Category: archived

 By BZ

(Macon, IL) The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series filled the pits at Macon Speedway for the first time this season. After being scheduled three other times with rain dominating those weekends, a delightful Saturday afternoon with nothing but sunshine and late summer temperatures allowed the final scheduled visit to be completed.

Logan Seavey from California got into his midget racecar and stepped on the gas. After a solid side-by-side race for the lead, Seavey put the hammer down on the bottom groove and ran away with the feature. After two cautions prior to the first lap being completed under green flag, the entire 30-lap feature race was ran under green flag conditions. Seavey’s ability to run from the bottom gave his car extra bite and increased his lead through every turn. Weaving in and out of lapped traffic also made the way for the feature leader and winner to grow his lead and pull away. Seavey was the leader midway through the race and picked up an additional $100 thanks to Macon Speedway in the Phil Sargent Memorial Bonus.

Chad Elliott was prepared for a test which he passed with flying colors. The pole sitter raced strong and stayed ahead of the rest of the field as he claimed his first POWRi checkered flag with a win in the Engler Machine & Tool Micro Sprint series, presented by Bailey Chassis.

Jeremy Nichols has won many races over his time at Macon Speedway but the annual John Osman Memorial has been elusive for the former Archer’s Alley Street Stock feature winner. In 2019, Nichols, racing Bobby Beiler’s B26 car, got out to the lead and ran up the top side. It appeared the top was going away from Nichols, who was pacing himself for the 47-lap, $2,000-to-win main event. Nick Justice and Beiler claimed the lead while Nichols looked to begin fading. Justice and Beiler stayed true to the bottom. During the caution-plagued race, Nichols shot out of the top groove like a cannon with 15 laps to go and regained the momentum, the lead and then winner’s glory. This event doesn’t feature just any trophy but a WWE-style championship belt. Nichols hoisted the belt and drapped it across his shoulder as he posed for a picture with fellow Street Stock competitor and son of John Osman, Greg Osman.

Rob Timmons won his second Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified feature, his first since Memorial Day when Timmons scored the Lite Beer Twin 50s win. Timmons got the pole position and trailed Willy Myers in the first few laps before a lapped car slowed Myers and Timmons pulled ahead. Regular winner and points leader Tim Hancock, Sr. was in the battle for the lead but couldn’t get around Timmons or Myers until after Timmons was well ahead. Hancock did pass Myers on his way to a second place finish.

Archer’s Alley as well as 98.1 GRIZ-FM were in attendance as the lead sponsors for the night’s show. The John Osman Memorial race was sponsored by Steve Nelson with Triple R Performance Engines. Macon Speedway ramps back up with a full show next Saturday with the Hall of Fame Drivers Reunion Night. Seven racing divisions will make up the show featuring the Pro Late Models in a Midwest Big Ten Series race. Modifieds, Street Stocks, Pro Modifieds, Hornets and Micro Sprints will also be part of the evening. A visit from the Vintage Racing of Illinois crew will also be on hand.

Archer’s Alley Street Stocks–1. Jeremy Nichols (Lovington), 2. Bobby Beiler (Blue Mound), 3. Nick Justice (Decatur), 4. Tanner Sullivan (Pontiac), 5. Terry Reed (Cerro Gordo), 6. Josh Griffith (Charleston), 8. Andy Zahnd (White Heats),  7. Timmy Dick (Monticello), 8. Darrell Dick (Monticello), 10. Michael Schomas (Ottawa)

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds–1. Rob Timmons (Centralia), 2. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 3. Willy Myers (Collinsville), 4. Billy Knebel (Pocahontas), 5. Ryan Timmons (Centralia), 6. Brian Deavers (Bloomington), 7. Nick Justice (Decatur), 8. Greg Logue (Warrensburg), 9. Tim Riech (Petersburg), 10. Roy Magee (Springfield)

POWRi Midgets–1. Logan Seavey, 2. Jake Neuman, 3. Cannon McIntosh, 4. Tanner Carrick, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Jesse Colwell, 7. Holley Hollan, 8. Andrew Felker, 9. Austin Brown, 10. Austin Odell

POWRi Micro Sprints–1. Chad Elliott, 2. Harley Hollan, 3. Luke Verardi, 4. Frank Galusha, 5. Gunner Ramey, 6. Joe B. Miller, 7. Christopher Townsend, 8. Bryant Wiedeman, 9. Kurt Westerfield, 10. Adam Johnson

(Macon, IL) – Macon Speedway is down to its last three nights of the 2019 season and this Saturday, September 14 will be a big one. One of the fan favorite classes, the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League will highlight the night as well as the Midwest Big Ten Street Stocks in the $2,000 to win John Osman Memorial. Micros and Pro Mods are also on the card, presented by Griz 98.1 FM and Archers Alley.

