2005nalms
special thanks go out to Jeffrey Bayless and Ryan Offermann
NALMS 2005 Midwest Thunder Tour
Season in Recap
Jeffrey A. Bayless
The Northern
Allstar Late Model Series (NALMS) kicked off the 2005 season in March with
a pair of $10,000 to win shows at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway with the 1st
Annual Early Bird Classic and followed up the following night with
Clarksville Speedway’s 1st Annual Tuccassee Toilet Bowl
Classic, the first time a winners purse had been that high in the history
of the series. Then the season ended with the $15,000 to win Kevin
Roderick Memorial at Crown Point Speedway in September setting a new high
for the series. All together the series competed 18 times at 14 different
venues in 4 different states (IL, IN, KY, TN) with 11 different winners.
When the season
concluded it was Franklin, IN native Steve Barnett, The Franklin Flyer,
claiming his unprecedented 6th NALMS Championship in a seven
year time span. Barnett, in his 30th racing season, was the
only driver to start all 18 feature events during the 2005 Midwest Thunder
Tour and finished in the top 10 all but three times with 6 top fives and 1
victory at Kamp Motor Speedway August 27th. Barnett started
the season in a GRT race car but made a mid-season switch to CJ Rayburn
Chassis and used Cornett Racing Engines to power his way to the title.
His sponsors include JD Byrider Car Sales, Tony Stewart Motorsports, and
True Speed Enterprises.
Barnett’s main
competition for the title came from Sadorus, IL
native, Steve Hillard driving for the Owen Stephen’s owned racing team
based out of Kentucky. The team started the season in a Schwartz Chassis
but made an early season switch to a Mastersbilt and used Estes Racing
Engines during the 2005 campaign. Hillard competed in 16 of the 18
events, only failing to make the field in the 2005 opener at Kentucky Lake
and the season closer at Crown Point. In the end Hillard came up only 55
points shy of Barnett. He amassed 11 top 10 finishes including 6 top
fives with 3 wins (Ponderosa Speedway July 29th, Spoon River
Speedway August 11th, & Kankakee Valley Motor Speedway August
26th). Hillard’s major sponsors included S&B Cattle Company,
Doyle Fertilizer, Stephen's Trucking, and Crump Lawn & Garden.
Coming home 3rd in the season hunt was DeKalb, IL
native Mike Mataragas. This young Illinois Leadfoot showed plenty of
promise for seasons to come as he made 14 of the 18 features with 2 top 10
finishes. Mataragas drives CJ Rayburn Racecars with Hixon Racing Engines
power. His major sponsors include Petersen Aluminum, United Core
Construction, Schumer’s Trading Post, and A to Z Motorsports.
In the 4th spot was Insane Duane Chamberlain from
Richmond, IN. Chamberlain made 14 feature events in his Dargie Racing
Engines powered Rayburn Chassis with 8 top 10 finishes including 2 top
fives and his first career NALMS win at Macon Speedway on May 20th.
Chamberlain’s sponsors include Rhino’s Energy Drink, CW Watson Excavating,
and Quality Tool and Gage.
The 5th spot belonged to Dennis Erb Jr. of
Carpentersville, IL. Erb used Malcuit Engines and a CJ Rayburn Chassis in
his 11 feature events. He amassed 8 top 10s including 6 top 5s with his
sole ’05 NALMS victory coming at Quincy Raceways on August 10th.
Erb also captured the 2005 NALMS Midwest Speedweek Championship. Erb’s
sponsors include Petroff Towing, B&K Sportswear and Vinyl Graphics,
Petersen Aluminum, and Reaber Transport.
Newcomer Jarryd Holshouser hailing from Dogwood, KY finished
the season in the 6th spot as well as wrapping of the 2005
NALMS Rookie of the Year Honors. Holshouser drove GRT race cars with
Gearte Engines and made 11 feature events. He is sponsored by Holshouser
Farms, and Scogin Enterprises.
Four time and reigning UMP National Champion, Rodney Melvin
of Benton, IL finished the season in the 7th spot in the NALMS
standings. Melvin drives for Rick Heck and uses a CJ Rayburn Chassis with
Runion Engines under the hood. Melvin made 10 feature events with 8 top
10s, 5 top 5s, and 2 wins (Fayette County Speedway May 22nd &
Tri-State Speedway September 4th ). Melvin’s sponsors include
Rick’s Towing, Cingular Wireless, Melvin’s Collision & Auto Sales, Exit 83
CB Shop, Hess Portable Toilets, Rend Lake Automotive, and Soapy Joe’s Car
Wash.
Randy “King Kong” Korte of Highland, IL finished in the 8th
position in the 2005 season making 11 feature events, with 8 top 10s, 5
top 5s and picking up the win at his home track at Highland Speedway May
21st. Korte drives Rocket race cars with Race Tek Engines and
sponsorship from T.E. Motorsports, Mid Continental Fuels, Seubert Calf
Ranches, Banshee Graphics, and TMCI Transportation.
The “Flatland Flash” Kevin Weaver hailing from Gibson City,
IL drove his Power Plus Race Engines powered CJ Rayburn Race Cars into 10
feature events compiling 6 top 10’s including 4 top 5 finishes for a 9th
place standing in the points. Weaver’s sponsors include Nu-Way
Transportation Services, C&J Excavating, Luigi’s Restaurant, and Lynn
Chevrolet and Buick, Inc.
Rounding out the top 10 is 2004 NALMS Champion Brian Shirley
of Chatham, IL. Shirley started the season in a Pierce Race Car but made
the switch back to Rayburn’s early on and used Pro Power Racing Engines in
his 8 feature events that netted 6 top 10’s including 3 top 5’s. Among
Shirley’s sponsors are Petroff Towing, Michelle Petroff Promotions, Jayco
Construction, Capital Storage, and Skateland South.
Other winners on the 2005 circuit were Scott James (Kentucky
Lake Motor Speedway March 4th), Billy Moyer (Clarksville
Speedway March 5th), Don O’Neal (Clarksville Speedway April 30th,
Tri State Speedway May 1st, Twin Cities Raceway Park May 11th,
and Kentucky lake Motor Speedway September 3rd), Rick Corbin
(Bluegrass Speedway July 30th ), and Shannon Babb (Crown Point
Speedway August 12th & September 24th ).
NALMS is brought to you by Hoosier Tire Midwest, Bell,
Petersen Aluminum, Citgo Racing Fuel, Dyers Rods, K-Motion Valve Springs,
PFM Racing Products, Mastersbilt Race Cars, Competition Graphics, Kinsers
Custom Printing, Hypercoils, Allstar Performance, PPM Racing Products,
Champ Pans, Bert Transmissions, Scogin Enterprises LLC, Scott Performance
Wire, Sunoco Race Fuels, Intercomp, BRT Racing Products, Big D's
Collectibles, and 3 Shamrocks Web Design.
