th. The 50-lap UMP Late Model feature will pay $10,000 to win. As part of the DIRTcar Modified Nationals, the UMP Modifieds will also have an increased purse racing for $1,200 to win. The UMP Sportsman will also be in action Saturday night. The UMP Street Stocks have the night off.

The 3rd street gate will be opened at approximately 8:00 a.m. Thursday (no staging on 3rd street prior to 8:00 a.m., Fairbury Police will be monitoring). When the gate is opened, vehicles will proceed south to the horse track and turn left on horse track. The first line will be the outside of horse track (closest to golf course). There will be a single file line (nose to tail) until the first line reaches the horse track entrance. The second line will then start to the inside of row one. This procedure is for everyone no matter which side of the grounds you want to park in.

The back pit gate (into the grounds) will be opened at 6:00 p.m. Thursday night. Admission fee will be collected from everyone no matter if you are staying or not at that time (NO EXCEPTIONS). A spot must be reserved with a vehicle with no additional spots saved without a vehicle in them (NO CAUTION TAPE OR STAKES ALLOWED). An alternate vehicle may be substituted (i.e. a car may be parked where a camper will go). These rules apply to everyone without exception.

Rules were voted on and adopted by the Fairbury Fair Board of Directors and must be followed. Remember, ticket must be purchased before vehicle can reserve a spot (no exceptions). The 3rd Street gate will be open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning with money being collected for people coming in after Thursday. ALL camping is "dry". NO hook-ups of any kind will be offered.

Fairbury Speedway Pappy & Bob Allen Memorial $2,000 to win June 18‏
The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting the Pappy and Bob Allen Memorial Late Model Special this coming Saturday, June 18th. The 40-lap UMP Late Model feature will pay $2,000 to win. The UMP Modifieds, UMP Sportsman, and UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Saturday night. There will also be a Dash for Cash for the kids ages 7-8.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting the Eden-Piercy Memorial Sportsman Special this coming Saturday, June 11th. The 20-lap UMP Sportsman feature will pay a minimum of $600 to win (possibly more raised on race day) sponsored in part by Jerry Cremeens. The UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, and the Arizona KidModz will also be in action Saturday night. It is Fan Appreciation Night with $5 gate admission.

3 joel funk, the defending ump national champion in the street stock class.also won the 15 lap ump sportsman race. funk will be the man to beat this saturday in the gary eden- curt piercy memorial for sportsman drivers.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting a Street Stock Special this coming Saturday, June 4th. The 20-lap UMP Street Stock feature will pay a minimum of $600 to win (possibly more raised on race day). The UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, and UMP Sportsman will also be in action Saturday night. The Raminator Monster Truck, sponsored by Heller Lincoln Mercury Dodge, will also be in attendance to put on a show for the fans.

Fairbury Speedway $600 to win Sportsman Special & $1,000 to win Modified Special May 28‏

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting the Eden-Piercy Memorial Sportsman Special along with a Modified Special this coming Saturday, May 28th. The 20-lap UMP Sportsman feature will pay a minimum of $600 to win and $90 to start (possibly more raised on race day) sponsored in part by Jerry Cremeens. Thanks to an anonymous donor, the UMP Modified purse has increased to $1,000 to win. The UMP Late Models, UMP Street Stocks, and UMP Hornets will also be in action Saturday night.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be hosting a NALMS vs. ALMS Late Model Special this coming Saturday, May 21st. The 30-lap UMP Late Model feature will pay $2,000 to win. The UMP Modifieds, UMP Sportsman, and UMP Street Stocks will also be in action Saturday night. There will also be a Dash for Cash for the kids ages 5-6.

Fairbury, Ill. (5/7/11) The second weekend of racing at Fairbury’s American Legion Speedway provided fans with a lot of thrills, chills, side by side competition, and dramatic finishes.

