MORRIS, Ill. — It seemed Ricky Baker was enjoying a “cruise night” at the Grundy County Speedway Sunday as he made off with the 61-lap Lee Schuler Memorial which highlighted the speedway’s Night of Features.
Baker, a two-time Grundy late model champion, wheeled his Rod Baker Ford No. 52 to the victory, his fourth of the season at the third-mile paved oval. The win was Baker’s sixth career Schuler Memorial checkered flag, tying Dave Weltmeyer for the most wins in the raceway’s traditional contest.
At starter Greg Kuntz’s checkered flag, Baker had a 0.353-second advantage over Clay Curts, the evening’s fastest qualifier, who seemed to be the only one to keep Baker in his sights. Larry Schuler, whose dad the race is named after, finished third, followed by early pacesetter Kyle Shear, DJ Weltmeyer and Anthony Danta.
The race, which saw a field of 12 take the green flag, looked like it was going to go “green” all the way until with three laps to go, Eddie Hoffman and Stan Zolodz tangled in turn two, bringing out the race’s only yellow flag.
Hoffman recovered to finish ninth in the 12-car field and captured his 10th career super late model title at the northern Illinois speed plant, having collected a record 156 victories over the years.
Twenty-seven laps or so were in the record books when Baker and Shear crossed the start-finish line side-by-side with Baker then taking over the top spot. From there it was all Baker.
“We were tight. The stager must have closed up for some reason,” said Baker. “I tried to save the tires, not spin them or slide them – just maintain.”
Other feature winners during the night included Matt Clemens (Mid American sportsman – 35 laps), Jonathan Stevens (Street Stocks – 25 laps), Race Olson (Crown Vics – 25 laps), Aaron Vines (Pure Stocks – 25 laps), Zach Zeigler (Sixers – 25 laps) and Zack Senerchia (Super Cups – 15 laps)
