By Betty Glynn
LaSalle,IL – Shannon Babb, a self proclaimed simple man, was nothing of the sort on the highbanks of LaSalle Speedway Saturday night. Hailing out of Moweaque, Illinois the 33 year old Late Model driver hit the track running to collect $10,000 and plenty of notoriety.
With fifty cars in attendance for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout, the pressure to make the feature was high. Not just any fifty Late Model drivers, but the best of the best in dirt track racing. The pit area was filled with high dollar trailers, haulers, race cars and nationally recognized drivers. One of whom is currently celebrating his 40th year of racing. This didn’t keep some of the local talent out of the scene.
To set the ball in action, each driver was given a two lap qualifying run.
Out of the two laps for the fifty qualifiers it was none other then two local boys to capture first and second of the fastest lap times. Both of whom are former divisional track champs. Ryan Dauber, of Tonica, scored the quickest time while last years champ, Tim Hamburg of Dixon, was second.
Three cars from the Heat races automatically earned a top six grid spot. For the nights early races the front row was the preferred seat. Each of the six heat winners came from there. (Five out of the six winners from the outside
front.)
Florida’s Earl Pearson Jr. was unstoppable as he powered his way to the first Heat win with Scott James and Dauber behind. Iowa’s Brian Birkhofer was the last driver to sign in for the nights racing but the first to finish in the second Heat over Freddy Smith and Matt Miller. Third Heat winner, Tim Dohm finished ahead of Damon Eller and Jimmy Mars. Utica’s Tony Izzo Jr.
shot off to a quick lead to capture the fourth Heat ahead of Kevin Weaver and Chub Frank. Bloomington’s Billy Drake flew to the fifth win ahead of Brady Smith and Don O’Neal.
The sixth and final heat held a couple of controversial calls. On the front row sat Bloomington’s Jason Feger and Babb with Darren Miller and Billy Moyer in row two. Just after the green dropped, the yellow was signaled for a bad start. A second start received the same reaction from the Lucas Oil officials. Feger was then moved to inside of row two as Miller was granted the pole.
Just after the green flew again, the yellow light was illuminated quickly and stayed lit for nearly a lap. Some of the drivers slowed their pace but not everyone. Then the green flicked back on. So those who stayed on full power kept their pace those who followed the normal rule did not. At the finish it was Babb over Miller and Moyer.
Two drivers from two B-Mains transferred to the feature. Hamburg generated too much real estate for VanWormer to catch him in the first B-Main. Steve Francis won the second over Dan Schleiper.
The fifty lap main event hosted Babb and Pearson in row one. Next row, Drake and Birkhofer followed up by Dohm and Izzo.
Pearson and Babb quickly set a fast pace for the 24 car field. During the second lap out, Pearson spun in turn one hitting an infield tire. The professional in him showed as he maneuvered his machine back into action and only slipped back in the pack to sixth.
Babb was on fire in the early laps leaving Drake to fend off Birkhofer, Smith and Izzo. A real shootout began during Lap 14 when Birkhofer decided to ride the rails and took his chances on the highest region of the track.
He would grab the lead on the back stretch but Babb was fast off the corners. Lap 17, Birkhofer takes the lead but Babb quickly got back to the helm.
Five laps later, Drake and Birkhofer were in a serious battle for the runner up spot. Drake got it but not without a fight. A caution for Freddy Smith, a 40 year veteran racer, slowed the action down as he returned to the pits to change a flat right front tire. Before the 21 remaining competitors could go green, Brady Smith lost a rear tire as it rolled off without him.
On Lap 31, Scott James spun. This restart like the rest to come was not helpful to anyone but Babb as he had become good at creating better starts for himself. He would slow before taking off enough to force the rest of the pack close together then give himself a great jump.
Babb and Drake dueled back and forth for the lead with Pearson now in the hunt. With ten laps remaining it was now Frank working the outer rough cushion charging as hard as he could up high. He was flying and in third when he created a three wide combat with Pearson and Drake. Another caution ended their fierce conflict.
With eight laps yet to be scored, the field assembled in double file fashion behind Babb. The double file was Drake and Pearson, then Chub and Francis, O’Neal and Miller ahead of Birkhofer and Izzo. Francis started the event in twentieth and had managed to charge all the way into fifth place.
Babb was hot off the blocks from his usual restart style with Drake trailing. The real battle was with the two #1 cars of Pearson and Frank.
At the checkers, Drake took an easy second behind Babb. Frank stole third like a bandit in the night from Pearson at the finish line. Francis ended his incredible run in fifth ahead of O’Neal, Miller, Birkhofer, Weaver, Izzo, Schlieper, Freddy Smith, Moran, Steve Casebolt, Dohm, VanWormer and Brady Smith.
