By: Betty Glynn
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham took charge of his destiny on April 28th when he kicked off what would become the best season of his racing career. The Maple Park standout blew his Rayburn chassis into victory lane on opening day and hasn’t stopped running in the front since.
Flying around the ¼ mile clay speed arena of the LaSalle Speedway, Markham has proven he has both the talent and drive to get the job done. Ten feature wins at a single track equals a stellar season by anyone’s standards and deservingly so.
The Steel Block Late Model division boasts a field of racers who are not new to the sport and can certainly give the best of drivers a run for their money. Not to mention a couple of former track champions in the lineup. Now add in those who have improved tremendously since opening day and you have to be ready for showtime when the green flag waves.
The ability of the Maple Park driver to hook up and go was evident no matter the track surface. Some drivers do better with dry slick while others favor a tackier terrain. It didn’t appear to make a difference for the newly crowned champion.
The final race didn’t end exactly as planned but when the checkers dropped it was Markham adding yet another trophy to his mounting bounty. His tenth return to victory lane was just the topping on the cake for a driver who wanted a championship and fell short in recent years.
Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown Series was top billing with twenty cars taking their positions for the 100 lap feature. Markham already had the first two Triple Crown trophies all that was left was one more.
Qualifying was the first event with Scott Schmitt posting the fastest timed lap of 13.385. His quick time status was the second in a row for the young Tonica driver.
Once qualifications were complete, the top six qualifiers were inverted for the trophy dash. At the completion of the six laps, Steve Oeder of Princeton had out ran La Salle’s Mike Glynn, Keith Piano of Oglesby and Schmitt to earn the pole position.
Their finishes determined the top six grid spots of the lengthy feature the remaining fourteen contenders were lined up based on their qualifying times.
Oeder took the lead with a fast and furious pace. Glynn and Schmitt were both flying right along with him and the trio had already caught the tail of the field by the fifth lap in the books.
A caution during the eleventh lap out gave the pack a break from their pace and restarted six laps later. Laps traveled under caution are counted until the final ten laps during the Triple Crown Series.
Oeder charged the higher line with Glynn on the bottom and Schmitt running high as well. While the trio commanded the front in an action packed format, Eric Dauber also used a higher run to battle Piano.
Glynn and Schmitt were putting on a show for second when Schmitt exited the track on Lap 26 with mechanical trouble closing the season in a disappointing return to the pits.
During the next fifteen laps, Oeder had Glynn to fend off while Dauber’s high run was being challenged by Markham. Slipping back and forth in the top five positions was Piano in a consistent line ahead of Ed Williams and Jim Loomis. The front runners changed grooves as they dodged lapped traffic.
During Lap 53, the field was under red after contact between Dauber’s high run and Glynn’s bottom spot sent Glynn into the air and over the turn three infield tire. His front running car could no longer go forward and returned pit side on the hook.
For the single file restart six cautions laps later, Oeder still had the lead over Markham, Dauber, Piano, Loomis, Williams, and Mark Larson. The action didn’t last long as Dauber slammed hard into the outside retaining wall of turn three bringing out another red flag. He exited the car and was able to walk away.
By Lap 78, Oeder had a strong hold on his lead with Markham holding back Piano. Williams was looking promising until he hit the turn two tires hard.
For the next ten laps, Markham chased down Oeder and eventually closed in on him.
Oeder lost his line briefly up high and nearly lost the lead but once he straightened his machine out, he was side by side with Markham in turns one and two. With two to go, the pair had a wide open run for a showdown. But the two made contact with Oeder meeting the turn three concrete barrier.
Oeder exited his car to check for damage and the leaders were surprisingly granted their positions back. For the restart, it was Oeder, Markham and Piano to close out with a green, white, checkered finish.
The decision to put the leaders in front together proved costly as again contact was hard and heavy between Oeder and Markham. Their inability to run side by side resulted in a stacked up field. Piano who had a good run on the pair had no where to go but on the hook.
Oeder led the entire event but succumbed to damage to close out his last racing season.
Due to cars being lapped down or not still in action at the finish, the final scoreboard results became a scoring nightmare.
The officially posted results had Markham on top over Jim Loomis, Larson, Joe Fratt, John Piccatto, Oeder, Piano, Tim Loomis, Dave Miller, Dan Dogherty, Robert Voice, Brian Lock, Glynn, Williams, Jack Benson, Dauber, Aaron Schmidt, Joe Jelinek, Schmitt and Darin Furar.
Fifteen UMP Modified drivers showed up with Marty Thompson posting the fastest timed lap. Travis Kohler beat Thompson, Joe Adam and Casey Lappin for the first heat win. Jim Phelps flew from fourth to first to capture the second heat race victory over Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe and Milo Veloz Jr.
