Big Night of Racing At the Highland Speedway
HIGHLAND IL (7 28) -The excitement of the Madison County Fair added with The UMP Challenge of Champions Race, The Scott Wernle Memorial for the Factory Stock, near capacity grand stands and one of the coolest evenings we have had in a long time and you’ve got one great night of racing.
Bec
ker Jewelers Late Models / Miller Lite Pro Late Models Combo
For the second week in a row the two late model divisions were combined creating a field of 30 late models with four heat races. The top two in each heat advanced to the dash, Winning heat one was the 7 of Dave Jacober followed by Rick “the Salty Dog” Salter in the 1S. Heat two saw Steve Leach in the 49 crossing the stripe first with “Racin” Jason Zobrist in the 87 in second. Heat three “The Trenton Tornado” Michael Kloos driving the 6K finished first and “Fast” Frankie Martin in his familiar 25 was second and picking up the heat win in the fourth and final heat of the evening for the Late Models was Shannon Kuhn in the 11K and The “Highland Bulldog” Chad Zobrist in the 78 in second.
The dash action was fast and furious. The redraw for starting positions positioned Zobrist on the pole with Leach along side. After six quick laps and the dust settled, Frankie Martin was the winner with Zobrist second.
One final order of business before the feature and that was to run the Consi race and D.J. Cygan took the checkered flag, also advancing into the night cap through the consi was Billy Knebel JR, Brent Helmkamp, and Jason Suhre.
In the 25 lap main event, “Fast” Frankie jumped out to an early race lead, but caution on lap 3 for the Salty Dog on the back straight set up the first single file restart of the night. It was Martin, Zobrist and Kloos your top three. Immediately all three jumped to the high side and by lap 4 Zobrist made the pass for the lead over Martin. Caution waved a lap later and after two retries racing resumed. Zobrist was still the leader on lap 10, followed by Martin and Kloos all working the high side of the speedway. Things started to get interesting as by lap 12 as the front runners caught up with the back half of the field. The top three all picked different lines around the lapped cars making it interesting and sometimes a little “hairy”. Chad Zobrist had just enough of a lead going into the lap traffic that neither Martin nor Kloos could catch him. Mike Schulte was fourth and Shannon Kuhn finished fifth.
Steve Schmitt Modifieds
While not racing every night since the beginning of the season Brian Bielong has been the car to beat when he does make his appearance, and for the last three weeks the number 70 has found his way into the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane. This week Justin Ketrow had a good run but only good for second place, Mike Harrison was third, Tyler Diebert, fourth and Chris Smith was the top five.
The Scott Wernle Memorial Factory Stocks
A field of 20 plus races cars assembled at the Speedway for a race dedicated to the memory of a long time crew member for his brother Dennis Wernle who raced in the old Sportsmen
Division at the Speedway. Jake Hewitt landed in the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane for the second week in a row, followed by Ryan Emig, Michael Ripperda JR, Trevor Isaak and Austin Isaak were the top five.
Sport Compacts
After a slight bit of confusion because the race was called for time, Josh Bauer was declared the winner, Kenny Elliot, Robbie Bindrim, Kate Smith and Zach Schantz completed the top five.
Coming Events;
August 4 – AgiGold night (Giveaways by Huddle House) featuring Lee’s Loan Diamond Dig
August 11 MCFA night
August 14 – Test & Tune Tuesday 6:00 – 9:00pm
August 18 -Topless Night sponsored by Daum Crop Insurance
(Farmers see your Daum Insurance agent for free passes)
August 25 – *Backstoppers Sponsored by Miller Lite (Giveaways by Miller Lite)
September 1 – Labor Day Weekend NO RACES
For more information about the Highland Speedway and the Madison County Fair Association visit their respective web sites: HighlandSpeedway.com, and MadCoFair.com. Also visit their respective Face Book pages.
(Photos by Photo Billy used by Permission)
