MORRIS, Ill. — Illinois stock car veteran Eddie Hoffman captured the 30-lap late model feature race at the Grundy County Speedway Friday night, which highlighted the 49th season-opening program at the northern Illinois raceway.
Hoffman, the speedway’s defending late model track champion, wheeled his Feece Oil Co./Advanced Generator /Ronco Trailer Sales-sponsored Mustang to the victory. A five-time late model titlist and the winningest late model driver in the speedway’s history, Hoffman scored his 135th career feature win at the third-of-a-mile paved fairgrounds oval.
Hoffman got by early leader Nathan Kelly as the race approached the half-way mark with Hoffman stretching his lead to a 1.211-second advantage at the checkered flag. David Einhaus, Scott Koerner, James Gregait and fastest qualifier Keith Tolf were chasing the leading duo at the finish.
“I was going to try and take my time (to take the lead),” said Hoffman. “There were a lot of laps left. He (Kelly) was actually pretty fast, but he had to really drive it. We were able to be fast and not kill the car. He ran real well, but bobbled in turn four. It’s not the easiest track to get a hold of on a cool, damp night. My car was really good. I haven’t been this happy with a car in a while.”
The night featured for the first-time late model racing on the smaller, treaded, Hoosier D800 series tire – compared to the wider, 10-inch, slick Hoosier tires used in the past. After the race, Hoffman commented about the new tire rule, “The tire seemed fine to me. They’re a little slower and they don’t look like the normal tire that we’ve run forever. My car was good on them. Personally, I don’t have any complaints (about the tires). I’m fine with the tire, but it’s easy for the guy in victory lane to say that.”
Aaron Shelton won the 25-lap Mid-American sportsman feature race, which was slowed by numerous caution flags. Shelton worked his way by Luke Baldwin for the top spot with Baldwin and fast qualifier Kevin Murphy tangling up, bringing out a caution flag as they battled for second place. Last year’s division champion, Chad Proctor finished second, followed by John Ventrello, Ted Diangikes and Tristen Batson.
Matt Chester did “double duty” and came home a “double winner” during the night as he won both the street stock and four-cylinder division feature races.
In the 25-lap street stock headliner, Chester held off the challenges of defending division titlist John Senerchia to pick up the win. Finishing behind the top two were Randy Weese, Seth Blommaert and James Dean. Chester closed out the evening of racing by winning the 15-lap four-cylinder division main event.