Jeep VanWormer hugs the inside line as Chub Frank charges the high banks of La Salle Speedway during the World of Outlaws Illinois Fall Nationals	Roger Brickler needed landing gear after his Late Model took to the skies during the Illinois Fall Nationals at La Salle Speedway on September 16th.	Brickler was unscathed while his ride looked like a compact instead of a Late Model

Beep Beep watch out for Jeep
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Jeep Van Wormer is one of those drivers you can never
underestimate. He has what it takes to win races and pilot his familiar #55
up the field.
 
On Sunday night, he did just that at the La Salle Speedway’s final big
dollar late model event for 2007.
 
The Illinois Fall Nationals has been synonymous with the state capitol for
the past fifteen years but Sunday night Track Enterprises brought the World
of Outlaws Late Model north. The tour thundered into La Salle county nearly
130 miles from its usual home.
 
The ¼ mile speed arena is a far cry from the Springfield mile located at the
Illinois State Fairgrounds but the fierce competition may not have changed
much. At the completion one driver staked his claim to the 40 lap feature
victory worth an impressive $7,000 payday.
 
Earlier in the weekend, Jeep lost an uncle and had dedicated the weekend of
racing to him. During a post race interview, the loud speaker was breaking
up but it was clear to see the emotions were mounting as the soft spoken
Michigan racer thanked his family, fans, God and dedicated the race to him.
 
Out of the thirty eight entries for the Late Model special event, only
twenty four grid positions were available for the main.
 
Racing the way in was not as easy as most had hoped.
 
To kick off the night, the competition traveled two laps for their quickest
times. Next, four heat races decided the top sixteen main starters. The
transfer of three cars from two “B” Main races and two provisional drivers
capped the field at twenty four.
 
When the grid was posted, it was the current UMP national points leader Wes
Steidinger on the pole next to Matt Miller. Van Wormer rolled into the
second row inside of Steve Francis.
 
Miller shot to an impressive start but the caution was signaled with a mere
one lap scored. By the time the leaders were finishing the second lap out,
it was all about Jeep. He was a man on a mission and never looked back.
 
Taking nearly twenty minutes to record ten laps seemed a bit much but when
the racing laps were green early in the event it was a display of talent.
 
After caution on Lap 10, Van Wormer led Francis, Miller, Jimmy Mars, and
Darrell Lanigan. Five laps later, the third place runner Miller hit hard
into an infield tire succumbing to front end damage. The tires were
repositioned farther onto the racing surface taking away the lowest line of
the racing surface and a few more competitive machines.
 
Van Wormer distanced himself from time to time but Lannigan, Tim Fuller and
Francis were in hot pursuit.
 
During Lap 22, Dennis Erb Jr. was full throttle charging around Chub Frank
for fourth. His fourteenth starting spot was only a minor obstacle as he
piloted his way into the front. Just after Erb’s move, a yellow flag was
thrown for Steidinger ending his run and sending him back behind Frank for
the restart.
 
Ironically, Steidinger and Erb are in a down to the finish points battle for
the UMP National championship. Going into the La Salle event the two were
closer then ever and the outcome of Sunday may have changed the leadership.
 
After the restart, Frank hammered down hard and tried the outer rim for
momentum. Not only did he get the speed he wanted but he put on a show for
the spectators. Frank was solo in the line he chose as the highest man on
the track. His hustle over the marbles was much different then the lower
lines being used by Van Wormer, Lanigan, Francis, Erb and Babb.
 
At the completion of the forty laps, Van Wormer collected the checkers in
front of Lanigan, Frank, Fuller, Francis, Erb, Babb, Shane Clanton, Rick
Eckert, Brady Smith, Clint Smith, Mars, Josh Richards, Darren Friedman, Mike
Mataragas, Steve Sheppard Jr., and Jason Feger.
 
Kerry Hansen, Brian Shirley, Steidinger, Roy Mitchell, Miller, Terry Casey
and Ryan Dauber did not finish the race.
 