For the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League, “Mighty Macon” Speedway takes center stage for only the second time this year. In Macon’s only appearance this year, Jake Neuman of New Berlin, Ill. won his first at the iconic track on July 27. Hampered by Mother Nature, three other POWRi dates at Macon on May 11, June 15 and August 17 have been washed away by rain.

Leading into the weekend, only nine races remain on the calendar for the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets. Jesse Colwell of Red Bluff, CA is currently on top of the point standings with. 5,740 points aboard his Keith Kunz-Curb Agajanian Motorsports, JBL Audio, Bullet/Toyota No. 71. Colwell is chased by three-time league champion Zach Daum (-350 PTS) of Pocahontas, IL, teenage favorite Holley Hollan (-930 PTS) of Broken Arrow, OK, rising rookie Daison Pursley (1,140 PTS) of Locust Grove, OK, and seasoned vet Jake Neuman (1,150 PTS) of New Berlin, IL.

The POWRi Engler Machine & Tool Outlaw Micros saw their points chase take a dramatic turn last weekend at Jacksonville with a DNF from four-time champ, Joe B. Miller. Now, it’s Gunner Ramey of Sedalia, Mo. holding the top spot ahead of Miller (-60 PTS), Riley Goodno (-420 PTS), Harley Hollan (-700 PTS) and Trevin Littleton (-730 PTS). The Micros will also receive local points for the Macon Speedway Micro class presented by Bailey Chassis.

Saturday will also mark the 5^th annual John Osman Memorial for the Midwest Big Ten Series Archers Alley Street Stocks. The event will pay $2,000 to win and $100 to start and will draw some of the best Street Stock competitors in the country. Monticello, IL’s Darrell Dick leads the Big 10 Street Stock points by just six over Cerro Gordo, IL’s Terry Reed. Reed leads the Macon Speedway weekly points.

Rounding out Saturday’s action will be the Neal Tire & Auto Pro Mods. Tim Hancock claimed last week’s feature, not only in the Pro Mod class but also the A-Mod class. Hancock has a 92 point lead over Nick Justice in the Pro Mod class. Rob Timmons had a strong second place run on Saturday and is third in points, while Tim Riech and Roy Magee complete the top five. For Hancock, Saturday’s win was his 12^th of the season at Macon in the class.

The pits will open at 3:00pm, grandstands at 5:00pm, with hot laps at 6:00pm and racing to follow at 7:00pm. Grandstand admission is $18 for adults and free for kids 11 and under.

For more information on POWRi Racing, you can visit www.powri.com online, like POWRi on Facebook, or follow @POWRi_Racing on Twitter and Instagram.

About Macon Speedway:

For more information, 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. Macon Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection’s $150,000 Racer Rewards Program.

CURRENT STANDINGS (Top 10’s)

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League

POWRi Engler Machine & Tool Outlaw Micros By Bailey Chassis

Midwest Big Ten Street Stocks

Macon Speedway Archers Alley Street Stocks

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Mods

By BZ

(Macon, IL) Tim Hancock, Sr. has been dominating the scene in the Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified class for the the last few years and now he has been entering his Pro Modified in the BillingsleyRewards.com Modified class and racing double duty for the last two seasons. Hancock has been able to score top five finishes in that car during those races and even captured the checkered flag in surprising twists. Many race fans and drivers have figured out that he’s just a great driver who takes advantage of opportunity. Saturday night during the final month of the 2019 season, Hancock pulled the double duty feat again and scored two checkered flags because of it.

Starting on the pole position of both features, Hancock steered his 0 machine through the turns and avoided contact as best he could as well as the lapped traffic. During the Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified feature, Rob Timmons was primed to take a solid lock on the lead but lapped traffic changed those events as Timmons bounced off the lapped car and towards the concrete wall and that allowed Hancock the advantage to grab the lead and stay ahead of Timmons, who was puffing smoke for the duration of the race. From midway on, Hancock reigned supreme.

With Hancock finishing the Pro Modified feature, a race between his next adventure allowed him to refuel and just rest up. He made no changes to the racecar and just trusted himself and his car to keep him out of trouble. Little did he know that it was also putting him in victory lane. Gliding ahead of Rodney Standerfer and Alan Crowder, Hancock used his bottom groove to pull ahead and through and while incidents were going on behind him, Hancock stayed the course and locked up the double checkered flag.

Few drivers have scored two feature wins on the same night. Most recently, Kyle Logue in the Late Models and Modifieds and Mike Pickering in the Sportsman and Street Stocks but those wins are few and far between. Hancock continues to re-write the record books when he comes to Macon Speedway.

