Unzicker Steals the Show, Spatola Doubles Up, Funk, Maier, Williams, and Kingma Also Score Wins

By: Paul D. Bayne

Kankakee, IL (August 27, 2010) - With a season high 149 cars pit side, and Mother Nature no where in site, racing resumed Friday night before a healthy crowd of race hungry fans at the Kankakee County Speedway. The night featured the completion of not one, but two rain post-poned features from several weeks ago. Race fans saw perhaps the most competitive night of racing this season in all divisions from top to bottom, with several finishes being decided in the last twenty feet.

In the make- up features, Adam Williams held off defending track champion Mike Kingma to officially claim victory for the August 13th show. Kingma who started mid-pack, chased down Williams as the race wore on but ran out of time. Rich Gynn, Chris Arihood, and Ryen Johnson rounded out the top five. For Johnson, it was a personal best finish for the first year I-Mod driver.

Don Stone and Williams scored heat race wins.

Manhattan's Mike Spatola has been hotter than a firecracker as of late, and Friday night was no different as the speedster captured both UMP Modified features. Spatola has staked his claim atop victory lane four of the last five weeks racing has been contested at KCS. Justin McCoy, who celebrated his 25th birthday at the track Friday night, came home second in the make-up feature ahead of Nick Allen, Jim Farris, and Jamie Lomax.

In the nightcap, Spatola used the high side of the dry slick surface to hold off the hard charge of three-time track champion Dave Porth, who resurrected his season with a season best outing hustling around the hub while reeling in the elusive Spatola. Pole-sitter Kevin Hastings finished third just ahead of Phil Line and Nick Allen. Point leader Jim Farris suffered his first hiccup in his quest for a track title when he pulled to the infield with suspension problems while running in the top five. Farris has been the model of consistency so far this year at KCS but his setback should tighten up the points battle as we head into the final month of points at Kankakee.

Heat race action heated up with Kevin Hastings, Line, Spatola, and Farris taking wins. Lomax and Shawn Scripter captured consolation triumphs.

Thirty-three entrants were on hand to do battle in a $250 to win UMP Sport Compact special presented by RC Phillips 66 of Peotone and Matt Maier became the first repeat winner of the season in the UMP Sport Compact division as he fought off Ryan Brooks for the win. Point leader Matt McCarty used a solid third place finish to pad his point lead while Casey Gernentz and Bobby Brooks rounded out the top five.

Heat race winners included Nathan Lyday, Ryan Brooks, Bill "Bubba" Lawson, while Don McCarty claimed the consolation race.

In perhaps the best performance of the night, Ryan Unzicker of El Paso snookered race long leader Richie Hedrick with a last lap slide job pass heading into turn one to take the point away from Hedrick, only to see Hedrick come right back and and overtake Unzicker as the duo headed into turn three. As Hedrick exited turn four with a slim lead, Unzicker powered around the high side to edge past Hedrick as the checkers waved. It was definitely one of those finishes race fans will talk about for some time. Hedrick, who was the night's fast qualifier, displayed a beautiful new color scheme and took those colors to the outside pole position alongside Ted Loomis for the start of the 25-lap feature event. The initial start of the race was called back when Hedrick was called for jumping the start, or perhaps it was Loomis sitting back to see what Hedrick would do. Either way, it was Hedrick winning the race to turn one on each occasion. But along come Unzicker, who sit back in the ninth starting spot like a snake in the grass, who motored his way around the short side to rally himself and the crowd into a frenzy.

Loomis held on for a third place showing in front of Steve Dimmick, and Australian Jimmie McHugh, who will soon be wrapping up his five week visit to the United States as he piloted cars for the Milwaukee, WI based Al Atkinson team.

Heat races were scored by Unzicker and Loomis.

In street stock action, it was pole-sitter Andrew Funk besting a field of 36 UMP Stock Cars, leading the way for all 15 laps to capture his second win of the season over newcomer Nate Zimmer of Southern Illinois. National point leader Joel Funk, who suffered a flat tire while leading his heat race, had to race his way into the feature lineup by winning the first of two consolation races, finished third after starting 17th. Don Hilleary and Darrin Kohler rounded out the top five. Hilleary's command atop the points lead was strengthened by Jerrad Krick's subpar 12th place finish.

