By: Betty Glynn
La Salle, IL – The reigning track champion always has something to prove with a new season under way. The question is quickly to be asked by someone, does he still have it. Saturday night the Late Model champ at La Salle Speedway gave his answer with an exclamation point.
La Salle’s Mike Glynn scored the fastest qualifying lap, finished second in his heat race after a journey from sixth and captured his first victory for 2007.
Eighteen Late’s showed up for the second night of action at the Illinois Valley speed arena. For the feature line up Glynn had earned the pole title, with his collection of passing points, to lead the pack. On the front row outside next to Glynn was his cousin Keith Piano of rural Oglesby. Rolled up behind the duo was last week’s feature winner, Ralph Markham, and Ed Williams Sr.
As soon the flagman signaled green flag racing, Glynn shot out of the blocks with Markham staying on his tail. It was a rough start to the twenty five lap main as the field struggled to get it going.
Tires in the turns and corners are common place at most dirt track racing facilities and La Salle is no different. What was different Saturday was the repeated moving of the tires between turns one and two during the Late Model feature. Just before the competitors lined up for the feature the ‘tire moving’ began.
For the leader, the tire relocation was not a problem. “Usually it is me hitting the tires, like last week, but every time they moved them it just reminded they were there,” Glynn laughed.
At times, Glynn would pull into a nice lead but cautions brought the pack together. By Lap 14, Glynn and Markham were out by themselves as Jim Loomis put the pressure on Piano for third. Loomis was working his own line a little higher then the three leaders but just couldn’t get enough momentum to stay in front of Piano. Princeton’s Steve Oeder, who started fifth, kept his pace in fourth.
Numerous cautions brought the action to a halt and into single file format but Glynn was coming home with the win.
“We have a lot of sponsors and fans who support us and it always feels good when you have a good night,” Glynn remarked after his victory. “Last year was pretty good for our team. We are actually still running the same car and this Rayburn normally goes right where I want it to.”
Last week it was Glynn in the runner up spot to Markham but that role was reversed when Markham crossed the finish line in second. Piano collected third place over Oeder, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie Bell, Will Harris, Dave Miller, Darin Furar and Doug Newlin.
Markham won the first heat race over Glynn, Harris and Oeder. Williams took home the second heat victory over Furar, Piano and Schmidt.
Seventeen UMP Modifieds traveled the highbanks with Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr.
running the show.
Veloz took command when he charged from a fifth place heat start to win the preliminary event. Next up was their feature race.
Veloz was at the helm and much like Glynn found his rhythm right away. His comfort zone seemed like anywhere he wanted his four wheels to travel. Not far behind Veloz was last season’s Mod champ, Vince Cooper, ready to steal his thunder.
During Lap 6, the two made contact coming out of turn four and Cooper fell back but just briefly. Cooper stayed on the gas and worked his way back to the chase with Marty Thompson right behind him.
Veloz continued to work a line much lower then Cooper and Thompson who were so high on the track their rear tires were over the burm and into rough territory. Next in the running was Ray Bollinger and Jim Phelps lower on the track.
With only a few laps remaining, Veloz was unstoppable. Veloz ended with a trip to victory lane while Cooper kept Thompson at bay to take home second.
Bollinger collected fourth with Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy, Tom Otrembiak Mike Dyas and Wally Forsythe crossing the finish line after.
Veloz’ win in the first heat for the Mod’s came from hard work and smart driving. The fastest qualifier, Cooper, ended the eight laps in second over Phelps and McCoy. The second heat race was a survival of the fittest when only two cars were in action at the completion of the eight lap event.
Otrembiak came out on top Zac Odewaldt.
A full field of twenty three Street Stocks paired up for their main event.
Once green, Rick Koltveit was flying with Matt Ramer close in tow over a high running Ed Williams Jr.
Patience paid off for Williams as he used the first seven laps to reel in the two leaders. By the end of Lap 7, Williams was piloting the pack. He pulled away with a big win for the second week in a row over Koltveit, Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens and Jay Mesarchik.
Stewart and Koltveit won their heats.
DJ Wekmeister took home the top honors in the Hornet feature race. The Hornet class is definitely gaining popularity as the car counts continue to soar. This week twenty five cars in attendance.
Jeff Seitz earned second ahead of Rob Hammit, Loren Westerhold, Dave Roggy, Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam Odell and Jon Small.
The first ‘Hometown Heroes’ night will honor Cooper and Clubb night at the track. Any resident from their hometown of Morris, will receive $2.00 off their general admission.
