By: Betty Glynn
Anytime there is competition, some form of measurement is used to determine success. For many, dirt track racing is not a sport but to the die hard followers it is more then a sport, it is a lifestyle.
No doubt there are differences when compared to complete human powered sporting events but in reality the time, effort, and commitment racers make are no different at all.
To be successful in any sport it takes heart, soul and then some. Now of course, how does one measure success. For dirt track racing, capturing the top evening prize is an obvious way to judge but collectively earning a seasonal title is yet a far more difficult road to reaching success.
The gauge of this achievement, or lack of, always comes down to where the numbers are. Like it or not winning is everything when you’re a competitor.
Consistency is the key to championships.
The measurement of points:
LaSalle Speedway’s system is easy to follow and made available to the public. An allotted number of points are awarded for each event the racers participate in.
To get the drivers started, 15 “show-up” points are distributed to those who sign their cars in.
The Midwestern Late Model and Modified drivers who travel the quickest lap are the recipient of 4 points while second fast time earns 2.
For all divisions, the preliminary heat races are the path to the feature.
Not only does it help determine the main event start but they can collect 8 points for the win. The following three finishers earn 2 points less respectively as they go down the line.
The main event, a.k.a. the Feature race, is the biggest opportunity to stockpile points. The one to capture the checkers first not only collects the trophy and the highest payout but is awarded 30 points for their hard work. Each position following is less 2 points until the eleventh place finisher. Eleventh and below all receive 10.
Summing up the current 2006 chase leaders:
Midwestern Late Models: As it stands, the coveted Midwestern Late Model crown will belong to a racer who has yearned for a championship and always come up short for one reason or another.
Mike Glynn’s K9 machine is a familiar sight on the high banks, in the pit area and victory lane but being runner up to a champ has also been too familiar. Last year, the loss hurt the most when he fell short by eight points for the Late Model title. He took an early season vacation and the last point’s night was rained out. If he wouldn’t have taken the trip the 15 show up points alone would have raised him into a bracket he has never been in, the champion.
For the 2006 racing season, this veteran racer has finally lifted the proverbial monkey-off-his-back and earned his place in the LaSalle Speedway record books.
“If you show up every night and put in as much effort as all of us do you want the title,” Glynn said. “There are a number of guys out here who could win it and even more that deserve it.”
No matter the class, seeing your name at the top is not only self gratifying but also an incredible accomplishment for the racer, crew, sponsors and fans in every division. Racing involves more then talent and equipment it is takes incredible support and some luck as well.
“I’m lucky, we have a great crew, a lot of friends we have fun racing with and sponsors I couldn’t do without.”
The racer second in points is Ralph Markham. He hasn’t had the luck for the championship either just yet. Hopefully, it won’t take him as many years of racing as Glynn.
His day is definitely coming though as this driver is always full throttle no matter the event.
Markham has been a regular at LaSalle for about five seasons in the Midwestern Late Model division. Nearly all have ended with him as the runner up finisher. A position not to be ashamed of, but like any competitor he stills wants more.
“I think I have been second every year but one,” Markham said during a recent phone interview. “And that year I think I finished third by only one point. Something always seems to happen.”
His current deficit of 98 points to Glynn is impossible to make up with one race left. Now it is just holding onto second that has become a challenge for the Maple Park driver.
He has had two bizarre circumstances during this final stretch.
With three chase races left, Markham had earned the pole position when a rock flew off the fan and into his radiator during the slow paced line up laps.
This past race, his tire rolled off the car at the start of the main show.
Things looked bleak for the points run but luck was on Markham’s side in a strange sort of way. The two drivers who were trailing him by fourteen points also fell on unusually hard times in a freak incident.
Eric Dauber, the two time reigning champ, and Darin Furar were tied for third going into the evening. After Markham broke, it was their chance to take over the second place in points.
Ironically, Dauber lost a driveshaft on the track and Furar ran over it a couple of laps later at full speed. Both were out of contention by the fourteenth lap. Dauber collected the same number of points as Markham for the feature but won his heat. By his preliminary win he inched closer to pose a threat. What a twist of fate for the Midwestern challenge for second.
