2011lasalle.htm

Track Promoter
Joe Izzo
Office Non-Race Days (815) 223-6939
    Thanks to Betty Glynn for the stories/results
Photos by track photographer Karen Kenney-Oles.

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RACERS, FANS, EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES SWAP MEET AND HALLOWEEN PARTY

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 09:36 AM PDT

Rain Forces Cancellation of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Event

Lucas Oil Road to Knoxville (Spring Shootout) Sept. 27th Tuesday

TIMES:
Pit Gates Open: 1:00
Grandstands Gates: 3:00
Racing: 7:30

Skybox Group Package

Enjoy a spectacular view from the comfort of your private skybox!

15 Guests will receive admission to the races and upgraded pit passes upon request.

3 Pizza, 2 cases of Beer and 1 case of Soda

Cost of package is $ 600.00

Media Credentials requests must be on the media outlet letterhead and signed by the assigning editor. Credential requests must be submitted 5 days prior to the event to: [email protected] or fax to 815-331-0670

LM Tire Rule

American Racer SD44, SD48, MD56 (NO ARTS MD56)
Hoosier LM20, 1600, LM40, WRS55 Rule book at http://www.lucasdirt.com/rules

UMP Modified Rules will apply

Host Hotel Days Inn in Oglesby, Ill., will be the host hotel for the Spring Shootout. Located five miles from the track, the hotel is offering discounted room rates for fans and racers who mention the ‘Spring Shootout’ when reserving rooms by phone at 815-883-9600 or online www.daysinn.com

Payoff f

Kenny Wallace proves to be a smooth operator; Unzicker picks up another win

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– Former NASCAR standout and television commentator Kenny Wallace is known world wide for his ability to wheel a race car and entertain the public. He did not disappoint on Saturday night at La Salle Speedway. The St. Louis native started racing in 1982 when he won the first race he competed in. His introduction to the family sport started early when he watched his father race as a youngster. He would later become the crew chief for brothers Rusty and Mike Wallace while still a high school student.

In September of 1988, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. gave Kenny the seat for his first-ever NASCAR start. He finished seventh in his first Nationwide Series race at Martinsville, Virginia. The following year, Kenny raced the full Nationwide Series schedule in a car owned by his brother Rusty, earning the 1989 Rookie of the Year award and finishing sixth in the driver point standings. He now competes in the Busch series on a regular basis but can be found slinging dirt across the country for fun.

He signed into La Salle as just another UMP Open Wheel Modified driver and hung out in the pits like the rest of the racers who love dirt track racing. With a boisterous laugh and a smile that makes one feel like you have known him your entire life. His stop over at the Illinois Valley Speedway ended with good results he qualified 5^thfast, won his heat and took home the A main trophy.

He undoubtedly is the proud owner of numerous awards and trophies but still enjoyed scoring the one he earned at La Salle. According to his twitter posts he was considering showing off his trophy to the viewers of his early morning television appearance at the Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.

“I am up at 6 AM for @Racedayonspeed TV show after MY WIN last night in Lasalle Illinois on the Dirt track!..Who will WIN the 1st Chase Race?”

UMP Late Models:

The National UMP Championship is in replacement mode with drivers at the top of the leader board attempting to replace race finishes with better ones for more points now that the season is coming to a close. Luckily for La Salle fans, some of the top competitors were in LaSalle and ready to put on a show. As of September 11^th, Ryan Unzicker sat at the top of the points standings by a mere three points over Rusty Schlenk with Jon Henry forty seven points away in third place.

Mike Spatola, another dirt track standout, wheeled his way into the fastest qualifier position with a time of 12.915. Spatola was uncontested for a flag to flag victory in the first heat contest. Unzicker crossed the line second finishing ahead of track champion Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell and Steve Thorsten. Bret Sievert also won from the pole beating Henry, Schlenk, Gary Schalmo and Mike Glynn.

The pace of the twenty five lap main was bad fast from the signal of the start with a five wide battle up front. It took three attempts to get the first lap in the books but every turn was exciting. Spatola held the point from the pole for the first four laps until he and Unzicker traded some paint for the lead and Unzicker took charge. The new leader was lapping cars early in the race using a higher line. He had a great run anywhere from mid track and up. Sievert, who was running in the top five, fell off the pace and stopped to bring out a caution. While under yellow, track officials moved the infield tires far off the bottom of the inside line changing the rhythm of a low running machines that were flying around the rim and moving forward.

After spotting signs of smoke from Bell’s power plant for quite a few laps, the inevitable happened with a larger plume and a trail of oil ended his night in the twelfth circuit. During Lap 15, Spatola flew up the track to challenge Unzicker when he slammed the concrete barrier. He slowed enough to fall back a couple spots but was still running full power. With two laps remaining, it was Unzicker flying solo out front over Provenzano, Henry, a high running Spatola and tenth place starter Glynn on the bottom. Glynn and Spatola’s challenge was the only side by side racing at the finish with Glynn hitting beating him to the line for fourth.

Final finish: Unzicker, Provenzano, Henry, Glynn, Spatola, Thorsten, Dale Markham, Gary Schalmo, Scott Schmitt, Ed Williams Sr., Tom Smith, Jon Small, and Joe Fratt.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Jim Farris was the fastest qualifier, of the twenty eight Open Wheel Modified’s, with a time of 14.305. He later beat Jamie Lomax for the first heat while Austin Hewitt, Justin McCoy and Brandon Maciejewski crossed the line after them.

Kenny Wallace won the second heat over Wes Odell, Jeff Curl, Charlie Harmon, and Mike Marden. Brandon Durbin collected the checkers of the third heat race ahead of Steve Brooks, Jason Pershy, Tom Knippenberg, and Matt Gremminger.

Farris and Wallace were on the front row of the A main grid with Durbin and Lomax in row two. Just after the leaders entered the turn four area, a melee up front affected nearly everyone but Wallace who was unscathed. The twenty lapper was truly the Kenny Wallace show as he was the smoothest operator lap after lap. His ease in and out of the corners was a true testament of his skill as a veteran racer. He held a generous lead all the way to the checkers taking home the trophy over Lomax, Farris, Durbin, Wes Odell, Shawn Lewis, Pershy, Brooks, Marden, Nick Odell, Bob Salaggi, Gremminger, Knipenberg, Maciejewski, and Harmon.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Mike McKinney’s start to the season was one the young racer won’t forget which only makes his finish even more memorable. McKinney won the first feature event of the season on opening night but was disqualified during post race tech inspections. He more than made up for the disappointing start by closing out the season with back to back impressive feature victory finishes.

Roger Rickels won the first heat contest ahead of Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell, Tim Provenzano and Keith Miller. Kevin Snowberger topped the board of the second heat ahead of McKinney, Jake Miller, Rick Thomas and Joel Funk.

McKinney’s return to victory lane after his feature race run was earned over a hard charging Balensiefen, Rickels, Funk, Aaron Near, Snowberger, Thomas, Jake Miller, Duane Peterson, Justin Hamm, Sell, Keith Miller, Jake Bivens and Provenzano.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

The UMP 4 Cylinder class top qualifier and current division champion, Allen Provenzano, won his heat but after contact in the feature he watched the races pitside for the first time all season. After contact with a fellow racer early in the event his ride was out of commission.

When the checkers dropped, it was his brother Jon Provenzano hitting the finish line first over Late Model racer Nathan Balensiefen. Rick Wagner finished third in front of Tyler Etherton, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallony, Mark Sutton, and Don Slover.

Remaining Schedule:

Tues. Sept. 27 – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Road to Knoxville”$10,000 (re-scheduled Spring Shootout from May) Plus UMP Modified’s

Sat. Oct. 29 – Canceled

La Salle Speedway Results 09/17/11

UMP Late Models: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Mike Spatola 12.9158

Heat 1: Mike Spatola, Ryan Unzicker, Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Steve Thorsten

Heat 2: Bret Sievert, Jon Henry, Rusty Schlenk, Gary Schalmo, Mike Glynn

Feature: Ryan Unzicker, Mike Provenzano, Jon Henry, Mike Glynn, Mike Spatola, Steve Thorsten, Dale Markham, Gary Schalmo, Scott Schmitt, Ed Williams Sr., Tom Smith, Jon Small, Joe Fratt, Rich Bell, Bret Sievert, Rusty Schlenk

UMP Modifieds: 28 Cars

Qualifying: Jim Farris 14.305

Heat 1: Jim Faris, Jamie Lomax, Austin Hewitt, Justin McCoy, Brandon Maciejewski

Heat 2: Kenny Wallace, Wes Odell, Jeff Curl, Charlie Harmon, Mike Marden

Heat 3: Brandon Durbin, Steve Brooks, Jason Pershy, Tom Knippenberg, Matthew Gremminger

Feature: Kenny Wallace, Jamie Lomax, Jim Farris, Brandon Durbin, Wes Odell, Shawn Lewis, Jason Pershy, Steve Brooks, Mike Marden, Nick Odell, Bob Salaggi, Matt Gremminger, Tom Knippenberg, Brandon Maciejewski, Charlie Harmon, Justin McCoy, Scott Hauge, Kyle Neels, Ryan Vount, Austin Hewitt, Michael Mennel, Doug Sauder

UMP Street Stocks: 15 Cars

Qualifying: Aaron Near 15.677

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell, Tim Provenzano, Keith Miller

Heat 2: Kevin Snowberger, Mike McKinney, Jake Miller, Rick Thomas, Joel Funk

Feature: Mike McKinney, Jamie Balensiefen, Roger Rickels, Joel Funk, Aaron Near, Kevin Snowberger, Rick Thomas, Jake Miller, Duane Peterson, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Keith Miller, Jake Bivens, Tim Provenzano

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 13 Cars

Qualifying: Allen Provenzano 19.163

Heat 1: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Rick Wagner, Tyler Etherton, Brandon Mallony

Heat 2: Nathan Balensiefen, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Mark Sutton, Crystal Provenzano Broyles

Feature: Jon Provenzano, Nathan Balensiefen, Rick Wagner, Tyler Etherton, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallony, Mark Sutton, Don Slover, Allen Provenzano, Ryan Williams

Nascar Night LaSalle Speedway Saturday September 17th

Parade of Best Nascar Themed Decorated Vehicle

Prizes for Best Dressed Fan

Special Appearance by

Nascar and Television Star Kenny Wallace

Late Model Modified Street Stock Hornet

Pay-off Pay-off Pay-off Pay-off

$ 1000 $ 600 $ 300 $ 200

$ 650 $ 400 $ 200 $ 125

$ 450 $ 300 $ 150 $ 100

$ 375 $ 200 $ 100 $ 75

$ 325 $ 175 $ 80 $ 65

$ 275 $ 150 $ 70 $ 55

$ 225 $ 125 $ 60 $ 50

$ 200 $ 100 $ 55 $ 40

$ 175 $ 90 $ 50 ON OUT

$ 150 $ 80 ON OUT

$ 125 $ 75

$ 100 ON OUT

ON OUT

Come out and enjoy all the fun and action

Pit Gates Open @ 4:00 pm Pit Passes $25. (all ages)

Grandstand Gates Open @ 5:00 pm Adults $10.

Hot Laps @ 6:00 pm Kids 11 & under Free

Qualify @ 6:30 pm (when accompanied by adult)

Racing @ 7:30 pm Skyboxes $15. (all ages)

LaSalle Speedway Hot Line 815-223-6900 Office non race days 815-223-6900

Unzicker, Farris, McKinney, Provenzano claim victories at LaSalle Speedway

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 10:16 AM PDT

LaSalle Speedway Racing September 10

Posted: 07 Sep 2011 10:12 AM PDT

Sievert, Kohler, Hughes, Provenzano all victorious; Champions honored

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– The quest for La Salle Speedway’s 2011 top titles is behind the racers. Now the racing is just about who makes it to the finish line first not how many points will be collected. The points chase ended with the last regular night of racing on August 13^th when the respective divisional champions were confirmed. Saturday night, those top finishers were honored in style on victory lane.

Mike Provenzano is a racer you can always count on to be running up front and finishing strong in the points chase. This season he stayed on track and scored his second UMP Late Model championship title at La Salle. Finishing fifty points behind Provenzano, was Rich Bell who has proven to be another impressive hot shoe on the high banks. Brett Sievert, even though he missed a few regular races, finished third in the chase.

Matt Gremminger drove his way into a decent points lead in the UMP Modified division to claim the top title with a twenty six point lead. Tom Knippenberg took away the runner up position from Justin McCoy by a mere five points difference.

In the UMP Street Stock class it was Roger Rickels running away with the crown. His one hundred and two point lead over Tim Provenzano was impressive considering the strong competition in the division. Mike McKinney claimed the third place points finish fifty points behind Provenzano.

Allen Provenzano was the true commander of the UMP Four Cylinder Hornet division all season long. With ten feature victories he was the man to beat but nearly unbeatable. Allen racked up an impressive 1079 points over brother Jon Provenzano’s 902 points he tallied to take second place. Freddie Thatcher collected 754 points for third place.

UMP Late Models:

Sievert hit the track running when he scored the fastest timed lap of 13.198. Ryan Dauber took the checkers for the first heat race contest after leading from the start. He and Sievert stayed close together until the finish. Scott Schmitt crossed the line third ahead of Rich Bell and Mike Provenzano. Keith Piano led the entire second heat race with a challenge by Dale Markham half way through the event. He took the win over Markham, Lake Knutti, Ed Williams Sr. and Joe Burba.

Dauber and Sievert found themselves side by side on the grid with Schmitt and Bell on their back bumpers. Once the green was signaled, Sievert darted to the lead. Sievert, Dauber, Bell, Schmitt and Provenzano chose to run a higher line while sixth place starter Mike Glynn found a road less traveled down low. He was on the move and challenging Dauber for second when officials called a yellow for debris on the track surface. The single file restart was led by Sievert over Dauber, Glynn, Bell, Schmitt, Provenzano, Darin Furar, and Billy Weistart Jr.

During Lap 14, Glynn flew to the inside line of Dauber and the two were in a brief side by side challenge until he took the runner up spot. One lap later, Bell pushed his way under a low running Glynn and ran over his drivers side back quarter area. The contact moved Glynn up the track ending an impressively fast run. Two laps later, a caution brought the pack nose to tail. After seeing Glynn’s fast track on the inside, the leaders moved down to where he was flying and stayed there. The remainder of the race was an uneventful follow the leader on the bottom all the way to the checkers.

