At Kankakee, Blondes Have More Fun… Farris, Zimmer, Clubb All Roll To Victories

Despite mother natures’ best efforts throughout the week, and overcast skies most of the day Friday. Track conditions couldn’t have been better. In fact, the track was perhaps the best it has been been all season long and that was welcome news for the visiting IRA sprints, who were 31 teams strong in the pits ready to do battle for the $2,200 top prize and a purse of over $13,000.

The opening feature saw Nick Clubb of Morris, IL, find his way to victory lane over Dave Polak Jr. of Tinley Park. Polak, who scored the win several weeks ago when the UMP Sport Compacts last ran, had to start at the tail and make his way forward. Jason “Budda” Kemp grabbed a season best third place finish just ahead of current point leader Joe Tsilis of Peotone, and Scott Cupples of Wilmington.

Jessica Summar of Gary, IN and Clubb captured heat race honors among the 19 competitors on hand.

The visiting IRA 410 Outlaw Winged Sprints arrived at the speedway early, and they just kept coming from five states (IL, WI, MO, IA, MI) and one by way of Australia, and they did not disappoint the modest crowd of just over 700 in attendance. Chad Blonde of Litchfield, MI scored an unbelievable come from behind victory as he used a “slide job” pass in heavy traffic in the final corner to turn back last year’s winner Jerrod Hull of Sikeston, MO. Hull, the night’s fast qualifier at 12.308 seconds (nearly two full seconds faster than the best late model time this season) took command from early race leader and outside pole-sitter Terry “T-Mac” McCarl of Altoona, IA by lap ten of the 30-lap affair. Bill Balog of Eau Claire, WI, came into the night looking to extend his win streak to six, but he was involved in an early race tangle on the opening lap in turn two that would see him have to go to the tail of the field. From there, all eyes were on Balog, as it wasn’t a question of if he could get to the front, but when? Blonde however, was seemingly going unnoticed, as he rose into contention after starting ninth on the grid. It was quipped by IRA series announcer Ray Underwood, that when the IRA Sprints come to Kankakee, in victory lane, Blondes have more fun.

Blonde’s last lap heroics were set up by a late race caution with several laps to go and if not for lapped traffic, Hull would have scored back to back wins. Finishing third was McCarl, 2007 race winner Mike Reinke was fourth, while Balog settled for fifth. Bill Warren, Lynton Jeffrey, Brian Wagoner, Phillip Mock, and Scott Neitzel rounded out the top ten.

Heat race action saw Jeffrey hold off Hull, AJ Bruns tame Blonde, and Balog best Warren, while Mock earned the B Main win over Jim Moughan, Wagoner, Wayne Modjeski, TJ Leudtke, three time Indy 500 starter Donnie Beechler, and local competitor Patrick Haynes of Bradley, IL

In UMP Modified action it was defending champion Jim Farris of Odell, IL, making it two in a row as he led all 20 laps to score the win over 21 other foes. With Farris’s back-to-back wins, he has moved to third in the points standings and has made himself a serious contender once again to repeat as track champion.

Farris took command from his outside pole starting spot at the drop of the green and built up a sizeable lead by the midway point. A caution however, bunched up the field putting newly anointed UMP Modified national point leader Jamie Lomax of Lake Village, IN and last week’s River City Shootout overall champion Dave Porth, hot on his heels for the restart. Farris would maintain the lead position and continue to show the way. Just when it looked like Farris would cruise to victory, another caution with would set up a late race dash. Lomax then looked to the inside of the #69 machine as the two raced side by side down the backstretch, but Farris’s momentum on the high side proved too much to overcome for Lomax who would settle for second. He was followed by Porth, Nick Allen and Kevin Hastings, who waged battle nearly all race long for that fourth position.

Porth, Farris and Hastings were all heat race winners. Jason Hastings made the most of his night as he improved ten positions to finish ninth at the stripe.

The final event of the evening saw UMP National point leader Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, IL, best a field of 27 competitors on the night, to make it a perfect three for three, as he cruised to his third win of the year in three visits. Recent grumblings from other drivers about the Zimmer machine has prompted promoter Tom Smith to call for heavier tech inspections each week. Zimmer’s chassis was teched bumper to bumper after the heat races and nothing was found to be out of compliance with UMP rules and regulations. Zimmer’s car was also teched following his victory behind the main grandstands, and again the car passed Brent Osterhoff’s watchful eye without a glitch. Still, rumors and accusations hover over the Zimmer team, but each time and at each track they attend, nothing is found to be amiss.

