By: Betty Glynn
La Salle, IL – Thirty nine of the toughest competitors rolled into the Illinois Valley for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout. By lunch time on Saturday, the presence of fancy car haulers and rigs could be seen throughout the area.
La Salle Speedway has played host to the traveling series seven times. At the completion of the seventh visit a staggering seven different winners have their names in the record books. It could be luck but for Saturday’s $10,000 check holder, Tim McCreadie, it was talent and the drive to get the job done.
McCreadie, a thirty six year old New York native, is no stranger to racing but a newcomer to LaSalle’s victory circle.
Bart Hartman was the fourth qualifier to hit the clay, setting the bar high with a quick lap of 12.842. His fast time wasn’t much of a help as he still found himself on the “B” Main roster after not fairing so well in his heat event.
Four heat races helped determine the twenty four car fifty lap main event. All four winners came from the front row en route to their wins. The top four finishers transferred into the “A” Main.
Bloomington’s Jason Feger carried the first heat race of ten drivers flag to flag holding back a strong running Tim Fuller. The third place finisher, John Blankenship, started last and worked his way up the pack before the completion of the ten lap event. Matt Miller earned the last transfer position in fourth.
McCreadie won the second heat without contest over Steve Casebolt, Dennis Erb Jr., and Brian Shirley.
Brady Smith collected the third heat challenge in front of Kerry Hansen, Rick Eckert and Darren Miller.
The fourth and final heat race winner Scott James was flying solo for much of the race but a late race caution brought the competition back together for a single restart with only one lap left un-scored. At the finish line, Steve Francis crossed in second ahead of Jeep VanWormer and Wayne Chinn.
Both “B” Main winners started on the pole. Hartman took the first consi race over local racer Ryan Dauber of Tonica. Shane Clanton beat Frank Heckanast Jr. at the line for the third transfer position.
Brian Birkhofer outdistanced the field to earn the second “B” Main race with Dan Schlieper, and John Mason taking the last transfer spots. Before a lap could be scored, Justin Rattliff found himself upside down on the back stretch. A far cry from his first big dollar victory in which he earned on the same turf last season. A well earned accomplishment that netted the young standout $10,000 for his efforts.
Earl Pearson Jr. and Rattliff each took a provisional to make their way into the “A” Main.
Feger and McCreadie rolled up side by side at the helm over Brady Smith, James, Fuller and Casebolt. As soon as the flag dropped Feger moved to the inside line with Smith following but McCreadie found his rhythm on the high road.
A pile up off the second turn during the ninth circuit collected Rattliff, adding to his streak of bad luck, Schlieper, Mason and Clanton. Once the action was back under way, it was tenth place starter Erb putting on a show. He managed to move his way up the pack to fourth before billowing smoke and oil from the rear of his ride sent him back to the pit area and out of contention.
McCreadie was riding the rails throwing his tires over the cushion when he brought his ride up to the door of Feger. His topside run opened up the space needed to grab the lead just before the fourteenth lap. “I put it over the cushion a little, that’s my deal,” McCreadie confessed post race. Smith followed him moving into second.
A few laps later, an incredible battle was well underway between the high flying McCreadie and Smith leaving Feger to fend off John Blankenship, Eckert and Francis. The leader’s side by side showdown was a crowd pleasing display of why they have become dirt track stars.
During Lap 23, Smith stole the lead but only temporarily as McCreadie refused to go without a fight. McCreadie used lapped traffic and a smart move three laps later to get command back. At times, three and four cars separated the leaders as they were lapping the field like they were standing still.
James was on the move and managed to make his way up to a third place running position before fading back during the final laps.
The driver to keep an eye on was none other then former winner Pearson as he charged his way from the last row on the grid through a stacked field into eighth. His provisional paid off.
McCreadie ran a smart well planned race to capture his first Lucas Oil victory since February 2005.
Just after collecting the checkers, McCreadie kicked it up another notch when he flew down the front stretch spinning tires and doing “donuts” for the fans.
“We’ve had a rough few months, glad you stuck with me,” McCreadie announced over the loud speaker. Based on the crowd’s reaction it appeared he may not only had fans sticking with him but he picked up quite a few more with his fierce drive to the checkers.
With unrelenting rain drops a small delay in the action was unavoidable. In addition the threat of inclement weather in the area was looming with lightning in the distance but the Lucas Oil and LaSalle Speedway crews kept their pace on the throttle. It took a great deal of effort by everyone to get the dirt flying without delay. Fans and drivers alike were pretty impressed that the show was constantly in a forward motion.
“They have turned this into a first class deal,” McCreadie told.
The “A” Main finish behind McCreadie was Smith, Blankenship, Eckert, Francis, Feger, VanWormer, Pearson, Hartman, Matt Miller, Casebolt, Schlieper, Chinn, James, Rattliff, Dauber, Fuller, and Darren Miller.
