7/14/2014
Kickapoo Speedway
Babb Conquers VCS!
VCS gets on track just in time for Moweaqua racer to win...
BY MARVIN HOLMAN mholman@dancomnews.com
The Commercial-News
OAKWOOD — The fact that Shannon Babb won his fifth UMP Summernationals race at Vermilion County Speedway on Sunday was not a surprise, but the fact that the track was ready to run was a surprise to some.
After rain on Saturday and early Sunday morning, former VCS promoter and track caretaker Phil Richardson had a big assignment to get the track up and ready.
“We worked until 2 a.m. on Saturday and it was one of the worst situations I have every seen,” Richardson said. “It seemed that every thing we had to grade, there was more water on the track. We came back at 8 a.m. and it was just as bad, but we were able to do enough to get things going.
“I have to thank Crop Production Services for helping out with a tractor that was a big help in getting the track ready.”
When the track got ready, Moweaqua’s Babb — the points leader in the series — was in the front row and stayed in front of Bloomington’s Jason Feger for all 40 laps of the $5,000 to win late model final.
“This track has always been good to us,” Babb said. “We had some toughness early on, but the track was great tonight and they did a great job of putting it together.”
Babb leads El Paso’s Ryan Unzicker in points. Unzicker fell back early in the race and fought back to a seventh-place finish.
“The thing about this series is that you can never really get away from anyone when you are in the lead, but you can lose a couple of spots if you make a mistake,” Babb said. “This was a big win as we get into the final four races of the series.”
After Babb and Feger, Brandon Sheppard was third, Brian Shirley was fourth and Tanner English was fifth.
Oakwood’s Bobby Pierce continued to have bad luck in the series, pulling out of the race with five laps remaining.
“The wire broke off from the starter and I lost power,” Pierce said. “But for some reason, the car was not right all night tonight. It was sad because the track was very good tonight.”
In the UMP modified race, Jacob Poel of Spring Lake, Mich., won his 21st race of the season to stay in the lead for the national points race as well as the Summernationals points race for the class.
“I have been getting 21 wins in a season the last few seasons and we still have some months left, so it has been a great season,” Poel said.
Poel was behind Nick Allen of Wheatfield, Ind., early in the race, but got a break with a restart and passed Allen to take the lead for good.
“The car was tight and what the caution did was cool my tires,” Poel said. “After that, I was able to pass him.”
Poel had raced mostly in Michigan, but has made a point this year to expand his reach to other states.
“I am starting to race in Illinois and Indiana as well,” Poel said. “I have been home only four days in five weeks and I miss my family including my two sons and my girlfriend.”
After Poel and Allen, Jaime Lomax was third, Gabe Menser took fourth and Mike Harrison ended up fifth.
In the UMP street stocks, Earl Park, Ind. racer Jerrad Krick was able to hold off Danville’s Scott Hufford to get the win.
“This class has gotten way better than it has years ago,” Krick said. “I though Hufford would have the car to beat, but I was able to stay ahead.”
Krick said that looking at Poel in the race before gave him some insight for his race.
“I was seeing how Poel was going up on the top of the track and that was something I thought I should try,” Krick said. “Sometimes just seeing what another driver does can work.”
With the win, Krick is still in the mix for the national points title.
“I have a lot to do. We just got the car I usually use back, so I hope we can get a good run going,” Krick said. “I have to thank my sponsors and my wife because she keeps me going when I don’t feel like working on the car.”
After Krick and Hufford, Jason Maier was third, while Jesse Simmons took fourth and Josh Griffith ended up fifth.
VCS action will quickly return with Fan Appreciation Night on Sunday. There will be UMP modifieds, UMP street stocks, UMP pure stocks and hornets at the track. Kids will enter for free and there will be a kids’ bike race during intermission.
Submitted By: Grady Crippin
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