Entire Race Night Devoted To Charitable Organization
HIGHLAND IL (July 21, 2012) – Racing at the Highland Speedway this past Saturday night was devoted to the Children of the Leaps of Love organization.
The drivers, crews, fans, and track officials were touched by these kids and that we as adults, stand to learn a lot from their strength and courage.
It was Leaps of Love Night and a night where racing was secondary and it was all about the kids.
Becker Jewelers Late Models / Miller Lite Pro Late Models Combo
For the first time this season the Becker Jewelers Super Late Models and the Miller Lite Pro late models were combined into the same division. The difference between the two divisions is the motor in which powers the respective racers. The Supers are allowed to run any motor combination while the Pro Lates can only use the GM 604 or 602 “Crate” engine.
The Crate powered cars fared well throughout the night as four drivers advanced to the feature through the heats, (Bobby Martintoni, John Cory, Jordan Bauer and Clay Baumann in the 77, qualified and won the dash). Ray Emling in the 6E won the consi and Billy Knebel Jr also advanced into the feature with a third place finish in the consi. In all six crate powered qualified for the feature in which 20 cars started total, a bonus cash award was givin to the highest finishing Miller Lire Pro (Crate) Late Model.
Baumann by winning the dash was the pole sitter but choose to start the nights event on the outside, Michael Kloos in the 6K sat on the inside front row and at the drop of the green flag used the horsepower in his Super Late model to grab the lead. Baumann hung tuff running in the second position for the first twenty laps of the 35 lap main event. The caution flag waved on lap 26 for debris and the line up on the restart had Kloos on point, Chad Zobrist in the 78 now in second, then Rick Salter in the 1S all in supers, then Baumann and Jordan Bauer in the 9Star, two crate powered cars running fourth and fifth.
On lap 27 Salter and Baumann got together bringing out the yellow and sending both drivers to the rear of the field. The restart was Kloos, Zobrist, two lap cars, then Bauer and Shannon Kuhn in the number 11.
Caution again waved this time on lap 31 setting a short run to the checker flag. This time the lapped cars were removed from the top five and it was Kloos, still leading, Zobrist, Bauer, Kuhn and Matt Weidner in the Circle 7 in fifth. Trying as best as he could Zobrist couldn’t catch the 6K as Michael Kloos led flag to flag of the 35 lap event. Bauer in the Crate powered machine finished third, Kuhn fourth and Weidner fifth, Bobby Martintoni was sixth and Baumann made a great recovery to finish tenth.
In the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane Michael Kloos gave $500 of his winnings to the Leaps of Love organization and also gave his winning trophy to one of the youngsters who was riding in the Steve Schmitt Motors Pace Truck.
Becker Jewelers / Miller Lite Late Model Combo Top Ten
1 Michael Kloos
2 Chad Zobrist
3 Jordan Bauer
4 Shannon Kuhn
5 Matt Weidner
6 Bobby Martintoni
7 Daryn Klein
8 John Cory
9 Frankie Martin
10 Clay Baumann
Steve Schmitt Modifieds
For the second week in a row Brian Bielong made the finish in the Steve Schmitt Modifieds exciting. This week a great battle ensued between him and Tyler Diebert in the 84. Bielong lead from the opening laps of the 25 lap main event. Diebert, on lap 22, took the top spot away from Bielong. Diebert worked the bottom of the raceway while Bielong had the number 70 sailing around the top. It looked like Diebert had the feature won but coming to the double checker flags Bielong found a sudden burst of power and past Diebert by a nose at the stripe, Chad Sellers, Chris Smith and Justin Ketrow finished third through fifth respectively.
Steve Schmitt Modifieds Top Ten
1 Brian Bielong
2 Tyler Deibert
3 Chad Sellers
4 Chris Smith
5 Justin Ketrow
6 Aaron Kleine
7 Marty Smith, Jr
8 Dustin Knerrer
9 Steve Lach
10 Rob Timmons
Factory Stocks
Jake Hewitt captured the Factory Stock trophy
Factory Stock Top 5
1 Jake Hewitt
2 Shaun Horstmann
3 T J Eilers
4 Eric Harris
5 Cale Hartnagel
Sport Mods
Points leader Rob Lee was again victorious in the Sport Mod division.
Sport Mod Top Five
1 Rob Lee
2 Tyler Deibert
3 Jim Lafferty, Jr
4 Marty Smith, Jr
5 Mike Jones
Sport Compacts
Kenny Elliot won a hard fought battle in the Sport Compact to make it to the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane once again.
Sport Compact Top Five
1 Kenny Elliott
2 Bobby Funderburk
3 Robbie Bindrim
4 Christian Lee
5 Chris Dicken
Up Coming Schedule
It’s Fair Week
July 24 – ITPA Truck & Tractor Pull sponsored by Hamel Coop Grain
July 25 – MOWA Sprint Series Racing sponsored by Oberbeck Grain Co with micros and SportMods
July 26 – Combine Demo Derby sponsored by St. Rose Tractor
July 27 – Car Demolition Derby Fair Week
July 28 – UMP Challenge of Champions night sponsored by Snap On & First Mid Illinois featuring Scott Wernle Memorial Night featuring 25 lap Street Stock race
July 29 – Lawn Mower Demo Derby Fair Week featuring KidzMods and Gateway Vintage Cars
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)