Sievert collected the win over Dauber, Bell, Glynn, Schmitt, Provenzano, Jon Rogers, Furar, Burba, Markham, Piccatto, Gary Schalmo, Brian Lock, and Weistart.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Justin McCoy topped the fourteen car time trials with a quick lap of 14.497. Jamie Lomax took the first heat contest victory over McCoy, Matt Gremminger, Travis Kohler, and Brandon Maciejewski. Steve Lewis won the second heat race ahead of Mike Marden, Scott Hauge, Don Cole and Dale Lueth.

Lomax was out of the race early leaving Travis Kohler in charge up front. Twelve cars were remaining by the second lap restart. During the eleventh circuit, Maciejewski who was running a solid second hit the marbles and lost some momentum while McCoy took over the running position. One lap later, Maciejewski lost control spinning when Knippenberg had no where to go but nose first into the spun ride. Kohler was challenged during the last couple laps but Kohler took the feature race ahead of AJ May, McCoy, Knippenberg, Gremminger, Maciejewski, Lueth, Hauge, Lewis, Marden, and Ken Fischer.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Jamie Balensiefen’s timed lap of 15.584 earned him the quickest qualifier of the division. Mike McKinney won the first heat over Mike Hughes, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, and Aaron Near. Kevin Snowberger claimed the second heat in front of Roger Rickels, Jim Phelps, Keith Lucas, and Justin Hamm.

Hughes started on the front row outside taking the reigns away from McKinney during the second lap out. Six laps later, Hughes run put him far ahead of the pack for a challenge. Without contest, Hughes easily took the win over Rickels, McKinney, Near, Tim Provenzano, Randy Lucas, Jim Phelps, Justin Hamm, Keith Lucas, and Nick Sell.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

The UMP 4 Cylinder track champion added to his winning ways with yet another feature victory on his stellar season. Allen Provenzano’s outdistanced himself from his brother Jon while DJ Kilanowski and Crystal Broyles Provenzano put on a great show. Allen’s ability to cross the checkers first brought his feature win count up to eleven wins. Jon took second in front of Rick Zifko, Kilanowski, Broyles, and Thatcher.

Remaining Schedule:

Fri. Sept. 02 – Bob Tattersall Memorial USAC Midgets Complete Program, Late Model, Modified Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions

Sat. Sept. 10 – Regular Race Night – just added

Sat. Sept. 17 – Nascar Night Plus Surprises Complete Program, Late Model, Modified, Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions

Tues. Sept. 27 – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Road to Knoxville”(re-scheduled Spring Shootout from May) Plus UMP Modified’s

Sat. Oct. 29 – Complete Program, Late Model, Modified, Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions plus Boo Bash Halloween Party

La Salle Speedway Results 8/27/11

UMP Late Models: 19 Cars

Qualifying: Brett Sievert 13.198

Heat 1: Ryan Dauber, Brett Sievert, Scott Schmitt, Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano

Heat 2: Keith Piano, Dale Markham, Lake Knutti, Ed Williams Sr., Joe Burba

Feature: Brett Sievert, Ryan Dauber, Rich Bell, Mike Glynn, Scott Schmitt, Mike Provenzano, Jon Rogers, Darin Furar, Joe Burba, Dale Markham, Jon Piccatto, Gary Schalmo, Brian Lock, Billy Weistart Jr., Gary Hunt Jr., Aaron Schmidt, Lake Knutti, Ed Williams Sr., Keith Piano

UMP Modifieds: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Justin McCoy 14.497

Heat 1: Jamie Lomax, Justin McCoy, Matt Gremminger, Travis Kohler, Brandon Maciejewski

Heat 2: Steve Lewis, Mike Marden, Scott Hauge, Don Cole, Dale Lueth

Feature: Travis Kohler, AJ May, Justin McCoy, Tom Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Brandon Maciejewski, Dale Lueth, Scot Hauge, Steve Lewis, Mike Marden, Ken Fischer, Don Cole, Jamie Lomax, Austin Hewitt

UMP Street Stocks: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Jamie Balensiefen 15.584

Heat 1: Mike McKinney, Mike Hughes, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Aaron Near

Heat 2: Kevin Snowberger, Roger Rickels, Jim Phelps, Keith Lucas, Justin Hamm

Feature: Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Mike McKinney, Aaron Near, Tim Provenzano, Randy Lucas, Jim Phelps, Justin Hamm, Keith Lucas, Nick Sell, Nathan Balensiefen, Kevin Snowberger, Jake Miller, Nathan Ultech

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 11 Cars

Qualifying: Allen Provenzano 17.610

Heat 1: Rick Zifko, Allen Provenzano, Aaron Sutton, DJ Kilanowski, Freddie Thatcher

Heat 2: Jon Provenzano, Mark Sutton, Robert Hautz

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Rick Zifko, DJ Kilanowski, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Freddie Thatcher, Mark Sutton, Robert Hautz, Aaron Sutton

USAC MIDGETS COME TO LASALLE SPEEDWAY

Posted: 27 Aug 2011 01:44 PM PDT

$5.00 and a Hot Dog

Sprints flip over La Salle; Waite celebrated at memorial race

By: Betty Glynn

Outlaw Sprint Cars:

Thirty five racers made the trek to the IRA and MOWA co-sanctioned event making their way from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Minnesota. Scott Neitzel had the fastest ride with a timed lap of 11.082. After time trials the heat race grids were set. It didn’t take Scott Biertzer long in the first heat race to jump into a solo run as Mike Reinke held a strong second. A restart of the sixth lap put the field back nose to tail. One lap later, Reinke gave him a low line challenge. As Reinke was taking over, Beirtzer spun on his own ending his chance at the heat win. Reinke took the checkers over Billy Balog and Wayne Modjeski.

Bill Warren was bad fast leading the majority of the second heat contest to capture the checkers. Warren won ahead of Paul May, Jimmy Hurley, and TJ Luedke. The third heat race had a horrible flip before a lap could be scored. Jerrod Hull started sixth in that heat but never gave up. He shot to the lead around Matt VanderVere who led most of the race. Hull’s power plant was maximized as he led the field to the finish line. Korey Weyant started as the pole sitter for the fourth heat and endured a four way battle for the point during the first lap. He managed to find his way out front of the pack and led until falling off the pace with two laps to go. Scott Uttech claimed the win over AJ Bruns and Jordan Goldesberry.

Reinke and Biertzer were the front row starters for the A Main line up. Reinke was quick to pull into the lead. With three laps on the scoreboard, Chris Urish caused a red flag to be signaled when his ride flipped in turn three. Two laps later, Biertzer’s third place run was given up when he spun. Balog was on fire as he seemed to be finding his comfort zone and looked like he had a plan.

The eighth lap was painful for all. Three restarts and still the talented field could not get it started. Bill Wirth spinning got things off to a bad start. Just one thing after another stalled the action. At each glance to the scoreboard it felt like the never ending scene involving Bill Murray in the 1993 Groundhog Day comedy. The event was scheduled as a 30 lapper but was cut to twenty laps.

The final eleven laps were an exciting display of full throttle racing. Balog took charge and held on for his tenth win of the season. The three time defending champion added on to his current points lead with the $3,000 to win victory. Hurley charged hard on the inside of the track for second finishing over Reinke, Goldesberry, TJ Luedke, Vandervere, Moughan, Weyant, Modejski, and Kris Spitz.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Twenty five UMP Open Wheel Modified racers were on hand for a chance at their $1,000 to win contest. Nick Allen topped the qualifiers with a fast lap time of 14.705. Jamie Lomax, Steven Brooks, and Donovan Lodge each won the divisions heat races. AJ May, Charlie Harmon, Don Cox, Bill Gray and Dale Lueth earned transfer spots after their semi-feature finishes.

Their feature started later than expected at 10:51 pm. Lomax was fast out of the blocks and led the nearly the entire race with Brooks on his heels. As the white flag was about to drop, Brooks spun the leader. A sad state considering there was enough room for a side by side battle by the two impressively talented drivers. A visibly unhappy Lomax was forced to the tail for the restart.

Gary Cook Jr. gave a finish line challenge but Brooks edged him out for the win. Allen took third in front of Ray Bollinger, Lodge, Harmon, Tom Knippenberg, Nathan Balensiefen, Jason Pieshy, Dan Glover, Lueth and Gray.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

Allen Provenzano swept the Hornet division winning the feature event over Jon Provenzano, Rich Bell, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Rich Zifko, Corey West, Todd Breitbarth, Jerry Legner, Zach Bollinger, Aaron Sutton, Crytal Provenzano Broyles, and Brad Carrington.

Bell and Allen Provenzano won the heat races.

UMP Modifieds: 25 Cars

Qualifying: Nick Allen 14.705

Heat 1: Jamie Lomax, Nick Allen, Ray Bollinger, Tom Knippenberg, Justin McCoy

Heat 2: Steven Brook, Travis Kohler, Gary Cook Jr., Tom Bell, Bob Silaggi

Heat 3: Donovan Lodge, Jason Peishy, Nathan Balensiefen, Dan Glover, Brandon Maciejewski

Feature: Steven Brooks, Gary Cook Jr., Nick Allen, Ray Bollinger, Donovan Lodge, Charlie Harmon, Tom Knippenberg, Nathan Balensiefen, Jason Pieshy, Dan Glover, Dale Lueth, Bill Gray, Brandon Maciejewski, Justin McCoy, Travis Kohler, Mike Marden, Jamie Lomax, Bob Silaggi, AJ May, Don Cox

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 19 Cars

Heat 1: Rich Bell, Rich Wagner, Jon Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, Todd Breibarth

Heat 2: Allen Provenzano, JR Brown, Jerry Legner, Rich Zifko, Corey West

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Rich Bell, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Rich Zifko, Corey West, Todd Breitbarth, Jerry Legner, Zach Bollinger, Aaron Sutton, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Brad Carrington, Anthony, Freddie Thatcher, Mark Sutton, Ryan Williams, Andrew Schwarko, Derrick Deford

Sprint Cars Back @ LaSalle Speedway Sunday Aug. 21

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 02:22 PM PDT

Points chase ends at La Salle; Plenty of action still scheduled

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– Saturday night marked the final points chase race at La Salle Speedway for the 2011 season. In the four regular divisions, the championship leaders were secure in their quest coming into the last night of action. In the Late Model and Open Wheel Modified classes the leaders were ahead by thirty points. The Street Stock champion started the evening with more than sixty points over second and the 4 Cylinder Hornet leader boasted an impressive one hundred and sixty seven point lead. Just starting their features secured Mike Provenzano, Matthew Gremminger, Roger Rickels and Allen Provenzano track champion titles in their divisions.

UMP Late Models:

Brett Sievert has been absent from the Illinois Valley speed arena for a couple of weeks but he didn’t forget how to hit the gas hard on the clay oval. His fastest timed lap of 13.022 topped the field of nineteen competitors. The fast heat contest started off with Mike Provenzano and Sievert on the front row. Provenzano shot to the lead with a higher line run with Sievert on his rear quarter panel. As the top cars raced through the corners it resembled drift racing. Provenzano won the contest over Sievert, Scott Schmitt, Russ Scheffler, and Mike Glynn. John Piccatto took command of the second heat during the first lap out. His hard charge led the pack all the way to the checkers. Allen Gendusa took second over Lake Knutti, Dale Markham, and Rick Scheffler.

The heat contest finish determines the starting grid for the 25 lap main event. Provenzano and Sievert were on the first row ahead of Schmitt and Russ Scheffler. Several complete restarts was necessary before the pace was set at high speed. Sievert grabbed the lead right out of the blocks with Provenzano not far behind. During Lap 8, Gendusa took his ride up the concrete retaining wall between turns one and two in Lightning McQueen fashion and impressively bounced back on the clay and kept racing.

During the final laps, Sievert had managed to outdistance himself from Provenzano easily taking home the night’s trophy. Provenzano took second over Glynn, Russ Scheffler, Schmitt, thirteenth place starter Rich Bell, Gary Schalmo, Ed Williams, Rick Scheffler, Markham, Gendusa, Piccatto and Jon Small.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Fourteen UMP Open Wheel Modified racers were signed in for action with Jamie Lomax claiming the fastest lap of 14.410. The quickest qualifier won the first heat with ease beating out AJ May, Vince Cooper, Dale Lueth and Tim Knippenberg. Former Street Stock standout Brandon Maciejewski worked hard to hold off Mike Marden for the second heat win. Geno Hewitt finished third in front of Bill Theodorf and Scott Hauge.

Lomax and May took the front spots on the grid of the feature race with Cooper and Lueth rolling into row two. Once the green light was illuminated it was Lomax setting the pace. The leaders seemed to take their competition a lap down pretty quickly. During the eleventh circuit, three cars were racing side by side when the leader found himself approaching the battle. He managed to make his way around the traffic but one of the trio went to the infield and came back to the racing surface in front of second place runner May. A caution in Lap 16 brought the pack back together but just after the restart May’s engine blew a plume of smoke and he came to a stop just barely into the infield. Cooper spun off turn one while Hauge found his ride stopped just above him on the track when Theodorf was coming full steam ahead and had no where to go. His ride drove up the retaining wall flipping into turn two. Luckily none of the drivers were injured.

Nine cars remained for the final restart. Lomax finished what he started with a clean sweep for the second week in a row. Lueth finished a strong second over Knippenberg, McCoy, Gremminger, Hewitt, Marden, Don Cole, and Kevin Hughes.

McCoy and Knippenberg were tied in the chase coming into the last points race but with Knippenberg finishing one position in front of McCoy he will end the season second.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Roger Rickels has been a force to reckon with during the Street Stock class this season. He hit the track running to earn quick time for the class. Nick Sell took home the fast heat victory over Rickels, Tim Provenzano, Matt Ramer, and Kevin Snowberger. Mike Hughes won the second heat in front of Alex Clubb, Justin Hamm, Keith Lucas, and Jake Miller.

Seventeen contenders took their grid positions with Sell and Rickels on the front row after their heat finishes. Just as the action was about to get underway a slight drizzle that had started during the Late’s race turned to faster rain drops leaving the sky. The Street’s stayed on the track to keep the surface race ready. Lap after lap, the rain continued but with their hard work and the rain letting up the event was ready to start about fifteen minutes after it started.

Rickels put on a dominating performance leaving Mike McKinney and Snowberger in his wake. A caution with four to go, enabled the competition to extinguish the lead Rickels had generated. McKinney was on his bumper for the final lap but Rickels schooled the field flag to flag.

McKinney claimed second without contest. Snowberger finished third in front of Clubb, Ramer, Sell, Miller, Steve Schwemlein, Justin Rutledge, Jim Prokup and Keith Lucas.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

The division’s current track record holder, Jon Provenzano, staked his claim to the quickest lap for the second week in a row in the UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets. Twelve racers were in attendance with JR Brown collecting the checkers for the first heat race over Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Jerry Legner, and Freddie Thatcher. Aaron Sutton was the top dog at the finish of the second heat race finishing over Marquis Hoover, Mark Sutton, Eric Miller, and Rick Wagner.

