LaSalle Speedway will be attending the Racers Performance Expo February 25th and 26th in St. Charles, Illinois check out the shows website at http://www.raceperformanceexpo.com/Home.htm 

Stop by the LaSalle Speedway booth to register to win prizes, pick up a 2012 schedule, or purchase your season pass.

Photo submitted by Karen Kinney Oles track photographer. “Kenny Wallace #36 beats Jim Farris #69 to the line. Wallace was a smooth operator en route to his feature victory at La Salle Speedway.”

Kenny Wallace proves to be a smooth operator; Unzicker picks up another win

By: Betty Glynn

La Salle, IL – Former NASCAR standout and television commentator Kenny Wallace is known world wide for his ability to wheel a race car and entertain the public. He did not disappoint on Saturday night at La Salle Speedway. The St. Louis native started racing in 1982 when he won the first race he competed in. His introduction to the family sport started early when he watched his father race as a youngster. He would later become the crew chief for brothers Rusty and Mike Wallace while still a high school student.

In September of 1988, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. gave Kenny the seat for his first-ever NASCAR start.  He finished seventh in his first Nationwide Series race at Martinsville, Virginia. The following year, Kenny raced the full Nationwide Series schedule in a car owned by his brother Rusty, earning the 1989 Rookie of the Year award and finishing sixth in the driver point standings. He now competes in the Busch series on a regular basis but can be found slinging dirt across the country for fun.

He signed into La Salle as just another UMP Open Wheel Modified driver and hung out in the pits like the rest of the racers who love dirt track racing. With a boisterous laugh and a smile that makes one feel like you have known him your entire life. His stop over at the Illinois Valley Speedway ended with good results he qualified 5^th fast, won his heat and took home the A main trophy.

He undoubtedly is the proud owner of numerous awards and trophies but still enjoyed scoring the one he earned at La Salle. According to his twitter posts he was considering showing off his trophy to the viewers of his early morning television appearance at the Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.

“I am up at 6 AM for @Racedayonspeed TV show after MY WIN last night in Lasalle Illinois on the Dirt track!..Who will WIN the 1st Chase Race?”

UMP Late Models:

The National UMP Championship is in replacement mode with drivers at the top of the leader board attempting to replace race finishes with better ones for more points now that the season is coming to a close. Luckily for La Salle fans, some of the top competitors were in LaSalle and ready to put on a show. As of September 11^th, Ryan Unzicker sat at the top of the points standings by a mere three points over Rusty Schlenk with Jon Henry forty seven points away in third place.

Mike Spatola, another dirt track standout, wheeled his way into the fastest qualifier position with a time of 12.915. Spatola was uncontested for a flag to flag victory in the first heat contest. Unzicker crossed the line second finishing ahead of track champion Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell and Steve Thorsten. Bret Sievert also won from the pole beating Henry, Schlenk, Gary Schalmo and Mike Glynn.

The pace of the twenty five lap main was bad fast from the signal of the start with a five wide battle up front. It took three attempts to get the first lap in the books but every turn was exciting. Spatola held the point from the pole for the first four laps until he and Unzicker traded some paint for the lead and Unzicker took charge. The new leader was lapping cars early in the race using a higher line. He had a great run anywhere from mid track and up. Sievert, who was running in the top five, fell off the pace and stopped to bring out a caution. While under yellow, track officials moved the infield tires far off the bottom of the inside line changing the rhythm of a low running machines that were flying around the rim and moving forward.

After spotting signs of smoke from Bell’s power plant for quite a few laps, the inevitable happened with a larger plume and a trail of oil ended his night in the twelfth circuit. During Lap 15, Spatola flew up the track to challenge Unzicker when he slammed the concrete barrier. He slowed enough to fall back a couple spots but was still running full power. With two laps remaining, it was Unzicker flying solo out front over Provenzano, Henry, a high running Spatola and tenth place starter Glynn on the bottom. Glynn and Spatola’s challenge was the only side by side racing at the finish with Glynn hitting beating him to the line for fourth.

