With just three nights of points racing left in the '09 season, the racing battles are really heating up in the divisions. The Late Model division is as close as it has been in several years; Luke Krick and Scott Rugg have battled back and forth in a dog fight for the points lead. With the three-peat under his belt, Jesse VanAvery has tried to gain some ground on the two leaders, making this division as tight as it has ever been. The Mini-Stocks have a three way fight as well, with Garry Janow II, Mike Govier, and Jeremy Collins fighting for the top spot in the points. The night had a theme of helping others, as the Galesburg Speedway drivers took time out to collect money for the family of Harold Curtis. Curtis was a member of the Hartford Speedway safety crew, where he was involved in an on track incident that cost him his life. Harold Curtis gave his life, trying to help others, and drivers at every track realize how important their safety crew can be. The drivers raised $871.06 for the family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, may he rest in peace. The Sportsman were on hand for their annual Sportsman Spectacular 50 lap feature. Unfortunately, the race was cut short by ten laps. Rookie of the Year candidate, Chris Garrett pulled out the victory, beating out hard charging John Foote Jr. for the win. The victory was Garrett's second feature of the season, third overall. Simmie Hicks Jr. held on to third over point’s leader Matt Frazier. Brent Webster rounded out the top five. “The car was pushing the last ten laps, but it was real good throughout the race. It was our biggest win yet, we could have pushed it a little harder ", said race winner, Chris Garrett. Chris thanked his dad (Bob), Donnie Ritter, Bud, Bailey, Mike, and his sponsors (Mike’s Tire and Auto, A.S.A, Woodin Motorsports, and Butler Motor Speedway) for their help throughout the season. John Foote Jr. got his first Sportsman dash win of the season, while Josh Trammell got his second heat win of '09. Scot Newsom got to the winner circle for the first time this season, winning heat two. Alan Reaume had problems with his ride, but was able to keep his points position thanks to the help of Tina “Pinky “Lewis, who was generous enough to loan out her ride. The Late Models had some great racing action, completing all their laps. Friends off the track, Luke Krick and Scott Rugg had a great battle on the track. Battling for the second place position for most of the race, Rugg had no answer for the racing red No.9 machine of Krick, as the fast qualifier made his way past Rugg and early race leader Jesse VanAvery to score his second feature win of the season, third win overall. VanAvery finished second, while Rugg held off Marty C. Crawford for third. Visiting Kalamazoo Speedway driver, Ron Hughson Jr. brought home fifth place. “The bleeders helped out a lot, still couldn't run the bottom groove. Scott is a good friend, its going to be a great finish ", said Krick, in the winner circle. Krick wanted to thank his crew chief / grandfather (Paul), and crew member Corey for their help in getting to victory lane. Krick also thanked his sponsors (Shelbyville Garage, Terry Olney Race Engines) for their support. Marc Casey won his first heat race of the season, his second win overall this season. Scott Rugg won his fourth dash of the season, his seventh win overall. Kudos to Mark Horton, who stepped up his driving performance and is running strong, keeping the car in one piece. The Street Stock division saw another act of kindness as Earl Lewis (following in his wife's footsteps) gave up his ride mid-race, to Travis Loop, who is trying to stay in his point’s position. Loop was gathered in an early race incident and continued on in his loaner. John Foote Jr. had his hands full all race long with Stephen Casterline. Casterline was unable to find his way around Foote, as Foote drove to his ninth feature win of the season, fifteenth win overall, as Foote also won the dash earlier in the night. Andrew Ritter finished third, holding off Bryon Noble, while Ron Bressett finished fifth. “The car was good, the competition is getting better. I knew I had to keep it on the bottom, on the bottom, your probably going to win ", said Foote, in the winner circle. With just two weeks left in the point’s race, John Foote Jr. is the 2009 Street Stock Points Champion. Congratulations John, to you and your hard working crew. Mark Langs Jr. got his first win of the season, winning heat one. Michael Kerber had a short lived victory in heat two (third heat win of the season), as he lost a motor in the feature. The Mini-Stocks have great battle shaping for the points, as the top three could all be decided in the last night of points. For the last two weeks, no one has had an answer to Jeremy Collins, as he makes it two in a row. Ken Taylor held off Dustin Kline for second, while Mike Govier held off point’s leader Garry Janow II for the fourth place finish. “The track was bad tonight, the car was pretty loose. I think we can still pull out a points championship ", said Collins, after the race. Collins went on to thank Jim Talent and Shane Clark for their help. He also thanked his sponsors (Muffler Man, NAPA of Battle Creek, Pro 1 Cycle, and Morgan Road Car Wash) for their support. The dash win went to an improving Ken Taylor, giving him two dash wins on the season, and three wins overall. Joe Gonzales got his fourth heat win of the season. Johnny Hyder picked up his fifth heat win of the season, eighth overall, while Rick Bunch jumped into the No.78 machine for his absent brother ( Danny ), pulling out the feature win. “The car was getting really good bite, the tire change helped a lot ", said a very excited Rick Bunch, after the race. Rick thanked his brother Danny (had to work) for letting him drive the car. The Burg Stocks ended a great night of racing action for all divisions. August 22nd will be a regular 5-in-1 show with the point’s battles at full throttle. August 29th is Season Championship Night for all divisions. Come out and see how the point’s race ends in all the exciting action. September 6th is the last night of the 2009 season at the Galesburg Speedway. The Run What Ya Brung race rules apply. Don't miss any of the racing action in the coming weeks as the point’s battle will be one you won’t want to miss. See your faces at the races.
