Harrison, Smith, & Isaak Win
Highland IL (May31,2012) A special weekday event and an added purse always brings out the best in racing at the Highland Speedway, and this past Thursday it was no exception. The Mid America Racing Series (MARS) was in town to battle the regulars and some of the Midwest finest traveling All Star racers. It was the first leg of the Tri State Challenge.
This spring we have witnessed an array of weather at the Speedway from extreme heat to almost fall type weather and last night’s weather was the later. The Highland Speedway Track Crew worked diligently throughout the day and provided an excellent race course. After the track crew spent intermission grooming the ¼ mile surface a mist came over the Speedway as the MARS- Becker Jewelers Late Models were lining up for their feature. A few quick warm up laps and with the mist subsiding for the moment the field of 21 took the green flag with Daryn Kline in the number 10 leading the way. Alongside of Kline was the “Trenton Tornado” Michael Kloos driving the 6K Gerstner and Son’s entry out of Breese IL. In the second row inside was the 24 belonging to the 2011 UMP National Champion hailing from El Paso IL, Ryan Unzicker and along side of him was the winner of last week’s feature event at Highland “Fast” Frankie Martin of DuQuoin IL on the outside. “The Flatland Flash” Kevin Weaver and Kevin Cole sat in row three.
Before one lap was completed coming out of turn two disaster nearly eliminated the top three cars as Kline, Kloos and Unzicker tangled and the resulting mêlée had sheet metal damage on the 10 and 24 and Kloos sitting atop a large tractor tire used to mark the inside perimeter of the track. Luckily for all involved no series damage was done and the race got under way, this time for 21 caution free laps.
The racing was fierce with 3 and 4 wide racing going on all around the track. Lap 10 found Kloos the leader with Weaver, Martin and Unzicker in hot pursuit. The leaders were engaging lap traffic by lap 11 and on lap 15 Kloos was in the high dirt with Weaver hot on his heels. The first caution waved on lap 21 when the leaders charging out of turn 4 touched and the resulting incident sidelined the B12 of Weaver.
The MARS Series utilizes the “Delaware” style restart with the leader (Kloos) on point with the remaining field lined up side by side; in this case it was Martin low, Unzicker high and the 6 of MARS regular Jesse Stovall and Cole in the 81C lining up in row 3. Only one lap was completed when the T4 of Adam Tishhauser spun in turn four. The leaders stayed the same and the race restarted. Just several laps were completed and the yellow waved once again, this time for the 25 of Martin, who jumped the burm in turn 4. Martin had been scored as running third at the time, rejoined the field at the end of the lead lap cars.
The race was just under way when the Pole Sitter Kline spun bringing out the last caution of the night. The restart had Kloos out front, with Stovall and Unzicker sitting ready to pounce on the leader. Kloos was in complete control of the race and while Unzicker tried a quick move to the bottom coming out of four, the 6K led all 40 laps and earned a trip to the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane plus the $3000 check for an exciting evening of racing. Unzicker was credited for second, Stovall third, Cole followed in forth and MARS regular Tony Jackson JR completed the top five.
MARS – Becker Jewelers Late Models Top Ten
1 Michael Kloos
2 Ryan Unzicker
3 Jesse Stovall
4 Kevin Cole
5 Tony Jackson, Jr
6 Jason Zobrist
7 Chad Zobrist
8 Frankie Martin
9 Mike Schulte
10 Jim Moon
Steve Schmitt Modifieds
Highland IL’s Mike Harrison, the current UMP National Champion, won the night cap in the Steve Schmitt Modifieds, Brett “The Kid” Korvis was second just overcoming the 84 of Tyler Diebert at the line, Diebert, who lead in the opening laps, was scored in the third spot, the 6 of Justin Ketrow was fourth and the 11 of last Saturday nights feature winner, Chad Sellers completed the top five.
Steve Schmitt Modified Top Ten
1 Mike Harrison
2 Brett Korves
3 Tyler Deibert
4 Justin Ketrow
5 Chad Sellers
6 Chris Smith
7 Brett Cygan
8 Steve Lach
9 Lynn Tidwell
10 Stephen Plog
Sport Mods
Chris Smith got behind the wheel this week of his family’s number 55 racer and drove it to the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane.
Sport Mods Top 5
1 Chris Smith
2 Rob Lee
3 Brett Page
4 Curt Loddeke
5 Rick Johnson
Factory Stocks Top 5
1 Austin Isaak
2 Jake Hewitt
3 Cale Hartnagel
4 Stephen Fohne
5 Ryan Emig
Coming Events
June 2 – Figure 8 CANCELLED T.B.A. NO RACING!
June 9- Hamel Coop Grain Co night (give a ways by Huddle House)
Pro Late Model Make up Feature
June 12 2012 Test & Tune Tuesday 5:00 – 8:00pm
June 16 2012 Grapperhaus Night of Destruction Rollover Contest featuring Johnny Crash
June 20 2012 *Summer Nationals Wednesday
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)
