(KANKAKEE, IL) – May 13 – With Mother Nature looming large throughout Illinois Friday night, the only things moving faster than the cars on the speedway’s surface was the pace at which the program was run. Even with 95 machines poised pit side, all heat race action in the five competing divisions was completed in just over an hour at 8:34pm. And with only two last chance consolation races to run, the program quickly moved into the night’s feature action. Promoter Tom Smith and starter Dave Whittington even elected to forego the customary pre-race driver’s meeting in an effort to get as much of the program in before approaching weather could put a damper of the evening.

A crowd of over 500 assembled, enduring with the cooler temperatures, to fulfill their addiction of speed and the taste of dirt in their beer and the smell of methanol in the air.

The night’s first feature event saw young 15-year-old Peotone native Joe Tsilis wheel his Ford Mustang to victory lane while withstanding the challenge of runner-up Scott Cupples. Cupples who started eighth on the grid, made his way up to the front to put some pressure on Tsilis who started outside pole. Tyler Griswold, who started outside the top 10 in 11th, would rally as well coming home in the third position followed by UNOH student Jessica Summar and Dave Polak Jr. The win was the first official UMP sanctioned triumph for Tsilis, although he also claimed victory last year in the season ending “Run Whatcha Brung” event.

In UMP Stock Car feature action, Nate Zimmer of Mattoon, a student at Eastern Illinois University, made a rare appearance to score victory against an always tough cast of competitors. Zimmer made several impressive late season appearances last year after clinching the Charleston Speedway track championship, so Kankakee regulars are familiar with Zimmer being in the top five. Zimmer also started outside pole and vaulted into the early lead over Wilmington’s Joe Brown and Papineau’s Don Hilleary. Time and time again Brown challenged Zimmer on the inside but was not able to make the effort to pass work. Pole sitter and defending UMP National Champion Joel Funk got shuffled outside the top ten and would finish a disappointing 15th in the final rundown. Jay Hamilton and Lee J. Hall rounded out the top five.

Funk, Zimmer, and Brown all won preliminary heat races, while the “Limestone Lightning” Brian Wirtz claimed the consi win.

In easily the night’s most exciting feature event, the “Lake Village Assassin” Jamie Lomax made the most of his first appearance of the season, also starting from the outside pole to claim the 20-lap UMP Modified feature. Lomax took the lead away from pole sitter Chad Osterhoff of Kankakee on the opening lap and never looked back. That’s because he didn’t have to. Joliet’s Steven Brooks continues to impress fans with his style of driving, after having jumped to the dirt circles from the asphalt world. It’s takes other much longer to realize their errors, and realize the dirt is where the asphalt stops and the racing begins. Brooks hounded Lomax the entire race after taking over the second spot running the bottom of the race track. However, when he had to, Brooks was able to position his car in any lane he wanted. Repeatedly, Brooks looked underneath Lomax through the turns, but Lomax was able to fend off the efforts of Brooks each time. It wasn’t until fifth starting Nick Allen got into the mix running the extreme high side, that Lomax changed his strategy a bit and moved to the bottom to block the advances of Brooks. And while Allen, last week’s season opening feature winner, was reeling in the duo, he did bobble when he jumped the cushion in turn four coming to the white flag. Still, all three drivers gave the fans reason to stand up and cheer, as they went three wide on the final lap racing for the checkers. Brooks looked to the outside of Lomax in one final effort to take the lead, but his bid to score his first career dirt victory came up just short. Lomax claimed his third UMP feature win of the season, all of which have come at different tracks. Allen would cross the line in third, while Osterhoff was fourth and rookie sensation Adam Williams of Wheatfield was fifth.

Osterhoff, Lomax, and Dave Porth scored heat race wins while Peotone’s Shawn Scripter took the consi checkers.