In a rare show of true sportsmanship, Joe Brown tapped out under the flag stand taking responsibility for a Robert Turner spin that would have placed both of them at the rear of the field. Brown retired to the pits while Turner was given his spot back and went on to record a respectable eighth place finish.

Preliminary heat races were won by Andrew Funk, Zimmer, Hilleary, and Brian Wirtz, while Joel Funk and step-father Rick Thomas took consolation checkers.

Next Friday night, September 3rd, Miller Hydraulic will present a $1,000 to win UMP Stock Car special that should draw close to 40 of the finest stock car drivers from Indiana and Illinois at the "Street Stock Capitol of Illinois". The following night at the Shady Hill Speedway in Medaryville, IN drivers will have another opportunity to cash in with another $1,000 to win on tap in what should be an all out "Border Wars" affair on the dirt.

UMP Modifieds (37 cars)

Completion of August 13th program

Heat 3 (top 6 transfer)
1. 36L Jamie Lomax
2. 22 Allen Line
3. 35 Jason Hastings
4. 48 Adam Pockrus
5. 93 Tim Loomis
6. H28 David Henderson
7. 7K Jason Klopp
8. 25 Dave Porth
9. 5T Mike Todd

Feature (20-laps, $600 to win)
1. 89 Mike Spatola (2)
2. 21Jr Justin McCoy (4)
3. 21A Nick Allen (1)
4. 69 Jim Farris (7)
5. 36L Jamie Lomax (3)
6. 78C Clint Demoss (5)
7. 70 Vince Cooper (11)
8. 0 Travis Kohler (8)
9. 36 Kevin Hastings (10)
10. 35 Jason Hastings (9)
11. 66 Phile Line (16)
12. 25 Dave Porth (24)
13. 130 Chad Osterhoff (13)
14. 93 Tim Loomis (15)
15. 48 Adam Pockrus (12)
16. 05 Steven Brooks (23)
17. 41 Derek Line (17)
18. 08 DJ Werkmeister (21)
19. 12x Tom Pasek (19)
20. 5T Mike Todd (22)
21. 22 Allen Line (6)
22. H28 David Henderson (18)
23. 7 Jason Klopp (20)
24. 20 AJ Dixon (14)

Hard Charger - 25 Dave Porth +12

August 27th Program

Heat 1 (top 4 transfer)
1. 36 Kevin Hastings
2. 42 Justin Gregory
3. 41 Derek Line
4. H28 David Henderson

Heat 2 (top 4 transfer)
1. 66 Phil Line
2. 93 Tim Loomis
3. 130 Chad Osterhoff
4. 35R Rick Roedel

Heat 3 (top 4 transfer)
1. 89 Mike Spatola
2. 25 Dave Porth
3. 21A Nick Allen
4. 20 AJ Dixon

Heat 4 (top 4 transfer)
1. 69 Jim Farris
2. 35 Jason Hastings
3. 70 Vince Cooper
4. 21Jr Justin McCoy

Consi 1 (top 2 transfer)
1. 36L Jamie Lomax
2. 5J Jeremie Johnson
3. 88D Jordan Danford
4. 0 Travis Kohler
5. 48 Adam Pockrus
6. 08 DJ Werkmeister
7. 1K Jamie Kuntz
8. 7 Jason Klopp
9. B97 Marvin Burton

Consi 2 (top 2 transfer)
1. 10 Shawn Scripter
2. 78C Clint Demoss
3. 14 Tom Knippenburg
4. 57 Mark Grosvenor
5. 53 Joe Underwood
6. 4M Mike Marden
7. 06 Ryan Kortge
8. G57 Loren Grosvenor
9. 12x Tom Pasek
10. 5T Mike Todd

Feature (20-laps, $600 to win)
1. 89 Mike Spatola (3)
2. 25 Dave Porth (7)
3. 36 Kevin Hastings (1)
4. 66 Phil Line (2)
5. 21A Nick Allen (11)
6. 70 Vince Cooper (12)
7. 35 Jason Hastings (8)
8. 78C Clint Demoss (20)
9. 130 Chad Osterhoff (10)
10. 42 Justin Gregory (5)
11. 93 Tim Loomis (6)
12. 5J Jeremie Johnson (19)
13. 20 AJ Dixon (15)
14. 35R Rick Roedel (14)
15. 36L Jamie Lomax (17)
16. 69 Jim Farris (4)
17. 41 Derek Line (9)
18. 21JR Justin McCoy (16)
19. 10 Shawn Scripter (18)
20. H28 David Henderson (13)