The Open Wheel Modified twenty lap feature was more like a marathon. Getting two laps in the books for the twenty one car field was the biggest challenge of all. The yellow flag flew far more then the green for the first nine laps.
Vince Cooper, last week’s winner, sat on the pole with Derek Line as his front row partner over Milo Veloz and Phil Line. The youngster shot out quick but not solo as Veloz was right with him. By a Lap 7 restart, only fourteen cars were still in action.
As Vince carried the point the entire event, Line and Veloz drove side by side. Line grabbed second during Lap 16 for the final time.
At the finish it was Cooper the17 year old Morris driver entering victory lane for another week. Line took home second over the ten remaining finishers of Veloz, Ray Bollinger, Steve McCarty, Derek Line, Jim Phelps, Joe Adam, Leah Monfries and Mike Lindsey.
Gary Wetsel Jr. won the Hornet division in front of Troy Thompson, Dan Leonard, Timmy Faust, Ryen Johnson, Tony Provenzano Jr., Jon Clubb, Karl Hayes, Asa Robart and John Wagner.
LaSalle Speedway Results
Lucas Oil Late Model:
Qualifying: Ryan Dauber 12.645
Heat One: Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James, Ryan Dauber, Jeep Van Wormer, Denny Eckrich, John Provenzano, Brian Shirley, Eric Dauber, John Clemmons Heat Two: Brian Birkhofer, Freddy Smith, Matt Miller, Tim Hamburg, Corey Conley, Mike Mataragas, Bart Schwartz, Dennis Erb Jr.
Heat Three: Tim Dohm, Damon Eller, Jimmy Mars, Kerry Hansen, Mike Glynn, Steve Casebolt, Jim Mineo Heat Four: Tony Izzo Jr., Kevin Weaver, Chub Frank, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Billy Weistart Jr., Brian Claudnic Heat Five: Billy Drake, Brady Smith, Don O’Neal, Dan Schlieper, Donnie Moran, John Mason, Frank Heckenhast Jr., Scott Schmitt Heat Six: Shannon Babb, Darren Miller, Billy Moyer, Jason Feger, Dave Eckrich, Michael England, Bill Clemmons B Main #1: Tim Hamburg, Jeep VanWormer, Kerry Hansen, Corey Conley, Dennis Erb Jr., John Provenzano, Mike Mataragas, Brian Shirley, Eric Dauber, Jim Mineo, Bart Schwartz, Mike Glynn, John Clemmons, Steve Casebolt, Denny Eckrich B Main #2: Steve Francis, Dan Schlieper, Rick Eckert, Jason Feger, Donnie Moran, John Mason, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dave Eckrich, Michael England, Brian Claudnic, Mike Provenzano, Scott Schmitt, Bill Clemmons, Billy Weistart Jr.
Feature: Shannon Babb, Billy Drake, Chub Frank, Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, Don O’Neal, Darren Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Kevin Weaver, Tony Izzo Jr., Dan Schlieper, Freddy Smith, Donnie Moran, Steve Casebolt, Tim Dohm, Jeep VanWormer, Brady Smith, Damon Eller, Scott James, Ryan Dauber, Tim Hamburg, Matt Miller, Billy Moyer, Jimmy Mars
Modifieds:
Heat One: Derek Line, Vince Cooper, Ben Hamburg, Mike Spatola Heat Two: Mike Veloz, Brian Bushong, Phil Line, Joe Adam
Feature: Vince Cooper, Phile Line, Milo Veloz, Ray Bollinger, Steve McCarty, Derek Line, Jim Phelps, Joe Adam, Leah Monfries, Mike Lindsay, Ron Moms, Bill Satek, Dale Leuth, Mike Spatola, Mark Nobvorolsky, Brian Lucas, James Thompson, Ben Hamburg, Brian Bushong, Matt Weibel, Scott Hauge, Jeremy Colley
Four Cylinders:
Heat One: Karl Hayes, Alex Clubb, Jeff Seitz, Gabe Roncor Heat Two: Ryen Johnson, Dan Leonard, Gary Wetsel, Troy Thompson
Feature: Gary Wetsel, Troy Thompson, Dan Leonard, Timmy Faust, Ryen Johnson, Tony Provenzano Jr., Jon Clubb, Karl Hayes, Asa Robart, Jon Wagner, Alex Clubb, Jeff Seitz, Mike Stewart, Tony Harlacher, Tim Provenzano, Gabe Roncor, Chris Zavada, Jamison Deford
LaSalle,IL – Shannon Babb, a self proclaimed simple man, was nothing of the sort on the highbanks of LaSalle Speedway Saturday night. Hailing out of Moweaque, Illinois the 33 year old Late Model driver hit the track running to collect $10,000 and plenty of notoriety.