The first heat race was a showcase of talent when Mars, Chubb, Lanigan,
Brady Smith and Babb put on an unbelievable ten lap showing. Mars came out
on top over Chubb, Lanigan and Smith.
 
Miller won heat number two with Shirley, Clint Smith and Erb trailing.
Fuller outdistanced Van Wormer, Richards and Steve Sheppard to capture the
third heat.
 
The fourth and final heat race for the division was one Roger Brickler will
not soon forget. Just after the restart of the second lap, Brickler found
his ride climbing the front stretch wall and traveling airborne. During the
horrific crash, Brickler’s machine was high and nearly above the fencing
with the nose pointing straight at the clay surface. When the final rotation
ended, the nose to tail distance of his machine was shortened and looked as
though the car had been visited by a crushing machine.
 
Thankfully, the rollcage appeared well built enabling Brickler to walk away.
Once action went back to green, Francis ran high and low until he scored his
victory over Steidinger, Terry Casey, and Clanton.
 
Thirty four UMP Open Wheel Modified’s joined the Late’s for a $2,000
special.
 
Jeff Leka charged flag to flag from the pole with his only real challenge
coming from Kevin Weaver early in the race.
 
The thirty lap special hosted Jeff Morris as the outside starter ahead of
Thad Wilson and Weaver in row two. Kyle Logue and Dave Porth rolled into the
third row.
 
When the flag dropped Morris tried to give Leka a battle but the pole sitter
had an unmatched machine.
 
Leka pulled away making Morris fend off Weaver and Denny Schwartz.
 
On Lap 14, Weaver managed to reel the leader in and journeyed up to his
inside door but Leka shut the door. Weaver realized there wasn’t a chance to
pass him on the inside and took to higher ground. Weaver could close the gap
but Leka was unstoppable.
 
At the checkers it was Leka making a visit to victory lane. Weaver finished
up the night with a strong runner up finish over Schwartz, Logue, Morris,
Wilson, Porth, Vince Cooper, McKay Winger, Gary Cook Jr., Marty Thompson,
Mike Spatola, Donovan Lodge, Joel Funk, Jeb Friedman, Kevin Hastings, Jim
Phelps, Matt Cleary, Randy Whitten, and AJ Dixon.
 
Wilson, Morris, Logue and Porth each won their heats.
 
Next Saturday night will be the final night of action at the speedway for
the 2007 season. The Illinois Valley Fall Sprint Classic highlights the
venue. The IRA sanctioned Sprints will compete in addition to the UMP
Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and Hornet classes.
 
 
 
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/16/07
 
World of Outlaw Illinois Fall Nationals
Feature: 1. Jeep Van Womer, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Chub Frank, 4. Tim
Fuller, 5. Steve Francis, 6. Dennis Erb Jr., 7. Shannon Babb, 8. Shane
Clanton, 9. Rick Eckert, 10. Brady Smith, 11. Clint Smith, 12. Jimmy Mars,
13. Josh Richards, 14. Darren Friedman, 15. Mike Mataragas, 16. Steve
Sheppard Jr., 17. Jason Feger, 18. Kerry Hansen - DNF, 19. Brian Shirley -
DNF, 20. Wes Steidinger - DNF, 21. Roy Mitchell - DNF, 22. Matt Miller -
DNF, 23. Terry Casey - DNF, 24. Ryan Dauber - DNF
 
UMP Modifieds 34 Cars
Feature: 1. Jeff Leka, 2. Kevin Weaver, 3. Denny Schwartz, 4. Kyle Logue, 5.
Jeff Morris, 6. Thad Wilson, 7. Dave Porth, 8. Vince Cooper, 9. McKay
Winger, 10. Gary Cook Jr., 11. Marty Thompson, 12. Mike Spatola, 13. Donovan
Lodge, 14. Joel Funk, 15. Jeb Friedman, 16. Kevin Hastings, 17. Jim Phelps,
18. Matt Cleary, 19. Randy Whitten, 20. AJ Dixon

‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals’ At La Salle Speedway Is VanWormer’s First-Ever World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory

LA SALLE, IL – Sept. 16, 2007 – Now Jeep VanWormer is in the club.