The absolute domination of Allen Provenzano this season in the division continued Saturday night. He shot to the lead on the first circuit of the fifteen lap main event and outdistanced himself like he has done so many weeks this year. When the checkers dropped it was the familiar number K1 returning to victory lane. He came into the last points night with more than 160 points over his brother Jon due to his memory making season.

Brown earned the second place finish ahead of Jon Provenzano, Legner, Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles and Aaron Sutton.

Remaining Schedule:

Sat. Aug. 20 – No Racing Scheduled

Sun Aug. 21 – Bill Waite Memorial IRA Sprints with Modified’s and Hornet’s

Sat. Aug. 27 – Fan Appreciation Night $5.00 General Admission Complete Program, Late Model, Modified Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions Champions Honored

Fri. Sept. 02 – Bob Tattersall Memorial USAC Midgets Complete Program, Late Model, Modified Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions

Sat. Sept. 10 – No Racing Scheduled

Sat. Sept. 17 – Nascar Night Plus Surprises Complete Program, Late Model, Modified, Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions

Tues. Sept. 27 – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Road to Knoxville”(re-scheduled Spring Shootout from May) Plus UMP Modified’s

Sat. Oct. 29 – Complete Program, Late Model, Modified, Street Stock and Hornet Race Divisions plus Boo Bash Halloween Party

La Salle Speedway Results 8/13/11

UMP Late Models: 19 Cars

Qualifying: Brett Sievert 13.022

Heat 1: Mike Provenzano, Brett Sievert, Scott Schmitt, Russ Scheffler, Mike Glynn

Heat 2: John Piccatto, Allan Gendusa, Lake Knutti, Dale Markham, Rick Scheffler

Feature: Brett Sievert, Mike Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Russ Scheffler, Scott Schmitt, Rich Bell, Gary Schalmo, Ed Williams, Rick Scheffler, Dale Markham, Allen Gendusa, John Piccatto, Jon Small, Brian Lock, Billy Weistart Jr., Jeff Small, Lake Knutti

UMP Modifieds: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Jamie Lomax 14.410

Heat 1: Jamie Lomax, AJ May, Vince Cooper, Dale Lueth, Tom Knippenberg

Heat 2: Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Marden, Geno Hewitt, Bill Theodorf, Scott Hauge

Feature: Jamie Lomax, Dale Lueth, Tom Knippenberg, Justin McCoy, Matt Gremminger, Geno Hewitt, Mike Marden, Don Cole, Kevin Hughes, Bill Theodorf, AJ May, Vince Cooper, Scott Hauge, Brandon Maciejewski

UMP Street Stocks: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Roger Rickels 15.552

Heat 1: Nick Sell, Roger Rickels, Tim Provenzano, Matt Ramer, Kevin Snowberger

Heat 2: Mike Hughes, Alex Clubb, Justin Hamm, Keith Lucas, Jake Miller

Feature: Roger Rickels, Mike McKinney, Kevin Snowberger, Alex Clubb, Matt Ramer, Nick Sell, Jake Miller, Steve Schwemlein, Justin Rutledge, Jim Prokup, Keith Lucas, Mike Hughes, Aaron Near, Randy Lucas, Justin Hamm, Tim Provenzano, Ande Bivens

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 12 Cars

Qualifying: Jon Provenzano 18.323

Heat 1: JR Brown, Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Jerry Legner, Freddie Thatcher

Heat 2: Aaron Sutton, Marquis Hoover, Mark Sutton, Eric Miller, Rick Wagner

Feature: Allen Provenzano, JR Brown, Jon Provenzano, Jerry Legner, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Aaron Sutton, Marquis Hoover, Mark Sutton, Eric Miller, Rick Wagner

Division championships up for grabs this week @ LaSalle Speedway

2nd Annual Bill Waite Jr. Memorial

Photo Caption: "Rich Bell (21B) and Mike Provenzano (M27) battle for the win at La Salle Speedway Saturday night. Provenzano celebrated the finish in victory lane."

Provenzano stays at the top of the chase with win at La Salle; Lomax sweeps the Mods

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– The points chase is wrapping up at La Salle Speedway with only one divisional title still up for grabs. The hottest contest for the championship is in the ultra competitive UMP Late Model division. Two hot shoes are battling for the crown with one week remaining in the quest. Twenty points separated Rich Bell from current leader Mike Provenzano prior to Saturday’s racing. With another night in the books the two are still neck and neck.

UMP Late Models:

Bell scored the quickest lap of the fifteen Late Model contenders with a time of 13.435. During the seventh circuit of the fast qualifiers heat contest, Ed Williams Jr. found his ride barreling into the safety area of pit entrance bringing out the red flag. He hit hard with the result being heavy damage but the driver left on his own. Bell went on to score the victory over Provenzano, Keith Piano, Mike Glynn and Nathan Balensiefen. Billy Weistart Jr. led flag to flag for an unchallenged win in the second heat contest. Ed Williams Sr. took second place in front of John Piccatto, Dale Markham, and Joe Burba.

It took the fourteen starters two complete restarts to get the first lap in the books of the 25 lap main. Bell and Provenzano were seated on the front row ahead of Piano and Glynn. The first attempt ended quickly when Bell set a slow pace and Piano had nowhere to go but into the rear of his ride. The second start was a bottle neck mess concluding with Glynn’s car receiving significant front end damage before even a lap in.

Once the field was under green, they made it three laps until a caution was signaled for Balensiefen who was sitting sideways in turn two. Three laps later, he left the track after another caution. Provenzano stayed on the low line he desperately wanted while Bell managed the high groove. During Lap 14, Provenzano’s lower run started to show signs of being the faster line when he shot up to the door of Bell. The two were running blistering fast for the point when they found themselves needing to maneuver lapped traffic. Their refusal to let off the gas resulted in aggressive contact with anyone in their path. Provenzano stayed full throttle on the tail of one of the unlucky recipients turning his own ride sideways off turn four and a caution called by the flagman. No one was sent to the tail for the single file restart. The lucky leaders got their running positions back.

Five laps later, the two were still battling side by side with Piano holding a strong third place run. With two laps to go, Bell challenged his machine by banging off the outside concrete retaining wall sending sparks in his wake hoping to get the momentum he needed from the top side. He fell back to third during the final lap with Piano darting into second. As the two entered the turn four corner, Bell tried a bonsai move but didn’t have enough power to take back the runner up position back.

When the checkered flag waved, it was Provenzano (2009 track champion) celebrating in victory lane. Piano earned his second place finish in front of Bell, Glynn, Dale Markham, Darin Furar, Piccatto, Lake Knutti, Burba, Brian Lock, Scott Langer, and Ed Williams Sr.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

The UMP Open Wheel Modified class had fourteen competitors for time trials with Jamie Lomax traveling the fasted timed lap of 14.540. Lomax hit the gas hard to win the first heat race over Derek Losh, Tom Knippenberg, Dale Lueth and Justin McCoy. AJ May made his way to the finish line first to beat Mike Marden, Scott Hauge, Kevin Hughes and Brandon Maciejewski in the second heat contest.

Lomax and Losh started on the front row of the grid for their main event ahead of Tom Knippenberg and Dale Lueth. Losh held the point for the first lap but once Lomax had a clear shot at the lead it was the Lomax show all the way through the twentieth lap. He outdistanced the competition while Losh maintained generous real estate from the third place struggle between Knippenberg and Lueth. The battle for third was heating up with side-by-side action for several laps. Eighth place starter, AJ May was quietly working his way up the field. He had his car hooked up on the bottom of the track picking off positions lap after lap. During the final few laps, he closed in on the third place running spot.

Lomax swept the class with dominating style claiming the victory over Losh, May, Knippenberg, Lueth, Matt Gremminger, Austin Hewitt, Marden, Bill Theordorf, Ken Fischer, Hauge, Maciejewski, Justin McCoy, and Hughes.

Gremminger leads the points chase by more than thirty points over McCoy going into the final point’s night next week.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Roger Rickels topped the fourteen Street Stocks with a fastest lap time of 15.635. The speed demon took the first heat win in front of Aaron Near, Mike Hughes, Nick Sell and Mike McKinney. Keith Miller claimed the second preliminary event as Randy Lucas crossed the line second in front of Ryan Weistart, Keith Lucas and Jerry Legner.

McKinney and Sell rolled into the front row of the grid for the twenty lap feature event. McKinney was fast from the start taking the point early. He held on to the lead until the eleventh circuit when Hughes took command. Two laps later, Rickels and McKinney were door to door for second with Rickels coming out ahead. During the fifth lap, Jake Miller’s drive shaft flew out on to the track ending his night with Weistart tangled up with him in the corner of turn two. Both left with the help of the tow truck.

Hughes claimed the win over Rickels, McKinney, Near, Tim Provenzano, Sell, Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas, Jerry Legner, Keith Miller, Jim Prokup and Ande Bivens.

Rickels boasts a comfortable lead in the points chase with over fifty points separating him from Tim Provenzano.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

Jon Provenzano claimed the new track record with a lap time of 17.704. Nine contenders raced one heat and the feature event with Allen Provenzano taking top honors in both events. Jon Provenzano took second in their heat ahead of JR Brown, Freddie Thatcher, and Crystal Provenzano Broyles. Allen Provenzano quickly took command of the feature from the pole. His victory came over Jon Provenzano, Thatcher, Broyles, Aaron Sutton, Mark Sutton, Brown and Eric Miller.

Allen Provenzano’s domination in the division has earned him the title chase without needing the last night of competition. Before Saturday’s racing he was already seated in the lead by more than one hundred and sixty points over his brother Jon.

La Salle Speedway Results 8/6/11

UMP Late Models: 15 Cars

Qualifying: Rich Bell 13.435

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

Heat 2: Billy Weistart Jr., Ed Williams Sr., John Piccatto, Dale Markham, Joe Burba

Feature: Mike Provenzano, Keith Piano, Rich Bell, Mike Glynn, Dale Markham, Darin Furar, John Picatto, Lake Knutti, Joe Burba, Brian Lock, Scott Langer, Ed Williams Sr., Nathan Balensiefen, Billy Weistart Jr.

UMP Modifieds: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Jamie Lomax 14.540

Heat 1: Jamie Lomax, Derek Losh, Tom Knippenberg, Dale Lueth, Justin McCoy

Heat 2: AJ May, Mike Marden, Scott Hauge, Kevin Hughes, Brandon Maciejewski

Feature: Jamie Lomax, Derek Losh, AJ May, Tom Knippenberg, Dale Lueth, Matt Gremminger, Autsin Hewitt, Mike Marden, Bill Theodorf, Ken Fischer, Scott Hauge, Brandon Maciejewski, Justin McCoy, Kevin Hughes

UMP Street Stocks: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Roger Rickels 15.635

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Aaron Near, Mike Hughes, Nick Sell, Mike McKinney

Heat 2: Keith Miller, Randy Lucas, Ryan Weistart, Keith Lucas, Jerry Legner

Feature: Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Mike McKinney, Aaron Near, Tim Provenzano, Nick Sell, Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas, Jerry Legner, Keith Miller, Jim Prokup, Ande Bivens, Jake Miller, Ryan Weistart

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 8 Cars

Qualifying: Jon Provenzano 17.704 (Track Record)

Heat 1: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, JR Brown, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Aaron Sutton, Mark Sutton, JR Brown, Eric Miller

Rich Bell, Jamie Lomax,Tim Provenzano, and Allen Provenzano Victorious on July 30th!

Posted: 02 Aug 2011 03:23 PM PDT

Saturday Night we will be showing our appreciation to the fans by reducing the general admission price in half. Its $5.00 fan appreciation night again at the LaSalle Speedway. We have great give a ways and fun for everyone.

Pit Gates Open at 4 pm, Grandstand Gates Open at 5 pm Adult General Admission is $5.00 Pit Passes all Ages $25.00 Skyboxes all Ages $15.00

Photos submitted by official track photographer Karen Kenney-Oles

"Bret Sievert (#5) and Rich Bell (#21) battle back and forth for the lead July 16th at La Salle Speedway. Bell won the 25-lap main event after a battle of the slide jobs."

"Jamie Lomax (#36L) and Dale Lueth (#96) fight for top spot at La Salle Speedway before Lomax took the victory."

Bell wins slide job war at La Salle

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– Saturday night’s racing at La Salle Speedway qualified as one of the best Late Model battles all season long. A fast and furious pace didn’t keep Rich Bell and Bret Sievert from dicing back and forth for the victory trading paint only a few times.

UMP Late Models:

Bell scored the quickest lap of the sixteen Late Model contenders with a time of 13.447. Sievert posted a time of 13.493. A good battle was just heating up between Bell, Glynn and Sievert during the first few laps of the fast qualifiers heat when Glynn’s power plant blew sending him permanently pit side. Sievert went on to beat Bell, Keith Piano and Joe Fratt. Dale Markham and Billy Weistart Jr. had a great challenge in the second heat contest with the young Markham taking home the checkered flag. Their side by side battle ended with Markham winning by a nose. Weistart finished second over Tom Smith and Jon Small.

Fifteen Late’s made up the feature starting grid with Sievert on the pole and Bell in his favored outside starting spot. Piano and Fratt were in row two. Before the first lap could even be scored contact was already made between Bell and Sievert going for the lead. A caution stalled their run but once the green was flying, for any length of time, the speed demons were heavy on the throttle. During Lap 9, Sievert came up fast on a slower moving ride that was about to go a lap down forcing him and Bell to change the groove they were running in. Two laps later, a caution slowed the pace. Just after the restart, Piano the third place runner found his sheet metal grinding hard into the concrete safety wall and off the track.

The final six laps became a slide job war with the leaders taking turns putting on the best slide job. They each intentionally drove into the corner too hard under the person they are attempting to pass. Once they passed them they had to try and clear the nose of the other car and slide up in front of him. This way the car they passed would have to slow up to keep from hitting the person who attempted the slide job, and the person who did the slide job had more momentum out of the turn.

“What did you think of those slide jobs?” Bell asked after the race. “That was the hardest racing I have ever done.”

As the two leaders were fighting back and forth Bob Cullen saw his opening and made a move for the lead with just two laps to go. As the one lap was signaled, Cullen stole the lead but lost control and spun his ride in turn two. That caution brought the field of nine back nose to tail with Sievert leading Bell, Mike Provenzano, Weistart, Smith, Fratt, Knutti, Markham, and Lock. Bell wasted little time shooting to the topside of the track and stole the lead and Provenzano moved around Sievert for the runner up finish. Weistart took fourth ahead of Smith, Fratt, Markham, Knutti and Lock.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

The UMP Open Wheel Modified class had fourteen competitors for qualifications with Dale Lueth topping the field with a time of 14.923. Lueth hit the gas hard to win the first heat race over Jamie Lomax, Tom Knippenberg, and Justin McCoy. Cody Spirling beat Don Cole, Charlie Harmon and Bil Theodorf in the second heat contest.

