La Salle Speedway
Unzicker fights off Erb for La Salle victory
By Betty Glynn
La Salle Speedway
Ryan Unzicker (24) heads for victory at La Salle. (mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com)
La SALLE, Ill. (May 28) — Fighting off late challenges, polesitter Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., captured Thursday's 40-lap Monster Midwest Tour victory at La Salle Speedway for a $2,000 payday. Sixth-starting Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., edged ahead after the final restart on the 34th lap, but Unzicker fought back out front to grab the victory. | Slideshow
Erb settled for second with Eric Smith of Bloomington, Ill., third at the high-banked quarter-mile oval. Jason Feger of Bloomington, who rallied after an early flat tire, was fourth and Daren Friedman of Forrest, Ill., rounded out the top five.
The 27-year-old Unzicker, who spent two seasons in ARCA and ASA asphalt racing before turning to Dirt Late Models, grabbed his first victory of the season.
Notes: Unzicker's Bill West Enterprises chassis is sponsored by RJR Transportation, Pontiac RV, Pro Tire and Automotive, Kingdom Farms and Budda Bert Transmissions. ... Fourth-finishing Jason Feger suffered his flat tire after skimming the turn-two wall in the early laps. He pitted and returned to the tail of the 17 cars still running. ... Fast qualifier Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., was fifth at the final caution but dropped two spots in the last six laps. ... Thirteen of 20 starters were running at the finish. ... The previous night's Monster Midwest Tour event at Shepp's Speedway in Alexander, Ill., rained out. ... Next up for the series is Friday and Saturday events at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway and Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway before an eight-week break.
Monster Midwest Tour @ La Salle: (1) Ryan Unzicker, (2) Dennis Erb Jr., (3) Eric Smith, (4) Jason Feger, (5) Daren Friedman, (6) Kevin Weaver, (7) Brandon Sheppard, (8) Frank Heckenast Jr., (9) Mike Provenzano, (10) Joe Harlan, (11) Jimmy Dehm, (12) Steve Sheppard Jr., (13) Rich Bell, (14) Mike Mataragas, (15) Scott Schmitt, (16) Michael Kloos, (17) Richie Hedrick, (18) Ted Loomis, (19) Mike Glynn, (20) Jayme Zidar. Fast qualifier (among 28 cars). B. Sheppard. Heat race winners: B. Sheppard, Erb, Feger. Consolation winner: Zidar.