VanWormer was victorious in Sunday night’s 16^th annual ‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals 40’ at La Salle Speedway, becoming the 28^th driver to win a World of Outlaws Late Model Series event since 2004.

“When you win with these guys, it’s top-notch,” VanWormer said of his first career triumph on the national tour. “They’re not the World of Outlaws for nothing, so winning a race against them is huge for your resume, huge for your career.”

VanWormer, 32, of Pinconning, Mich., drove a flawless race to pocket $7,725, including the $500 WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ cash for being the highest-finishing driver who had never won a tour event and was not ranked among the top 12 in the current points standings. He was the 18^th different driver to win a WoO LMS A-Main in 2007.

Taking advantage of the third starting spot, VanWormer overtook Matt Miller of Waterville, Ohio, for the lead on lap two and never looked back. He turned back late challenges from WoO LMS regulars Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who finished second and third, respectively, to register one of his biggest wins ever.

WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished fourth and points leader Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., placed fifth.

While VanWormer is known across the dirt Late Model landscape for his ‘Spiderman’ nickname and hard-charging style, it was his cool, calm approach that propelled him to victory at the high-banked, quarter-mile oval.

Once VanWormer was in the lead, he eschewed his usual rim-riding in favor of an effective line around the extreme inside of the track.

“I knew the bottom was gonna be good, so we tightened our car up and put a hard tire on so I could run through the middle,” said VanWormer, who was very familiar with the event’s UMP DIRTcar Racing Hoosier 20/40 tire rule thanks to his years spent chasing the UMP Summernationals series. “There was a lot of moisture on the bottom, and that helps you get good drive off the corners.”

“I wasn’t gonna get off the bottom. They were gonna have to go around me on the top.”

Several guys tried to unseat VanWormer, most notably Lanigan and Frank.

After the race’s fifth and final caution flag flew, on lap 23 for the stopped car driven by UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model national points leader Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., Lanigan closely tailed VanWormer around the inside of the speedway and Frank tossed his car around the extreme outside of the track.

VanWormer was too strong, however, and beat Lanigan to the finish line by about five car lengths. Not surprisingly, he was a very happy race car driver when he reached Victory Lane.

“Over this weekend I thought we had some good cars, but we just had some bad fortune,” said VanWormer, who finished 10^th on Friday night at Paducah (Ky.) International Raceway (he relinquished the pole starting spot and started last in the 50-lapper because a leaking water pump forced him to run his backup car) and placed 12^th on Saturday night at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. “Tonight we started close to the front and really capitalized on it – and I’m stoked.”

VanWormer, whose previous career-best WoO LMS finish was a fifth on July 26 at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway, dedicated the triumph to his late Uncle Rick.

“This one was for him,” VanWormer said of his uncle, who passed away on Aug. 31. “He always supported me. It was behind the scenes, but he was always there to support me.”

Lanigan, 37, came from the ninth starting spot to bid for the lead after the halfway mark, but his hopes were hampered by a mechanical problem on his gottarace.com Rocket.

“We broke a bolt in the shock mount with about 10 to go, and it let the car rock up too high,” said Lanigan, who had been rained out after qualifying in his only previous visit to La Salle. “Before that we were pretty good, but once it did that the car started getting too much roll-steer and I was getting loose.

“(VanWormer) kept scooting out some, so I thought if I could get up to him I’d be alright on the bottom. But I didn’t have enough to really get up there.”

The night’s showstopper was Frank, who spiced up the final 17 laps with his bid to win the race running the track’s unruly cushion.