With fifty cars in attendance for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout, the pressure to make the feature was high. Not just any fifty Late Model drivers, but the best of the best in dirt track racing. The pit area was filled with high dollar trailers, haulers, race cars and nationally recognized drivers. One of whom is currently celebrating his 40th year of racing. This didn’t keep some of the local talent out of the scene.
To set the ball in action, each driver was given a two lap qualifying run.
Out of the two laps for the fifty qualifiers it was none other then two local boys to capture first and second of the fastest lap times. Both of whom are former divisional track champs. Ryan Dauber, of Tonica, scored the quickest time while last years champ, Tim Hamburg of Dixon, was second.
Three cars from the Heat races automatically earned a top six grid spot. For the nights early races the front row was the preferred seat. Each of the six heat winners came from there. (Five out of the six winners from the outside
front.)
Florida’s Earl Pearson Jr. was unstoppable as he powered his way to the first Heat win with Scott James and Dauber behind. Iowa’s Brian Birkhofer was the last driver to sign in for the nights racing but the first to finish in the second Heat over Freddy Smith and Matt Miller. Third Heat winner, Tim Dohm finished ahead of Damon Eller and Jimmy Mars. Utica’s Tony Izzo Jr.
shot off to a quick lead to capture the fourth Heat ahead of Kevin Weaver and Chub Frank. Bloomington’s Billy Drake flew to the fifth win ahead of Brady Smith and Don O’Neal.
The sixth and final heat held a couple of controversial calls. On the front row sat Bloomington’s Jason Feger and Babb with Darren Miller and Billy Moyer in row two. Just after the green dropped, the yellow was signaled for a bad start. A second start received the same reaction from the Lucas Oil officials. Feger was then moved to inside of row two as Miller was granted the pole.
Just after the green flew again, the yellow light was illuminated quickly and stayed lit for nearly a lap. Some of the drivers slowed their pace but not everyone. Then the green flicked back on. So those who stayed on full power kept their pace those who followed the normal rule did not. At the finish it was Babb over Miller and Moyer.
Two drivers from two B-Mains transferred to the feature. Hamburg generated too much real estate for VanWormer to catch him in the first B-Main. Steve Francis won the second over Dan Schleiper.
The fifty lap main event hosted Babb and Pearson in row one. Next row, Drake and Birkhofer followed up by Dohm and Izzo.
Pearson and Babb quickly set a fast pace for the 24 car field. During the second lap out, Pearson spun in turn one hitting an infield tire. The professional in him showed as he maneuvered his machine back into action and only slipped back in the pack to sixth.
Babb was on fire in the early laps leaving Drake to fend off Birkhofer, Smith and Izzo. A real shootout began during Lap 14 when Birkhofer decided to ride the rails and took his chances on the highest region of the track.
He would grab the lead on the back stretch but Babb was fast off the corners. Lap 17, Birkhofer takes the lead but Babb quickly got back to the helm.
Five laps later, Drake and Birkhofer were in a serious battle for the runner up spot. Drake got it but not without a fight. A caution for Freddy Smith, a 40 year veteran racer, slowed the action down as he returned to the pits to change a flat right front tire. Before the 21 remaining competitors could go green, Brady Smith lost a rear tire as it rolled off without him.
On Lap 31, Scott James spun. This restart like the rest to come was not helpful to anyone but Babb as he had become good at creating better starts for himself. He would slow before taking off enough to force the rest of the pack close together then give himself a great jump.
Babb and Drake dueled back and forth for the lead with Pearson now in the hunt. With ten laps remaining it was now Frank working the outer rough cushion charging as hard as he could up high. He was flying and in third when he created a three wide combat with Pearson and Drake. Another caution ended their fierce conflict.
With eight laps yet to be scored, the field assembled in double file fashion behind Babb. The double file was Drake and Pearson, then Chub and Francis, O’Neal and Miller ahead of Birkhofer and Izzo. Francis started the event in twentieth and had managed to charge all the way into fifth place.
Babb was hot off the blocks from his usual restart style with Drake trailing. The real battle was with the two #1 cars of Pearson and Frank.
At the checkers, Drake took an easy second behind Babb. Frank stole third like a bandit in the night from Pearson at the finish line. Francis ended his incredible run in fifth ahead of O’Neal, Miller, Birkhofer, Weaver, Izzo, Schlieper, Freddy Smith, Moran, Steve Casebolt, Dohm, VanWormer and Brady Smith.