Lueth and Lomax started on the front row of the grid for their main event. Lueth set the fast pace for the ultra racey Mod’s. Falling in behind him in the same line was Lomax, and Knippenberg while fourth place starter Justin McCoy shot to the higher line. By the third circuit, Lomax was trying to make room under Lueth’s machine in the turns but the leader had more power on the straight aways. Lueth led until Lap 9 when Lomax managed to put the duo into a nose to nose battle. As they crossed under the flag stand, Lomax took over the point for the first and final time. Shortly after the pass McCoy’s highside run helped him move into second place over Harmon and Lueth.

Lomax took command and pulled into a nice lead to take the checkers. Harmon scored second in front of McCoy, Mike Marden, Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Lueth, Spirling, Jason Kolbe, Cole, and Hewitt.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Twelve UMP Street Stock contenders qualified with Roger Rickels having the fastest lap. Rickels was a force to reckon with claiming fast time, the first heat race and then the feature contest. Jamie Balensiefen took second to him in the heat over Mike Hughes, and Steve Lewis. Lewis nearly flipped over after contact was made between him and Balensiefen early in the race. Pole sitter Tim Provenzano won the second preliminary event in front of Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas and Ryan Weistart.

Rickels earned the pole spot and led the event flag to flag to sweep the division’s activities. Mike Hughes finished second over Provenzano, Lewis, Balensiefen, Randy Lucas, Jake Miller, Nick Sell, Keith Lucas, Weistart, Miller, and Hamm.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

Phil Burdette is the new track record holder for the 4 Cylinder Hornet class. His fast lap of 18.992 gave him the new title. Allen Provenzano won the heat over Burdette, Jeff Seitz and Jon Provenzano. Crystal Provenzano Broyles won her first event with a victory in the second heat race coming from a fourth place start. Colton Arnold finished second in front of Mark Sutton and Rick Wagner.

Allen Provenzano has truly become the dominator of the class this season. He has been an unstoppable force winning week after week. Seitz gave it his all in the feature race but Allen Provenzano did what he does best and held on to the lead for the victory. Jon Provenzano took third in front of Burdette, JR Brown, Broyles, Scott Redden, Freddie Thatcher, Wagner, Mark Sutton, Arnold, Aaron Sutton, Dan Widdecombe, and Brandon Mallery.

La Salle Speedway Results 7/16/11

UMP Late Models: 16 Cars

Qualifying: Rich Bell 13.447

Heat 1: Bret Sievert, Rich Bell, Keith Piano, Joe Fratt

Heat 2: Dale Markham, Billy Weistart Jr., Tom Smith, Jon Small

Feature: Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano, Bret Sievert, Bill Weistart, Tom Smith, Joe Fratt, Dale Markham, Lake Knutti, Brian Lock, Bob Cullen, Keith Piano, Nathan Balensiefen, Jon Small, Jeff Small

UMP Modifieds: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Dale Lueth 14.923

Heat 1: Dale Lueth, Jamie Lomax, Tom Knippenberg, Justin McCoy

Heat 2: Cody Spirling, Don Cole, Charlie Harmon, Bill Theodorf

Feature: Jamie Lomax, Charlie Harmon, Justin McCoy, Mike Marden, Tom Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Dale Lueth, Cody Spirling, Jason Kolbe, Don Cole, Geno Hewitt, Bill Theodorf, Scott Hauge

UMP Street Stocks: 12 Cars

Qualifying: Roger Rickels 16.008

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Jamie Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Steve Lewis

Heat 2: Tim Provenzano, Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas, Ryan Weistart

Feature: Roger Rickels, Mike Hughes, Tim Provenzano, Steve Lewis, Jamie Balensiefen, Randy Lucas, Jake Miller, Nick Sell, Keith Lucas, Ryan Weistart, Keith Miller, Justin Hamm

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 15 Cars

Qualifying: Phil Burdette 18.992

Heat 1: Allen Provenzano, Phil Burdette, Jeff Seitz, Jon Provenzano

Heat 2: Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Colton Arnold, Mark Sutton, Rick Wagner

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jeff Seitz, Jon Provenzano, Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Scott Redden, Freddie Thatcher, Rick Wagner, Mark Sutton, Colton Arnold, Aaron Sutton, Dan Widdecombe, Brandon Mallery

Babb’s slick track preference at La Salle leads to third victory in a row

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– Mother Nature has robbed race enthusiasts of their need for speed on far too many occasions this season at La Salle Speedway. The Wednesday night make up of the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals was finally a reality with twenty nine competitors from seven states and two countries rolling into the Illinois Valley’s largest sports complex. One of the seventeen Illinoisans took home the biggest prize of all as he works to clinch the coveted, and profitable, tour title.

UMP DIRTcar Summernationals Late Model Tour:

Forty laps, twenty nine racers, five thousand dollars, a title on the line and perfect weather conditions set the stage for a perfect night of racing. Group qualifying, three heat races, a C Main, and four provisional positions decided the feature grid. Pole sitter Shannon Babb, dubbed the Moweaqua Missile, coasted into his spot next to Frank Heckanast Jr. on the front of the grid while Kevin Weaver and Bret Sievert were in row two. Ryan Unzicker and Donny Walden were in the third row over Mike Glynn and Jack Sullivan. The four wide salute of the entire field is an absolute welcome addition and seems to prep the crowd for full throttle horse power.

Once the green flag waved, it was Heckanast taking charge of the field as he drove into a good lead by the sixth lap out. Babb looked faster in the corners but Heckanast had a good run on the straights, enough to pull away. The two battled back and forth with Babb powering up to the leaders door in the turns but Heckanast was fast on the topside. Babb was heavy on the gas to force a side by side duel for the point. The two battled back and forth during the early laps trading places until the sixteenth circuit when Babb used a lower line to grab the lead.

“Me and Frankie had a heck of a great race going on early,”Babb told the crowd during an infield interview.

The battle early on was the only racing action Babb would be challenged with other than cruising behind lapped cars who were battling for position. The forty lap main event finished in just over eighteen minutes, ironically the same number as the winner’s car.

“I loved it,” Babb said when asked about the track surface.“It was slick and we had put ourselves in a position up front.”

Babb’s victory circle visit is the third in a row for the current Summernationals point’s leader. The chase is coming to a close and it looks as though the trifecta finish boosted Babb into a secure lead en route to the $25,000 top prize.

Gibson City’s Kevin Weaver ran a strong second place for much of the race finishing runner up to Babb over Matt Miller, Heckanast, Sullivan, Unzicker, Sievert, Walden, Ryan Dauber, Dennis Erb Jr., Mike Spatola, Mike Provenzano, Dillon White, Rich Bell, Jeep Van Wormer, and Brandon Sheppard.

Weaver won the first heat race over Sievert, Glynn, Provenzano, and Dauber. Babb claimed the second heat ahead of Unzicker, Sullivan, White and Dan Schlieper. Heckanast took the third heat contest over Walden, Miller, Sheppard, and Erb. Bell charged hard to win the C Main over transfer positions Van Wormer and Pete Parker. Provisional starters were Scott Schmitt, Nathan Balensiefen, Scott James, Mike Spatola, and Keith Piano.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Twenty two UMP Open Wheel Modified drivers showed up for the $1,000 special. Ray Bollinger outran Allen Weisser, Butch Weisser, Donovan Lodge and Jeff Larson for the first heat race win. Nick Allen won the second heat in front of Mike Harrison, Jeff Curl, Jay Ledford, Dave Porth and Ryan Thomas.

Bollinger and Harrison started side by side on the feature grid’s front row. Their crusade went on lap after lap until the sixteenth circuit when Harrison made one final move to the lead. Just like the Late Model main, Lap 16 was the last lead change. Harrison managed to distance himself leaving Bollinger in second until the final lap was scored. Butch Weisser took third over Curl, Ledford, Allen Weisser, Lodge, Porth, Steven Brooks, Gary Cook Jr., Jeff Larson, Nick Allen, Ryan Thomas, Matthew Gremminger, Derick Doerr, Justin McCoy, Mike Marden, Austin Hewitt, Tom Knippenberg, Jason Kolbe, Kevin Hughes, and McKay Wenger.

UMP Street Stock’s:

The UMP Street Stock drivers ran an impressive race with a caution free feature. Tim Provenzano won their main ahead of Joel Funk, Steve Lewis, Mike McKinney, Andrew Funk, Rick Thomas, Roger Rickels, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Aaron Near, Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas, Ryan Weistart, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell and Steve Schwemlein.

Provenzano and Lewis won the heat races.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

Allen Provenzano’s domination of the Hornet division continued with another feature victory to add to his stellar season. Jeff Seitz gave it his all to steal the thunder but Allen managed to hold on for another victory. Seitz finished second in front of Phil Burdette, Matt Musgrave, JR Brown, Zach Bollinger, Jerry Legner, Rick Wagner, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Mark Sutton, Aaron Sutton, Mike Gossett, Rick Zifko, Andrew Schwarko, and Jon Provenzano.

La Salle Speedway Results 7/13/11

UMP DIRTcar Summernational’s Late Models: 29 Cars

Qualifying: Donny Walden

Heat 1: Kevin Weaver, Bret Seivert, Mike Glynn, Mike Provenzano, Ryan Dauber, Rich Bell, Jason Jaggers, Lake Knutti, Scott James

Heat 2: Shannon Babb, Ryan Unzicker, Jack Sullivain, Dillon White, Dan Schlieper, Jeep VanWormer, Pete Parker, Keith Piano, Craig Vosbergen, Jeff Larson

Heat 3: Frank Heckanast Jr., Donny Walden, Matt Miller, Brandon Sheppard, Dennis Erb Jr., Mike Spatola, Nathan Balensiefen, Matt Furman, Scott Schmitt

C Main: Rich Bell, Jeep VanWormer, Pete Parker, Scott Schmitt, Nathan Balensiefen, Jason Jaggers, Matt Furman, Doug Drown, Craig Vosbergen, Lake Knutti, Jeff Larson, Keith Piano, Mike Spatola, Scott James

Feature: Shannon Babb, Kevin Weaver, Matt Miller, Frank Heckanast Jr., Jack Sullivan, Ryan Unzicker, Bret Sievert, Donny Walden, Ryan Dauber, Dennis Erb Jr., Mike Spatola, Mike Provenzano, Dillon White, Rich Bell, Jeep Van Wormer, Brandon Sheppard, Nathan Balensiefen, Scott Schmitt, Mike Glynn, Pete Parker, Dan Schlieper

UMP Modifieds: 22 Cars

Heat 1: Ray Bollinger, Allen Weisser, Butch Weisser, Donovan Lodge, Jeff Larson, Austin Hewitt, Derrick Doerr, Steven Brooks, Kevin Hughes, Jason Kolbe

Heat 2: Nick Allen, Mike Harrison, Jeff Curle, Jay Ledford, Dave Porth, Ryan Thomas, Matthew Gremminger, Tom Knippenberg, Mike Marden, Justin McCoy, McKay Wenger, Gary Cook Jr.

Feature: Mike Harrison, Ray Bolinger, Butch Weisser, Jeff Curl, Jay Ledford, Allen Weisser, Donovan Lodge, Dave Porth, Steven Brooks, Gary Cook Jr., Jeff Larson, Nick Allen, Ryan Thomas, Matthew Gremminger, Derick Doerr, Justin McCoy, Mike Marden, Austin Hewitt, Tom Knippenberg, Jason Kolbe, Kevin Hughes, McKay Wenger

UMP Street Stocks: 16 Cars

Heat 1: Tim Provenzano, Roger Rickels, Joel Funk, Jamie Balensiefen

Heat 2: Steve Lewis, Mike McKinney, Rick Thomas, Nick Sell

Feature: Tim Provenzano, Joel Funk, Steve Lewis, Mike McKinney, Andrew Funk, Rick Thomas, Roger Rickels, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Aaron Near, Randy Lucas, Keith Lucas, Ryan Weistart, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Steve Schwemlein

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 16 Cars

Heat 1: Jeff Seitz, Rick Zifko, Allen Provenzano, Mike Gossett

Heat 2: Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Rick Wagner

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jeff Seitz, Phil Burdette, Matt Musgrave, JR Brown, Zach Bollinger, Jerry Legner, Rick Wagner, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Mark Sutton, Mike Gossett, Rick Zifko, Andrew Schwarko, Jon Provenzano

UMP SUMMERNATIONALS WEDNESDAY JULY 13

Pit gates 1pm. Front gate 3pm. Drivers meeting 5:30pm. Hot laps 6pm. Qualify 6:30pm. Racetime 7:30pm

Adults Grandstands $20.00. Kids 11 and under free. Pit Passes all ages $35.00. Skyboxes all ages $25.00

AJ May steals the show in first win; Sievert still winning

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL– AJ May was on fire Saturday night on the high banks of La Salle Speedway. The eighteen year old racer is usually found in the Peoria area but looked like a veteran of the Illinois Valley’s speed arena when he charged from last to first to capture his first UMP Modified win.

UMP Late Models:

Twenty one UMP Late Model racers made their way to the track for one final night of competition before the UMP Summer Nationals tour hits town on Wednesday. Former track champion, Mike Provenzano, scored the fastest timed lap of 13.582. Bret Sievert charged hard from the outside front row to capture the fast qualifiers heat win. Provenzano had his power plant wide open to hold off a challenge by Mike Glynn for second. Bell finished fourth.

Billy Weistart Jr. returned to action after spending some time pit side to help his son who is a rookie in the Street Stock class. Weistart won the second heat with Keith Piano racing hard from last to a side by side challenge. John Piccatto took third over Joe Fratt.

Twenty contenders rolled in for the grid start with Sievert and Provenzano on the first row ahead of Glynn and Bell. Sievert was quick out of the blocks and took command of the field right away while Bell, Provenzano and Glynn were trying to figure out which groove they preferred. Bell seemed to have a great run up higher than the front runners. After a restart of the seventh circuit, Glynn picked up momentum and shot to third but Provenzano picked up the pace and stole the running spot back. Sievert checked out from the field solo but the competition for second was where the action was. Bell, Provenzano and Glynn put on the show allowing Sievert to get away.

