Kankakee's Carload Night stuffs them in despite threats
of rain and storms
By: Paul D. Bayne
Kankakee, IL (July 23, 2010) - A late afternoon
shower that lasted just a few minutes didn't dampen the spirits
of some 117 drivers
and another large crowd on Carload Night as Kankakee County Speedway
hosted it's Mid-Season Championships Friday night at the 1/3-mile
oval located on the grounds of the Kankakee County Fairgrounds.
 After a nearly two hour rain delay to rework the track's surface,
Elmer Saathoff and crew gave the track staff the thumbs up to go
green flag racing, and what their efforts produced was a very fast
and smooth racing surface all night long that gave fans that high
octane excitement they came looking for as well as one very frightful
tense moment when late model driver Gary Schalmo of Mokena, IL
got airborne and cart-wheeled his Warrior race car down the front
stretch after exiting turn four in earlier heat race action. It
was unclear as to what caused the miscue, but after several minutes,
Gary Schalmo exited his car with the assistance of track crew member
Jon Hamilton clearly shaken as he was helped to the ambulance with
the assistance of others. After being initially evaluated, Gary
claimed he was alright only to have the track ambulance return
later on to transport him to nearby Riverside Medical Center where
he was treated and released after suffering a mild concussion.
Promoter Tom Smith spoke with Schalmo by phone Saturday, and Schalmo
said he doesn't remember anything about the accident but did want
to thank everyone who helped extricate him from his badly damaged
car and also to all those who have called to check on him and wish
him well.
 Meanwhile, the action on the track never slowed down as Mike Spatola
of Manhattan romped to his second win of the season at Kankakee
besting a field of 25 other UMP Modifieds in the Chicago Heights
U-Pull-It UMP Modified 20-lap, $700 to win feature. Finishing a
distant second was Jim Farris of Odell after Kankakee's Phil Line
slowed and fell out of the top five. Vince Cooper of Morris came
home in the third spot followed by Gardner's Dave Porth and Jamie
Lomax of Lake Village, IN. Heat race winners included Line, Spatola,
and Porth, while rookie Allen Line earned his first ever checkered
flag by winning the consolation race.
 Keith Piano of Oglesby, IL was the surprise winner of the Court
Street Ford UMP Late Model 25-lap feature that netted the veteran
driver $1,500 on the night. Piano also became an unprecedented
ninth different winner in as many weeks in the Court Street Ford
UMP Late Model division. That number could climb even higher over
the next several weeks as Kankakee will be hosting the second and
third legs of The Land of Lincoln Triple Crown Clash over the next
three weeks. More on that later.
Giving chase and finishing runner-up was point leader Ted Loomis
of Kingston, who used his edge of his seat style of racing to throw
everything he could at Piano except the piano itself. Rounding
out the top five was Rich Bell, Jimmy Dehm, and Frank Heckenast
Sr., who were all engaged in a spirited battle of their own. Heat
race winners included Kyle Madison, Piano, and Dehm. The event
drew 24 late model entries.
 In Smith Realty I-Mod action, Mike Kingma of Lowell, IN crept closer
to the top of the points standings with his victory over Adam Williams
in the 15-lap feature affair. Kingma, the defending track and series
champion, came into the night trailing Williams by 18 points in
the standings and with his win trimmed off five points and now
trails by just 13 points. Meanwhile, Mitch Bailey would ride home
in third followed by John Robbins and John Rhoads. Williams and
Robbins were heat race winners among the 19 entrants on hand. Driver
Mike Heckenast of MPH Trucking added $500 to the purse to be dispersed
down through the field.
 Next up were the Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars where Alex Clubb
of Morris was a surprise winner in a division where making the
show as an outsider is half the battle, much less winning the 15-lap,
$400 to win feature. However, Clubb was able to use his pole starting
spot to jump out front and never relinquish the lead despite having
Joel Funk of Dwight giving chase in his Rambler bodied stock car.
Jay Hamilton of Bonfield finished third while point leader Jerrad
Krick of Earl Park, IN, and Andrew Funk of Dwight finished fourth
and fifth, respectively. Heat race winners included Clubb, Jeff
Riley, and Hamilton, while rookie Axle Wicker won the consolation
race. For Riley, it was a high-flying day after jetting in from
Las Vegas just prior to race time then making the drive from Lewis
airport in Joliet.
 Finally, in Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compact action, Nick
Clubb of Morris bested 20 other four-cylinder combatants in earning
$200 for his first win at Kankakee. Matt McCarty finished runner-up
to maintain his point lead in the division, while Shannon Mudro,
newcomer Kyle Cox, and Nick Boring rounded out the top five. Clubb
and John Provenzano each won preliminary heat races.
Join us Friday night, July 30th, as Indy Pic-A-Part presents The
Land of Lincoln Triple Crown Clash featuring the Monster Midwest
Series vs. Northern All Stars vs. Sunoco American Late Model Series
competing in a 40-lap, $3,000 to win battle of Midwest supremacy.
