Spatola Nets Natural Hat Trick With Sunoco ALMS Tour Triumph
KANKAKEE, IL (May 20, 2011) To say Manhattan’s Mike “Opie” Spatola is on a bit of a roll at Kankakee County Speedway would be an understatement. The 20-year-old former modified ace, who captured six wins in 2010, has reeled off three straight in the Late Model division at the 1/3-mile high-banked clay oval. In fact, no rookie in the track’s rich 61 year history has ever won three consecutive races to start a season. Furthermore, Spatola has not only scored the Kankakee hat-trick, but also netted his fourth victory in just ten starts. Dare I say, we’re talking Scott Bloomquist type numbers. While Spatola’s first two wins at Kankakee came during weekly shows, Spatola showed race fans and competitors alike that this cat is for real. The win was Spatola’s first on the Sunoco ALMS tour and comes on the heels of a big win at the Player Hater 50 held at Winston Speedway a month ago.
When the green flag fell, Ottawa’s Mike Provenzano assumed command from his pole position over front row mate Jon Henry of Ada, OH, making his first ever visit to Kankakee County Speedway. Provenzano would lead the first 15 circuits of the 40-lap main event, which drew 36 cars from six states and the Province of Ontario, Canada. Henry meanwhile, held the second spot for the first nine laps before giving way to Spatola, who started seventh on the grid after the redraw. Spatola vaulted into fifth on the opening lap and ran there for the first three trips around before steadily climbing his way to the top spot on lap 16. With Spatola now comfortably out front, both Alan Vochaska and JR Hotovy, a pair of Hartford (MI) Speedway regulars brought out cautions on laps 17 and 19, respectively. Spatola once again had a clean track out in front of him, with a pack of hungry drivers right on his tail. On lap 24, defending UMP National Champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, MI took over the runner-up spot and began to apply the pressure on Spatola using the high side of the race track. Following one final caution on lap 30, the duo went side by side over the final 10 laps, swapping the lead several times over the final six laps. Schlenk’s tires would go away just enough to allow Spatola to claim the win, while Provenzano, who has been so close to victory recently that he can almost taste it, settled for a great third place showing followed by Henry, and Dillan White of Crofton, KY. The race was slowed by four cautions.
Jeep Van Wormer, Curtis Roberts, Henry, and Bret Sievert won preliminary heat races, while JR Hotovy and Aaron Ricketts captured B Main’s. Tonica’s Scott Schmitt was again fast qualifier with a time of 14.879. Britton, MI driver Devin Shiels, also making his debut appearance at Kankakee, was the Hard Charger of the race improving 10 spots to finish 12th.
Spatola’s Pierce Race Car has a Rhyne Competition Engine and sponsorship from Chicago Heights U-Pull-It, Pic-A-Part, Big Daddy Scrap and Modern Carriage Werks. … The track’s Late Model division is sponsored by Court Street Ford. … Spatola leads the division’s points over Mike Provenzano. … Devin Shiels of Britton, Mich., was the event’s hard charger, improving from 22nd to 12th. … Twenty of 25 starters were running at the finish. … Spatola is the third consecutive first-time winner on the series; Brian Shirley and Ryan Unzicker ended last season as back-to-back first-time series winners. … Among drivers failing to make Friday’s main event: Steve Sheppard Jr., Andrew Reaume, Jay Morris, Steve Thorsten and Keith Piano.
In UMP Modified action, Vince Cooper of Morris, IL made his season debut a memorable one, as he overpowered last week’s winner Jamie Lomax of Lake Village, IN, to record his elusive first career feature triumph at Kankakee. Cooper, who boasts several track championships around the area, had never been able to seal the deal until Friday night, when he powered by the outside of Lomax with five laps to go. Lomax settled for second followed by early race leader and pole sitter Kevin Hastings of Kankakee, Nick Allen of Wheatfield, IN, and defending track champion Jim Farris of Odell, IL. Hastings led the opening ten laps of the 20-lap contest, until Lomax motored by underneath Hastings following a lap 11 restart. With the win, Cooper made good on a half-joking proclamation he made earlier in the day on the social network site Facebook. “I just figured if the world was going to end tomorrow (referring to the Biblical Rapture predicted for Saturday), that I might as well go ahead and win the feature at Kankakee. Thank God, the rest of his prediction didn’t pan out as told.
Heat races were won by Cooper, Hastings, Farris, and lomax, while Mike Sullivan and Steven Brooks claimed last chance consolation races. Brooks was the events hard charger, improving 11 positions to record a seventh place showing.