The UMP Modifieds and Street Stocks competed as well.
Fifteen drivers registered for the Modified division. To kick things off, last place starter Nathan Balensiefen stole the lead during the final lap of the exciting first heat race to beat AJ Dixon, Donovan Lodge and Mark Vervynck.
Marty Thompson outran the competition to claim the second heat ahead of Vince Cooper, Doug Curless and Ray Bollinger.
Pole sitter Curless held back two impressive challengers, Cooper and Thompson, to capture the twenty lap main for their class.
When the checkers dropped it was Curless heading to victory lane over Cooper, Thompson, Balensiefen, Lodge, Milo Veloz, Bollinger, Dixon, Vervynck, Jason Pershy, Mark Novolorsky, Michael Marden, Jared Coppejeans, and #89.
Steve Lewis took command during lap seven of the Street Stock’s main race from Jimmy Partipilo to claim his second win in a row. Lewis looks to be one tough contender in the ulta racey division.
Partipilo took home second in front of Alex Clubb, Randy Lucas, Nick Sell, Justin Rutledge, Roger Rickels, Gary Schmitt, Rick Koltveit, Jay Mesarchik, Mike Stewart, Gabe Concor, and Mike Hughes.
Lucas and and Hughes each won the heat races.
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 05/17/08
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – 39 Cars
Fast Qualifier: 12.842
Heat 1: Jason Feger, Tim Fuller, John Blankenship, Matt Miller, Bart Hartman, Frank Heckanast Jr., Billy Drake, Shane Clanton, Brian Claudnic, Tony Izzo Jr.
Heat 2: Tim McCreadie, Steve Casebolt, Dennis Erb Jr, Brian Shirley, Ryan Dauber, Scott Schmitt, Wes Steidinger, Justin Rattliff, Jeremy Grady, Rich Bell
Heat 3: Brady Smith, Kerry Hansen, Rick Eckert, Darren Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Freddy Smith, Earl Pearson Jr., Mike Mataragas, Vic Coffey, Ralph Markham
Heat 4: Scott James, Steve Francis, Jeep VanWormer, Wayne Chinn, John Mason, Dan Schlieper, Mark Burgtorf, Clint Smith, Terry Casey
“B” Main #1: Bart Hartman, Ryan Dauber, Shane Clanton, Frank Heckanast Jr., Wes Steidinger, Brian Claudnic, Billy Drake, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, Justin Rattliff
“B” Main #2: Brian Birkhofer, Dan Schlieper, John Mason, Freddy Smith, Clint Smith, Mark Burgtorf, Earl Pearson Jr., Mike Matargas, Vic Coffey, Ralph Markham
Feature: 1. Tim McCreadie, 2. Brady Smith, 3. John Blankenship, 4. Rick Eckert, 5. Steve Frnacis, 6. Jason Feger, 7. Jeep VanWormer, 8. Earl Pearson Jr., 9. Bart Harman, 10. Matt Miller, 11. Steve Casebolt, 12. Dan Schlieper, 13. Wayne Chinn, 14. Scott James, 15. Justin Rattliff, 16. Ryan Dauber, 17. Tim Fuller, 18. Darren Miller, 19. Dennis Erb Jr., 20. Kerry Hansen, 21. Brian Shirley, 22. John Mason, 23. Brian Birkhofer, 24. Shane Clanton
UMP Modifieds 16 Cars
Heat One: Nathan Balensiefen, AJ Dixon, Donovan Lodge, Mark Vervynck
Heat Two: Marty Thompson, Vince Cooper, Doug Curless, Ray Bollinger
Feature: 1. Doug Curless, 2. Vince Cooper, 3. Marty Thompson, 4. Nathan Balensiefen, 5. Donovan Lodge, 6. Milo Veloz, 7. Ray Bollinger, 8. AJ Dixon, 9. Mark Vervynck, 10. Jason Pershy, 11. Brad Pershy, 12. Mark Novorolsky, 13. Michael Marden, 14. Jared Copperjeans, 15. #89
UMP Street Stocks 13 Cars
Heat One: Randy Lucas, Nick Sell, Jay Mesarchick, Kory Peterson
Heat Two: Mike Hughes, Jimmy Partipilo, Alex Clubb, Schmitt
Feature: 1. Steve Lewis, 2. Jimmy Partipilo, 3. Alex Clubb, 4. Randy Lucas, 5. Nick Sell, 6. Justin Rutledge, 7. Roger Rickels, 8. Gary Schmitt, 9. Rick Koltveit, 10. Jay Mesarchick, 11. Mike Stewart, 12. Gabe Concor, 13. Mike Hughes
La Salle, IL – Thirty nine of the toughest competitors rolled into the Illinois Valley for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Spring Shootout. By lunch time on Saturday, the presence of fancy car haulers and rigs could be seen throughout the area.
