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Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Illinois receives winners trophy for points championship in Labor Day Weekend races from Jack Taylor of Midwest Dirt Track Facts.com

(9/3/02) Covington, IN. UMP Modified drivers filed into three centrally located race tracks in Illinois over the Labor Day weekend to compete for $9,000 in winning feature money and a points fund of $1,500 awarding the winner an extra $800 and the two runners-up $400 and $300 respectively. The point fund was established by the three track promoters and the competition over the 3-day marathon netted Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, IL the top prize in addition to his $5,000 in winning the opening two nights of racing at Brownstown and Charleston. On the finale at Danville, Schwartz garnered an additional 5 points for his 22^nd place finish in the Sunday night feature.

Buffalo, IL driver, Jeff Leka, secured the second place money for a consistent run of third at Danville and fourth at Charleston to go with an opening 20^th place on Friday at Brownstown. Michael Bradley of Paris, IL finished third in the points battle on a second place run behind Jimmy Owens on Sunday at VCS and a fourth place finish at Brownstown on Friday. Dan Hamstra of Fair Oaks, IN. and Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL. rounded out the top 5 point producers for the weekend.

191 cars took qualifying laps at the three tracks with VCS posting a turnout of 77 cars on Sunday night. Fans were able to see drivers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Ohio and a sneak preview of what could come down to a final day shootout at Eldora for the UMP Modified points championship.

LABOR DAY CLASSIC WINNERS
1999- TOMMY BURNSIDE
2000- JIMMY OWENS
2001- EARL PLESSINGER
2002- JIMMY OWENS

(9/2/02)Skill and a little luck proved to be the recipe for Jimmy Owens at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois for the $4000 to win 4th annual Labor Day UMP modified special. On a track that was racey all evening long from top to bottom Owens used the high side of the speedway to outdistance Michael Bradley and Jeff Leka for the victory and some bad luck for Dan Hamstra and Denny Schwartz contributed to the win. A total of 77 modifieds signed in for tonights action with 73 taking time. Randall Sweeney captured fast time leading the way. With Sweeney and Dan Hamstra occupying the front row, UMP national contenders Schwartz and Owens took the second row followed by Michael Bradley and Delaware Ohio visitor Aaron Morey. At the start Hamstra got the jump with Sweeney on the bottom followed by Owens, Schwartz, Morey and Bradley. Early on Owens and Schwartz got by Sweeney leading to a three way battle for the lead which was 3 wide coming off turn 4 for the completion of lap 11. Hamstra held the lead on the top with Owens the meat in the sandwich and Schwartz running an uncharacteristic low line. Schwartz would get enough bite to pull ahead of Owens coming off the corners in the side by side duel and could even nearly get enough to pull even with Hamstra a couple of times. The complexion changed dramatically on lap 13 when Hamstra had what appeared to be a left front ball joint break while leading and led to his demise with the black flag (according to track rules) which he chose to ignore. Thus the real battle for the lead was between Schwartz and Owens when on lap 20 going into turn one the side by side duel led to a minor amount of contact but just enough to release the air pressure from the right front tire of Schwartz just as a caution flew for a spin by Kyle Logue in turn 3. During the caution the tire for Schwartz went completely down and Hamstra finally heeded the black flat and went pitside leaving Owens at the point. The battle for 4th was just as exciting as Bradley had moved up with Leka, Morey and bottom running Scott Weber along with Sweeney and John Burdette for a 5 car tug of war. On the restart Owens pulled away to a 5 car length lead which he held fairly easily during a couple of more caution periods with little pressure except on one restart where Bradley was making up ground on the high side while Owens would jump to the bottom in turn 3 and 4 but another caution thwarted the charge on lap 40. Joining the hunt for the top 5 at this time was 18th starting Roger Cary who was passing cars steadily and running 6th behind Owens, Bradley, Leka, Sweeney and Morey. At the gun Owens once again moved ahead with Cary getting by Morey then with 3 to go the consistent Sweeney made a costly mistake but going over the top in turn 3 resulting in him finishing 8th at the end. The final top 10 were Owens, Bradley, Leka, Cary, Morey, R.J.Gall (21st start), Don Kiger(22nd start), Sweeney, and Burdette. UMP officials were on hand to make sure of the inspection process and promoter Bill Marietta had decided before the race that the winner, no matter who that would be, would have to forfeit his MSD box for a new one or be disqualified which Owens handed his and the lead wires over for the new one. That box has been turned over to UMP for further inspection to make sure that traction control was not being used but at the track the box looked to not have been tampered with in any way. Results below:
Fast time: Randall Sweeney
Heats 15 laps top 3 transfer
1st heat: Randall Sweeney, Jeff Leka, Kevin Davis, Don Kiger
2nd heat: Dan Hamstra, John Burdette, Tommy Kroll, Tim O'Donnell
3rd heat: Denny Schwartz, Jerry Johnston, Bob Pohlman Jr., Travis Shoulders
4th heat: Jimmy Owens, Kyle Logue, Roger Cary, George Aimone
5th heat: Michael Bradley, Matt Boknecht, Scott Weber, Bill Davis
6th heat: Aaron Morey, Bobby Allen, Terry Duncan, Joey Moughan
Consis top 2 transfer 3-9 go to added B feature
1st consi: Tim O'Donnell, Don Kiger, Tim Reynolds
2nd consi: George Aimone, Rusty Griffaw, Ed Robey
3rd consi: R.J.Gall, Bill Davis, Ryan Thomas
Sponsers provisional: Tim Reynolds
B-Feature was an excellent race as well with the top 5 cars racing for the win the last 6 laps. The final pass came on the white flag lap. Ryan Young with the win had the option of giving up the $300 winners share and transfer to the A main or taking the win and money. He came to race and transfered to the A.
1. Ryan Young 2. Cory Rolfe 3. J.D.Roberts
4. Marvin Burton 5. Danny Schwartz 6. Elvin Herschberger
7. Keith Allen 8. Jesse Simmons 9. Mike Elliott
10.Jerry Hathaway 11.Billy Vaughn 12.Jeff Curl
13.Phil Line 14.Dave Hurst 15.Mike Porth
16.Everett Stauffer 17.Joey Moughan 18.Arby Burton
19.Jim Werner Jr.
A-Main:
1. Jimmy Owens 2. Michael Bradley 3. Jeff Leka
4. Roger Cary 5. Aaron Morey 6. R.J.Gall
7. Don Kiger 8. Randall Sweeney 9. John Burdette
10.Tommy Kroll 11.Kevin Davis 12.George Aimone
13.Jerry Johnston 14.Bobby Allen 15.Tim Reynolds
16.Rusty Griffaw 17.Scott Weber 18.Bob Pohlman Jr.
19.Tim O'Donnell 20.Terry Duncan 21.Ryan Young
22.Denny Schwartz 23.Bill Davis 24.Dan Hamstra
25.Kyle Logue 26.Matt Boknecht
Had a total of 144 cars in the pits. The mod feature ended at 11:30 and all racing finished before midnight.. Great show guys and kudos to Bill Marietta for adding 6 cars to the feature event over the advertised 20 starters and for adding the B-main and payoff for 21 more starters so they could have a chance to make more money for their time and efforts when he could have just as easily put all that money in his pocket and not one person would have complained. Don't know of ANY other promoter that would have done that. As a matter of fact at most of these types of races if you don't make the A-main you go home with absolutely nothing. Way to go Bill...