Nick Macklin got help from lapped traffic to win the Archer’s Alley Street Stock feature event. Rudy Zaragoza was fast but was slowed down coming toward the final straightaway to the flags and that allowed Macklin to put the pedal to the floor and speed by for the feature win.

Trevin Littleton was well behind Riley Goodno during the Micro Sprint feature race but a caution midway through the action allowed Littleton to close the gap and then pull ahead with the restart. Goodno could not close the distance between him and Littleton and the Jacksonville driver scored another feature win.

Aaron Heck has had a successful season in the Pro Late Model class. The Mt. Vernon driver hasn’t faired well in Macon, however, but things changed Saturday night when he stormed by Roben Huffman and kept his distance from Blaze Burwell to lock up the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Model feature. With the win, he believes to have also locked up the UMP National Championship for the division. Heck was very excited with screams from the car after the race and into the postrace interview.

Dennis Vandermeersch blew by the group in the Sportsman division as he got another feature win. Vandermeersch led all 15 laps en route to the win.

The evening was capped off with the annual Hornet World Championship race, a 20-lap race for $300-to-win. Clinton’s Erik Vanapeldoorn started third and thanks to some bumping between leader Matt Mackey and second place car Brady Reed, Vanapeldoorn moved up and took off with the lead. Mackey tried to get back into it but was not able to regain the lead.

The evening’s action was sponsored by Skeff Distributing as well as the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce and businesses from Taylorville such as the Funky Monkey Bar, Taylorville Tire & Auto, Palomino Club, Rosati’s Pizza and NCP Speed & Machine.

The evening also housed the Spectator Races in which four drivers participated in racing their personal cars around the 1/5th mile track. Jim Eades from Clinton won two one-lap races to win the trophy for the night.

Macon Speedway returns next Saturday with its final visit from the POWRi Midgets & Micro Sprints in the POWRi Fall Nationals event. Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds will be part of the action as will the Street Stocks in the 5th Annual John Osman Memorial race with $2,000-to-win and $100-to-start.

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds–1. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 2. Rob Timmons (Centralia), 3. Billy Knebel (Pocahontas), 4. Nick Justice (Decatur), 5. Tim Hancock, Jr. (Mt. Olive), 6. Tim Riech (Petersburg), 7. Roby MaGee (Springfield), 8. Greg Logue (Warrensburg), 9. Brady Lynch (Hillsboro), 10. Brian Offer (Springfield)

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds–1. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 2. Cory Daugherty (Blue Mound), 3. Curt Rhodes (Taylorville), 4. Shaun Horstmann (Highland), 5. Rodney Standerfer (Summerfield), 6. Tim Hancock, Jr. (Mt. Olive), 7. Jeff Graham (Stonington), 8. Joe Strawkas (Buffalo), 9. Josh Thomas (Edinburg), 10. Alan Crowder (Elwin)

Archer’s Alley Street Stocks–1. Nick Macklin (Argenta), 2. Rudy Zaragoza (Jacksonville), 3. Jaret Duff (Maroa), 4. Bobby Beiler (Blue Mound), 5. Darrell Dick (Monticello), 6. Nick Justice (Decatur), 7. Jeff Hartzell (Genoa), 8. Andy Zahnd (White Heath), 9. Brian Dasenbrock (Decatur), 10. Greg Brewer (Bement)

Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis–1. Trevin Littleton (Jacksonville), 2. Riley Goodno (Knoxville, IA), 3. Larry Drake (Terre Haute, IN), 4. Michael Brummitt (Mt. Zion), 5. Molly Day (Atwood), 6. Jeff Beasley (Urbana), 7. Hayden Harvey (Warrensburg), 8. Daryn Stark (Springfield), 9. John Barnard (Sherman), 10. James Koenigseein (New Athens)

Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models–1. Aaron Heck (Mt. Vernon), 2. Blaze Burwell (Mt. Vernon), 3. Cody Maguire (Carlinville), 4. Blake Damery (Macon), 5. Roben Huffman (Midland City), 6. Donny Koehler (Macon), 7. Devin McLean (Mt. Vernon), 8. Storm Beiler (Decatur), 9. Tony Harter (Sherman), 10. Curt Rhodes (Taylorville)

Sportsman–1. Dennis Vandermeersch (Springfield), 2. Wes Odell (Springfield), 3. Phil Moreland (Assumption), 4. Scott Landers (Taylorville), 5. Randy Huffman (Maroa), 6. Tim Bedinger (Taylorville), 7. Stefan Bedinger (Taylorville), 8. Bobby Beiler (Blue Mound)

Hornets–1. Erik Vanapeldoorn (Clinton), 2. Matt Mackey (Delavan), 3. Jimmy Dutlinger, 4. Danny Oates (Pekin), 5. Steve Stine (Stonington), 6. Mike Eskew (Springfield), 7. Marty Sullivan (Decatur), 8. John Lewis (Cerro Gordo), 9. Cook Crawford (Lincoln), 10. Jeremy Reed (Decatur)

(Macon, IL) This coming Saturday night, September 7, Macon Speedway opens its gates, after a week off, to seven divisions of racing action.  In addition, the exciting Spectator Drags will be held on Taylorville/Lori Bedinger Night presented by Skeff Distributing.  The Hornet World Championship is also set for green.

