September 21
Peoria Speedway,
Peoria, IL
Sanction: DIRTcar Supers (Illinois State Championship) - $5,000
Information provided by: Track reports (last updated September 22, 8:32 pm)
Restart pass lifts Erb to third State Championship
Illinois State Championship
- Dennis Erb Jr.
- Jason Feger
- Bob Gardner
- Ryan Unzicker
- Frank Heckenast Jr.
- Donny Walden
- Brayton Wallace
- Austin May
- Kye Blight
- Ryan Miller
- Andy Clark
- Mike Provenzano
- Roben Huffman
- Mike Chasteen Jr.
- Curtis Radke
- Mike Spatola
- Raymond Ellis
- Cam Gardner
- Rob Thoennes
- Robbie Bauman Jr.
Winner Dennis Erb Jr. (28) and runner-up Jason Feger (25) at Peoria.
What won the race: Using a mid-race restart to overtake leader Mike Spatola, third-starting Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., led the final 28 laps to win Saturday's 69th annual Illinois State Championship at Peoria Speedway. Erb earned a $5,000 DIRTcar Super Late Model victory for his third overall triumph of the season and his third career Illinois State Championship (2005 and '15).
Key notes: Mike Spatola led most of the opening 22 laps from the pole before giving way to Erb and eventually Jason Feger, then slowing from third on lap 31. Spatola was gunning for his second victory in as many nights after winning Friday's $3,000 Dirt Kings Tour stop at Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park, Ill. ... Feger, the winner a week earlier at Peoria, traded second with Spatola before reclaiming it for good on lap 30 and trailing Erb the rest of the way, taking the checkers 4.471 seconds back. ... Bob Gardner and Ryan Unzicker inherited third and fourth when Spatola retired. ... The main event was slowed once and lasted 17 minutes with nine drivers completing 50 laps.
On the move: Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankfort, Ill., started 10th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Erb’s Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by J.R. McBride Leasing, McBride Mack, VolMac Truck Sales and Service, Ideal Ready Mix, Keyser Manufacturing, Fox Racing Shox, Collins Signs, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels and Performance Rod & Custom.
Points chase: Curtis Radke of Milford, Ill., unofficially locked up Peoria's division championship.
Current weather: Clear, 73°F
Car count: 24
Fast qualifier: Mike Spatola
Time: 12.187 seconds
Polesitter: Mike Spatola
Heat race winners: Mike Spatola, Jason Feger, Dennis Erb Jr.
Consolation race winners: Roben Huffman
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.