Heat 1-Denny Schwartz, Ed Shamhart, Earl Plessinger, Terry Duncan
Heat 2-Dave Wheatley, Jeff Leka, Don Kiger, Brad Temples
Heat 3- Jason Lakey, Danny Schwartz, Mark Moore, Mike Marlar
Heat 4- Rob Fuqua, Jerry Johnston, Billy Vaughn, Charlie Carrell
Heat 5-Mark Foust, Matt Boknecht, Kyle Logue, Dan Hamstra
Heat 6-Jimmy Owens, Shane Cottle, Chris Veech
Semi's- No results at this time
Feature- De. Schwartz, Cottle, Plessinger, Leka, Marlar, Logue, Vaughn, Hamstra, Boknecht, Moore, Foust, Kiger, Byerline, Hood, Veech, Da. Schwartz, Johnston, Owens, Fuqua, Lakey, Shamhart, Wheatley

Fayette County Speedway, Brownstown, IL
Official Results for Friday August 30, 2002

UMP MODIFIED DIVISION – 54 Cars
$100, Fast Qualifier – Jeff LeBaube (20) with a time of 14.375
Heat 1 – Rusty Griffaw (16), Jeff LeBaube (29), Kyle Logue (JJ1), Michael Bradley (7M)
Heat 2 – Don Hamstra (23), Ray Walsh (1W), RJ Gall (27), Rob Timmons (5)
Heat 3 – Cory Daugherty (96), Bobby Martintoni (48), Brent Mullins (41M), Jeff Leka (3L)
Heat 4 – Steve Picou (00Z), Brad Crosby (27X), Mark Leuck (3D), Danny Schwartz (21D)
Heat 5 – Brent Keyes (25), Rick Conoyer (14), Clint Eckenrodt (22X), Al Crawley (J20)
Heat 6 – Scott Weber (4J), Jim Werner, Jr (44), Leon Rakers (3R), Don Kiger (01)
$250 to Win, Dash – Rusty Griffaw (16), Don Hamstra (23), Steve Picou (00Z), Scott Weber (4J)
Consi #1 – Kyle Logue (JJ1), Jeff Leka (3L), Brent Thompson (18), Kelly Kovski (10K), Tim O’Donell (T33), Wes O’Dell (87), Clint Eckenrodt (22X), Joe Strawkas (2S), Albert Gardner (12G)
Consi #2 – Denny Schwartz (21S), Leon Rakers (3R), RJ Gall (27), George Aimone (G4), Gabe Menser (2), Danny Schwartz (21D), Billy Vaughan (112), Chuck Haga (1H)
Consi #3 – Michael Bradley (7M), Mike Brumley (6B), Bryan Collins (11Z), Brent Mullins (41M0, Brian Lynn (72), Al Crawley (J20), Bobby Pearson (23B), Steve Long Jr (70JR)
Consi #4 – Don Kiger (01), Jason Lakey (J16), Earl Plessinger (39), Mark Leuck (3D), Ed Shamhart (12S), Chris Veech (CV7), Jesse Snyder (12), Aaron Burcham (44B), Rob Timmons (5)
$2000 to Win, 50-lap Feature (22 Cars) – Denny Schwartz, (21S), Scott Weber (4J), Dan Hamstra (23), Michael Bradley (7M), Kyle Logue (JJ1), Jim Werner, Jr (44), Bobby Martintoni (48), Jeff LeBaube (29), Brad Crosby (27X), Rick Conoyer (14), Brent Mullins (41M), Chris Veech (CV7), Rusty Griffaw (16), Cory Daugherty (96), Leon Rakers (3R), Ray Walsh (1W), Mike Brumley (6B), Brent Keyes (25), Don Kiger (01), Jeff Leka (3L), Steve Picou (00Z), Jason Lakey (J16)
Also in Attendance – Dave Wheatley (88), Tom Merlo (3), Roger Drake (52), Jeramie Aimone (XXX), Bryan McDaniel (37), Terry Messenger (T5), Gary Archambault (N1), Chip Morgan (77)

