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Speed Week: FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek hits the area this weekend

rocky ragusa
·4 min read
Fairbury's McKay Wenger (42) races with Scott James. Both drivers will be racing their late models in the FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek. Wenger will be looking to defend his home turf at the Farmer City Raceway and Fairbury Speedway.
Fairbury's McKay Wenger (42) races with Scott James. Both drivers will be racing their late models in the FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek. Wenger will be looking to defend his home turf at the Farmer City Raceway and Fairbury Speedway.

The eyes of the Dirt Late Model world will be shining on the Central Illinois region as four tracks will take part in FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek. A driver has the potential to take in $99,044 if he is able to win each feature race and secure the championship in the mini series, with a total payout of $248,000.

Expected entries will have drivers from 18 states and Australia. Among the drivers that have expressed interest in racing a partial or full schedule include three-time World of Outlaw champion Brandon Sheppard, current World of Outlaw point leader Dennis Erb Jr, Outlaw Rookie of the Year contenders Gordy Gundaker, Tanner English, and Kyle Hammer, Australia’s Kyle Blight, former Topless 100 winner Hudson O’Neal, 2018 Prairie Dirt Classic winner Devin Moran, four-time Lucas Oil champion Earl Pearson Jr., five-time MARS champion Tony Jackson Jr., two-time USMTS champion Ryan Gustin, 2021 Dirt Track World Champion winner Ricky Thorton Jr., Hall of Famer Jimmy Mars, Tyler Erb, Ashton Winger and Rusty Schlenk.

Kevin Weaver, Gibson City's national Dirt Late Model hall of famer, looked strong in last week's racing at the Fairbury Speedway in his new Rocket chassis. Weaver, pictured after winning his heat race, will look to pocket some of the big bucks up for the taking.
Kevin Weaver, Gibson City's national Dirt Late Model hall of famer, looked strong in last week's racing at the Fairbury Speedway in his new Rocket chassis. Weaver, pictured after winning his heat race, will look to pocket some of the big bucks up for the taking.

Among the Illinois drivers that are familiar with the tracks are Shannon Babb, Bobby Pierce, Brian Shirley, Jason Feger, Ryan Unzicker, McKay Wenger, Mike Spatola, Myles Moos, Donny Walden, Kevin Weaver and Frank Heckenast Jr.

The series began at the Spoon River Speedway on Wednesday night. Late model drivers had a 50-lap clash with a check of $22,022 going to the winner. Modifieds engaged in a $3,000-to-win race that included NASCAR Cup driver Justin Haley.

Highland's Mike Harrison, a multiple DIRTcar national champion, has indicated his intention to race his modified in the FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek. Harrison was the winner of last week's opener at Fairbury Speedway and has a win this year at the Lincoln Speedway.
Highland's Mike Harrison, a multiple DIRTcar national champion, has indicated his intention to race his modified in the FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek. Harrison was the winner of last week's opener at Fairbury Speedway and has a win this year at the Lincoln Speedway.

In what will be the largest paying race in its 19-year history, Lincoln Speedway will see Graue Chevrolet presenting a 50-lap, $22,022-to-win battle on tap Thursday. The quarter-mile, semi-banked track will also host modifieds with $2,000 awarded to the race winner. Located at the Logan County Fairgrounds, stands will open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6 and racing will start at 7. The track phone is 217-764-3200.

Friday will see Farmer City Raceway as the place to be as the 2021 DIRTcar Track of the Year will host the Farmer City 74, under the direction of the MARS racing series.

Douglass Dodge will award the late model winner a $15,000 check and $2,000 will go to the Modified race winner. Pro late models will race with $1,000 going to the winner, and $500 is on the line for the stock car winner. Hot laps start at 6:30 p.m., time trials are at 7 and racing will follow. Call the speedway phone at 309-928-9110 for additional information.

The grand finale will be at “America’s Dirt Track” as the Fairbury Speedway will team up with Titan Industries and Mackinaw Valley Powder Coating for the FALS Spring Shootout. The competitors will be vying for the $30,000 that goes to the winner of the 60-lap, MARS series race. The point leader following the race will earn $10,000.

Joining the program will be the always exciting modified division, which will have drivers in a 30-lap, $3,000-to-win race. Stands will open at 2 p.m., hot laps start at 5:50, qualifying is at 6:15 and racing starts at 7. Call 815-692-3222 for additional information.

Kankakee County Speedway

There will be an open practice Sunday from 12-5 p.m. The first race will be on Friday, May 20, with a 40-lap, $5,000-to-win MARS series late model race.

Macon Speedway

On Saturday, a full program of pro late models, modified, pro mods, sportsman, stock cars, hornets and micros on the ⅕-mile track. Stands open at 5 p.m., practice is at 6 and racing starts at 7.

Grundy County Speedway

The “Cabin Fever” season-opener will kick off the 52nd year of pavement racing at the fairground track in Morris. Late model, Midwest MASS Sportsman, street stocks, pure stock and midgets will be racing on the ⅓-mile track. Stands/practice start at 5 p.m., qualifying is at 6:45 and racing is at 8. The track phone is 309-928-9110.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Speed Week: FLO Racing Illinois Speedweek hits the area this weekend