TorriTrackTalks68
THE MOST RECENT TALK
IS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
SCROLL DOWN FOR OLDER TALKS
Torri Talks #73
No
Crash Landing For MoonMan in 2011
After a rough 2010 season, Jim Moon and team were looking for a consistent 2011
season. Unfortunately the season did not start off the best but once
multiple motor issues were addressed the 1 team picked up some really solid
stats. With the engine issues fixed 2012 looks promising for the MoonMan. Also
with more then one motor, Moon will be in action a lot more in the upcoming
season.
Moon started in thirty-five UMP point events and only two non-UMP events.
The season stats were not what Jim Moon wanted but by the end of Summer
Nationals and on, the stats improved. Moon states “if he could have started the
season the way he finished the season, the team would have been top twenty-five
in National points.” The highlight of the season came on the 16th
of September with a feature win over Mark Voigt at Belle-Clair Speedway.
Moon finished the 2011 campaign top fifty in UMP National points.
Ten top 5s and thirteen top 10s came mostly at the end of a hard fought 2011
season. Moon mostly raced near his home base in Mt. Auburn, Illinois.
Tracks including Macon, Farmer City, Kankakee, Belle-Clair, and I-55 are where
you could find Moon racing and that will continue in the 2012 season.
As always, Jim Moon and MoonMan Racing would like to thank their fans for
continued support. Big thanks also to the 2011 sponsors: BOB EVANS RESTAURANTS,
JUNGLE JIM’S CAFÉ, AGGRESSIVE ARMY.COM, HOOSIER/ BY SMASH
HOOSIER TIRE MIDWEST, J-FORCE ROCKS, GUTTER PRO,
PIT MAT USA, INDY PIC-A-PART, ACTION SUSPENSION, KRC POWER STEERING, WILLY’S
CARB AND DYNO SHOP, WOODWARD PRECISION, WILWOOD, SIMPSON
SAFETY, FASTENAL, MIDWEST MOTORSPORTS MARKETING
Torri Godsey
Torri Talks #72
Out of Nowhere- Dan Flessner
Webster’s dictionary defines determination as “firm or fixed intention to
achieve a desired end.” Next to this is a picture of Thawville, Illinois Native,
Daniel Flessner. A lot has changed since the 2010 season for this twenty
year old Sportsmen driver, none of which includes his desire to win. For this
red head kid, his craving to win is red hot.
Flessner’s racing career started with his buddy Lake Nichoalds in a sheep
pasture on go karts. A dirt track that Flessner’s father took the time to grade
and work on so the two boys could race. Donnie Nichoalds, Lake’s father with
help from Dan’s father Robert, raced modifieds in the 90s. In 2007 the younger
Flessner got a Ford Escort Wagon to race Hornets and to see if he even liked
racing. The two elders also influenced Lake; he is currently driving the 22N
modified. Two years passed with Dan in a Hornet when he made the move into the
Sportsmen class. Also in those few years, Flessner graduated High School,
became a certified diesel mechanic, and helps his father farm in the
Roberts/Thawville area.
When Flessner move into the Sportsmen class he was told, “it takes at least four
years to become competitive.” That may be true for most drivers but not for this
one. Two years in and Flessner is a threat every time he hits the track. His
favorite track is Fairbury because he has spent a lot of time there. He also had
success at Kokomo, Indiana where he really likes that track also. Eldora and
Knoxville are the two tracks he dreams to race at.
It’s hard to mention Sportsmen at Fairbury without saying Joel Funk’s name.
Three times this season the duo have finished 1-2. Twice Funk took the checkers.
Last week Flessner got his. One of the Funk wins ended up with both cars head on
into the wall. The finish was reminisce to a Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonate
finish at Bristol. The pair still has nothing but respect for each other, on and
off the track. Flessner wishes Funk “nothing but the best but he wants to beat
the four- time champion, fair and square.” So far in the four year career, no
win has topped the first one in Sportsmen back in August 2010 at Fairbury.
Most drivers do not pay attention to the point battles. Flessner on the other
hand, adds fuel to his fire. His hunger to win and win championships has made
him even more competitive and maybe a little under estimated by his fellow
racers. Locally Flessner is first in points at Farmer City Raceway,
fifteen points ahead of powerhouse Dave Crawley, Jr. At Fairbury American Legion
Speedway, he is fourteen points behind Joel Funk but only one point ahead of
third place Richard Craven. As of this week he sits one point ahead of Crawley
in the UMP Sportsmen Illinois State point standings. Then in UMP National
Points, as of August 4th, Dan Flessner is nine points ahead of last
week’s point leader Troy Clark. Not bad for only his second year in a car.