2K,3K,4K to win Labor Day weekend in Illinois
Vermilion County Speedway Press Release-8/9/02

Labor Day weekend will be a profitable one in central Illinois for UMP modifieds Labor Day weekend 2002. Beginning Friday night August 30 at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown Ill. with a $2000 to win then on to the Charleston Speedway in Charleston Illinois for a $3000 to win show on Saturday evening August 31. The next evening the tour continues at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois with the annual Labor Day $4000 to win and $200 to start. The Sunday show has a Monday rain date. At VCS qualifying will begin at 6pm with racing at 7pm. Front gate admission is $15 for adults. The feature will be 40 laps in length and drivers must run through the heats and consi's to make the feature event. Heats will be lined up according to qualifying times. Sunday feature payoff is as follows: 1. 4000 2. 1500 3. 1250 4. 1000 5. 800 6. 600 7. 500 8. 400 9. 350 10. 325 11. 300 12. 250 13. 240 14. 235 15. 230 16. 225 17. 220 18. 215 19. 210 20. 200. A minimum of 20 cars will start with also the winner at Charleston and Brownstown guaranteed a starting position. To earn the spots the drivers must run their respective heat and consi and are only guaranteed the last starting position. VCS usually starts 24 cars at their special races. There is a $50 entry fee for all UMP modifieds and all cars entered will receive tow money at the pay window...

(8/16/02)Promoters Charlie DePew (Fayette County Speedway), Tad Olmstead (Charleston Speedway), and Bill Marietta (Vermilion County Speedway) have added a point fund to the upcoming three race series in Illinois over the Labor Day weekend. Beginning with Friday nights $2000 to win $200 to start at Fayette County then Saturday nights $3000 to win $200 to start at Charleston and Sundays big $4000 to win at Vermilion County the top 3 in points that have ran at all 3 tracks will split $1500. The top point getter will receive $800 on top of his winnings along with a trophy for the points donated by Jack and Carolyn Taylor of Midwestdirttrackfacts.com. Second position will receive $400 and third will receive $300 on top of their winnings. The point money will be awarded after the Sunday show at VCS and a driver must have raced at all 3 tracks to be eligible for the point money...

3 BIG NIGHTS OF UMP MODIFIED RACING
IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

VERMILION COUNTY SPEEDWAY
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS

FOURTH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC

SPONSORED BY
PRIDE ENTERPRISES
$4,000 TO WIN-$200 TO START
Vermilion County Speedway and Pride Enterprises will hold the 4th annual $4000 to win UMP modified race this coming Sunday. Gates open at noon with hot laps scheduled to begin at 4pm- then qualifyng and racing for the UMP mods to follow as soon as hot laps end. There will be 2 support classes also racing, the super streets and bombers will also be on the card.
Overnight camping is available
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BILL MARIETTA (217-443-6923)
OR 217-304-0429
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

AT
FAYETTE COUNTY SPEEDWAY
Brownstown, IL
$2,000 TO WIN MODIFIED FEATURE
WINNER ALSO EARNS SPOT IN SUNDAY FEATURE
PRESS RELEASE
Fayette County Speedway, Brownstown, IL
Friday, August 30th
UMP Modifieds $2000 to Win, $200 to Start, $100 Fast Time, $250 Dash, $40 Entry Fee.
Support Classes: Street Stocks, Bombers, Team Cars, Hornets
Admission Prices: Pit Pass $25, Adult General Admission $10, Ages 8-12 $5 (free with paid adult admission), Ages 7 & Under Free.
Gates open at 5 pm, Hot Laps at 6:45 pm, Modified Qualifying at 7:15 pm, Racing immediately following Qualifying.
Questions? Contact Charlie Depew at (618) 347-2327 or (618)427-3966.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
      AT
CHARLESTON SPEEDWAY
Charleston, Illinois
$3,000 TO WIN MODIFIED FEATURE
WINNER ALSO EARNS SPOT IN SUNDAY FEATURE
PLUS FULL PROGRAM
*********************
FROM TAD OLMSTEAD, PROMOTER
Gates open at 4
Qualify at 6
Racing at 7
free camping

Any questions call me at 217-345-2929
good luck to all

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL BILL MARIETTA (217-443-6923)
OR 217-304-0429