Frank, 45, looked like he was ready to sail by both Lanigan and VanWormer shortly after the race’s final restart, on lap 23, but he gradually lost ground to the leaders and had to settle for third place in his Lester Buildings Rocket.

“I needed a restart with about four or five (laps) to go so I didn’t have to wear myself out up there,” said Frank, who closed to within 54 points of Francis in the WoO LMS standings with six events remaining. “It was so far out and rough up there, I just couldn’t make it work for many more laps than that in a row.

“If I got a yellow with about four to go and then just hammered it for the rest of the race, I would’ve had a chance to win.”

The 39-year-old Fuller’s Gypsum Racing Rocket might have been the fastest car in the closing laps. He slid by 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals champ Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Francis in the closing stages to reach fourth place – and nearly overtook Frank as well.

“Man, I wish the race was a little longer,” said Fuller, who flew from Albany, N.Y., to Peoria, Ill., on Sunday morning after competing in Saturday night’s Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified 200 at New York’s Lebanon Valley Speedway (he finished fifth in that event to keep his Mr. DIRTcar Modified points lead). “It was going on, it was happening the last five laps. I found some traction right there in the middle, and no one else was running there.”

Francis, 40, started fourth and climbed as high as second early in the distance, but couldn’t keep pace with the leaders. He said his tire selection cost him dearly.

“We gambled on tires,” said Francis. “We went with four 20s (softer compound tires), and should have had (harder) 40s on the right side – or at least one on the right-rear, like Jeep did.

“I knew we were in trouble after I ran about 10 laps. I said to myself, ‘Uh oh, we messed up here.’ But that’s how it goes. We said we’re going to all these races to win, and we gambled to win it. It just bit us at the end.”

Finishing in positions 6-10 was Erb, who started 14^th; Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., who started 17^th after winning a B-Main; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., who recovered from a heat-race spin to transfer through the prelim; Rick Eckert of York, Pa.; and Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis.

WoO LMS title contender Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., finished 11^th after being forced to the rear of the field by a half-spin in turn one on lap two, and Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., had to be content with a 13^th-place finish after he pitted during an opening-lap caution period to repair nosepiece damage his car sustained in a scrape with an inside tractor tire.

Thirty-eight cars were signed in for the event, which was promoted by Bob Sargent’s Macon, Ill.-based Track Enterprises, Inc. It was the first-ever WoO LMS stop at La Salle Speedway.

Frank earned $100 for his second National Interstate Insurance Fast Time Award of the season. He circled the track in 12.725 seconds.

Heat winners were Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wis., Miller, Fuller and Francis, and the B-Mains were captured by Babb and Mike Mataragas of Dekalb, Ill.

The night’s most spectacular accident occurred during the fourth heat when Roger Brickler of Springfield, Ill., flipped wildly down the homestretch on a lap-two restart. Brickler’s four-race-old MasterSbilt car was destroyed, but he escaped injury in the wild wreck.

The WoO LMS returns to action this weekend with stops at Bedford (Pa.) Speedway on Friday night (Sept. 21) and Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday night (Sept. 22).

For more info on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

Results of WoO Late Model Series ‘Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals’ (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (3) Jeep VanWormer/40 $7,725

2. (9) Darrell Lanigan/40 $3,625

3. (8) Chub Frank/40 $2,100

4. (7) Tim Fuller/40 $1,950

5. (4) Steve Francis/40 $1,500

6. (14) Dennis Erb Jr./40 $1,300

7. (17) Shannon Babb/40 $1,200

8. (16) Shane Clanton/40 $1,100

9. (19) Rick Eckert/40 $1,000

10. (13) Brady Smih/40 $900

11. (10) Clint Smith/40 $850

12. (5) Jimmy Mars/40 $800

13. (11) Josh Richards/40 $750

14. (20) Darren Friedman/40 $740

15. (18) Mike Mataragas/40 $710

16. (15) Steve Sheppard Jr./40 $680

17. (24) Jason Feger/40 $650

18. (22) Kerry Hansen/31 $630

19. (6) Brian Shirley/30 $620

20. (1) Wes Steidinger/23 $610

21. (23) Roy Mitchell/18 $600

22. (2) Matt Miller/16 $600

23. (12) Terry Casey/15 $600

24. (21) Ryan Dauber/4 $600

Yellow Flags: 5 (Laps 1, 2, 10, 16, 23)

