FAIRBURY, Ill. — Live updates from Friday’s 36th annual Prairie Dirt Classic prelim night at Fairbury Speedway, highlighted by four 25-lap, $5,000-to-win semifeatures for World of Outlaws Series-sanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):
Fourth semifeature
(25 laps; top four to Prairie Dirt Classic)
Sliding by Shane Clanton at the entrance of turn one on the 17th lap, seventh-starting Trey Mills of St. Augustine, Fla., overcame Clanton's return challenges and led the final nine laps of the night’s fourth semifeature. Clanton, who led from a lap-four restart until lap 16, settled for second, 0.929 of a second behind Mills. Gordy Gundaker briefly took second from Clanton on a lap-21 restart before Clanton reclaimed the spot, allowing Mike Marlar to take third on the ensuing lap and relegating Gundaker as the final starter locked into Saturday's PDC. Caden McWhorter led the opening three laps from the pole before making contact with Tanner English, sending English spinning on the 10th lap, then made contact with Marlar as they battled for fourth. Marlar returned the favor with a physical slider on lap 19, allowing Tim McCreadie to pass them both; McCreadie finished sixth while McWhorter slipped to 13th with significant left-side damage. In addition to English’s lap-10 spin, Tyler Kuyekndall drew cautions on laps four, 13 and 21. Cam Harris also triggered a caution on a lap-four restart spin. Tenth-finishing Daniel Adam was moved to last in the final rundown after postrace tempers flared.
Finish: Trey Mills, Shane Clanton, Mike Marlar, Gordy Gundaker, Rich Bell, Tim McCreadie, Myles Moos, Chase Junghans, Brian Shirley, Kyle Hammer, Tanner English, Caden McWhorter, Trent Ivey, Austin Howes, Jerry Bowersock, Brian Rickman, Cam Harris, Sam Moore, Tyler Kuykendall, Trevor Gundaker, Daniel Adam.
Third semifeature
(25 laps; top four to Prairie Dirt Classic)
Seventh-starting Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., surged on a lap-21 restart, moving from sixth-to-third, then took second on the ensuing lap before slipping by race-long leader Justin Duty out of turn four just before the race’s second caution on lap 23. Duty fired off from the outside front row and led the opening 22 laps before hopping the turn-four cushion and giving way to Sheppard; he crossed the line 1.786 seconds back. Bobby Pierce challenged Duty in the early going before also hopping the turn-four cushion on lap 23, allowing sixth-starting Tyler Erb to take third, relegating Pierce to claim the fourth and final spot into Saturday’s Prairie Dirt Classic. Tenth-starting Ashton Winger climbed as high as third by lap 18 before slowing with a flat right-rear tire for the first caution on lap 21; he finished 11th after pitting. Mike Spatola ran as high as third in the early going before slipping to eighth and slowing with a flat right rear on lap 24; he finished 13th.
Finish: Brandon Sheppard, Justin Duty, Tyler Erb, Bobby Pierce, Nick Hoffman, Devin Moran, Brent Larson, Shannon Babb, Max Blair, Kyle Strickler, Ashton Winger, Brayton Wallace, Mike Spatola, Shane Stephens, Clay Harris, Logan Zarin, Mike Provenzano, Alex Wilson, Timmy Dick, Chase Osterhoff, Collin Rutledge. Scratched: Garrett Alberson.
Second semifeature
(25 laps; top four to Prairie Dirt Classic)
Overtaking eighth-starting Chris Simpson on the 23rd lap, fifth-starting Sam Seawright of Rainsville, Ala., survived a choppy high-side run to lead the final three circuits for a $5,000 payday and his first start in the Prairie Dirt Classic. Simpson, who led laps 20-22, was 0.730 of a second behind at the finish followed by Dennis Erb Jr., 17th-starting Ryan Gustin, the final driver transferring to Saturday’s 100-lapper. Settling for eighth was third-starting Hudson O’Neal, who led the first 19 laps but developed a flat left-rear tire under caution that blew out on a restart and he collected Jake O’Neil. Six cautions slowed the action, including for O’Neal’s blowout. The first flew for a Steven Tippens spin in turn four on the sixth lap. Three yellows flew on the 20th lap (Sean Mattingly slowed; Austin Smith spun in turn two on the restart; then second-running Dan Ebert did a 360-degree spin on the frontstretch on the next restart). A 21st-lap caution appeared for debris.
Finish: Sam Seawright, Chris Simpson, Dennis Erb Jr., Ryan Gustin, Daulton Wilson, Ryan Unzicker, Ryan Montgomery, Hudson O’Neal, Tyler Bruening, Brenden Smith, Zack Mitchell, Tristan Chamberlain, Bob Gardner, Austin Smith, Eli Johnson, Dan Ebert, Mike Winn, Steven Tippens, Jake O’Neil, Sean Mattingly, Doug Carls.