Sievert won the twenty five lap main. Provenzano was coming on at the end but the laps wound down too fast to see what he had for the leader. Glynn scored third ahead of Bell, Bob Cullen, Jason Jaggers, Keith Piano, Gary Schalmo, Jeff Small, Weistart, Steve Dimmick, Lake Knutti, Joe Fratt, Dale Markham, Jon Small, Piccatto, Ed Williams Sr, Warren Johnson, Scott Langer, and Ed Williams Jr.

UMP Modifieds:

Thirteen Open Wheel Modified’s qualified with Jamie Lomax posting the quickest timed lap of 14.770. AJ May and Lomax battled side by side with May for the fast qualifiers heat contest. May took the win over Lomax, Dale Lueth and Matt Gremminger. Justin McCoy dialed in his ride to outrun the field for the second heat win. Mike Marden took second in front of Ken Fischer and Bill Theodorf.

May and Lomax started on the front row with Lueth and Gremminger behind the pair. At the end of the second lap, May spun to a halt. The lap may not have been a proud moment for the youngster but it set the stage for some exciting racing for the crowd. He was sent to the tail of the field with nowhere to go but forward. May wasted little time picking off cars one by one to get to the leader. Lomax had distanced himself from Tom Knippenberg, Gremminger and Lueth but several early lap cautions kept bringing the pack to nose to tail formation. During the twelfth lap, May was already in a brief side by side battle with Knippenberg and moved into the runner up spot. Two laps later a restart placed him right behind Lomax. Again, the leader pulled into a nice lead with six to go but that didn’t stop May from giving his all. He hunted down the leader and set off a duel. Contact between the two happened with two laps unscored. The two were side by side but May finished the barn burner just inches in front Lomax, a current UMP National point’s contender. May’s electrifying run made his first ever win even more memorable. Finsihing behind Lomax was Knippenberg, Gremminger, Mike Marden, Geno Hewitt, Fischer, McCoy, Theodorf, and Done Cole.

UMP Street Stocks:

Jamie Balensiefen was victorious in the first heat contest for the Street Stock division. Tim Provenzano crossed the line second in front of Roger Rickels, and Nick Sell. Steve Lewis claimed the second heat race over Mike McKinney, Aaron Near and Randy Lucas.

All fifteen cars were ready for the feature action with Balensiefen on the pole next to Lewis as Provenzano and McKinney took the second row spots. Balensiefen took off for the lead after green but Provenzano moved in for a door to door battle and stole the point. During Lap 4, an aggressive conflict between the leaders ended with Balensiefen in the lead temporarily. Shortly after that Balensiefen faded back in the field.

With five laps to go, McKinney flew around Provenzano into the lead. McKinney’s machine looked smooth as he generated too much real estate for Provenzano to close in on him. Provenzano finished runner up over Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas, Daryl Matthews, Jamie Balensiefen, Aaron Near, Keith Lucas, Jake Miller, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Steve Lewis, Ryan Weistart, Keith Miller and Al Gray.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

Allen Provenzano continued to dominate the Hornet division staking claim to yet another victory in the division. Brother Allen and Jon started on the front row and battled back and forth putting on a great show for the fans. Contact between the duo didn’t stop either one of them from trading paint. If it weren’t for lapped traffic John may have truly challenged him at the end.

Allen won with Jon second over Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Mike Gossett, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallery, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Mark Sutton, Colton Arnold, Jerry Legner, and Andrew Schwarko.

Jon Provenzano won the first heat over Brown, Arnold, and Mallery. Allen Provenzano won the second heat ahead of Burdette, Schwarko, and Legner.

UMP DIRTcar Summernationals:

Wednesday night, the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour will invade the speedway. The anticipated show was previously canceled June 20^thdue to inclement weather. The ultra competitive tour was scheduled for 25 races in 9 states over 32 days. Former La Salle regular, Jason Feger, is the current defending champion of the tour. He along with a lengthy list of best in dirt track racing will be in attendance for the challenge. The tour has been well publicized and is regarded as some of the best racing in the country.

The UMP Late Models will be battling it out for the $5,000 first place prize with $500 to start the main event. The UMP Modified race pays $1,000 to the victor and $100 to make the starting grid. In addition, the Street Stocks and Hornets will be the support classes.

Pit and Grandstand Gates will open at 3:00 PM

Prices: Adults $20.00, kids 11 under free, pit passes $30.00 all ages, skyboxes $25.00 all ages.

La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results

UMP Late Models – 21 Cars

Qualifying: Mike Provenzano 13.582

Heat #1: Bret Sievert, Mike Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Rich Bell

Heat #2: Billy Wiestart Jr., Keith Piano, John Piccatto, Joe Fratt

Feature: Bret Sievert, Mike Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Rich Bell, Bob Cullen, Jason Jaggers, Keith Piano, Gary Schalmo, Jeff Small, Billy Weistart Jr., Steve Dimmick, Lake Knutti, Joe Fratt, Dale Markham, Jon Small, John Piccatto, Ed Williams Sr, Warren Johnson, Scott Langer, Ed Williams Jr

UMP Modifieds – 13 Cars

Qualifying: Jamie Lomax 14.770

Heat #1: AJ May, Jamie Lomax, Dale Lueth, Matt Gremminger

Heat #2: ,Justin McCoy, Mike Marden, Ken Fischer, Bill Theodorf

Feature: AJ May, Jamie Lomax, Tom Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Mike Marden, Geno Hewitt, Ken Fischer, Justin McCoy, Bill Theodorf, Don Cole, Kevin Hughes, Dale Lueth, Jason Kolbe

UMP Street Stocks – 15 Cars

Heat #1: Jamie Balensiefen, Tim Provenzano, Roger Rickels, Nick Sell

Heat #2: Steve Lewis, Mike McKinney, Aaron Near, Randy Lucas

Feature: Mike McKinney, Tim Provenzano, Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas, Daryl Matthews, Jamie Balensiefen, Aaron Near, Keith Lucas, Jake Miller, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Steve Lewis, Ryan Weistart, Keith Miller, Al Gray

UMP Hornets – 13 Cars

Heat #1: Jon Provenzano, JR Brown, Colten Arnold, Brandon Mallery

Heat #2: Allen Provenzano, Phil Burdette, Andy Schwarko, Jerry Legner

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Phil Burdette, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Mike Gossett, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallery, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Mark Sutton, Colton Arnold, Jerry Legner, Andrew Schwarko

Sievert explosive at La Salle; Lomax trying to stay at the top of the UMP National points

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – La Salle Speedway had plenty to celebrate Saturday night with a full crowd and an electrifying fireworks show but most of all it was rain free. This season race enthusiasts in the Illinois Valley have had to catch just a glimpse of their summertime fun at the track. Every big show planned thus far has been postponed or canceled due to inclement weather so for most Saturday proved one of the best nights to be trackside even with sweltering temperatures during the sunny part of the day.

UMP Late Model’s:

Former Late Model track champion, Mike Provenzano, posted the quickest qualifying time with a 13.613 lap time. Bret Sievert wasn’t too far behind with a timed lap of 13.703.

The first heat contest for the division boasted the fastest qualifiers to determine the first nine positions on the feature grid. Third place starter Mike Glynn shot to the lead during the second lap but two laps later he messed up off turn four opening the door for a low running Sievert. Glynn temporarily fell back in the pack. The front runners put on a good show with Sievert taking the checkers over Provenzano, Glynn and Rich Bell.

Jon Small was in command from the pole until Dale Markham charged into the lead during the third lap. Small took the lead back after the two made a little contact. The red flag waved during the fifth lap while under the caution, the leader went pit side relinquishing his post to second place runner John Piccatto. Two laps later Ed Williams Sr. started a side by side battle for the lead. He stole the show at the line leaving Piccatto second over Markham and Ed Williams Jr.

The Late Model feature showcased eighteen racers with Sievert and Provenzano on the front row grid ahead of Glynn and Bell. Lake Knuti and Bob Cullen took the third row. With so many rainouts lately, the fans were ready for Late Model action but the boys couldn’t seem to get the momentum going as several complete restarts kept the action at bay. Two laps were recorded but the cautions continued to plague the early laps. Once they scored the fourth lap in the books it was fast and furious with Sievert leading the way.

Sievert kept his ride on the bottom of the track but Bell charged high around the outside picking up speed and looking like he might have a chance for a side by side duel. Sievert started taking cars a lap down and forcing three wide battles with the front runner. By Lap 16, Bell was reeling Sievert back in but couldn’t get a good enough run at the leader. Provenzano was working a low line along with Glynn who was in fourth. When the white flag dropped, Bell was on the highside looking for his opportunity but a lapped ride was running the same line extinguishing any last ditch effort to steal the show.

Sievert won the twenty five lap main event with only five cars on the lead lap. Bell finished second ahead of Provenzano, Glynn, and Cullen. Darin Furar finished sixth place finish over Ed Williams Jr., Ed Williams Sr., Joe Fratt, Piccatto and Markham.

UMP Modified’s:

Justin McCoy’s quick lap of 15.140 topped the fourteen UMP Modified contenders with Jamie Lomax earning a timed lap of 15.200.

Lomax, who is currently a UMP National points contender needed a rain free weekend. As of the end of June, he was ranked third in the ultra competitive UMP Modified DIRTcar National Points chase. He managed to charged his way to victory in the first heat race finishing ahead of Steve Brooks, Tom Knippenberg and Matt Gremminger. Geno Hewitt claimed the second contest ahead of Jason Kolbe, Kevin Hughes and Don Cole.

Twelve Mods were ready for action in their feature race with Lomax starting on the pole next to Brooks. Like the Late’s they got off to a rocky start with caution filled early laps. Once the green light stayed illuminated it was nothing but a Lomax show as he charged into his own zip code for much of the race. The only driver to move much in the field was McCoy who had headed pit side during a caution and had to restart from the tail. He managed to move his way up to a third place run.

One last caution with a mere lap left allowed an opportunity to overtake the leader but no one had enough for Lomax who easily scored the win. The victory had to be welcomed considering his quest for the national chase is tough enough without the rain outs he has been faced with.

Brooks finished second over McCoy, Gremminger, Mike Marden, Cole, Kolbe, and Matt McCarty.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Eighteen Street Stocks were on hand for their division’s contests. Roger Rickels charged to score the first heat race ahead of Nick Sell, Jake Miller, and Mike McKinney. Jamie Balensiefen claimed the second heat contest finishing in front of Justin Hamm, Steve Schwemlein, and Keith Lucas.

Their feature hit the highbanks first before the fireworks display with defending track champion Rickels on the pole next to Balensiefen. Sell and Hamm were behind them on the grid. Once the flag dropped, it was a side by side action between Balensiefen and Rickels with Balensiefen lower on the track. A caution right away slowed their pace. Once green, Balensiefen took over the show. One lap later, Balensiefen turned right up the track as if something broke and Rickels had no where to go but stop when he was hit by McKinney. Rickels night ended pit side.

Balensiefen was starting to pull away from Hamm until caution slowed the pace. Fourteen place starter Steve Lewis was a mover and a shaker and had already managed to charge into third by the sixth lap. Two circuits later, Lewis was on the tail of the leader and took over the point. Aggressive driving up front ended with Lewis in a spin forcing a caution.

Balensiefen won the fifteen lap race over Miller, Hamm, Sell, Justin Rutledge, Randy Lucas, Steve Schwemlein, and Mike Stewart.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

JR Brown claimed the first Hornet divisional heat contest ahead of Andy Schwarko, Freddie Thatcher, and Crystal Provenzano Broyles. Jon Provenzano scored the second heat over Allen Provenzano, Phil Burdette and Scottt Redden.

Allen Provenzano continued his hot streak with yet another victory in the division. He has been dominating the class for the last few outings at La Salle. Jon Provenzano crossed the line in second with Brown, Burdette, Schwarko, Paul Smith, Aaron Sutton, Brandon Mallery, Thatcher, Broyles Arnold Colton, and Mark Sutton after him.

Upcoming Events:

Next Saturday night is Sixteen Racing Products sponsored double points night for every division. The much anticipated UMP SummerNationals event will follow on Wednesday, July 13^th. The toughest competitors on dirt will invade the speedway for the $5,000 payday as the tour winds down to a close.

La Salle Speedway Results 7/2/11

UMP Late Models: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Mike Provenzano 13.613

Heat 1: Bret Sievert, Mike Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Rich Bell

Heat 2: Ed Williams Sr., John Piccatto, Dale Markham, Ed Williams Jr.

Feature: Bret Sievert, Rich Bell, Mike Provenzano, Mike Glynn, Bob Cullen, Darin Furar, Ed Williams Jr., Ed Williams Sr., Joe Fratt, John Piccatto, Dale Markham, Brian Locke, Jeff Small, Steve Dimmick, Allen Gendusa, Scott Lange, Lake Knutti, Jon Small

UMP Modifieds: 14 Cars

Qualifying: Justin McCoy 15.140

Heat 1: Jamie Lomax, Steven Brooks, Tom Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger

Heat 2: Geno Hewitt, Jason Kolbe, Kevin Hughes, Don Cole

Feature: Jamie Lomax, Steven Brooks, Justin McCoy, Matt Gremminger, Mike Marden, Don Cole, Jason Kolbe, Matt McCarty, Bill Theodorf, Tom Knippenberg, Geno Hewitt, Kevin Hughes

UMP Street Stocks: 18 Cars

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Nick Sell, Jake Miller, Mike McKinney

Heat 2: Jamie Balensiefen, Justin Hamm, Steve Schwemlein, Keith Lucas

Feature: Jamie Balensiefen, Jake Miller, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Justin Rutledge, Randy Lucas, Steve Schwemlein, Mike Stewart, Matt Hennchs, Mike McKinney, Steve Lewis, Keith Miller, Aaron Near, Keith Lucas, Roger Rickels, Dave Foster

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 13 Cars

Heat 1: JR Brown, Andy Schwarko, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles

Heat 2: Jon Provenzano, Allen Provenzano, Phil Burdette, Scott Redden

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Andy Schwarko, Paul Smith, Aaron Sutton, Brandon Mallery, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Arnold Colton, Mark Sutton

FIREWORKS THIS SATURDAY JULY 2.

FIREWORKS AND RACING

Fan Appreciation Night and 20th Anniversary Celebration

 Mother Nature strikes again... with storms and heavy rain soaking the Illinois Valley are the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour stop at La Salle Speedway has been postponed to Wednesday, July 13th.

The next event on the La Salle Speedway’s schedule is Monday, June 20th

Sievert and Lomax return to victory lane, Summer Nationals up next

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL. – On May 7^th, Bret Sievert took home the UMP Late Model victory while Jamie Lomax scored the Modified win. It was like déjà vu Saturday night at La Salle Speedway when history repeated itself. Sievert who hails form Wisconsin and Lomax of Indiana start their journey long before the green flag drops on Saturday nights. The hot shoes hit the interstate early to play at the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor sports arena. Their travels paid off on Saturday.

