(Macon, IL)–Macon Speedway honored the late Kerby Damery, a Macon native and former Macon Speedway track champion, with a trifecta of racing classes in which Damery raced during his longtime career. Damery was honored with a total of 100 laps with 50 in the UMP Super Late Model class, and 25 laps each for the Billingsley Towing Modifieds and the Sportsman.
Damery’s most recognized trophy class was the Late Model division where he was the track champion in 2004, in addition to claiming Budweiser Shootout wins in 1998 & 2001. 34 Late Models were signed in, the most in a long time for that division.
The 50-lap feature for the Late Models featured back and forth action with Dave Crawley, Jr. and Scott Schmitt. Crawley lost control of the lead on lap 37 when a lapped car slowed Crawley and Schmitt took the top spot and started to pull away. Crawley pulled into the infield during a caution on lap 40 and did not return. Schmitt, of Tonica, dominated the final ten laps and cruised to the victory. How fitting for the Late Model feature winner to use the same number as Kerby Damery, #10.
Dennis Vandermeersch, a firefighter from Springfield, took the win in the Sportsman 25-lapper. He was second-fiddle to Jeremy Nichols until Nichols pulled into the infield with a lap to go. Vandermeersch was more than excited to win and thanked the Damery family and Kerbystrong for bringing the event to Macon Speedway. “I raced a lot of races with Kerby Damery and he was a class-act, clean racer, and we had a lot of fun.” Damery was a Sportsman track champion in 1990.
Damery raced in the Billingsley Towing Modifieds for a brief time in his career and the Kerbystrong event honored him with a 25-lap event, which was won by Dave Crawley, Jr. Crawley got a front row assignment and took off early and often to lead all laps and score the victory.
Greg Osman was awarded the Street Stock feature win amid a wild and crazy finish with Terry Reed. The two drivers collided on the exit of turn four, pushing the Osman car into the wall. Reed was penalized a spot and placed second.
Garrett Duff made it a sweep in the Beach House Mini Sprints as he won the heat and the 15-lap feature.
Adam Webb returned to victory lane in the 4-cylinder Hornet class with a pass on Mike Eskew following a caution lap.
The evening started with Damery’s widow Nikki speaking proudly of her husband’s battle with cancer which took his life in February. The jam-packed bleachers wore orange shirts, which was the favorite color of Damery.
Late Models–1. Scott Schmitt (Tonica), 2. Brian Diveley (Springfield), 3. Guy Taylor (Springfield), 4. Ryan Little (Pleasant Plains), 5. Steve Lance, Jr. (Cuba), 6. Chuck Mitchell (Jacksonville), 7. Jim Moon (New Florence, MO.), 8. Joseph Hughes (Pleasant Plains), 9. Jake Little (Pleasant Plains), 10. Kyle Hammer (Clinton)
Billingsley Towing Modifieds–1. Dave Crawley, Jr. (Decatur), 2. Curt Rhodes (Langleyville), 3. Rodney Standerfer (Germantown), 4. TD Burger (Saunemin), 5. Jeff Graham (Taylorville), 6. Wes O’Dell (Springfield), 7. Guy Taylor (Springfield), 8. Russ Coultas (Bluffs), 9. Alan Crowder (Elwin), 10. Nick Macklin (Argenta)
Sportsman–1. Dennis Vandermeersch (Springfield), 2. Timmy Dick (Monticello), 3. Danny Smith (Argenta), 4. Tom Graham (Stonington), 5. Wes O’Dell (Springfield), 6. Tim Bedinger (Taylorville), 7. Scott Landers (Taylorville), 8. Jeremy Nichols (Shelbyville), 9. Dave Eckel (Lovington), 10. Phil Moreland (Assumption)
Street Stocks–1. Greg Osman (Macon), 2. Terry Reed (Decatur), 3. Kyle Waters (Oreana), 4. Jeffrey Reed, Jr. (Blue Mound), 5. Josh Bourland, 6. Dustin Reed (Decatur), 7. Larry Russell, Jr. (Harristown), 8. Tharen Reno (Springfield), 9. Shawn Vaughn (Loami), 10. Kevin Lewis
Beach House Mini Sprints–1. Garrett Duff, 2. Evan Weyant, 3. Jeff Beasley, 4. Bailey Goldesberry, 5. Tyler Duff, 6. Daniel Malpocker, 7. Dalton Petty
Hornets–1. Adam Webb, 2. Thad Gee, 3. Jerad Matherly, 4. John Bright, Jr., 5. Mike Eskew, 6. Austin Wickline, 7. Marty Sullivan, 8. Terry Myers, 9. Mike McChristy, 10. Cook Crawford