Macon Speedway & Big Ten Drivers Honored At Banquet

A large number of drivers and teams gathered at the Macon IL Community Center this past Sunday afternoon, October 30, for the annual season ending Halloween Awards Banquet for Macon IL Speedway competitors.  Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Debbie and Larry from Debbie’s Diner with assistance from Bill Morris, Joe Murray, Jim Murray, Butch Snyder, and Pam Long.  Drivers in each of Macon’s regular divisions as well as the Midwest Big Ten Series classes were honored.

In the Macon Speedway Pro Late Model class, Springfield, IL driver, Matt Taylor claimed a division leading, seven feature wins on his way to the championship.  Matt’s brother, Guy, was second in the standings with five feature wins, while Roben Huffman, Jake Little, and Cody Maguire completed the top five.  Nick Bauman, Kevin Crowder, Jeff Reed, Jr., Dakota Ewing, and Jose Parga completed the top ten in this year’s Macon Pro Late Model points.

The Billingsley Towing UMP Modified class produced exciting racing all season long and a barrage of great drivers.  In the end, Taylorville, IL wheelman, Curt Rhodes, won his first Macon Modified championship, taking three feature wins.  Jeff Graham claimed the second spot for the second year in-a-row, Alan Crowder was third, Zach Rhodes fourth, and Rodney Standerfer was fifth.  Dave Crawley, Jr., Wade Glover, Shawn Vaughn, Cory Daugherty, and Jim Farley, III were the rest of the top ten.

Fans at Mighty Macon saw history this year in the UMP B-Mod class as Mt. Olive, IL driver, Tim Hancock, had a perfect season at 16 for 16.  His closest challengers in the points were Ryan Timmons, Cody Stillwell, Tom Riech, and Tim Riech.  Rounding out the top ten were Eric Brackett, Roy Magee, Jamie Riech, Tommy Gaither, and Brett Page.

In the UMP Sportsman class, Lovington, IL driver Jeremy Nichols won seven out of ten features to claim the championship.  Danny Smith garnered second in the standings, while Scott Landers, Tom Graham, and Tim Bedinger completed the top five.  Others in the top ten included Timmy Dick with two feature wins, Terry Myers, Dennis Vandermeersch, Scott Williams, and Troy Medley.

Decatur, IL driver, Nick Justice took nine feature wins on his way to grabbing the UMP Street Stock championship.  Kyle Waters, Brian Dasenbrock, Luke Force, and Jeremy Nichols were the rest of the top five.  Also to be honored at the banquet will be Terry Reed, John Bright, Jr., Nick Macklin, Greg Osman, and Kevin Lewis.

Rounding out the Macon divisions that were honored was the UMP Hornet class.  The Hornets, an improved division this year, saw Tony Reed, of Blue Mound, IL take the championship with a pair of feature victories.  Jerad Matherly was a close second, while Ryan Cantrell, Cook Crawford, and Torry Lyons claimed top fives.  Others in the top ten were Marty Sullivan, Steve Stine, Adam Webb, Mike McChristy, and Brad Rexroad.

In the Midwest Big Ten Super Late Model standings, Springfield, IL driver Brian Diveley won yet another championship, despite going winless this season.  Unable to overcome Diveley’s consistency and finishing a close second was Chuck Mitchell.  Greg Kimmons, McKay Wenger, and Bo Brockway were the rest of the top five.  Top ten finishers included Justin Reed, Matt Taylor, Mark Burgtorf, Daryn Klein, and Michael Kloos.

In the Pro Late Model class of the Big Ten Series, Springfield, IL driver Matt Taylor finished with four out of the ten victories and this year’s championship.  Guy Taylor won three of the races and finished second, while Nick Bauman, Jake Little, and Roben Huffman were the rest of the top five.  Cody Maguire, Andy Minett, Michael Maestus, Kevin Crowder, and Brandon Eskew will also be honored for their Big Ten finishes.

Last but not least was the very strong Midwest Big Ten Street Stock series.  With seven feature wins, Lovington, IL driver Jeremy Nichols took the 2016 championship.  Last year’s champ, Terry Reed, finished a strong second, while Dave Crawley, Jr. was third, despite late season mechanical woes.  Kyle Waters and Rudy Zaragoza took fourth and fifth.  Wes Biesenthal, Brian Dasenbrock, Shawn Ziemer, Justin Layne, and John Farris completed the top ten

At the end of the night, a costume contest was held for those in attendance.  Taking the prizes for best costumes were a Dippin’ Dots and a Little Mini Huffman racer.

Macon Speedway officials would like to thank Terry Young and Hoosier Racing Tire for their sponsorship at the banquet.  Special mentions go out as well to Kenny Dobson of Jacksonville Speedway and Quincy Raceway and Kenny Brown of Belle-Clair Speedway for their participation in the Big Ten Series.  And, of course, thanks goes out to all of the racers, teams, owners, year-long sponsors, staff, fans, and anyone else who helped make the 71st season at Macon Speedway a great one.

For information during the winter on the 2016 season, follow Macon Speedway online at www.maconracing.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/maconracing) and Twitter (@maconspeedway). It’s easy to join the Macon Speedway text service. Fans can text MSFANS to 74574 to receive fan information. Drivers text MSDRIVERS to 74574 to receive driver information. Message and date rates apply. Updates are also available by calling Macon Speedway at 217-764-3000.

Macon Speedway is located nine miles south of Decatur on U.S. 51, then 0.6 miles west on Andrews Street and south to 205 N. Wiles. Macon Speedway hosts racing every Saturday night, plus many weeknight specials.

2016 Banquet Honorees

UMP Pro Late Models

Billingsley Towing UMP Modifieds

UMP B-Mods

UMP Sportsman

UMP Street Stocks

UMP Hornets

Midwest Big Ten Super Late Models

Midwest Big Ten Pro Late Models

Midwest Big Ten Street Stocks