|
September 4, 2009
Farmer City 50 Victory Lane
July 31, 2009
Steve Sheppard Jr. holds off Ryan Unzicker and Jeff Leka nears eighth championship in a row with wins at Farmer Citywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
With perfect fall weather in July, twenty two late models took to the track Friday night. Fast time went to young Brandon Sheppard at 12.761 seconds. The first heat was an exciting race with Scott Schmitt holding off Ryan Unzicker and Richie Hedrick for the win. The second heat went to Steve Sheppard Jr. over Rocky Griffin and Chris Dick. The third heat went to Donny Walden over Joe Harlan and Cody Watters, a race that went three wide for the checkers. The feature only had one early caution, then the race was on as Steve Sheppard Jr. would lead every lap, but several times, Ryan Unzicker would pull alongside and try for the lead, just not being able to get around Sheppard Jr. The modified class had eighteen cars, and the evening started with fast time going to Kyle Byerline at 14.146 seconds. The first heat went to Justin DeLong in a close battle over Michael Bradley, Ryan Thomas and Allen Stipp. The second heat went to Jeff Leka over Jeb Friedman, Lance Dehm and Randy Huffman. The feature event had an early caution, then fifteen laps of great racing, mostly with Jeff Leka leading and Justin DeLong pulling alongside in turns one and two, briefly taking the lead lap after lap, until Leka finally moved down into the lower groove and started pulling away. With another caution late setting up a two lap dash to the checkers, Leka used his many years of experience to maintain the lead to the checkers, and Michael Bradley managed to get next to, and barely past DeLong for second. Fourth went to Lance Dehm followed by Ryan Thomas, Jeb Friedman, Jeff Curl, Randy Huffman, Allen Stipp and Jay Ledford. The crate late model class had ten cars present. The first heat went to Nick Bauman over Allen Thomas. The second heat went to Paducah, Kentucky's Matt Liner over last week's feature winner John Barnard. The feature once again went to points leader Nick Bauman after he made a mid-race pass on Liner, who would finish second, followed by Allen Thomas, John Barnard, Matt Beadles, Bobby Pierce and Nick Macklin. The street stock heats went to Chris Tackett in a fun race over Darrell Lehigh, and the second heat went to Terry Miller over Jim Quinn. Jim Quinn would go on to win the feature, again on the last lap after race long leader Terry Miller tagged the wall and has car problems on the last turn of the last lap, the win going to Quinn over Al Crawley, with Chris Tackett third. The hornet heats went to Jim Wilson, Larry Hawk and points leader Jason Maier, with Maier once again taking the feature win. July 24, 2009
Farmer City Raceway Victory Lane
July 23, 2009
$100 Bonus to Highest Finishing SportsmanStarting on Friday we will be paying a $100 bonus to the highest finishing Sportsman in the Crate/Sportsman feature.July 17, 2009
Points leaders Eric Smith, Jeff Leka and Nick Bauman Warm Up a Chilly Night at Farmer Citywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.comWith the chilliest July 17 in thirty years and the fans in sweatshirts during time trials, the drivers warmed up the night with some hot racing action Friday night. Youngster Ryan Unzicker turned in fast time in the late model class of the twenty-five competitors on hand at 12.511 seconds. The first heat went to Richie Hedrick over Eric Smith, Ryan Unzicker and Scott Schmitt. The second heat went to Daren Friedman over Aaron Ricketts, Joe Harlan and Kyle Logue. The third heat went to young Brandon Sheppard over Rocky Griffin, Bill Gianetti and Gary Schalmo. The semi feature saw Steve Sheppard Jr win in a very heated battle with fellow front row starter Jeff Leka, with Zach Busch a ways back in third. The feature started with a couple of restarts due to spins. Richie Hedrick took the initial lead from his pole position starting spot over Daren Friedman. By the third lap, Friedman had put out the notice that he also wanted the lead, and took it from Hedrick. The next lap would see Friedman go spinning, with another caution period and restart at the tail end, giving the lead back to Hedrick. The next few laps saw Hedrick out in front with Ryan Unzicker and Brandon Sheppard racing alongside him, until Unzicker would power away from the others. Finally, about fifteen laps into the twenty five lapper, Eric Smith used his veteran experience to pull alongside Unzicker and wrestle the lead away from him. Smith would go on to win his third feature in as many weeks, followed by Unzicker, Hedrick, Brandon Sheppard and semi feature winner Steve Sheppard Jr. The