In UMP Late Model action, Manhattan’s Mike Spatola made it two-for-two, despite not having the most dominant car this week. Pole sitter Mike Provenzano launched out to the early lead and looked to have things in control. But even as the field was racing four wide down the front stretch. Tonica’s Scott Schmitt rocketed by everyone to take the lead and pull out to a straightaway lead. But with about 10 laps to go Schmitt slowed coming down the front stretch and pulled to the infield grass while circling, waiting for the field to drive by before pulling his car off the track into the pit area with radiator overheating issues. It seems Schmitt’s radiator had some mud blocking the air flow causing the water temp to max out. Spatola by this time was firmly holding down the second spot after passing Hebron’s (IN) Shawn Toczek, who was making his return to the dirt after a year off, subbing in for Gary Schalmo, who was taking the night off due to work commitments, and Provenzano. Spatola, who started ninth after winning the first heat race, set his sights on a repeat win and went unchallenged over the final seven laps. Provenzano crossed the stripe in second for the second straight week, while Toczek shook off the rust to finish third. Kerry Mathew of Rensselear, IN finished fourth while Randy Manos took fifth.

Spatola and Provenzano captured heat race wins while Provenzano was fast qualifier at 14.359 seconds.

The final event of the evening was a quickly contested affair for the I-Mods as Lowell’s Mike Kingma captured the checkered flag over Chris Arihood and last week’s feature winner Adam Williams. The threesome have become fixtures in victory lane at Kankakee since the I-Mod’s joined the program several years ago. Neil Martin and Josh Cooley rounded out the top five.

Both Arihood and Williams won heat races, but because Williams won last week’s event, he could start no better than eighth in this week’s feature. The same will hold true for Kingma in two weeks when the I-Mods return to action.

The night’s racing concluded at 9:59pm, just before the sprinkles began to fall nearby then also at the track a short time later.

Next Friday night, May 20th, Indy Pic-A-Part presents Armed Forces Night with “The Land of Lincoln 40” featuring the Sunoco American Late Model Series $2,000 to win special. The Sunoco ALMS series is primarily a series for drivers out of the Michigan and Ohio areas and includes drivers such as defending UMP National Champion Rusty Schlenk of Jackson, MI, defending ALMS Champion Brian Ruhlman of Clarklake, MI, Jon Henry of Ada, OH, Curtis Roberts of Coleman, MI, and Brandon Thirlby of Traverse City, MI. Others expected to compete include Illinois standouts Ryan Unzicker, Kevin Weaver, Brandon Sheppard, Steve Sheppard, Eric Smith, Jimmy Dehm, Wes Steidinger, Donnie Walden, Derek Chandler, Scott Bull, Bret Sievert of Wisconsin, and Dillan White of Kentucky. They will take on local hot shoes Mike Spatola, Mike Provenzano, Steve Dimmick, Steve Thorsten, Shawn Toczek, and Jay Morris.

The night includes a full program of racing including UMP sanctioned Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Sport Compacts. I-Mods are Off.

All active Military personnel including reservists admitted for just $5 with proper ID.

Race fans can Save $3 with their Ticket Stubs from May 13th show.

Adult admission is $15, Kids 11-16 $6, 10 and Under FREE. Pit admission is $30.

Pit Gates open at 4pm, Main Gates at 5pm, Hot laps at 6pm, Qualifying at 630pm, and Racing at 730pm SHARP!

Kankakee County Speedway is conveniently located one mile south of Interstate 57 at Exit 308, at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds.

Overnight camping is available or visit the official host hotel of the Kankakee County Speedway, America’s Best Inn & Suites in Bradley at Exit 315.

For more detailed information, visit us online at www.kankakeecountyspeedway.com or call (815) 935-9000.

For weather updates be sure to text the word Kankakee to 84483 to sign up for text alerts from RainedOut.com. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile plan.

Indulgent Creations UMP Sport Compacts (16 cars)

Heat 1 (All transfer) 8
1. 00 Skylar Antonelli
2. 77 Jesse Gaylord
3. 95 Dave Polak Jr.
4. 28 Jason Kemp
5. 42 Jessica Summar
6. 91 Tyler Griswold
7. B9 Jake Momper
8. 36 Bill Wasnea

Heat 2 (All transfer) 8
1. 2 Joe Tsilis
2. 66 Shannon Mudro
3. 1 Robert Naese
4. 37 Scott Cupples
5. 10 Mike Grabe
6. 18 Scott Russo
7. N88 Aaron Maynard
8. 07 Brian Bennett