Headlining the night when it comes to racing will be the Hornet division in the annual Hornet World Championship. Decatur, IL’s Brady Reed leads the standings in the class by a sizable 158 point margin. Reed has won four features in his first full season of racing, while Carter Dart, Marty Sullivan, Cook Crawford, and Ken Reed complete the top five. Saturday’s race will pay extra money and the winner will take home a huge trophy.

Dakota Ewing, of Warrensburg, IL, leads the standings in the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Model class. Ewing is up 90 points on Donny Koehler, while Blake Damery, Cody Maguire, and Jake Little complete the top five. The class is down to just two more nights of racing at Macon this season.

New Berlin, IL driver, Tommy Sheppard, has a 128 point lead in the BillingsleyRewards.com Modified division. Sheppard has been dominant at times, winning eight out of fourteen features this season. Alan Crowder has had a strong season and is second in points, while Tim Hancock, Zach Rhodes, and Curt Rhodes complete the top five.

The Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified class has been a good one this season, boasting strong fields of cars on a weekly basis. Tim Hancock, of Mount Olive, IL, looks to be on his way to yet another championship. Hancock has claimed 11 out of 15 features, while Nick Justice, Rob Timmons, Tim Riech, and Roy Magee follow him in the standings.

Scott Landers has never claimed a Macon Speedway point championship, however, the Taylorville, IL driver is currently in position to change that.  With two Sportsman nights left, Landers is up 28 points on Dennis VanderMeersch. Terry Myers, Tim Bedinger, and Mitch Ringler complete the top five.

Veteran driver, Terry Reed, of Cerro Gordo, IL, leads the Archers Alley Street Stock division into Saturday night. Reed has won four features and is up by 102 points on his nearest challenger, Larry Russell, Jr. Darrell Dick, Gene Reed, and Bobby Beiler complete the top five.

Rounding out Saturday’s action will be the Micros By Bailey Chassis. Decatur, IL driver, Jacob Tipton, currently is atop the standings by just 10. That’s only a matter of 5 spots in a feature event. Daryn Stark is second in points, while Molly Day, John Barnard, and Will Armitage complete the top five.

At intermission, fans will get a chance to compete on track in the second edition of Spectator Drags this season. Macon Speedway officials are accepting eight entries of those who would like to race their street legal vehicle on the racetrack in a bracket style tourney at intermission. There is no charge to compete. To enter, call the office at 217-764-3000.

Pit gates will open Saturday at 4:00, grandstands at 5:00, hotlaps at 6:00, and racing will take the green at 7:00. Grandstand admission is $12 for adults and free for kids 11 and under.

About Macon Speedway:

For more information, 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. Macon Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection’s $150,000 Racer Rewards Program.

CURRENT STANDINGS (Top 10’s)

DIRTcar Hornets

Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Mods

Sportsman

Archers Alley Street Stocks

Micros By Bailey Chassis

By BZ

(Macon, IL) Rudy Zaragoza’s Street Stock was all over the place most of the night at Macon Speedway. The car was loose and sometimes out of control. An 11th-place starting spot in the 15-lap Archer’s Alley Street Stock feature didn’t look too likely that his 67R would be gracing victory lane but things changed and the car got together at just the right time. In fact, the car found itself faster and faster as the green flag laps added up. With the white flag waving, an accident happened in the fourth turn to slow the momentum that Terry Reed was taking all the way to the winner’s circle. When the restart came, Reed found himself only a bumper’s length ahead of Zaragoza and as the cars restarted and Reed chose to stay on top, Zaragoza ran the bottom and came up on top of Reed out of the fourth turn and crossed the line ahead of Reed to steal the win away.

Dakota Ewing passed Blake Damery on the fifth lap of the 20-lap Decatur Building Trade Pro Late Model feature to run away and win the race. Thanks to a dice roll to reset the first three rows of the feature, Damery found himself in the front row just as he was during his lone feature win. While it looked as if lightning may strike twice, Ewing caught up to Damery and seized the lead on the backstretch of lap five and coasted away with the checkered flag.