Andrew Funk of Dwight, IL claimed the 15-lap UMP Stock Car feature event by besting eighth starting David Billingsley, 11th starting Justin Witthoft, 10th starting Lee J. Hall, and pole sitter Joe Hillman. Hillman, who was hoping to end his night celebrating his birthday in victory lane, would lead the first handful of laps before giving way to Funk’s charge from the third spot. The win was the first for Funk since capturing last year’s $2,000 to win Earl J. Hubert Memorial.
Noticeably absent were his brother Joel Funk, and step dad Rick Thomas, both having captured the UMP National title the past two years, with Joel the defending national titlist.
Hillman, Cody Gibson, and Funk all earned heat race checkers, while Ron Wilkes of Cedar Lake, IN claiming the consi.
Chicago’s Jesse Gaylord outran Jessica Summar, to score the 15-lap UMP Sport Compact feature. Jerry Legner finished third ahead of Joe Tsilis and Shannon Mudro. Last week’s winner Tsilis was placed at the back of the grid and still maneuvered his way up 15 positions to claim the fourth spot.
Friday, May 27th, Kankakee County Speedway presents Kankakee Food Pantry Night with a full program of racing including UMP sanctioned Late
Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Compacts, and I-Mods.
Race fans are encouraged to save $2 on Adult admission by donating any two non-perishable food items.
Items collected will serve to benefit local food pantries throughout Kankakee County.
Adult admission is $12, Kids 11-16 $6, 10 and Under FREE. Pit admission is $25.
Pit Gates open at 4pm, Main Gates at 5pm, Hot laps at 6pm, Qualifying at 630pm, and Racing at 730pm SHARP!
Kankakee County Speedway is conveniently located one mile south of Interstate 57 at Exit 308, at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds.
For more information, check us out online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com
Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compacts (19 cars)
Heat 1 (All transfer) 9
1. 00 Skylar Antonelli
2. 98 Jerry Legner
3. 812 Dennis Polak
4. 28K Jason Kemp
5. 66 Shannon Mudro
6. 2 Joe Tsilis
7. 48 Tim Cronin
8. B9Jr Breanne Brown
9. 07 Brian Bennett
Heat 2 (All transfer) 10
1. 77 Jesse Gaylord
2. 95 Dave Polak Jr.
3. 37 Scott Cupples
4. 42JR Jessica Summar
5. 10 Mike Grabe
6. x3 Ben Kirchner
7. 1 Robert Naese
8. 9 Chris Schmink
9. 15 Austin Wilkerson
10. 18 Scott Russo
Feature (15-laps, $100 to win)
1. 77 Jesse Gaylord (2)
2. 42JR Jessica Summar (8)
3. 98 Jerry Legner (3)
4. 2 Joe Tsilis (19)
5. 66 Shannon Mudro (9)
6. 95 Dave Polak Jr. (4)
7. x3 Ben Kirchner (12)
8. 9 Chris Schmink (16)
9. 18 Scott Russo (18)
10. 10 Mike Grabe (10)
11. 1 Robert Naese (14)
12. 812 Dennis Polak (5)
13. 15 Austin Wilkerson (17)
14. 07 Brian Bennett (15)
15. 00 Skylar Antonelli (1)
16. 37 Scott Cupples (6)
17. 28K Jason Kemp (7)
18. B9Jr Breanne Brown (13)
19. 48 Tim Cronin (11) DNS
Hard Charger – 2 Joe Tsilis +15
Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds (36 cars)
Heat 1 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 70 Vince Cooper 1
2. 21A Nick Allen 5
3. 21 Derek Bunning 9
4. 25P Dave Porth 13
5. 141 Mike Sullivan
6. 35 Jason Hastings
7. 23B Eric Boudreau
8. 88D Jordan Danford
9. 5 Mike Todd
Heat 2 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 36 Kevin Hastings
2. 21 Jr Justin McCoy
3. 0 Travis Kohler
4. 10 Shawn Scripter
5. 22N Lake Nichoalds
6. 17 Darrin Kohler
7. 7 Jason Klopp
8.57 Mark Grosvenor
9. 12x Tom Pasek
Heat 3 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 69 Jim Farris
2. 66 Phil Line
3. 7 Brad DeYoung
4. 28M Frank Marshall
5. 48x Kurt Allison
6. 06 Ryan Kortge
7. 49 Brian Ruhlman
8. 45 Loren Grosvenor
9. 27 Matt Laffoon
Heat 4 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 36L Jamie Lomax
2. 130 Chad Osterhoff
3. 67 Chris Gaither
4. 14 Adam Williams
5. 05 Steven Brooks
6. 31 Tom Bell
7. 27 Bob Pohlman Jr.