“I am really lucky that I’m even still in contention for second,” Markham acknowledged about the strange night. “Now I have three DNF’s so far.”
Currently, Dauber trails by only 8 points with Furar 4 points behind him. If one of the two would have finished up front last Saturday, and both were running there, they could have lessened the pressure and easily stole the spot away.
It just goes to show how any of the divisional chasers can make or break their finish in the standings with a bad night.
Open Wheel Modifieds: These cars returned this season with their last regular appearance in 1997. The young standout in the class was only nine years old when the last Modified champ was crowned and now he will be champion following a stellar season.
Vince Cooper may only be seventeen but this kid comes from a racing past and family. He can win races and obviously championships. He started mounting points when won everything raced early in the season. His smooth driving style and smart moves have earned him the place he is at now.
He has been in the lead since the beginning. Presently, he holds first by an
88 points lead over Ray Bollinger. The closest race in their chase is between Dale Lueth and Derek Line for third. A mere one point separates them going into the final night.
Before last Saturday, Line was in second but Lueth just barely edged his way past him with his third place finish and heat race victory. This Saturday will be a showdown to decide third.
Street Stock’s: Ed Williams Jr. is currently on top of the Street Stock’s chase by 57 points. If he shows up for the final points racing action he too will automatically claim the title.
Leon Cade holds the second place on the roster but word has it that his favored #911 car is sold and he may not be racing the remainder of the season.
Jake Cholke trails in third by 17 points over Rick Koltveit. Anticipation abounds to see if Cade will grace the oval to try to firm up the runner up slot.
4-Cylinder Hornets: Going into the final night of competition Alex Clubb is perched at the peak of the Hornet class. His 40 point advantage over Dan Leonard would make it impossible to loose out if he signs in for the night.
The two are way out front while third and fourth have 18 points dividing them.
John Clubb is in third over Jon Small.
The complete current standings are available on www.lasallespeedway.com.
The pressure of the points chase is almost over. Saturday night will be filled with anticipation, hopefulness and disappointment for some but just the points are closing. Three more races will still be on the schedule.
Qualifying begins at 6:30pm with racing at 7:30pm.
Anytime there is competition, some form of measurement is used to determine success. For many, dirt track racing is not a sport but to the die hard followers it is more then a sport, it is a lifestyle.
No doubt there are differences when compared to complete human powered sporting events but in reality the time, effort, and commitment racers make are no different at all.
To be successful in any sport it takes heart, soul and then some. Now of course, how does one measure success. For dirt track racing, capturing the top evening prize is an obvious way to judge but collectively earning a seasonal title is yet a far more difficult road to reaching success.
The gauge of this achievement, or lack of, always comes down to where the numbers are. Like it or not winning is everything when you’re a competitor.
Consistency is the key to championships.
The measurement of points:
LaSalle Speedway’s system is easy to follow and made available to the public. An allotted number of points are awarded for each event the racers participate in.
To get the drivers started, 15 “show-up” points are distributed to those who sign their cars in.
The Midwestern Late Model and Modified drivers who travel the quickest lap are the recipient of 4 points while second fast time earns 2.
For all divisions, the preliminary heat races are the path to the feature.
Not only does it help determine the main event start but they can collect 8 points for the win. The following three finishers earn 2 points less respectively as they go down the line.
The main event, a.k.a. the Feature race, is the biggest opportunity to stockpile points. The one to capture the checkers first not only collects the trophy and the highest payout but is awarded 30 points for their hard work. Each position following is less 2 points until the eleventh place finisher. Eleventh and below all receive 10.
Summing up the current 2006 chase leaders:
Midwestern Late Models: As it stands, the coveted Midwestern Late Model crown will belong to a racer who has yearned for a championship and always come up short for one reason or another.
Mike Glynn’s K9 machine is a familiar sight on the high banks, in the pit area and victory lane but being runner up to a champ has also been too familiar. Last year, the loss hurt the most when he fell short by eight points for the Late Model title. He took an early season vacation and the last point’s night was rained out. If he wouldn’t have taken the trip the 15 show up points alone would have raised him into a bracket he has never been in, the champion.
For the 2006 racing season, this veteran racer has finally lifted the proverbial monkey-off-his-back and earned his place in the LaSalle Speedway record books.
