Mattingly snaps Duncan win streak at Fairbury
FAIRBURY — Tommy Duncan has had his mojo running wild over the past two months as he had claimed seven straight feature win in the CR Towing Sportsman class at Fairbury Speedway. However, Steve Mattingly put an end to that run with an impressive effort Saturday night.
Mattingly was one of six drivers to find Victory Lane as Varsitee Screen printing and Aftershock Decals and Designs presented Saturday’s FALS Cup and Alkota racing program. Six divisions were in action on the quarter-mile dirt oval as fans witnessed Mike Spatola take the checkered flag in one of the best late model races of the season. Also winning were Kelly Kovski (modified), Ian Keller (street stock), Rick Thomas (hobby-modified) and Eric Rebholz (Vintage).
Knocking on the door all season, Steve Mattingly was able halt the win streak of Tommy Duncan with a dominating run. Starting in the fourth position, Mattingly took the lead on the second lap and really didn't look back. Riding the high side of the speed plant, the Chenoa racer pulled away from all comers in the 15-lap, CR Towing Sportsman race.
“It has been a long time,” an elated Mattingly said. “We have been chasing Tommy all year. The car has been getting faster and trying different stuff. Tonight it paid off.”
Tyler Roth edged Duncan at the line for second. Josh Hetherington (hard charger) and Makinzi Semmens followed. The rest of the top ten saw Roy Magee, Aaron Reid, Landen Miller, Victor Strong and Jim Farley lll finish.
Strong posted a time of 15.366 seconds for the fast time as 12 cars went under the clock. Strong and Roth picked up heat race wins.
Mike Spatola and Kevin Weaver staged a battle of epic proportions in the 30-lap late model feature. The two gladiators went back and forth for the lead and never established a clear-cut favorite until the final lap.
Spatola was running on the outside and Weaver was on the inside as the two exited turn four, Spatola carried enough momentum to edge Weaver at the line to win by a half-car length.
“The old man still has it in him. That is why he's one of the best at Fairbury,” Spatola said. “I thought we were pretty good early in the race. I couldn’t find a good line in turns 3 and 4. That caution came out and my crew told me to get to the bottom. I tried it, but the car was too tight.”
A dejected Weaver had to settle for second with Mike Provenzano, Jake Little and Tom Thoennes following. Scott Schmitt, Jay Sparks, Torin Mettille (hard charger), Logan Moody and Glen Thompson completed the top ten.
Moody surprised many by leading the way in time trials as his trip of 12.767 seconds gave him quick time honors among the 15 cars making qualifying runs. Spatola and Moody claimed heat race wins.
An infrequent guest to Fairbury, Kelly Kovski made short order of leader Jared Thomas to take the lead after a lap 12 caution for early leader Michael Ledford. Once in front, Kovski turned up the wick and was able to record his first Fairbury career win.
“I have been coming here for a long time,” the Springfield resident said. “To finally get my first Fairbury win is awesome.”
Thomas had to hold off Alan Stipp for second. Austin Friedman was fourth with Bob Pohlman (hard charger) placing fifth. Caden McWhorter led the second five, which included Matt Fabrizius, Mark Rhodes, Braiden Bohlmann and Joshua Hotsinpiller.
Friedman had a time of 14.045 seconds in leading the 20 cars that made qualifying attempts. Friedman and Ledford were the heat race winners.
Point leader Ian Keller had to contend with Megan Erwin and six caution periods in the first six laps during the 15-lap street stock race. After the final yellow flag, Keller kicked it into high gear and pulled away from the field, winning by more than a straight away for his fourth Fairbury win of the year.
“How about that FALS cushion,” Keller happily remarked. “We did a little something different to the car and it all worked out.”
Erwin took second, Tim Loomis finished in third, followed by last year’s track champion Adam Williams and Don Hilleary. Jace Gall (hard charger) was sixth with Derrick Weiand, Brice Slavens and Dalton Mickle in tow.
In qualifying, Cody Clubb went under the clock at 15.534 seconds as 17 cars made qualifying attempts. The two heat races saw Erwin and Keller taking the wins.
Rick Thomas has been around and won a lot. Taking checkered flags in the modified, sportsman, and street stock divisions in his career, he can now add hobby-modified to that list. In order to do that, Thomas had to survive a rash of cautions and Trevor Ringle to pick up the win in the 12-lap feature.
“I decided at 6 this morning that I was going to race,” Thomas said. “I have to thank RJ Gall and his sons for helping me get the car ready.”
Finishing third went to Kirby McCormick, with early race leader Scott McDonald and Jake Green completing the top five. Following in the second group of five were Clay Wisher, Lube Gebhardt, Josh Robb, Mike Petersen and Scott Brown.
There were 24 cars were on hand and McCormick turned a lap at 15.492 ticks for the quick time. Robb, Petersen and Payton Semmens grabbed heat race wins.
The Vintage Racing of Illinois series brought 18 cars for its special event. Jerry Vance, in a 1963 Chevy Impala won the first heat. Kelly Christmas took the second heat driving a 1970 Chevy Nova. The third heat race had Andy Thompson in his 1968 Plymouth taking the victory.
Eric Rebholz, wheeling a 1970 Chevy Camaro, came out on top in the 15-lap feature. Kraig Hughes, Thompson, Austin Lipe and Tyler Sebby followed.
“I had to lock the car down on the bottom,” Rebholz said. “Last year I was leading the race and had a flat tire. We got some redemption tonight.”
Another FALS Cup/Alkota Series night of racing is on the agenda this Saturday night as part of the annual Fairbury Fair.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Steve Mattingly, Mike Spatola score wins at Fairbury Speedway
