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Anyone who missed the Freedom 100 this past Saturday night at the Galesburg Speedway, missed one for the ages.  The stands were packed with regular Galesburg fans and the visiting Kalamazoo Speedway fans, who all made the trip to see the Late Models do battle in one of the seasons most anticipated races.  The fans would not be disappointed, as the big feature race would keep everyone on their feet throughout, even with time restraints ( Charleston Township ) keeping Galesburg from completing the scheduled races.

Talking with drivers before hand, alot of them felt their chances were good for the big freedom race.  Brandon Lyons, Tim Tomlinson, and Marty C. Crawford were among the drivers I spoke with, and were all focused and determined to have a great race.  Andy Bozell went on to set fast time for the main event, and drew a twelve for the inversion.  The fans in the stands had mixed feelings on the race as it almost seemed like a rival football game atmosphere.  In the stands it seemed to be Kalamazoo vs. Galesburg, which one would bring home the trophy?

As the cars roared onto the track, the intensity grew.  When the green flag dropped, it would be Galesburg Speedway driver, Adam VanAvery, taking the early lead.  With less than twenty laps in, the race would receive its first of three red flags on the night.  By the half way point in the race, the race had already claimed five victims in the two red flagged incidents.  The third red flag would be the most devastating for the Galesburg faithful as Adam VanAvery, who had held off threats from hard charging Andy Bozell and Phil Bozell throughout the entire race, would blow the motor on his dominating purple No. 2 machine just ten laps from the biggest Late Model win of his career.  Brother Jesse VanAvery would keep the fans gathered as he was up to third on the restart.  Jesse, however, had nothing for young Phil Bozell. Bozell would lead the last ten laps and earn his first ever victory at the Gaesburg Speedway.

" Its cool to get one here. The car took about three to four laps to get going.  I just protected the bottom ", said a jubulant Phil Bozell.   " We wouldnt have beat Adam ( VanAvery ), he really had a good line and a dominate car ".

" I could get on it anywhere around the track, I wasn't looking for anyone.  This was definitely the most heartbreaking race of my career ", said a dejected Adam VanAvery.  Unsure of his future, Adam went on to say, " It will be hit or miss on whether we'll be back, but it was by far the biggest confidence builder I could receive ".

" I never got into rhythm, had to be patient the whole race, but the car handled good.  I got it back to where it should be ", said second place finisher Jesse VanAvery.

Phil Bozell thanked his dad and crew, sponsors Cowboy Up, R&N Sports Truck, Slim's Stop-N-Go, Gull Lakeview Golf Course, New Concept Marketing, Ams-Oil, Rc Sales and Leasing and everyone who had a hand in helping him get to victory lane.

Andy Bozell would take home a third place finish in the Freedom 100, while Ed Santora Jr. would hold off Scott Rugg for the fourth place finish.

The B feature had Ron Hughson making his return to the Burg to pull out the victory.  Luke Krick got his first dash win of the season, his second win overall. Scott Rugg got his second heat win of the season, his sixth win overall.  Jesse VanAvery got his first victory of the season, taking the checker in heat two.

During the Sportsman feature, Jeff Rugg proved hard to get around as he took home the feature win in his first and only night behind the wheel.  Rookie driver Chris Garrett came across the line in second, as he could find no answer for Rugg in the closing laps.  Adam Drobny had a strong third place finish after winning his third dash of the season, earlier in the night.  Points leader Matt Frazier held off Jim Woodin for fourth.

" The car went through the corners really well, we lost a head bolt in the heat race ", said Rugg, after his big win.  He continued on saying, " First night out, I couldn't ask for more.  The car was real good off two, we had made changes all night ".

Jeff Rugg wanted to thank his dad Monte, brother Scott, wife Laura,  Nick, Gary, Mike, Tiffany, Raven, Brooklyn, Jessica and sponsor Conklin Oil for all their help and support.  He also wanted to dedicate the win to his grandfather who has passed.

The Burg Stocks would be the only other division to get in their scheduled races.  Wally King Jr. got his first ever win at the Galesburg Speedway taking his No.76 machine to victory lane in the heat race.  King mentioned that his father Wally King Sr. had run in the Sportsman division for about forty years at the Burg.  Wally Sr. passed away recently from cancer. Wally Jr. dedicated the win to his father.

The feature also had a first time winner at the Burg in Robert Taylor. In his fifth season at the track he made his way through the field to pick up that long awaited first win.

" The car was handling wonderful, just drove my race and found the front ", said a very excited Taylor, who went on to thank Rick Gale, Tim Gale, Matt Gross, and everyone else that had a hand in helping him compete.

Street Stock dash winner, John Foote Jr. made it dash win number five, and win number nine overall on the season.  In the heat race, Doug Wilhelm collected his fifth heat race win of the season.  Heat one winner was Robert Kerber collected his first of the season.

The Mini-Stocks only ran a heat race Saturday night with the win going to fast qualifier Mike Govier, giving him his second victory overall on the season.

Feature races will be made-up for the Street Stocks, and the Mini-Stocks on July 18th along with the Mid-Season Championships.  Although they were unable to get these races in the show was really great! If you were unable to be a part of it you missed some great racing action.

July 25th will be Powerball night with a regular program of Late Models, Sportsman, Mini's, Street Stocks, and Burg Stocks.

August 1st is Kids Night at the Burg with the regular 5-in-1 show.

August 8th will be Autograph Night, with a 4-in-1 show.  There will be no Burg Stocks.

Come see some of the great young talent burning up the Hoosiers at the Galesburg Speedway every Saturday night.