LABOR DAY CLASSIC WINNERS
1999- TOMMY BURNSIDE
2000- JIMMY OWENS
2001- EARL PLESSINGER
2002- JIMMY OWENS

RECAP OF 2001 LABOR DAY RACE
FROM MIDWEST DIRT TRACK FACTS ARCHIVES

EARL PLESSINGER TAKES 4K AT VCS
By Namgalf

(9/2/01)A total of 94 UMP modifieds graced the fairgrounds at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois Sunday evening trying to snare the $4000 prize for the winner. Included were the top 3 point men presently in UMP Chad Kinder, Denny Schwartz and Jimmy Owens plus stars from at least 6 states. Indiana driver Dale Hayes turned the fastest lap in qualifing thus earning the pole for the first heat wherefrom the winner would grace the pole of the 40 lap feature. The winners of the following 7 heats would fall in line behind with second place filling out the next 4 rows. Four consi races were ran with the top 2 finishers also making the 24 car feature event. Also there was a non-qualifier feature of 25 laps with the winner given the option of taking the winnings and trophy from that race or tagging the tail of the main event. Enough of that and on to the results:
Fast time: Dale Hayes
First heat: Jeff Houchens, Dale Hayes, John Burdette, Terry Duncan
Second Heat: Scott Weber, Don Kiger, Roger Cary, Danny Schwartz
Third heat: Jimmy Owens, Elvin Herschberger, Matt Bachman, Richie Hedrick
Fourth Heat: Earl Plessinger, Chuck Haga, Bub Patrick, Todd Kirkland
Fifth Heat: Tommy Burnside, Denny Schwartz, Josh Ferguson, Sean Seavers
Sixth Heat: Michael Bradley, Gary Cook Jr., Chad Kinder, John Seets
Seventh Heat: Everett Bradham, Ryan Bowman, Jason Lakey, Mike Chasteen
Eighth Heat, Arby Burton, Wes Steidinger, Bobby Bittle, Mark Moore
Consi One: Roger Cary, John Burdette, Jeff Leka
Consi Two: Todd Kirkland, R.J.Gall, Lance Dehm
Consi Four: Bobby Bittle, Jason Lakey, Mark Moore
Consi Three: Chad Kinder, John Seets, Rob Fuqua
Non-qualifier Feature:
1. Mark Moore 2. Lance Dehm
3. Jeff Leka 4. Danny Schwartz
5. Tim O'Donnell 6. Matt Boknecht
7. Brian McDaniel 8. Tommy Kroll
9. Sean Seavers 10.Joel Funk
11.Brian Shirley 12.John Hudson
13.Leon Rackers 14.Matt Goulden
15.Cory Rolfe 16.John Hollifield
17.Duane Ekright 18.Charlie Phillips
19.Matt Bachman 20.Greg Wright
21.Zack Geist
This race was the 3 thru 8 finishers of the consi races. Three cars did not show for the start. Also the winner was given the option of taking the $300 winnings and trophy or tagging the tail of the A main. Mark Moore told the officials " I came here to race the big feature" thus took the challenge and tagged the A giving the win to Lance Dehm and moving everyone up one position. I believe there were only 2 cautions and a total of 17 cars finished the 25 lap affair. Main event was next and it was a dandy. Jeff Houchens and Scott Weber led the hive of bees to the green with Houchens immediatly jumping to the front with Jimmy Owens and Weber grappling for the second slot. Earl Plessinger, Tommy Burnside, Michael Bradley began tugging for position with all changing many times lap to lap. Houchens rolled to a 5 car length lead by lap 5 by which Owens had grabbed the #2 spot and Weber had fallen to the group behind to have a 4 car battle trying to catch the leaders. The only caution of the 40 lapper would wave at lap 9 allowing the field to close with Houchens still leading Owens followed by Plessinger, Burnside, Bradley and a fading Weber. With the leaders running the three leaders running the bottom of the speedway Burnside clearly had the faster car by going all the way to the very top and was making headway on the restart for a couple of laps when something broke in his automobile right at the flag stand causing him to retire very sportingly by rolling off the turn 2 exit allowing the race to continue. By this time all eyes were on 10th starting Don Kiger and 13th starting Denny Schwartz who were leading the wolves also at the rim of the quarter mile speed plant. At lap 15 Kiger had moved to the 6th spot with Schwartz right there with him 8th showing the top 2 point men at VCS are not slouches by any means. Also at lap 15 Plessinger had motored under Owens for the runnerup spot and was right on the bumper of Houchens for the lead. On lap 17 Plessinger moved around Houchens for the lead by using the middle groove to gain access. Owens would follow suit in the same groove at the halfway marker. Kiger and Schwartz had moved to the 5th and 6th positions with Weber struggling to hold the 4th slot. Just past half way Kiger made short work of Weber and began to make up the 5 lenght lead of the Owens-Houchens battle. By lap 25 Houchens fell victim and Kiger seemed to be the fastest car on the track with Schwartz following suit. Plessinger was coasting (if that can be done in a race like this) and had just caught a two car battle at the rear of the field then seemed to loose a little handle making passing difficult for him. Kiger meanwhile gaining momentum caught Owens and streaked by at lap 30 with Schwartz unable to keep up the pace of Kiger just now getting by Houchens for 4th. On lap 33 Schwartz had caught up to Owens but his charge would end there. Plessinger had built a half straight or more lead but Kiger was making up ground every lap especially with the leader stuck in a 4 car group of lappers that he could do nothing with. With 6 to go Kiger nearly went over the top of turn one but kept it on the track losing a couple of lengths in the process. At lap 35 he had gained over half of the lead but on lap 37 repeated the turn 1 mistake and would eventually fall 2 lengths short of the victory. Owens would hold on for third with Schwartz and Houchens filling out the top 5. Of the 25 starters 20 would finish with none lapped as the lapped cars pulled off just after getting lapped. Feature finish:
1. Earl Plessinger 2. Don Kiger
3. Jimmy Owens 4. Denny Schwartz
5. Jeff Houchens 6. Wes Steidinger
7. Chuck Haga 8. Scott Weber
9. R.J.Gall 10.Michael Bradley
11.Arby Burton 12.Gary Cook Jr.
13.Jason Lakey 14.Bobby Bittle
15.Roger Cary 16.Chad Kinder
17.John Seets 18.Mark Moore
19.Ryan Bowman 20.John Burdette
21.Dale Hayes 22.Elvin Herschberger
23.Everett Bradham 24.Todd Kirkland
25.Tommy Burnside
Track conditions were excellent with the track smooth and racing grooves from top to bottom with 3 and 4 wide racing very common throughout the field. Movers through the field were Kiger from 10th to 2nd, Lakey from 24th starter to 13th, Steidinger from 16th to 6th, Gall from 22nd to 9th. Fallers were Bradham from 7th to 23rd, Herschberger from 10th to 24th, Hayes from 9th to 21st. Great to see a wonderful field of cars and drivers and also a good crowd on hand. Pierce built race cars had 4 of the top 5 with Owens in his Lightning the only different chassis. All racing was finished at 11:25. Thanks to all and congratulations to Earl Plessinger.

