By Jimmy Dearing-Pontoon Beach, IL – May 1st, 2016 — In years past, the Lucas Oil Late Model Series regulars haven’t been too concerned about the local contingent of racers during their stop at Tri-City Speedway. Yes, there have been locals before do well when the traveling series comes to Tri-City Speedway, like Randy Korte, but those guys were former traveling series regulars at one time or another.

One of those local racers, Jeff Herzog, can probably count the number of different tracks that he has raced a super late model at on just one hand. Herzog, who has really stepped up his performances in 2016, had the crowd on their feet as he drove around series regular Darrell Lanigan and Midwest touring ace Chris Simpson to win his heat race. While the leaders used the inside line, Herzog went to the top and steadily made his way to the lead having to race side by side with Lanigan and Simpson to get past them.

Then, the very next heat race saw Tim Manville power his way from the fourth starting spot to the lead, passing names like Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson, Jr. and Don O’Neal. Manville would bobble late in the race which allowed Bloomquist to get back past him for the win, but Manville would still finish a solid second.

Other area drivers like Michael Kloos & Ryan Unzicker finished third in their heat races.

Local drivers Jim Shereck and Billy Laycock won the two B-Mains.

During the feature event, the touring regulars were able to use their knowledge and experience to claim all the top ten spots at the end of the 50 lap event that went caution free. Michael Kloos, Tim Manville and Jeff Herzog managed to finish twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth in the twenty-seven car field.

In the end, it does show there is some great racers in the area that are constantly improving and we should all be proud of the great talented racers in our area!