Thompson is a seasoned driver who once he figures out a track he is tough to beat. His recent ability to master La Salle has kept him returning to the winners circle in two different divisions.
Thompson collected the checkers for the fourth Mod feature over the current track champ Veloz, Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Lappin, Adam, Matt Cleary, Travis Kohler, Justin McCoy, Bill Theodorf, Dan Goodhand, Forsythe, Felecia Collins, Ray Bollinger and Don Cole.
Ironically, Street Stock driver Justin Rutledge’s previous victory was the night of the last Triple Crown Late Model event in July.
Rutledge swept the division after winning both his heat and the main feature race. Nathan Balensiefen finished second over Steve Lewis, Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt, Rick Kotveit, Jimmy Partipilo, Nick Sell, Duane Peterson, Larry Yardley, Karl Hayes, Alex Clubb, K. Hughes, Al Gray and Jerrod Thomas.
The Hornet class has become the stage for fourteen year old standout DJ Werkmeister’s dream season. In his eighth victory in a row, this youngster has proven he can handle the pressure.
Only two other drivers have each won one race in a division that has been dominated by Werkmeister. His thirteenth feature victory came with a clean sweep after taking both the heat and feature wins.
Werkmeister beat Loren Westerhold, JR Brown, Phil Briddick, Nick Clubb, Gabe Koncor, Asa Robart, Mark Sutton, Chad Williams, Bubba Siwinski, Ande Bivens and Brent Carlson.
The Speedway is closed next week but will return with the World of Outlaws Late Model Fall Nationals on September 16th. The $10,000 to win event will be promoted by Track Enterprises. The UMP Modifieds will also compete with a special for $2,000.
The last race is scheduled for September 22nd when the IRA Sprint Cars return to the area. The Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hornets are also on the schedule. This event will be promoted by the IRA Sprint Cars.
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/01/07
Steel Block Late Models – 22 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.385
Fast Qualifier Dash: Steve Oeder, Mike Glynn, Keith Piano, Scott Schmitt
Feature: 1. Ralph Markham, 2. Jim Loomis, 3. Mark Larson, 4. Joe Fratt, 5.
John Piccatto, 6. Steve Oeder, 7. Keith Piano, 8. Tim Loomis, 9. Dave Miller, 10. Dan Dogherty, 11. Robert Voice, 12. Brian Lock, 13. Mike Glynn, 14. Ed Williams, 15. Jack Benson, 16. Eric Dauber, 17. Aaron Schmidt, 18.
Joe Jelinek, 19. Scott Schmitt, 20. Darin Furar
UMP Modifieds 15 Cars
Qualifying: Marty Thompson 14.638
Heat One: Travis Kohler, Marty Thompson, Joe Adam, Casey Lappin Heat Two: Jim Phelps, Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe, Milo Veloz
Feature: 1. Marty Thompson, 2. Milo Veloz, 3. Jim Phelps, 4. Nathan Balensiefen, 5. Casey Lappin, 6. Joe Adam, 7. Matt Cleary, 8. Travis Kohler, 9. Justin McCoy, 10. Bill Theodorf, 11. Dan Goodhand, 12. Wally Forsyth, 13. Felicia Collins, 14. Ray Bollinger, 15. Don Cole
UMP Street Stocks 16 Cars
Heat One: Justin Rutledge, Larry Yardley, Jimmy Partipilo, Steve Lewis Heat Two: Nathan Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Al Gray, Brandon Maciejewski
Feature: 1. Justin Rutledge, 2. Nathan Balensiefen, 3. Steve Lewis, 4.
Brandon Maciejewski, 5. Mike Hughes, 6. Gary Schmitt, 7. Rick Koltveit, 8.
Jimmy Partipilo, 9. Nick Sell, 10. Duane Peterson, 11. Larry Yardley, 12.
Karl Hayes, 13. Alex Clubb, 14. K. Hughes, 15. Al Gray, 16. Jerrod Thomas
Hornets 12 Cars
Heat One: DJ Werkmeister, Gabe Koncor, JR Brown, Nick Clubb Heat Two: Loren Westerhold, Phil Briddick, Bubb Swinski, Asa Robart
Feature: 1. DJ Werkmeister, 2. Loren Westerhold, 3. JR Brown, 4. Phil Briddick, 5. Nick Clubb, 6. Gabe Koncor, 7. Asa Robart, 8. Mark Sutton, 9.
Chad Williams, 10. Bubba Swinski, 11. Ande Bivens, 12. Brent Carlson
La Salle, IL – Ralph Markham took charge of his destiny on April 28th when he kicked off what would become the best season of his racing career. The Maple Park standout blew his Rayburn chassis into victory lane on opening day and hasn’t stopped running in the front since.