In the 30 lap UMP Late Model feature, polesitter Jason Feger snookered the field at the start to pull out to an early lead over Ryan Unzicker, Scott Bull, Brandon Sheppard, and Daren Friedman. Three cautions in the first 6 laps kept the field tightly bunched, giving Unzicker the chance to try a different line to overtake Feger. Following a lap 6 caution, Feger had a 3 car length lead over Unzicker, while 8^th starting Jimmy Dehm caught fire to pull around Bull and Friedman for third. Unzicker pulled alongside of Feger to take the lead, but a caution came out relegating him back to second. Another caution for debris and another for the stalled car of Dennis Erb Jr. fell on the field before the halfway mark. When the green flag came out on lap 12, Unzicker went low in turn 2, got into a rut, and caused damage to his car, bringing out another caution. After the Unzicker car was moved off the track, the green flag came out, and Dehm was able to pull alongside of Feger several times, but could not take the lead. While Dehm was giving Feger all he could handle, Sheppard, Eric Smith, and Joe Harlan had a spirited battle for the third spot. Caution with 5 laps to go gave Dehm another chance to take the lead. Dehm got a good start and pulled beside of Feger on the back stretch and as the two went into turn 3 and 4, Dehm was able to take command. Feger, running the top of the track, clipped the wall in turn 2, allowing Sheppard to get by with 2 to go. As Dehm came across the line to take the checkered flag, with an arm out the window, the crowd in the stands went wild and gave the drivers a standing ovation. For the 2^nd generation Dehm, it was his 1^st career Late Model win at the American Legion Speedway. Sheppard, Feger, Smith, and Harlan were the top 5, followed by Bull, Friedman, Derek Chandler, Aaron Ricketts, and Eric Vaughan. Feger was fast qualifier at a 12.555, while heat race wins went to Dehm, Erb Jr., and Feger.

In the 20 lap UMP Modified race, last week feature winner Jim Farris, got the jump on polesitter McKay Wenger to take the lead with Justin Delong, Gary Turpin, and Jay Ledford in pursuit. As Wenger changed his line and was able to close up to Farris, Wenger slowed on the track to bring out a caution on lap 12. Delong was able to pull beside Farris several times, but cautions foiled his attempts to take the lead. Following a lap 13 caution for Turpin, Farris, Delong, and Ledford, had a 3 way battle for the lead. With 5 laps remaining, Ledford took second and was pressuring Farris for the lead when a caution came out. Farris, Ledford, Delong, and Jeff Curl had a shootout over the remaining 4 laps and as the leaders took the white flag, going down the back stretch, Ledford pulled alongside Farris. The two drivers went through turns 3 and 4 side by side; as they exited turn 4 Ledford had the momentum and edged Farris by a ½ car length at the flag stand to take the win. Curl, Delong, and T.D.Burger took the top 5 spots, while Darrin Kohler, Lance Dehm, Jeb Friedman, Dave Porth, and Jeff Leka completed the top 10. Delong was the fast qualifier at a 13.972. Vince Cooper, Friedman, and Wenger won heat races, while Matt Bachman took the semi feature.

Andrew Funk paced the field in the 15 lap UMP Sportsman race, building a 5 car length lead over Joel Funk, Richard Craven, Rod Rusher, and Chris Eden. Craven, Rusher, Eden, and Dan Flessner had a fierce race for third, while Andrew Funk was able to keep Joel Funk in check. As the leaders were overtaking a slower car, Joel Funk, Craven, and Flessner made contact, with a caution out for debris. With 2 flags to go, Andrew Funk brought the field to the green and was accused of jumping the start. Rather than going to the rear of the field, Andrew elected to park his car for the night. Joel Funk was the new race leader with Flessner in second. Joel Funk held the bottom of the track, with Flessner running the top as the two drivers took the white flag. The two drivers refused to give an inch and as the checkered flag was being waved both drivers made contact on the front stretch wall, with Funk taking the win. Both cars were damaged enough that tow trucks had to be used to bring them across the scales. Rusher, Craven, Eden, Craig Vincent, Shawn Diggs, Richie Rich, Jason Maier, and Andrew Funk completed the top 10. The Funk brothers claimed the two heat races.

Joel funk took an early lead in the 15 lap UMP Street Stock race, with Don Hilleary, Alex Clubb, Darrel Dick, and Rick Thomas following. After a lap 3 caution, Dick had a good restart and got by Hilleary for the second spot. Dick running the bottom was soon challenging Funk for the lead. Dick was able to get by Funk on lap 9 to take the lead, while Thomas made his presence felt. He got by Funk for second and took the lead on flag 12. Thomas was able to hold off Dick for a hard fought and well-earned victory. Joel Funk, Hilleary, Alex Clubb, Jeff Semmens, Andrew Funk, Kevin Lenzen, Nick Clubb, and A.J. Meiferdt completed the top 10. Alex Clubb, Joel Funk, and Hilleary won heat races, while Chris Prince took the semi feature.