Lap Leaders: Miller (1); VanWormer (2-40)

Provisional Starters: Mitchell, Feger

Rookie of the Race: Fuller ($250)

WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: VanWormer ($500)

National Interstate Insurance Fast Time Award: Frank ($100)

National Interstate Insurance Hard Luck Award: Brickler ($50)

Integra Shocks Crew Chief of the Race ($100): Wayne Caskey (Darrell Lanigan)

Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 12.725

2. 7M-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 12.940

3. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Pinconning, MI 12.988

4. J1-Wes Steidinger/Fairbury, IL 13.013

5. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menomonie, WI 13.065

6. 64-Ryan Dauber/Tonica, IL 13.067

7. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 13.067

8. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 13.111

9. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.131

10. M-Mike Provenzano/Aurora, IL 13.137

11. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 13.155

12. 89-Darren Friedman/Forest, IL 13.158

13. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 13.204

14. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 13.208

15. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 13.317

16. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 13.385

17. 2b-Brady Smith/Solon Springs, WI 13.400

18. 83-Scott Bull/Fairbury, IL 13.431

19. 32J-Jason Jaggers/Wyanet, IL 13.462

20. 25-Kerry Hansen/Spencer, WI 13.469

21. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 13.513

22. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 13.516

23. 1M-Mike Mataragas/Dekalb, IL 13.535

24. 42-Terry Casey/New London, WI 13.545

25. 49-Brian Ruhlman/Clarklake, MI 13.595

26. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 13.597

27. B5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 13.725

28. 82-Roger Brickler/Springfield, IL 13.737

29. 25-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.805

30. 43-Jim Felker Jr./Bloomington, IL 13.961

31. 10x-Scott Schmitt/Tonica, IL 14.115

32. 13-Mike Fannin/LeRoy, IL 14.223

33. DC3-Don Cisco/Blue Mound, IL 14.255

34. 38-Will Harris/Malden, IL 14.370

35. M10-Bryan Moon/Wyanet, IL 14.408

36. 53-Mike Anderson/Chicago, IL 14.653

37. 93-Roy Mitchell/Hobart, IN 15.145

38. 16-Tony Izzo Jr./Utica, IL N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Mars, Frank, Lanigan, B. Smith, Babb, Eckert, Feger, Ruhlman, Cisco, Mitchell

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Miller, Shirley, C. Smith, Erb, Dauber, Provenzano, Bull, Felker, Harris, Izzo

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, VanWormer, Richards, S. Sheppard, Mataragas, Jaggers, B. Sheppard, Schmitt, Moon

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Francis, Steidinger, Casey, Clanton, Friedman, Hansen, Fannin, Anderson, Brickler

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Babb, Eckert, Dauber, Feger, Bull, Felker, Provenzano, Harris, Cisco, Mitchell, Ruhlman (DNS) Izzo

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Mataragas, Friedman, Hansen, Jaggers, Schmitt, B. Sheppard, Fannin, Moon, Anderson (DNNS) Brickler

2007 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Sept. 16 - 38 features completed (rank/driver/wins/top-5s/top-10s/earnings/points/deficit to leader):