First semifeature
(25 laps; top four to Prairie Dirt Classic)
Staving off a challenge from Ricky Thornton Jr. on the final restart with three laps remaining, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., commanded 24 of 25 laps, capitalizing on his quick time to triumph from the pole in the first semifeature. Thornton led the 23rd lap when he slid Feger on the ensuing restart, but he lost control — and slipped back to fourth — when he got hung up on the cushion on lap 24. Dallon Murty grabbed second while 14th-starting Kaede Loudy rallied in the low groove for third with Thornton in the final transfer spot. Dustin Sorensen salvaged seventh from the 22nd-starting spot after mechanical issues in time trials. Seven cautions slowed the 24-minute semifeature. The most notable when second-starting Brody Smith slowed out of fifth on lap seven; Josh Rice spun battling for fourth when looking inside Kyle Bronson entering turn three on lap 23. Jake Little was parked for the evening when he retaliated against Mike Mataragas under a lap-15 caution. Michael Leach drew a pair of yellow flags.
Finish: Jason Feger, Dallon Murty, Kaede Loudy, Ricky Thornton Jr., Kyle Bronson, Matthew Larson, Dustin Sorensen, Bubba Roling, Frank Heckenast Jr., Mike Mataragas, Ethan Dotson, Mike Glasscock, McKay Wenger, Mitch McGrath, Michael Leach, Matt Furman, Lance Brasington, Josh Rice, Neil Baggett, Jake Little, Brody Smith, Jimmy Miller.
Semifeature lineups
First semifeature
Row 1: Jason Feger, Brody Smith
Row 2: Dallon Murty, Josh Rice
Row 3: Ricky Thornton Jr., Michael Leach
Row 4: Ethan Dotson, Matthew Larson
Row 5: Mitch McGrath, Mike Mataragas
Row 6: Kyle Bronson, Bubba Roling
Row 7: Frank Heckenast Jr., Kaede Loudy
Row 8: Mike Glasscock, Jake Little
Row 9: McKay Wenger, Neil Baggett
Row 10: Lance Brasington, Matt Furman
Row 11: Jimmy Miller, Dustin Sorensen
Second semifeature
Row 1: Dan Ebert, Zack Mitchell
Row 2: Hudson O’Neal, Brenden Smith
Row 3: Sam Seawright, Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 4: Ryan Unzicker, Chris Simpson
Row 5: Austin Smith, Jake O’Neil
Row 6: Ryan Montgomery, Tyler Bruening
Row 7: Bob Gardner, Daulton Wilson
Row 8: Tristan Chamberlain, Eli Johnson
Row 9: Ryan Gustin, Sean Mattingly
Row 10: Steven Tippens, Mike Winn
Row 11: Doug Carls
Third semifeature
Row 1: Bobby Pierce, Justin Duty
Row 2: Brayton Wallace, Mike Spatola
Row 3: Brent Larson, Tyler Erb
Row 4: Brandon Sheppard, Max Blair
Row 5: Nick Hoffman, Ashton Winger
Row 6: Devin Moran, Shannon Babb
Row 7: Clay Harris, Kyle Strickler
Row 8: Shane Stephens, Logan Zarin
Row 9: Timmy Dick, Chase Osterhoff
Row 10: Mike Provenzano, Alex Wilson
Row 11: Collin Rutledge, Garrett Alberson
Fourth semifeature
Row 1: Caden McWhorter, Rich Bell
Row 2: Gordy Gundaker*, Shane Clanton
Row 3: Tanner English, Mike Marlar
Row 4: Trey Mills, Chase Junghans
Row 5: Kyle Hammer, Myles Moos
Row 6: Tim McCreadie, Austin Howes
Row 7: Daniel Adam, Brian Rickman
Row 8: Sam Moore, Brian Shirley
Row 9: Tyler Kuykendall, Trent Ivey
Row 10: Trevor Gundaker, Jerry Bowersock
Row 11: Cam Harris
*Gordy Gundaker was docked a starting row for a deck height violation after time trials
Time trials
Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Jason Feger (25F), Bloomington, Ill., 12.947
2. Dan Ebert (60), Lake Shore, Minn., 12.992
3. Brody Smith (17sr), Dade City, Fla., 13.068
4. Zack Mitchell (22*), Enoree, S.C., 13.082
5. Dallon Murty (13), Chelsea, Iowa, 13.147
6. Hudson O’Neal (6), Martinsville, Ind., 13.175
7. Josh Rice (11R), Crittenden, Ky., 13.177
8. Brenden Smith (17ss), Dade City, Fla., 13.210
9. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 13.264
10. Sam Seawright (16s), Rainsville, Ala., 13.265
11. Michael Leach (09), Sun River, Mont., 13.267
12. Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill., 13.274
13. Ethan Dotson (74x), Bakersfield, Calif., 13.290
14. Ryan Unzicker (24), El Paso, Ill., 13.315
15. Matthew Larson (8), Lake Elmo, Minn., 13.319
16. Chris Simpson (32s), Oxford, Iowa, 13.324
17. Mitch McGrath (74), Waukesha, Wis., 13.343
18. Austin Smith (11s), Cedartown, Ga., 13.357
19. Mike Mataragas (1m), DeKalb, Ill., 13.407