Modified class had twenty seven cars on hand, with fast time of 14.068 seconds turned in by Mike Spatola. The first heat went to Jeff Leka over Mike Spatola and Jim Farris. The second heat went to Kyle Byerline over Randy Huffman and Kyle Logue. The third heat went to Chad Osterhoff over Lance Dehm and Dave Baldwin. The semi feature went to Alan Stipp, but the show belonged to last place starter Jeb Friedman. Friedman earlier had been physically bounced from his outside front row starting spot in his heat race, made repairs to the car, and after starting last, pulled alongside Alan Stipp and was mere inches from taking the checkered flag. In the feature, Jeff Leka started on the pole, and after battling with Chad Osterhoff and Kyle Byerline took the early lead. Surviving a few yellow flags, when it came time for the checkers, Lance Dehm was directly alongside Leka. Dehm was credited with second place as Leka once again took home the checkered flag. Following Dehm to the line was Mike Spatola and Randy Huffman. The Crate Late Models saw the first heat go to Kevin Moffett taking the win at the flag over Ron Wilson and Timmy Dick. The second heat went to Allen Thomas over Nick Macklin and John Barnard. The feature event saw Allen Thomas lead the first half, until getting caught up lapping traffic, and Nick Bauman slipped by to lead the way to his third feature win in a row. Thomas came home second, again, followed by Kevin Moffett, Nick Macklin and John Barnard. The KidModz heat went to Blake Vinson over Heidi Goodman and the feature was reversed with the win going to Heidi Goodman over Blake Vinson. The Street Stock first heat went to Joel Funk over Al Crawley and Chris Tackett. The second heat went to Jim Quinn over Terry Miller with Rick Thomas coming from last to finish third. In a wild and crazy four wide race for the feature win, Rick Thomas emerged the winner, right with him were Jim Quinn, Chris Tackett and Terry Miller. The Hornet heats went to Joe Reed over Bob Zbinden and Eric Wilson over Jason Maier. The feature went to Bob Zbinden over Joe Reed. There were a total of 108 cars in the pits tonight. July 10, 2009
Farmer City Raceway Victory Lane
July 3, 2009
Smith, Osterhoff, Bauman, Thomas, Wilson, Griffin take Farmer City Featureswww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
The regular weekly show returned to Farmer City Raceway Friday night, following all the excitement of Monday night's Summernational race. Wisconsin's Jayme Zidar turned in fast time of the twenty late models on hand at 12.906 seconds. The first heat went to Bret Sievert over Jeff Beyers, Jayme Zidar and Mike Glynn. The second heat went to Eric Smith over Daren Friedman, Richie Hedrick and Brandon Sheppard. The third heat was a barn-burner as Joe Harlan held off Steve Sheppard Jr for the win, followed by Scott Bull and Jimmy Dehm. Bret Sievert started the feature on the pole, and assumed immediate control, but Eric Smith decided on the second lap it was go time, and go he did. Smith led the remaining laps, but the best racing of the night was going on right behind him. Eleventh place starter Brandon Sheppard ended up in second after turning up the wick late in the race, and was closing quick as the checkers fell. Third would go to Bret Sievert, followed by Daren Friedman, Steve Sheppard Jr, Scott Bull, Joe Harlan, Mike Glynn, Jeff Beyers and Richie Hedrick. The crate late model heat race and feature went to Nick Bauman. Bauman was followed in the feature by Bobby Pierce, Nick Macklin, John Barnard and Ron Wilson. The modified class had twenty three cars present. The first heat race was a close battle going to Jeff Curl over Mike Spatola, Justin DeLong and Lance Dehm. The second heat went to Derek Losh over Cory Schwengel, Jeff Leka and Jeb Friedman. The third heat was another hot battle, as Chad Osterhoff held off Jim Farris, last Monday's feature winner Gabe Menser, and Derek Hufford. The feature went to Chad Osterhoff over a fast charging Jeff Leka, Mike Spatola, Justin DeLong, Derek Losh, Cory Schwengel, Gabe Menser, Jim Farris, Jeb Friedman with Lance Dehm rounding out the top ten. The street stock heats went to Rick Thomas and Terry Miller. In the feature, Rick Thomas would beat Terry Miller to the checkers, followed closely by Jim Quinn, Darren Kohler, Josh Griffith, Joel Funk and Darrel Lehigh. The hornet feature went to Eric Wilson over Eric Keymon, Jason Maier, and Larry Hawk. Heat wins went to David Lauritson and Eric Keymon. The kidmodz were in action tonight with Jake Griffin taking the heat and the feature. Total of 84 cars in the pits, and the complete show was finished at 10:45, and that included a 20+ minute fireworks display.