8. 48 Adam Pockrus
9. 22K Bobby Keller
Consi #1 (Top 2 transfer)
1. 141 Mike Sullivan
2. 48 Kurt Allison
3. 35 Jason Hastings
4. 06 Ryan Kortge
5. 88D Jordan Danford
6. 5T Mike Todd
7. 45 Loren Grosvenor
8. 49 Brian Ruhlman
9. 23B Eric Boudreau
10.
Consi #2 (Top 2 transfer)
1. 05 Steven Brooks
2. 27 Bob Pohlman
3. V17 Darrin Kohler
4. 22N Lake Nichoalds
5. 22K Bobby Keller
6. 48 Adam Pockrus
7. 12X Tom Pasek
8. 7 Brad DeYoung
9. 57 Mark Grosvenor
10. 31 Tom Bell DNF
Feature (20-laps, $600 to win)
1. 70 Vince Cooper
2. 36L Jamie Lomax
3. 36 Kevin Hastings
4. 21A Nick Allen
5. 69 Jim Farris
6. 130 Chad Osterhoff
7. 05 Steven Brooks
8. 66 Phil Line
9. 0 Travis Kohler
10. 7 Brad DeYoung
11. 25P Dave Porth
12. 21 Derek Bunning
13. 27P Bob Pohlman
14. 48x Kurt Allison
15. 10 Shawn Scripter
16. 141 Mike Sullivan
17. 14 Adam Williams
18. 67 Chris Gaither
19. 28m Frank Marshall
20. 21JR Justin McCoy
Hard Charger – 05 Steven Brooks +10
Court Street Ford UMP Late Models (36 cars)
Heat 1 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 55 Jeep Van Wormer
2. 54 Dillan White
3. 34 Alan Vochaska
4. V77 Guy Volk
5. 21 Keith Piano
6. 13 JR Hotovy
7. 27 Brian Rickey
8. 111 Randy Manos
9. 51 Devin Shiels
Heat 2 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 9R Curtis Roberts
2. 89 Mike Spatola
3. 29 Sammy Epling
4. 49 Brian Ruhlman
5. 95 Aaron Ricketts
6. 42A Shawn Toczek
7. 14 Glen Thompson
8. 16 Cody Morales
9. 5S Steve Sheppard DNF
Heat 3 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 15 Jon Henry
2. M27 Mike Provenzano
3. 10s Scott Schmitt
4. 21B Rich Bell
5. 88 Andrew Reaume
6. 1 Casey Noonan
7. 7T Steve Thorsten
8. 77M Jay Morris DNF
9. 14 Kerry Mathew DNF
Heat 4 (Top 4 transfer) 9
1. 5 Bret Sievert
2. 91 Rusty Schlenk
3. 11 Steve Dimmick
4. 23v Ryan Vanderveen
5. 15 Phil Ausra
6. 116 Torin Mettile
7. 10H Don Hilleary
8. 05 Gary Schalmo
9. 1 Doug Zartler
B Main #1 (Top transfer) 8
1. 13 JR Hotovy
2. 1 Casey Noonan
3. 88 Andrew Reaume
4. 7T Steve Thorsten
5. 27 Brian Rickey
6. 51 Devin Shiels
7. 111 Randy Manos Jr.
8. 14m Kerry Mathew
9. 21 Keith Piano DNS
10. 77M Jay Morris DNS
B Main #2 (Top transfer) 9
1. 95 Aaron Ricketts
2. 14 Glen Thompson
3. 05 Gary Schalmo
4. 15 Phil Ausra
5. 10H Don Hilleary
6. 116 Torin Mettile
7. 1 Doug Zartler
8. 16 Cody Morales
9. 42A Shawn Toczek
10. 5S Steve Sheppard DNS
Feature (40-laps, $2,000 to win)
1. 89 Mike Spatola
2. 91 Rusty Schlenk
3. M27 Mike Provenzano (2)
4. 15 Jon Henry (1)
5. 54 Dillan White
6. 5 Bret Sievert
7. 10 Scott Schmitt (11)
8. 49 Brian Ruhlman (14)
9. 29 Sammy Epling (10)
10. 1 Casey Noonan (19)
11. 55 Jeep Van Wormer
12. 51 Devin Shiels (22)
13. 21B Rich Bell (15)
14. 42A Shawn Toczek (23)
15. 13 JR Hotovy (17)
16. 95 Aaron Ricketts (18)
17. 15 Phil Ausra (21)
18. 9R Curtis Roberts
19. 111 Randy Manos Jr. (25)
20. 14 Glen Thompson (20)
21. 11 Steve Dimmick DNF (12)
22. V77 Guy Volk DNF (13)
