May 7
La Salle Speedway,
La Salle, IL
Sanction: MARS Racing Series - $3,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated May 8, 11:44 am)
Unzicker outruns Shirley, wins Thaw Brawl opener
- Ryan Unzicker
- Brian Shirley
- Tanner English
- Jeremiah Hurst
- Jason Feger
- Rusty Schlenk
- Garrett Alberson
- Mike Spatola
- Travis Stemler
- Mike Chasteen Jr.
- Kolby Vandenbergh
- Bob Gardner
- Mike Provenzano
- Colin Shipley
- Dale Markham
- Ryan Weistart
- Titus Sneed
- Jeff Riddell
- Rich Bell
- Victor Benedetto
- Greg Wagner
- Jake Miller
presented by
Mike Ruefer/mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com
Ryan Unzicker’s son Brody joined him in victory lane at La Salle.
What won the race: Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., overtook polesitter Tanner English on the third lap, fought off challenges from Brian Shirley for several laps, then ran away with Friday's MARS Racing Series opener at La Salle (Ill.) Speedway’s Thaw Brawl. Unzicker earned $3,000 ahead of Saturday’s $12,000-to-win-finale, crossing the finishing line 0.496 seconds ahead of Shirley.
Quotable: “The car’s just super-balanced right now. I was worried about being tight,” Unzicker said. “I actually thought I had a humongous lead, but I was looking at the wrong (signalling crew member), I think, for a little a while, then I got dialed in to who it was and (Shirley) must’ve been pretty close. I kind of felt him a little bit there at the end, running through the lapped traffic, but the car was good."
Key notes: Unzicker won his fourth career MARS feature. ... Rich Bell got into the turn-two wall at halfway for the last of four yellows. ... Debris caused a lap-10 yellow and Titus Sneed spun on lap 12. ... A lap-four caution appeared for Greg Wagner's turn-two spin. … Jeremiah Hurst’s Roberts Motorsports entry carried Hurst’s original No. 41 (he’d used the team’s No. 58 previously). ... Saturday’s 60-lap Thaw Brawl finale pays $12,000-to-win. … The event's original format listed twin 30-lappers on Friday, but, with a light 23-car field signed in for action, officials changed the program to a single feature.
Winner's sponsors: Unzicker’s MB Customs Race Car has a Pro Power Racing Engine and carries sponsorship from Kingdon Farms, RJR Transportation, Gary Miller’s Classic Auto, El Paso Outdoor Center, Sturms Seed Service, Comfort Solutions Heating & Cooling, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, El Paso Automotive, Superior Farm Drainage, Brucker Farms, Aftershock Decals & Design and Keyser Mfg.
Points chase: Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., is the reigning champion.
Current weather: Clear, 52°F
Car count: 23
Fast qualifier: Tanner English
Time: 12.646 seconds
Polesitter: Tanner English
Heat race winners: Tanner English, Brian Shirley, Ryan Unzicker
Next series race: May 8, La Salle Speedway (La Salle, IL) $12,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