Meanwhile, Lee J. Hall of Oxford, IN tried his bet to keep pace with Zimmer. Hall and his wife Felisha, were hoping to celebrate the couples’ 12th wedding anniversary in victory lane, but it wasn’t meant to be on this night. Wilmington’s Joe Brown came home third after being denied all race long by Hall for second. Bill Stevenson made good use of repairs to his motor during the week to record a fourth place finish. He was followed to the line by Ron Wilkes of Cedar Lake, IN, who earned his best finish of the year, in only his third visit this season.

Alex Clubb, Kevin Lenzen, Jay Hamilton, Andrew Funk, and Don Hilleary, rounded out the top ten.

Zimmer, Hall, and Lenzen all captured heat race triumphs, while Clubb was also the night’s hard charger improving six spots from start to finish.

This Friday, July 1st, Court Street Ford presents a 4th of July Fireworks Special featuring the Miller Beer Twin 25’s for Court Street Ford UMP Late Models.

Plus a full program of racing including the Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds, Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars, and the Smith Realty I-Mods.
UMP Sport Compacts are OFF.

Also, you won’t want to miss Scott Holdridge’s Jet Powered Quad as he melts down a couple “fans illegally parked” cars.

Plus a huge fireworks display, once again being produced by 5 Alarm Fireworks.

All this excitement for ONLY $12, Pit admission $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.

FREE Overnight camping is available, or visit the Official Host Hotel of Kankakee County Speedway at America’s Best Inn Suites in Bradley, just off I-57 at Exit 315.

For more detailed information, check us out online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com

Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compacts (19 cars)

Heat 1 (All transfer) 10

1. 42Jr Jessica Summar
2. 28K Jason Kemp
3. 18 Scott Russo
4. 9 Chris Schmink
5. 95 Dave Polak Jr.
6. 6R Brian Walsh
7. 15 Austin Wilkerson
8. 07 Brian Bennett
9. B9 Breanne Brown
10. 1 Robert Naese DNS

Heat 2 (All transfer) 9
1. 86 Nick Clubb
2. 812 Dennis Polak
3. 2 Joe Tsilis
4. 00 Skylar Antonelli
5. 37 Scott Cupples
6. X3 Ben Kirchner
7. 10 Mike Grabe
8. 36 Bill Wasnea
9. 30 Peter Hayes

Feature (15-laps, $100 to win)
1. 86 Nick Clubb (2)
2. 95 Dave Polak Jr. (18)
3. 28K Jason Kemp (3)
4. 2 Joe Tsilis (6)
5. 37 Scott Cupples (10)
6. 812 Dennis Polak (4)
7. 9 Chris Schmink (7)
8. 36 Bill Wasnea (16)
9. X3 Ben Kirchner (12)
10. 10 Mike Grabe (14)
11. B9Jr Breanne Brown (15)
12. 07 Brian Bennett (13)
13. 18 Scott Russo (5)
14. 6R Brian Walsh (9)
15. 15 Austin wilkerson (11)
16. 42Jr Jessica Summar (1)
17. 00 Skylar Antonelli (8)
18. 30 Peter Hayes (17)

Hard Charger – 95 Dave Polak Jr. +16

IRA Sprints (31 cars)

Heat 1 (Top 5 transfer) 11

1. 12 Lynton Jeffrey
2. 12H Jerrod Hull
3. 68 Dave Uttech
4. 10V Matt Vandervere
5. 4B Scott Biertzer
6. 84 Brian Wagoner
7. 11 Mark Brucker
8. 42 Corey Bruns
9. 21X Donnie Beechler DNF
10. 51 Mike Hess DNF
11. 1MX Jim Moughan DNS

Heat 2 (Top 5 transfer) 10
1. 44 AJ Bruns
2. 1R Chad Blonde
3. 2W Scott Neitzel
4. 65 Jordan Goodesberry
5. 02 Mike Reinke
6. 14 Wayne Modjeski
7. 5H Patrick Haynes
8. 14 Joey Moughan
9. 21T TJ Leudtke
10. 41 Michael Decker