June 29, 2009
Dennis Erb Jr. Takes Summer Nationals Win at Farmer City Racewaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.comMonday night was the 21st visit of the UMP Summernationals to Farmer City Raceway, after being rained on Friday June 19. With 34 late models on hand and group qualifying, overall fast time went to Shannon Babb at 12.634 seconds, with other group fast times going to Dennis Erb Jr, Brandon Sheppard and Steve Sheppard Jr. The first heat went to Dennis Erb Jr over Jason Feger, Brian Shirley and Bill Frye. The second heat was a rout, as Shannon Babb won by a long distance over Wes Steidinger and Kevin Weaver. The third heat went to Randy Korte, who came from his fifth place starting spot to take the checkers over Scott Bull, Ryan Unzicker and Terry Casey. The fourth heat went to third place starter Kyle Logue over Steve Sheppard Jr, Donny Walden and Rodney Melvin. The semi feature saw fifth place starter Frank Heckenast Jr showcase his ability as he won out over Duane Chamberlain, Jeep VanWormer, Derek Chandler and Joe Harlan. Shannon Babb would start the feature from the pole position with Dennis Erb Jr alongside. The other two heat winners also drew, and Kyle Logue started inside the second row with Randy Korte on the outside. Provisionals went to Jeep VanWormer, Rusty Schlenk and Daren Friedman. With twenty one starters ready to take the green, thirteen of the starters had previously won at this quarter mile track. When the green flag flew, Shannon Babb took the initial lead, but Dennis Erb Jr quickly kept pace, and after about six laps, took the lead, and decided to stink up the show by walking away from the field. With all forty laps run under the green, Erb had put quite a distance on Babb at the checkers. Erb claimed the $6,000 first place prize money over Babb, Korte, Eric Smith, and Shirley. The street stock heats went to Rick Thomas over Josh Griffith, and to Chris Tackett over Mike Hope Jr. The feature went to Josh Griffith in an exciting event over Rick Thomas, Steve Ewing, Greg Rubenacker, Terry Miller, Chuck Barnes, Jim Quinn, Hugh Johnson and Bob Simmons. The hornet class saw the heats going to Eric Wilson and Jason Maier. The hornets were also the first feature of the night, with the win going to Eric Wilson over Jason Maier, Eric Wisher, Larry Hawk, Matt Musgrave, Shane Kelley, Cook Crawford, Brian Wilson, Matt Corray and Trisha Burton. The modifieds had 35 cars on hand, with Chad Osterhoff turning in fast time. The first heat went to Denny Schwartz over his son Danny Schwartz, and Chad Osterhoff. The second heat went to Jay Ledford over Justin DeLong and Michael Bradley. The third heat went to Gabe Menser over Mike Spatola and ageless Don Kiger. The final heat went to points leader Jeff Leka over McKay Wenger and Kent Robinson. The semi features went to Allen Stipp and Gary Cook Jr. The mod feature was a great race between Denny Schwartz and Gabe Menser. There was one complete restart and one other caution for a Justin DeLong spin. Schwartz and Menser continue to race side by side the whole race and Leka catches them and joins them. They leave everyone else behind and Gabe Menser goes on to win followed by Schwartz and Leka. Third on back went to Mike Spatola, McKay Wenger, Danny Schwartz, Chad Osterhoff, Jeremy Nichols, Gary Cook Jr and Kent Robinson. There were 97 cars total in the pits for a Monday night show, hornet feature was run first, with the UMP Late Model $6,000 to win feature starting at 10:10 pm and I was in my car leaving the premises at 10:22 pm with the final two features yet to run. June 12, 2009
New points leaders Nick Bauman and Jeff Leka win features at Farmer City Raceway Fridaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
In a move that brings back the true meaning of United Midwest Promoters, the late models had the evening off so they could attend the UMP Summernationals at Kankakee County Speedway, a move to be duplicated next Friday by Kankakee as the Summernationals visit historic Farmer City Raceway. In the crate late model class, Nick Bauman turned in fast time of the 18 drivers in attendance, at 13.920 breaking his own track record. The first heat went to Allen Thomas over Bauman and Rylan Dagg. The second heat went to Dustin Griffin over Jay Smithson and Nick Macklin. The feature went the Nick Bauman, who took the points lead from the absent Jim Moon, second went to Rylan Dagg over Dustin Griffin, Daniel Heck, Bobby Pierce and Kevin Moffett in a caution filled event. In the modified class, young Justin DeLong turned some heads when he turned in fast time at 13.966, just shy of a track record