La Salle Speedway has played host to the traveling series seven times. At the completion of the seventh visit a staggering seven different winners have their names in the record books. It could be luck but for Saturday’s $10,000 check holder, Tim McCreadie, it was talent and the drive to get the job done.
McCreadie, a thirty six year old New York native, is no stranger to racing but a newcomer to LaSalle’s victory circle.
Bart Hartman was the fourth qualifier to hit the clay, setting the bar high with a quick lap of 12.842. His fast time wasn’t much of a help as he still found himself on the “B” Main roster after not fairing so well in his heat event.
Four heat races helped determine the twenty four car fifty lap main event. All four winners came from the front row en route to their wins. The top four finishers transferred into the “A” Main.
Bloomington’s Jason Feger carried the first heat race of ten drivers flag to flag holding back a strong running Tim Fuller. The third place finisher, John Blankenship, started last and worked his way up the pack before the completion of the ten lap event. Matt Miller earned the last transfer position in fourth.
McCreadie won the second heat without contest over Steve Casebolt, Dennis Erb Jr., and Brian Shirley.
Brady Smith collected the third heat challenge in front of Kerry Hansen, Rick Eckert and Darren Miller.
The fourth and final heat race winner Scott James was flying solo for much of the race but a late race caution brought the competition back together for a single restart with only one lap left un-scored. At the finish line, Steve Francis crossed in second ahead of Jeep VanWormer and Wayne Chinn.
Both “B” Main winners started on the pole. Hartman took the first consi race over local racer Ryan Dauber of Tonica. Shane Clanton beat Frank Heckanast Jr. at the line for the third transfer position.
Brian Birkhofer outdistanced the field to earn the second “B” Main race with Dan Schlieper, and John Mason taking the last transfer spots. Before a lap could be scored, Justin Rattliff found himself upside down on the back stretch. A far cry from his first big dollar victory in which he earned on the same turf last season. A well earned accomplishment that netted the young standout $10,000 for his efforts.
Earl Pearson Jr. and Rattliff each took a provisional to make their way into the “A” Main.
Feger and McCreadie rolled up side by side at the helm over Brady Smith, James, Fuller and Casebolt. As soon as the flag dropped Feger moved to the inside line with Smith following but McCreadie found his rhythm on the high road.
A pile up off the second turn during the ninth circuit collected Rattliff, adding to his streak of bad luck, Schlieper, Mason and Clanton. Once the action was back under way, it was tenth place starter Erb putting on a show. He managed to move his way up the pack to fourth before billowing smoke and oil from the rear of his ride sent him back to the pit area and out of contention.
McCreadie was riding the rails throwing his tires over the cushion when he brought his ride up to the door of Feger. His topside run opened up the space needed to grab the lead just before the fourteenth lap. “I put it over the cushion a little, that’s my deal,” McCreadie confessed post race. Smith followed him moving into second.
A few laps later, an incredible battle was well underway between the high flying McCreadie and Smith leaving Feger to fend off John Blankenship, Eckert and Francis. The leader’s side by side showdown was a crowd pleasing display of why they have become dirt track stars.
During Lap 23, Smith stole the lead but only temporarily as McCreadie refused to go without a fight. McCreadie used lapped traffic and a smart move three laps later to get command back. At times, three and four cars separated the leaders as they were lapping the field like they were standing still.
James was on the move and managed to make his way up to a third place running position before fading back during the final laps.
The driver to keep an eye on was none other then former winner Pearson as he charged his way from the last row on the grid through a stacked field into eighth. His provisional paid off.
McCreadie ran a smart well planned race to capture his first Lucas Oil victory since February 2005.
Just after collecting the checkers, McCreadie kicked it up another notch when he flew down the front stretch spinning tires and doing “donuts” for the fans.
“We’ve had a rough few months, glad you stuck with me,” McCreadie announced over the loud speaker. Based on the crowd’s reaction it appeared he may not only had fans sticking with him but he picked up quite a few more with his fierce drive to the checkers.
With unrelenting rain drops a small delay in the action was unavoidable. In addition the threat of inclement weather in the area was looming with lightning in the distance but the Lucas Oil and LaSalle Speedway crews kept their pace on the throttle. It took a great deal of effort by everyone to get the dirt flying without delay. Fans and drivers alike were pretty impressed that the show was constantly in a forward motion.
“They have turned this into a first class deal,” McCreadie told.
The “A” Main finish behind McCreadie was Smith, Blankenship, Eckert, Francis, Feger, VanWormer, Pearson, Hartman, Matt Miller, Casebolt, Schlieper, Chinn, James, Rattliff, Dauber, Fuller, and Darren Miller.