(8/25/02) Danville, IL. Over a span of 13 years, Vermilion County Speedway fans have witnessed a strong invasion of UMP Modified drivers who have week after week and year after year challenged the 1/4 mile high-banked oval sitting amid the county fairgrounds near Danville, Illinois. VCS has become a geographical map-site for UMP jockeys to load up from as far away as Texas and West Virginia and try their luck at the usually tough track against the many local and area drivers who call VCS home. Those home boys are the reason local fans turn out each week to watch the exciting side-by-side racing from the entrance classes to the top of the menu on the weekly card. Add in some great attractions of visiting late model sanctions on given nights and fans receive the best of lot in dirt track racing.

When VCS joined ranks with UMP in 1990 and parted with IMCA, a long list of strong contenders began paying visits to the racy oval to see what UMP was all about. Many things have changed since the early days, but as more and more curious fans and drivers stopped in, the track prestige gained and it became recognized as a weekend happening.

The UMP Modified track championship at Danville was now an important notch in the belts of area drivers and a Sunday night offering of extra weekend racing has added to that interest. Probably, if you polled every fan and driver, they would tell you Friday and Saturday are the best nights and Sunday is a hassle in returning home and getting to work on Monday. Friday has been tried several times over the years, but Sunday still fits into most schedules the best. And UMP drivers seeking that last shot at a weekly feature win for UMP points recognize this the most.

Kyle Logue, of Oreana, Illinois, is a good indicator of the time and travel that drivers are willing to extend by pulling to Danville on a Sunday evening. He could easily concentrate on his local tracks at Farmer City and Macon and sit back and watch NASCAR on TV Sunday at home. But he wants to compete and an extra win on Sunday really adds to that UMP point total at years end. On Saturday night, Kyle won the Macon Speedway title and on Sunday joined an illustrious group of VCS UMP track champions of past years. This young driver now adds his name to a list that includes a UMP National champion in 1997 and several who were strong contenders for that title during previous years. Other past champions have won their UMP State titles during their VCS title years.

This list includes Larry Dines of Bismarck, IL (Deceased) in 1990, 91, and 92; Rick Hufford of Danville, IL in 1993, 94, and 95: Bryon Clendenen of Oakwood, IL in 1996: Steve Hillard of Sadorus, IL. in 1997 (National UMP Champion); Tim O’Donnell of Champaign, IL in 1998; Dan Hamstra of Fair Oaks, IN in 1999; Shane Cottle of Kokomo, IN in 2000; Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, IL in 2001; and now Kyle Logue of Oreana, IL in 2002.

Hundreds have competed over the years for this illusive title, but only a handful of fortunate drivers have ever claimed it. Ask any UMP Modified driver about the fierce competition between the area locals and the traveling guests. A driver needs to be there often and bring some skill and luck along with him to make the challenge on the VCS track.

1999 UMP National Champion, Jeff Martin of Kansas, IL was one who was unable to capture the track championship, although he was the hottest thing on wheels that year. Perennial local challenger, Don Kiger, of Oakwood, IL, with more total laps on the track than anyone any year, has been close twice, but no cigar.

At Sunday’s finale, 37 Modifieds signed in for qualifying, including the normal tally of regulars and a few newcomers. UMP Late Model veteran, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, IL was there to drive the Aaron Ricketts car, which he will also drive in the Labor Day classic. The UMP Late Model ranks were not alone as Veteran drivers Bob Pierce and Steve Hillard were also there to watch the competition. Pierce drops in as often as possible to help in the pits with drivers who pilot his Pierce cars on the tracks throughout the Midwest. For Hillard, it was a night at the races to watch several of his protégés, including Michael Bradley of Paris, IL, who was tied for the final night of points with Logue going in. Another note of interest was the fans waiting for the arrival of Denny Schwartz at the track as it was announced that he had won the $8,000.00 UMP Modified race in Louisiana on Saturday night and was on his way back to race at Danville. Needless to say, that was an impossible task, even for the speed Schwartz can travel at.

The evening unfolded with Logue setting fast time in qualifying, placing second to 16 year old Josh Ferguson of Covington, IN in his heat, while Bradley won his heat over Jeff Leka of Buffalo, IL to go ahead in the point battle. Winner if the third heat was Dan Hamstra over Roger Cary of Catlin, IL (another local contender in points). Jason Lakey of Urbana, IL won the Semi.

