Peoria Speedway
Jaggers outduels Logue, grabs first ALMS victory
Jason Jaggers is joined by Don Bohlander in victory lane at Peoria. (Jeff Hall)
PEORIA, Ill. (April 13) — Jason Jaggers of Wyanet, Ill., raced to the first Sunoco American Late Model Series victory of his career Saturday night at Peoria Speedway, earning $3,000 in the quarter-mile oval’s sixth annual Don Bohlander Tribute Race for Parkinson's Disease.
Pole-starting Kyle Logue of Cisco, Ill., was second at the finish with Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., finishing third. Billy Drake of Bloomington, Ill., and Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, Ill., rounded out the race’s top five finishers. | Slideshow
“That was a great race there," Jaggers said. “Hats off to Kyle; he drove a helluva race. The car was awesome. I could run anywhere I wanted. Considering it's only the third night out in this car, I’m real happy with the way its performing. It’s an honor to win such a big race.”
Logue and Jaggers started up front in the 50-lapper and immediately ran side-by-side, with Logue edging ahead after five laps. Behind the leaders, a three-way battle among Unzicker, Billy Drake and Weaver was under way with Drake securing third on the sixth lap, then taking second from Jaggers on lap seven.
After a lap-13 caution, Jaggers stayed with Drake and regained the second spot on lap 19 with a high-side pass. Jaggers than stalked Logue, using the middle groove to work on the low-running Logue at the race’s midpoint amid traffic.
The battle up front continued for several laps with three-wide action, and Jaggers regained the lead on lap 32 exiting turn two. Weaver nearly took second from Logue, but a caution for Todd Bennett slowed the action.
On the restart, the side-by-side duel continued between Logue and Jaggers before Jaggers edged ahead on lap 37. The leader hit traffic on lap 43 with Logue right on his bumper, but Jaggers held on for the victory.
Notes: Jaggers drives a Bob Pierce Race Car with sponsorship from Crop Production Services, Monsato, Michlig Energy, B&M Farm Enterprises, Lawson Agency, Vandevorde Sales, Schroeder Farms, and The Park Tavern. ... The event honors Peoria racing legend Don Bohlander, who was on hand for the night's action. ... The race was sanctioned by the ALMS West region. The two-region tour’s East region was scheduled to compete at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, Saturday, but the race was rained out. ... ALMS West competitors return to action with a tripleheader April 19-21 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa and Quincy (Ill.) Raceway.
Don Bohlander Tribute: (1) Jason Jaggers, (2) Kyle Logue, (3) Kevin Weaver, (4) Billy Drake, (5) Ryan Unzicker, (6) Tim Isenberg, (7) Rich Bell, (8) Tim Lance, (9) Russ Scheffler, (10) Scott Schmitt (complete finish unavailable). Fast qualifier (among 26 cars): 12.3 seconds. Heat race winners: Logue, Jaggers, Drake. Consolation winner: Jeremy Reed.