Flying around the ¼ mile clay speed arena of the LaSalle Speedway, Markham has proven he has both the talent and drive to get the job done. Ten feature wins at a single track equals a stellar season by anyone’s standards and deservingly so.
The Steel Block Late Model division boasts a field of racers who are not new to the sport and can certainly give the best of drivers a run for their money. Not to mention a couple of former track champions in the lineup. Now add in those who have improved tremendously since opening day and you have to be ready for showtime when the green flag waves.
The ability of the Maple Park driver to hook up and go was evident no matter the track surface. Some drivers do better with dry slick while others favor a tackier terrain. It didn’t appear to make a difference for the newly crowned champion.
The final race didn’t end exactly as planned but when the checkers dropped it was Markham adding yet another trophy to his mounting bounty. His tenth return to victory lane was just the topping on the cake for a driver who wanted a championship and fell short in recent years.
Saturday’s final leg of the Triple Crown Series was top billing with twenty cars taking their positions for the 100 lap feature. Markham already had the first two Triple Crown trophies all that was left was one more.
Qualifying was the first event with Scott Schmitt posting the fastest timed lap of 13.385. His quick time status was the second in a row for the young Tonica driver.
Once qualifications were complete, the top six qualifiers were inverted for the trophy dash. At the completion of the six laps, Steve Oeder of Princeton had out ran La Salle’s Mike Glynn, Keith Piano of Oglesby and Schmitt to earn the pole position.
Their finishes determined the top six grid spots of the lengthy feature the remaining fourteen contenders were lined up based on their qualifying times.
Oeder took the lead with a fast and furious pace. Glynn and Schmitt were both flying right along with him and the trio had already caught the tail of the field by the fifth lap in the books.
A caution during the eleventh lap out gave the pack a break from their pace and restarted six laps later. Laps traveled under caution are counted until the final ten laps during the Triple Crown Series.
Oeder charged the higher line with Glynn on the bottom and Schmitt running high as well. While the trio commanded the front in an action packed format, Eric Dauber also used a higher run to battle Piano.
Glynn and Schmitt were putting on a show for second when Schmitt exited the track on Lap 26 with mechanical trouble closing the season in a disappointing return to the pits.
During the next fifteen laps, Oeder had Glynn to fend off while Dauber’s high run was being challenged by Markham. Slipping back and forth in the top five positions was Piano in a consistent line ahead of Ed Williams and Jim Loomis. The front runners changed grooves as they dodged lapped traffic.
During Lap 53, the field was under red after contact between Dauber’s high run and Glynn’s bottom spot sent Glynn into the air and over the turn three infield tire. His front running car could no longer go forward and returned pit side on the hook.
For the single file restart six cautions laps later, Oeder still had the lead over Markham, Dauber, Piano, Loomis, Williams, and Mark Larson. The action didn’t last long as Dauber slammed hard into the outside retaining wall of turn three bringing out another red flag. He exited the car and was able to walk away.
By Lap 78, Oeder had a strong hold on his lead with Markham holding back Piano. Williams was looking promising until he hit the turn two tires hard.
For the next ten laps, Markham chased down Oeder and eventually closed in on him.
Oeder lost his line briefly up high and nearly lost the lead but once he straightened his machine out, he was side by side with Markham in turns one and two. With two to go, the pair had a wide open run for a showdown. But the two made contact with Oeder meeting the turn three concrete barrier.
Oeder exited his car to check for damage and the leaders were surprisingly granted their positions back. For the restart, it was Oeder, Markham and Piano to close out with a green, white, checkered finish.
The decision to put the leaders in front together proved costly as again contact was hard and heavy between Oeder and Markham. Their inability to run side by side resulted in a stacked up field. Piano who had a good run on the pair had no where to go but on the hook.
Oeder led the entire event but succumbed to damage to close out his last racing season.
Due to cars being lapped down or not still in action at the finish, the final scoreboard results became a scoring nightmare.
The officially posted results had Markham on top over Jim Loomis, Larson, Joe Fratt, John Piccatto, Oeder, Piano, Tim Loomis, Dave Miller, Dan Dogherty, Robert Voice, Brian Lock, Glynn, Williams, Jack Benson, Dauber, Aaron Schmidt, Joe Jelinek, Schmitt and Darin Furar.
Fifteen UMP Modified drivers showed up with Marty Thompson posting the fastest timed lap. Travis Kohler beat Thompson, Joe Adam and Casey Lappin for the first heat win. Jim Phelps flew from fourth to first to capture the second heat race victory over Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe and Milo Veloz Jr.