Heat 3 (Top 5 transfer) 10
1. 17B Bill Balog
2. 95 Bill Warren
3. 55 Terry McCarl
4. 10S Jeremy Standridge
5. 21J John Haeni
6. 1M Phillip Mock
7. 4K Kris Spitz
8. 9A Andy Hunt
9. 23 Russell Borland
10. 94 Brandon Thone

B Main (Top 7 transfer) 14
1. 1M Phillip Mock
2. 1Mx Jim Moughan
3. 84 Brian Wagoner
4. 14AJ Wayne Modjeski
5. 21T TJ Leudtke
6. 21X Donnie Beechler
7. 5H Patrick Haynes
8. 94 Brandon Thone
9. 11 Mark Brucker
10. 41D Michael Decker
11. 42 Corey Bruns DNF
12. 9A Andy Hunt DNF
13. 23 Russell Borland DNF
14. 4K Kris Spitz DNF
15. 14 Joey Moughan DNS
16. 51 Mike Hess DNS

A Main (30-laps, $2,200 to win)
1. 1R Chad Blonde (9)
2. 12H Jerrod Hull (4)
3. 55 Terry McCarl (2)
4. 02 Mike Reinke (3)
5. 17B Bill Balog (8)
6. 95 Bill Warren (15)
7. 12 Lynton Jeffrey (5)
8. 84 Brian Wagoner (18)
9. 1M Phillip Mock (11)
10. 2W Scott Neitzel (1)
11. 21T TJ Leudtke (20)
12. 14AJ Wayne Modjeski (19)
13. 10S Jeremy Standridge (16)
14. 21X Donnie Beechler (21)
15. 21J John Haeni (10)
16. 5H Patrcik Haynes (22)
17. 4B Scott Biertzer (14)
18. 68 Dave Uttech (7)
19. 10V Matt Vandervere (17)
20. 44 AJ Bruns (6)
21. 1MX Jim Moughan (13)
22. 65 Jordan Goodesberry (12)

Hard Charger – 84 Brian Wagoner +10

IRA Sprints Qualifying (2-laps)

1. 4K Kris Spitz 13.622 – 13.230

2. 95 Bill Warren 13.077 – 12.857
3. 55 Terry McCarl 12.508 – 12.421
4. 1M Phillip Mock 12.755 – 12.825
5. 9A Andy Hunt 13.620 – 13.137
6. 41 Michael Decker 14.237 – 14.647
7. 11 Mark Brucker 14.930 – 14.539
8. 51 Mike Hess 12.745 – 12.434
9. 21J John Haeni 12.778 – 12.485
10. 1Mx Jim Moughan 12.577 – 12.485
11. 12 Jerrod Hull 12.374 – 12.308
12. 5H Patrick Haynes 13.424 – 13.014
13. 1R Chad Blonde 12.797 – 12.494
14. 10S Jeremy Standridge 13.114 – 13.030
15. 21T TJ Leudtke 13.703 – 13.592
16. 2W Scott Neitzel 12.614 – 12.434
17. 14 Wayne Modjeski 13.124 – 13.233
18. 10V Matt Vandervere 13.051 – 13.179
19. 68 Dave Uttech 12.948 – 12.705
20. 4B Scott Biertzer 12.817 – 12.966
21. 94 Brandon Thone 14.304 – No Time
22. 02 Mike Reinke 12.375 – 12.321
23. 12 Lynton Jeffrey 12.929 – 12.869
24. 84 Ben Wagoner 13.299 – 13.141
25. 23 Russell Borland 13.976 – 13.941
26. 17 Bill Balog 12.705 – 12.663
27. 65 Jordan Goldsberry 12.855 – 12.734
28. 14 Joey Moughan 13.228 – 13.176
29. 44 AJ Bruns 13.114 – 12.829
30. 42 Cory Bruns 14.110 – 14.042
31. 21X Donnie Beechler 13.538 – 13.264

Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds (22 cars)