as well. Perennial track champion Jeff Leka was driving a #20 car for the evening and won the first heat over Dave Crawley Jr, Jay Ledford and Justin DeLong. The second heat went to Chad Osterhoff over Jeb Friedman, Gabe Menser and Brock Bauman. The third heat went to Randy Huffman over Cory Schwengel, David Shain and Chris Morefield. The semi feature went to Jeff Curl over Chris Gaither, Dave Popielarz and Rick Hamilton. The feature event went to Jeff Leka, who also took the points lead from Chad Osterhoff, who finished second. Third went to Jeb Friedman, followed by Gabe Menser, Randy Huffman, Cory Schwengel, David Shain, Justin DeLong and Randy Shuman. The kidmodz once again had Kyle Hammer winning the heat over Heidi Goodman. In the feature, Heidi Goodman took off to a big lead over Hammer, but with engine troubles with two laps to go handed the lead to Kyle Hammer, and he was followed to the checkers by Jake Griffin, Blake Vinson, Jeffrey Ledford and Heidi Goodman. In the street stockers, the first heat went to Terry Miller over Chuck Barnes Jr, and Josh Griffith. The second heat went to Jeff Semmens over Darrel Lehigh and Greg Rubenacker. In an unusually caution filled feature, Terry Miller and Jeff Semmens ran side by side for the first lap, until Semmens takes the lead, then the first caution came out. Under the yellow, leader Semmens apparently had motor problems and pulled to the pits, as well as second place Terry Miller, who had a flat tire. This gave the lead to Chuck Barnes Jr, followed by Greg Rubenacker. They survive a few more cautions as Barnes takes the win followed by Rubenacker, Blake Shelley with Jim Quinn alongside, followed by Chris Tackett. The hornets saw points leader Jason Maier take the first heat followed by Joe Reed and Larry Hawk. The second heat went to Jonathon Schuck, followed by Eric Wilson and Matt Corray. The feature went to last year's point champion Joe Reed over current points leader Jason Maier, followed by Larry Hawk, Tanner Tibbs, Jonathon Schuck, Jim Wilson and Matt Corray. June 5, 2009
Harlan, Pierce, Leka, Quinn, Maier and Hammer take feature wins on the ultra-smooth surface at Farmer City Raceway Fridaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
Steve Sheppard Jr started the night out by turning fast time of the nineteen late models on hand at 13.857 seconds. Sheppard then went on to win his heat in a photo finish over Richie Hedrick, followed by Charley Hess and Cory Daugherty. The second heat went to last week's feature winner Joe Harlan in another close race over Brandon Sheppard, followed closely by Kyle Logue. The final heat went to Chris Dick in a tough battle over Jayme Zidar and Rocky Griffin. The feature started out with pole sitter Richie Hedrick taking the initial lead over Steve Sheppard Jr and Joe Harlan. Chris Dick decided to get in the battle, and he ran the first six laps side by side with Sheppard Jr and Harlan. Then Sheppard Jr moved alongside leader Hedrick and the duo raced side by side, with Harlan trying to get past both of them. Finally on lap eleven, Harlan squeezed past Sheppard Jr and Hedrick for the lead. Hedrick then fell out of the race, leaving Harlan to lead the rest of the way, followed by Sheppard Jr, Kyle Logue, Jayme Zidar and Daren Friedman. Friedman earlier had motor problems in his #89 ride, and had jumped into Eric Smith's #9 backup car. The crate late models also saw a repeat winner, as young Bobby Pierce cleaned house by winning his heat, starting on the pole and winning the feature. The first heat went to John Bernard over Brad Denney and seventh place starter Allen Thomas. The second heat went to Pierce, followed closely by Nick Bauman and Kevin Moffett. Pierce started on the pole of the feature, and was never seriously challenged as he led all twenty laps to win his second feature in a row. Pierce was followed by Nick Bauman, Allen Thomas, Brad Denney, John Barnard, Ron Wilson, Kevin Moffett, Matt Beadles, Tim Dick, Nick Macklin, Travis Johnson and Jay Smithson. The modified class saw another classic battle between the last two UMP national points champions Jeff Leka and Denny Schwartz. Schwartz had earlier set fast time at 15.338 seconds. The first heat went to Denny Schwartz over Brock Bauman, Chad Evans and Chevy Miller. The second heat went to Jeff Leka over Jay Ledford, Cory Schwengel and Justin DeLong. The final heat went to Chad Osterhoff over Jeb Friedman, Matt Huddleston and Jeff Curl. Jeff Leka took off at the green flag, searching high and low for the best groove to run, and about halfway through, Schwartz showed Leka that the top side was faster, pulling alongside