Rodney Standerfer also took total control of his feature as he won the BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds event. The more exciting back-and-forth action took place behind Standerfer, who built a many car-length lead over the runner-up spot, as Trevor Neville, Nick Neville, Tommy Sheppard, Jr., Alan Crowder and Blake Thompson all traded and ran through the second place through sixth place spots. Nick Neville bested Alan Crowder to the finish place for the second-place position.

Tim Hancock, Sr. stayed ahead of Billy Knebel to take the Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified feature. Knebel was close to Hancock until the race got midway through and then as the green flag laps mounted, Hancock just kept pulling further away.

Dennis Vandermeersch made quick work of the Sportsman feature and the 15-lap event. Scott Landers raced closely with Rick Roedel to pull into the second place finishing spot.

Paul Day from Atwood was lightning quick and sprinted away from the group in the Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis.

The night was finished off with Erik Vanapeldoorn racing in his wife’s Hornet and racing past Mike Gossett to win again. The Hornets were also used Saturday night in the annual Faster Pastor race. Defending champion Ryan Lutz with D1 Church of the Nazarene in Decatur raced again and took the checkered flag in a six-car, eight-lap adventure. Church members from D1 were in attendance with signs made up for their favorite church and pastor. For a second-straight year, D1 reigns supreme.

Macon Speedway takes a Saturday night off next week as action will begin at the DuQuoin State Fair as the ARCA Racing Series and Modifieds will make up the Saturday action and then the USAC Silver Crown cars and Modifieds will race Sunday. Macon Speedway ramps back up on September 7 with a full show featuring the Hornet World Championship and the Spectator Drags event. More information can be found at maconracing.com. The final show of August at Macon Speedway was sponsored by Phoenix Tile & Distribution as well as Richmond Gear.

Archer’s Alley Street Stocks–1. Rudy Zaragoza (Jacksonville), 2. Terry Reed (Cerro Gordo), 3. Jeff Reed, Jr. (Blue Mound), 4. Wes Biesenthal (Athens), 5. Andy Zahnd (Whtie Heath), 6. Brian Dasenbrock, Jr. (Decatur), 7. Larry Russell, Jr. (Decatur), 8. Jaret Duff (Maroa), 9. Ben Medaris (Decatur), 10. Brian Dasenbrock (Decatur)

Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models–1. Dakota Ewing (Warrensburg), 2. Blake Damery (Blue Mound), 3. Colby Sheppard (Williamsville), 4. Donny Koehler (Macon), 5. Colby Eller (Taylorville), 6. Tony Harter (Sherman), 7. Storm Beiler (Decatur), 8. Cody Maguire (Carlinville), 9. Kyle Van Dorn (New Berlin), 10. Jacob Franklin (Pinckeyville)

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds–1. Rodney Standerfer (Summerfield), 2. Nick Neville (Mackinaw), 3. Alan Crowder (Elwin), 4. Tommy Sheppard, Jr. (New Berlin), 5. Blake Thompson (Troy), 6. Trevor Neville (Mackinaw), 7. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 8. Zach Rhodes (Taylorville), 9. Kyle Helmick (Smithton), 10. Joe Strawkas (Buffalo)

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds–1. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 2. Billy Knebel (Pocahontas), 3. Nick Justice (Decatur), 4. Kyle Helmick (Smithton), 5. Rob Timmons (Centralia), 6. Owen Steinkoenig (Highland), 7. Jim Stevens (Belleville), 8. Tim Riech (Petersburg), 9. Roy Magee (Springfield), 10. Brady Lynch (Hillsboro)

Sportsman–1. Dennis Vandermeersch (Springfield), 2. Scott Landers (Taylorville), 3. Rick Roedel (Shelbyville), 4. Connor Klay (Stonington), 5. Terry Myers (Buffalo), 6. Wes Odell (Springfield), 7. Stefan Bedinger (Taylorville), 8. Tim Bedinger (Taylorville)

Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis–1. Paul Day (Atwood), 2. Jacob Tipton (Decatur), 3. Molly Day (Atwood), 4. Chad Baldwin (Lincoln), 5. Kyle Barker (Cooksville), 6. Hayden Harvey (Warrensburg), 7. Shania Alexander (Humboldt), 8. Daryn Stark (Springfield), 9. Larry Drake (Terre Haute, IN), 10. John Barnard (Sherman)

Hornets–1. Erik Vanapeldoorn (Clinton), 2. Mike Gossett (Decatur), 3. Mike Eskew (Springfield), 4. Brady Reed (Decatur), 5. Steve Stine (Stonington), 6. Michael McKay (Springfield), 7. Matt Reed (Decatur), 8. Marty Sullivan (Decatur), 9. Ken Reed (Decatur), 10. Bill Basso (Athens)

IT IS Phoenix Tile Distributors, Inc. Church Night/Faster Pastor and Kids Racecar Ride Night at Macon Speedway!
We are back at it toight for another action packed night at the 1/5-mile dirt track. At intermission, kids will be treated to the racecar rides. A good number of racecars will pull out on the track and allow all the kids to ride around the track for a few laps. It’s definitely one of the favorite events of the year for the youngsters.

