NEW LENOX, Ill. — The Illini Racing Series held its annual banquet and championship celebration at Beggars Pizza here Saturday evening, with Scott Koerner being honored as this year’s midget racing champion.
For the fifth time in his career, the 48-year-old racer from Joliet, Ill., claimed the IRS midget title with the championship being his fourth series crown in a row. Koerner, who also races late model stock cars, won four feature races during the series’ seven-race season.
Becoming champion for the fifth time, Koerner joined other five-time IRS midget champions, Sue Spencer and Joe Knippel. Koerner wheeled the LaVerne and Johanna Spencer-owned, GM Ecotec-powered, No. 1 midget to the title.
Other feature winners during season were Jordan Caskey with two victories in limited appearances and Tom Eyman with one win as he captured the series’ season finale at Illinois’ Rockford Speedway in August.
Eyman finished second in the series standings with Ryan Finley, Doug Orseske and veteran Rich Drangmeister making up the rest of the top-five. Former series rookie of the year Dave Fetsch claimed sixth spot with Caskey, Tom Schnabel, Aaron Willis Jr. and Jason Allen ending up seventh through 10th respectively.
The night’s special awards went to Tom Eyman (Sue Spencer Hard Charger Award), Dave Fetsch (Glen Ohlendorf Best Appearing Car Award), Diana Orseske (Tom Arthur Ambassador Award), Derek Bettenhausen (Determination Award), Rich Drangmeister (Team Manager Award) and Aaron Willis Jr. (Promoter Award).
Former Midwest midget racing champion Bob Richards was the banquet’s guest speaker. Richards gave insight to his midget racing career that began in 1964 and included four championships with the old United Auto Racing Association group.