2005 Season Championship Final Standings (complete)
1. Steve Barnett 1059
2. Steve Hillard 1004
3. Mike Mataragas 775
4. Duane Chamberlain 758
5. Dennis Erb Jr. 699
6. Jarryd Holshouser 693 (rookie of the year)
7. Rodney Melvin 666
8. Randy Korte 657
9. Kevin Weaver 570
10. Brian Shirley 512
11. Billy Faust 375
12. Don O'Neal 374
13. Jason Feger 370
14. Rohn Moon 352
15. Shannon Babb 344
16. Chad Zobrist 285
17. Michael England 245
18. Frank Heckenast Jr. 242
19. Tim Yeager 228
20. Kevin Cole 202
21. John Gill 184
22. Eric Kwasigroh 178
23. Joe Morris 166
24. Jeremy Williams 153
25. Dan Walden 153
26. Shawn Negengard 147
27. Kyle Roderick 127
28. Billy Moyer 122
29. Clay Baumann 120
30. Steve Francis 116
31. Scott James 116
32. John VanDenberg 116
33. Tim Lance 106
34. Shannon Reed 104
35. Jayme Zidar 98
36. Joe Godsey 97
37. Joe Ross Jr. 96
38. Rod Sandage 93
39. Keith Pratt 90
40. Jeep VanWormer 87
41. Russ Adams 86
42. Arville Pittman 83
43. Mark Faust 78
44. Tony Morris 74
45. Corey Rolfe 73
46. Rick Aukland 71
47. Randy Myers 61
48. Wayne Chinn 60
49. Randy Manos Jr. 60
50. Mike Hammerle 60
51. Matt Taylor 60
52. Chris Dick 60
53. Caley Emerson 60
54. Blake Chinn 60
55. Mark Barber 57
56. Jim Felker Jr. 55
57. Eric Smith 55
58. Brent Londeree 45
59. Wes Leigh 30
60. Tim Prince 30
61. Scott Graham 30
62. Rick Sowders 30
63. Mike Bechelli 30
64. Jeffrey Sloan 30
65. Denny Mace 30
66. Brad Erwin 30
With the
rainout at Danville tonight the Midwest Speedweek and the 2005 NALMS
Midwest Thunder Tour come to an end.
Midwest Speedweek Points (top 10)
1. Dennis
Erb Jr. 77
2. Steve
Hillard 68
3. Steve
Barnett 57
4. Randy
Korte 55
5t. Rodney
Melvin 52
5t. Jason
Feger 52
5t. Shannon
Babb 52
8. Kevin
Weaver 49
9. Duane
Chamberlain 42
10. Mike
Mataragas 40
2005 Season Championship Final Standings (complete)
1. Steve
Barnett 1059
2. Steve
Hillard 1004
3. Mike
Mataragas 775
4. Duane
Chamberlain 758
5. Dennis
Erb 699
6. Jarryd
Holshouser 693 (rookie of the year)
7. Rodney
Melvin 666
8. Randy
Korte 657
9. Kevin
Weaver 570
10. Brian
Shirley 512
11. Billy
Faust 375
12. Don
O'Neal 374
13. Jason
Feger 370
14. Rohn
Moon 352
15. Shannon
Babb 344
16. Chad
Zobrist 285
17. Michael
England 245
18. Frank
Heckenast Jr. 242
19. Tim
Yeager 228
20. Kevin
Cole 202
21. John
Gill 184
22. Eric
Kwasigroh 178
23. Joe
Morris 166
24. Jeremy
Williams 153
25. Dan
Walden 153
26. Shawn
Negengard 147
27. Kyle
Roderick 127
28. Billy
Moyer 122
29. Clay
Baumann 120
30. Steve
Francis 116
31. Scott
James 116
32. John
VanDenberg 116
33. Tim
Lance 106
34. Shannon
Reed 104
35. Jayme
Zidar 98
36. Joe
Godsey 97
37. Joe
Ross Jr. 96
38. Rod
Sandage 93
39. Keith
Pratt 90
40. Jeep
VanWormer 87
41. Russ
Adams 86
42. Arville
Pittman 83
43. Mark
Faust 78
44. Tony
Morris 74
45. Corey
Rolfe 73
46. Rick
Aukland 71
47. Randy
Myers 61
48. Wayne
Chinn 60
49. Randy
Manos Jr. 60
50. Mike
Hammerle 60
51. Matt
Taylor 60
52. Chris
Dick 60
53. Caley
Emerson 60
54. Blake
Chinn 60
55. Mark
Barber 57
56. Jim
Felker Jr. 55
57. Eric
Smith 55
58. Brent
Londeree 45
59. Wes
Leigh 30
60. Tim
Prince 30
61. Scott
Graham 30
62. Rick
Sowders 30
63. Mike
Bechelli 30
64. Jeffrey
Sloan 30
65. Denny
Mace 30
66. Brad
Erwin 30
Danville, IL Sept. 25 cancelled
Babb
Takes 2nd Consecutive Roderick Memorial
Jeffrey
A. Bayless
Crown Point, IN (Sept
24, 2005) The 2005 Northern Allstar Late Model Series (NALMS) Midwest
Thunder Tour fired up once again for the final weekend of action slated
for the 2005 NALMS Season. Saturday's action took the traveling series
to Crown Point Speedway to run the first of the 2 rained out Midwest
Speedweek events originally scheduled in August. Crown Point Speedway
hosted the Kevin Roderick Memorial, the highest paying race in the
history of the NALMS series and late model fans were in for a treat as
they were entertained by 10 preliminary events and a 75 lap thriller
that paid the winner $15,000. When the checkers flew it was Moweaqua,
IL native Shannon Babb triumphing for the 4th time this season at the
1/4 mile high banked facility in Crown Point, IN. Babb drives a CJ
Rayburn Chassis with Jay Dickens power sponsored by J&J Steel, Car City,
G&C Enterprises, Platinum Motors, Watters Autoland, and Petroff Towing.
In total Shannon Babb has earned $35,000 for his 4 victories at Crown
Point Speedway in the 2005 season.
The 58 entries were
divided into 6 heat races that would transfer 2 each to the main event
with the rest being divided into 4 conciliation races that would
transfer 2 more each to the 75 lap race and 2 NALMS provisionals would
complete the 22 car starting grid. In the first heat Joe Harlan would
lead the pack around on the first circuit and would stay there for the
course of the 10 lap event as John Gill fought to hold off the evening's
fast qualifier Steve Hillard for the last transfer spot. Gill would
claim second ahead of Hillard with Wes Steidinger and Rusty Schlenk
rounding out the top 5. John Provenzano would lead the first lap of the
second heat but would be passed by Mike Marlar on the second circuit and
Marlar would go on to a convincing win over Eric Kwasigroh, Bret Seivert,
Jason Feger, and George Scheffler. Billy Drake, Randy Korte, and Dan
Schlieper would go three wide into the first set of turns before Drake
settled into the lead and would go onto win by 8 car lengths over
Schlieper, Korte, Matt Taylor, and Turk Letizia. Mike Mataragas and
Frank Reaber would battle back and forth for the lead early in the 4th
heat before Kevin Weaver would pass both of them on the third circuit
and scoot away to a 10 car length victory with Mataragas, Rick Whipple,
Reaber, and Doug Zartler coming home behind him. In the 6th heat Brian
Shirley would grab the early point and would never look back with Greg
Johnson, Shawn Toczek, Bill Clemmons, and Mark Wagner rounding out the
top 5. The final heat saw 2 bad starts resulting in the flip flopping
of the first two rows putting hot shoe Shannon Babb on the pole, a
position which he took full advantage of racing off to a comfortable
flag to flag win over Duane Chamberlain, Garrett Slager, and the
original pole sitter Frank Heckenast Jr. In semi feature action Shawn
Toczek would hold off Matt Taylor in the first conci, Bret Seivert would
triumph over Frank Reaber in the second, Wes Steidinger would fend off
challenges from Randy Korte in the third, and Frank Heckenast Jr. would
nose ahead of Jason Feger at the stripe to lead the only lap that
matters in the final conciliation race. Steve Barnett and Dennis Erb
were then added to the field as provisionals and the field was set for
the main event.
With fireworks
shooting into the air in turn 2 the field would take the green flag with
pole-sitter Brian Shirley grabbing the early point as Shannon Babb
worked his way past Joe Harlan for second and Mike Marlar, Kevin Weaver,
and Dan Schlieper danced through the turns battling for 4th and 5th.
