Rocky Ragusa Speed Week: Amber Crouch, others record first wins

Despite no racing at Fairbury Speedway, last weekend's racing slate in the area featured some "firsts" for some area drivers.

On Friday night, Cullom's Amber Crouch survived a rash of yellow flags and the persistent pressure from defending track champion Matt Hammond to win the 20-lap, pro late model race at Kankakee County Speedway. For Crouch, last year's Most Popular Driver Award winner at Kankakee, this was her first career pro late model feature win.

"I was getting nervous there toward the end with all the cautions," an exhausted and quite happy Crouch said. "I was like come on, just throw that white flag.

"I am super happy to be up here. This is our first win in the crates. We have worked our tails off to get up here. I have to thank all my sponsors. This win is for my little brother, Timmy. Me and him are usually by ourselves every weekend. He puts his heart and soul into this thing, so I am proud to get a win for him."

Bloomington's Jason Feger scored his first MARS Late Model Series win of the year at the Kankakee County Speedway. Starting on the pole position, Feger paced the field for five circuits before surrendering the lead to Kevin Weaver.

Weaver led the 22-car starting field until he slowed in turn four with mechanical problems. Feger reclaimed the lead and at the end of the 40-lap race, held a 1.6-second lead over Ryan Unzicker.

"It's hard to say what would have happened if Kevin wouldn't have broke," Feger said in victory lane. "We got our butts kicked last week and worked hard all week. We came back out with something to prove."

Dillon Nusbaum (modified), Austin Hubbard (stock car), Deece Schwartz (pro mods) and David Lauritson (sport compacts) also picked up feature wins.

This Friday, sport compacts will have a $300-to-win special. Also, $200 goes to the stock 4-cylinder winner. There is $1,000 up for grabs in the factory stock race, and pro late models, stock cars, pro mods and Crown Vics will also be in action.

Located at the fairgrounds, gates will open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps/qualifying is at 6:15, and racing will follow.

Friday Racing

Farmer City Raceway

The MARS Late Model Series will headline action on the quarter-mile track with $5,000 going to the race winner. The MARS Modified winner will pick up $2,000. Pro late models and stock cars will also be racing at the DeWitt County track. Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6:30, time trials start at 7, and racing will follow.

Last week's show saw Fairbury's Caden McWhorter take his first career modified feature win. Rusty Schlenk (late model), Megan Erwin (stock car), Kyle McMahon (pro late model) and Kyle Helmick (pro mods) carrying the checkered flag.

Lincoln Speedway

A late afternoon rain forced officials to cancel last week's racing. The next race is scheduled for June 9.

Grundy County Speedway

Late models, sportsman, street stocks, a pure stock special and midgets will be on the agenda at the ⅓-mile paved track this week. Gates open at 5 p.m., qualifying is at 6:45 and racing starts at 8.

Saturday Racing

Fairbury Speedway

Memorial Day Weekend racing will continue with the MARS late models in a $5,000-to-win event, along with MARS modifieds in a $2,000-to-win race. The winner of the sportsman feature will pocket $500 and the Big 10 Pro Late Model Series will have a $1,000-to-win special. Gates to the quarter-mile, dirt oval open at 2 p.m., practice is at 5:50 and racing will start at 7.

Sycamore Speedway

Located in Maple Park, the track will start its 60th anniversary with limited late models, stock cars and pure stocks on the half-mile dirt oval. Gates will open at 6 p.m., practice and time trials start at 6:30 with racing at 7:30.

Macon Speedway

"The World's Fastest" ⅕-mile dirt track will host winged and non-winged micros, along with junior sprints. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are at 6 with racing at 7.

Sunday Racing

Bohmer's Rt. 66 Raceway

It will be a regular program of kart racing on the ⅛-mile clay track. Gates open at 10 a.m., practice is at noon and racing will follow. The track is located on Old Rt. 66 between Chenoa and Pontiac. Free admission for spectators.

Spoon River Speedway

MARS late model drivers will battle it out for a $5,000 payout. The prestigious Gary Cook Jr. Memorial Race will see the MARS Modified Series competitors in action on the ⅜-mile high-banked dirt oval with the winner earning $2,564. Pro late models, e-mods and hornets will also be racing. Gates open at 5 p.m., hot laps are at 6 and racing will start at 7.

MARS Championship Series

Late Model

1. Ryan Unzicker 369; 2. Jason Feger 349; 3. Mike Harrison 312; 4. Tommy Sheppard Jr. 276; 5. Rich Dawson 269; 6. Jake Little 251; 7. Bob Gardner 243; 8. Kyle Hammer 224; 9. Blaze Burwell 222; 10. Brandon Sheppard 215

Modified

1. Kyle Steffens 319; 2. Tyler Nicely 312; 3. Josh Harrs 303; 4. Michael Long 265; 5. Allen Weisser 261; 6. Charlie Mefford 222; 7. Zeke McKenzie 218; 8. Mike Chasteen Jr. 210; 9. Trevor Neville 205; 10. Blake Bailey 160.