No Rain on Shriner’s Parade

By Brett Zerfowski

Macon, IL (August 28, 2010) - Eight days after the 8th Annual Dana Godfrey Memorial suffered from rain, a new race event was launched featuring the exciting racing action of the Macon Speedway UMP Late Models and the Shriners. Mostly known with the small funny-looking cars during parades, the Shriners are also known for their charitable work with young children with the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals, of which there are 22 spread across the United States and Canada.

The inaugural “Shrine 50” saw exciting and close racing throughout the 50 laps. Between laps 4 and 31, the racing stayed under green flag conditions and allowed leader and front row outside driver Richie Hedrick the chance to bolster his lead to nearly a half-a-lap over the second place driver, John Beck. With the action tight in spots 2-through-6, a third place Roger Brickler ran the high side a little too high and smacked into the wall to lose his spot and then spin into the fourth turn wall to cause the caution to fly.

The action stayed close but Hedrick would not be harassed any further and would go on for his second feature of 2010 (his first came during the season’s second week). John Beck finished second, Kerby Damery and Rick Standridge finished third and fourth, respectively.

Jeremy Nichols made it two in-a-row in the UMP Modifieds and four overall in the 2010 season defeating Dave Crawley, Jr. and Aaron Burcham, both contested for the lead early in the 20-lap feature event. Mark Tullis, who also battled for the top spot, finished fifth behind Randy Huffman.

Mike Pickering won his fourth feature of the year as he held off Mike Pundt, Jr. on the bottom side of the track, which was Pundt’s strong line during the heat race. Pickering led all 12 laps in the A-Main feature.

Michael Webb won in the Pro Hornets and Jerad Matherly won his second Amateur Hornet feature of the year.

Macon Speedway would like to thank the Shriners, All Service Contracting, Bodine Services and all the fans who helped support the event as all proceeds benefited the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.

As the season moves into September, the Street Stocks will take the top billing with their 4th Annual Illinois Street Stock Championship race on September 4th. Pro and Amateur Hornet features that were washed out on August 20th will be made up that night.

Macon Speedway races every Saturday night from April through September. Macon Speedway is located 9 miles south of Decatur, IL on US 51 then .6 miles west on Andrews Street, then south on Wiles. For information, call 217-764-3000 (track), 217-764-3220 (information hotline), or contact Macon Speedway via email at track1985@gmail.com. Also visit www.maconracing.com or www.trackenterprises.com for additional information