The last night of Illinois midget speedweek found the car counts down. POWRi midgets stood at 27, 600 micros were 22, D2 midgets had 22, UMP modifieds at 12 and Pro Late Models at 8. Michael Pickens, Tucker Klaasmeyer and Zeb Wise won heats with no less than 7 flips in the midgets during the course of the evening in a wild affair. Trey Marcham started things off with a high flip in turn one in heat one and Zach Daum had his front end clipped in turn four and rolled over but was pushed off. Robert Dalby from Anaheim, California got air time in heat two flipping in turn two and shortly thereafter Texan Noah Kelly flipped in turn one. Joe B. Miller, Eric Wright and Craig Ronk won 600 heats with Gedd Ross, Austin Archdale and Andy Malpocker winning D2 heats. Indiana's Chris Baue took several end over end flips onto the bigger outer track off of turn four. All drivers were OK after their air time.

The 30 lap midget feature started off with a bang when Devin Camfield took an end over end flip in turn one on lap one. On the restart he was followed by Wisconsin runner, Cody Weisensel clipping the top of the turn one safety fence before returning to the track. Both were OK. Michael Pickens had control of the race throughout but the racing from 4th to 10th was intense. Zeb Wise and Brad Loyet collided battling for second with Wise dropping to sixth and never in contention going forward. Logan Seavey ran a great race advancing from 12th to 2nd and it all came down to the final lap as Seavey made a monster run into turn three and attempted to throw a slide job on Pickens. Instead the move resulted in Seavey slamming into the side of Pickens' car sending him hard into the turn four wall and causing him to roll over. Pickens was able to restart after the crash but was out of contention. Seavey was able to continue and assumed the lead. On the last lap Brad Loyet broke while running third down the backstretch with Seavey winning his first ever POWRi victory over steady Shane Golobic, Zach Daum, Tyler Thomas and Tucker Klaasmeyer.

I'm sure Seavey's move was not intentional but indeed it was ill advised. Its a shame his first win has to be clouded in controversy and he could not enjoy the moment for what it was. A victory lane visit by Mr. Pickens with some stern words and finger wagging made its point and showed the displeasure of the New Zealander.

Nick Howard won a photo finish in the 600 feature winning his second straight after winning his first ever the night before. A lap car caused long time leader, Nathan Benson, to hesitate and try to run the low groove but cost him the win as Howard nipped him at the line. Gedd Ross won the D2 midget feature ending the two race winning streak of Andy Malpocker. A double flip occurred in this feature also with no injuries.

A good night of exciting racing in all divisions but way to many flips and torn up equipment.


Bruce Eckel