Final finish: Unzicker, Provenzano, Henry, Glynn, Spatola, Thorsten, Dale Markham, Gary Schalmo, Scott Schmitt, Ed Williams Sr., Tom Smith, Jon Small, and Joe Fratt.

UMP Open Wheel Modified’s:

Jim Farris was the fastest qualifier, of the twenty eight Open Wheel Modified’s, with a time of 14.305. He later beat Jamie Lomax for the first heat while Austin Hewitt, Justin McCoy and Brandon Maciejewski crossed the line after them.

Kenny Wallace won the second heat over Wes Odell, Jeff Curl, Charlie Harmon, and Mike Marden. Brandon Durbin collected the checkers of the third heat race ahead of Steve Brooks, Jason Pershy, Tom Knippenberg, and Matt Gremminger.

Farris and Wallace were on the front row of the A main grid with Durbin and Lomax in row two. Just after the leaders entered the turn four area, a melee up front affected nearly everyone but Wallace who was unscathed. The twenty lapper was truly the Kenny Wallace show as he was the smoothest operator lap after lap. His ease in and out of the corners was a true testament of his skill as a veteran racer. He held a generous lead all the way to the checkers taking home the trophy over Lomax, Farris, Durbin, Wes Odell, Shawn Lewis, Pershy, Brooks, Marden, Nick Odell, Bob Salaggi, Gremminger, Knipenberg, Maciejewski, and Harmon.

UMP Street Stock’s:

Mike McKinney’s start to the season was one the young racer won’t forget which only makes his finish even more memorable. McKinney won the first feature event of the season on opening night but was disqualified during post race tech inspections. He more than made up for the disappointing start by closing out the season with back to back impressive feature victory finishes.

Roger Rickels won the first heat contest ahead of Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell, Tim Provenzano and Keith Miller. Kevin Snowberger topped the board of the second heat ahead of McKinney, Jake Miller, Rick Thomas and Joel Funk.

McKinney’s return to victory lane after his feature race run was earned over a hard charging Balensiefen, Rickels, Funk, Aaron Near, Snowberger, Thomas, Jake Miller, Duane Peterson, Justin Hamm, Sell, Keith Miller, Jake Bivens and Provenzano.

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornet’s:

The UMP 4 Cylinder class top qualifier and current division champion, Allen Provenzano, won his heat but after contact in the feature he watched the races pitside for the first time all season. After contact with a fellow racer early in the event his ride was out of commission.

When the checkers dropped, it was his brother Jon Provenzano hitting the finish line first over Late Model racer Nathan Balensiefen. Rick Wagner finished third in front of Tyler Etherton, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallony, Mark Sutton, and Don Slover.

Remaining Schedule:

Tues. Sept. 27 – Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Road to Knoxville” $10,000 (re-scheduled Spring Shootout from May) Plus UMP Modified’s

Sat. Oct. 29 – Canceled

La Salle Speedway Results 09/17/11

UMP Late Models: 17 Cars

Qualifying: Mike Spatola 12.9158

Heat 1: Mike Spatola, Ryan Unzicker, Mike Provenzano, Rich Bell, Steve Thorsten

Heat 2: Bret Sievert, Jon Henry, Rusty Schlenk, Gary Schalmo, Mike Glynn

Feature: Ryan Unzicker, Mike Provenzano, Jon Henry, Mike Glynn, Mike Spatola, Steve Thorsten, Dale Markham, Gary Schalmo, Scott Schmitt, Ed Williams Sr., Tom Smith, Jon Small, Joe Fratt, Rich Bell, Bret Sievert, Rusty Schlenk

UMP Modifieds: 28 Cars

Qualifying: Jim Farris 14.305

Heat 1: Jim Faris, Jamie Lomax, Austin Hewitt, Justin McCoy, Brandon Maciejewski

Heat 2: Kenny Wallace, Wes Odell, Jeff Curl, Charlie Harmon, Mike Marden

Heat 3: Brandon Durbin, Steve Brooks, Jason Pershy, Tom Knippenberg, Matthew Gremminger

