7/8/2023
Ryan Unzicker
Unzicker tops Shirley and Feger in Herald & Review 100 at Macon
For the 43rd running of the Herald & Review 100, Ryan Unzicker returned with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals on Thursday evening at Macon Speedway (Macon, Ill.) piloting his RJR Transportation No. 24 Late Model.
Drawing 39 Late Models to the 1/5-mile bullring, Unzicker followed up the sixth-fastest qualifying lap in his group with a third-to-first run in his heat race. In a thrilling 100-lap feature that saw a total of eight lead changes, Ryan wrestled away the lead from Brian Shirley for good on lap 84 and contained Jason Feger’s late charge to secure his fourth victory of the season and a $7,500 prize. He recorded his second win in the prestigious event ahead of Feger, Shirley, Shannon Babb, and B.J. Robinson.
Following the Hell Tour to Farmer City Raceway (Farmer City, Ill.) on Friday, Ryan’s runner-up finish in his heat placed him on the fourth row for the $10,000-to-win A-Main. Moving forward five spots in the 40-lap affair, Unzicker chased race-long pacesetter Brian Shirley to the checkers with Tanner English rounding out the podium.
On Saturday afternoon at Fairbury Speedway (Fairbury, Ill.) for the Bob Harty Memorial, Ryan held off Mike Mataragas in his heat to secure the eight-lap victory. After setting the pace for the opening 21 circuits of the feature, contact with an infield tractor tire sent him spinning. He rallied from the tail of the field to salvage a fifth-place finish.
Full results from the events are available at www.DIRTcarSummerNationals.com and www.FairburySpeedway.com.
Article Credit: Brendon Bauman photo