Rounding out Saturday’s program will be the Faster Pastor race, scheduled to be held around intermission. Several area pastors have signed up to be a part of this year’s event.. The night will be presented by Phoenix Tile, as their guests watch from the Turn 4 Lounge. Full information below:

(Macon, IL) Macon Speedway will be back at it this coming Saturday, August 24, for another action packed night at the 1/5-mile dirt track. Seven divisions of racing will be on track with kids racecar rides at intermission in addition to a Faster Pastor Race.  The night will be presented by Phoenix Tile, as their guests watch from the Turn 4 Lounge.

With just five nights left during the 2019 season, Warrensburg, IL’s Dakota Ewing leads the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Model class by 84 points and has claimed six of the twelve feature wins.  While Ewing has been outstanding, Macon, IL’s Donny Koehler remains within striking distance from his season long consistency.  Blake Damery, Jake Little, and Cody Maguire complete the top five in the standings. While Ewing has six feature wins, Chris Dick has claimed a lot of prize money with his two wins.  Damery, Little, Logan Moody, and Jose Parga have each claimed one feature win.

Arguably, the most dominant driver at Macon Speedway this year has been Tommy Sheppard, Jr.  The New Berlin, IL driver has won eight out of thirteen features and leads the BillingsleyRewards.com Modified points by 130 over Alan Crowder.  Tim Hancock, Curt Rhodes, and Zach Rhodes are in the top five in the current standings. 72 different Modified drivers have been on track so far this season with Mike Harrison, Rodney Standerfer, Allen Weisser, and Kenny Wallace also claiming feature victories.

Tim Hancock, of Mt. Olive, IL, is having another stout season in the Neal Tire & Auto Pro Mod class. Hancock has an 82 point lead and has won ten out of fourteen features. Nick Justice has claimed a feature win and is second in points, while Rob Timmons has also been fast and is in third.  Tim Riech and Tim Hancock, Jr. round out the top five.

The DIRTcar Sportsman have a battle brewing at the top of the standings as Scott Landers, of Taylorville, IL, leads by just 30 over Dennis Vander Meersch.  Vander Meersch has won every feature he has started but has also missed an event this year for vacation. An improved Terry Myers is third in points, while Tim Bedinger and Mitch Ringler complete the top five.

Cerro Gordo, IL’s Terry Reed sits atop the Archers Alley Street Stocks points entering Saturday night’s event. Reed has a 78 point lead over his brother, Gene, who has missed two events this year. Larry Russell, Jr., Darrell Dick, and Bobby Beiler complete the top five. The Street Stock class has been highly competitive this year, with half of the top ten in points claiming at least one feature win.

Decatur, IL driver Brady Reed leads the Hornet standings, claiming four feature wins in the process. Carter Dart is second in points, still looking for his first feature win.  Cook Crawford, Marty Sullivan, and Billy Mason round out the top five.

Rounding out Saturday night’s action will be the Micros By Bailey Chassis. Teenage driver, Daryn Stark, of Springfield, IL, leads the Micro points by just two over Decatur, IL’s Jacob Tipton. Neither have won a Macon feature this year but have a good number of top ten finishes putting them at the top. John Barnard and Molly Day are both fairly close as well. Will Armitage is fifth.

At intermission, kids will be treated to the racecar rides.  A good number of racecars will pull out on the track and allow all the kids to ride around the track for a few laps.  It’s definitely one of the favorite events of the year for the youngsters.

Rounding out Saturday’s program will be the Faster Pastor race, scheduled to be held around intermission. Several area pastors have signed up to be a part of this year’s event.

Pit gates open Saturday at 4:00, grandstands at 5:00, hotlaps are at 6:00, and racing will take the green at 7:00. Grandstand admission is $12, while kids 11 and under are free.

About Macon Speedway:

For more information, 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. Macon Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection’s $150,000 Racer Rewards Program.

CURRENT STANDINGS (Top 10’s)

Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds

DIRTcar Sportsman

Archers Alley Street Stocks

DIRTcar Hornets

Micros By Bailey Chassis

(Macon, IL) The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets are set for their return to Mighty Macon Speedway this coming Saturday night, August 17.  The series, which had a couple of events rained out at the track, earlier this year, will be making their second visit of the season, this time for the Camfield Memorial. Four other divisions will also be in action.