“If you show up every night and put in as much effort as all of us do you want the title,” Glynn said. “There are a number of guys out here who could win it and even more that deserve it.”
No matter the class, seeing your name at the top is not only self gratifying but also an incredible accomplishment for the racer, crew, sponsors and fans in every division. Racing involves more then talent and equipment it is takes incredible support and some luck as well.
“I’m lucky, we have a great crew, a lot of friends we have fun racing with and sponsors I couldn’t do without.”
The racer second in points is Ralph Markham. He hasn’t had the luck for the championship either just yet. Hopefully, it won’t take him as many years of racing as Glynn.
His day is definitely coming though as this driver is always full throttle no matter the event.
Markham has been a regular at LaSalle for about five seasons in the Midwestern Late Model division. Nearly all have ended with him as the runner up finisher. A position not to be ashamed of, but like any competitor he stills wants more.
“I think I have been second every year but one,” Markham said during a recent phone interview. “And that year I think I finished third by only one point. Something always seems to happen.”
His current deficit of 98 points to Glynn is impossible to make up with one race left. Now it is just holding onto second that has become a challenge for the Maple Park driver.
He has had two bizarre circumstances during this final stretch.
With three chase races left, Markham had earned the pole position when a rock flew off the fan and into his radiator during the slow paced line up laps.
This past race, his tire rolled off the car at the start of the main show.
Things looked bleak for the points run but luck was on Markham’s side in a strange sort of way. The two drivers who were trailing him by fourteen points also fell on unusually hard times in a freak incident.
Eric Dauber, the two time reigning champ, and Darin Furar were tied for third going into the evening. After Markham broke, it was their chance to take over the second place in points.
Ironically, Dauber lost a driveshaft on the track and Furar ran over it a couple of laps later at full speed. Both were out of contention by the fourteenth lap. Dauber collected the same number of points as Markham for the feature but won his heat. By his preliminary win he inched closer to pose a threat. What a twist of fate for the Midwestern challenge for second.
“I am really lucky that I’m even still in contention for second,” Markham acknowledged about the strange night. “Now I have three DNF’s so far.”
Currently, Dauber trails by only 8 points with Furar 4 points behind him. If one of the two would have finished up front last Saturday, and both were running there, they could have lessened the pressure and easily stole the spot away.
It just goes to show how any of the divisional chasers can make or break their finish in the standings with a bad night.
Open Wheel Modifieds: These cars returned this season with their last regular appearance in 1997. The young standout in the class was only nine years old when the last Modified champ was crowned and now he will be champion following a stellar season.
Vince Cooper may only be seventeen but this kid comes from a racing past and family. He can win races and obviously championships. He started mounting points when won everything raced early in the season. His smooth driving style and smart moves have earned him the place he is at now.
He has been in the lead since the beginning. Presently, he holds first by an
88 points lead over Ray Bollinger. The closest race in their chase is between Dale Lueth and Derek Line for third. A mere one point separates them going into the final night.
Before last Saturday, Line was in second but Lueth just barely edged his way past him with his third place finish and heat race victory. This Saturday will be a showdown to decide third.
Street Stock’s: Ed Williams Jr. is currently on top of the Street Stock’s chase by 57 points. If he shows up for the final points racing action he too will automatically claim the title.
Leon Cade holds the second place on the roster but word has it that his favored #911 car is sold and he may not be racing the remainder of the season.
Jake Cholke trails in third by 17 points over Rick Koltveit. Anticipation abounds to see if Cade will grace the oval to try to firm up the runner up slot.
4-Cylinder Hornets: Going into the final night of competition Alex Clubb is perched at the peak of the Hornet class. His 40 point advantage over Dan Leonard would make it impossible to loose out if he signs in for the night.
The two are way out front while third and fourth have 18 points dividing them.
John Clubb is in third over Jon Small.
The complete current standings are available on www.lasallespeedway.com.
The pressure of the points chase is almost over. Saturday night will be filled with anticipation, hopefulness and disappointment for some but just the points are closing. Three more races will still be on the schedule.
Qualifying begins at 6:30pm with racing at 7:30pm.