Babb would begin to mount a challenge for the lead on the 7th circuit
and the dual would heat up on the 13th circuit as the leaders roared
into the back of the pack. But just as the battle for the point was
beginning to bring the packed house to it's feet Duane Chamberlain had
his motor let go down the back-stretch bringing out the races first
caution clearing the path in front of the leaders. When the action
resumed, Shirley and Babb would take off where they left off with Marlar
sticking his nose in the fracas for a brief moment before the lead duo
would begin to separate from the field again. At the 20 lap mark
Shirley and Babb continued to circle the track nose to tail with Marlar
5 car lengths back. Shirley would continue to hold Babb at bay until a
mistake on the 32nd circuit in traffic opened the door for Babb who
immediately pounced grabbing the point through 3 and 4. Two laps later
Babb would jump the cushion coming out of 2 allowing Shirley to charge
back to mount a challenge as they raced into 3 and 4 with Babb on the
rim, Shirley on the hub, and the lapped car of Jason Feger serving as
the meat in the sandwich. Babb would be able to blast back to the point
as they raced out of 4 and down the straight away but Shirley would
remain a thorn in his side for most of the remainder of the race. At
the half way point Babb and Shirley would still be the focus of
attention as they soared around the track never separated by more than a
couple of car lengths but there were some battles brewing behind them as
well. Schlieper and Marlar were in contact for 3rd as Weaver was trying
to fend off the challenges of hard charging Shawn Toczek for the 5th
spot. As the race roared on, things would begin to get a bit dicey up
front as Toczek would look like a man on a mission for a few laps
charging up to the third spot only to relinquish those spots back to
Schlieper and Marlar over the next few circuits. With 25 to go things
began to heat up at the front of the pack as Shirley was beginning to
search for a way around Babb, pulling along side and even squirting past
a couple of times but was never able to make the pass stick. With 15 to
go Wes Steidinger found the front stretch wall and then Marlar found the
back stretch wall on the subsequent restart. With the field realigned
to go to green, Babb had a lapped car as a buffer between himself and
Shirley but that would only give him a reprieve for a couple of laps as
once Shirley worked past the lapped car he quickly reeled in the leader
and hounded him to the checkered flag. At the stripe it would be Babb 2
car lengths in front of Shirley with Schlieper, Toczek, and Billy Drake
rounding out the top 5. Frank Reaber capped off a solid run with a 6th
place showing ahead of John Gill, Frank Heckenast Jr., Weaver, and Greg
Johnson. In victory lane Babb was very complimentary of his race long
nemesis stating "I knew Brian had a good car. I was able to mount a
challenge as we started to mix it up in lapped traffic. I was just
trying to use the traffic and get out in front of him and hope I could
stay there. I knew that was the only way I could win because I knew
Brian had a good car, probably, no, I know, a better car than I did."
The next stop for
the NALMS tour is Vermillion County Speedway on the 25th of September.
This is also a make-up race from the rained out portion of The Midwest
Speedweek. The Midwest Speedweek champion, as well as the 2005 NALMS
Season Champion will be crowned at the conclusion of this race, the last
event of the NALMS 2005 season.
RACE NOTES
Steve Hillard saw any chance he had of wrestling the 2005 NALMS
Championship away from Steve Barnett go away with a simple mistake at
Crown Point Speedway. Hillard, who had set a new track record during
qualifications, missed transferring to the feature through his heat by 1
spot and was slated to run the first conci starting on the pole.
However he was late arriving to the line-up shoot showing up as the
field was taking the 1 to go signal from the flag man to start the race
and was not allowed to enter the track. He was then originally awarded
the second provisional to start the main-event. But both Barnett and
Dennis Erb (who was next in line for the provisional after Hillard)
lodged a protest stating that the NALMS rules state you must run the
conci in order to be eligible for the provisional. After a lengthy
debate, Hillard was removed from the starting line-up and Erb put in as
the last provisional.
Duane Chamberlain
who was locked in a tight battle for the third spot in the standings
with Mike Mataragas now will have to settle for 4th as he blew a motor
at Crown Point and will be unable to make the race in Danville, IL, the
last race of the season. Duane's season ended eerily similar last year
as he blew a motor in the last race of the season at Farmer City
Raceway.
With 58 cars in
attendance it was inevitable that several top runners would fail to make
the show. Included in this list are Kris Patterson, Frank Heckenast
Sr., Russ Scheffler, Steve Hillard, George Scheffler, Tony Izzo, Billy
Faust, Rusty Schlenk, and John Provenzano.
RESULTS
NALMS LATE
MODELS
58 cars
Fast Time: 34 Steve
Hillard 12.220 (new track record)
Heat 1
(10 laps 2 transfer)
1. Z Joe Harlan (2)
2. 75 John Gill (1)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (3)
4. 1 Wes Steidinger (6)
5. 91 Rusty Schlenk (4)
6. 26 Billy Faust (8)
7. V77 Guy Volk (7)
8. 11 Larry LeGrand (9)
9. 21 Eddie Leviner (9)
10. 7 Mike Anderson (10)
DNF
Heat 2
1. 5M Mike Marlar (3)
2. 18K Eric Kwasigroh
(2)
3. 5S Bret Seivert (4)
4. 25 Jason Feger (6)
5. 10S George Scheffler
(5)
6. 34 Alan Vochacka (8)
7. 9 Dean Huizenga (10)
8. 7 John Provenzano (1)
DNF
9. 89 Steve Barnett (9)
10. 25 Kyle Roderick (7)
Heat 3
1. 9 Billy Drake (2)
2. 9 Dan Schlieper (3)
3. 00 Randy Korte (1)
4. 3L Matt Taylor (4)
5. D1 Turk Letizia (8)
6. 0 Kris Patterson (5)
7. 37 Mike Widdes (9)
8. 61 Jim Fairbanks (6)
9. 05 Gary Schalmo (10)
-1 lap
10. 5 Jason Widdes (7)
DNF
Heat 4
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (3)
2. 1M Mike Mataragas (1)
3. 50 Rick Whipple (7)
4. F7 Frank Reaber (2)
5. 1Z Doug Zartler (5)
6. 13 Terry Starks (10)
7. D7 James Letizia (6)
8. 21 Tony Izzo (4) DNF
9. 2M Steve Metz (5)
10. John Clemmons (9)
Heat 5
1. 3S Brian Shirley (2)
2. 19 Greg Johnson (1)
3. 55 Shawn Toczek (3)
4. 91 Bill Clemmons (7)
5. 78 Mark Wagner (8)
6. 69 Roy Mitchell (9)
7. 74 Russ Scheffler (6)
8. 29 Al Atkinson (4)
DNF
9. 99 Frank Heckenast
Sr. (5)
Heat 6
1. 18 Shannon Babb (3)
2. 1C Duane Chamberlain
(2)
3. 19 Garrett Slager (8)
4. 99JR Frank Heckenast
Jr. (1)
5. 9N Tom Naeyaert (9)
6. 41J Jarryd Holshouser
(6)
7. 55 Jim Loomis (5)
8. 12 Scott Fisk (7) DNF
9. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
Conci 1
(10 laps 2 transfer)
1. 55 Shawn Toczek (2)
2. 3L Matt Taylor (3)
3. 0 Kris Patterson (6)
4. V77 Guy Volk (7)
5. 21 Eddie Leviner (10)
6. 61 Jim Fairbanks (9)
7. 99 Frank Heckenast
Sr. (11)
8. 91 Bill Clemmons (4)