Feature: Kenny Wallace, Jamie Lomax, Jim Farris, Brandon Durbin, Wes Odell, Shawn Lewis, Jason Pershy, Steve Brooks, Mike Marden, Nick Odell, Bob Salaggi, Matt Gremminger, Tom Knippenberg, Brandon Maciejewski, Charlie Harmon, Justin McCoy, Scott Hauge, Kyle Neels, Ryan Vount, Austin Hewitt, Michael Mennel, Doug Sauder

UMP Street Stocks: 15 Cars

Qualifying: Aaron Near 15.677

Heat 1: Roger Rickels, Jamie Balensiefen, Nick Sell, Tim Provenzano, Keith Miller

Heat 2: Kevin Snowberger, Mike McKinney, Jake Miller, Rick Thomas, Joel Funk

Feature: Mike McKinney, Jamie Balensiefen, Roger Rickels, Joel Funk, Aaron Near, Kevin Snowberger, Rick Thomas, Jake Miller, Duane Peterson, Justin Hamm, Nick Sell, Keith Miller, Jake Bivens, Tim Provenzano

UMP 4 Cylinder Hornets: 13 Cars

Qualifying: Allen Provenzano 19.163

Heat 1: Allen Provenzano, Jon Provenzano, Rick Wagner, Tyler Etherton, Brandon Mallony

Heat 2: Nathan Balensiefen, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Mark Sutton, Crystal Provenzano Broyles

Feature: Jon Provenzano, Nathan Balensiefen, Rick Wagner, Tyler Etherton, Dustin Forbes, Freddie Thatcher, Brandon Mallony, Mark Sutton, Don Slover, Allen Provenzano, Ryan Williams

The 2011 Season Passes are now on sale.  This year the cost of the Season Pass is $120.  That gives the buyer 17 race events for the 2011 season. 

Contact the Speedway office at 815-223-6939 to request your order form.

LASALLE, IL – Feb. 25, 2011 – The Illini 100 is coming to LaSalle Speedway on April 1-2. And now fans can reserve their seats for the blockbuster $20,000-to-win World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, which this season will light up the Izzo family’s high-banked, quarter-mile oval in north-central Illinois for the first time in its sparkling four-year history.

Tickets for the Illini 100 weekend can be purchased on-line at www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets. Both reserved and general admission options are available to fans, who have until March 29 to take advantage of a discounted price on two-day and single-day reserved seats for a show that is expected to usher in LaSalle’s 20^th season of competition with a packed grandstand.

The Illini 100 spectacular, which shifts to LaSalle in 2011 after being run the last three years at Farmer City Raceway, features time trials and qualifying heat races on Fri., April 1, followed by B-Mains and the 100-lap A-Main on Sat., April 2. It will mark the first WoO LMS appearance at LaSalle since 2007.

“The Illini 100 has quickly become well-known as one of the most intense, fast-paced 100-lap events in dirt Late Model racing,” said WoO LMS director Tim Christman. “That no-holds-barred action with big money on the line will undoubtedly continue this year at LaSalle Speedway.”

A collaborative effort between the Izzo family, Tru-Speed Enterprises promoter Don Hammer and the World Racing Group, this year’s edition of the Illini 100 will once again stand as the richest race of the season contested in the dirt Late Model hotbed of Illinois. The Illini’s reputation for memorable racing – dirt-track legend Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., won down-to-the-wire thrillers in 2008 and 2010 and Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., pulled off a late-race pass to capture the 2009 event – is also expected to roll on at its new site.

“You wanted to go to a place that’s known for good racing,” Hammer, a former promoter at Farmer City and current director of the Monster Midwest Series, said of his decision to relocate the Illini 100 to LaSalle due to uncertainty surrounding Farmer City’s operation. “LaSalle definitely fits the bill. There have been a lot of great races there over the years and it’s a great facility where we can continue to build a crowd for the Illini.”

LaSalle’s management group, meanwhile, is looking forward to showcasing their racetrack with a major event that has become a highly-anticipated kickoff of the Midwest’s racing campaign for full-fender fans and teams.

