(Peoria, IL) It was Vintage Racing Night at Peoria Speedway Saturday night as the track honored Peoria area racing legend Herb Shannon with the running of the “Herb Shannon Memorial” race.
Shannon’s grandson Steve Shannon picked up his 2nd win in a row in the Steel Block Late Models, leading flag-to-flag over Jason Wagner, Carl Feger, Robbie Bauman, Jr. and Joey Markle. An emotional victory lane celebration followed with several family members joining Steve in victory lane.
“I could sit here and tell you this is a normal win, but this is special”, Shannon told the crowd. “I really miss my grandpa, and he was riding with us tonight. To share this with our entire family and all of our friends who came here to watch is special.”
Scott Schmitt took the early lead from the pole in the Budweiser UMP Late Model division, but was pressured by Billy Drake following 2 caution periods. Drake began pressuring Schmitt in traffic on lap 12 as the duo swapped lines repeatedly on the racy quarter mile. Schmitt would repeatedly block Drake as Drake would show his nose to Schmitt. On lap 17, Schmitt went high in turn 2 and Drake dove to the bottom, making the pass stick as they raced out of turn 4. Drake would hold on for the win, followed by Schmitt, 10th-starting Jason Jaggers, Todd Bennett, and Richie Bell.
“That was a lot of fun there, racing with Scott. The track was great and you could run anywhere. He was in a bad spot leading, it was almost a disadvantage”, Drake said. “We lost our crew guy Tiny’s mom this week so this win is for her.”
Erik Bruce continued his stranglehold of the DuPont Pioneer UMP Modified division, winning his 6th straight win in a row, leading all 20 laps. Jason Wagner, Dan Dozard, Noah Faw and Derrick Doerr rounded out the top 5.
“We got torn up last night in Lincoln so it feels good to get the win here. Great track, good fans here at Peoria”, Bruce said.
Tim Hamburg came from last place staring position and won the Illinois Vintage Racing Association feature event after battling with his brother Ben in the middle stages of the race. Tim rode his 1971 Chevelle to victory, followed by Justin Rutledge, Ben Hamburg, Pat Heaney, and Ryan Wilson.
“I just wanted to thank all the fans for coming out tonight and supporting us. We really like this track, and we lost a little friend of ours who passed away from cancer this week. This win is for her”, Hamburg said in victory lane.
Barry Sauder took the point lead over in the UMP Street Stocks, winning his 6th straight feature. Sauder went flag-to-flag over Steve Brandt, Jr., Jeff Semmens, Wally Zander and Robert Cottom. “I want to thank my dad, step-mom and crew, along with all the fans. Our goal this year was to win one race and now we have won 7”, Sauder said.
Tyler Etherton won his second straight UMP Hornet feature, leading all 10 laps from his pole position over Tyler Benson, Zach Nimrick, Shane Kelley and Zach Bollinger. “This one is for the fans who support us, we could not race without your support”, Etherton told the crowd.
Action resumes at Peoria Speedway next Saturday, August 31 with Season Championship events for all divisions.