Mike Spatola discusses his first win in the "Summernationals" opener at Kankakee, Ill. (Charlie Lancour) UMP Summernationals: Spatola Rolls to Opening Night Win at Kankakee Kellen Burns KANKAKEE, Ill. - June 16. Mike Spatola doesn't have much experience in a Dirt Late Model, but that didn't prevent him from winning the opening night of the DIRTcar Summer Nationals 'Hell Tour' Thursday at Kankakee County Speedway. The driver affectionately known as "Opie" to his friends and fans claimed the first Hell Tour win of his career, worth $5,000, by holding off fellow front row starter Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, and third place finisher Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.
The night's fast qualifier, Ryan Unzicker (24), fnds himself in some fierce competition with #25 Chad Simpson and #81 Scott James. Simpson went on to finish the final in the runner up position behind Mike Spatola. (Charlie Lancour) Spatola, who has raced regularly at Kankakee, had a strong start to his night by earning quick time honors in his qualifying group, which he parlayed into a heat race victory and a front row starting spot in the 40-lap A-Main. Overall quick timer Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., finished fourth while Waterville, Ohio, driver Matt Miller rounded out the top five.
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Big Gains for Hubbard, Pearson, Ogle - The A-Team Has Been Updated 05-15-12
Scott James battles #13 Barry Doss in heat race action at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, but in the $2,000-to-win feature, the only thing anyone saw was the tail end of James' #81 car. (Roy Walker)
After plenty of trash-talking via the electronic media between Jeff Matthews and Ivedent Lloyd last week, it was #21 Lloyd who got the final word as he reeled in #33 Matthews to win Friday's LM feature at Oclala, Fla.'s Bubba Raceway Park. (R.E. Wing)
Fans at Markleysburg, Pa.'s Roaring Knob Motorsports Comlex were treated to dual LM features Saturday - one a makeup from a May 5th rainout. (Above) Tim Senic challenges eventual regular feature winner Chuck Harper, while Jared Hawkins (below) claimed the makeup race. (Tommy Micheals)
Henley, Missouri's Jason Russell leads the way to Victory Lane in the ULMS Late Model feature at Lucas Oil Speedway Saturday. (Chris Bork)
Some fierce racing action at Lucas Oil speedway. (Chris Bork)
Dalton, Ga.'s Craig Reece returned to Dixie Speedway Saturday and led all the way to win the Crate LM victory. (Steve Hixson)
Ray Guss Jr. races last week's Quad City Speedway winner, Mike Murphy, Jr. This time, it was advantage Guss. (Chris Damitz)
With a strong motor back into his mount, Veteran Lamar Scoggins claimed last Friday's Crate LM victory at Boyd's Speedway. (Steve Hixson)
Veteran racer Lance Matthees navigates Spring Lake, Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway before taking Saturday's WISSOTA Late Model checkers. (Jason Durst)
Racing hard at mid-pack, it's the dueling 55s of Cory Mahder (inside) and Greg Nippoldt at Deer Creek. (Jason Durst)
Ryan King (above and below) swept both the Ltd. Late Model and Crate Late Model features Saturday at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn. (Chad Wells)
Still riding his wave in Iowa, Mike Murphy, Jr. in early action before taking the main event win at Davenport last Friday. (Chris Damitz)
Jason Jameson ran a gauntlet to finally capture another win Friday night at Moler
Raceway Park (see main page). (Roy
Walker)
After holding back a charge from Alex Ferree, Chub Frank drove home with a Friday night win at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (John Stivason)
Bobby Pierce, Brett Sievert, and Mike Glynn race in a tight pack in Kankakee (Ill.) Speedway's "Crosstown Cup", but (below) it was ultimately Shawn Toczek (42) here racing the high side of Mike Provenzano, who sailed to the win. (Dan Simpson)
A-Team Leaders from 1997-2011 (Click on link for complete rundown)
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