Leka several times. Leka then moved up to the top and managed to keep Schwartz in second. Finishing third was Jeb Friedman, followed by Jay Ledford, Chad Evans, Chad Osterhoff and Matt Huddleston. The kidmodz were back in town, with the heat race going to Heidi Goodman over Jake Griffin and Blake Vinson. The feature event saw Kyle Hammer win the race, but after Heidi Goodman took the lead, Hammer really had to work to get back around her, while at the same time hold off the hard charging Griffin. The final finishing order was Kyle Hammer over Heidi Goodman, Jake Griffin and Jeffrey Ledford. The street stock class saw some of the best racing of the evening as the first heat went to last place starter Jim Quinn over Chuck Barnes Jr, followed closely by Troy Dodson and Josh Griffith. The second heat went to Terry Miller over Al Crawley, Cody Miller and Scott Thrasher. The feature was a real barn-burner as Quinn, Miller and Barnes battled it out the first half of the race. Quinn would go on to the checkered flag first, followed very closely by Terry Miller, Chuck Barnes Jr, Al Crawley, Josh Griffith, Troy Dodson and Scott Thrasher. In the hornets, Kenny Butterfield and Joe Reed won the heats and Jason Maier went on to win the feature followed by Kenny Butterfield....(thank you DeeDee). May 29, 2009
Four Races, Four Faces so far in the 2009 Monster Midwest Series as Joe Harlan takes the win at Farmer City Raceway Friday nightwww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
So far in 2009, Jason Feger, Steve Sheppard Jr and Ryan Unzicker had won series races. But tonight was Joe Harlan's night to put his name in the record books. Thursday night's LaSalle Speedway winner Ryan Unzicker started the night with fast time of the 19 late models on hand at 13.449 seconds. Unzicker then won the first heat over Donny Walden, Brandon Sheppard and Eric Smith. The second heat was a good close race as Michael Kloos held off the challenges of Steve Sheppard Jr, followed closely by Richie Hedrick and Charley Hess. The final heat had Joe Harlan showing his hand, as he ran away and hid from second place finisher Derek Chandler, who was followed by Tim Lance and Kyle Logue. Come feature time, with the series redraw, Michael Kloos started on the front row with Joe Harlan alongside, followed by Derek Chandler, Steve Sheppard Jr, Donny Walden and Ryan Unzicker. On the ultra-smooth race track, Joe Harlan took off to an immediate lead, and never looked back, leading all 40 laps, withstanding the challenges of two yellow flag periods, until after the white flag was in the air. Then Unzicker stopped on the backstretch, and just as Harlan went to lap Charley Hess, Hess spun in front of Harlan, taking Harlan around with him. Harlan got his spot back, the race was restarted with green and white flags waving, and Harlan went on to the victory over Steve Sheppard Jr, Richie Hedrick, Derek Chandler, Eric Smith, Tim Lance, Donny Walden and Charley Hess. The modified class was stunned when Alan Stipp turned in fast time of the evening. At least Alan Stipp was stunned. The first heat went to Denny Schwartz over Cory Schwengel and Alan Stipp. The second heat went to points leader Chad Osterhoff over Gabe Menser and Chad Evans. Heat number three went to Jeff Leka over Justin DeLong and Jeb Friedman. The semi feature was an exciting event with the win going to Jeff Curl, after a late race pass on veteran Roger Drake. Denny Schwartz would go on to lead the feature from green flag to checkers, followed by Jeff Leka, Chad Osterhoff and Cory Schwengel. A new era was started in the Crate Late model class, as the "Short Cool One" Bobby Pierce took the checkers in the feature event. This being the site of Bob Pierce's final feature win made it special for the whole family. Pierce started the race in fourth place, and after following leaders Matt Beadles and Tim Dick the first two laps, decided to try his turn out front, made the pass on the two on the third lap, and went on uncontested the following seventeen laps for the win. Allen Thomas would repeat his second place finish of last week, followed by Jim Moon, Nick Bauman, Kevin Moffett, Nick Macklin, John Bernard, Matt Beadles, Jay Smithson, Ron Wilson and Curtis Hobbs. The heat races had earlier gone to Nick Macklin over Bobby Pierce, and to Matt Beadles over Tim Dick. In the street stocks, Greg Rubenacker and Chuck Barnes Jr won the heats with the feature going to Chuck Barnes over Terry Miller and Greg Rubenacker. In the hornet class, Larry Hawk won the heat race, with the feature going to Jason Maier over Larry Hawk, Eric Wilson and Eric Wisher. May 22, 2009