9. 78 Mark Wagner (5) -1
lap
10. 74 Russ Scheffler
(8) DNF
11. 5 Jason Widdes (12)
12. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
DNS
Conci 2
1. 5S Bret Seivert (1)
2. F7 Frank Reaber (3)
3. 19 Garrett Slager (2)
4. 9N Tom Naeyaert (5)
5. 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
(11)
6. 21 Tony Izzo (9)
7. 10 S George Scheffler
(4)
8. 9 Dean Huizenga (9)
9. 13 Terry Starks (6)
10. 61 John Clemmons
(12) DNF
11. 89 Steve Barnett
(10)
12. 55 Jim Loomis (8)
Conci 3
1. 1 Wes Steidinger (2)
2. 00 Randy Korte (1)
3. 26 Billy Faust (5)
4. D1 Turk Letizia (4)
5. 29 Al Atkinson (9)
6. 91 Rusty Schlenk (3)
7. 11 Larry LeGrand (8)
8. 7 Mike Anderson (11)
9. 37 Mike Widdes (7)
10. 05 Gary Schalmo (10)
11. 69 Roy Mitchell (6)
-1 lap
Conci 4
1. 99JR Frank Heckenast
Jr. (3)
2. 25 Jason Feger (2)
3. 41J Jarryd Holshouser
(6)
4. 34 Alan Vochacka (5)
5. 12 Scott Fisk (9)
6. 1Z Doug Zartler (4)
7. D7 Jim Letizia (7)
8. 50 Rick Whipple (1)
DNF
9. 7 John Provenzano (8)
DNS
10. 25 Kyle Roderick
(11)
11. 2M Steve Metz (10)
Feature
(75 laps $15,000 to win)
1. 18 Shannon Babb (3)
2. 3S Brian Shirley (1)
3. 9 Dan Schlieper (9)
4. 55 Shawn Toczek (13)
5. 9 Billy Drake (6)
6. F7 Frank Reaber (18)
7. 75 John Gill (7)
8. 99JR Frank Heckenast
Jr. (16)
9. B12 Kevin Weaver (5)
10. 19 Greg Johnson (11)
11. 25 Jason Feger (20)
-1 lap
12. 18K Eric Kwasigroh
(8)
13. 00 Randy Korte (19)
14. 1M Mike Mataragas
(10) -5 laps
15. 3L Matt Taylor (17)
DNF
16. 5M Mike Marlar (4)
17. 1 Wes Steidinger
(15)
18. 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
(22)
19. 89 Steve Barnett
(21)
20. 5S Brett Seivert
(14)
21. Z Joe Harlan (2)
22. 1C Duane Chamberlain
(12)
Lap Leaders:
1-31 3S Brian Shirley
32-75 18 Shannon Babb
Cautions:
8
Contingency
Awards
K-Motion Feature
Winner: 18 Shannon Babb
Petersen Aluminum
Overall Fast Time: 34 Steve Hillard
PPM Racing Products Hard
Charger Award: 55 Shawn Toczek
Wick Oil & Sunoco Fuels
Hard Luck Award: 1C Duane Chamberlain
Scott Performance Wire
Heat Race Winner: 9 Billy Drake
Dyer Rods Driver on the
Pole: 3S Brian Shirley
Scogin Racing Products
Feature Last Place: 1C Duane Chamberlain
PFM Racing Products
Feature Runner-Up: 3S Brian Shirley
Midwest
Speedweek Top 10 Points
1. Dennis Erb Jr. 77
2. Steve Hillard 68
3. Steve Barnett 57
4. Randy Korte 55
5t. Rodney Melvin 52
5t. Jason Feger 52
5t. Shannon Babb 52
8. Kevin Weaver 49
9. Duane Chamberlain 42
10. Mike Mataragas 40
NALMS Midwest Speedweek and Season Title Conclude This Weekend
Jeffrey
A. Bayless
The Northern
Allstar Late Model Series Midwest Speedweek originally slated to be run
from August 10th to August 14th had the final two events rained out on
the original dates. Those races, the 75 lap $15,000 to win Kevin
Roderick Memorial at Crown Point Speedway and the 30 lap Mike Steinwand
Memorial paying $3500 to win at Vermillion County Speedway, are set to
be run this weekend September 24th and 25th. This weekend is of double
importance because not only will the Midwest Speedweek Champion be
crowned at the conclusion of the Mike Steinwald Memorial, that race will
also conclude the 2005 Northern Allstar Late Model Series Midwest
Thunder Tour and the season title champion will be crowned as well.
Both title
hunts are still undecided as coming into Saturdays festivities at Crown
Point Speedway Steve Barnett holds a 48 point margin on Steve Hillard in
the season title chase and Dennis Erb Jr. holds a slim 6 point spread on
Steve Hillard for the Midwest Speedweek Crown. Expect some great
racing action this weekend as both tracks are expecting good turn outs
to settle these unsolved affairs.
Some of the drivers
who are expected to compete at one or both of these events include Steve
Barnett, Steve Hillard, Duane Chamberlain, Mike Mataragas, Jarryd
Holshouser, Rohn Moon, Rodney Melvin, Randy Korte, Dennis Erb, Jr.,
Kevin Weaver, Brian Shirley, Patrick Sheltra, Wes Steidinger, Joe
Harlan, Kyle Roderick, Frank Heckenast, Jr., Richie Hedrick, Eric Smith,
Billy Drake, Roger Long, and Jason Feger.
In addition to the
race winnings and the Midwest Speedweek point fund there will be
contingencies awarded each night for the following (note; you must have
the sponsors decal on your car to receive the award, decals are
available in the NALMS trailer if you don't all ready have one):
K-Motion Feature winner receives $100.00 product certificate from
K-motion
Petersen Aluminum Fast time will be awarded $50.00 cash.
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger will receive a $50.00 product
certificate from PPM Racing Products
Wick Oil Company and Sunoco Hard Luck recipient will receive a $100.00
product certificate for fuel. (NALMS officials will determine the
winner)
Scott Performance Wire - One Heat Race Winner will receive $100.00
Cash. At the Drivers meeting we will draw for the heat race that will
be awarded.
Dyers Rods Feature Driver who is on the Pole will be awarded a $200.00
product certificate from Dyers Rods.
Scrogin Racing Products - Driver finishing last in the
feature race will receive a $50.00 product certificate from Scrogins
Racing Products.
PFM Racing Products - Driver finishing second in the
feature race will receive a 50% off any Hoosier LM 20 or 40 only
product certificate.
NALMS is brought
to you by Hoosier Tire Midwest, Bell, Petersen Aluminum, Citgo Racing
Fuel, Dyers Rods, K-Motion Valve Springs, PFM Racing Products,
Mastersbilt Race Cars, Competition Graphics, Kinsers Custom Printing,
Hypercoils, Allstar Performance, PPM Racing Products, Champ Pans, Bert
Transmissions, Scogin Enterprises LLC, Scott Performance Wire, Sunoco
Race Fuels, Intercomp, BRT Racing Products, Big D's Collectibles, and
3 Shamrocks Web Design.
For more
information visit the following web-sites:
Press Release
Vermilion County Speedway Mike Steinwand Memorial
By Richard A. Fitzgerald
Mike Steinwand Memorial September 25th
In loving memory of his
Nephew, Bill Nelson has titled the NALMS race on Sunday September 25,
2005 the Mike Steinwand Memorial. This race will feature the NALMS Late
Models battling for $3500.00 to win. Mike an avid race fan at Vermilion
County Speedway lost his life seven years ago in a canoeing accident.
NALMS and VCS will honor the Volunteers from the VERMILION COUNTY
SEARCH AND RESCUE unit (VC-SAR). This team of well-trained
individuals worked tirelessly to locate, and bring Mike home to his
family and friends. When an emergency arises, it is comforting to know
that VC-SAR is available to provide assistance. Please join us on Sunday
to remember Mike and to recognize VC-SAR for their support of Vermilion
County.
The Vermilion County Search and Rescue
VC-SAR an All
Volunteer unit is a division of the Danville Vermilion County Emergency
Management Agency that assists requesting Law Enforcement Agencies,
Department of Natural Resources, Park Districts and other Search and
Rescue Teams in locating missing persons. VC-SAR offers its services
at no cost to the requesting agency.
