By Eldon and Oleva Butcher
Mt. Vernon, IL. May 17, 2005. Rodney Melvin turned in an
unbelievable driving performance Tuesday night at Mt. Vernon
Raceway. Melvin started fourth in the eighteen car UMP Late Model
feature and took the lead on lap 7 to claim his second feature of the
night. Minutes before he had started on the outside pole of the UMP
Modified feature and led every lap on his way to that victory.
It was also Double Kenny Night with NASCAR Regulars Kenny
Schrader and Kenny Wallace making special appearances on a race card
promoted by Track Enterprises. The two drivers were presented with
the Seal of the City by the Mayor of Mt.Vernon trackside before the
race program got underway. Schrader competed in the late models with
his usual Federated Auto Parts 99. Wallace raced with the modifieds
in his bright red and yellow number 36 Stacker II Machine.
Schrader was a factor all night long. He started outside
polesitter Richie Hedrick in the feature. The first attempt to start
the event was recalled by the flagman. On the second attempt Hedrick
and Schrader hit the first turn even. Hedrick’s car drifted up
towards the nose of Schrader’s machine. Quick reactions averted an
accident. Schrader made a great save and the green stayed out. But
Rodney Melvin and Kevin Cole moved by the NASCAR veteran and he lost
a favorable track position.
Melvin was quick to challenge Hedrick. Only six laps had lapsed
before Melvin passed the Urbana driver in turn two. Hedrick returned
the pass in three but strayed wide allowing the other three drivers
to power by him. Schrader passed Cole a lap later and would finish a
close second to Melvin. Kevin Cole mastered third spot easily.
Randy Korte, using a lower racing line, finished fourth. Du Quoin’s
Fast Frankie Martin improved over a 10th starting spot to finish
fifth. Ed Dixon and Hedrick finished just out of the top five.
Randy Korte’s mark of 14.013 seconds was the best of the 27
drivers attempting qualifications. Richie Hedrick won both the first
heat and the dash. Ed Dixon, Joe Morris, and Schrader also claimed
heat victories. Schrader’s win was after a tight battle with track
regular Rodney Melvin. Jeff Sloan won the consy but met hard luck
early in the feature while contacting the first turn guard rail.
Rusty Griffaw and Matt Mevert kept the heat on Melvin in the UMP
Modified Feature But they would finish second and third. Griffaw was very fast in
winning a heat and dash earlier. Gabe Menser finished fourth despite
losing fuel onto the track. Officials corrected the problem during a
caution. Track Stewart Larry Gowler tightened a loose tank cap and
sent him back into competition. Steve Cole finished fifth.
NASCAR Guest Star Kenny Wallace started eleventh on the field.
The Missouri driver kept his foot in it and charged up to 6th before
retiring to the pits. Apparently his car was damaged in contact with
the troublesome turn one guard rail on a crowded restart. The
cushion there was very deep and tricky to work.
Bobby Wilkens outraced Mike Galloway and Mike Pasley to win the
Bomber feature. Daniel Heck prevailed in the 15 car Hornet Feature.
His victory was over Robby Eilers and Aaron Heck.
Mt. Vernon, IL. May 17, 2005. Rodney Melvin turned in an
unbelievable driving performance Tuesday night at Mt. Vernon
Raceway. Melvin started fourth in the eighteen car UMP Late Model
feature and took the lead on lap 7 to claim his second feature of the
night. Minutes before he had started on the outside pole of the UMP
Modified feature and led every lap on his way to that victory.
It was also Double Kenny Night with NASCAR Regulars Kenny
Schrader and Kenny Wallace making special appearances on a race card
promoted by Track Enterprises. The two drivers were presented with
the Seal of the City by the Mayor of Mt.Vernon trackside before the
race program got underway. Schrader competed in the late models with
his usual Federated Auto Parts 99. Wallace raced with the modifieds
in his bright red and yellow number 36 Stacker II Machine.
Schrader was a factor all night long. He started outside
polesitter Richie Hedrick in the feature. The first attempt to start
the event was recalled by the flagman. On the second attempt Hedrick
and Schrader hit the first turn even. Hedrick’s car drifted up
towards the nose of Schrader’s machine. Quick reactions averted an
accident. Schrader made a great save and the green stayed out. But
Rodney Melvin and Kevin Cole moved by the NASCAR veteran and he lost
a favorable track position.
Melvin was quick to challenge Hedrick. Only six laps had lapsed
before Melvin passed the Urbana driver in turn two. Hedrick returned
the pass in three but strayed wide allowing the other three drivers
to power by him. Schrader passed Cole a lap later and would finish a
close second to Melvin. Kevin Cole mastered third spot easily.
Randy Korte, using a lower racing line, finished fourth. Du Quoin’s
Fast Frankie Martin improved over a 10th starting spot to finish
fifth. Ed Dixon and Hedrick finished just out of the top five.
Randy Korte’s mark of 14.013 seconds was the best of the 27
drivers attempting qualifications. Richie Hedrick won both the first
heat and the dash. Ed Dixon, Joe Morris, and Schrader also claimed
heat victories. Schrader’s win was after a tight battle with track
regular Rodney Melvin. Jeff Sloan won the consy but met hard luck
early in the feature while contacting the first turn guard rail.
Rusty Griffaw and Matt Mevert kept the heat on Melvin in the UMP
Modified Feature But they would finish second and third. Griffaw was very fast in
winning a heat and dash earlier. Gabe Menser finished fourth despite
losing fuel onto the track. Officials corrected the problem during a
caution. Track Stewart Larry Gowler tightened a loose tank cap and
sent him back into competition. Steve Cole finished fifth.
NASCAR Guest Star Kenny Wallace started eleventh on the field.
The Missouri driver kept his foot in it and charged up to 6th before
retiring to the pits. Apparently his car was damaged in contact with
the troublesome turn one guard rail on a crowded restart. The
cushion there was very deep and tricky to work.
Bobby Wilkens outraced Mike Galloway and Mike Pasley to win the
Bomber feature. Daniel Heck prevailed in the 15 car Hornet Feature.
His victory was over Robby Eilers and Aaron Heck.
