Fairbury Speedway
Feger claims $10,000 at FALS, Babb wins $5,000
By Patrick Davis
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Jason Feger celebrates his $10,000 victory. (Jim DenHamer)
FAIRBURY, Ill. (Sept. 15) — Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., split victories Saturday night at Fairbury American Legion Speedway with Feger earning a $10,000 victory in the quarter-mile oval’s 23rd annual Prairie Dirt Classic and Babb earning $5,000 in the makeup feature for the third annual Prairie Dirt Shootout. | Slideshow | Video
The two UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned victories came in events that were postponed by rain Labor Day weekend.
Babb outlasted Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., to open the night with a win in the makeup feature, surviving a heavy track surface and large cushion to score the victory.
A flat right-rear tire knocked Shirley from the lead midway through the race, opening the door for Babb and runner-up finisher Eric Smith of Bloomington, Ill. Kyle Logue of Cisco, Ill., finished third with hometown driver Aaron Ricketts and Daren Friedman of Forrest, Ill., rounding out the top five. Shirley rallied from the tail of the field to finish sixth.
Feger recovered from his 18th-place finish in the opening feature to lead the majority of the 60-lap Prairie Dirt Classic main event. He took the lead from polesitter around the lap-15 mark and turned back a number of challengers to stay out front for the remaining distance.
Surviving a restart with four laps remaining, held off a hard-charging Logue in the final laps. Logue, who won a consolation race to make the race, settled for second after using the low groove to advance through the field. Hometown driver Scott Bull was third followed by Torin Mettille of Cullom, Ill., and Mike Spatola of Manhattan, Ill.
A number of drivers fell out while running among the top five of the second feature. Schmitt slowed from the third position to bring out a caution around the 10-to-go mark, while Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., gave up second under the ensuing caution with overheating issues.
Friedman, who challenged Schmitt for the early lead after starting from the pole, moved up to second during the race’s closing laps, before slamming the wall and falling out of the race with four laps remaining.
Shirley survived an early to spin to again finish sixth, while Babb was never a factor after experiencing rear-end gear issues during his heat race.
Notes: Feger's Pierce Race Car is powered by a Rhyne Competition Engine and sponsored by Chizmark Larson Insurance, Pro Tire & Automotive, Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing, Box Seat Motorsports, Mulligans and Stearn Ironworks. … Babb’s Victory Circle Chassis has a Pro Power Engine and sponsorship from Petroff Towing, Kreke’s Powerhouse and Donley Trucking. … Feger’s victory is his sixth win of the season paying $5,000 or more. … Babb’s win is his first since a UMP DIRTcar Summernationals victory July 13 at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park. … The Prairie Dirt Classic closed out the season for Fairbury.
Prairie Dirt Classic: (1) Jason Feger, (2) Kyle Logue, (3) Scott Bull, (4) Torin Mettille, (5) Mike Spatola, (6) Brian Shirley, (7) Bobby Pierce, (8) Donny Walden, (9) McKay Wenger, (10) Tim Lance, (11) Eric Smith, (12) Rich Bell, (13) Daren Friedman, (14) Derek Chandler, (15) Billy Drake, (16) Kevin Weaver, (17) Ryan Unzicker, (18) Joe Harlan, (19) Wes Steidinger, (20) Scott Schmitt, (21) Dan Flessner, (22) Shannon Babb. Fast qualifier (among 42 cars): Feger, 12.56 seconds. Heat race winners: Friedman, Drake, Schmitt, Steidinger. Consolation winners: Bell, Mettille.
Prairie Dirt Shootout (Aug. 31 makeup): (1) Shannon Babb, (2) Eric Smith, (3) Kyle Logue, (4) Aaron Ricketts, (5) Daren Friedman, (6) Brian Shirley, (7) Billy Drake, (8) Bobby Pierce, (9) Mike Spatola, (10) Derek Chandler, (11) Toren Mettille, (12) Ryan Unzicker, (13) Scott Schmitt, (14) Mike Mullvain, (15) Jason Jaggers, (16) Unavailable, (17) Frank Heckenast Jr., (18) Jason Feger, (19) Kevin Weaver, (20) Alan Vochaska, (21) Scott Bull.