Farmer City Raceway was back in action Friday night as Daren Friedman, Donny Walden and Richie Hedrick put on a show for the fans!www.midwestdirttrackfacts.comAfter three weeks of being idle due to inclement weather, the racers and the fans at Farmer City Raceway were treated to some exciting races Friday night. The late model portion of the evening started with Donny Walden turning in fast time at 12.849 seconds. Daren Friedman beat Donny Walden to the checkered flag in the first heat, followed by Terry Babb, Tim Lance and Mike Petersak. The second heat was a thriller, as young Jimmy Dehm took the checkers over a charging Richie Hedrick, followed by Jeremy Conaway, Eric Smith and Charley Hess. The feature was another exciting race that started with Daren Friedman and Jimmy Dehm on the front row. Friedman took the lead at the green flag, but was hounded by Walden the entire distance. At the mid-point of the race, Walden pulled alongside and led a lap, and stayed right with Friedman for a number of laps. With seven to go, Richie Hedrick decided to join the fun and make it three wide while they were slicing and dicing their way through lapped traffic. Friedman held on for the win, followed by Hedrick, Walden, Tim Lance and Eric Smith. The modified class saw Kankakee's Chad Osterhoff turn in fast time of the 29 modifieds on hand at 14.449 seconds. The first heat went to Jeremy Nichols over Chad Osterhoff, Cody Bauman, Jeb Friedman, and Rory Obermeyer Sr. The second heat went to Gary Cook Jr over Denny Schwartz, Danny Schwartz, Randy Huffman and Matt Barker. The third heat went to Rensselaer Indiana's Derek Losh over Jeff Leka, Justin DeLong, Andy Clark and Erik Bruce. The semi went to Cody Schwengel over Jeff Curl and Justin McCoy. The feature event had the first half of the race with eight drivers trying to get the lead, all within striking distance of the leader as they raced three and four cars wide. Eventually, Denny Schwartz would come out with the lead, and it became necessary to have a #21 on the side of your car to do good, as #21s Denny Schwartz won the race followed by #21 Derek Losh, and #21D Danny Schwartz. They were followed to the checkers by Jeremy Nichols, Justin DeLong, Erik Bruce, Jeff Leka, Randy Huffman, Chad Osterhoff, Jeff Curl, Cory Schwengel and Jeb Friedman. Early in the race, Rob Bauman was in the hunt for the lead, but had some bad luck in a spin, which officials declared was caused by Jeff Leka, Leka would go to the rear, and two laps later, Bauman was involved in another incident sidelining him for the night. The crate late model class had thirteen cars with the first heat going to Allen Thomas. The number 15 of Smithson had been leading Nick Bauman at the white flag but when Allen Thomas went to the middle, contact was made and Thomas was spun. Thomas was put back in second place with Bauman in the rear. When the green flag dropped once again, Thomas powered out around Smithson and went on to the checkers, followed by Smithson, Bobby Pierce and Nick Bauman. The second heat went to Nick Macklin over Jim Moon after last lap contact, followed by Travis Johnson and Matt Beadles. Come feature time, the first few laps were four wide, until the number 1 of Jim Moon took control and started to runaway, but slipped up the backstretch halfway through, handing the lead to Allen Thomas. Thomas tonight put his name in there as someone to be dealt with in this class. Following the pattern of last lap contact, once again there was contact after the white flag, and Nick Bauman came home the winner in front of Allen Thomas, followed by Jim Moon, Bobby Pierce and Nick Macklin. The streetstockers also decided to drive 3-4 wide the entire distance, with Terry Miller taking the win over Chuck Barnes Jr, Greg Rubenacker, Jim Quinn, Jeff Semmens, Chris Tackett, Troy Dodson and Josh Griffith. Earlier heat wins went to Troy Dodson over Terry Miller, and to Chris Tackett over Josh Griffith. The kidmodz were once again present, with Heidi Goodman taking the heat and feature win. Both times it was over Kyle Hammer and Logan Moody. The hornet class saw heat races go to Eric Wisher over Tom Craig, and Jason Maier over Eric Wilson. The feature went to Eric Wisher over Eric Wilson, followed by Jason Maier, Matt Maier and Bob Sanders. April 24, 2009
Leka, Moon, Quinn, and Wisher Feature Winners Friday at Farmer City Racewaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