The driver of the 9D car has not done it all alone. Mom, Dad, and John
Kurtenbach help with the car. Flessner says, “Thanks to his father for
everything he has done to help me further myself in the racing world. I really
would not have been able to do it without him.” The 2012 season may see the team
move up into Late Models, only if they feel ready and feel if they can be as
competitive as they know they can be. As of right now, they are planning
for another season in the sportsmen but stay tuned.
“To be the best, you must beat the best.” That is exactly what Flessner plans to
do. One goal Flessner has is to win the World 100 over the most dominant drivers
in the sport. Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, and Scott Bloomquist all have
been winning for many years. Flessner feels it is time for someone to
climb the ladder to beat them, he feels he is the right guy for that job. With
his heart and desire, there is not any reason why his goal could not be achieved
in the next few years.
Sponsorship Thanks to:
Bull’s Custom Paint in Paxton, Roach Construction in
Piper City, Vallow Speed and Performance, Formula 500 Racing Oil, LG Speed
Company, Friedman Racing Engines, and Flessner Farms in Thawville.
Torri Talks #71
Brought to you by: Forget Me Not: Alzheimer’s
Homecare in Fairbury, IL
Shannon Babb has already won his
third career Summer National championship. He comes into Fairbury American
Legion Speedway on a tear of seven straight wins. Tonight’s race is for the
$10,000 purse and the pride of winning at one of the most loved tracks on the
tour. Plus it’s not a bad warm up for the Prairie Dirt Classic weekend,
the first week of September.
The Saturday’s race temperature
was well over the 90-degree mark and it did not cool as the sun went down. In
fact, major kudos to the track prep guys; it’s been dry and hot for a couple
weeks here in Fairbury and the track stayed racy fast all night long.
At the end of the night, probably
the most controversial finish in Summer Nationals all season, if not in the
history. Rodney Melvin according to track officials beat Jason Feger to the
stripe. But video and photo proof brought in by Feger, shows the Highside
Hustler clearly ahead. As of Tuesday, race fans and Feger are still debating the
finish. Bobby Pierce looked like his father leading and battling for the
lead for most of the 50-lap feature, until a wrong move around a slower Steve
Thorsten Jr, cost Pierce the lead and the win. Luckily Babb had already clinched
the points because he was not his normal dominant self, although he did climb
from deep in the field to finish a solid seventh. Other winners included Jim
Farris in modifieds, Alex Clubb in street stocks, and surprising Joel Funk over
Dan Flessner- neither car was wrecked this night.
I’ve always enjoyed meeting the
people at the track, especially my second home of Fairbury. This week and last,
I spent most of the night talking with people who really know their stuff.
Not just the kind that spew their crap on the
Internet but people who actually know. I had the privilege of meeting the Uncle
to probably the most dominant modified driver in the state, yes Jeff Leka. His
Uncle Sam is quite the guy and I really enjoyed talking to him. But of
course I always enjoy my nights at the track with my guy, Dustin.
Until next weekend with my notebook, I am Torri and I
was at the track.
Torri Talks #70
Brought to you by: Sancken Farms & Trucking at
Saunemin, Illinois
Like the weather, Shannon Babb is HOT, this second week of July. This week Babb
isn’t in attendance here; he is busy getting his third career Summer National
Championship trophy.
The guys that are in attendance are getting a warm up for the make up $10,000 to
win Summer National race (not for points). That race will also kind of be a test
run for the Prairie Dirt Classic week the 1st and 2nd of
September.
So focusing more on tonight’s race, it’s pretty warm but there are quite a few
cars in the pits. The back stretch seating is heavy occupied unlike the front
stretch, which is normally vacant.
The track prep as the sun goes down looks really good. Strong races in the
sportsmen and modified classes lead the way for a solid field of late models.
Heat winners included Bobby Pierce, Eric Smith, and Scott Bull. All three of
which should contenders when the Summer National competition comes in to town.
The feature was really good between Scott Bull and Daren Friedman. The two
battled back and forth for most of the race. Hard charger and points leader Eric
Smith gained seven spots after starting tenth. Still with no rain in the
forcast and highs in the upper 90s, track prep will be very important for the
Summer National race the 23rd. Hopefully I will see you there!!
Until next weekend with my notebook, I am Torri and I
was at the track.
Torri Talks #69
Farmer City Raceway, July 8th 2011
Brought to you by: Stevenson Auto Repair at Kankakee
Blue Skies smiling at Farmer
City Raceway, not a cloud in the sky on this Friday night of UMP Summer
Nationals. Forty-One late models with thirty-two modifieds in attendance
this mid summer evening. Modifieds are qualifying in the same group set up as
the late models, with the dust blowing from North to South already.
