HIGHLAND IL ( May 26, 2012) It was an evening of remembering those who have made the greatest of all sacrifices, complete with an Honor Guard and a 21 gun salute…..It was a Memorial Day Observance at the Highland Speedway sponsored by Miller Lite.
Becker Jewelers Late Models
After nearly an hour and forty five minute delay for an electrical problem with the lights in turns three and four. The Becker Jewelers Late Models hit the track running.
Pole sitter Ryan Little from Springfield IL, in the 38L choose the outside starting position and “Fast” Frankie Martin from DuQuoin IL was positioned on the pole. Little thinking the high side would give him an advantage wasn’t counting on Martin, a long time competitor of the Highland Speedway knowing how to make any lane work to his advantage and Martin led the first lap, in fact “Fast” Frankie was in command of the night cap for the Late Models from the start, but it wasn’t an easy run. Behind him and Little were Mike Schulte, Dan Jacober in row two Daryn Klein in the 10 and Steven Unterbrink in the 4S making up the third row. Michael Kloos in the 6K, and Brent Helmkamp in the 31 made up row four.
Kloos was a man on a mission, by lap three he moved up one position to sixth. A spin by Dan Jacober on lap five bunched the field with Martin in the lead followed by Little, Schulte, Kloos was now fourth. It was Martin and Little running the high side around the Speedway and Schulte and Kloos working the bottom. Lap twelve Kloos passed Schulte and set his sights on the leaders.
On lap 15 things started to get interesting. Martin had reached the back of the field, while he had a substantial lead over the 38 and 6K, the traffic ahead was heavy. Kloos finally surpassed the 38 of Little. Not only was the second generation driver from Trenton trying to run down the leader, but he also was fighting his way through the lap traffic.
The driving display by the two veterans was nothing short of spectacular, Martin weaving through on the top and middle and Kloos hanging tuff on the bottom. Unfortunately for Kloos he ran out of laps before he over take the driver from DuQuoin and “Fast” Frankie Martin made his second trip to the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane this season, Kloos, Chad Zobrist, Little and Schulte were the top five
Becker Jewelers Late Models Top Ten
1 Frankie Martin
2 Michael Kloos
3 Chad Zobrist
4 Ryan Little
5 Mike Schulte
6 Daryn Klein
7 Jason Zobrist
8 Rick Salter
9 Shannon Kuhn
10 Adam Tishhauser
Steve Schmitt Modifieds
Like the Becker Jewelers Late Models were tired of sitting around and eager to put on a show for the fans that came out for this night of remembrance. Just as in the Late Model race the pole sitter Chad Sellers in the number 11 from Breese Il choose the outside of the front row putting Highland points leader Aaron Klein on the inside. It was definitely clear Sellers had a plan as he quickly jumped to the lead and led the first of twenty in the feature event.
A scary moment had the crowd on their feet on lap four as Derek DuBree in the 87 running mid pact got too close the the front straight away wall and went for a ride landing up against the wall. After several scary moments and great work by the Highland Speedway Track Crew, they righted the car and DuBree climbed from his battered racer.
When the race resumed it was Sellers, Kleine, Steve Latch in the 42, Brett Korvis in the 25 and Justin Ketrow in the 6.
The race went several laps before another caution brought the field together, At lap 13 the running order had the 11 of Sellers in the lead, followed by Kleine, Latch in the 42, and Korvis in the 25.
The battle for the next 7 laps looked like it was clearly for second between Kleine and Latch but Korvis in the 25 was working on the bottom of the track and on lap 18 he moved high and passed both Kleine and Latch and was going after Sellers in the 11. Laps ran out for the young driver from Belleville and Chad Sellers sailed home to be in the Casey’s General Store Victory Lane. Korvis settled for second, Kleine, Latch and Brad Venhaus in the 55 were the top 5.
Steve Schmitt Modified Top Ten
1 Chad Sellers
2 Brett Korves
3 Aaron Kleine
4 Steve Lach
5 Brad Venhaus
6 Tyler Deibert
7 Justin Ketrow
8 Jacob Steinkoenig
9 Lynn Tidwell
10 Derek Shipman
KidzModz
Young Cole Sellers joined his father Chad in the Casey’s General Store Victory Lane as he was victorious in the KidzModz Division, Kayle Gibson ran second, Joey Gibson, Zane Ulmer and Ryan Hamilton rounded out the field.
Balance of Show
Due to time restraints because of the power failure the other Divisions will run their features on nights to be announced.
Coming Events
May 31, (Thursday) Mars $3000.00 TO WIN Late Models
June 2 – Figure 8 CANCELLED T.B.A. NO RACING!
June 9- Hamel Coop Grain Co night (give a ways by Huddle House)
For more information about the Highland Speedway and the Madison County Fair Association visit their respective web sites: Highland Speedway .com, and Mad Co Fair .com. Also visit their respective Face Book pages.
(Photos by Photo Billy used by Permission)