With the Super Late Models off tonight in a spirit of cooperation with Kankakee County Speedway, and the Monster Midwest Series, the Modifieds were the headliners tonight at this historic old fairgrounds race track. Eight time track champion Jeff Leka finally got his first win of 2009 at Farmer City over Chad Osterhoff, McKay Wenger, Lance Dehm, and Chad Kinder. The heat races went to Dehm, Osterhoff, and Leka. Chad Evans turned in fast time with Cory Schwengel taking the semi feature. The Street Stock class was a thriller with Jim Quinn taking the victory after a late high side pass on Chuck Barnes. Barnes would finish second, followed by Krick, Dodson, Hail, Lehigh, Tackett, Miller, Thrasher, and Griffith. Heat wins had earlier gone to Quinn and Barnes. The Hornet class had a new winner in an exciting feature with Eric Wisher taking the win over Jason Maier, a couple of Wilsons, and Rexroad. The Crate feature once again went to Jim Moon with Nick Bauman setting fast time at 14.407 seconds, which for the first time this class qualified; this is the new track record for Crates. April 17, 2009
Lance, Osterhoff, Moon, Maier, Pierce take Features at Farmer City Racewaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.com
The 2009 regular season is now officially underway, with improved weather there were 118 cars in the pits in six classes. Jimmy Dehm turned in the fast time of the 28 Late Models on hand at 12.696 seconds. Heats went to Donny Walden over Daren Friedman, Chris Dick over Scott Bull and Bret Sievert over Eric Smith. The semi went to third place starter Mike Petersak, who led from turn four past the green flag all the way to the checkered flag. The feature was led for the first half by Donny Walden, opening up a straightaway lead over Tim Lance and Bret Sievert. Following a caution at the midpoint, Lance took the lead and kept it for the win over Eric Smith, Daren Friedman and Donny Walden. The Crate Late Model/Sportsman class saw 17 cars on hand. The first heat went to John Bernard over Allen Thomas. The second heat went to Jim Moon over Nick Bauman. The feature went to Jim Moon over Nick Bauman and John Bernard. Allen Thomas and Bernard swapped 3rd and 4th several times, but on the final turn, mechanical woes beat Thomas, who came home to an eighth place finish. The Modified class had heat winners of Chad Osterhoff, Lance Dehm and Jeff Curl. The semi went to Chad Evans. The feature was lead from green to checkers by Chad Osterhoff over Jay Ledford, Lance Dehm, Derek Losh, Jeremy Nichols, Jamie Lomax, Jeff Curl, Jeb Friedman and Nick Neville. The KidModz were in town with Heidi Goodman winning the heat over Bobby Pierce. Pierce would return the favor in the feature with a half-lap win over Goodman. The Hornets saw heats going to Matt Maier and John Stone, who started last, and the feature to Jason Maier over David Reed and Matt Maier. The Street Stocker heats went to Josh Griffith over Troy Dodson and to Jarred Krick over Terry Miller. The feature went to Troy Dodson over Jim Quinn and Terry Miller.
April 4, 2009
Shane Clanton Takes Lead Late and Wins Illini 100 over Brian Birkhoferwww.midwestdirttrackfacts.comWith most of the line-up already set for Saturday's Illini 100, all that was left was to run two semi features (sorry, B-mains) and for the heat winners to draw for their starting positions. The top two advancing from the first semi were Eric Smith and Scott Bull. Daren Friedman, Jimmy Dehm, and Brent Robinson rounded out the top five. The second semi saw Dennis Erb Jr win out over Ryan Unzicker, with those two advancing and Kevin Weaver, Donny Walden and Ted Loomis rounding out the top five. The heat winners drew for their starting positions, with the pole going to Shane Clanton, the outside front row to Brian Birkhofer. The second row went to Jimmy Mars and Josh Richards. The third row would start Rick Eckert and Richie Hedrick. The feature would see Brian Birkhofer blast out to the early lead. Shane Clanton stayed right with him, taking the lead on lap eight, just to see Birky go back by one lap later. The first of two cautions came out with 63 laps remaining, as Dennis Erb Jr would stop on the track just as he was getting lapped, and he retired for the evening. Birky then commanded the lead spot, for just six laps later, Brady Smith brought out the second caution with a flat tire and a spin. The remaining fifty seven laps were run under the green flag, with Birky in the lead, weaving through traffic, only to find Shane Clanton pull alongside and take the lead with eight laps to go. Birky would stick right with him for the next two laps, until Clanton cleared traffic, and went on to collect the checkered flag and the $20,000 that goes with it. Birky would finish a close second, followed by Josh Richards, who spent most of the race running in the third spot.