UMP Late Model’s:

Seventeen UMP Late Models were in the pit area ready for competition. Rich Bell posted the fastest timed lap at 12.834 over Mike Glynn’s quickest circuit of 12.947. The two were then positioned on the front row of the fast heat. Glynn managed to pull away for much of the race taking the checkers over Sievert, Mike Provenzano, and Robert Cullen.

Aaron Schmidt won the second heat contest in front of Darin Furar, Nathan Balensiefen and Tom Smith.

Glynn and Sievert were putting on a good show at the beginning of the feature until Glynn’s ride went pitside with smoke rolling. Later the LaSalle driver learned he had broken a brake line. He wasn’t the only driver to end a great night in the infield. By the race end nearly half the field was sitting idle.

Sievert, a former UMP Wisconsin and Indiana State Champ, took the lead and held on beating out a strong run by Keith Piano. Piano gave him a run for his money but he eventually pulled away with the win. Ed Williams Sr. rolled across the finish line third in front of Cullen, Smith, Jon Small, Lake Knutti, Balensiefen, and Mike Lock.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Fifteen Modified racers showed up for the night of competition. Steven Brooks was the fastest in time trials scoring a lapped time of 14.451 over Travis Kohler’s fastest lap of 14.765. Brooks came out blazing to win the first heat race. Jamie Lomax placed second in front of Kohler and Jue Huenefeld. Mike Marden captured the checkers for the division’s second heat race in front of Kevin Hughes, Charlie Harmon and Jason Kolbe.

Lomax won the Modified feature event ahead of Justin McCoy, Kohler, Huenefeld, Geno Hewitt, Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Kolbe, Harmon, Hughes, Marden, Theodorf, Hauge, and Brooks.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Seventeen Street Stock’s signed in for their class. Steve Lewis outran Darrell Matthews, Jake Miller, and Kevin Snowberger for heat one. Roger Rickels claimed the second preliminary race over Nick Sell, Jamie Balensiefen, and Tim Provenzano.

Roger Rickels and Steve Lewis battled for their main events top title. The two contenders charged hard for the victory battling lap after lap in an ultra competitive duel. Rickels earned his way into victory lane while Lewis finished his run with a solid second place finish in front of Miller, Balensiefen, Provenzano, Mike Stewart, Sell, Justin Hamm, Matthews, Justin Rutledge, Ryan Weistart, Keith Miller, Keith Lucas, Matt Ramer and Randy Lucas.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

Phil Burdette swept the 4 Cylinder class with victories in both the heat race and the feature event. Thirteen contenders were in attendance. Freddy Thatcher finished second to him in the heat race over JR Brown, and Mark Sutton. Allen Provenzano won the other heat with Jon Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, and Mike Gossett crossing the line after him.

Burdette out-powered the field of ten to claim their feature race. Jon Provenzano took home second in front of Allen Provenzano, Schwarko, Brown, Thatcher, Crystal Provezano Broyles, Shannon Mudro, Aaron Sutton, Arnold Cotton, and Mark Sutton.

UMP Summer Nationals a.k.a. “Hell Tour”:

The La Salle Speedway management is looking for all previous track champions. On June 25, fan appreciation night is planned to celebrate the La Salle Speedway’s 20th Racing Season by honoring all previous champions. The past champions will receive free admission and food for their immediate family. Activities involving them will highlight the evening’s activities. For more information please check their website (www.lasallespeedway.com) or contact the speedway office 815-223-6939.

La Salle Speedway Results 06/11/11

UMP Late Models: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Rich Bell 12.834

Heat 1: Mike Glynn, Bret Seivert, Mike Provenzano, Robert Cullen

Heat 2: Aaron Schmidt, Darin Furar, Nathan Balensiefen, Tom Smith

Feature: Bret Sievert, Keith Piano, Ed Williams Sr., Robert Cullen, Tom Smith, Jon Small, Lake Knutti, Nathan Balensiefen, Mike Lock, Mike Provenzano, Jeff Small, Darin Furar, Allen Gendusz, Justin Danes, Aaron Schmidt, Mike Glynn, Rich Bell

UMP Modifieds: 15 Cars

Qualifying: Steven Brooks 14.451

Heat 1: Steven Brooks, Jamie Lomax, Travis Kohler, Joe Huenefeld

Heat 2: Mike Marden, Kevin Hughes, Charlie Harmon, Jason Kolbe

Feature: Jamie Lomax, Justin McCoy, Travis Kohler, Joe Huenefeld, Geno Hewitt, Knippenberg, Matthew Gremminger, Jason Kolbe, Charlie Harmon, Kevin Hughes, Mike Marden, Bill Theodorf, Scott Hauge, Steve Brooks

UMP Street Stocks: 17 Cars

Heat 1: Steve Lewis, Darrell Matthews, Jake Miller, Kevin Snowberger

Heat 2: Roger Rickels, Nick Sell, Nathan Balensiefen, Tim Provenzano

Feature: Roger Rickels, Steve Lewis, Jake Miller, Jamie Balensiefen, Tim Provenzano, Mike Stewart, Nick Sell, Justin Hamm, Darrell Matthews, Justin Rutledge, Ryan Weistart, Keith Miller, Keith Lucas, Matt Ramer, Randy Lucas

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 13 Cars

Heat 1: Phil Burdette, Freddy Thatcher, JR Brown, Mark Sutton

Heat 2: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, Mike Gossett

Feature: Phil Burdette, Jon Provenzano, Allen Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, JR Brown, Freddy Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano – Broyles, Shannon Mudro, Aaron Sutton, Arnold Cotton, Mark Sutton

SummerNationals at LaSalle Speedway

Posted: 06 Jun 2011 03:27 PM PDT

Scheffler wins infield battle at La Salle’s double points night

By: Betty Glynn

Saturday June 4

La Salle, IL – Just when you think you have seen it all in dirt track racing, you realize there are still plenty of shocking scenarios yet to come. Saturday night the action at La Salle Speedway wasn’t the hard chargers riding the outer rim of the high banks or running the bottom line. For two divisions it was side by side battles in the infield of all places. Yes, you read right – the infield. Prior to the Late Model’s twenty five lap feature, track prep crews watered the bottom of the track and just inside the infield to help cut down on the dust. Their efforts may have eliminated some dust there but it also ended up giving a great bite and a tacky surface for drivers to feed off of.

UMP Late Model’s:

Wisconsin racer Russ Scheffler turned the quickest lap with a time of 13.235. He then hit the track full speed ahead to claim the fast qualifier heat contest over Bret Sievert, Keith Piano, and Scott Schmitt. Jason Jaggers outran Mike Glynn for the second heat victory with Nathan Balensiefen third in front of Aaron Schmidt. Tom Smith took the third heat checkers over Rich Scheffler, Jon Small and Jeff Small.

Twenty four Late’s rolled into the spots earned for the main event’s starting grid knowing they had twenty five laps ahead of them. What couldn’t have been planned was that the race was going to go so low on the track that it was as if cars were flat out racing in the infield area. A spot dedicated to track officials, fire crews, photographers, victory circle and inoperable rides. Not the typical race at the Illinois Valley speed arena.

Russ Scheffler was on the pole with fellow Wisonsin racer Sievert on the outside as Piano and Schmitt took the second row ahead of Rich Bell and Randy Manos. Once the green light was illuminated, the dust was flying and the leader got a bit sideways sending a domino effect thru the field leaving three cars stopped causing the caution. After the restart, Sievert throttled his power plant to pull away from Schmitt who already had a solid second over Scheffler and Piano. A caution brought them back together. It didn’t take long for the leaders to start three way battles with lapped rides using the infield to get it done. During the tenth circuit, the machine of Bobby Morgan Jr. heated up with flames under the chassis causing the field completely stop.

As the field restarted, Russ Scheffler had a birds eye view of his competition and quickly charged for the lead under Sievert. He succeeded on the back stretch of Lap 11. Once in command he flew under the lower rim of the track dodging lapped cars from the infield. With four laps to be scored, Sievert charged just as low to challenge Russ for the point. He managed to pass him in the infield but a caution stopped the run. At the restart of Lap 22, Sievert tried a different approach and went too high even tapping the outer wall of turn two. He quickly changed his mind and flew to the bottom. As the two came into the final turns they were battling hard in the infield again but Russ crossed the line first to take the checkers.

Sievert picked up the second place finish ahead of Mike Provenzano, Bell, Schmitt, Bob Cullen, Jaggers, Piano, Manos, Jeff Small, Rich Scheffler, and Schmidt.

UMP Modified’s:

Twenty two UMP Open Wheel Modified racers were on hand for their divisional contests. Justin McCoy’s fastest lap of 14.715 topped the field of contenders. Dale Lueth beat McCoy in the first heat race with Kevin Thompson third over Phil Line. Mike Marden won the second heat race as Mark Grosvenor took second in front of Kevin Hughes and Tim Bohm.

The Modified feature race started with Lueth on the pole next to McCoy as Thompson and Line rolled to their second row starting spots. Once the green was signaled, Lueth took the lead but before lap two he was off his pace and fell back to third while Thompson took over. After a restart of Lap 8, Lueth had his power plant at full throttle and was making his move. He took back the point but caution for two cars in the twelfth circuit put him back to second. He wasted little time challenging Thompson charging under him to battle it out. He stole the lead before Lap 13. Three laps later, much of the field was running completely in the infield even farther in than the Late Model race just before them. With the dust billowing it became a scorers worst nightmare trying to keep track of the hard chargers.

Lueth and Thompson were putting on a great show with aggressive rubbing but then the tide turned. As Lueth came off of turn four to take the white flag, Thompson powered into the back of the leader’s ride causing him to spin and robbing the fans of a great showdown. He was sent to the tail while Thompson got the spot he desperately wanted, the lead. Quite an unfortunate ending to what could have been a great finish.

Tom Knippenberg took home second after an eighth place start over Matt Gremminger. Lueth charged hard during the final lap to score a fourth place finish in front of Line, Hughes, Charlie Harmon, Bill Theodorf, McCoy, Bohm, and Loren Grosvenor.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Kevin Snowberger won the first Street Stock heat race over Jake Miller, Mike McKinney, and Jamie Balensiefen. Roger Rickels charged hard to win the second heat ahead of Justin Hamm, Nick Sell and Justin Rutledge.

The Street’s were the first feature race running their show prior to the break. Nineteen cars rolled out ready for action. The first three laps had leaders Snowberger and Rickels door to door until McKinney pulled into the scene for a three wide contest. Caution during the third lap brought the field nose to tail for the restart. The unlucky Lap 7 took at least four attempts to get the lap scored. Once they got it rolling it was McKinney dashing away with the lead while Randy Lucas gave chase as Steve Lewis and Matt Ramer battled for the third place running spot.

With the white flag about to drop, Lucas looked to be making his move when a lapped ride shut his momentum down. As the leaders rounded the final turn, the challenge to the finish line was not to be seen. McKinney scored the victory ahead of Randy Lucas, Matt Ramer, Lewis, Jamie Balensiefen, Keith Lucas, Robert Cotton, Mike Hughes, Rutledge, and Miller.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets:

Allen Provenzano continued his wining ways with his complete sweep of the Hornet division. He was unstoppable for the second event in a row. First he came out and won the first heat race over Jon Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, and Freddy Thatcher. JR Brown took home the second heat ahead of Phil Burdette, Steven Doherty, and Jeff Seitz.

Allen was victorious out of the fourteen starters in their feature. Evan Townsend finished a strong second ahead of Jon Provenzano, Burdette, Scott Redder, Brown, Rick Wagner, Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano Broyles, Mark Sutton, Schwarko, Brandon Mallory, Aaron Sutton and Doherty.

La Salle Speedway Results 6/4/11

UMP Late Models: 24 Cars

Qualifying: Russ Scheffler 13.235

Heat 1: Russ Scheffler, Bret Sievert, Keith Piano, Scott Schmitt

Heat 2: Jason Jaggers, Mike Glynn, Nathan Balensiefen, Aaron Schmidt

Heat 3: Tom Smith, Rich Scheffler, Jon Small, Jeff Small

Feature: Russ Scheffler, Bret Sievert, Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, Bob Cullen, Jason Jaggers, Keith Piano, Randy Manos, Jeff Small, Rich Scheffler, Aaron Schmidt, Ed Williams Sr., Darin Furar, Tom Smith, John Picatto, Lake Knutti, Allen Gendusa, Jon Small, Brian Locke, Ed Williams Jr., Bobby Morgan Jr., Mike Glynn, Nathan Balensiefen

UMP Modifieds: 22 Cars

Qualifying: Justin McCoy 14.715

Heat 1: Dale Lueth, Justin McCoy, Kevin Thompson, Phil Line

Heat 2: Mike Marden, Mark Grosvenor, Kevin Hughes, Tim Bohm

Feature: Kevin Thompson, Tom Knippenberg, Matt Gremminger, Dale Lueth, Phil Line, Kevin Hughes, Charlie Harmon, Bill Theodorf, Justin McCoy, Tim Bohm, Loren Grosvenor, Mike Marden, Travis Kohler, Dan Patnoe, Mark Grosvenor, Ken Fischer, Jason Kolbe, Steve Brooks, Geno Hewitt, Scott Hauge

UMP Street Stocks: 19 Cars

Heat 1: Kevin Snowberger, Jake Miller, Mike McKinney, Jamie Balensiefen

Heat 2: Roger Rickels, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Justin Rutledge

Feature: Mike McKinney, Randy Lucas, Matt Ramer, Steve Lewis, Jamie Balensiefen, Keith Lucas, Robert Cotton, Mike Hughes, Justin Rutledge, Jake Miller, Steve Schwemlein, Nick Sell, Keith Miller, Matt Henrichs, Ryan Weistart, Kevin Snowberger, Tim Provenzano, Justin Hamm, Roger Rickels

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 15 Cars

Heat 1: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Andrew Schwarko, Freddy Thatcher

Heat 2: JR Brown, Phil Burdette, Steve Doherty, Jeff Seitz

Feature: Allen Provenzano, Evan Townsend, Jon Provenzano, Phil Burdette, Scott Redder, JR Brown, Rick Wagner, Freddie Thatcher, Crystal Provenzano – Broyles, Mark Sutton, Andrew Schwarko, Brandon Mallory, Aaron Sutton, Steve Doherty

Saturday June 4

Due to the persistent showers and thunder storms the LaSalle Speedway has been forced to cancel tonight’s racing action for May 28th.
Be sure to come out next Saturday June 4th for double points night presented by Sixteen’s Racing Products.