The UMP Modifieds and Street Stocks competed as well.
Fifteen drivers registered for the Modified division. To kick things off, last place starter Nathan Balensiefen stole the lead during the final lap of the exciting first heat race to beat AJ Dixon, Donovan Lodge and Mark Vervynck.
Marty Thompson outran the competition to claim the second heat ahead of Vince Cooper, Doug Curless and Ray Bollinger.
Pole sitter Curless held back two impressive challengers, Cooper and Thompson, to capture the twenty lap main for their class.
When the checkers dropped it was Curless heading to victory lane over Cooper, Thompson, Balensiefen, Lodge, Milo Veloz, Bollinger, Dixon, Vervynck, Jason Pershy, Mark Novolorsky, Michael Marden, Jared Coppejeans, and #89.
Steve Lewis took command during lap seven of the Street Stock’s main race from Jimmy Partipilo to claim his second win in a row. Lewis looks to be one tough contender in the ulta racey division.
Partipilo took home second in front of Alex Clubb, Randy Lucas, Nick Sell, Justin Rutledge, Roger Rickels, Gary Schmitt, Rick Koltveit, Jay Mesarchik, Mike Stewart, Gabe Concor, and Mike Hughes.
Lucas and and Hughes each won the heat races.
La Salle Speedway Scoreboard Results 05/17/08
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – 39 Cars
Fast Qualifier: 12.842
Heat 1: Jason Feger, Tim Fuller, John Blankenship, Matt Miller, Bart Hartman, Frank Heckanast Jr., Billy Drake, Shane Clanton, Brian Claudnic, Tony Izzo Jr.
Heat 2: Tim McCreadie, Steve Casebolt, Dennis Erb Jr, Brian Shirley, Ryan Dauber, Scott Schmitt, Wes Steidinger, Justin Rattliff, Jeremy Grady, Rich Bell
Heat 3: Brady Smith, Kerry Hansen, Rick Eckert, Darren Miller, Brian Birkhofer, Freddy Smith, Earl Pearson Jr., Mike Mataragas, Vic Coffey, Ralph Markham
Heat 4: Scott James, Steve Francis, Jeep VanWormer, Wayne Chinn, John Mason, Dan Schlieper, Mark Burgtorf, Clint Smith, Terry Casey
“B” Main #1: Bart Hartman, Ryan Dauber, Shane Clanton, Frank Heckanast Jr., Wes Steidinger, Brian Claudnic, Billy Drake, Rich Bell, Scott Schmitt, Justin Rattliff
“B” Main #2: Brian Birkhofer, Dan Schlieper, John Mason, Freddy Smith, Clint Smith, Mark Burgtorf, Earl Pearson Jr., Mike Matargas, Vic Coffey, Ralph Markham
Feature: 1. Tim McCreadie, 2. Brady Smith, 3. John Blankenship, 4. Rick Eckert, 5. Steve Frnacis, 6. Jason Feger, 7. Jeep VanWormer, 8. Earl Pearson Jr., 9. Bart Harman, 10. Matt Miller, 11. Steve Casebolt, 12. Dan Schlieper, 13. Wayne Chinn, 14. Scott James, 15. Justin Rattliff, 16. Ryan Dauber, 17. Tim Fuller, 18. Darren Miller, 19. Dennis Erb Jr., 20. Kerry Hansen, 21. Brian Shirley, 22. John Mason, 23. Brian Birkhofer, 24. Shane Clanton
UMP Modifieds 16 Cars
Heat One: Nathan Balensiefen, AJ Dixon, Donovan Lodge, Mark Vervynck
Heat Two: Marty Thompson, Vince Cooper, Doug Curless, Ray Bollinger
Feature: 1. Doug Curless, 2. Vince Cooper, 3. Marty Thompson, 4. Nathan Balensiefen, 5. Donovan Lodge, 6. Milo Veloz, 7. Ray Bollinger, 8. AJ Dixon, 9. Mark Vervynck, 10. Jason Pershy, 11. Brad Pershy, 12. Mark Novorolsky, 13. Michael Marden, 14. Jared Copperjeans, 15. #89
UMP Street Stocks 13 Cars
Heat One: Randy Lucas, Nick Sell, Jay Mesarchick, Kory Peterson
Heat Two: Mike Hughes, Jimmy Partipilo, Alex Clubb, Schmitt
Feature: 1. Steve Lewis, 2. Jimmy Partipilo, 3. Alex Clubb, 4. Randy Lucas, 5. Nick Sell, 6. Justin Rutledge, 7. Roger Rickels, 8. Gary Schmitt, 9. Rick Koltveit, 10. Jay Mesarchick, 11. Mike Stewart, 12. Gabe Concor, 13. Mike Hughes