As Bradley watched from his 7M machine in the feature on the start, Hamstra sprinted around the youngster, Ferguson, for the lead and Logue immediately moved in to challenge Hamstra. As Logue got by Hamstra, the duel lasted only a lap and the two switched positions. That was all, as Logue again took over and went for the title. Bradley moved up enough to keep Hamstra and Logue in striking distance, but had to settle for third with Leka taking fourth and Cary coming in fifth.

Another crown was awarded on Sunday night to a deserving young driver, who was willing to face the veterans and locals at the VCS speedplant. Congratulations to Kyle Logue and all of the UMP drivers who gave the fans plenty of action on the track this season.

Fast Qualifier- Kyle Logue
First Heat- Josh Ferguson, Logue, Al Crawley, Jr., Mark Grosvenor, Kevin Weaver

Second Heat-Dan Hamstra, Roger Cary, Rob Fuqua, Jim Moore, Jerry Hathaway
Third Heat-Bradley, Leka, Don Kiger, Arby Burton, Chuck Haga
Semi-Jason Lakey, Dave Rudisell, Matt Bex, George Aimone, Rich Isaacson

Feature-Logue, Hamstra, Bradley, Leka, Cary, Hathaway, Ferguson, Kiger, Lakey, Fuqua, Burton, Crawley, Brian McDaniel, Moore, Haga, George Aimone, Rudisell, Weaver, Kevin Davis, J.R. Coyner, Bex, Grovesner

(7/29/02)John Gill of Mitchell, IN won the First Annual Battle of the Borders on Monday Night, July 29 at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois. Gill piloting the Terry Eaglin Motorsports/Helena/Performance Plus Car Wash/Elrod Grain/Cyclone One/Draime Racing Engines/Hoosier Tires/Rocket Grand Prix earned $10,000 for the victory taking the cash back to the Hoosier State. The 42 year old Gill in his 21st year of dirt late model racing beat to the finish line a strong lineup of competitiors with Scott Bloomquist finishing second followed by Brian Birkhofer, Shannon Babb and Billy Moyer.

Gill would start on the outside of the front row of the 60 lap main event with Shannon Babb starting from the pole. Gill would immediately take the point getting the jump on Babb coming off of turn number two. Babb would settle into second with Scott Bloomquist in his first event since pocketing the $100,000 UMP Summernationals Tour 2002 running in third at this point. Gill, Babb, Boomquist would not be able to see what was happening behind them except the full house of fans did with two and three wide racing on the track for the middle positions.

Bloomquist would make his move around Babb on the sixth lap with all eyes now on Iowan Brian Birkhofer who was on the move from his eighth starting slot. Birkhofer would pass Jeep Van Wormer and take fifth on the eighth circuit. Birkhofer would then challenge and make the move to get by Babb on the 18th lap. the first of two cautions during the race flew for the stalled mount of Steve Hillard on the 19th lap. Hillard who's primary car was destroyed in an accident at Fairbury on Saturday Night was behind the wheel of the Michael Bradley/Rayburn. Hillard would go pitside and be the first car out of the race.

When the race resumed it was Gill still on the point with Bloomquist in second followed by Birkhofer, Babb and Billy Moyer.
Moyer and Bob Pierce were seemingly on the move as in the first part of the race Pierce had gone from 14th to sixth and back to seventh were he stayed the rest of the race. The final caution came out on the 22nd lap for a stalled Don O'Neal as he would be the second car out of the race.

That would set up 38 laps under green flag that would determine the race. Gill had been on a rail not making any mistakes and driving the familiar #75 anywhere on the well prepared race track as anyone on this night. Traffic would start to play a role in the outcome of the race. As Bloomquist and Birkhofer had their own private battle for second, Gill was negotiating traffic in front of him. As the laps wound down both Bloomquist and Birkhofer would close the gap on Gill which at one point was more than a straightaway ahead of anybody else. With ten laps to go Bloomquist and Birkhofer had a clear race track in front of them as they two handled traffic with very little resistance. With five laps to go they were within five car lengths of Gill slicing his lead down lap after lap and with more traffic approaching Gill was in a vulnerable position not knowing who was coming up behind him. Bloomquist and Birkhofer were able to slice the lead to two lengths with the white flag waving as both drivers were giving it their all in an attempt to take the win from Gill on the final lap. Their efforts however came up short as Gill just as he did for most of the entire race drove his same line and sped on to pickup the win. Two car lengths was the final advantage in the thrilling finish as both Bloomquist and Birkhofer made it interesting.

Shannon Babb would take fourth with teammate Billy Moyer rounding out the top five. the rest of the top ten finishers were Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Jeep Van Wormer, Darren Miller and Roger Long.

In preliminary events several drivers broke Steve Barnett's seven year old track record of 13.668 seconds. Shannon Babb would be the driver to do it last as he clocked an electrifying 13.305 seconds around the 1/4 mile oval. Babb, Gill, Van Wormer and Bloomquist won heat races. Billy Drake and Jim Curry won the two last chance consy races.