The Open Wheel Modified twenty lap feature was more like a marathon. Getting two laps in the books for the twenty one car field was the biggest challenge of all. The yellow flag flew far more then the green for the first nine laps.
Vince Cooper, last week’s winner, sat on the pole with Derek Line as his front row partner over Milo Veloz and Phil Line. The youngster shot out quick but not solo as Veloz was right with him. By a Lap 7 restart, only fourteen cars were still in action.
As Vince carried the point the entire event, Line and Veloz drove side by side. Line grabbed second during Lap 16 for the final time.
At the finish it was Cooper the17 year old Morris driver entering victory lane for another week. Line took home second over the ten remaining finishers of Veloz, Ray Bollinger, Steve McCarty, Derek Line, Jim Phelps, Joe Adam, Leah Monfries and Mike Lindsey.
Gary Wetsel Jr. won the Hornet division in front of Troy Thompson, Dan Leonard, Timmy Faust, Ryen Johnson, Tony Provenzano Jr., Jon Clubb, Karl Hayes, Asa Robart and John Wagner.
LaSalle Speedway Results
Lucas Oil Late Model:
Qualifying: Ryan Dauber 12.645
Heat One: Earl Pearson Jr., Scott James, Ryan Dauber, Jeep Van Wormer, Denny Eckrich, John Provenzano, Brian Shirley, Eric Dauber, John Clemmons Heat Two: Brian Birkhofer, Freddy Smith, Matt Miller, Tim Hamburg, Corey Conley, Mike Mataragas, Bart Schwartz, Dennis Erb Jr.
Heat Three: Tim Dohm, Damon Eller, Jimmy Mars, Kerry Hansen, Mike Glynn, Steve Casebolt, Jim Mineo Heat Four: Tony Izzo Jr., Kevin Weaver, Chub Frank, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Billy Weistart Jr., Brian Claudnic Heat Five: Billy Drake, Brady Smith, Don O’Neal, Dan Schlieper, Donnie Moran, John Mason, Frank Heckenhast Jr., Scott Schmitt Heat Six: Shannon Babb, Darren Miller, Billy Moyer, Jason Feger, Dave Eckrich, Michael England, Bill Clemmons B Main #1: Tim Hamburg, Jeep VanWormer, Kerry Hansen, Corey Conley, Dennis Erb Jr., John Provenzano, Mike Mataragas, Brian Shirley, Eric Dauber, Jim Mineo, Bart Schwartz, Mike Glynn, John Clemmons, Steve Casebolt, Denny Eckrich B Main #2: Steve Francis, Dan Schlieper, Rick Eckert, Jason Feger, Donnie Moran, John Mason, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Frank Heckenast Jr., Dave Eckrich, Michael England, Brian Claudnic, Mike Provenzano, Scott Schmitt, Bill Clemmons, Billy Weistart Jr.
Feature: Shannon Babb, Billy Drake, Chub Frank, Earl Pearson Jr., Steve Francis, Don O’Neal, Darren Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Kevin Weaver, Tony Izzo Jr., Dan Schlieper, Freddy Smith, Donnie Moran, Steve Casebolt, Tim Dohm, Jeep VanWormer, Brady Smith, Damon Eller, Scott James, Ryan Dauber, Tim Hamburg, Matt Miller, Billy Moyer, Jimmy Mars
Modifieds:
Heat One: Derek Line, Vince Cooper, Ben Hamburg, Mike Spatola Heat Two: Mike Veloz, Brian Bushong, Phil Line, Joe Adam
Feature: Vince Cooper, Phile Line, Milo Veloz, Ray Bollinger, Steve McCarty, Derek Line, Jim Phelps, Joe Adam, Leah Monfries, Mike Lindsay, Ron Moms, Bill Satek, Dale Leuth, Mike Spatola, Mark Nobvorolsky, Brian Lucas, James Thompson, Ben Hamburg, Brian Bushong, Matt Weibel, Scott Hauge, Jeremy Colley
Four Cylinders:
Heat One: Karl Hayes, Alex Clubb, Jeff Seitz, Gabe Roncor Heat Two: Ryen Johnson, Dan Leonard, Gary Wetsel, Troy Thompson
Feature: Gary Wetsel, Troy Thompson, Dan Leonard, Timmy Faust, Ryen Johnson, Tony Provenzano Jr., Jon Clubb, Karl Hayes, Asa Robart, Jon Wagner, Alex Clubb, Jeff Seitz, Mike Stewart, Tony Harlacher, Tim Provenzano, Gabe Roncor, Chris Zavada, Jamison Deford
