MORRIS, Ill. — Jim Weber became a two-time late model stock car feature winner this season at Grundy County Speedway Friday night, capturing the 30-lap division headliner.
Steady rain showers almost forced track officials to cancel the night’s competition, but the weather cleared with the races finally getting started about 45 minutes late.
Weber drove his Tri Cor Commercial Carpentry-sponsored Chevrolet to the win, holding off the late charge of Ricky Baker at the checkered flag. The closing laps saw Baker, the two-time Grundy late model champion, reel in Weber but time ran out with Baker finishing 0.366 seconds behind the winner.
D.J. Weltmeyer, last week’s late model feature winner, finished third after chasing Weber during part of the race. Josh Nelms, Scott Koerner and James Gregait rounded out the top six in the 12-car field. Defending track champion Eddie Hoffman and the night’s fastest qualifier Larry Schuler were involved in a multi-car melee at the start of lap four, putting both drivers out of the race.
David Einhaus was the winner of the 25-lap sportsman main event. Einhaus scored the win ahead of Kevin Murphy, Jeff Wakeman, Marqus Hoover and Rickey Mathis Jr.
Veteran racer Chad Bayuk won the 25-lap street stock feature. Bayuk rolled to the victory ahead of Scotty Gardner, Randy Weese, Rick Dawson and last year’s street stock titlist Scott Gardner.
Danielle Dobczyk claimed top honors in the 20-lap four-cylinder division feature, besting Katie Hocking and Trevor Starek.
Second generation speedster Travis Mahoney was a first-time winner as he won the 20-lap feature race for the Illini Racing Series Midwest Mayhem Midgets. Fast qualifier earlier in the night, Mahoney, from Madison, Wis., posted a close victory over Billy Hulbert and Tom Schnabel. Doug Orseske and Mike Klein rounded out the top five in the 12-car field.
The Finish:
Feature: Jim Weber, Ricky Baker, D.J. Weltmeyer, Josh Nelms, Scott Koerner, James Gregait, Curt Tillman, Matt Chester, Dean Patterson, Verne Fagerberg, Larry Schuler, Eddie Hoffman