The official finish:

First Annual Battle of the Borders
Vermilion County Speedway
Danville, IL
Monday Night, July 29, 2002

Entries: 37 Cars from 7 States

Feature Finish:

1. John Gill-Mitchell, IN $10,000 Rocket/Draime/Hoosier Tires
2. Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN $4000
3. Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine, IA $3000
4. Shannon Babb-Moweaqua, IL $2500
5. Billy Moyer-Batesville, AR $2000
6. Dan Schlieper-Pewaukee, WI $1800
7. Bob Pierce-Oakwood, IL $1600
8. Jeep Van Wormer-Pinconning, MI $1500
9. Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL $1200
10.Roger Long-Fithian, IL $1000
11.Matt Miller-Waterville, OH $800
12.Steve Barnett-Franklin, IN $700
13.Earl Pearson, Jr.-Jacksonville, FL $600
14.Billy Drake-Bloomington, IL $500
15.Doug McCammon-Palestine, IL $400
16.Mark Stetler-Attica, IN $400
17.Jammie Wilson-Hoopeston, IL $400
18.Wes Steidinger-Fairbury, IL $400
19.Jim Curry-Norman, IN $400
20.Kevin Weaver-Gibson City, IL $400
21.Don O'Neal-Martinsville, IN $400
22.Steve Hillard-Sadorus, IL $400

(7/14/02)Newport Tennessee driver Jimmy Owens showed up at Vermilion County Speedway in Danville Illinois Sunday evening and took the victory and precious UMP modified points home. Starting on the front row by virtue of winning his heat Owens followed fellow front row starter Rick Hufford very early until taking the lead on the bottom of the smooth slick speedway and never looking back. If he had however his eyes would have been filled with Kyle Logue for the first 10 laps right on his rear bumper then with Jason Lakey on the rim of the speedway who both were giving Owens a definite run for his money. Lakey motored by Logue on lap 11 and began a pursuit of Owens that would have the fans building with anticipation the possible pass for the lead even though Owens had built up a 10 car length lead. By lap 16 the lead had shrunk to 5 lengths and lap 20 was down to 3 lengths. With 2 to go Owens had caught the only car to go a lap down in Mark Grosvenor and put him one lap in arrears but Grosvenor was also running the top and effectively blocked Lakey from catching Owens in the end. It took Lakey about a lap to get by the lapper thus allowing the leader to finally win by 5 lengths at the finish. Following the lead duo Logue held onto third with Michael Bradley and Denny Schwartz battling the last 2/3rds of the race for the fourth and fifth positions, Bradley riding the bottom and Schwartz the middle, Schwartz was able to nose by a couple of times during the 25 lap grind but could never get enough in front to steal the spot allowing Bradley to capture the 4th finishing slot then followed by Schwartz. Results below:
Fast time: Josh Ferguson
1st heat: Jimmy Owens, Jason Lakey, Josh Ferguson, Don Kiger
2nd heat: Rick Hufford, Michael Bradley, Chuck Haga, Jerry Hathaway
3rd heat: Kyle Logue, Denny Schwartz, J.R.Coyner, Jesse Simmons
Consi: Tim O'Donnell, John Hudson, Terry Duncan, Marty Hiser
Feature:
1. Jimmy Owens 2. Jason Lakey 3. Kyle Logue
4. Michael Bradley 5. Denny Schwartz 6. Jerry Hathaway
7. Chuck Haga 8. Don Kiger 9. Josh Ferguson
10.Larry Raines 11.Cory Rolfe 12.Marty Hiser
13.Jesse Simmons 14.Craig Conyer 15.Terry Duncan
16.Rob Fuqua 17.Brad Crosby 18.Mark Grosvenor
19.Rick Hufford 20.Tim O'Donnell 21.J.R.Coyner
22.John Hudson
Three cautions during the event.. 31 cars signed in tonight with 112 cars total in the pits... Modified feature ended at 10:10 with all racing finished at 10:40... Track was smooth and dry slick from top to bottom but was racy as all grooves were used during the feature... I figure Owens had not gotten his UMP win thus the reasoning for the appearance here and would have been really interesting to see if Lakey could have reeled him in were it not for the lapped car but "thats racin". Another surprise visitor to the speedway was former Nascar driver and car owner Dave Marcis taking in the action from the pit area as a fan.. Good to see that some of the big guys still go to the real roots of racing every once in a while... In the Huffdaddy Hot Seat Huffdaddy ran really well in the heat and started front row outside taking a very early lead but after sliding back to the sixth position at about the halfway mark something broke in turns one and two forcing him to the infield for the remainder of the event... Next week the super streets run for $1500 to win their feature along with the regular classes on Sunday night... Hope to see ya here then

The evening began with Elvin Herschberger claiming the top qualifying lap with a time of 15.690. Then the 108 entrees were separated into 8 heat races that were lined up straight up from the qualifying runs. The top two finishers from each heat transferred directly to the main event with everyone else having to goto one of four semi's to find out there fate for the evening. So with at least 13 cars in every heat you knew there was going to be some hotly contested heat races to see who could claim one of the top two spots and transfer to the 50 lap $5000 to win race. The first heat saw Elvin Herschberger claim the win and the pole for the main over Randal Sweeney and Tony Duncan. In the second heat local favorite Arby Burton beat Scott Wilbur and Jeff Leka to the stripe. The third heat was won by Brent Lounderee but the talk of the race was Tommy Burnside who came from 14th to finish in the runner up spot ahead of Matt Boknecht. The fourth heat saw Billy Vaughn beat Mark Moore and Everitt Brabham. Local Late Model favorite Kevin Weaver brought his modified out for the evening and claimed the fifth heat in front of Shane Cottle and Jerry Hathway. With the memory of Burnside's march through the field still fresh on the minds of many, the fans were entreated to Tony Roland one uping the former winner. Roland started dead last in the sixth heat and came out the victor ahead of Tim O'Donnell and Lee Hobbs. The seventh heat was the most entertaining as five cars fought it out swapping the lead several times but on lap 15 it was Kyle Logue followed by Bobby Bittle and Jimmy Owens. The last heat went to Dan Hamstra as he cruised to victory ahead of Bob Pohlman and Tommy Kroll. Pohlman, as well, came from deep in the field to find a transfer spot starting 12th in his heat.