The speedway will once again feature a regular night of racing this Saturday night. Front gates open at 3, back gates at 5, hotlaps at 5:50. Time trials at 6:30. And racing at 7:30.

Fairbury,Ill. (4/30/11) Defending track champion Eric Smith took the lead at the start of the 30 lap UMP Late Model feature and held off a late race bid by Scott Bull to win the season opener at Fairbury’s American Legion Speedway. Bret Sievert, Wes Steidinger, Jimmy Dehm, Derek Chandler, Daren Friedman, Joe Harlan, Bill Rezutek, and Torin Mettille completed the top 10.

Jim Farris inherited the lead after early race leader McKay Wenger wrecked while overtaking slower traffic, to take the 20 lap UMP Modified race. Gary Turpin, Jay Ledford, Matt Bachman, Justin Delong, T.D. Burger, Dave Porth, Jeff Curl, Lance Dehm, and Jeb Friedman rounded out the top 10.

Dan Flessner began the 2011 season just as he ended the 2010 year, with a win in the 15 lap UMP Sportsman race. Flessner edged veteran wheelman Richard Craven, Andrew Funk, Chris Eden, Scott Hatzer, Rod Rusher, Ryan Huddleston, Shawn Diggs, Dustin Mounce, and Craig Vincent.

Jeff Semmens picked up the 15 lap UMP Street Stock race over Joel Funk, Darrell Dick, Nick Clubb, Kevin Lenzen, Don Hilleary, Terry Miller, Alex Clubb, Jim Hanson, and Justin Nelson.

Troy Newberry led flag to flag and won the 10 lap Hornet feature race. Matt Maier, Dion Smith, Greg Tuttle, and Tanner Tibbs rounded out the top 5.

Racing action returns this Saturday night with the late models, modifieds, sportsman, and street stocks in action.

Fairbury, Ill. (4/27/11) This Saturday night, Fairbury’s American Legion Speedway kicks off its 65^th year of Racing on the tracks current ¼ configuration. The nights racing will feature racing in the late models, modified, sportsman, and street stock classes; all sanctioned by UMP Racing. The hornet drivers will also be participating in the evening’s race program. Main gates open at 3:00, back gates open at 5:00, hot laps at 5:50, qualifying at 6:30, and racing begins at 7:30. Spectator admission is $10, with children under 12 free. Pit admission will be $25.

The 2011 campaign will feature 21 nights of racing. The late model drivers have their traditional Summer National race and the Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend. The Summer National winner and the winner of the Prairie Dirt Classic will take home $10,000. The modified drivers will have 2 $1200 to win features, plus on P.D.C. weekend compete for $1500 to win each night. The sportsman drivers have their annual Gary Eden-Curt Piercy Memorial race, plus a Wynn’s Sportsman Qualifier. Street Stock and hornets drivers will also have their own race, with a larger race purse. The Raminator Monster Truck,KidModz Series, and Illinois Vintage Racers will also make appearances to the speedway.

Eric Smith, in his long racing career, grabbed his first Legion Speedway track title in 2010. Scott Bull, Joe Harlan, and Daren Friedman are among the drivers looking to unseed Smith in the Late Model class. In the Modified class, Lance Dehm will be looking for his 3^rd championship in a row and 5^th overall. Expect Jay Ledford, Jeff Curl, and McKay Wenger among the host of drivers in the always tough class. Joel Funk lays claim to winning the last 4 Sportsman titles. Funk will have his hands full with brother Andrew, Dustin Mounce, and Richard Craven looking to end the domination by Joel Funk. Joel Funk added to his resume by winning last year’s UMP National title in the Street Stock class and won his 2^nd straight track championship in the class. Rick Thomas, Gary Barnes, and Jeff Semmens look to dethrone the champ.

The 2006 & 2007 UMP Track of the Year, the Fairbury American Legion Speedway, will open up their 65th year of racing this coming Saturday, April 30th. Scheduled is a regular night of racing featuring the UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Sportsman, and UMP Street Stocks. The UMP Hornets will also be in action Saturday night.

The Fairbury American Legion Speedway will be having a Practice and Tech Day before the season opener on April 30th this coming Saturday, April 16th. Gates open at 10:00 AM with the race track opening at Noon. It is free to watch practice and $10 to enter the pits.