The modified heat races went to Denny Schwartz, Jeff Leka, Gary Cook Jr, and Mike Spatola. The semis went to Kent Robinson and George Aimone. The feature event went to Denny Schwartz over Jeff Leka, Gary Cook Jr in an uneventful race. Denny Schwartz had set fast time at 14.084 seconds. Also during time trials Dave Sandage smacked the tires in turn #3 and flipped, he was uninjured.
April 3, 2009
The Place, The Draw, The Question Mark, and the Show at Farmer City Raceway Fridaywww.midwestdirttrackfacts.comThe place was Farmer City Raceway Friday night April 3, 2009. The Hammers, aka TruSpeed, Inc prepared a beautiful racetrack following cold, rainy conditions and the fans came out in droves. The fairgrounds were muddy, but with the afternoon sun and wind, although chilly, the mud problems pretty much disappeared. The racing surface was in excellent, smooth condition. A total of 134 cars in four divisions were in the pits, which were overflowing, mostly due to the mud. The draw was the World of Outlaws Late Models first night of two for the second annual Illini 100, paying a whopping $20,000 to win. The cars were very fast, with Moweaqua's Shannon Babb turning in fast time at 12.179 seconds about two tenths of a second off Billy Moyer's track record set last year at this event. With Fifty One late models on hand, the six heat races were basically a battle from the start to the first two turns. With five of the six races, the leader on the first lap went on uncontested to the checkers, with the top three from each advancing to Saturday's feature event. The first heat went to West Virginia's Josh Richards over Shannon Babb and Clint Smith. The second heat went to Iowa's Brian Birkhofer over Steve Francis and Jason Feger. The third heat went to Wisconsin's Jimmy Mars over Joe Harlan and Zach Johnson. The fourth heat went to Georigia's Shane Clanton over Darrell Lanigan and Will Vaught. The fifth heat went to Urbana, Illinois' Richie Hedrick over Matt Lux and Vic Coffey. The sixth and final heat went to Pennsylvania's Rick Eckert over Brady Smith and Chub Frank. This last heat race held the only excitement, as leader Chub Frank had a flat tire with three laps to go, went to the pits, changed the tire, restarted at the rear and literally BLASTED his way back up to third with last lap contact on both Ryan Unzicker and Donny Walden to take the final transfer spot. The only other late model action was Jon Rogers flip during hot laps, he was unhurt. The question mark of the evening, perhaps of the whole 2009 season seems to be the Crates/Sportsmen division. In an effort to keep car counts up, the crate late models are now being mixed with the sportsmen class. This class, at least for the first night, seemed to be a mixture of one to five year old late models, new crate late models,
The street stockers had sixteen cars in the pits, with heats going to Josh Griffith and Jim Quinn, and one of the few passes for the lead all evening. Defending track champion Jim Quinn would go on to dominate the feature, with a good race going on for second, finally going to Josh Griffith over Steve Ewing and Bob Simpson. The modified feature would eventually be the complete show for the evening. And what a barn-burner it was. The 47 modifieds on hand started out with Kent Robinson trouncing the field in the first heat by half a lap over the unknown number 12, and Lance Dehm. The second heat was a very exciting race up front with Danny Schwartz finally winning out over Jeff Leka, and Chad Evans was within a car length of taking the checkers, that was an exciting race. The third heat went to Gary Cook Jr over Mckay Wenger and a fast charging Denny Schwartz. The fourth heat went to Nathan Balensiefen, even though I cannot spell his name correctly, Nathan flat out drove the field, with Darcey Wey second by half a lap, and the number 22 of Lauder in third. The fifth heat went to the 52 of Thoennes over Jeffrey Curl and Mark Anderson. The modified feature started with Jeff Leka on the pole and Kent Robinson on the outside. Robinson took off for an early lead, but Leka was not gonna let him get away. Through a number of yellow flags, Leka and Robinson
Illini 100 Related Stories Clanton Overtakes Birkhofer In Final Laps For Dramatic ‘Illini 100’ Victory (4.4) Richards’s Heat-Race Victory Over Babb Among Highlights Of Illini 100 Qualifying Night (4.3) Bloomington, Ill.’s Jason Feger Looking To Spin Some Hometrack Magic In ‘Illini 100’ (4.2) After Last Year’s Charge From Rear Fell Short, Babb Hopes To Thrill Hometown Fans With ‘Illini 100’ Victory (4.1) March 1, 2009
TruSpeed Forum Now Online!We hope you all like the new look to the site! We would like to invite everyone to our new TruSpeed Forum. This is the place to ask any questions, comments, compliments, and even complaints (this is a family friendly forum so language will be monitored) about the Farmer City Raceway. Click the "forum" link above. 2008 Results |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