23. 34 Alan Vochaska DNF (9)
24. 14 Kerry Mathew DNF (24)
25. 23v Ryan Vanderveen DNF (16)
Hard Charger – 51 Devin Shiels +10
Provisional Starters – Track – Shawn Toczek, Kerry Mathew, Randy Manos Jr., ALMS – Phil Ausra, Devin Shiels
Late Model Qualifying (1-lap)
1. 111 Randy Manos – 15.518
2. 34 Alan Vochaska – 15.116
3. V77 Guy Volk – 15.613
4. 54 Dillan White – 14.886 #1
5. 55 Jeep Van Wormer – 14.956
6. 13 JR Hotovy – 15.405
7. 21 Keith Piano – 15.366
8. 27 Brian Rickey – 15.354
9. 51 Devin Shiels – 15.460
10. 29 Sammy Epling – 15.689
11. 49 Brian Ruhlman – 15.199
12. 5S Steve Sheppard – 15.348
13. 14 Glen Thompson – 15.824
14. 16 Cody Morales – 17.186
15. 9R Curtis Roberts – 15.188
16. 89 Mike Spatola III – 14.946 #1
17. 95 Aaron Ricketts – 17.210
18. 42A Shawn Toczek – 15.619
19. 1 Casey Noonan – 15.814
20. 10s Scott Schmitt – 14.879 #1
21. 7T Steve Thorsten – 16.338
22. 77M Jay Morris – 15.047
23. 14 Kerry Mathew – 15.799
24. 21B Rich Bell – 15.548
25. M27 Mike Provenzano – 15.400
26. 88 Andrew Reaume – 15.585
27. 15 Jon Henry – 15.455
28. 15 Phil Ausra – 15.878
29. 5 Bret Sievert – 15.345 #1
30. 116 Torin Mettile – 15.884
31. 10H Don Hilleary – 15.872
32. 11 Steve Dimmick – 15.520
33. 1 Doug Zartler – 16.832
34. 05 Gary Schalmo – 15.974
35. 23v Ryan Vanderveen – 15.571
36. 91 Rusty Schlenk – 15.417
Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars (30 cars)
Heat 1 (Top 6 transfer) 10
1. 01 Joe Hillman
2. 10 Lon Franks
3. 3 Alex Clubb
4. V37 Lee J. Hall
5. B9 Joe Brown
6. 68 J Thompson
7. 70B Ken Bushey
8. 21N Justin Nelson
9. L3 Kevin Lenzen
10. 1 Shaun Wiltjer DQ
Heat 2 (Top 6 transfer) 10
1. 21G Cody Gibson
2. 16 Robert Turner
3. 18 Davis Billingsley
4. 74 Justin Witthoft
5. 1W Brian Wirtz
6. 70H Wayne Huffman
7. 75 Matt Cleary
8. H23 Tony Hemp
9. 63 Joe Malone
10. 18K Benny McKown
Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer) 10
1. 23A Andrew Funk
2. V27 Don Hilleary
3. 8 David Hurst
4. 12 Bill Stevenson
5. 99 Nate Payton
6. 92 Jeff Riley
7. 03F Ron Wilkes
8. 6 Jay Hamilton
9. 11JR Danny Komisarcik Jr.
10. 7 Joe Steurer
Consi (Top 2 transfer)
1. 03F Ron Wilkes
2. L3 Kevin Lenzen
3. 6 Jay Hamilton
4. 75 Matt Cleary
5. 1 Shaun Wiltjer
6. 63 Joe Malone
7. 21N Justin Nelson
8. 18 Benny McKown
9. 11JR Danny Komisarcik Jr.
10. 7 Joe Steurer
11. H23 Tony Hemp DNF
12. 70B Ken Bushey DNF
Feature (20-laps, $300 to win)
1. 23A Andrew Funk (3)
2. 18 David Billingsley (8)
3. 74 Justin Witthoft (11)
4. V37 Lee J. Hall (10)
5. 01 Joe Hillman (1)
6. 3 Alex Clubb (7)
7. 16 Robert Turner (5)
8. 1W Brian Wirtz (14)
9. 21G Cody Gibson (2)
10. 03F Ron Wilkes (19)
11. L3 Kevin Lenzen (20)
12. 70H Wayne Huffman (17)
13. 99 Nate Payton (15)
14. 12 Bill Stevenson DNF (12)
15. 8 David Hurst DNF (9)
16. 92 Jeff Riley DNF (18)
17. V27 Don Hilleary DNF (6)
18. 68 J Thompson DNF (16)
19. 10 Lon Franks DNF (4)
20. B9 Joe Brown DNF (13)
Hard Charger – 03F Ron Wilkes +9