Speed Week: Glen Thompson looking for first feature checkered flag
Standing on the stage last November during the Fairbury Speedway awards banquet, Buckingham’s Glen Thompson collected his award for finishing ninth in the late model point standings. Later that evening Thompson was honored by being named the winner of the Sportsmanship award. The award is one of the highest honors a driver or crew member can receive as race officials and fellow drivers vote on the recipient. For Thompson, it is his second time to receive the award.
“I try to carry myself where people and my sponsors are proud to support me,” Thompson said. “If a driver needs to borrow a tool or part, I am always glad to help them out. I won it before at Kankakee and now here. I am honored to have won it twice.”
For the 2021 race season, Thompson had the top five finishes at Peoria and two top 10 runs at Fairbury. One of Thompson’s highlights was his semi-feature win at Fairbury during the latter part of the year.
“ It was my first win at Fairbury since they stopped the lock 8s,” Thompson said. “It really meant a lot to me and my team. I wanted to get the picture. I wanted everyone to see it. My team wants to see the success on the track. They all work so hard and I wanted to reward them.”
The 2022 season will see the #14 racing every week at Fairbury with a few shows at Peoria. Thompson has shown he can qualify with the best of them and is looking for his first career feature win.
“I really like our Kryptonite race car. We got it two years ago and it has worked out well,” Thompson said. “My pro power engine is all freshened up and ready to go. My crew and family are all ready for racing to start.”
Friday Racing
Farmer City Raceway
Last week’s Illini 100 was canceled due to weather and will not be made up. The first of 21 weekly racing programs will begin this week. Late models, modified, pro late models and stock cars will be racing on the quarter-mile dirt oval.
Kevin Weaver (late model), Michael Ledford (modified), Colton Billington (pro late model), Megan Erwin (stock cars), Jake Montgomery (pro modified) and Nick Johnson (hornets) are the defending track champions.
Gates to the fairground track open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6:30, qualifying is at 7 and racing will follow. The track phone number is (309) 928-9110.
Saturday Racing
Macon Speedway
The “Mighty” Macon Speedway will open its 77th year of racing on the ⅕-mile, high-banked dirt track this week. Racing will take place in the pro late model, modified, pro modified, stock cars, hornets and micros. An on track autograph session will take place before all the excitement.
Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are at 6, and the green flag waves at 7. For more information call (217) 764-3000.
Sunday Racing
Lincoln Speedway
Due to unfavorable weather conditions predicted for Friday, Lincoln Speedway will move this week's program to Sunday evening. The quarter-mile, semi-banked dirt track will open with racing in six divisions. Pro late models, Big 10 Series Modified, sportsman, stock cars, midgets and hornets will comprise the card at the fairground track located in Lincoln.
Stands open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 5 and racing starts at 6.
Defending track champions include Jose Parga (pro late model), Ray Bollinger (modified), Ryan Hamilton (pro modified), Zach Taylor (stock cars), Mark MaMahill (midgets) and Erik Vanapeldoorn (hornets). The phone number for the track is (217) 764-3200.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Speed Week: Thompson looking for first feature checkered flag