La Salle Speedway Results 5/5/07
Late Model – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Glynn 13.467
Heat One: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn, Will Harris, Steve Oeder Heat Two: Ed Williams, Darin Furar, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt
Feature: Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie Bell, Will Harris, Dave Miller, Darin Furar, Doug Newlin, Brian Lock, Jim Loomis, Robert Voice, Billy Weistart Jr., Mark Larson, Ed Williams, Jeff Small, Eric Dauber
UMP Modifieds – 17 Cars
Qualifying: Vince Cooper 14.049
Heat One: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Jim Phelps, Justin McCoy Heat Two: Tom Otrembiak, Zac Oedewaldt, Mark Vervynck, Mike Janis
Feature: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Marty Thompson, Ray Bollinger, Jim Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy, Tom Otrembiak, Mike Dyas, Wally Forsythe, Mark Vervynck, Jimmy Thompson, Zac Oedewaldt, Joe Adam, Mike Janis, Mike Algren, Brian Lucas
UMP Street Stocks – 23 Cars
Heat One: Mike Stewart, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Jason Abens Heat Two: Rick Koltveit, Ed Williams, Steve Lewis, Nick Sell
Feature: Ed Williams Jr., Rick Koltveit, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens, Jay Mesarchick, Stgeve Lewis, Steve Schwemlein, Nick Sell, Mark Kurrle, Stan Daigger, Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Alex Clubb, #49, Eric Rebholz, Joe Jelinek
UMP Hornets – 25 Cars
Heat One: Jamie DeFord, Loren Westerhold, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Roggy Heat Two: Jr. Brown, Rob Hammit, Tony Harlacher, Dan Slover Heat Three: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Mark Sutton, Chris Brown Semi Feature: Kyle Fisherm, Jon Small, Gary Wetzel, Timmy Faust, Asa Robart, Travis Mahoney, #14, Bubba Swinski, # 56, Cory West
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Rob Hammit, Loren Westerholdt, Dave Roggy, Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam Odell, Jon Small, Jamie Deford, Chris Brown, Gary Wetzel, Tony Harlacher, Dan Slover, Josh Larson
La Salle, IL – The reigning track champion always has something to prove with a new season under way. The question is quickly to be asked by someone, does he still have it. Saturday night the Late Model champ at La Salle Speedway gave his answer with an exclamation point.
La Salle’s Mike Glynn scored the fastest qualifying lap, finished second in his heat race after a journey from sixth and captured his first victory for 2007.
Eighteen Late’s showed up for the second night of action at the Illinois Valley speed arena. For the feature line up Glynn had earned the pole title, with his collection of passing points, to lead the pack. On the front row outside next to Glynn was his cousin Keith Piano of rural Oglesby. Rolled up behind the duo was last week’s feature winner, Ralph Markham, and Ed Williams Sr.
As soon the flagman signaled green flag racing, Glynn shot out of the blocks with Markham staying on his tail. It was a rough start to the twenty five lap main as the field struggled to get it going.
Tires in the turns and corners are common place at most dirt track racing facilities and La Salle is no different. What was different Saturday was the repeated moving of the tires between turns one and two during the Late Model feature. Just before the competitors lined up for the feature the ‘tire moving’ began.
For the leader, the tire relocation was not a problem. “Usually it is me hitting the tires, like last week, but every time they moved them it just reminded they were there,” Glynn laughed.
At times, Glynn would pull into a nice lead but cautions brought the pack together. By Lap 14, Glynn and Markham were out by themselves as Jim Loomis put the pressure on Piano for third. Loomis was working his own line a little higher then the three leaders but just couldn’t get enough momentum to stay in front of Piano. Princeton’s Steve Oeder, who started fifth, kept his pace in fourth.
Numerous cautions brought the action to a halt and into single file format but Glynn was coming home with the win.
“We have a lot of sponsors and fans who support us and it always feels good when you have a good night,” Glynn remarked after his victory. “Last year was pretty good for our team. We are actually still running the same car and this Rayburn normally goes right where I want it to.”
Last week it was Glynn in the runner up spot to Markham but that role was reversed when Markham crossed the finish line in second. Piano collected third place over Oeder, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie Bell, Will Harris, Dave Miller, Darin Furar and Doug Newlin.
Markham won the first heat race over Glynn, Harris and Oeder. Williams took home the second heat victory over Furar, Piano and Schmidt.
Seventeen UMP Modifieds traveled the highbanks with Colona’s Milo Veloz Jr.
running the show.
Veloz took command when he charged from a fifth place heat start to win the preliminary event. Next up was their feature race.
Veloz was at the helm and much like Glynn found his rhythm right away. His comfort zone seemed like anywhere he wanted his four wheels to travel. Not far behind Veloz was last season’s Mod champ, Vince Cooper, ready to steal his thunder.
