Bryan Collins, Tim Hancock, Jeff Herzog & Jason Crump crowned 2009 I-55 Raceway Track Champions!

Billy Faust

Tim Hancock

Jeff Herzog

Justin McCallister

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Pevely, MO (September 12, 2009) Mother Nature provided nearly perfect
weather and 134 race cars filled the pit area on Season Championship
Night at I-55 Raceway. The points battle in three of the four divisions
would come down to the final night of the points chase.

In the UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model division, the points race was
between Randy Korte, Bryan Collins, Jeff Johns, Ed Dixon and Tim
Ratajczyk. Randy Korte elected to go to the World 100 at Eldora
Speedway and gave up his chance at the Track Championship. That set a
battle for Championship between the other four. Dixon would have the
best start of the night as he won his heat race and ran second in the
dash to earn an outside front row starting spot in the feature. Collins
would run second his heat race and finish seventh in the dash to start
seventh in the feature. Johns would finish third in his heat race and
finish eighth in the dash to start eighth in the feature. Ratajczyk
drew one of the toughest heat races and finished fifth and would start
sixteenth in the feature.

Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, Michigan started on the pole for the main
event after winning his heat and the dash. At the drop of the green
flag, Schlenk took command as he powered ahead of Dixon going into turn
one and he would pull away to a comfortable lead. Michael Kloos
pressured Dixon for the second spot immediately and moved ahead of
Dixon to take second on lap three. Collins began his run toward the
front as well as he began working Dixon for the third spot on lap five.
Meanwhile, the 2008 I-55 Raceway Track Champion, Billy Faust, began his
move to the front after starting twelfth. As the race appeared to be
going the entire distance caution free, Schlenk opened up and half
straight-away lead on the competition. Billy Faust continued his race
to the front and on lap fourteen, he and Collins made contact on the
front stretch as they race side-by-side for third which could have been
disastrous for Collins. However, both continued on and Faust tracked
down Kloos and took over the second spot while Collins continued in the
fourth spot. Rick Salter and Mark Voigt worked their way past Dixon to
take the fifth and six positions. Just as Schlenk was preparing to take
the white flag, Tyler Reddick would spin just past the flag stand while
battling for the seventh spot which brought out the caution and erased
Schlenk's lead. On the restart, Schlenk went with the line around the
bottom where he had been fast while Faust went to the top. Faust pulled
along side Schlenk as they exited turn four to take the white flag and
they crossed the line side-by-side. As they exited turn two, Faust
powered ahead down the back stretch and took the victory. Schlenk would
cross the line second with Kloos taking third. Collins would finish
fourth and secure the 2009 I-55 Raceway UMP DIRTcar Late Model Track
Championship. Salter would finish fifth with Voigt taking sixth. Dixon
would finish seventh and Johns eighth. Ratajczyk's tough night
continued as he came home with a twelfth place finish.

Another great points battle was happening in the UMP DIRTcar Modified
division. Tim Hancock came in to the night as the point leader with
Ricky Horton running a close second. Hancock got the night started by
drawing pill #1 at pill draw and starting front row pole in the first
heat race. Hancock would settle for second in his heat race as Rusty
Griffaw took the win in that heat. Horton had to start in the middle of
the pack in his heat race and he powered his way to a second place
finish and would have had a great starting spot in the dash. However,
as Horton exited turn four to take the checkered flag in his heat,
disaster struck as the power plant let go in his machine. Doug Wood
would loan Horton his car for the rest of the night and Horton would
have to qualify that car for the feature through the semi. Horton would
go on to win the first semi in Wood's car to start nineteenth in the
feature.

Matt Mevert started on the front row pole of the main event after
winning the dash and had Rusty Griffaw lined up on the outside. Mevert
took the lead at the drop of the green flag. Hancock would move right
into the second spot on the second lap as he powered past Griffaw using
the low side. Hancock began his assault on Mevert for the lead just a
few short laps later. Hancock would take over the top spot on lap six
and lead the rest of the way to take the victory and wrap up the 2009
I-55 Raceway UMP DIRTcar Modified Track Championship. Mevert would
finish in the second spot with Griffaw taking third. Bobby Bittle would
finish in the fourth spot and Eric Mabery completed the top five. Ken
Schrader charged from the eighteenth starting spot to finish seventh
and earn the MO/IL Dodge Dealers Hard Charger Award. Horton would
finish eleventh and settle for runner-up in the Championship chase.