May 21st Fan Appreciation Night

Posted: 19 May 2011 01:18 PM PDT

Spring Shootout Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Dirt Series Rescheduled Sept 27th “The Road to Knoxville”

Young Pierce Sets Sights on Lucas Oil Visit to La Salle this Weekend

When 14-year-old Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, IL won his first career Super Late Model victory last Saturday Night at Peoria (IL) Speedway, he thanked a multitude of people for his accomplishment; it was like winning the “World 100” said his mom Angie.

This week the youngster sets his sights on a bigger prize, the $10,000 first place money that is up for grabs in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned ‘Spring Shootout” at La Salle Speedway in La Salle, IL.

“The Short Cool One” as he is nicknamed comes into his first full-season of open competition late model racing after two successful years racing crate late models.  Last year Pierce started 40 Crate feature events, scored 16 wins, and had 37 top five finishes and 39 top ten. finishes  So that means only once last year did he fail to finish in the top ten of a feature event, pretty remarkable considering he’s only in the eighth-grade.

Watching 15-year-old Tyler Reddick of Corning, CA captured his first career Late Model win back in February at the DART Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL, caught Pierce’s attention.  The young driver was making his first appearance at East Bay and learned a tremendous amount battling against several of the nation’s best drivers, and 60-plus car fields each night.  He took notice that if Reddick could win, why not him at a year younger?  Well it happened last Saturday Night.

His father, National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer and fan favorite, Bob Pierce, has been there from the beginning.  Starting the younger Pierce in quarter-midgets, to Kidz Modz, then Crates and this year full-time in Super Late Models, he has taught the younger Pierce, that patience is the key.

Even though Pierce came close to making the starting grid for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events at East Bay, he considered the trip invaluable in his learning curve even though he didn’t the crack the feature line-up in five attempts.

“At East Bay, the biggest thing was qualifying, a lot of shows we had to draw for in the past, so this was good for him to gain experience qualifying, racing the crate he learned to be smooth and now with more horsepower he’s adjusted great,” said his father.

While the Pierce family travel up and down the road this season hitting race tracks, the younger Pierce has never been to or raced at is there a concern about burnout for the young man.  “If he wants to go and play football, basketball, video games to whatever with his friends, then I don’t mind at all, he’s always in the shop working on the car, but it’s good for him to get away and just be a kid sometimes,” said the elder Pierce.

Tentative plans for the young Pierce is to enter his first “Show-Me” 100 Memorial Day Weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO, a race to be televised on CBS on a taped-delayed basis.

Battling against the best of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is one thing the younger Pierce realizes will only make him a better driver.  “I just want to respect the other drivers out on the track, said Pierce, who will be making his La Salle Late Model debut this Saturday.  He’s only raced there once and that was in a Kidz Modz two years ago.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will also be in action on Friday Night at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA for a $10,000 to win show.  Current series point’s leader Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN will be attempting to make series history if he wins in Friday Night.  Entering the event in the state he was born at, Bloomquist has won the last four Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series events dating back to East Bay in February.  Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL won four-in-row last year to set the record.

Lucas Oil Late Models in Action at 34 Raceway and La Salle on May 13 and 14

Posted: 11 May 2011 10:09 AM PDT

Sievert jets flag to flag; Lomax tames the high banks

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Bret “The Jet” Sievert traveled south from the Badger state for La Salle Speedway’s second week of competition. The former UMP Wisconsin and Indiana State Champion was fast and furious right out of the blocks.

Eighteen UMP Late Models qualified to kick off their evening with Keith Piano collecting quick time over Darren Miller, a former professional racer out of Milledgeville. The quick time of Piano placed him at the pole of the fastest nine car heat. Piano was quick to lead the pack with Sievert charging around Miller for second. As soon as the pace would heat up, the caution flag shut down the action. During Lap 8, as the leaders crossed the line with two to go Bob Cullen spun bringing the field back to a single file restart.

After the green, Sievert looked to the inside of Piano making it a side by side battle for the win. Coming off the turn four corner, Piano opened the door and Sievert took advantage claiming the win at the checkers. Richie Bell took third in front of Nathan Balensiefen and Miller.

Mike Provenzano drove away with the win from the front row outside of the second heat. Ed Williams Sr., who started on the pole, finished second over Joe Fratt, Jeff Small and John Piccatto.

The speedometer was set too fast for some of the contenders on the track for their twenty five lap feature. It was painful at times to know the potential for door to door racing kept getting stalled.

Sievert and Piano rolled into their feature grid spots on the front row with Sievert jetting his way to the helm right away. A caution before one lap was in the books allowed Piano to change a tire in the staging area prior to returning to his front row spot. After the second complete restart, the mid pack was already banging off each others sheet metal like a demo derby. By the fifth circuit, Sievert was already taking cars a lap down while Bell gave chase with Piano challenging him for runner up.

Sievert pulled away but each time he got a generous lead a caution brought the field nose to tail. The last four laps remained green which is when the action really got interesting. Miller went to the outside to try to go for the lead but Sievert managed to close the door at every opportunity. Sievert used the entire racing surface to hold on for the victory. Miller earned second in front of Bell, Provenzano, John Rogers, Piano, Balensiefen, Bob Culen, Fratt, Schlamo, Ed Willliams Sr., and John Piccatto.

Eighteen UMP Modified drivers signed in for action. Ottawa’s Dale Lueth earned fast time for the second week in a row positioning his ride on the pole of the fast heat. Indiana racer Jamie Lomax had a good view of the leaders from the second row outside and took advantage. Lomax powered up hard to cruise around Lueth and Steve Brook for the lead. At the checkers it was Lomax then Brook, Lueth, Phil Line, and last weeks feature winner Justin McCoy.

Don Cole outpowered the second heat race contenders by leading by as much as a half a track of real estate to capture the second heat. During Lap 7, Kevin Hughes and Geno Hewitt were trading paint on the back stretch sending Hewitt into a spin. Just after he stopped Kevin Thompson come off of turn two fast traveling up the nose of Hewitt’s car like a skate ramp. No one was injured. At the checkered flag, Cole crossed first ahead of Mike Marden, Hughes, and Matthew Gremminger.

The Modified twenty five lap main event was the Lomax show as he charged out front quick leaving a three wide battle between Lueth, Line, and Brook for second place. During the sixth circuit, Lueth slowed on the corner of turn two with Brook hitting him and taking Brook with him in his spin out. Lueth kept his machine at full power allowing him to restart in second but Brook went to the rear of the pack.

By Lap 16, Lomax had fallen into a comfortable lead while Lueth was fending off a strong showing by McCoy. One lap later, Brook who was moving and shaking up the field from the tail put his ride under McCoy’s for third. His hunt for second started with one lap remaining. Brook was fast to close in on Lueth but not enough to steal second. Lomax made his way to victory circle over Lueth, Brook, McCoy, Gremminger, Jeramie Johnson, Hughes, Cole, Marden, Jason Kolbe, Tom Knippenberg and Bill Theodorf.

Sixteen UMP Street Stock’s were on hand for their weekly program. Justin Hamm and Steve Lewis were front row starters of the first heat with Matt Ramer and Mike Hughes in the second. Ramer led the event until Lewis took over the point with four laps to go. Lewis won over Hughes, Randy Lucas and Tim Provenzano.

Roger Rickels wasted little time moving into the helm of the second heat form the pole and distanced himself from the competition early. Mike McKinney charged up the field from fifth closing in on him but the pair got a little too close for comfort as McKinney went for the lead with one lap to go. The leaders tangled ending both of their chance at the checkers. Jake Miller crossed the line first over Jamie Balensiefen, Keith Lucas, and Nick Sell.

The first four laps of the feature race was a fierce battle between Lewis and Balensiefen. By Lap 11, Lewis was out on his own leaving Balensiefen and Lucas to duke it out. The two diced it up until Balensiefen’s nose met the tail of Lucas. Lewis went on to run unchallenged for the win ahead of Jake Miller, Hughes, Roger Rickels, Ramer, Provenzano, Sell, Randy Lucas, Robert Cottim, and Hamm.

Jon Provenzano outran his ten competitors but at the end of the feature race his ride did not make it past tech inspection legally. Last week, the Street Stock victor had no choice but to relinquish the win post inspection.  Week two of the season was no different a UMP 4 Cylinder was up the same creek. This time it was a tire violation stealing the thunder from a strong run. The post race tech inspectors seem to be starting the season off with a statement of follow the rules mandated for the class.

Andrew Sharwarko claimed his first win of the season ahead of Jerry Legner, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallory, Dustin Forbes, Rick Zifko, Rick Wagner, Jr Brown, and Allen Provenzano.

Next Saturday night, the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models will compete for $10,000 to win With Modified, Street Stock and Hornet (all racing for their weekly points will compete as the support classes. The anticipated event is presented by Jeff’s Enginemasters.

The pit gates open at 1:00pm, grandstand gates at 3:00pm with qualifying at 6:30pm, racing starts at 7:30pm. Payout: UMP Modifiieds $700, Street Stocks $300, and 4 Cylinders $150. Ticket prices are: Adults $25, Children 6-11 $5, Children 5 and under free, Skybox Seat $30, Pit Passes $35, and Skybox with Pit Pass $40.

Photo submitted by track photographer Karen Kenney-Oles. "Richie Bell puts the pressure on his power plant to cruise uncontested to the first victory of the 2011 season."

Bell speeds his way to victory; McCoy dominates Modifieds

By: Betty Glynn

 

La Salle, IL – Saturday night marked the first night of racing for the 2011 season at the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor sporting venue. The evening’s activities kicked off the La Salle Speedway’s twentieth anniversary under the Izzo ownership. Mother Nature was kind enough to only sprinkle during the Late Model feature but the wind was relentless.

 

Eighteen UMP Late Model drivers took their turns at a qualifying lap with Mike Provenzano earning the quickest time of 12.699. Keith Piano traveled the ¼ mile oval second quickest.

 

The quick times earned them their starting spots next to each other on the front row of the first heat contest over Rich Bell and newcomer Jon Rogers of Freeport.  Once the green light triggered, Piano charged to the lead but Provenzano made sure he didn’t pull away. The first ten lap contest was full throttle with the nine fastest cars of the night vying for the feature grid positions.

 

When the checkers dropped it was Piano the victor over Provenzano, Rogers, Bell and Mike Glynn.

 

Former UMP Modified racer, Nathan Balensiefen, moved into a Late Model machine and strutted his stuff from the front row outside of Aaron Schmidt. Balensiefen took command of the second heat race before the completion of the first lap and never looked back. He crossed the line far ahead of Schmidt, Jon Small, John Piccatto, Lake Knutti, and Bob Cullen.

 

Sixteen Late’s made the call for the twenty five lap main event. Piano earned the pole with Provenzano on the outside and Rogers and Bell were in row two. Glynn and Shawn Toczek rolled into the third row. Shortly after the flagman dropped the green, the front runners tangled causing a melee. Being the first night of action, the rides were show ready but the accident left numerous machines with cosmetic damage.

 

The field struggled to get the first lap in the books with several cautions slowing the pace. Morgan, who was in the infield for a bit, returned to the track managing to enter the path of the full throttle leaders. Contact included the leaders Piano and Provenzano. Piano was sent to the tail for stopping but Provenzano, who had managed to keep his wheels spinning, made his way back to the lead for the restart. By Lap 14, Provenzano, Bell, Rogers and Glynn were all trying the same groove at a pace not so comfortable for everyone on the track. Yet another yellow was called for a ride at the tail.

 

The restart was just the opening Bell was hoping for as he shot to the lead while Glynn and Rogers battled door to door for third place. With five laps unscored, Bell was soaring when Glynn found his way into the runner up spot. As the white flag blew overhead, Glynn’s run ended in the concrete barrier wall. A mere five cars were able to cross the finish line under power. Bell captured the victory in front of Rogers. Piano was the comeback kid and had charged his way back to end the night with an impressive third place finish over Piccatto and Cullen.

 

Dale Lueth hit the high banks running to claim the fastest UMP Modified lap out of the seventeen competitors. For their first heat race, Lueth shot off quick from the front row to take the lead and piloted the field for the first lap until a sensor in his steering system broke sending his new ride into the turn three concrete wall. Steven Brooks won the heat ahead of Brad Stewart, Kevin Hughes, Jeremy Johnson, Michael Marden and Bill Theodorf.

 

Justin McCoy Jr. was uncontested staking claim to the second heat over Vince Cooper, Matt Gremminger, Tom Knippenberg, and Jason Koble.

 

The first lap of the Modified’s main proved costly for two drivers who were at the front of the grid. As the twelve car field charged down the front stretch for the first time, a domino affect ended with second row starters Cooper and Stewart at a stop. Cooper left the racing surface on a hook.

 

McCoy went on to govern the twenty lap race. At times, he would pull away to a quarter of a lap lead. When he collected the checkers, it was Matt Gremminger earning the runner up finish in front of Johnson, Marden, Geno Hewitt, Stewart and Hughes.

 

The UMP Street Stocks put on a fantastic showing with Mike McKinney coming from the third row inside to steal the win. His victory celebration ended quickly in the tech inspection area post race. His transmission was deemed illegal resulting in the disqualification.

 

Steve Lewis crossed the line runner up but took home the win over Tim Provenzano, Roger Rickels, Randy Lucas, Matt Ramer and Nick Sell.

 

The UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet class victor was Allen Provenzano winning over Jeff Seitz, Dennis Polak, Rick Zifko, Fred Thatcher, DJ Kilanowski, Harold Reiter, Paul Smith and Shannon Mudro.

 

Next Saturday night, racing continues with a full regular program of Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hornets.

LaSalle Speedway will open up the pit gates and grandstands this Saturday for yet another exciting year of racing. This will commence the start of the 20th race season. Let the door to door action begin, the drama unfold as the drivers come to compete as this year’s 2011 champions! Pit Gates open at 4:00 Grandstand Gates at 5:00 Qualifying at 6:30 Racing at 7:30 Adults $10.00 Kids 11 and under Free Pit Passes $25.00

Season Passes on Sale Posted: 16 Mar 2011 06:30 PM PDT The 2011 Season Passes are now on sale.  This year the cost of the Season Pass is $120.  That gives the buyer 17 race events for the 2011 season.  Contact the Speedway office at 815-223-6939 to request your order form.

La Salle Speedway ready to embark on 20^th season with full schedule

By: Betty Glynn

The Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor sports arena will open the gates Saturday night after a long miserable winter locked up. The La Salle Speedway is about to embark on two decades of racing, under the Izzo family ownership, with a full packed schedule.