During Lap 6, the two made contact coming out of turn four and Cooper fell back but just briefly. Cooper stayed on the gas and worked his way back to the chase with Marty Thompson right behind him.
Veloz continued to work a line much lower then Cooper and Thompson who were so high on the track their rear tires were over the burm and into rough territory. Next in the running was Ray Bollinger and Jim Phelps lower on the track.
With only a few laps remaining, Veloz was unstoppable. Veloz ended with a trip to victory lane while Cooper kept Thompson at bay to take home second.
Bollinger collected fourth with Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy, Tom Otrembiak Mike Dyas and Wally Forsythe crossing the finish line after.
Veloz’ win in the first heat for the Mod’s came from hard work and smart driving. The fastest qualifier, Cooper, ended the eight laps in second over Phelps and McCoy. The second heat race was a survival of the fittest when only two cars were in action at the completion of the eight lap event.
Otrembiak came out on top Zac Odewaldt.
A full field of twenty three Street Stocks paired up for their main event.
Once green, Rick Koltveit was flying with Matt Ramer close in tow over a high running Ed Williams Jr.
Patience paid off for Williams as he used the first seven laps to reel in the two leaders. By the end of Lap 7, Williams was piloting the pack. He pulled away with a big win for the second week in a row over Koltveit, Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens and Jay Mesarchik.
Stewart and Koltveit won their heats.
DJ Wekmeister took home the top honors in the Hornet feature race. The Hornet class is definitely gaining popularity as the car counts continue to soar. This week twenty five cars in attendance.
Jeff Seitz earned second ahead of Rob Hammit, Loren Westerhold, Dave Roggy, Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam Odell and Jon Small.
The first ‘Hometown Heroes’ night will honor Cooper and Clubb night at the track. Any resident from their hometown of Morris, will receive $2.00 off their general admission.
La Salle Speedway Results 5/5/07
Late Model – 18 Cars
Qualifying: Mike Glynn 13.467
Heat One: Ralph Markham, Mike Glynn, Will Harris, Steve Oeder Heat Two: Ed Williams, Darin Furar, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt
Feature: Mike Glynn, Ralph Markham, Keith Piano, Aaron Schmidt, Ritchie Bell, Will Harris, Dave Miller, Darin Furar, Doug Newlin, Brian Lock, Jim Loomis, Robert Voice, Billy Weistart Jr., Mark Larson, Ed Williams, Jeff Small, Eric Dauber
UMP Modifieds – 17 Cars
Qualifying: Vince Cooper 14.049
Heat One: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Jim Phelps, Justin McCoy Heat Two: Tom Otrembiak, Zac Oedewaldt, Mark Vervynck, Mike Janis
Feature: Milo Veloz, Vince Cooper, Marty Thompson, Ray Bollinger, Jim Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Justin McCoy, Tom Otrembiak, Mike Dyas, Wally Forsythe, Mark Vervynck, Jimmy Thompson, Zac Oedewaldt, Joe Adam, Mike Janis, Mike Algren, Brian Lucas
UMP Street Stocks – 23 Cars
Heat One: Mike Stewart, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Jason Abens Heat Two: Rick Koltveit, Ed Williams, Steve Lewis, Nick Sell
Feature: Ed Williams Jr., Rick Koltveit, Matt Ramer, Jimmy Partipilo, Eric Whittington, Justin Sellars, Mike Stewart, Gary Schmitt, Justin Rutledge, Chuck Provenzano, Jason Abens, Jay Mesarchick, Stgeve Lewis, Steve Schwemlein, Nick Sell, Mark Kurrle, Stan Daigger, Mike Hughes, Roger Rickels, Alex Clubb, #49, Eric Rebholz, Joe Jelinek
UMP Hornets – 25 Cars
Heat One: Jamie DeFord, Loren Westerhold, Jimmy Johnson, Dave Roggy Heat Two: Jr. Brown, Rob Hammit, Tony Harlacher, Dan Slover Heat Three: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Mark Sutton, Chris Brown Semi Feature: Kyle Fisherm, Jon Small, Gary Wetzel, Timmy Faust, Asa Robart, Travis Mahoney, #14, Bubba Swinski, # 56, Cory West
Feature: DJ Werkmeister, Jeff Seitz, Rob Hammit, Loren Westerholdt, Dave Roggy, Roy Alm, Kyle Fisher, Jimmy Johnson, Mark Sutton, Jr. Brown, Adam Odell, Jon Small, Jamie Deford, Chris Brown, Gary Wetzel, Tony Harlacher, Dan Slover, Josh Larson