Heat 1 (All transfer) 8

1. 25P Dave Porth
2. 36L Jamie Lomax
3. 21A Nick Allen
4. 48 Adam Pockrus
5. 21Jr Justin McCoy
6. 130 Chad Osterhoff
7. 35 Jason Hastings
8. 24F Chris Arihood

Heat 2 (All transfer) 7
1. 69 Jim Farris
2. 05 Steven Brooks
3. 57 Mark Grosvenor
4. 7 Jason Klopp
5. 10 Shawn Scripter
6. 5J Jeremie Johnson
7. 25 Matt McCarty

Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer) 7
1. 36 Kevin Hastings
2. 14 Adam Williams
3. 12 Tom Pasek
4. 66 Phil Line
5. 20 AJ Dixon
6. 06 Ryan Kortge
7. 70 Vince Cooper DNS

Feature (20-laps, $600 to win)
1. 69 Jim Farris (2)
2. 36L Jamie Lomax (4)
3. 25P Dave Porth (1)
4. 21A Nick Allen (7)
5. 36 Kevin Hastings (3)
6. 05 Steven Brooks (5)
7. 130 Chad Osterhoff (16)
8. 66 Phil Line (12)
9. 35 Jason Hastings (19)
10. 21Jr Justin McCoy (13)
11. 24F Chris Arihood (20)
12. 48 Adam Pockrus (10)
13. 25 Matt McCarty (21)
14. 12x Tom Pasek (9)
15. 10 Shawn Scripter (14) DNF
16. 14 Adam Williams (6) DNF
17. 20 AJ Dixon (15) DNF
18. 70 Vince Cooper (22) DNF
19. 57 Mark Grosvenor (8) DNF
20. 7 Jason Klopp (11) DNF
21. 5J Jeremie Johnson (17) DNF
22. 06 Ryan Kortge (18) DNF

Hard Charger – 35 Jason Hastings +10

Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars (27 cars)

Heat 1 (Top 6 transfer) 9

1. 32 Nate Zimmer
2. 12 Bill Stevenson
3. 92 Jeff Riley
4. 18 David Billingsley
5. 10 Lon Franks
6. 01 Joe Hillman
7. 1W Brian Wirtz
8. 52 Nate Kroll
9. V1 Mitch Steinquist DNS

Heat 2 (Top 6 transfer) 9
1. V37 Lee J. Hall
2. 03F Ron Wilkes
3. 6 Jay Hamilton
4. V27 Don Hilleary
5. 23A Andrew Funk
6. 23T Joel Funk
7. 74 Justin Witthoft
8. 21C Justin Nelson
9. 7 Joe Steurer

Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer) 9
1. L3 Kevin Lenzen
2. B9 Joe Brown
3. 70 Wayne Huffman
4. 3 Alex Clubb
5. 118 Axle Wicker
6. H23 Tony Hemp
7. 21G Cody Gibson
8. 68 J Thompson
9. 96 Joe Malone

Consi (Top 2 transfer)
1. 1W Brian Wirtz
2. 74 Justin Witthoft
3. 21G Mike Stirewalt
4. 21 Justin Nelson
5. 7 Joe Steurer
6. 68 J Thompson
7. V1 Mitch Steinquist
8. 96 Joe Malone
9. 52 Nate Kroll
Feature (15-laps, $300 to win)
1. 32Z Nate Zimmer (1)
2. V37 Lee J. Hall (2)
3. B9 Joe Brown (6)
4. 12 Bill Stevenson (4)
5. 03F Ron Wilkes (5)
6. 3 Alex Clubb (12)
7. L3 Kevin Lenzen (3)
8. 6 Jay Hamilton (8)
9. 23A Andrew Funk (14)
10. V27 Don Hilleary (11)
11. 18 David Billingsley (10)
12. 10 Lon Franks (13)
13. 01 Joe Hillman (16)
14. 118 Axle Wicker (14)
15. 70 Wayne Huffman (8)
16. 1W Brian Wirtz (19)
17. 74 Justin Witthoft (20)
18. 23T Joel Funk (16)
19. H23 Tony Hemp (18)
20. 92 Jeff Riley (7) DNF

Hard Charger – 3 Alex Clubb +6

Paul D. Bayne
Director of Public Relations
Kankakee County Speedway
815-401-5107