Grundy
Kevin Murphy in victory lane Friday night at Illinois’ Grundy County Speedway. (Chris Goodaker photo)

Illinois State Championship Crowns Grundy Winners

MORRIS, Ill. — Grundy County Speedway held its Illinois State Championship racing program Friday night with a number of drivers claiming victories in twin-feature race competition at the third-mile paved oval. 

Matt Clemens was the winner of the first 25-lap feature for Mid-Am sportsman competitors.  Clemens, a former two-time division champion at the speedway, defeated Cameron Preisler, James Dean, Dan Janjanin and fast timer Kevin Murphy.  Murphy, another two-time division titlist, won the second 25 lapper, scoring his fifth feature win of the season.  Claiming the overall Illinois Championship title, Murphy took the checkered flag in front of John Ventrello, Dean, Preisler and Rickey Mathis. 

Chad Bayuk was victorious in the opening 25-lap street stock feature race.  Bayuk bested Randy Weese and fastest qualifier Ryan Dawson.  Dawson made off with the second 25-lap headliner, winning ahead of Jonathan Steven and Bayuk.  Bayuk was the division’s overall Illinois State Championship winner.

Jimmy Anderson won the first 15-lap main event for the Midwest Mayhem Midgets.  Anderson, a veteran of midget and Silver Crown ranks, took the win in front of Travis Mahoney, Nick Grommes, David Ward and Basil Hicks.  Ward, who earlier set a new qualifying track record (14.751 seconds) for the Mayhem midgets, came back and captured the second 15-lap feature ahead of Billy Hulbert, Anderson, Grommes and Tom Schnabel.  Anderson took home overall State Championship honors.   

Bart Brockman and Scott Koerner won twin 20 lappers in the pure stock (four-cylinder) division with Brockman being the Illinois champion.  Landon Hocking won both 20-lap super cup main events.