By Jay Hardin
Scott Bloomquist became a two-time champion of the 14th annual Best Western-Illinois Fall Nationals at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Sunday by holding off a spirited last lap charge by Rick Eckert to win the 30 mile main event by just a few feet. Bloomquist, the defending World of Ooutlaws Late Model champion had won the event last in
1999 which was also his last appearance on the Springfield Mile. After setting a new 4 lap track record winning the pole dash, the Mooresburg, Tennessee standout proceeded to lead all 30 laps of the main event and collect the $12,000 first prize. Bloomquist also set a 30-mile track record, completing the distance in just over 30 minutes.
Finishing second was York, Pennsylvania driver Rick Eckert. Following Eckert to the stripe were four-time Fall Nationals winner Billy Moyer, rookie standout Josh Richards and Tim McCreadie. McCreadie became a fan favorite when he set fast time on his first appearance at Springfield, then had the time disallowed by officials due to the car not meeting the minimum weight requirement. McCreadie and crew corrected the situation, and he drove from last to second in his heat race but was unable to challenge for the lead in the main event.
Taylorville, Illinois driver Curt Rhodes scored an emotional and crowd pleasing victory when he won the $2,000 to win companion UMP Modified 20-mile feature event. Rhodes, who has been trying to win on one of the dirt miles for several years, started 5th in the feature event and ran in the top five behind early leader Brian Shirley of Chatham, Illinois.
Shirley led from the green flag and looked to be on his way to a 20-mile track record an a win, but the car gave up on lap 16 handing the lead to former Fall Nationals champ Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois. Leka kept the lead until a mechanincal problem caused him to slow on the back stretch on lap 19 and Rhodes sailed by. Quincy's Hank Delonjay claimed second, with Leka third, and the St. Charles, Missouri teammates Gabe Regot and Jim Shereck fourth and fifth respectively.
Complete results for the late models can be found at www.dirtmotorsports.com. Complete results for the modifieds will be available at www.trackenterprises.com.
Scott Bloomquist became a two-time champion of the 14th annual Best Western-Illinois Fall Nationals at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield on Sunday by holding off a spirited last lap charge by Rick Eckert to win the 30 mile main event by just a few feet. Bloomquist, the defending World of Ooutlaws Late Model champion had won the event last in
1999 which was also his last appearance on the Springfield Mile. After setting a new 4 lap track record winning the pole dash, the Mooresburg, Tennessee standout proceeded to lead all 30 laps of the main event and collect the $12,000 first prize. Bloomquist also set a 30-mile track record, completing the distance in just over 30 minutes.
Finishing second was York, Pennsylvania driver Rick Eckert. Following Eckert to the stripe were four-time Fall Nationals winner Billy Moyer, rookie standout Josh Richards and Tim McCreadie. McCreadie became a fan favorite when he set fast time on his first appearance at Springfield, then had the time disallowed by officials due to the car not meeting the minimum weight requirement. McCreadie and crew corrected the situation, and he drove from last to second in his heat race but was unable to challenge for the lead in the main event.
Taylorville, Illinois driver Curt Rhodes scored an emotional and crowd pleasing victory when he won the $2,000 to win companion UMP Modified 20-mile feature event. Rhodes, who has been trying to win on one of the dirt miles for several years, started 5th in the feature event and ran in the top five behind early leader Brian Shirley of Chatham, Illinois.
Shirley led from the green flag and looked to be on his way to a 20-mile track record an a win, but the car gave up on lap 16 handing the lead to former Fall Nationals champ Jeff Leka of Buffalo, Illinois. Leka kept the lead until a mechanincal problem caused him to slow on the back stretch on lap 19 and Rhodes sailed by. Quincy's Hank Delonjay claimed second, with Leka third, and the St. Charles, Missouri teammates Gabe Regot and Jim Shereck fourth and fifth respectively.
Complete results for the late models can be found at www.dirtmotorsports.com. Complete results for the modifieds will be available at www.trackenterprises.com.
