LaSalle

" A Tribute to Kevin Roderick" Opening Night Results

by Darin Stewart

Friday Night, September 24.

With 46 Late Models filling the pits of the LaSalle Speedway, and two late model features to be run, a good show was expected. The fans did not go home disappointed as there were many action packed races on the card.

In the first feature., pole sitter Frank Reaber jumped to the lead. Despite many close challenges Reaber led flag to flag for the win. His closest challenge came early in the race, before Joey Izzo broke an oil pump belt. Following Izzo's departure, Reaber took his Petersen Aluminum/K& L Motorsports/ GRT to victory lane, and more importantly, the pole position in Saturday Nights' 200 lap, $10,000 to win feature. Following Reaber into the feature will be Johnny Garrett, and Billy Drake, by virtue of their second and third place finishes respectively. Rounding out the top ten in the feature were, Skip Martin, Kris Patterson, Bob Pohlman Jr, George Scheffler, Sherri Heckenast, Dick Taylor, and Robert Hoffstadt.

The second feature started with a scary moment as Ron Eiler, Mike McCarthy, Mike Provenzano, and Bret Sievert came together on the fronstretch causing and accident that ended with Sievert on his roof, but okay. On the next restart, contact between Tony Izzo Jr., and 1998 Kevin Roderick Memorial Champion Russ Scheffler, found both of them in the infield when Schefflers nose became wedged under Izzo Jr.,'s bumper. The incident sent Izzo pitside for a new left rear tire. Once the race was restarted, Ted Loomis jumped into the lead and began to run off to a scant two carlength lead over John Provenzano. Provenzano, took the lead from the yooung Loomis on lap 18, and looke poised to win. That is until his car began to issue some smoke out the right side. Provenzano, led until just before the start finish line of the checkered flag lap, when Lisle Illinois driver Ron Fisher Jr. crept by for the win. Provenzano held on for second, with Loomis claiming the final transfer spot. Behind the top three were; Jim Partipilo, Tony Izzo Jr., Jeff Hartzell, Bob Smith, Russ Scheffler, Jeff Kohn, and Jim Zdroik.

Fast Time for the evening went to Bensenville Illinois driver, and 1999 LaSalle Speedway driver, Frank Reaber. In the heat races, Macon Illinois driver Kirby Damery took the win over Bill Millikan, and Jerry Pitts. Ottawa Illinois driver, Mike McCarthy, took the second heat race with Reese O'Connor, and Steve Tyne. Genoa Illinois pilot Jeff Hartzell, continued to amaze folks with his yellow #5 by taking the third heat race over, Shawn Toczek, and Kris Patterson. The fourht and final heat race went to Eddy Schickel of Bloomington Illinois, followed by Joey Izzo, and John Provenzano. The semi-feature victory was taken by Reese O'Connor, over Jim Zdroik, Billy Schopf, and Mike Provenzano.

The 1999 Salute to Kevin Roderick is brought to you by A-Reliable Auto Parts, and is highlighted by a 200 lap $10,000 to win UMP Late Model Feature Event. The race features a halfway point pit stop. The race promises to be an exciting one to watch if Friday Night was any indication.