Some of the regions top drivers including the Top 5 in UMP National
points will be on hand to do battle in what should prove to go
a long way in determining the 2010 UMP National Champion. Rusty
Schlenk of Jackson, MI, Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, MI, Ryan
Unzicker of El Paso, IL, Jason Feger of Bloomington, IL, and Dennis
Erb of Carpentersville, IL are just some of the names of what looks
to be a stellar lineup of drivers competing here over the next
few weeks. Feger represents the Monster Midwest Series, Kevin Weaver
represents the Northern All Stars, and Jon Henry respresents the
Sunoco American Late Model Series as series champions from 2009.
Drivers from Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana will also be pleased to
know that Fairbury American Legion Speedway will host a $2,000
to win show on Saturday, July 31st, giving drivers from those states
a reason to travel to Kankakee knowing they can compete all weekend
long. Plus the night will also include a full program of racing
including Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds, Miller Hydraulic
UMP Stock Cars, and the Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compacts.
Admission is $15, Kids 11-16 $8, 10 & Under FREE. Pit admission
is $30.
Pit gates open at 3PM with Main Gates open at 5PM. Hotlaps at 6PM,
Qualifying at 630PM, Racing slated to begin at 730PM.
For more KCS information go online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com.
Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds (27 cars)
Heat 1 (Top 6 transfer)
1. 66 Phil Line
2. 70 Vince Cooper
3. 20 AJ Dixon
4. 36 Kevin Hastings
5. 0 Travis Kohler
6. 93 Tim Loomis
Heat 2 (Top 6 transfer)
1. 89 Mike Spatola
2. 36L Jamie Lomax
3. 69 Jim Farris
4. 12X Tom Pasek
5. 05 Steven Brooks
6. 61 Jammie Wilson
Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer)
1. 25 Dave Porth
2. 10 Shawn Scripter
3. 21A Nick Allen
4. 57 Mark Grosvenor
5. 76 Jim Bailey
6. 130 Chad Osterhoff
Consi (Top 2 transfer)
1. 22 Allen Line
2. V47 Darrin Kohler
3. 4 Kevin Davis
4. 5J Jeramie Johnson
5. 83 Kevin Myszkiewicz
6. 48 Adam Pockrus
7. 06 Ryan Kortge
8. 7 Jason Klopp
9. 5 Dylan Campbell - DNS
FEATURE (20-laps - $700.00 to win)
1. 89 Mike Spatola (2)
2. 69 Jim Farris (8)
3. 70 Vince Cooper (4)
4. 25 Dave Porth (3)
5. 36L Jamie Lomax (5)
6. 66 Phil Line (1)
7. 21A Nick Allen (9)
8. 36 Kevin Hastings (10)
9. 10 Shawn Scripter (6)
10. 57 Mark Grosvenor (12)
11. 20 AJ Dixon (7)
12. 93 Tim Loomis (16)
13. 130 Chad Osterhoff (18)
14. 05 Steven Brooks (14)
15. 12x Tom Pasek (11)
16. V47 Darrin Kohler (20)
17. 22 Allen Line (19)
18. 76 Jim Bailey (15)
19. 61 Jammie Wilson (17)
20. 0 Travis Kohler (13)
Hard Charger - 69 Jim Farris +6
Court Street Ford UMP Late Models (24 cars)
No Qualifying - Passing Points System used due to time constraints
Heat 1
1. 23M Kyle Madison
2. J7 Jeff Miller
3. 77M Jay Morris
4. 14T Glen Thompson
5. 77 Steve Pastva
6. 54 Cody Watters
Heat 2
1. 21 Keith Piano
2. 23 Ted Loomis
3. 21B Rich Bell
4. 24 John Quill
5. 10 Scott Schmitt
6. 64 Ryan Dauber
Heat 3
1. 99J Jimmy Dehm
2. 92 Dick Potts
3. 99SR Frank Heckenast Sr.
4. 7T Steve Thorsten
5. 11 Steve Dimmick
6. 42A Alan Gendusa
Other drivers in attendance: Richie Hedrick, Gary Schalmo, Aaron
Ricketts, Don Hilleary
FEATURE (25-laps - $1,500.00 to win)
1. 21 Keith Piano
2. 23 Ted Loomis
3. 21B Rich Bell
4. 99J Jimmy Dehm
5. 99SR Frank Heckenast Sr.
6. 23M Kyle Madison
7. 11 Steve Dimmick
8. 10 Scott Schmitt
9. 92 Dick Potts
10. 7T Steve Thorsten
11. 14T Glen Thompson
12. 24 John Quill
13. 77 Steve Pastva
14. 77M Jay Morris
15. 42A Alan Gendusa
16. 6 Warren Johnson
17. 10H Don Hilleary
18. 64 Ryan Dauber
19. J7 Jeff Miller
20. 54 Cody Watters
Note: Gary Schalmo of Mokena does not remember anything from his
voilent flip in turn four. He was taken to Riverside Medical Center
for further evaluation and observation. He suffered a mild concussion.