The Hell Tour has already
seen the next generation win. Mike Spatola won earlier in the tour at Clayhill
and at his home track of Kankakee. This night at Farmer City, Brandon
Sheppard took home the checkered flag. It seems like the Veteran driver’s
children are picking up where their fathers left off. Or in twenty-
three-year-old Billy Moyer Jr.’s case, continuing the Moyer wins. The
Pierce name seems to be on everything winning around here, including
fourteen-year-old Bobby Pierce. Even Sheppard is just a kid at age eighteen. The
talent will carry the series on for many years.
The veterans aren’t fading
in to the sunset so easily. Shannon Babb, Jeep Van Warmer, Scott James,
and Don O’Neal continue to flex their muscle. Babb has been the most dominate
driver this Hell Tour. (Of course we know now, he wins his third Summer National
Championship).
Back to race action from
this night: I don’t know if it was lack of rain over the past few weeks but I
was not real impressed with the show. Jason Feger, Daren Friedman, Ryan
Unzicker, and Jeep were fastest in their groups for qualifying. Jack Sullivan,
Bobby Pierce, Shannon Babb, and Scott James all topped their heats. A
disappointed Jason Feger won the C main to make the feature, where he started 19th
to finish a hard charging 8th. Local powerhouse Scott Bull won
the B main to DNF in the feature, but won the next night at Fairbury.
Not a bad turn out for J & K
Promotions’ first Summer National show. It was a smooth ran show, with the
night of racing being over at a decent hour. Don’t forget if you are going
to Farmer City, stop at Dewey’s Drive-In. The restaurant is re-opened and
serving food and ice cream before and after the races on Friday nights.
Talk #68
Mike Spatola- Not Your Andy Griffith Show, Opie
In only his first season as a Late Model driver, Mike Spatola has put his
talents on a national showcase. Still early in the 2011 campaign, the wins and
top 5s are already starting to stack up for this 20-year-old driver from
Manhattan Illinois. Spatola is not only piloting a Bob Pierce late model but
also on occasion still in his number 89 modified.
Spatola’s racing history includes over 200 wins in go karts combined with
a track and series championship. This season has already added the Player Hater
50 trophy, for his first late model win at Winston Speedway in Michigan. He has
also won a couple at Kankakee Motor Speedway including the $2000 to win ALMS
race. One of his biggest heat wins took place just last night, June 2nd
at Highland Speedway. Then had a strong fourth place finish against Billy Moyer,
Jason Feger, and Shannon Babb for the $5000 to win Northern All Star race.
Spatola is not only successful so far in 2011 but having a lot of fun
doing it, a dangerous combination for his competitors. Going from modifieds into
the late model class is sometimes tricky. “The driving aspect feels like the
easiest part of the transition so far”, says Spatola. The team is using this
season to learn tires and set ups, when you look at stats, looks like the team
is learning pretty quickly. The 89 team includes; Mike Jr. (Pops), Bill Amsler,
Jamey Mitchell, Danny Beallis, and Ken Kasper.
You can expect to see Spatola and crew following the Northern All Star
series. They also plan on running some of the Summer National tour, The Dream,
and maybe The World at Eldora Speedway. You can follow his
schedule via his website,
www.mikespatola.com for up to date
information.
The future looks bright for Spatola, who runs a reversed number from his
father; Pops ran the 98 car in spectator races. The younger
Spatola got involved in racing when his father would crew chief for Uncle Frank
Heckenast Sr. Then Spatola’s cousins starting racing, better known as Sherri
Heckenast (McMartin) and Frankie Heckenast where Mike started working on cars.
One day, Kenny Kasper dug out an old go-kart for Spatola to drive and the rest
is history. Spatola would like in the next five years to be
running in one of the top three NASCAR series while still being able to compete
on dirt with the best drivers on the WOO/Lucas Series.
This red headed kid called by Opie, a nickname given to him by his Uncle
because Spatola looked so much like Opie from the Andy Griffith Show. A nickname
that has stuck thru his racing career, a name like Cher, you just know when
someone says Opie they mean Mike Spatola.
Watch for Mike Spatola’s name thru out the 2011 season, you will be
seeing it as the winner of a lot more races. He would like to
thank his crew for all their hard work and dedication, week in and week out, his
family, and all his fans.
Sponsorship Thanks To:
Speedway Auto Parts & Wreckers, Indy Pic-A-Part, Modern Carriage Werks,
Rhyne Competition Engines, Bob Pierce Race Cars, New Vision Graphics, KFP, Fast
Shafts, R2C, Outerwears, Landrum Springs, AllStar Performance,