By Tyson Graves (Track Announcer) (April 16, 2021) - Last week McKay Wenger was so close to an opening night feature win at Farmer City Raceway. A flat tire while leading took the win away from the Fairbury, Illinois driver they call "The Reaper." McKay, a former track champion at Farmer City in the modified division has had his ups and downs over the years at Farmer City. He has found trouble on occasions, near miss wins, but also has won some marquee events over the years in the late model. But on Friday night McKay got the lead just past the halfway point and held off Jason Wagner and Kevin Weaver for the win.
In victory lane McKay joked about having the Farmer City "Suave" curse since he put the Suave Talk logo on his car. As he crossed the finish line his right rear tire went down but fortunately it was after he secured the win. Wenger shouted out the crowd on hand Friday night and said he came back this week to put on a show for the fans.
Modified action saw sixteen year old Michael Ledford go back to back in the first two weeks of points action. Michael got out front of Kyle Hammer early and used great restarts to get away from the field for his second win at Farmer City this year. In victory lane Mikey expressed his concern with Kyle Hammer back behind him, "He finished second at Bristol last weekend and has been fast lately and I was worried he might have something for us." Ledford, the 2020 track champion, is off to a successful year so far.
For the second time this year Mt. Vernon, Illinois driver Aaron Heck found his way to victory lane. Heck got out front early and no one was really able to mount a charge to challenge. In victory lane Aaron thanked the track staff for the great racing surface and everything they do so we can race. Billy Knippenberg and Chris Dick rounded out the top three. Matt Hammond who started on the outside front row had issues early on and had to come from the back. He was the fastest car in the closing laps and came home in fourth.
In Stock Car action it was the 2018 UMP National Champion from Lovington, IL Jeremy Nichols who took the win. It was sort of a redemption for Nichols who was leading during the Illini 100 weekend a few weeks back before front suspension issues ended his bid. Driving the Nichols Race Car, it was a great birthday present for car owner Rudy Zaragoza who celebrated with Nichols in victory lane. Megan Erwin finished in the runner up spot and Terry Reed third.
The final class in action on Friday night was the hornet division. The Hornets made their 2021 debut at Farmer City and their feature event did not disappoint. Nick Johnson held the race lead early on but after an intense battle for the lead past the halfway point it was Jake Momper who secured the victory.
Next weekend the track looks ahead to a visit from the Renegade Modified Series for a $1,500 to win special event. Gates will open at 4 with hot laps at 6:30pm. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for more updates on this event this week.
Late Model Feature Results
Finish Start # Competitor Hometown +/-
1 2 42 Mckay Wenger Fairbury, IL 1
2 1 J12 Jason Wagner East Peoria, IL -1
3 4 B12 Kevin Weaver Gibson City, IL 1
4 7 30 Mike Glasscock Leroy, IL 3
5 6 162 Logan Moody Catlin, IL 1
6 5 18 Jeffery Ledford Pontiac, IL -1
7 8 74 Russ Adams Princeville, IL 1
8 9 Z61 Alex Wilson Chenoa, IL 1
9 10 48T Phil Taylor Illiopolis, IL 1
10 DNF 3 89 Mike Spatola Manhattan, IL -7
Modified Feature Results
Finish Start # Competitor Hometown +/-
1 1 37L Michael Ledford Pontiac, IL -
2 2 45 Kyle Hammer Clinton, IL -
3 5 95 Ed Roley Mattoon, IL 2
4 4 88S Alan Stipp Forrest, IL -
5 6 21 Troy Dodson Hammond, IL 1
6 9 N59 Chad Evans Mattoon, IL 3
7 11 98 Shawn Vaughn Springfield, IL 4
8 8 4M Tim Monroe Delphoes, OH -
9 10 67 Larry Bunning Oakley, IL 1
10 13 M16 Blake Monroe Farmington, IL 3
11 DNF 7 17D Degan Dozard Peoria, IL -4
12 DNF 3 Z1 Zac Odedewaldt Hanna City, IL -9
DNS 12 15J Jimmy Hayden -
DNS 14 311 Jason Sharrow Clinton, IL -
DNS 15 14 Caden McWhorter Fairbury, IL -
Pro Late Model Feature Results
Finish Start # Competitor Hometown +/-
1 3 59 Aaron Heck Mt. Vernon, IL 2
2 5 1 Billy Knippenberg Plainfield, IL 3
3 4 22D Chris Dick Deland, IL 1
4 2 818 Matt Hammond Bourbonnais, IL -2
5 7 51A Amber Crouch Cullom, IL 2
6 8 2C Colton Billington Mclean, IL 2
7 9 46 Eric Wilson Downs, IL 2
8 10 34 Eric Doran Clinton, IL 2
9 6 7S Jeremy Sebens White Heath, IL -3
10 13 17G Bill Giannetti Champaign, IL 3
11 DNF 12 89 Austin Friedman Forrest, IL 1
12 DNF 1 122 Timmy Dick Monticello, IL -11
DNS 11 M14 David Marlow Heyworth, IL -
Stock Car Feature Results
Finish Start # Competitor Hometown +/-
1 3 1 Jeremy Nichols Lovington, IL 2
2 4 14 Megan Erwin Attica, IN 2
3 5 11 Terry Reed Cerro Gordo, IL 2
4 9 42 Jesse Simmons Danville, IL 5
5 8 69 George Ewing Decatur, IL 3
6 14 63 Andy Thompson Paxton, IL 8
7 6 2Z Andy Zahnd White Heath, IL -1
8 20 37S Scott Schoener Flanigan, IL 12
9 7 35 Tom Davidson Springfield, IL -2
10 DNF 2 37 Lance Evans Westville, IL -8
11 DNF 11 114 Austin Hubbard Valparaiso, IN -
12 DNF 1 22 Darrell Dick Monticello, IL -11
13 DNF 18 4 Mathew Weibel 5
14 DNF 12 1A Kyle Anderson Crown Point, IN -2
15 DNF 16 25 Greg Osman Eureka, IL 1
DNS 17 67R Rudy Zaragoza Jacksonville, IL -
DNS 15 73S Randy Schoener Flanagan, IL -
DNS 21 73 Todd Musick Assumption, IL -
DNS 13 16 Nick Macklin Argenta, IL -
DNS 10 7 Mike Johnson Danville, IL -
DNS 19 615 Matt Fabrizius Genoa, IL -
Hornet Feature Results
Finish Start # Competitor Hometown +/-
1 2 43 Jake Momper Wilmington, IL 1
2 1 30J Nick Johnson Bartonville, IL -1
3 4 412 Brent Terry 1
4 8 86 Nick Clubb Joliet, IL 4
5 5 1A Bob Althouse Bloomington, IL -
6 6 66 Derrick Weiand Pence, IN -
7 7 44E Evan Eckhoff Onargo, IL -
8 10 77 Terry Pruitt Danville, IL 2
9 9 C5 Michael Gilmore Norris, IL -
10 DNF 3 1K Dale Kohler Clifton, IN -7
11 DNF 11 10 Josh Henderson Paxton, IL -