Feger Wins Kimler Memorial at Farmer City

Farmer City, Ill. (7/22/11) Jason Feger took the lead on the 9th lap, pulled away from the field, and scored his 2nd win at Farmer City Speedway in the 30 lap UMP Late Model race. Outside front row starter, Ryan Dauber, got the jump on Mike Glasscock at the start with, Kent Robinson, Feger, and point leader, Eric Smith following. After a caution on the 8th lap, Feger used a slide job on Dauber to perfection and put on a clinic on racing the top shelve of the track. By the halfway point, Feger had a straight away lead, while drivers behind him scrambled for position. Dauber ,running 2nd had his hands full with Smith and Robinson soon joined in. the trio swapped positions several times, which allowed Bobby Pierce to soon join in. With the laps winding down and Feger in control, Dauber’s tires started to give out and he faded away. Robinson and Smith went at it back and forth, with Pierce lurking in the distance. As Feger took the checkered lap and $3000, Robinson made a last lap move to secure 2nd over Smith in a hard fought race. Pierce, Dauber, Dennis Erb Jr., Joe Harlan, Scott Bull, Jimmy Dehm, and Mike Glasscock completed the top 10. Harlan topped the 16 other drivers in qualifying, while Glasscock and Dauber won heat races.

Multi time track champion, Jeff Leka, started the 20 lap UMP Modified race on the pole, took the lead at the start and showed all why he is the man to beat at Farmer City. In the opening stages of the race, Leka jumped out to a 10 car length lead with Justin Delong, Gary Turpin, Jay Ledford, and Cory Schwengel in tow. After a lap 5 caution, Delong, last year’s track champion, made a brief challenge for the lead, but Leka was able to pull away. Turpin and Ledford put on a show for 3rd spot, with both drivers running the top of the track. Turpin got loose at one point, allowing Ledford to get by. As Leka took the checkered flag for the 9th time, Delong, Ledford, 16th starting Lance Dehm, Turpin, Schwengel, Cole Hussong, Don Cox, Dave Baldwin, and Mark Tullis rouded out the top 10. Turpin was the nights fast qualifier, while Leka and Delong won heat races.

In the 15 lap UMP Sportsman race, Joel Funk took the lead coming off of turn 4 with the checkered flag waving in the air, to pick up his 1st Farmer City Sportsman win. At the start of the race, Funk and Dan Flessner went at it back and forth exchanging the lead and sheet metal several times over the course of the race, before Funk was able to secure the win. Flessner, the track point leader took second, while Richie Rich turned in a good performance with a 3rd, followed by Dave Crawley Jr., and Troy Clark. Funk and Flessner took the heat wins.

Joel Funk inherited the lead form Wayne Orrick on the 7th lap and held off Darrel Dick, to pick up the win in the 15 lap Street Stock feature. Orrick started the race on the outside pole and took the lead at the start. Behind him, Funk and Dick battled for second, before Funk was able take the spot. With Funk in second, he closed up on Orrick and made the pass on the 7th lap. During a lap 10 caution, Orrick had a tire go flat and ended his night. In the closing laps, Funk kept a 2 car length lead over Dick and held on for his 3rd win of the year. Chris Dick took third, followed by A.J. Wright, and Jim Quinn. Orrick and Funk won heat races.

Action concluded with the Hornet drivers in a 10 lap race. Kenny Butterfield was able to lead flag to flag and took his 4th win of the year. Matt Maier, Tanner Tibbs, Ben Gernentz, and Casey Gernentz took the top 5 positions. Ben Gernentz and Butterfield won heats, while Maier won a special trophy dash.

Harland “Jr.” Kimler was one of the area’s businessmen and active within the community. An avid supporter of Farmer City Speedway, Kimler passed away in 2006. The family was pleased with the event and has plans to host the race next year. Next Friday night, Farmer City will have a full race program, with FAN APPRECIATION Night. All race fans will be admitted to the stands for $5.00.