Gary would like to thank all those who responded to the accident
in a timely manner, helped extricate him from his car, and also
to all those who have called and wished him well. We are also glad
that Gary is alright after that scary accident.
We'd also like to thank all those who stuck it out with us last
night after an untimely rain shower passed through the area. Elmer
and his crew did a marvelous job, along with the assistance of
most drivers in bringing the track around into perhaps the best
shape it's been in over the past several years. Incredibly fast
and smooth. Thumbs up to all those who helped out in the process.
Next week should be a huge night of racing.
Smith Realty I-MODS (19 cars)
Heat 1
1. 14 Adam Williams
2. 77 Mike Kingma
3. 20X John Rhoads
4. 88 Neil Martin
5. 9 Josh Cooley
6. 16 Jeff Barger
Heat 2
1. 55 John Robbins
2. 42 Mitch Bailey
3. 77 Don Stone
4. 6 Tom Jarrette
5. 98 Mike Heckenast
6. 1 Al Harris
FEATURE (15-laps - $250.00 to win)
1. 77 Mike Kingma (3)
2. 14 Adam Williams (1)
3. 42 Mitch Bailey (4)
4. 55 John Robbins (2)
5. 20X John Rhoads (5)
6. 77 Don Stone (6)
7. 6 Tom Jarrette (8)
8. 88 Neil Martin (7)
9. 9 Josh Cooley (9)
10. 89 Rich Gynn (15)
11. 98 Mike Heckenast (10)
12. 3 Jim Barkus (16)
13. 99 Jason Bitterling (17)
14. 16 Jeff Barger (11)
15. 18 Ryen Johnson (13)
16. 15 Brandon Williams (14)
17. 1 Al Harris (12)
18. 22 Mark Stevenson (18)
Hard Charger - 89 Rich Gynn +5
Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars (26 cars)
Heat 1 (top 6 transfer)
1. 3 Alex Clubb
2. 1W Brian Wirtz
3. 10 Lon Franks
4. 18 David Billingsley
5. 5 Shannon Shutter
6. 21 Darrin Kohler
Heat 2 (top 6 transfer)
1. 92 Jeff Riley
2. 99K Jerrad Krick
3. 96 Joe Malone
4. 55 Billy Wicker
5. 16 Robert Turner
6. 23 Tony Hemp
Heat 3 (top 6 transfer)
1. 6 Jay Hamilton
2. 23T Joel Funk
3. 23A Andrew Funk
4. 52 Nate Kroll
5. V27 Don Hilleary
6. B9 Joe Brown
Consi (top 2 transfer)
1. 118 Axle Wicker
2. 70 Wayne Huffman
3. C18 Sam Casko
4. 75 Matt Cleary
5. V37 Nick Montalta
6. 7 Joe Steurer
7. L3 Kevin Lenzen - DNS
8. 68 J Thompson - DNS
FEATURE (15-laps - $400.00 to win)
1. 3 Alex Clubb (1)
2. 23T Joel Funk (6)
3. 6 Jay Hamilton (3)
4. 99K Jerrad Krick (5)
5. 23A Andrew Funk (9)
6. 10 Lon Franks (7)
7. 55 Billy Wicker (11)
8. 1W Brian Wirtz (4)
9. 16 Robert Turner (14)
10. 118 Axle Wicker (19)
11. V27 Don Hilleary (15)
12. 21 Darrin Kohler (16)
13. 18 David Billingsley (10)
14. 96 Joe Malone (8)
15. 5 Shannon Shutter (13)
16. B9 Joe Brown (18)
17. 23 Tony Hemp (17)
18. 92 Jeff Riley (2)
13. 52 Nate Kroll (12)
9. 70 Wayne Huffman (20)
Hard Charger - 118 Axle Wicker +9
Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compacts (21 cars)
Heat 1
1. 86 Nick Clubb
2. 25 Matt McCarty
3. 66 Shannon Mudro
4. 5 Allen Provenzano
5. 2 Joe Tsilis
6. 36 Bill Wasnea
Heat 2
1. 6P John Provenzano
2. 01 Owen Elberts
3. 10C Kyle Cox
4. 9 Chris Schmink
5. 95 Dave Polak
6. 7N Nathan Lyday
FEATURE - (15-laps - $200 to win)
1. 86 Nick Clubb (1)
2. 25 Matt McCarty (3)
3. 66 Shannon Mudro (5)
4. 10C Kyle Cox (6)
5. 4B Nick Boring (15)
6. 42JR Jessica Summar (14)
7. 36 Bill Wasnea (11)
8. 2 Joe Tsilis (9)
9. 1 Robert Naese (16)
10. 9H Joe Holloway (12)
11. 01 Owen Elberts (4)
12. 63 Brandon Malone (10)
13. 5 Allen Provenzano (7)
14. 6P John Provenzano (2)
15. 07 Brian Bennett (18)
16. 08 DJ Werkmeister (17)
17. 7N Nathan Lyday (8)
18. 44H Marcus Hoover (13)
19. 9 Chris Schmink - DNS
20. 95 Dave Polak - DNS
21. 11 Jessica Maglione - DNS
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