Hard Charger - 78C Clint Demoss +12

I-Mods (23 cars)

Completion of August 13th Program

Feature (15-laps, $250 to win)
1. 14 Adam Williams
2. 77 Mike Kingma
3. 89 Rich Gynn
4. 1 Chris Arihood
5. 18 Ryen Johnson
6. 3 Jim Barkus
7. 98 Mike Heckenast
8. 55 Jon Robbins
9. 77S Don Stone
10. 9 Josh Cooley
11. 6 Tom Jarrette
12. 16 Jeff Barger
13. V17 Izzy Vallejo
14. 15 Brandon Williams
15. 00 Paige Harrison
16. 88 Neil Martin

August 27th Program

Heat 1
1. 77S Don Stone
2. 77 Mike Kingma
3. 55 Jon Robbins
4. 1 Chris Arihood
5. 99 Tim Sullivan Jr.
6. 18 Ryen Johnson
7. 15 Brandon Williams
8. 44 Ryan Brooks
9. V17 Izzy Vallejo
10. N33 Robert Shidler
11. 98 Mike Heckenast - DNS
12. 1 - DNS

Heat 2
1. 14 Adam Williams
2. 16 Jeff Barger
3. 89 Rich Gynn
4. 9 Josh Cooley
5. 6 Tom Jarrette
6. 00 Paige Harrison
7. 88 Neil Martin
8. 70 Dale Vanderaa
9. 3 Jim Barkus
10. 80 - DNS
11. 98x - DNS

Feature (15-laps, $500 to win)
1. 77 Mike Kingma
2. 14 Adam Williams
3. 77S Don Stone
4. 1 Chris Arihood
5. 55 Jon Robbins
6. 89 Rich Gynn
7. 16 Jeff Barger
8. N33 Robert Shidler
9. 99 Tim Sullivan Jr.
10. 6 Tom Jarrette
11. 18 Ryen Johnson
12. V17 Izzy Vallejo
13. 70 Dale Venderaa
14. 9 Josh Cooley
15. 44 Ryan Brooks
16. 3 Jim Barkus
17. 98 Mike Heckenast
18. 00 Paige Harrison


UMP Late Models (20 cars)

Fast Qualifier - 0 Richie Hedrick 14.507

Heat 1 (all cars transfer)
1. 24 Ryan Unzicker
2. 95 Aaron Ricketts
3. 99SH Sherri Heckenast
4. 10H Don Hilleary
5. 10 Scott Schmitt
6. 24 John Quill
7. 79 Keaton Laffoon
8. 11 Nathan Disney
9. 05 Gary Schalmo
10. 50/50 Steve Pastva
11. 16 Del Morales
12. 54 Clay Watters

Heat 2 (Fast 8)
1. 23 Ted Loomis
2. 0 Richie Hedrick
3. 1 Jimmie McHugh
4. 7T Steve Thorsten
5. 99J Jimmy Dehm
6. 11 Steve Dimmick
7. 99Sr Frank Heckenast Sr.
8. 77M Jay Morris

Feature (20-laps)
1. 24 Ryan Unzicker (9)
2. 0 Richie Hedrick (2)
3. 23 Ted Loomis (1)
4. 11 Steve Dimmick (6)
5. 1 Jimmie McHugh (3)
6. 99J Jimmy Dehm (5)
7. 10 Scott Schmitt (13)
8. 95 Aaron Ricketts (10)
9. 7T Steve Thorsten (4)
10. 99Sr Frank Heckenast Sr. (7)
11. 10H Don Hilleary (12)
12. 77M Jay Morris (8)
13. 50/50 Steve Pastva (18)
14. 24 John Quill (14)
15. 79 Keaton Laffoon (15)
16. 05 Gary Schalmo (17)
17. 99SH Sherri Heckenast (11)
18. 54 Clay Watters (20)
19. 11 Nathan Disney (16)
20. 16 Del Morales (19)

Hard Charger - 24 Ryan Unzicker +8


UMP Stock Cars (36 cars)

Heat 1 (top 4 transfer)
1. 23A Andrew Funk
2. 16 Robert Turner
3. 43 Dustin Hubert
4. 6 Jay Hamilton