VC-SAR members
are trained to locate, access, stabilize and transport a lost or missing
person in a safe and efficient manner. To contact VC-SAR 217-443-6010.
Vermilion County Speedway
Information 3/8 Mile High Banked Oval
Gates open at 4pm, Hotlaps at
6pm, racing at 7pm
Ticket Information:
Grandstand, Adult $15.00
Grandstand, Children under 12 FREE
Pits Pass Including Front Gate $25.00
Contact Information
Track Phone:
217-443-6588
Promoter Home: 217-443-6923
Cell Phone: 217-304-0429
NALMS
Bill Nelson 217-202-5918
www.northernallstars.net
VCS is located 5
miles west of Danville Illinois just off of State Route 150.
Directions:
Interstate 74 Exit # 210 (Martin Luther King Drive) then west on Rt.
150. Look for the signs
on the
right approximately one 1/2 mile.
Crown Point Speedway
Crown Point, Indiana
Saturday, September 24th 2005
Kevin Roderick Memorial
$15,000 to win $500 to start
NALMS/ UMP Late Models
Plus- UMP Modifieds, Street Stocks & Mini
Stocks.
Pit gate opens at 3:00pm, grandstands at
4:30pm,
drivers meeting at 5:15pm, hot laps at
5:30pm,
qualifing at 6:00pm, & racing at 7:00pm.
Pits $35 & general
admission grandstands $25; kids age 10 and under are admitted free to
the grandstands.
There is free camping at
the race track.
Barnett Lengthens Point Lead With Victory at Kamp
Jeffrey
A. Bayless
Boswell, IN (Aug 27th 2005) As the 2005 version of the
Northern Allstar Late Model Series (NALMS) is drawing to a conclusion, 5
time series champion, Franklin, Indiana's Steve Barnett is gunning for
his 6th title in a 7 year time span. However over the last month
Sadorus, IL native Steve Hillard had been taking chunks out of Barnett's
point lead by racking up 3 wins in the last 6 events, 2 of which had
came after debuting a brand new Mastersbilt chassis. Barnett took
notice, took possession of a new Rayburn chassis, and began to rectify
the situation by besting 29 entries at Kamp Motor Speedway with his 1st
NALMS win of the season, his 6th over all win of the year. The Franklin
Flyer uses Cornett Racing Engines and is sponsored by JD Byrider Car
Sales, Tony Stewart Motorsports, and True Speed Enterprises.
Barnett began the evening by taking the
checkers in the first heat over fast qualifier Dennis Erb Jr., Shawn
Negengard, and Mike Mataragas. In the second heat Kevin Weaver and Dan
Walden went into the first set of turns door to door but as the duo
raced down the back stretch Zach Carney dove underneath this pair and
charged to the point only to slide high in the 4th turn relinquishing
the top spot to Weaver who would not look back as he would power away to
a dominating win with Frank Heckenast Jr., Carney, and Walden a straight
away in arrears. In the third heat Jason Feger would take the point and
cruise to victory as Ted Loomis and Steve Hillard battled for the runner
up-spot much of the event with Loomis grabbing the spot by a bumpers
length at the stripe. Jim Felker would grab the 4th and final transfer
spot. Duane Chamberlain and Dick Potts would battle early for the lead
in the 4th and final heat with Chamberlain securing the lead on the
third circuit and driving away to the victory as Jarryd Holshouser made
an impressive showing in his rookie campaign grabbing the runner-up spot
at the stripe over Potts and Mark Stetler. The final 4 spots would be
filled from the conci as Josh Ferguson claimed the win over Kerry
Mathew, Bill Workman Jr., and Cory Rolfe.
The start of the 30
lap main event was marred by a multi-car tangle in the 4th turn, however
all cars involved were able to continue on. When the field took the
green again Barnett would grab the point leading Chamberlain, Weaver,
Feger, and Erb across the stripe to complete the first circuit. Weaver
and Feger began a side by side dual that would last for much of the race
on the second circuit as they both powered by Chamberlain and kept pace
with the leader between 2 and 3 car lengths back of Barnett. As the
leaders began reeling in the back markers at the 9 lap mark, the race
for the point began to heat up as Feger would slip under Barnett briefly
grabbing the point on the 10th circuit only to have the yellow come out
for a spin by Rolfe in turn 2 negating the lap and the pass. While
under caution, 4th running Chamberlain would coast to a stop on the
front stretch with a broken battery mount ending his night leaving the
top 5 as Barnett, Feger, Weaver, Loomis, and Erb for the restart. The
top three would once again distance themselves from the field when the
green was unfurled as Loomis and Erb began to dice it up for the 4th
spot. Things would remain the same until a caution 8 laps from pay dirt
would set up some fierce racing action over the last few laps. On the
restart Erb would charge by Weaver to take third as Feger would make a
last ditch attempt to wrestle the lead from Barnett. As Feger tried to
tame the rim to get by Barnett, Weaver charged back past Erb and would
quickly reel in Feger who was loosing ground to Barnett. At the stripe
it would be Barnett picking up the $2500 pay check followed by Weaver,
Feger, Erb, Loomis, Heckenast Jr., Negengard, Walden, Potts, and
Felker. Barnett who was obviously thrilled with the victory pumping his
fist out of the window while taking the checkers exclaimed "This win
means a lot to me, especially with Steve Hillard breathing down my neck
in the points chase." He then continued "What about this track! Bob
and Gayle Kamp do an excellent job preparing a track to race on."
The NALMS tour will
make a couple of stops on Labor Day weekend, first up will be a $5000 to
win event at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, KY on
Saturday the 3rd, and then a $3500 to win event at Tri-State Speedway in
Haubstadt, IN on the 4th.
NALMS is brought to
you by Hoosier Tire Midwest, Bell, Petersen Aluminum, Citgo Racing Fuel,
Dyers Rods, K-Motion Valve Springs, PFM Racing Products, Mastersbilt
Race Cars, Competition Graphics, Kinsers Custom Printing, Hypercoils,
Allstar Performance, PPM Racing Products, Champ Pans, Bert
Transmissions, Scogin Enterprises LLC, Scott Performance Wire, Sunoco
Race Fuels, Intercomp, BRT Racing Products, Big D's Collectibles, and 3
Shamrocks Web Design.
RACE NOTES
Steve Hillard had
narrowed the point spread between himself and point leader Steve Barnett
coming into Kamp Motor Speedway to 40 points. But Hillard's quest to
unseat Barnett from the top spot took a serious hit at this event as a
14th place showing due to a DNF left him 68 points behind the 5 time
champion. Hillard obviously a little upset with the showing stated
after the races "We had a good car, especially considering we had no
brakes (after cutting a brake line in the first lap pile-up). We had
worked our way up to 5th and might have been able to get another spot or
two, when we dropped the drive shaft (5 laps from the finish). But" he
continued shrugging his shoulders, "we will try again next weekend."
Duane Chamberlain can't seem to get
anything to go his way. After starting on the pole and running a solid
4th he became the first car out of the race when his battery mount
broke. "I can't seem to get any good luck going. It's one thing after
another. But I will have my new car ready for next weekend and Barnett
is fast in his. So we will see."
Several of Kamp's regulars and top
runners struggled on this evening hurting their track points chase. Jim
Laws broke a left rear axle while running second in the conci and was
done for the evening. Others including 2nd in the points Chuck Haga,
and 6th in the points Rob Starkey also struggled failing to make the
show.