The tightest points battle of all was in the UMP DIRTcar/AARA Sportsman
division. Troy Naeger held just a two point lead over Jeff Herzog as
the lined up for the feature event. Naeger started front row pole and
Herzog started along side him on the outside. The Championship would
come down to who finished ahead of the other. When the green flag
dropped, Naeger took command as he used the low side to pull ahead of
Herzog. Herzog would then slip back to the third spot just a couple of
laps later as Brad Paquet moved past him. Paquet would then reel in
Naeger and begin a battle for the lead. Paquet tried to work his way
past using the middle line as Naeger fiercely protected the bottom. As
the laps were winding down, Paquet continued his fight to move past
Naeger. With just two laps remaining, Paquet tried to dive under Naeger
exiting turn two and made contact with Naeger's left rear. Paquet would
spin into the inside wall at the exit of turn two ending his night and
bringing out the races final caution. As the officials were lining up
the field for the restart, Naeger's left rear tire would go flat from
the contact with Paquet. Naeger was forced to go to the infield and
change tires. That turned the lead over to Herzog on the restart.
Herzog would pull away and take the win and the 2009 UMP DIRTcar/AARA
Sportsman Track Championship at I-55 Raceway. Jason Keller would finish
second with Ronnie Bader taking third. Danny Ems would finish in the
fourth spot and Scott Henseler rounded out the top five.

The only division that had the points chase already settled was the UMP
DIRTcar/AARA Pro 4 Stock division. Jason Crump had already secured the
Championship and he skipped the night's action in the Pro 4 Stock
division as he debuted his new Super Late Model. Justin McCallister
would take the lead at the drop of the green flag from the outside of
the front row and power his way to victory. Jacob Buechting would take
second and Aaron Wood would finish third after starting way back in
nineteenth. Charles David was fourth and Joe Ellison completed the top
five. A scary moment on the opening lap when Jackie Buechting made hard
contact with the wall and was knocked unconscious. Her car then came
off the wall out of control and bounced off a couple of other cars. Her
car finally stopped in turn four up against her husband's car. She did
regain consciousness just a short time later as rescue workers got her
out of the car. She was talking with rescue workers and they did take
her to the hospital as a precautionary measure. She also had an ankle
injury.

UMP DIRTcar Late Models – 34 Entries
Heat 1
1. 50 Ed Dixon
2. 28B John Beck
3. 21 Kerry Gaultney
4. 66 Dave Jumper
5. 10 Rick Standridge
6. 33 Ricky Frankel
7. 37 Danny Moser
8. 13 Dewayne Keifer
9. 22x Darrel Moser DNS

Heat 2
1. 6K Michael Kloos
2. 80d Dylan Sharp
3. 92b Billy Faust
4. 3s Brian Shirley
5. 112 Tim Ratajczyk
6. 3d Lou Dreimeier
7. 16 Mike Hammerle
8. 23 Paul Roider
9. 27 Mike Schulte

Heat 3
1. 30 Mark Voigt
2. 11z Bryan Collins
3. B5 Branden Sheppard
4. 78 Mark Miner
5. 66 Chris Hall
6. 86 Jason Crump
7. 94 Adam Parmeley
8. 1hr Ron McQuerry

Heat 4
1. 91 Rusty Schlenk
2. 11R Tyler Reddick
3. 95 Jeff Johns
4. 1s Rick Salter
5. 77 Clay Baumann
6. B1 Randy Bingham
7. 7 Rich Lawson
8. 0 Fred Perry

Dash
1. 91 Rusty Schlenk
2. 50 Ed Dixon
3. 6 Michael Kloos
4. 30 Mark Voigt
5. 11R Tyler Reddick
6. B5 Brandon Sheppard
7. 11z Bryan Collins
8. 95 Jeff Johns
9. 28B John Beck

Semi 1
1. 66 Chris Hall
2. 27 Mike Schulte
3. 77 Clay Baumann
4. 16 Mike Hammerle
5. 86 Jason Crump
6. 3d Lou Dreimeier
7. 7 Rich Lawson
8. B1 Randy Bingham
9. 37 Danny Moser
10. 23 Paul Roider
11. 94 Adam Parmeley
12. 0 Fred Perry
13. 33 Jason Frankel DNS
14. 13 Dewayne Keifer DNS
15. 1hr Ron McQuerry DNS
16. 22x Darrel Moser DNS

Feature
1. 92 Billy Faust (12)
2. 91 Rusty Schlenk (1)
3. 6 Michael Kloos (3)
4. 11z Bryan Collins (7)
5. 1s Rick Salter (14)
6. 30 Mark Voigt (4)
7. 50 Ed Dixon (2)
8. 95 Jeff Johns (8)
9. 28B John Beck (9)
10. 80D Dylan Sharp (10)
11. B5 Brandon Sheppard (6)
12. 112 Tim Ratajczyk (16)
13. 78 Mark Miner (13)
14. 66 Dave Jumper (15)
15. 27 Mike Schulte (18)
16. 16H Mike Hammerle (20)
17. 66H Chris Hall (19)
18. 77 Clay Bauman (21)
19. 7 Rich Lawson (24) (alternate)
20. 86 Jason Crump (23)
21. 10 Rick Standridge (17)
22. 21 Kerry Gaultney (11)
23. 11R Tyler Reddick (5)
24. 3D Lou Driemeier (22)
DNS. 3S Brian Shirley
*NOTE: Brian Shirley was scheduled to start 16th in the feature but
scratched. The outside row from 18th on back was moved up a row. Rich
Lawson was added as the final starter.

UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – 39 Entries
Heat 1
1. 16 Rusty Griffaw
2. 0 Tim Hancock
3. 2 Robbie Helms
4. 51 Tim Hill
5. 1w Ray Walsh
6. 9 Ken Schrader
7. 9w Doug Wood
8. 41 Larry Hull
9. 12s Mike Stuckey
10. 5w Ralph Wiltrout DNS

Heat 2
1. 17 Brad Thurston
2. 22 Matt Mevert
3. 17 Mike Vanderiet Jr
4. 117 Mark Enk
5. 7z Matt Zimmerly
6. 4j Scott Weber
7. D22 Jim Brown
8. C4 Chris Soutiea
9. 35 Mark Stolle
10. 69 Mark Hunter

Heat 3
1. 89 Bobby Bittle
2. 45 Eric Mabery
3. 21j Jeff Vernier
4. 7 Mark Miner
5. 10 Ken Rumble
6. 22 Chucky Milam
7. X49 josh Russell
8. E55 Chad Sellers
9. 8jr Larry Hull Jr
10. 61 Eric Franklin

Heat 4
1. 14 Leroy Haney
2. 31 Ricky Horton
3. 88 Joe Puricelli
4. 98 JD Rottler
5. 8 John Leahy
6. 24 Paul Bauman
7. 11 Derek Shipman
8. 36 Conrad Miner
9. 95 Rick Stevenson

Dash
1. 22 Matt Mevert
2. 16 Rusty Griffaw
3. 17 Brad Thurston
4. 0 Tim Hancock
5. 14 Leroy Haney
6. 17 Mike Vanderiet Jr
7. 89 Bobby Bittle
8. 88 Joe Puricelli
9. 45 Eric Mabery

Semi 1
1. 9w Ricky Horton
2. 10 Ken Rumble
3. E55 Chad Sellers
4. X49 Josh Russell
5. 7z Matt Zimmerly
6. 69 Mark Hunter
7. 22 Chucky Milam
8. 8jr Larry Hull Jr
9. C4 Chris Soutiea DNS
10. 35 Mark Stolle DNS
11. 5w Ralph Wiltrout DNS

Semi 2
1. 9 Ken Schrader
2. 36 Conrad Miner
3. 24 Paul Bauman
4. 95 Rick Stevenson
5. 41 Larry Hull
6. 11 Derek Shipman
7. D22 Jim Brown
8. 12s Mike Stuckey
9. 61 Eric Franklin
10. 4j Scott Weber DNS

Feature
1. 0 Tim Hancock (4)
2. 22 Matt Mevert (1)
3. 16 Rusty Griffaw (2)
4. 89 Bobby Bittle (7)
5. 45 Eric Mabery (9)
6. 1w Ray Walsh (12)
7. 9 Ken Schrader (18)
8. 17 Brad Thurston (3)
9. 14 Leroy Haney (5)
10. 2 Robby Helms (10)
11. 9W Ricky Horton (19)
12. 88 Joe Puricelli (8)
13. 7M Mark Miner (16)
14. 10 Ken Rumble (21)
15. 17V Mike Vanderiet, Jr. (6)
16. 98 J.D. Rottler (11)
17. X49 Josh Russell (24)(alternate)
18. 21J Jeff Vernier (13)
19. 24 Paul Bauman (22)
20. 36 Conrad Miner (20)
21. 8 John Leahy (15)
22. 117 Mark Enk (17)
23. 51 Tim Hill (14)
24. E55 Chad Sellers (23)
*Note: Ricky Horton qualified for the feature in his 31 car through
the heat and was scheduled to start 10th, but changed cars and
requalified for the feature in the 9W car through the semi and started
19th. The outside row from 12th on back was moved up a row and Josh
Russell was added as the final starter.