1. Steve Francis 3-22-34-$108,725-5,252 (-0)

2. Chub Frank 5-18-31-$112,955-5,198 (-54)

3. Clint Smith 4-16-28-$113,175-5,154 (-98)

4. Shane Clanton 2-13-26-$84,647-5,080 (-172)

5. Josh Richards 3-10-23-$88,732-5,066 (-186)

6. Rick Eckert 0-11-23-$72,110-5,058 (-194)

7. Darrell Lanigan 2-8-24-$77,365-4,804 (-448)

8. Tim Fuller 1-9-14-$67,455-4,115 (-1137)

9. Brian Shirley 1-4-11-$51,229-3,682 (-1570)

10. Shannon Babb 4-12-16-$82,060-3,582 (-1670)

11. Eddie Carrier Jr. 0-2-5-$23,720-2,571 (-2681)

12. Chris Madden 2-8-12-$89,215-2,379 (-2873)

13. Billy Moyer 1-9-12-$42,575-2,373 (-2879)

14. Roy Mitchell 0-0-0-$10,280-2,104 (-3148)

15. Brian Birkhofer 0-1-7-$23,410-2,004 (-3248)

16. Jimmy Mars 0-5-7-$27,930-1,773 (-3479)

17. John Blankenship 0-0-0-$10,720-1,663 (-3589)

18. Dennis Erb Jr. 2-4-7-$33,000-1,433 (-3819)

19. Dan Stone 1-1-3-$17,305-1,340 (-3912)

20. Brady Smith 0-2-4-$13,240-1,284 (-3968)

LISTEN ONLINE: If fans can’t get to a track to see the series, they can experience the excitement of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series live on DIRTvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network.

To listen to the free audio broadcasts, log on to www.dirtvision.com and click on the DIRT Radio Network logo.

Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. For technical support or questions, e-mail [email protected].

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by several sponsors and partners, including National Interstate Insurance Company and contingency sponsors Wrisco Industries, Crane Cams, Ohlins Shocks, Quarter-Master, Hawk Brake, MSD Ignitions, Eibach Springs and Integra Shocks

Changes abound for the 16th running of the Best Western Illinois Fall
Nationals in 2007 but at least two things will remain a constant for this
year’s event, big name racing drivers and great competition as the Best
Western Illinois Fall Nationals moves from it’s home at the spacious
Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield to the friendly confines of the
LaSalle, Illinois Speedway one hour north of Bloomington. A large number of
World of Outlaw and UMP late model stock cars and modifieds are expected to
be on the grounds of LaSalle Speedway on Sunday, September 16 competing for
one of the largest purses in LaSalle history. Moving from the World’s
Fastest One Mile Dirt Track to the quarter mile bullring at LaSalle may mean
lower speeds for the late model and modified drivers but it certainly won’t
diminish the racing action as LaSalle Speedway is known for some of the best
dirt track racing in the Midwest.
 
The 16th Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals is the conclusion of a Midwest
tri-track racing weekend that will see World of Outlaw Late Model Series
action at the Paducah International Raceway on Friday September 14, with the
World of Outlaw Late Models heading to Missouri and the Ken Schrader owned
I-55 Raceway in Pevely for the annual Pepsi Nationals on Saturday September
15. The late model and modified teams then make their way up Interstates 55
and 39 to LaSalle for the 16th Fall Nationals event on Sunday. A winner’s
share of $7,000 is up for grabs at LaSalle for the winner of the 40 lap late
model main event, with $2,000 for the modified 30 lap feature winner.
 
This will be the second time that the World of Outlaws sanction an Illinois
Fall Nationals late model race having sanctioned the 2005 running at the
Illinois State Fairgrounds, an event won by Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg,
Tennessee as the veteran late model campaigner won his second Fall Nationals
event, winning previously in 1999. Other past winners of the Best Western
Illinois Fall Nationals late model events include John Mason of Millersburg,
Ohio, NASCAR’s Ken Schrader, Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Shannon
Babb of Decatur, Illinois and the only four-time winner of the Fall
Nationals late model feature, Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas. Moyer is
currently 13th in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series National points
with Birkhofer 14th and both are expected to make the trip to LaSalle along
with World of Outlaw point leader Steve “the Kentucky Colonel” Francis of
Ashland Kentucky. Other World of Outlaw drivers in the top slots in points
expected at LaSalle are Chubb Frank, Clint Smith, Josh “Kid Rocket”
Richards, Shane Clanton, Rick Eckert and Darrell Lanigan.
 