Jake Neuman, of New Berlin, IL, will be looking for his second Macon Speedway victory, after claiming the win on July 27.  Neuman bested Tyler Thomas, Daniel Adler, point leader Jesse Colwell, and Daison Pursley.  Decatur, IL’s Terry Babb took sixth in that event.

Adding to the fun Saturday will be a barrage of other talented drivers who decided to make a Central Illinois visit this weekend.  Hot shoes Tyler Courtney, Logan Seavey, Tanner Thorson, Zach Daum, Tanner Carrick, CJ Leary, and Thomas Meseraull are also in competition with the Midgets this weekend, as they had Fairbury Thursday, Lincoln Friday, and Macon Saturday marked on their calendars.

The POWRi National Micros presented by Bailey Chassis will make their first official appearance at the track this season.  A number of local unsanctioned shows have been held with good fields of cars.  Springfield, IL’s Daryn Stark leads the track standings, while Jacob Tipton, John Barnard, Molly Day, and Will Armitage have had plenty of Macon track time this season.

In the BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds, Tommy Sheppard comes into the week leading the standing by 130 over Alan Crowder.  Sheppard has taken 8 wins in just 13 starts.  Tim Hancock is third in points, while Curt Rhodes, and Zach Rhodes complete the top five.

Mt. Olive, IL driver Tim Hancock is looking for yet another Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modified championship in and is in pretty good position to do so.  Hancock is up 82 points on Nick Justice, Rob Timmons, Tim Riech, and Tim Hancock, Jr.  Hancock, Sr. has claimed 10 feature wins, while Justice, Timmons, and Hancock, Jr. have each claimed one victory.

Brady Reed, of Decatur, IL is looking to continue his strong season in the DIRTcar Hornet class.  Reed has a 104 point advantage in the standings, winning four feature events this year.  Carter Dart, Cook Crawford, Marty Sullivan, and Billy Mason complete the top five.

Pit gates will open Saturday at 3:00, with grandstands at 5:00, hotlaps at 6:00, and racing at 7:00.  Grandstand admission is $18 for adults and free for kids 11 and under.

Saturday night’s event is part of a huge weekend of racing in Central Illinois featuring POWRi Midgets at Lincoln on Friday night, USAC Silver Crown Saturday afternoon at the Springfield Mile, and the ARCA Menards Series on Sunday afternoon in Springfield.

About Macon Speedway:

For more information, 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. Macon Speedway is a proud member of the Contingency Connection’s $150,000 Racer Rewards Program.

CURRENT STANDINGS (Top 10’s)

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League

Micros By Bailey Chassis (track standings)

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Mods

Hornets

By BZ

(Macon, IL) The theme of the night was “race’em & wreck’em” as the annual visit by the drivers who race their cars like demo derby machines stuck around with the stock car drivers who had many of the same issues throughout the night. With the thanks to dozens of fans, friends, former co-workers or businesses, the night that was also billed as the “Diane Bennett Memorial” brought in thousands of extra dollars that was given away  to drivers for finishing spots, lap leaders, fast qualifiers and hard chargers. Bennett passed away a few years ago after illness; she was the lead scorer at Macon Speedway for better than 30 years.

Three weeks ago, Chris Dick scored a $2,000 payday taking the 5th Annual Kerbystrong 100 win in the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models by running the bottom of the track. Different night, same story for him. The bottom brought his car to life and he sped past Jose Parga in the closing laps to take the lead away. Parga staged a rally and returned the favor to regain the lead. With the white flag waving, Dick stayed true to the bottom and a lapped car slowed Parga to the point that Dick pulled out ahead and ran away with the finish and the victory. Thanks to the donations, the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Model feature paid $2,000-to-win.

Money kept growing in the pool for the BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds division through the announcement of the event all the way up to qualifying time as it was announced that $2,150 would be the winner’s portion of the purse in the division. That was good news to Mike Harrison. The many-time Summer Nationals champion make the trip from Highland to claim the check after taking control of the race two laps into the 20-lap A-Main feature. Starting in the second row behind polesitter Cory Daugherty, Harrison gunned it out of the second turn on a lap one restart and never looked back. Daugherty finished just ahead of Rodney Standerfer in the race for second place. The race was flagged by former flagman Jerry Wilson, who worked with Diane Bennett as well as track announcer Larry Limbach for many years through the 80s & 90s.

Another big money race was in the Archer’s Alley Street Stocks where $850 would be up for grabs in a Midwest Big Ten Series race that would be won by Terry Reed. Reed’s control of the race came from a front row starting spot after a heat race victory.

The Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds feature race was among the “race’em & wreck’em” theme as many accidents claimed cars and angered racers who would have to exit the track with damaged or mangled machines. Tim Hancock, Sr., who was involved in a wreck or two during the 15 laps, crossed the finish line first but Rob Timmons was right there behind him for the final five laps. Timmons chose the high groove of the dirt oval to get fast and close the gap but Hancock’s steady lower groove kept him in front.

Lapped traffic helped Decatur’s Adam Webb grab hold of the checkered flag in the Hornets as he beat out Erik Vanapeldoorn for the feature. As was the story in the Pro Late Model feature, lapped traffic changed the lead and the positioning as coming out of the final turn Vanapeldoorn got stuck behind a slower car and Webb sped passed them all for the win.

Trevin Littleton jumped out to a big lead in the Micro Sprint feature, presented by Bailey Chassis, and won.

The fans were treated to the unique and special entertainment of the “Race’em & Wreck’em” experience as Blue Mound’s Brandon Diulio was crowned the winner of the eight-lap race where every lap needed to involve contact with another car. He also took the win during the intermission exhibition where the drivers needed to race around the track and do an extra spin around the tractor tire on the backstretch which had a flagpole inside of it.

Also part of the “Eve of Destruction” presented by Melling Performance was the Rollover Contest where Decatur’s Todd Toker raced a car onto a ramp in an effort to roll it over for the sheer entertainment of the fans. Instead of rolling it, he ended up bouncing back onto all four tires and one tire flew off the car and never made it around to the ramp to give it a second try.

Macon Speedway and Track Enterprises gear up for a huge weekend of racing in the coming week. Friday night at Lincoln Speedway with the POWRi National Midget Series leads to Saturday afternoon at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield for the USAC Silver Crown cars and Sportsman heat races before opening the gates to Macon Speedway and the POWRi National Midget Series. The weekend caps off back in Springfield with the ARCA Racing Series and the Sportsman Nationals race. Information on start times and divisions racing can be found at trackenterprises.com.

Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models–1. Chris Dick (Deland), 2. Jose Parga (New Berlin), 3. Dakota Ewing (Warrensburg), 4. Donny Koehler (Macon), 5. Jake Little (Springfield), 6. Roben Huffman (Midland City), 7. Blake Damery (Blue Mound), 8. Guy Taylor (Springfield), 9. Jeff Reed, Jr. (Blue Mound), 10. Colby Sheppard (Williamsville)

BillingsleyRewards.com Modifieds–1. Mike Harrison (Highland), 2. Cory Daugherty (Blue Mound), 3. Rodney Standerfer (Summerfield), 4. Tommy Sheppard, Jr. (New Berlin), 5. Blake Thompson (Troy), 6. Trevor Neville (Mackinaw), 7. Jeff Leka (Buffalo), 8. Joe Strawkas (Buffalo), 9. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 10. Kyle Helmick (Smithton)

Archer’s Alley Street Stocks–1. Terry Reed (Cerro Gordo), 2. Bobby Beiler (Blue Mound), 3. Darrell Dick (Monticello), 4. Wes Biesenthal (Athens), 5. Rudy Zaragoza (Jacksonville), 6. Brian Dasenbrock (Decatur), 7. Gene Reed (Hammond), 8. Jaret Duff (Maroa), 9. Joshua Beal (Springfield), 10. Larry Russell, Jr. (Decatur)

Neal Tire & Auto Pro Modifieds–1. Tim Hancock, Sr. (Mt. Olive), 2. Rob Timmons (Centralia), 3. Kyle Helmick (Smithton), 4. Jeff Watts (Dalton City), 5. Tim Riech (Petersburg), 6. Greg Logue (Warrensburg), 7. Josh Robb (Mt. Zion), 8. Adam Webb (Decatur), 9. Tom Davidson (Springfield), 10. Nathan Lynch (Hillsboro)

Hornets–1. Adam Webb (Decatur), 2. Erik Vanapeldoorn (Clinton), 3. Brady Reed (Decatur), 4. Joe Reed (Decatur), 5. Mike Gossett (Decatur), 6. Carter Dart (Springfield), 7. John Lewis (Cerro Gordo), 8. Marty Sullivan (Decatur), 9. Steve Stine (Stonington), 10. Bill Basso (Athens)

Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis–1. Trevin Littleton (Jacksonville), 2. Chad Baldwin (Lincoln), 3. Paul Day (Atwood), 4. Jacob Tipton (Decatur), 5. Will Armitage (Athens), 6. Jeff Beasley (Urbana), 7. Daryn Stark (Springfield), 8. John Barnard (Sherman), 9. Greg Northrop (Jacksonville), 10. Hayden Harvey Warrensburg)