Feature (20-laps, $100 to win)
1. 2 Joe Tsilis (2)
2. 37 Scott Cupples (8)
3. 91 Tyler Griswold (11)
4. 42Jr Jessica Summar (7)
5. 95 Dave Polak (3)
6. 66 Shannon Mudro (4)
7. 1 Robert Naese (6)
8. 77 Jesse Gaylord (1)
9. 88 Aaron Maynard (14)
10. B9 Jake Momper (13)
11. 10 Mike Grabe (10)
12. 18 Scott Russo (12)
13. 00 Skylar Antonelli (9) DNF
14. 36 Bill Wasnea (15) DNF
15. 07 Brian Bennett (16) DNF
16. 28 Jason Kemp (5) DNF

Hard Charger – 91 Tyler Griswold +8

Miller Hydraulic UMP Stock Cars (28 cars)

Heat 1 (Top 6 transfer) 10
1. 23Jr Joel Funk
2. 6 Jay Hamilton
3. 01 Joe Hillman
4. 75 Matt Cleary
5. 92 Jeff Riley
6. 70B Ken Bushey
7. 7 Joe Steurer
8. 10 Lon Franks
9. 68 J Thompson
10. 1W Brian Wirtz

Heat 2 (Top 6 transfer) 9
1. 32Z Nate Zimmer
2. 70 Wayne Huffman
3. V27 Don Hilleary
4. 0 Damon Miller
5. 48 Travis Wolford
6. 23A Andrew Funk
7. 63 Joe Malone
8. 3 Alex Clubb
9. 11 Sara Bowman

Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer) 9
1. B9 Joe Brown
2. L3 Kevin Lenzen
3. V37 Lee J. Hall
4. 12 Bill Stevenson
5. 18 David Billingsley
6. 46 Nate Kroll
7. 74 Justin Witthoft
8. 56 Patrick Parsons
9. 43 Dustin Hubert

Consi (Top 2 transfer)
1. 1W Brian Wirtz
2. 74 Justin Witthoft
3. 63 Joe Malone
4. 11 J Thompson
5. 7 Joe Steurer

Feature (20-laps, $300 to win)
1. 32Z Nate Zimmer (2)
2. B9 Joe Brown (3)
3. V27 Don Hilleary (8)
4. 6 Jay Hamilton (4)
5. V37 Lee J. Hall (9)
6. 48 Travis Wolford (14)
7. L3 Kevin Lenzen (6)
8. 12 Bill Stevenson (12)
9. 18 David Billingsley (15)
10. 1W Brian Wirtz (19)
11. 23A Andrew Funk (17)
12. 92 Jeff Riley (13)
13. 75 Matt Cleary (10)
14. 74 Justin Witthoft (20)
15. 46 Nate Kroll (18)
16. 23Jr Joel Funk (1)
17. 70B Ken Bushey (16)DNF
18. 01 Joe Hillman (7) DNF
19. 70 Wayne Huffman (5) DNF
20. 0 Damon Miller (11) DNF

Hard Charger – 48 Travis Wolford +8

Chicago Heights U-Pull-It UMP Modifieds (23 cars)

Heat 1 (Top 6 transfer) 7
1. 130 Chad Osterhoff
2. 05 Steven Brooks
3. 99 Corey Partin
4. 48 Adam Pockrus
5. 7 Jason Klopp
6. 5T Mike Todd
7. 25 Matt McCarty
8. 48x Kurt Allison DNS

Heat 2 (Top 6 transfer) 8
1. 36L Jamie Lomax
2. 21A Nick Allen
3. 14 Adam Williams
4. 35 Jason Hastings
5. 36 Kevin Hastings
6. 22N Lake Nichoalds
7. 10 Shawn Scripter
8. 23B Eric Boudreau

Heat 3 (Top 6 transfer) 8
1. 25P Dave Porth
2. 69 Jim Farris
3. 21Jr Justin McCoy
4. 66 Phil Line
5. 5M Rod Morris
6. 99C Jared Cagley
7. 12x Tom Pasek
8. 06 Ryan Kortge

Consi (Top 2 transfer)
1. 10 Shawn Scripter
2. 12x Tom Pasek
3. 06 Ryan Kortge
4. 25 Matt McCarty
5. 23B Eric Boudreau DNS