RESULTS
NALMS LATE
MODELS
29 cars
Fast Time: 28 Dennis
Erb Jr. 13.301
Heat 1
(10 laps 4 transfer)
1. 89 Steve Barnett (1)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
3. 16 Shawn Negangard (4)
4. 1M Mike Mataragas (2)
5. 1H Chuck Haga (5)
6. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (6)
7. 74 John Moore (7)
8. 00K Ken Kelly (8) DNF
Heat 2
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
2. 99 Frank Heckenast Jr. (5)
3. 56 Zach Carney (3)
4. 25W Dan Walden (1)
5. 2F Josh Ferguson (4)
6. 4* Rob Starkey (6)
7. 55 JD Walden (7) DNF
Heat 3
1. 25 Jason Feger (2)
2. 23 Ted Loomis (1)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (3)
4. 43 Jim Felker Jr. (4)
5. 15 Jim Laws (6)
6. 22R Cory Rolfe (5)
7. 91SR Bill Workman Sr. (7) DNF
Heat 4
1. 1C Duane Chamberlain
(3)
2. 41J Jarryd Holshouser
(5)
3. 92 Dick Potts (1)
4. 17 Mark Stetler (7)
5. 14 Kerry Mathew (4)
6. 51J Jason Beier (2)
7. 3L Bill Luse (6) DNF
Conci
(12 laps 4 transfer)
1. 2F Josh Ferguson (2)
2. 14 Kerry Mathew (4)
3. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (5)
4. 22R Cory Rolfe (7)
5. 1H Chuck Haga (1)
6. 51J Jason Beier (8)
7. 3L Bill Luse (12)
8. 4* Rob Starkey (6)
9. 74 John Moore (9)
10. 15 Jim Laws (3) DNF
11. 55 JD Walden (10)
12. 91SR Bill Workman Sr. (11) DNS
13. 00K Ken Kelly (13)
Feature
(30 laps $2500 to win)
1. 89 Steve Barnett (2)
2. B12 Kevin Weaver (4)
3. 25 Jason Feger (3)
4. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (5)
5. 23 Ted Loomis (7)
6. 99 Frank Heckenast
Jr. (6)
7. 16 Shawn Negengard (9)
8. 25W Dan Walden (14)
9. 92 Dick Potts (12)
10. 43 Jim Felker Jr. (15)
11. 1M Mike Mataragas (13)
12. 41J Jarryd Holshouser (8)
13. 14 Kerry Mathew (18)
14. 34 Steve Hillard
(11) DNF
15. 56 Zach Carney (10)
16. 22R Cory Rolfe (20)
17. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (19)
18. 17 Mark Stetler (16)
19. 2F Josh Ferguson (18)
20. 1C Duane Chamberlain (1)
Lap Leaders:
1-30 89 Steve Barnett
Cautions:
4
Contingencies:
K-Motion Feature
Winner: 89 Steve Barnett
Petersen Aluminum
Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
PPM Hard
Charger: 25W Dan Walden
Wick Oil/Sunoco Hard
Luck Driver: 1C Duane Chamberlain
Scott Performance
Heat Race Winner: 89 Steve Barnett
Dyer Rods Feature
Pole Award: 1C Duane Chamberlain
Scroggin Racing
Products Feature Last Place: 1C Duane Chamberlain
PFM Racing Products
Feature 2nd Place: B12 Kevin Weaver
Points Through Aug 27
1. Steve Barnett 920
2. Steve Hillard 852
3. Dennis Erb Jr. 660
4. Mike Mataragas 636
5. Duane Chamberlain 623
6. Jarryd Holshouser 573
7. Rodney Melvin 538
8. Kevin Weaver 513
9. Randy Korte 476
10. Rohn Moon 352
11. Jason Feger 317
12. Brian Shirley 315
13. Don O'Neal 299
14. Shannon Babb 269
15. Michael England 245
16. Tim Yeager 228
17. Billy Faust 225
18. Chad Zobrist 220
19. Dan Walden 153
20. Shawn Negengard 147
AUGUST 27 KAMP MOTOR SPEEDWAY NALMS LATE MODELS
29 cars
Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr. 13.301
Heat 1 (10 laps 4 transfer)
1. 89 Steve Barnett (1)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
3. 16 Shawn Negangard (4)
4. 1M Mike Mataragas (2)
5. 1H Chuck Haga (5)
6. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (6)
7. 74 John Moore (7)
8. 00K Ken Kelly (8) DNF
Heat 2
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
2. 99 Frank Heckenhast Jr. (5)
3. 56 Zach Carrney (3)
4. 25W Dan Walden (1)
5. 2F Josh Ferguson (4)
6. 4* Rob Starkey (6)
7. 55 JD Walden (7) DNF
Heat 3
1. 25 Jason Feger (2)
2. 23 Ted Loomis (1)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (3)
4. 43 Jim Felker Jr. (4)
5. 15 Jim Laws (6)
6. 22R Cory Rolfe (5)
7. 91SR Bill Workman Sr. (7) DNF
Heat 4
1. 1C Duane Chamberlain (3)
2. 41J Jarryd Holhouser (5)
3. 92 Dick Potts (1)
4. 17 Mark Stetler (7)
5. 14 Kerry Mathew (4)
6. 51J Jason Beier (2)
7. 3L Bill Luse (6) DNF
Conci (12 laps 4 transfer)
1. 2F Josh Ferguson (2)
2. 14 Kerry Mathew (4)
3. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (5)
4. 22R Cory Rolfe (7)
5. 1H Chuck Haga (1)
6. 51J Jason Beier (8)
7. 3L Bill Luse (12)
8. 4* Rob Starkey (6)
9. 74 John Moore (9)
10. 15 Jim Laws (3) DNF
11. 55 JD Walden (10)
12. 91SR Bill Workman Sr. (11) DNS
13. 00K Ken Kelly (13)
Feature (30 laps $2500 to win)
1. 89 Steve Barnett (2)
2. B12 Kevin Weaver (4)
3. 25 Jason Feger (3)
4. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (5)
5. 23 Ted Loomis (7)
6. 99 Frank Heckenhast Jr. (6)
7. 16 Shawn Negangard (9)
8. 25W Dan Walden (14)
9. 92 Dick Potts (12)
10. 43 Jim Felker Jr. (15)
11. 1M Mike Mataragas (13)
12. 41J Jarryd Holhouser (8)
13. 14 Kerry Mathew (18)
14. 34 Steve Hillard (11) DNF
15. 56 Zach Carney (10)
16. 22R Cory Rolfe (20)
17. 91 Bill Workman Jr. (19)
18. 17 Mark Stetler (16)
19. 2F Josh Ferguson (18)
20. 1C Duane Chamberlain (1)
Lap Leaders:
1-30 89 Steve Barnett
Cautions: 4
Contingencies:
K-Motion Feature Winner: 89 Steve Barnett
Petersen Aluminum Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
PPM Hard Charger: 25W Dan Walden
Wick Oil/Sunoco Hard Luck Driver: 1C Duane Chamberlain
Scott Performance Heat Race Winner: 89 Steve Barnett
Dyer Rods Feature Pole Award: 1C Duane Chamberlain
Scroggin Racing Products Feature Last Place: 1C Duane Chamberlain
PFM Racing Products Feature 2nd Place: B12 Kevin Weaver
Official Kankakee NALMS Results 8/26/05
26 Late Models on hand
1 Wes Steidinger set Fast time: 14.210
Heat 1
1. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
2. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
3. 25 Jason Feger (1)
4. 27G RJ Gall (5)
5. 7p John Provenzano (3)
6. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (8)
7. 3L Bill Luse (9)
8. 1m Mike Mataragas (6)
9. 99JR Frank Heckenast Jr. (7)
Heat 2
1. 34 Steve Hillard (2)
2. 0 Richie Hedrick ( 5)
3. 1 Wes Steidinger (3)
4. 25w Dan Walden (6)
5. 23 Ted Loomis (1)
6. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr.
