Michael Ledford becoming an 'old' pro on the track
A changing of the guard is seeing a group of young and talented drivers flexing their muscle at area dirt tracks. In Fairbury Speedway's modified division, the top 10 in points averaged 23 years of age.
Entering his fourth season in the modified class, Pontiac's Michael Ledford was one of the old veterans in the class and achieved his goal of winning his second Fairbury Speedway track championship.
"There are so many good cars and drivers here," Ledford said. "If you win the track points here, you are definitely doing something right."
In a see-saw battle at Farmer City Raceway, Ledford held off Trevor Neville in capturing his third straight title at the Dewitt County track. Neville had five feature wins, while Ledford took four wins. The championship went down to the final night, a race that Ledford won.
"Trevor has been really good this year," said Ledford. "That was a heck of a battle with him."
Ledford has 16 career modified wins. Although the wins have come in weekly competition, where you never know who to expect on a Friday or Saturday night, Ledford is looking for that "big check," or signature win, and plans are in the works already for next year.
"I think next year I would like to make it a habit to travel a lot more and go to more of the bigger shows," Ledford said. "If you want to be in the top five in the national points at the end of the year, you have to go run the big races and compete with the big dogs. Hopefully, it will make me a better driver and improve our setups for the different tracks."
Ledford will close out the year at the Gateway Dirt Nationals at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. In his first-ever appearance at the invitational race held at the "Dome," Ledford charged through the field to finish second on the final night.
"That place is really cool," Ledford said. "When you pull out onto the track, you don't realize it as much, you are racing in a stadium. Fairbury is obviously a crazy atmosphere, but it doesn't have anything on the Dome. It is really special to be a part of it and get invited."
Members of the 37L race team, have all sacrificed their time on the car and in turn, Ledford has rewarded them with two track championships, a hard-charger title and eight feature wins.
"I owe so much to my team," said Ledford. "My brother, Jeffrey, has been doing my shocks. If I get in a wreck or hit the wall, I give them to him and five minutes later, they are good. Michael Verdun lives in our shop and bust his tail on this car. Logan Verdun, Larry Hamilton, Shane Law, Chris Corrigan are at the shop or track pitching in.
“I have to give a big thanks to my mom and dad, who make it all possible. Mark Bush and Josh Harris have been a ton of help to our team. Premium Lawn LLC, Racing 411, Nagel Farms, Tire Slick, Edinger Filling Station, Bohmer Rentals, Edinger Engraving and Trophies, 1-888-U-Fill-It Dumpster Rentals, and Mullins Race Engines have all helped us to achieve our goal."
After a dismal September month of racing, Ledford and his team will gear up for the FALS Frenzy on Oct. 7-8. The modified race will pay $1,500 on Friday and $3,000 goes to Saturday's winner. Fans throughout the country will be able to catch all the action on FloRacing.com. Ledford has shown he has been fast this month, but lady luck has not cast her shadow on the rising star. Ledford will look to go into St. Louis with momentum on his side.
Bohmer’s Rt. 66 Raceway
The ⅛-mile clay track will feature a regular program of kart racing this Sunday. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., practice starts at noon and racing will follow. The track is located on Rt. 66 between Pontiac and Chenoa. Spectators are admitted free of charge.
Farmer City Raceway
The awards banquet will be held at the fairgrounds in Farmer City on Oct. 22.
Grundy County Speedway
Dyer, Indiana, driver DJ Weltmeyer joins his father, Dave, as a track champion in the late model division. A third-generation racer, Weltmeyer claimed two feature wins and showed consistency on his way to the title. Other track champions include David Einhaus (sportsman), Scotty Gardner (street stock) and Johnathan Stevens (pure stock).
Lincoln Speedway
The DIRTcar Fall Nationals will take place on Friday and Saturday. Thursday will be an optional open practice session starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday will see pro late model, modified, pro modified and street stocks. Stands open at 4, hot laps/time trials are at 6 and racing is at 7:30. Late models will headline Saturday’s program in a 40-lap, $3,000-to-win feature. Modified, pro late model, pro modified and sport compacts will round out the card. Gates open at 3 p.m., qualifying/practice starts at 5, with heat races beginning at 6:30.
Kankakee County Speedway
Matt Hammond took the $1,800-to-win pro late model feature last week and also won the track championship. Steven Brooks (modified), Deece Schwartz (pro modified), Jerrad Krick (street stock), Lee J. Hall (factory stock) and Cameron Maty (sport compact) also claimed divisional titles.
Sycamore Speedway
The “Harvest Hustle” for the MLRA Late Model Series is scheduled for Friday and Saturday night. Friday’s program will include a 40-lap, $5,000-to-win race for the MLRA. Limited late models, street stock and pure stocks will also be in action. Gates open at 6, with practice, qualifying and racing. Saturday’s finale will see the MLRA in a 50-lap, $7,000 event. Limited late model, street stock and pure stocks will fill out the card. Gates will open at 6, followed by hot laps/time trials and racing.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Fairbury Speedway Speed Week Michael Ledford Farmer City Raceway
