By Jeff Adams
The 4th Annual “Don Bohlander 50” will be held on Sunday, April 3 at Peoria Speedway. The 50 lap feature for the UMP Late Models will pay $4,000 to-win and $300 to start. The race will benefit Parkinson’s research and will kick off the 2011 season at the high-banked quarter-mile oval.
The race is in honor of Don Bohlander, one of Peoria Speedways’ all-time great drivers, who will be inducted into the Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame at Florence Speedway in Kentucky on August 13. Bohlander was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2001 and the Bohlander family has become passionate about raising money for Parkinson’s research. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system which can result in death and has no known cause.
To date, over $40,000 has been donated by “Team Bohlander” to Bradley University and its team researching the cause and cure of Parkinson’s disease. The effort is completely grass-roots, spearheaded by Bohlanders’ wife Valarie. “We do this all on our own”, said Val Bohlander. “We have contacted the National Parkinson’s research foundation but haven’t gotten any help from them yet.”
The group is seeking lap sponsors for the race at $25 per lap. T-shirt sponsors are also needed for $500, $250, or $100. The team kicks off its’ fundraising efforts on March 19 with “Pasta for Parkinson’s” at Goodfellas Pub and Pizza, 1414 N 8th Street in Pekin, IL. The event kicks off at 3 PM and tickets are available for $6. There will also be an auction and live music. For more information and to donate, fans can call 347-6929
As for the race, several of the top UMP stars are expected, including Jason Feger, Dennis Erb, Brian Shirley, Kevin Weaver and Ryan Unzicker. The race will follow the World of Outlaws Series “Illini 100” at LaSalle Speedway, which pays $20,000 to-win April 2. New Peoria promoter Curt Mottaz is expecting several drivers to make the short drive from LaSalle to Peoria to compete.
The 2010 “Bohlander 50” was a classic and garnered votes for “Race of the Year”. – here is last years report of the race:
FEGER TAKES DRAMATIC “BOHLANDER 57”
(Peoria, IL) On a night where one of Peoria Speedways’ greatest drivers was being honored, one of the tracks native sons took home the win in one of the best races in Peoria Speedway history.
Bloomington driver Jason Feger, who began his career in the Sportsman division at the track, won the “Don Bohlander 57” Saturday night. Feger took the $4000 winners’ share after a race-long war for the lead thrilled the capacity crowd.
Pole sitter Ryan Unzicker jumped to the lead and immediately dove to the bottom groove with Dennis Erb, who started 2nd, in tow. Erb was passed on the high side by Brian Shirley on lap 13 as battles raged all over the track. Unzicker and Shirley would wage a classic high-low battle, swapping the lead 5 times and running side-by-side until lap 37. On lap 37, Unzicker slid off the bottom in turn 2 and slid into the wall, briefly collecting Shirley, who had to check up. The 3rd- running Feger saw the contact and dove to the bottom of the track, passing them both. Unzicker would fight back and take the lead back from Feger on lap 42, with Feger taking the lead for good the next lap.
Tim Lance had hung in the top 5 all night, but made his move late, passing Unzicker on lap 46 to finish 2nd. Kevin Weaver ended up 3rd, with Unzicker 4th and Erb 5th.
“It feels good to get the monkey off my back”, said Feger in victory lane. “Unzicker and Squirrel (Shirley) were having quite a battle there and I just saw an opening and went for it. This is only the second race on this Bob Pierce car, and we set fast time last night and won our heat before we got rained out. I think we have a pretty good car here. It means a lot to me winning this race named after a legend, I remember coming here when I was a kid . That was one heck of a race!”
Jason Wagner captured the UMP Modified feature when race-long leader Erik Bruce jumped the cushion in turn 4 with 5 laps to go. Bob Simpson took the Street Stock feature, with Scott Van Oppen winning the Hornet feature.
OFFICIAL FINISH
“Don Bohlander 57” Peoria Speedway, Peoria, IL
Finish (starting position), number, driver, hometown
1. (5) 25F- Jason Feger, Bloomington, IL
2. (3) 48-Tim Lance, Brimfield, IL
3. (13) B12- Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL
4. (1) 24- Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL
5. (2) 28- Dennis Erb,Jr., Carpentersville, IL
6. (4) 3s- Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL
7. (7) T2- Todd Bennett, Peoria, IL
8. (12) 25- Steve Lance, Jr., Cuba, IL
9 (10) 35- Derek Chandler, Pontiac, IL
10(18) 1M- Mike Mataragas, DeKalb, IL
11 (17) 21B- Richie Bell, Sheffield, IL
12 (14) 1w- Donnie Walden, Towanda, IL
13. (20) 14- Kerry Matthews, Rensselear, IN
14. (6) 11- Steve Dimmick, Joliet, IL
15. (19) 75- Brian Harris, Davenport, IA
16. (11) Z- Joe Harlan, Flanagan, IL
17. (15) 40-Charley Hess, Bartonville, IL
18. (8) 18-Shannon Babb, Mowequa, IL
19. (9) B1- Jeff Larson, Freeport, IL
20. (16) 7-Jay Sparks, Metamora, IL