The 25 lap B-Main was the first race up after the intermission period was over. The action was fast and furious at the start with Matt Rhyne taking the early lead ahead of Tony Duncan, Lee Hobbs, John DeMoss, and Phil Johns. This running order would not last long as Johns was in second by lap two with his eyes on the lead with Daryl Herbert moving into third ahead of DeMoss and Roger Cary. Johns made his moves on the third lap and was able to overtake Rhyne and separate from the pack as DeMoss began to battle Rhyne as well. By the 10th lap Rhyne and DeMoss had caught the leader and the battle for the lead quickly turned into a three car battle until the caution waved for debris on the racing surface. When the green waved again this battle resumed with the cars of Cary and Tommy Kroll in contact with them. When they came around to complete the lap they were running Rhyne, Johns, DeMoss, Kroll, and Cary was the running order. Rhyne found a groove that his car liked and began to distance himself from the field. Meanwhile back in the pack the car of Herbert made a strong run to the front after falling backward early in the race. It seemed as if he came from nowhere and all of a sudden he was running a strong second and closing on the leader. With the laps winding down Rhyne began to run upon the backmarkers but Herbert was unable to capitalize as Johns, DeMoss, and Cary rounded out the top five for the B. As was the custom the officials asked Rhyne if he was willing to give back the $1000 dollar winners purse for a shot at the $5000 winners purse in the A. Rhyne wisely walked away with the $1000.

As the 26 cars (24 transfers and two provisionals) in the A Main rolled onto the track fireworks were set off in the infield to set the tone for the 50 lap shootout. The start of the race saw Elvin Herschberger, Arby Burton, and Billy Vaughn going around the track in a side by side contest for the lead as the rest of the field raced in packs of 3 or 4 jockeying for position. As they came to the stripe the second time Vaughn had been able to maneuver into the top spot with Herschberger, Burton, Tony Roland, Kyle Logue behind him. Vaughn began to pull away as 7 cars all engaged in a dual for second, fought behind him. Tracey Leonard spun on the 6th circuit bringing out the race's first caution and erasing Vaughn's expanding lead. When the green waved again it was short lived as Dan Hamstra spun going into one and the caution flew again. The next attempt went much better as Vaughn continued to dominate quickly reestablishing his lead ahead of Burton, Roland, Tommy Burnside, and Kevin Weaver. As Vaughn looked like he was driving a rocket ship stretching his lead every lap the cars of Burton, Roland, Burnside, Weaver, Randal Sweeney, Herschberger, and Shane Cottle all were nose to tail racing around the speedway. Just when it looked as if Vaughn was going to cruise to an easy victory with a straight away lead he found himself sitting in turn four looking at the oncoming traffic on lap 17. This had to be heartbreaking to Vaughn but a joyful relief to others who had to be wondering how they were ever going to catch this guy. When the field restarted the top 12 raced off as if they were a train on rails, stuck together nose to tail. The main battle in this group was Burnside trying to wrestle the second spot from Roland. Roland would have none of it though as every time Burnside would dip down underneath, Roland would power back by and maintain his position. At the halfway point all of the leaders were still in contact with each other and the best battle was Burnside giving Roland all he could handle. This battle continued for several laps with Roland holding off the former champion until the 30th lap when Roland's motor started going south. As his power disappeared so did his positioning as Burnside and Weaver shot by and started a three car breakaway as Roland's slowing car created a bottleneck behind them. The drivers received a chance to regroup on the 32nd lap as the caution flew. The car of Kevin Weaver was asked to leave the track during this caution because he had a broken ball joint on the right front of his mount.

This left the front of the field lined up Burton, Burnside, Kyle Logue, Roland and Randall Sweeney. Roland's night quickly came to an end however as his engine completely gave up on the 35th lap. From this point the race became a follow the leader type of race with someone occasionally stepping up and trying to gain another spot but to no avail as the track had no grip left. But things were about to get more interesting as with 4 laps to go Burnside got into the back of Burton coming out of three. Burton got a bit sideways and Burnside backed out of the throttle to keep from taking Burton completely out. However with $5000 on the line nobody is going to stay backed off to long and Logue and Burnside both drove in under Burton heading into three and they found out three wide on a dry slick surface will not work. The end result of this attempt to go three wide was chaos as all three cars went around in front of a speeding field and car parts flew everywhere. Burton, Burnside, and Logue all were eliminated in this accident as well as a few other top notch cars. Defending champion Denny Schwartz got the worse end of the deal as he ended up sitting sideways out of 4 and several used him as a bouncing board. He was shaken up but was able to walk away from his badly twisted race car. Now with only a handful of cars left and the fourth place car of Sweeney suddenly finding himself leading this very prestigious race the green waved again and Sweeney raced home to the $5000 victory ahead of Mike Marlar, Michael Bradley, Elvin Herschberger, and Bobby Bittle.