7. 19 Garrett Slager (9)
8. 18w Mark Weisnicht (7)
9. 11 Larry Legrand (8)
Heat 3
1. 3s Brian Shirley (3)
2. 1 Duane Chamberlain (2)
3. 9z Jayme Zidar (1)
4. 92 Dick Potts (6)
5. 21 Tony Izzo Jr. (7)
6. 89 Steve Barnett (4)
7. 14 Kerry Mathew (5)
8. 88 Ken Snyder (8)
Consy
1. 89 Steve Barnett (2)
2. 14 Kerry Mathew (3)
3. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (1)
4. 19 Garrett Slager (4)
5. 99 Frank Heckenast Jr. (9)
6. 11 Larry Legrand (8)
7. 18w Mark Weisnicht (5)
8. 3L Bill Luse (6)
9. 88 Ken Snyder (7)
Feature
1. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (2)
3. 25 Jason Feger (7)
4. 3s Brian Shirley (3)
5. 89 Steve Barnett (14)
6. 23 Ted Loomis (12)
7. 1 Wes Steidinger (6)
8. 7p John Provenzano (13)
9. 1 Duane Chamberlain (4)
10. 9z Jayme Zidar (9)
11. 21 Tony Izzo Jr. (15)
12. 92 Dick Potts (10)
13. 99 Frank Heckenast Jr. (18)
14. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (16)
15. 1m Mike Mataragas (19)
16. 25w Dan Walden (11)
17. 14 Kerry Mathew (17)
18. 27G RJ Gall (8)
19. 0 Richie Hedrick (5)
20. B12 Kevin Weaver (20)
August 14...Vermilion County Danville, IL
The Northern Allstar Late Model event scheduled for Sunday has been
cancelled due to the weather conditions. The race is rescheduled for
Sunday September 25 the day after the Kevin Roderick Memorial at Crown
Point, Indiana and will be the finale of the Midwest Speedweek Series.
August 13....Crown Point, IN
Due to excessive rain, the Kevin Roderick Memorial Race has been postponed
to Saturday, September 24th. The racetrack was too wet to get it
race-ready. Race times all remain the same and all information will be
posted at
www.crownpointspeedway.com
August 12....Crown Point, IN
street stock...Bill Wise, Bob McLean
modifieds....Dave Porth, Jason Hastings, Dan Hamstra, Bill Davis
mini....Eric Denham, Jessie Gaylord, Karl Hayes, Bill Lawson
Late Models....
Shannon Babb wins Round 3 of Midwest
Speedweek at Crown Point
by Paul D. Bayne
(CROWN POINT, IN - August 12)
Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL returned to Crown Point Speedway
Friday night, for the first of a two-day racing extravaganza, a prelude
to Saturday night's big $15,000-to-win Kevin Roderick Memorial, to pick
up a $5,000 winner's check for winning the NALMS Midwest Speedweek
special. But unlike his previous visits this year, which included a
$5,000 win during the Cabin Fever 50, and a $10,000 win during the UMP
Summernationals, Babb didn't runaway and hide from the field, at least
not Dennis Erb Jr.
While only five of the twenty-two cars that
started the 40-lap special would finish on the lead lap, Erb was there
keeping Babb in check the entire race. Racing side-by-side at a
feverish pace, the duo took turns besting each other at every turn while
dicing their way through lap traffic. The modest crowd was on the edge
of their seats, some standing and cheering wildly at the mere thought of
someone finally dethroning the almighty Babb. But it was not to be
again on this night, as Babb used a little bit of late race traffic to
carve his way back by Erb on the inside to take the point for good.
Babb, who started on the outside of
pole-sitter Bret Sievert of Wisconsin (Kevin Weaver opted to start tail
due to motor woes), motored his way to the front right from the drop of
the green flag, while Erb immediately went to work on the inside.
Action would be slowed on lap four as Wisconsin's Mark Weisnacht climbed
the wall in turn three and came to rest needing assistance from a pair
of wreckers to remove his stranded machine.
Nine laps later on lap 12, Chatham,
Illinois' Brian Shirley brought out the second caution flag when he
slowed with a cut left rear tire. After changing the tire he would
return to find himself tail on the field. By the half way mark, Babb
and Erb were clearly the class of the field, but Sievert, Steve Hillard,
and Jason Feger were all on the lead lap and in hot pursuit. Points
provisional starter Rodney Melvin of Mount Vernon, IL, started the race
from the 19th spot on the grid and had climbed to sixth by the half way
mark. Wes Steidinger of Fairbury,
IL, was engaged in a hot contest with local driver Eddie Leviner of
Merrillville, and five-time NALMS champ Steve Barnett of Franklin, IN,
before finally disposing of those two to claim the seventh spot. The
birthday boy George Scheffler of Wisconsin, who turned 61 this week,
rounded out the top ten.
With just six laps to go, the third caution
flag was unfurled as Shirley, Wisconsin's Jim Letizia, and young
Illinois product Mike Mataragus all got together in turn four. For
Shirley, it was that left rear tire that had not been tightened securely
that came undone, while Mataragus' mount was heavily damaged. Letizia
was able to continue. With one last shot to get it done, and the lap
car of Joe McGrath, who was piloting brother-in-law Russ Scheffler's
ride separating the two leaders, Erb dove to the low side as Babb rode
the rail up top. Third place Sievert, with Hillard of Sadorus, IL, and
Jason Feger of Bloomington, IL on his tail, had to contend with the lap
cars of Letizia and Crawfordsville's (IN) Dan Walden, while still trying
to hunt down Babb and Erb, who were again checking out on the field.
With the checkered flags waving above, Babb
was able to hold off Erb by six car lengths for the win, while Hillard
and Feger would both get by Sievert on the final lap to round out the
top five. Sievert became and victim of those lapped cars and was
clearly not happy with the end result. Melvin and Steidinger came
across sixth and seventh, while Barnett would sneak past Leviner for
eighth, and Scheffler would finish tenth. Everyone from Melvin on back
finished one lap down.
Note: Due to excessive early Saturday
morning rains, the Kevin Roderick Memorial has been post-poned until
September 24th.