Feature (20-laps, $600 to win)
1. 36L Jamie Lomax (2)
2. 05 Steven Brooks (4)
3. 21A Nick Allen (5)
4. 130 Chad Osterhoff (1)
5. 14 Adam Williams (7)
6. 25P Dave Porth (3)
7. 69 Jim Farris (6)
8. 21Jr Justin McCoy (9)
9. 35 Jason Hastings (11)
10. 66 Phil Line (12)
11. 36 Kevin Hastings (14)
12. 99C Jared Cagley (18)
13. 5M Rod Morris (15)
14. 48 Adam Pockrus (10)
15.7 Jason Klopp (13)
16. 10 Shawn Scripter (19)
17. 22N Lake Nichoalds (17)
18. 12x Tom Pasek (20) DNF
19. 5T Mike Todd (16) DNF
20. 99 Corey Partin (7) DNF

Hard Charger – 99c Jared Cagley +6

Court Street Ford UMP Late Models (14 cars)

Late Model Qualifying (1-lap)
1. 14 Kerry Mathew – 14.889
2. 10 Scott Schmitt – 14.577 Second Quick
3. 21 Keith Piano – 14.858
4. 10H Don Hilleary – 15.435
5. M27 Mike Provenzano – 14.359 Fast Time
6. 05 Shawn Toczek – 14.751
7. 77M Jay Morris – 14.693 Third Quick
8. 7T Steve Thorsten – 17.518
9. 11 Steve Dimmick – 15.253
10. 116 Torin Mettile – 15.934
11. 22 John Quill – 14.984
12. 14 Glen Thompson – 15.389
13. 89 Mike Spatola – No Time
14. 111 Randy Manos – No Time

Heat 1 (All transfer) 6
1. 89 Mike Spatola
2. 116 Torin Mettile
3. 14 Glen Thompson
4. 111 Randy Manos
5. 10H Don Hilleary
6. 7T Steve Thorsten

Heat 2 (All transfer) Fast 8
1. M27 Mike Provenzano
2. 11 Steve Dimmick
3. 21 Keith Piano
4. 77M Jay Morris
5. 05 Shawn Tocczek
6. 10 Scott Schmitt
7. 22 John Quill
8. 14 Kerry Mathew DNF

Feature (25-laps, $1000 to win)
1. 89 Mike Spatola (9)
2. M27 Mike Provenzano (1)
3. 05 Shawn Toczek (5)
4. 14 Kerry Mathew (8)
5. 111 Randy Manos (12)
6. 11 Steve Dimmick (2)
7. 7T Steve Thorsten (14)
8. 22 John Quill (7)
9. 14 Glen Thompson
10. 21 Keith Piano (3)
11. 116 Torin Mettile
12. 10H Don Hilleary (13) DNF
13. 10 Scott Schmitt (6)DNF
14. 77M Jay Morris (4) DNF

Hard Charger – 89 Mike Spatola +8

Smith Realty I-Mods (13 cars)

Heat 1 (All transfer) 6
1. 1 Chris Arihood
2. 77 Mike Kingma
3. 9 Josh Cooley
4. 88 Neil Martin
5. 18 Blake Jarrette
6. 20X Nick Pasek

Heat 2 (All transfer) 7
1. 14 Adam Williams
2. 98 Mike Heckenast
3. 18J Ryen Johnson
4. V7 Nick Montalta
5. 22 Mark Stevenson
6. 63 Chris Beleaz
7. 911 Terry Sadowski

Feature (15-laps, $250 to win)
1. 77 Mike Kingma (3)
2. 1 Chris Arihood (1)
3. 14 Adam Williams (9)
4. 88 Neil Martin (7)
5. 9 Josh Cooley (5)
6. V7 Nick Montalta (6)
7. 18J Ryen Johnson (4)
8. 911 Terry Sadowski (13)
9. 63 Brent Beleaz (11)
10. 18 Blake Jarrette (10)
11. 98 Mike Heckenast (2)
12. 20X Nick Pasek (12)
13. 22 Mark Stevenson (8)

Hard Charger – 14 Adam Williams +6