20. Jake O’Neil (0), Tucson, Ariz., 13.416
21. Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 13.431
22. Ryan Montgomery (12), Fairmont, W.Va., 13.436
23. Bubba Roling (515), Clay Hill, Fla., 13.450
24. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 13.481
25. Frank Heckenast Jr. (99jr), Frankfort, Ill., 13.499
26. Bob Gardner (4G), East Peoria, Ill., 13.524
27. Kaede Loudy (126), Rogersville, Tenn., 13.541
28. Daulton Wilson (58v), Fayetteville, N.C., 13.579
29. Mike Glasscock (30), Leroy, Ill., 13.587
30. Tristan Chamberlain (20tc), Richmond, Ind., 13.615
31. Jake Little (38J), Springfield, Ill., 13.629
32. Eli Johnson (55E), Clewiston, Fla., 13.666
33. McKay Wenger (36), Fairbury, Ill., 13.766
34. Ryan Gustin (19R), Marshalltown, Iowa, 13.773
35. Neil Baggett (21xxx), Columbus, Miss., 13.801
36. Sean Mattingly (22m), Cortland, Ill., 13.893
37. Lance Brasington (11B), Lexington, S.C., 14.206
38. Steven Tippens (15T), Dallas, Ga., 14.337
39. Matt Furman (51), Iowa City, Iowa, 14.474
40. Mike Winn (729), Bourbonnais, Ill., 14.557
41. Jimmy Miller (18m), Highland, Ill., 14.972
42. Doug Carls (14c), Flanagan, Ill., 15.258
43. Dustin Sorensen (19), Rochester, Minn., 17.952
Group B
1. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 13.407
2. Gordy Gundaker (11), St. Charles, Mo., 13.656
3. Justin Duty (15), Molalla, Ore., 13.672
4. Caden McWhorter (14m), Fairbury, Ill., 13.698
5. Brayton Wallace (T2), Peoria, Ill., 13.704
6. Rich Bell (21B), Sheffield, Ill., 13.707
7. Mike Spatola (89), Manhattan, Ill., 13.759
8. Shane Clanton (25), Zebulon, Ga., 13.809
9. Brent Larson (B1), Lake Elmo, Minn., 13.821
10. Tanner English (96), Benton, Ky., 13.839
11. Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 13.840
12. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 13.859
13. Brandon Sheppard (1s), New Berlin, Ill., 13.860
14. Trey Mills (14), St. Augustine, Fla., 13.880
15. Max Blair (111), Centerville, Pa., 13.907
16. Chase Junghans (18J), Manhattan, Kan., 13.908
17. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 13.936
18. Kyle Hammer (45), Clinton, Ill., 13.951
19. Ashton Winger (12w), Hampton, Ga., 13.955
20. Myles Moos (84), Lincoln, Ill., 13.979
21. Devin Moran (77), Dresden, Ohio, 13.982
22. Tim McCreadie (9m), Watertown, N.Y., 13.996
23. Shannon Babb (18), Moweaqua, Ill., 14.000
24. Austin Howes (17A), Lewistown, Mo., 14.005
25. Clay Harris (6H), Jupiter, Fla., 14.044
26. Daniel Adam (75), Peru, Ill., 14.083
27. Kyle Strickler (8s), Mooresville, N.C., 14.102
28. Brian Rickman (90), Columbus, Miss., 14.149
29. Shane Stephens (15s), Arlington, Tenn., 14.233
30. Sam Moore (3), Bonfield, Ill., 14.374
31. Logan Zarin (1z), Moon Township, Pa., 14.388
32. Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill., 14.415
33. Timmy Dick (122), Monticello, Ill., 14.463
34. Tyler Kuykendall (8k), Warsaw, Mo., 14.501
35. Chase Osterhoff (130), Kankakee, Ill., 14.537
36. Trent Ivey (88), Union, S.C., 14.577
37. Mike Provenzano (m27), Marseilles, Ill., 14.612
38. Trevor Gundaker (11G), St. Charles, Mo., 14.635
39. Alex Wilson (z61), Chenoa, Ill., 14.645
40. Jerry Bowersock (95), Wapakoneta, Ohio, 14.711
41. Collin Rutledge (33), Princeton, Ill., 14.767
42. Cam Harris (32H), Columbus, Miss., 15.002
43. Garrett Alberson (99), Las Cruces, N.M., no time
Friday’s schedule
(All times local)
7-11 a.m. - VFW Post PDC breakfast (VFW Building on Locust Street)
9 a.m. - Pits open, Second Street grandstands open
11 a.m. - First Street grandstands open
Noon - Cornhole bags tournament (north beer stand)
5 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting (WoO command center)
5:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
- Modified group qualifying (3 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- First Late Model semifeature (25 laps)
- Second Late Model semifeature (25 laps)
- First Modified semifeature (15 laps)
- Second Modified semifefeature (15 laps)
- Third Modified semifeature (15 laps)
- Fourth Modified semifeature (15 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Third Late Model semifeature (25 laps)
- Fourth Late Model semifeature (25 laps)
