Speed Week: Farmer City hosting Summer Nationals Friday

The DIRTcar Summer Nationals will make a stop at the Farmer City Raceway this Friday night. It will be the 32nd Summer National race to be held at Dewitt County fairground track.

Defending race winner Shannon Babb will headline an all star group of drivers in the 50-lap, $10,000-to-win event. Jason Feger has high hopes of continuing his momentum in front of his hometown fans.

Pontiac’s Michael Ledford, the two-time track champion and current point leader, will look to be one of the many on hand, hoping to knock off Nick Hoffman and claim the $1,500 first prize in the Summit Modified National race.

Pro late models and street stocks will also be on the card. Stands will open at 5 p.m., time trials are at 6:30 and racing will follow.

Meanwhile, at Lincoln Speedway, last Sunday’s DIRTcar Summer National race had the fans on their feet for the final 10 laps. Bobby Pierce led Ryan Unzicker, Jason Feger, Shannon Babb and Brain Shirley in what was to be a barn burner finish.

Feger had moved into the lead with seven laps to go when a caution waved for the accidental contact between Unzicker and Pierce. After both drivers had to go to the rear of the field, Feger had to hold off Babb to score a popular and much needed win.

Feger’s win was his 22nd career Summer National triumph. Babb, Shirley, Billy Moyer Jr., and Jake Little completed the top five.

In the co-featured Summit Modified Nationals race, point leader Nick Hoffman had his work cut out for him. Hoffman had to start 20th in the 25-lap race after an incident with Ray Bollinger forced him to the pits.

Hoffman weaved his way past traffic until he was on race long leader Mike McKinney’s bumper. Hoffman made the pass for the lead on the 17th lap and never looked back in winning his 67th career Summit Modified race.

McKinney finished in second and Kelly Kovski was third. Fairbury’s Lyndon Whitfill started in fourth and missed on the setup before retiring from the race to take 18th.

Thursday Racing

Macon Speedway

The ⅕-mile track will hold two nights of racing this week. On Thursday, the DIRTcar Summer Nationals will have a 100-lap, $5,000-to-win race in the traditional “Herald & Review” 100. The Summit Modified Nationals and pro modified class will also be racing.

On Saturday, $750 will go to the winner of the street stock special. All weekly classes will be racing. For both nights, stands open at 4, hot laps are at 6 and racing starts at 7.

Friday Racing

Grundy County Speedway

The speedway will present two nights of racing this week. A full weekly show, plus the midgets will be racing. Gates open at 5 p.m. as hot laps kick off the evening's events. Qualifying starts at 6:45 and racing at 8.

On Saturday, the ARCA Midwest Tour will see many of the top drivers compete in the “Wayne Carter Classic,” where 100 laps will be contested on the ⅓-mile paved oval. Also on the program will be the Midwest Dash Series and street stocks. Racing will start at 7 p.m.

Kankakee County Speedway

This week will see the modified and factory stock racing for $1,000-to-win in each class, plus a full program. As an added bonus, kids 14 and under will have Big Wheel races. Gates open at 4 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30. The track phone is (815) 935-9000.

Dan Kuhn (pro late model), Mike McKinney (modified) and Zane Reitz (street stock) were among last week's winners.

Saturday Racing

Fairbury Speedway

Another FALS Cup/Alkota weekly program will take place this Saturday. The Bob Harty Memorial race for late models will headline the night's racing program presented by Harty Auction House, Wyffels Hybrids and Watters Agriculture and Heavy Equipment Washing. There will also be a Dash for Cash for kids 9-10 years old. Gates open at 2 p.m., practice/qualifying is at 5:50 and racing will follow.

Sunday Racing

Bohmer’s Rt.66 Raceway

The kart racing campaign has seen the Rookies and Junior classes racing like seasoned pros. This Sunday, the Junior 3 class will race for a $150 pay day. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., practice starts at noon, and racing is at 1 p.m. Free spectator admission and Butcher Block Burger Stop will be on site.

DIRTcar Summer National Point Standings through July 3

1. Bobby Pierce, 1050; 2. Brian Shirley, 972; 3. Jason Feger, 950; 4. Payton Freeman, 756; 5. Ryan Unzicker, 717; 6. Joe Godsey, 707; 7. Dennis Erb Jr., 590; 8. Mark Voigt, 572; 9. Shannon Babb, 542; 10. Logan Martin, 511.

Summit Modified National Point Standings through July 3

1.Nick Hoffman, 827; 2. Kyle Steffens, 655; 3. Kenny Wallace, 453; 4. Tyler Nicely, 413; 5. Chase Allen, 386; 6. Lucas Lee, 374; 7. Dave Wietholder, 307; 8. Wil Krup, 283; 9. Trevor Neville, 250; 10. Kelly Kovski, 222.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Rocky Ragusa Speed Week Farmer City hosting Summer Nationals Friday