Illinois driver Darren "The Thriller" Miller is the defending late mode
winner of the Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals and the one lap late
model track record holder at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Last year he
trailed Muscatine. Iowa's Bria Birkhofer for the first 19 laps of the Fall
Nationals late model main event before overtaking "Birky" and cruising to
the victory on the famed Springfield Mile. Birkhofer is expected to be at
LaSalle on September 16 as is Darren Miller.
 
A number of drivers from Illinois and surrounding states are also expected
at LaSalle including Chatham, Illinois’ Brian Shirley, currently 9th in
World of Outlaw Late Model points and winner of the 2006 Fall Nationals
Modified feature. Shirley won the prestigious Knoxville, Iowa Late Model
Nationals in 2006. Decatur’s Shannon Babb is currently 10th in the Late
Model points and in 2003 became the first central Illinois driver in 37
years to post a major race win on the Springfield Mile when he won the late
model portion of the Fall Nationals. Other drivers who may enter at LaSalle
include Joe Ross Jr. of Springfield, John Provenzano of Marsailles, UMP
Super Late Model national point leader Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Billy
Drake of Bloomington, Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, Illinois (2nd in UMP
points), Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Indiana and Jeep Van Wormer of
Pinconning, Michigan. Other drivers may make their intentions known closer
to the Fall Nationals date.
 
UMP Modified drivers will be competing with the late models and the last 15
years have seen a variety of winners in the modified division, including
Charlie Sentman, Hank Delonjay, Curt Rhodes and Jim Shereck. A large number
of modified pilots can be expected and LaSalle and some may do double duty
in the late model division as well. Last year Jeff Leka set a modified
qualifying record at the Illinois State Fairgrounds for the UMP Modifieds
but it was Shirley who led all 20 laps of the main event.
 
Pit Gates for the 16th Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals open at 2 p.m.
on Sunday September 16, with the grandstand open at 4, practice at 5,
qualifying at 5:30 and the first race at 6. Tickets are $25 for adults and
$5 for children 11 and under. Tickets can be obtained through Track
Enterprises at 217-764-3200 or through LaSalle Speedway at 815-223-6939.
 

The Best Western Illinois Fall Nationals Will Be Held at the LaSalle Speedway For The First Time Ever!
---------------------------------
Posted Thursday, September 6, 2007 by Track:
Outlaw Late Models and UMP Modifieds Invade LaSalle Speedway for the Illinois Fall Nationals September 16th
 
LaSalle, IL – The normal tranquil Sunday nights in the LaSalle, IL community will be shattered with the raw horsepower and thunder of the World of Outlaw Late Model Series September 16th. The Illinois Fall Nationals will make its first appearance at the high banked 1/4 mile oval after 15 years of racing on the Springfield Mile and will feature some of the areas top notable Late Model drivers. Come watch Steve Francis, Josh Richards, Rick Eckert, Shannon Babb and the rest of the stars in the World of Outlaw Late Model tour battle for the $7000 to win the 40 lap feature. The UMP Modifieds will also join the Late Models this night providing an entertaining night of racing. The Modifieds will compete in their 30 lap feature event paying the winner $2000. Darren “The Thriller” Miller was the 2006 Fall Nationals winner in the Late Model division with Brian Shirley driving to the win in the UMP Modified division.
 
Track Enterprises welcomes Best Western Hotels of Illinois as the Official Hotel of the Illinois Fall Nationals. Pit Gates open at 2pm, the Grandstand gates open at 4pm, practice at 5pm, time trials at 5:30 pm and the first race for the Illinois Fall Nationals is set to take the green flag at 6pm. Grandstand admission for adults is $25, Children 11 and under is $5, Pit Passes $35 per person.
 