Summary of Results
33 Late Models took time
28 Dennis Erb Jr. set fast time: 13.03
Top 5 from heats to Feature
Heat 1
1. B12 Kevin Weaver (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (3)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
4. 1m Mike Mataragas (4)
5. 10s George Scheffler (5)
6. 15s T.J. Dolhun (10)
7. 74 Joe McGrath (7)
8. D1 Turk Letizia (6)
9. 2m Steve Metz (9)
10. D7 Jim Letizia ( 11)
11. 91 Bill Clemmons (8)
Heat 2
1. 5 Bret Sievert (3)
2. 25 Kyle Roderick (2)
3. 25 Jason Feger (6)
4. 20 Steve Barnett (1)
5. 1c Duane Chamberlain (8)
6. v77 Guy Volk (5)
7. 18w Mark Weisnacht (4)
8. 25w Dan Walden (7)
9. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
10. 61 John Clemmons (11)
11. 21s Tom Sprague (10)
Heat 3
1. 18 Shannon Babb (4)
2. 23 Patrick Sheltra (1)
3. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
4. 21 Eddie Leviner (2)
5. 1 Wes Steidinger (5)
6. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
7. 55 Jim Loomis ( 8)
8. 41J Jarrod Holshouser (10)
9. 37 Mike Anderson (11)
10. 10 Tom Dusen (9)
11. 27 Rodney Melvin (3)
Consi (top 6 to feature)
1. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (6)
2. v77 Guy Volk (2)
3. 74 Joe McGrath (1)
4. D7 Jim Letizia (11)
5. 18w Mark Weisnacht (5)
6. 25w Dan Walden (8)
7. X1 Justin Robinson (9)
8. 27 Rodney Melvin (15)
9. 55 Jim Loomis (3)
10. 37 Mike Anderson (12)
11. D1 Turk Letizia (7)
12. 15s T.J. Dolhun (4)
13. 61 John Clemmons (14)
14. 2m Steve Metz (10)
15. 21s Tom Sprague (13)
16. 41J Jarrod Holshouser DNS
17. 10 Tom Dusen DNS
18. 91 Bill Clemmons DNS
Feature (40-laps, $5,000 to win)
1. 18 Shannon Babb (2)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (4)
3. 34 Steve Hillard (5)
4. 25 Jason Feger (8)
5. 5 Bret Sievert (1)
6. 27 Rodney Melvin (19)
7. 1 Wes Steidinger (13)
8. 20 Steve Barnett (9)
9. 21 Eddie Leviner (12)
10. 10s George Scheffler (11)
11. D7 Jim Letizia (17)
12. 25w Dan Walden (21)
13. 3s Brian Shirley (7)
14. 1m Mike Mataragas (10)
15. 74 Joe McGrath (18)
16. v77 Guy Volk (15)
17. 99 Frank Heckenast Sr. (16)
18. 23 Patrick Sheltra (6)
19. 25 Kyle Roderick (3)
20. 1 Duane Chamberlain (14)
21. 18w Mark Weisnacht (20
22. B12 Kevin Weaver (22)
Contingencies:
K-Motion Feature Winner: 18 Shannon Babb
Petersen Aluminum Fast Time: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
PPM Products Hard Charger: 27 Rodney Melvin
Wick Oil Co. And Sunoco Hard Luck Award: B12 Kevin Weaver
Scott Performance Wire Heat Race Winner: B12 Kevin Weaver
Dyer’s Rods Feature Pole Award: B12 Kevin Weaver (elected to start tail
because of motor trouble, pushing Bret Sievert to the point)
Scogin Racing Products Last Place Feature: B12 Kevin Weaver
PFM Racing Products 2nd Place Feature: 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
Midwest Speedweek Top 10
1. Erb 73
2. Hillard 66
3. Barnett 54
4. Melvin 52
5. Korte 44
6. Feger 40
7. Chamberlain 38
8. Weaver 32
9. Mataragas 29
10. Babb 26
thanks to Jeffrey Bayless
Round 2 of Midwest Speedweek Goes to Hillard
Jeffrey
A. Bayless
Canton, IL (August 11,
2005) The Northern Allstar Late Model Series' (NALMS) Midwest Speedweek
roared into Spoon River Speedway on Thursday night for round 2 of the 5
round mini-series with 21 competitors in tow for the $2500 top prize.
When the checkers flew it was Sadorus, IL native, Steve Hillard, in his
Owen Stephen's owned Estes Racing Engines powered S&B Cattle Company,
Doyle Fertilizer, Stephen's Trucking, Crump Lawn & Garden, Hoosier Tire,
Advance Racing Suspension, Dyer Rods sponsored Mastersbilt race car
sitting in victory lane.
The heat races
began the action for the evening and in the first heat Dennis Erb Jr.
fought off an early challenge from Kevin Weaver before speeding away to
the checkers followed by Weaver, fast qualifier Randy Korte, Joe Ross
Jr., and Mike Mataragas at the stripe. In the second heat 3rd starting
Steve Hillard caught the pole sitter, Jim Felker, napping at the drop of
the green flag and raced into the lead through the first set of turns
and never looked back. In pursuit at the stripe were Steve Barnett, Tim
Lance, Jarrod Holshouser, and Felker. In the third heat, Mike Mullvain
claimed the early lead as Jason Feger, Duane Chamberlain, and Rodney
Melvin went three wide for 2nd. At the crossed flags marking the half
way point of the preliminary event, Mullvain found himself suddenly
occupied as Feger and Melvin joined him in a three car shootout for the
victory. When the checkers flew it was Feger followed by Melvin,
Mullvain, Chamberlain, and Shane Allen.
The 30 lap main
event began with Hillard and Erb charging into turn 1 door to door with
Hillard gaining the edge out of 2 as this duo began to pull away from
the pack with Feger, Weaver, and Korte filling out the top 5. As
Hillard and Erb darted away, many battles began to form through the pack
in the early action including a 3 car dance for 4th after Weaver moved
around Feger on the second circuit and Korte and Melvin moved in to
reoccupy the Bloomington, IL hot shoe. After a caution on the 11th
circuit, a 3 car battle for second emerged between Weaver, Melvin, and
Korte that would last for the remainder of the race as this trio swapped
positions on a regular basis with Feger sticking his nose in the fracas
on occasion as Hillard and Erb marched away from the field with Hillard
having the clearly dominant car as he would hold leads as large as 10
car lengths as he approached the back markers. At the stripe Hillard
took the checkers followed by Erb with Weaver claiming the 3rd spot
ahead of Korte and Melvin. Feger, Mullvain, Barnett, Chamberlain, and
Mataragas would cap of the top 10. Hillard debuted a brand new
Mastersbilt for the Midwest Speedweek tour and gave notice that he will
be a force to be reckoned with over the mini-series in the second night
out in the car. In addition, with 2 wins in the last 4 NALMS events,
Hillard is quickly closing the spread on 2005 NALMS point leader Steve
Barnett as Barnett chases his 6th NALMS title in a 7 year time frame.
Celebrating his victory Hillard remarked "We had it set-up pretty good
tonight. It could have been better," and then continued with a smile
after a short pause "but I'll take what I had tonight."
The 2005 NALMS
Midwest Speedweek moves to Northwest Indiana for a 2 night stand at
Crown Point Speedway. Tomorrow night's $5000 to win 40 lap main event
will just be an appetizer for Saturday's 75 lap $15,000 to win Kevin
Roderick Memorial.
NALMS is brought to
you by Hoosier Tire Midwest, Bell, Petersen Aluminum, Citgo Racing Fuel,
Dyers Rods, K-Motion Valve Springs, PFM Racing Products, Mastersbilt
Race Cars, Competition Graphics, Kinsers Custom Printing, Hypercoils,
Allstar Performance, PPM Racing Products, Champ Pans, Bert
Transmissions, Scogin Enterprises LLC, Scott Performance Wire, Sunoco
Race Fuels, Intercomp, BRT Racing Products, Big D's Collectibles, and 3
Shamrocks Web Design.
RESULTS
NALMS LATE
MODELS
21 cars
Fast Time: 00 Randy
Korte 13.802....
breaking Gary Webb's 1986 track record of 14.03
Heat 1
(10 laps all transfer)
1. 28 Dennis Erb Jr.
2. B12 Kevin Weaver
3. 00 Randy Korte
4. 15 Joe Ross Jr.
5. 1M Mike Mataragas
6. 18 Greg Longfellow
7. 28 Ronald Wilson
Heat 2
1. 34 Steve Hillard
2. 20 Steve Barnett
3. 48 Tim Lance
4. 41J Jarrod Holshouser
5. 43 Jim Felker
6. 33 Keith Pratt
7. 14 Brent Nelson
Heat 3
1. 25 Jason Feger
2. 27 Rodney Melvin
3. 4 Mike Mullvain
4. 1 Duane Chamberlain
5. 16 Shane Allen
6. 11 Brad Denney
7. 74 Russ Adams
Feature
(30 laps $2500 to win)
1. 34 Steve Hillard (1)
2. 28 Dennis Erb Jr. (2)
3. B12 Kevin Weaver (4)
4. 00 Randy Korte (7)
5. 27 Rodney Melvin (6)
6. 25 Jason Feger (3)
7. 4 Mike Mullvain (9)
8. 20 Steve Barnett (5)
9. 1 Duane Chamberlain
(12)
10. 1M Mike Mataragas
(13)
11. 48 Tim Lance (8)
12. 11 Brad Denney (18)