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July 20
Federated Raceway at I-55,
Pevely, MO
Sanction: MARS Late Model Championship Series (Tribute to Don Klein) - $5,000
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated July 21, 5:26 am)
Feger survives to win I-55's $5,000 Klein Tribute
Tribute to Don Klein
- Jason Feger
- Michael Kloos
- Cody Laney
- Trevor Gundaker
- Bob Gardner
- Justin Duty
- Ryan Unzicker
- Kye Blight
- Aaron Marrant
- Daniel Adam
- Rusty Griffaw
- McKay Wenger
- Gordy Gundaker
- Adam Tischhauser
- Trey Mills
- Daryn Klein
- Frank Heckenast Jr.
- Rickey Frankel
- Allen Weisser
- Jeff Herzog
- Dennis Erb Jr.
- Dustin Hodges
- Matt Bailey
Jason Feger survived several late-race restarts to win $5,000 at I-55.
What won the race: Overcoming a rugged surface and surviving several late-race restarts, fourth-starting Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., captured Saturday's $5,000 Tribute to Don Klein at Federated Raceway at I-55. The reigning series champ led the final 26 laps and grabbed his third MARS Championship Series victory of the season and the 26th of his career in a 40-lapper with just six cars running at the finish.
Quotable: “Thanks race fans for coming out. I mean, honestly I feel sorry for them — they came to see a race, saw a demo derby,” Feger said. “I don’t know, it’s frustrating. None of us want to have to do that. I learned a long time ago you can’t win if you don’t finish. You gotta have a lot of patience, and I definitely have that. We won tonight, but I’m sure we’re going to pay for it sometime.”
Key notes: The track was hit with nearly 5 inches of rain overnight, providing difficult racing conditions. ... Feger won by 0.928 of a second over eighth-starting Michael Kloos and with his car sporting heavy left-side bodywork damage, a result of earlier contact between the two. When Feger on lap 31 as a caution flag appeared and Kloos didn't, Kloos ramped his right-front tire up Feger's left-rear. Both were able to continue. ... Seventh-starting Cody Laney grabbed third on a lap-37 restart. ... Trevor Gundaker soldiered to a fourth-place result. ... Justin Duty finished sixth, the final car running at the checkers. ... Ryan Unzicker slowed from second on lap 37, drawing the race's sixth stoppage. ... Sixth-running Kye Blight broke a rear end on the initial lap-37 restart before Aaron Marrant slowed on the ensuing attempt, bringing out the race's eighth and final yellow flag. ... Second-starting Daniel Adam led the opening 14 laps before slowing from fourth and pulling off under the lap-31 caution; he was credited with 10th. ... Pole-starting Gordy Gundaker pulled off running sixth on lap 15. ... The opening caution came on the second lap when Jeff Herzog slowed. ... Allen Weisser, Dennis Erb Jr., Dustin Hodges and Matt Bailey all retired, opting to save their equipment. ... The event honored Don Klein, who won more than 550 feature events across his 55-year racing career. ... The 40-lapper lasted 34 minutes.
On the move: Bob Gardner of East Peoria, Ill., started 22nd and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Feger’s Longhorn Chassis has a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship from Titan Industries, Digital Copy Systems, Hoker Trucking, The Big Cheese MM, Out-Pace Racing Products, CorrosionX, Remtek Enterprises, RLM Enterprises, Cheap Cars, FK Rod Ends, Keyser Manufacturing, Bilstein Shocks, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Wehrs Machine & Racing Products, VP Racing Fuels and Griffin Signs.
Points chase: After Federated I-55: 1. Jason Feger (378); 2. Allen Weisser (327); T3. Ryan Unzicker (321); T3. Bob Gardner (321); 5. Justin Duty (296).
Current weather: Clear, 75°F
Car count: 42
Fast qualifier: Daniel Adam
Time: 12.333 seconds
Polesitter: Gordy Gundaker
Heat race winners: Gordy Gundaker, Aaron Marrant, Daniel Adam, Jason Feger
Consolation race winners: Trevor Gundaker, Dennis Erb Jr.
Provisional starters: Allen Weisser, Bob Gardner, Rusty Griffaw
Next series race: July 21, Adams County Speedway (Quincy, IL) $5,000
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.