Heat 2 (top 4 transfer)
1. 32Z Nate Zimmer
2. 21 Darrin Kohler
3. 18 David Billingsley
4. 96 Joe Malone

Heat 3 (top 4 transfer)
1. V27 Don Hilleary
2. B9 Joe Brown
3. 99K Jerrad Krick
4. 10 Lon Franks

Heat 4 (top 4 transfer)
1. 1W Brian Wirtz
2. 55 Billy Wicker
3. 21C Cody Gibson
4. 68 J Thompson

Consi 1 (top 2 transfer)
1. 23JR Joel Funk
2. 92 Jeff Riley
3. J01 Joe Hillman
4. 23 Tony Hemp
5. V1 Mitch Steinquist
6. 420 Richard Woodruff
7. 33G Katie Gaus
8. 56 Pat Parsons
9. 7 Joe Steurer
10. 2 Brandon Roundtree

Consi 2 (top 2 transfer)
1. 23T Rick Thomas
2. 118 Axle Wicker
3. 52 Nate Kroll
4. 13 Donnie Lutz
5. 21N Justin Nelson
6. 00C Bruce Young
7. V77 Alan Boudreau
8. B70 Ken Bushey
9. 64 Chris Richardson
10. H44 Donnie Denton

Feature (15-laps, $300 to win)
1. 23A Andrew Funk (1)
2. 32Z Nate Zimmer (2)
3. 23JR Joel Funk (17)
4. V27 Don Hilleary (3)
5. 21 Darrin Kohler (6)
6. 1W Brian Wirtz (4)
7. 55 Billy Wicker (8)
8. 16 Robert Turner (5)
9. 18 David Billingsley (10)
10. 21C Cody Gibson (12)
11. 6 Jay Hamilton (13)
12. 99K Jerrad Krick (11)
13. 23T Rick Thomas (18)
14. 92 Jeff Riley (19)
15. 10 Lon Franks (15)
16. 118 Axle Wicker (20)
17. 43 Dustin Hubert (9)
18. 96 Joe Malone (14)
19. 68 J Thompson (16)
20. B9 Joe Brown (7)

Hard Charger - 23JR Joel Funk +14


UMP Sport Compacts (33 cars)

Heat 1 (top 6 transfer)
1. 7N Nathan Lyday
2. 99 Jason Maier
3. K-2 Casey Germentz
4. 15 TJ Larson
5. 66 Shannon Mudro
6. 46 Eric Wilson

Heat 2 (top 6 transfer)
1. 44 Ryan Brooks
2. 25 Matt McCarty
3. 98 Jerry Legner
4. 58 Ben Germentz
5. 00 Skylar Antonelli
6. 42JR Jessica Summar

Heat 3 (top 6 transfer)
1. 88 Bill "Bubba" Lawson
2. 7X Matt Maier
3. 44X Bobby Brooks
4. 01 Owen Elberts
5. 91 Tyler Griswold
6. J4P Ron Ogborn

Consi (top 4 transfer)
1. 25X Don McCarty
2. 86 Nick Clubb
3.
4. 36 Bill Wasnea
5. 63 Tammy Wasnea
6. 4B Nick Boring
7. 2 Joe Tsilis
8. T4 Tyler Condon
9. 95 Dave Polak
10. 1 Robert Naese
11. 7 Sam Landis
12. 9 Chris Schmink - DNS
13. 11 Jessica Maglione - DNS
14.
15. 07 Brian Bennett - DQ

Feature (15-laps, $250 to win)
1. 7X Matt Maier
2. 44 Ryan Brooks
3. 25 Matt McCarty
4. K-2 Casey Germentz
5. 44X Bobby Brooks
6. 88 Bill "Bubba" Lawson
7. 98 Jerry Legner
8. 86 Nick Clubb
9. 91 Tyler Griswold
10. 01 Owen Elberts
11. 7N Nathan Lyday
12. 00 Skylar Antonelli
13. 15 TJ Larson
14. 42JR Jessica Summar
15. J4P Ron Ogborn
16. 66 Shannon Mudro
17. 36 Bill Wasnea
18. 25X Don McCarty
19. 58 Ben Germentz
20. 99 Jason Maier

Hard Charger - 86 Nick Clubb +10