Thompson is a seasoned driver who once he figures out a track he is tough to beat. His recent ability to master La Salle has kept him returning to the winners circle in two different divisions.
Thompson collected the checkers for the fourth Mod feature over the current track champ Veloz, Phelps, Nathan Balensiefen, Lappin, Adam, Matt Cleary, Travis Kohler, Justin McCoy, Bill Theodorf, Dan Goodhand, Forsythe, Felecia Collins, Ray Bollinger and Don Cole.
Ironically, Street Stock driver Justin Rutledge’s previous victory was the night of the last Triple Crown Late Model event in July.
Rutledge swept the division after winning both his heat and the main feature race. Nathan Balensiefen finished second over Steve Lewis, Brandon Maciejewski, Mike Hughes, Gary Schmitt, Rick Kotveit, Jimmy Partipilo, Nick Sell, Duane Peterson, Larry Yardley, Karl Hayes, Alex Clubb, K. Hughes, Al Gray and Jerrod Thomas.
The Hornet class has become the stage for fourteen year old standout DJ Werkmeister’s dream season. In his eighth victory in a row, this youngster has proven he can handle the pressure.
Only two other drivers have each won one race in a division that has been dominated by Werkmeister. His thirteenth feature victory came with a clean sweep after taking both the heat and feature wins.
Werkmeister beat Loren Westerhold, JR Brown, Phil Briddick, Nick Clubb, Gabe Koncor, Asa Robart, Mark Sutton, Chad Williams, Bubba Siwinski, Ande Bivens and Brent Carlson.
The Speedway is closed next week but will return with the World of Outlaws Late Model Fall Nationals on September 16th. The $10,000 to win event will be promoted by Track Enterprises. The UMP Modifieds will also compete with a special for $2,000.
The last race is scheduled for September 22nd when the IRA Sprint Cars return to the area. The Modifieds, Street Stocks and Hornets are also on the schedule. This event will be promoted by the IRA Sprint Cars.
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 09/01/07
Steel Block Late Models – 22 Cars
Qualifying: Scott Schmitt 13.385
Fast Qualifier Dash: Steve Oeder, Mike Glynn, Keith Piano, Scott Schmitt
Feature: 1. Ralph Markham, 2. Jim Loomis, 3. Mark Larson, 4. Joe Fratt, 5.
John Piccatto, 6. Steve Oeder, 7. Keith Piano, 8. Tim Loomis, 9. Dave Miller, 10. Dan Dogherty, 11. Robert Voice, 12. Brian Lock, 13. Mike Glynn, 14. Ed Williams, 15. Jack Benson, 16. Eric Dauber, 17. Aaron Schmidt, 18.
Joe Jelinek, 19. Scott Schmitt, 20. Darin Furar
UMP Modifieds 15 Cars
Qualifying: Marty Thompson 14.638
Heat One: Travis Kohler, Marty Thompson, Joe Adam, Casey Lappin Heat Two: Jim Phelps, Bill Theodorf, Wally Forsythe, Milo Veloz
Feature: 1. Marty Thompson, 2. Milo Veloz, 3. Jim Phelps, 4. Nathan Balensiefen, 5. Casey Lappin, 6. Joe Adam, 7. Matt Cleary, 8. Travis Kohler, 9. Justin McCoy, 10. Bill Theodorf, 11. Dan Goodhand, 12. Wally Forsyth, 13. Felicia Collins, 14. Ray Bollinger, 15. Don Cole
UMP Street Stocks 16 Cars
Heat One: Justin Rutledge, Larry Yardley, Jimmy Partipilo, Steve Lewis Heat Two: Nathan Balensiefen, Mike Hughes, Al Gray, Brandon Maciejewski
Feature: 1. Justin Rutledge, 2. Nathan Balensiefen, 3. Steve Lewis, 4.
Brandon Maciejewski, 5. Mike Hughes, 6. Gary Schmitt, 7. Rick Koltveit, 8.
Jimmy Partipilo, 9. Nick Sell, 10. Duane Peterson, 11. Larry Yardley, 12.
Karl Hayes, 13. Alex Clubb, 14. K. Hughes, 15. Al Gray, 16. Jerrod Thomas
Hornets 12 Cars
Heat One: DJ Werkmeister, Gabe Koncor, JR Brown, Nick Clubb Heat Two: Loren Westerhold, Phil Briddick, Bubb Swinski, Asa Robart
Feature: 1. DJ Werkmeister, 2. Loren Westerhold, 3. JR Brown, 4. Phil Briddick, 5. Nick Clubb, 6. Gabe Koncor, 7. Asa Robart, 8. Mark Sutton, 9.
Chad Williams, 10. Bubba Swinski, 11. Ande Bivens, 12. Brent Carlson
