Roger Brickler - Dan Simpson Photos
By: Betty Glynn
La Salle, IL – Jeep Van Wormer is one of those drivers you can never underestimate. He has what it takes to win races and pilot his familiar #55 up the field.
On Sunday night, he did just that at the La Salle Speedway’s final big dollar late model event for 2007.
The Illinois Fall Nationals has been synonymous with the state capitol for the past fifteen years but Sunday night Track Enterprises brought the World of Outlaws Late Model north. The tour thundered into La Salle county nearly 130 miles from its usual home.
The ¼ mile speed arena is a far cry from the Springfield mile located at the Illinois State Fairgrounds but the fierce competition may not have changed much. At the completion one driver staked his claim to the 40 lap feature victory worth an impressive $7,000 payday.
Earlier in the weekend, Jeep lost an uncle and had dedicated the weekend of racing to him. During a post race interview, the loud speaker was breaking up but it was clear to see the emotions were mounting as the soft spoken Michigan racer thanked his family, fans, God and dedicated the race to him.
Out of the thirty eight entries for the Late Model special event, only twenty four grid positions were available for the main.
Racing the way in was not as easy as most had hoped.
Jeep Van Wormer - Chub Frank -- Dan Simpson Photo
To kick off the night, the competition traveled two laps for their quickest times. Next, four heat races decided the top sixteen main starters. The transfer of three cars from two “B” Main races and two provisional drivers capped the field at twenty four.
When the grid was posted, it was the current UMP national points leader Wes Steidinger on the pole next to Matt Miller. Van Wormer rolled into the second row inside of Steve Francis.
Miller shot to an impressive start but the caution was signaled with a mere one lap scored. By the time the leaders were finishing the second lap out, it was all about Jeep. He was a man on a mission and never looked back.
Taking nearly twenty minutes to record ten laps seemed a bit much but when the racing laps were green early in the event it was a display of talent.
After caution on Lap 10, Van Wormer led Francis, Miller, Jimmy Mars, and Darrell Lanigan. Five laps later, the third place runner Miller hit hard into an infield tire succumbing to front end damage. The tires were repositioned farther onto the racing surface taking away the lowest line of the racing surface and a few more competitive machines.
Van Wormer distanced himself from time to time but Lannigan, Tim Fuller and Francis were in hot pursuit.
During Lap 22, Dennis Erb Jr. was full throttle charging around Chub Frank for fourth. His fourteenth starting spot was only a minor obstacle as he piloted his way into the front. Just after Erb’s move, a yellow flag was thrown for Steidinger ending his run and sending him back behind Frank for the restart.
Ironically, Steidinger and Erb are in a down to the finish points battle for the UMP National championship. Going into the La Salle event the two were closer then ever and the outcome of Sunday may have changed the leadership.
After the restart, Frank hammered down hard and tried the outer rim for momentum. Not only did he get the speed he wanted but he put on a show for the spectators. Frank was solo in the line he chose as the highest man on the track. His hustle over the marbles was much different then the lower lines being used by Van Wormer, Lanigan, Francis, Erb and Babb.
At the completion of the forty laps, Van Wormer collected the checkers in front of Lanigan, Frank, Fuller, Francis, Erb, Babb, Shane Clanton, Rick Eckert, Brady Smith, Clint Smith, Mars, Josh Richards, Darren Friedman, Mike Mataragas, Steve Sheppard Jr., and Jason Feger.
Kerry Hansen, Brian Shirley, Steidinger, Roy Mitchell, Miller, Terry Casey and Ryan Dauber did not finish the race.
The first heat race was a showcase of talent when Mars, Chubb, Lanigan, Brady Smith and Babb put on an unbelievable ten lap showing. Mars came out on top over Chubb, Lanigan and Smith.
Miller won heat number two with Shirley, Clint Smith and Erb trailing.
Fuller outdistanced Van Wormer, Richards and Steve Sheppard to capture the third heat.
The fourth and final heat race for the division was one Roger Brickler will not soon forget. Just after the restart of the second lap, Brickler found his ride climbing the front stretch wall and traveling airborne. During the horrific crash, Brickler’s machine was high and nearly above the fencing with the nose pointing straight at the clay surface. When the final rotation ended, the nose to tail distance of his machine was shortened and looked as though the car had been visited by a crushing machine.
Thankfully, the rollcage appeared well built enabling Brickler to walk away.
Once action went back to green, Francis ran high and low until he scored his victory over Steidinger, Terry Casey, and Clanton.
Thirty four UMP Open Wheel Modified’s joined the Late’s for a $2,000 special.
Jeff Leka charged flag to flag from the pole with his only real challenge coming from Kevin Weaver early in the race.
The thirty lap special hosted Jeff Morris as the outside starter ahead of Thad Wilson and Weaver in row two. Kyle Logue and Dave Porth rolled into the third row.
When the flag dropped Morris tried to give Leka a battle but the pole sitter had an unmatched machine.
Leka pulled away making Morris fend off Weaver and Denny Schwartz.
On Lap 14, Weaver managed to reel the leader in and journeyed up to his inside door but Leka shut the door. Weaver realized there wasn’t a chance to pass him on the inside and took to higher ground. Weaver could close the gap but Leka was unstoppable.
At the checkers it was Leka making a visit to victory lane. Weaver finished up the night with a strong runner up finish over Schwartz, Logue, Morris, Wilson, Porth, Vince Cooper, McKay Winger, Gary Cook Jr., Marty Thompson, Mike Spatola, Donovan Lodge, Joel Funk, Jeb Friedman, Kevin Hastings, Jim Phelps, Matt Cleary, Randy Whitten, and AJ Dixon.
Wilson, Morris, Logue and Porth each won their heats.
Next Saturday night will be the final night of action at the speedway for the 2007 season. The Illinois Valley Fall Sprint Classic highlights the venue. The IRA sanctioned Sprints will compete in addition to the UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks and Hornet classes.
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/16/07
World of Outlaw Illinois Fall Nationals
Feature: 1. Jeep Van Womer, 2. Darrell Lanigan, 3. Chub Frank, 4. Tim Fuller, 5. Steve Francis, 6. Dennis Erb Jr., 7. Shannon Babb, 8. Shane Clanton, 9. Rick Eckert, 10. Brady Smith, 11. Clint Smith, 12. Jimmy Mars, 13. Josh Richards, 14. Darren Friedman, 15. Mike Mataragas, 16. Steve Sheppard Jr., 17. Jason Feger, 18. Kerry Hansen - DNF, 19. Brian Shirley - DNF, 20. Wes Steidinger - DNF, 21. Roy Mitchell - DNF, 22. Matt Miller - DNF, 23. Terry Casey - DNF, 24. Ryan Dauber - DNF
UMP Modifieds 34 Cars
Feature: 1. Jeff Leka, 2. Kevin Weaver, 3. Denny Schwartz, 4. Kyle Logue, 5.
Jeff Morris, 6. Thad Wilson, 7. Dave Porth, 8. Vince Cooper, 9. McKay Winger, 10. Gary Cook Jr., 11. Marty Thompson, 12. Mike Spatola, 13. Donovan Lodge, 14. Joel Funk, 15. Jeb Friedman, 16. Kevin Hastings, 17. Jim Phelps, 18. Matt Cleary, 19. Randy Whitten, 20. AJ Dixon