Closing out the rainy April with outdoor fun seems to be just what racing fans need to get out of the winter time blues. The season was set to open with a two day show on April 1^st but Mother Nature cast a shadow of potentially inclement conditions and the World of Outlaws event organizers pulled the plug. This Saturday’s season opener will boast all four of the regular weekly UMP sanctioned classes of Late Model’s, Modified’s, Street Stock’s and 4 Cylinder Hornet’s all presented by Wicked Race Gear.

On May 14^th, the Lucas Oil Late Models will take center stage for the $10,000 Jeff’s Enginemasters Spring Shootout. This first big event is slated to bring professional dirt racing stars to the area along with local hot shoes. At press time, legendary racer Scott Bloomquist leads the points race by a mere ten points over Don O’Neal. The Modified’s, Street Stock’s and Hornet classes will also compete with additional payout.

The first of four Fan Appreciation Nights is scheduled for the fourth night of racing with a special for both the Street Stock and Hornet classes. The half price admission of $5 draws a crowd.

For the first time ever, the Speedway will host two regular racing nights offering double points to the drivers. This could make for an interesting championship showdown as the points chases create quite the buzz while the season draws to a finish. Lil’ John Provenzano, last season’s Late Model title holder, beat out his son Mike for his final championship in his retirement run.

One change this season is the requirement of race receivers which can be purchased at the track. The race receivers will be mandatory for all Late Models and Modified racers.  Receivers can be purchased for $100 at the speedway. They have been mandated at short tracks all over the country. This small communication device is revolutionizing the industry, making the sport safer for both the drivers and officials. The officials can warn drivers about accidents or debris on the track. It saves time by allowing officials to talk to all the drivers at the same time from line up to the completion of the event.

On June 20^th, the ultra competitive UMP Summer Nationals tour will make their grand return to the ¼ mile clay speed arena. Former La Salle Speedway regulars, Jason Feger and Dennis Erb Jr. have found themselves nose to nose for the championship titles two years in a row. This season’s tour will undoubtedly provide the same level of rivalry within the best teams in the dirt track world.

Twenty three events provide something for all the racing fans. This track will play host to the Bob Tatersall Memorial USAC Midgets on September 2^nd and Nascar Night on September 17^th.  The Bill Waite Memorial IRA Sprints on September 25^th will honor local sprint racer Bill Waite who lost his life in an unfortunate accident while aiding a motorist on I80. Last season, the event was held but an early crash did enough security fencing damage to force the cancellation of the event.

The final night of racing will conclude for October 29^th with the regular racing classes and a Boo Bash Halloween Party.

The pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., grandstands at 5pm with racing at 7:30pm. Adult tickets cost $10, children 11 and under are free, pit passes are $25. Special events have special ticket pricing. Additional information can be found at www. Lasallespeedway.com

Photographer needed

Posted: 26 Apr 2011 06:05 AM PDT

Due to the heavy amounts of rain, the forecast of more to come and the standing water in and around the Speedway, LaSalle Speedway has been forced to cancel the practice scheduled for Saturday April 23rd.

We look forward to opening day of our 20th Season on Saturday April 30th.

Practice/Swap Meet Saturday April 23rd

Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:44 AM PDT

The Lucas Oil Dirt Car Series is making its way to LaSalle Speedway. The event is now less than a month away!  The annual visit of the Lucas Oil dirt car series comes to LaSalle Speedway Saturday May 14^th.  In an effort to make this event exciting for all those participating in the Spring Shootout the support classes will also be chasing more money.  Buy your tickets online or reserve a skybox for a group of friends! A complete information page has been added to Special Events tab on the website @ http://lasallespeedway.com/special-events/lucas-oil-spring-shootout/

RACEceiver Late Models and Modifieds

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 10:24 AM PDT

Effective immediately.  Race Receivers will be mandatory for all Late Models and Modified Racers.  Receivers can be purchased for $100.00 online or by calling the Speedway Office@ 815- on Tuesday or Thursdays .  You can also make arrangements via email at  tony@lasallespeedway or kerry@lasallespeedway.  The race receivers will be available at the Speedway on Practice and Opening Day as well.

*The RACEceiver for Drivers is being mandated at short tracks all over the country. This small communication device is revolutionizing the industry, making the sport safer for both the drivers and officials. The officials can warn drivers about accidents or debris on the track. It saves time by allowing officials to talk to all the drivers at the same time and lets you get on to more racing.  

Mother Nature’s mood swings prove costly for race fans

By: Betty Glynn

The La Salle Speedway is ready.

Words that race fans and teams in Central Illinois want to hear this time of year. With the colder temps hanging around far too long, racing enthusiasts are ready for action. The only thunder they are interested in hearing is the rumble of horsepower echoing from the speed plants that were expected to be in La Salle on April 1^st and April 2^nd. Instead, the Illinois Valley’s largest outdoor sports arena will remain vacant a little longer.

The World of Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series, Tru-Speed Enterprises and the La Salle Speedway teamed up to open the speedway’s twentieth anniversary season in a big way. The 4^th Annual Illini 100 was moved to La Salle after three years at Farmer City. The opener was slated to be one of the biggest dirt late model events the track has ever hosted. The two day outing paid $20,000 to the victor with a combined purse of over $100,000. With such a big venue topper, the Izzo family has been diligently working to get ready for the epic show on dirt. Colder temperatures haven’t stalled their progress.

The fencing has been modified and repaired, a wall moved, track lighting added, the clay and dirt oval surface worked, victory lane redone, concessions are stocked, employees are ready to clock in and the show will not go on. At least, not yet. Unfortunately, everything has been put on hold due to an unpleasant forecast that could be seen on internet weather sites Tuesday morning. The potential for inclement weather prompted the World of Outlaws director Tim Christman to postpone the historic event.

According to a press release issued by the WoO PR Director, Kevin Kovac, the unfavorable weather forecast prompted the early cancellation.

The speedway management found out via unhappy callers wanting to verify that the Twitter and Facebook posts that were spreading quickly was in fact a reality. At first, track officials weren’t able to answer with conviction but later confirmed the decision to pull the plug was in fact true.

“We are just really upset that the show will not go on for our racers and fans. Well, at least not yet anyway,” track owner Kerry Izzo explained during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. “We are ready to go racing.”

“There were discussions about possibly having to postpone based on the potential weather for Friday but we were hoping to hold out another day or two to make sure the forecast didn’t change.”

“We are so saddened to have this event postponed as we truly are ready for the drivers, campers, race teams, employees, sponsors, and fans. I do understand the concerns but I want the public to know we were ready to ride it out a little longer and wish Mother Nature would have given us a better chance.”

With advance tickets sales and campsites being made public in recent months, it didn’t take long for the enthusiastic racing community to schedule their weekend.

“We had over forty camp sites sold in advance. People are calling upset because they took vacation time and had their weekend plans ruined now. I hope we can reschedule the event we really want to bring this spectacular show to our track. We want the Illini at La Salle – we are as excited as our loyal supporters to have the WoO here.”

Mother Nature’s mood swings are in full gear which is still evident when checked on Thursday afternoon via www.weather.com. The forecast for Friday predicts a 70% chance of precipitation in the morning along with a day time high of 52°F while the low dips to 33°F. Saturday on the other hand is expected to provide plenty of sunshine producing a high of 56°F.

Fans who bought the advanced tickets should have received an email with the pertinent information and instructions on obtaining their options for reimbursement.

Illini 100 at La Salle Speedway Canceled‏

Due to the uncertainty of Mother Nature's fury, the World of Outlaws Illini 100 scheduled for April 1st and 2nd has been postponed. As soon as further information becomes available I will release the details.

World of Outlaws Illini 100 opens La Salle's 20th Season

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – The long cold winter has race fans nearly stir crazy.  Their cabin fever is about to be blown away with one of the biggest events that the legendary La Salle Speedway has ever hosted. A two day event is scheduled to kick the winter to the curb with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series hitting town for the first time since 2007.

Michigan racer Jeep Van Wormer took command of that September race from a third place start to capture the checkers and the $7,000 paycheck for the WoO LMS Fall Nationals. A race he dedicated to a fallen uncle.

The Illini 100 Spectacular will be the first campaign of the 20^th year of racing under the Izzo family’s leadership. On Friday, April 1, the top names in dirt will usher in the season with qualifying and heat contests. The B Main’s and the 100-Lap A Main is on Saturday, April 2.  The victor stands to take home the colossal $20,000 payday.

The epic start to the season brings an event partnership between the Izzo family, the Tru-Speed Enterprises promoter Don Hammer and the World Racing Group. The showcase event brings one of the richest races to Illinois. The fact that it happens before most tracks have opened may draw even more race teams to the contest.

The Illini 100 has had a history of barn burner racing. The legendary Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas, stole the show in 2008 and 2010 while Shane Clanton made a late race pass to take the checkers in 2009. Prior to La Salle, the event had been held farther down state in Farmer City.

According to La Salle Speedway’s website, the new partnership came to fruition in part because the Illinois Valley venue is well known as a true speed arena.

“You wanted to go to a place that’s known for good racing,” Hammer, a former promoter at Farmer City and current director of the Monster Midwest Series, said of his decision to relocate the Illini 100 to LaSalle due to uncertainty surrounding the Farmer City’s operation. “LaSalle definitely fits the bill. There have been a lot of great races there over the years and it’s a great facility where we can continue to build a crowd for the Illini.”

La Salle Speedway’s Kerry Izzo is excited to open their second decade of full throttle racing with such a desirable venue.

“I am thrilled to have the Illini 100 here at La Salle,” Kerry said. “It is an honor to have our speedway chosen for such an important event. We have a very exciting season scheduled for our 20^th anniversary and this is an amazing way to jump start the new race season.”

A star-studded field of drivers is expected to challenge their talents in the $100,000-plus Illini 100 weekend. Some of the dirt leaders are WoO LMS regulars (and former tour champions) Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. The Outlaw standouts will battle dozens of other well-known competitors, including top talents from the DIRTcar UMP circuit, and local racers alike.

Two former La Salle Speedway front runners are slated to return to their roots to rally for the big money. Ironically, both have moved on to dirt fame driving the dream for a living. Two-time UMP National Champ Dennis Erb Jr. spent his early years watching his father travel the ¼ mile until moving into the drivers seat himself. He has accumulated a long list of titles and big money race wins since his 1994 La Salle Late Model Championship run.

At press time, Erb’s online schedule showed both the Illini and a race in Texas listed for the same weekend. His local fans are hoping the Carpentersville racer stays closer to home.

One of Erb’s biggest rivals from Illinois, who has committed to compete close to home, is a past La Salle hotshoe out of Bloomington.  Jason Feger has gained a name for himself and a nation of fans traveling the country as the highside hustler. During 2010, his biggest accomplishment was claiming the UMP Summer Nationals championship. In doing so, he ended Erb’s run for a fourth consecutive tour title. Feger was on fire claiming the championship for the grueling 28 races in 31 days.

Tony Izzo Jr., the 1995 UMP National Champion and La Salle Speedway two-time Champion himself, has been instrumental in bringing the area’s largest outdoor venue into the spotlight.

“We are one of the first tracks over the years to step outside of the norm and bring major events before other places,” Tony explained during a recent interview. “We are very proud that the racing world is starting to recognize what the Izzo family, the local racers, fans and support of the community has allowed us to create over the past 20 years.”

“We’re really excited about how much interest the race is generating from our local fans and racers as well as the whole racing community. To hear the excitement in the voice mails and phone calls I’m getting daily about the Illini – man, it’s real encouraging.”

The list of dirt stars is continuing to grow as the date nears. Advance tickets are already on sale and can be purchased online. Fans have until March 29 to take advantage of a discounted advance-sale price on two-day and single-day reserved seats for the Illini 100 weekend. Both reserved and general admission tickets can be purchased on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets or by calling the event ticket hotline at 877-395-8606.

Other divisions on the weekend program are the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Street Stocks, along with the DIRTcar UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet class. The Modifieds will compete in separate events paying $500 to win (Friday) and $1,000 to win (Saturday), while the Street Stock cars will be in action on Friday night only. The Hornets compete both Friday and Saturday nights.

Advance-sale two-day reserved-seat tickets (Friday-Saturday) for the Illini 100 cost $40 for ages 16-and-over. This is a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Single-day tickets are available in advance and on race day. Reserved seat and general admission tickets purchased on-line before March 29 are $15 for Friday and $30 for Saturday. On race day reserved seats (if still available) are $15 (Friday) and $32 (Saturday), and general admission prices are $15 (ages 16-and-over) and $5 (children 6-15) for Friday’s program and $30 (ages 16-and-over) and $10 (children 6-15) for Saturday’s finale. Kids 5-and-under will receive free general admission both days.

Pit passes will be sold only at the track for $25 on Friday, $40 on Saturday or $60 for a two-day pass. DIRTcar members will receive a $5 discount on pit admission.

The Illini 100 weekend will kick off on Thursday, March 31, with an open practice session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Gates will open at 3 p.m. and pit admission will be $20, with fans permitted to enter the grandstands free of charge to catch a glimpse of the talent and to watch the practice circuits.

On Friday, April 1, pit gates will open at noon and spectator gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. After the evening’s events, the entertainment continues with a bonfire and music for those attending.

The schedule on Saturday, April 2, calls for pit gates to re-open at noon, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m. Practice will begin at 5 p.m. and racing is set to get the green flag at 6 p.m.

March 26th Practice Cancelled

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 06:19 AM PDT

PRACTICE MARCH 26

Posted: 21 Mar 2011 03:04 PM PDT

Practice for this Saturday March 26 will run from 6pm until 9pm.  In  addition, all pit employees are ask to come out for orientation.  We will be taking registrations as well.   Thank You

Feger Aiming To Keep Illini 100 Trophy In Its Home State On April 1-2 At LaSalle Speedway

Season Passes on Sale

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 06:30 PM PDT

Izzo Family’s Quarter-Mile Oval Hosts World of Outlaws Late Model Series Event For First Time In 2011

Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:15 AM PST

Get Your Seats: Tickets Now Available On-Line For Illini 100 On April 1-2 At LaSalle Speedway

Illini 100 Skybox Available

Posted: 19 Feb 2011 05:51 PM PST

LaSalle Speedway announces Skybox/ Sponsorship opportunity for the Illini 100 April 1st and 2nd . 

Skybox /Sponsorship packages will include:

Company logo on Banner of Skybox

Company logo on all print ads

Company name in radio spots

Company name mentioned throughout event

15 Skybox seats and admission for both days of event

Enjoy a spectacular view from the comfort of your private skybox

Pizza, Beer and Soda for 15 people both days of event

Cost of entire Skybox package is $2000.

Additional info is available by calling the Speedway Office @ 815 223 6939

Limited Quantities Available Call To Reserve your Skybox!