UMP DIRTcar/AARA Sportsman – 39 Entries
Heat 1
1. 9 Nathan Schmitt
2. 36 Danny Ems
3. 55 Jason Keller
4. 12 Troy Naeger
5. 10 Daryn Klein
6. 23s Brad Smith
7. 105 Matt Hancock
8. 8 Steve Edgecombe
9. 5H Scott Hammack
10. 68 Scott Bourland

Heat 2
1. 62 Troy Medley
2. 11 Jeff Herzog
3. 57 Trey Harris
4. E7 Sam Worley
5. 192 Mark Spraul
6. 29 Nick Todtenhaupt
7. 97 Chris Soutiea
8. 54 David Dunn
9. 15 Matt Brucato
10. 34 Dave Armstrong

Heat 3
1. 18 Buddy Lowery
2. 65 Gary Range
3. 59 Ryan Gegg
4. 69 Derek Bryant
5. 49 Brad Paquet
6. 23 Kevin Mosier
7. 5 Mike McMullin
8. 7s Tom Stone
9. 16 Joe McCain
10. T2 Grant Evans DNS

Heat 4
1. 18 Eddie Lowery
2. 67 Ronnie Bader
3. 66 Sam Lopretta
4. 21 Eric Hogenmiller
5. 99 Chuck Adams
6. 3 Scott Henseler
7. 96 Tim Hollerbach
8. 7t John Tosti
9. 13 Josh Ray

Dash
1. 36 Danny Ems
2. 96 Tim Hollerbach
3. 23 Kevin Mosier
4. 67 Ronnie Bader
5. 55 Jason Keller
6. 49 Brad Paquet
7. 11 Jeff Herzog
8. 12 Troy Naeger
9. 57 Trey Harris

Semi 1
1. 59 Ryan Gegg
2. 69 Derek Bryant
3. 23 Brad Smith
4. 105 Matt Hancock
5. 10 Daryn Klein
6. 65 Gary Range
7. 18 Buddy Lowery
8. 8e Steve Edgecombe
9. 68 Scott Bourland
10. 7s Tom Stone
11. 9 Nathan Schmitt
12. 5 Mike McMullin
13. T2 Grant Evans DNS
14. 5 Scott Hammack DNS

Semi 2
1. 99 Chuck Adams
2. 192 Mark Spraul
3. 21h Eric Hogenmiller
4. 62 Troy Medley
5. 66 Sam Lopretta
6. 15 Matt Brucato
7. 97 Chris Soutiea
8. 7t John Tosti
9. 8 Eddie Lowery
10. 29 Nick Todtenhaupt
11. 54 David Dunn
12. E7 Sam Worley
13. 13 Josh Ray DNS

Feature
1. 11 Jeff Herzog (2)
2. 55 Jason Keller (5)
3. 67 Ronnie Bader (4)
4. 36 Danny Ems (9)
5. 3 Scott Henseler (12)
6. 96 Tim Hollerbach (8)
7. 23 Kevin Mosier (7)
8. 59 Ryan Gegg (13)
9. 99 Chuck Adams (14)
10. 62 Troy Medley (20)
11. 10 Daryn Klein (23)
12. 34 Dave Armstrong (10)
13. 192 Mark Spraul (16)
14. 105 Matt Hancock (19)
15. 65 Gary Range (23)
16. 23S Brad Smith (17)
17. 15B Matt Brucato (24)
18. 57 Trey Harris (6)
19. 12 Troy Naeger (1)
20. 16 Joe McCain (11)
21. 49 Brad Paquet (3)
22. 21 Eric Hogenmiller (18)
23. 66 Sam Lopretta (22)
24. 69 Derek Bryant (15)

UMP DIRTcar/AARA Pro 4 Stocks – 22 Entries
Heat 1
1. 1 Joe Ellison
2. 7 Blake Jost
3. 16 Jacob Buechting
4. 2 Aaron Wood
5. 31 Jimmy McCummiskey
6. 80 Jessica Buechting
7. 42 Charles David
8. 50 Trey Harris

Heat 2
1. 49 Justin McCallister
2. 31 John Francis
3. 51 Ben Cochran
4. 54 Gerald Buechting
5. 1 Billy Cochran
6. 93 Billy Lapaglia
7. 66 Rob Umfleet

Heat 3
1. 10 AJ Kite
2. 21 Tom Rorabacher
3. 667 Jackie Buechting
4. 65 Josh Range
5. 8 Aron Faulkner
6. 18 Dylan Dreimeier
7. 78 Rick Barker

Feature
1. 49 Justin McCallister (2)
2. 16 Jacob Buechting (1)
3. 2 Aaron Wood (19)
4. 42 Charles David (10)
5. 1E Joe Ellison (16)
6. 31F John Francis (14)
7. 50 Trey Harris (13)
8. 8 Aron Faulkner (9)
9. 93 Billy Lapaglia (8)
10. 10 A.J. Kite (21)
11. 31L Jimmy McCummisky (22)
12. 80 Jessica Buechting (4)
13. 18 Dylan Driemeier (18)
14. 66 Rob Umfleet (20)
15. 65 Josh Range (3)
16. 78 Rick Barker (12)
17. 1C Billy Cochran (17)
18. 21 Tom Rorabacher (15)
19. 54 Gerald Buechting (5)
20. 667 Jackie Buechting (6)
21. 51 Ben Cochran (11)
22. 7JR Blake Jost (7)