“Everyone here at LaSalle Speedway is pumped up to host the Illini 100,” said Tony Izzo Jr., the operations promoter of the track that last year drew a standing-room-only crowd for a Kasey Kahne-promoted World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event. “It’s something that’s really exciting to have come our way. We have one of the best facilities in Illinois and we’re honored to have the opportunity to step up and host a big national event like this.

“We’re really excited about how much interest the race is generating from our local fans and racers as well as the whole racing community. To hear the excitement in the voice mails and phone calls I’m getting daily about the Illini – man, it’s real encouraging.”

Izzo and his staff are ready to do their part to provide Illini 100 attendees an enjoyable weekend experience – both on and off the track. Preparation of the LaSalle racing surface and grounds has taken on extra importance for Izzo with the Illini 100 serving as a huge season opener for the track, and he’s planning to entertain fans and racers with a post-race party following the qualifying program on Fri., April 1, that includes a bonfire and live band.

“People who have been here to LaSalle know what they’re in store for with the racing and the atmosphere,” said Izzo, “and people who will be coming for the first time will be pleasantly surprised. There are a lot of people working very hard to make the Illini 100 an event to remember.”

A star-studded field of dirt Late Model drivers is expected to compete in the $100,000-plus Illini 100 weekend, led by WoO LMS regulars (and former tour champions) Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y. The Outlaw standouts will battle dozens of other well-known competitors, including many top talents from the DIRTcar UMP circuit.

Advance-sale two-day reserved-seat tickets (Friday-Saturday) for the Illini 100 cost $40 for ages 16-and-over – a savings of $5 from the $45 weekend price at the track.

Single-day tickets are available in advance and on race day. Reserved seat and general admission tickets purchased on-line before March 29 are $15 for Friday and $30 for Saturday. On race day reserved seats (if still available) are $15 (Friday) and $32 (Saturday), and general admission prices are $15 (ages 16-and-over) and $5 (children 6-15) for Friday’s program and $30 (ages 16-and-over) and $10 (children 6-15) for Saturday’s finale. Kids 5-and-under will receive free general admission both days.

All advance tickets can be purchased on-line by visiting www.worldofoutlaws.com/tickets and clicking the “Buy Tickets Now” button next to the ‘Illini 100’ event information. A ticket hotline is also available by calling 877-395-8606.

Pit passes will be sold only at the track for $25 on Friday, $40 on Saturday and $60 for a two-day pass. DIRTcar members will receive a $5 discount on pit admission.

The Illini 100 weekend will kick off on Thurs., March 31, with an open practice session from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. CST. (Gates open at 3 p.m.) Pit admission will be $20, and fans will be permitted to enter the grandstands free of charge to watch the practice circuits.

On Fri., April 1, pit gates will open at 12 noon and spectator gates will be unlocked at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

The schedule on Sat., April 2, calls for pit gates to re-open at 12 noon, with the front gates opening at 3 p.m. Practice will begin at 5 p.m. and racing is set to get the green flag at 6 p.m.

Other divisions on the weekend program are DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and DIRTcar Stock Cars. The UMP Modifieds will compete in separate events paying $500 to win (Friday) and $1,000 to win (Saturday), while the Stock Cars will be in action on Friday night.

La Salle Speedway is located 60 miles west of Joliet, 80 miles east of the Quad Cities, 70 miles south of Rockford and 60 miles north of Bloomington. It is on U.S. Route 6 just 1.5 miles east of Interstate 39 Exit 57.

More information on the Illini 100 weekend at La Salle Speedway – including details on a limited number of reserved camping spots for the event – can be obtained by calling the track at 815-223-6900 or 815-223-6939 or logging on to www.lasallespeedway.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Illini-100.

For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award), Chizmark Larson Insurance, Factory Value Parts and RacingJunk.com; in addition to contingency sponsors MSD Ignition, Pro Power Engines, Quartermaster, Rocket Chassis and Wrisco Aluminum.

Contact: World Racing Group
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
704-254-7929 • kkovac@dirtcar.com