The LaSalle Speedway is located at 578 US-6 in LaSalle, IL 61301 which is 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford, and 60 miles north of Bloomington. For further details or to purchase advanced general admission tickets please phone Track Enterprises - 217-764-3200, LaSalle Speedway – 815-223-6939 or by e-mail [email protected], or visit www.trackenterprises.com

 "Steve Oeder (67) uses the outside line while 2007 Track Champion Ralph Markham (10)
battles below him for the final Triple Crown Series 100 lap special."
 
Markham goes three-for-three in Triple Crown campaign
By: Betty Glynn
 
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham took charge of his destiny on April 28th when
he kicked off what would become the best season of his racing career. The
Maple Park standout blew his Rayburn chassis into victory lane on opening
day and hasn’t stopped running in the front since.
 
Flying around the ¼ mile clay speed arena of the LaSalle Speedway, Markham
has proven he has both the talent and drive to get the job done. Ten feature
wins at a single track equals a stellar season by anyone’s standards and
deservingly so.
 
The Steel Block Late Model division boasts a field of racers who are not new
to the sport and can certainly give the best of drivers a run for their
money. Not to mention a couple of former track champions in the lineup. Now
add in those who have improved tremendously since opening day and you have
to be ready for showtime when the green flag waves.
 
The ability of the Maple Park driver to hook up and go was evident no matter
the track surface. Some drivers do better with dry slick while others favor
a tackier terrain. It didn’t appear to make a difference for the newly
crowned champion.
 
The final race didn’t end exactly as planned but when the checkers dropped
it was Markham adding yet another trophy to his mounting bounty. His tenth
return to victory lane was just the topping on the cake for a driver who
wanted a championship and fell short in recent years.
 
Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown Series was top billing with twenty
cars taking their positions for the 100 lap feature. Markham already had
the first two Triple Crown trophies all that was left was one more.
 
Qualifying was the first event with Scott Schmitt posting the fastest timed
lap of 13.385. His quick time status was the second in a row for the young
Tonica driver.
 
Once qualifications were complete, the top six qualifiers were inverted for
the trophy dash. At the completion of the six laps, Steve Oeder of Princeton
had out ran La Salle’s Mike Glynn, Keith Piano of Oglesby and Schmitt to
earn the pole position.
 
Their finishes determined the top six grid spots of the lengthy feature the
remaining fourteen contenders were lined up based on their qualifying times.
 
Oeder took the lead with a fast and furious pace. Glynn and Schmitt were
both flying right along with him and the trio had already caught the tail of
the field by the fifth lap in the books.
 
A caution during the eleventh lap out gave the pack a break from their pace
and restarted six laps later. Laps traveled under caution are counted until
the final ten laps during the Triple Crown Series.
 
Oeder charged the higher line with Glynn on the bottom and Schmitt running
high as well. While the trio commanded the front in an action packed format,
Eric Dauber also used a higher run to battle Piano.
 
Glynn and Schmitt were putting on a show for second when Schmitt exited the
track on Lap 26 with mechanical trouble closing the season in a
disappointing return to the pits.
 
During the next fifteen laps, Oeder had Glynn to fend off while Dauber’s
high run was being challenged by Markham. Slipping back and forth in the
top five positions was Piano in a consistent line ahead of Ed Williams and
Jim Loomis. The front runners changed grooves as they dodged lapped traffic.
 
During Lap 53, the field was under red after contact between Dauber’s high
run and Glynn’s bottom spot sent Glynn into the air and over the turn three
infield tire. His front running car could no longer go forward and returned
pit side on the hook.
 
For the single file restart six cautions laps later, Oeder still had the
lead over Markham, Dauber, Piano, Loomis, Williams, and Mark Larson. The
action didn’t last long as Dauber slammed hard into the outside retaining
wall of turn three bringing out another red flag. He exited the car and was
able to walk away.
 
By Lap 78, Oeder had a strong hold on his lead with Markham holding back
Piano. Williams was looking promising until he hit the turn two tires hard.
For the next ten laps