It was announced by Kevin Dawson the master of ceremonies that the point fund would increase at least 25%. The first group up were the popular Herb’s mini modifieds in their third complete season here. Winning his fourth championship in the closest battle of his career was Paddock Lake driver Ken Johnson. Finishing just fifty points behind him was Joe Miller out of Kenosha. Mike Van Houton of Cary, Illinois was third in fourth another veteran and one of the founders of the group Hermie Schultz from Silver Lake. Bill Trusky of Silver Lake,Rich Musgrave from Des Plaines,IL. were next. Another original member of the group Duck Wack of Salem announced his retirement after totally demolishing his mount but escaping serious injury in a battle for the lead during a August 17th. feature race. Completing the top ten were Jeff Schultz Silver Lake Glen Verneeze Salem and Joe Marinello of Baraboo. The Perfection Auto Body Legend drivers were not all here as another banquet was being held just 36 miles away. But Al Smith of Rockford,IL. still won his first career Championship with a small eighty five point margin.Curt Gnatzig of Hartford was second as Clayton Kruse of Burlington finished third.Herman Grenig of West Allis ended up fourth.Robb Duffek of Orland Park was fifth followed by Brad Popp of Burlington Lyle Kuklinski of Wisconsin Dells Joe Scala Fox River Grove Larry Will Batavia and Gary LaMonte who is also a sportsman competitor. A division that started the year the new track was built in 1990 the Sideline Motorsports Sports Trucks honored their champion Vincent Merry of WadsworthIL. who announced he would campaign in two divisions in 2002. The super late models and the sport trucks until his sport truck is sold. Chad Ross of Kenosha was runner-up in another tight contest for the championship.Tom Ross of Wadsworth was third with Todd Ross of Hoffman Estates, IL. fifth. Completing the top ten were defending champion Bill Olson of Wonder Lake, IL. Jamie Everett McHenry ,IL. Kurt Gurtowski of Powers Lake Bill VanKirk Racine Chad Phillips of Porter, Indiana and Lance Ross from Kenosha. The Millennium late models car count was dismal but former McLeodUSA Mid American champion Rick Corso of McHenry, IL. took on all visitors that showed up and became the second champion of this division.Jack Kossow founder of this division announced earlier in the month that Illiana Speedway would be running this class on Saturday nights during the 2002 season. The 2002 champion here would receive at least $1000 from the point fund upon winning the championship which will bring many of the drivers to both tracks. Tommy Nevoso of Trevor was runner up Jefferson Speedway regular Luke Westenberg was third. A division that started in 2000 brought out nearly 150 drivers during their second season as Todd Booker of Hebron,IL. won his first championship on the last lap of the feature race for the season finale for the Basic International cars. The runner-up was Jeff Baum of Gurnee just five points behind Booker. Randy Schneider of Burlington was third Bill Webb of Sharon became in fourth as Chris Koleno Sr of Wonder Lake,IL. finished fifth followed by Dale Gustum from Round Lake Beach,IL. Nick Kalties of Lake Villa,IL. Bruce Barry of Crystal Lake,IL. Ken Knapik from McHenry,IL. and Tony Burrafato also from McHenry IL. rounding out the top ten. It was announced that the BIC cars would be the anchor division in 2002 when the weekly Friday nights begin on May 17th. The awards banquet would switch dates due to another area track running one of the divisions having their banquet on the same night. It will be Saturday February 1st, 2003, so all drivers can be honored. Dawson also said “if any of the visiting classes would like to share the stage with our group they would be welcomed at next years event”. |
