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UMARA News From Bill Freis - LAST STAND
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By: Bill Freis Joliet, IL August 26, 2009 The movie trailer said “Build it and they will come”. In case you haven’t been by Joliet Memorial Stadium in the past few days, it has been built and they are coming. They are coming to The Last Stand at the Stadium on Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12. “They” are the former drivers like 14 time Stadium feature winner Jim Gates, 23 time feature winner, and second all-time in feature wins, Bob Richards. Don Carter Jr, John Warren, Rich Corson, Tom Corcoran, Danny Pens, Dennis Devea and Jim Mahoney. Going back even further in time; Warren “Newt” White”, Tom Bigelow, Mel Kenyon, George Kladis, Wally Lambert and Roger West are among over 40 former drivers scheduled to attend as well. “They” are the young crop of drivers like Aaron Andruskevitch, Mario Clouser, Eric Potter, Tanner Whitten, Tom Schnabel, Mike Anderson and Nick Odell who race at the Grundy County Speedway most Saturday’s during the summer, but have never turned a lap at The Stadium. “They” are the drivers, mechanics or kids whose dads, relatives or friends raced there, and have only dreamed of having the chance to race there themselves. Drivers like 2008 UMARA National midget champion Jimmy Anderson, whose parents won two Stadium championships as car owners. Patrick Wilda Jr. and Billy Hulbert Jr. whose dad’s both raced at The Stadium. Three-time UMARA champ David Gough is making his return in a midget at The Last Stand. Gough, and his (late) brother Jay, raced karts there in the late 90’s but never had a chance to race a midget there. With just two weeks to go until the event, the Jersey Barriers are in place, the fencing is up, track surface preparations are nearly complete, the t-shirts have been printed, the programs are just about ready to print and the anticipation is growing. Several great sponsors have significantly contributed to this event. D’Arcy Motors and City Beverage/Bud Light, The Hot Rod Barn, Will County Farm Bureau, Packard Transport, D Construction, Tessone Motors, Suburban Bank and Trust and Traditions Bar and Grill have all stepped up to help make this event happen. In addition to the three divisions of midgets, Dwarf Cars and INEX Legend Cars racing at The Last Stand, go-karts have been added to the event thanks to the support of Urbasek Insurance of Joliet and Constitutional Casualty Insurance. There will be three divisions of karts racing, Animal Heavy Adult Karts, Flat-head Heavy Adult Karts and Champ Karts. Bernie Meyers, former team manager for Payton-Coyne Racing and former Indy 500 Mechanic of the Year says, “This event is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best short-track racing events that this area has ever seen. Its very gratifying to be a part of an event like this when you see the hard work and passion of the people involved in making this happen and the excitement of the fans, drivers and teams anticipating the event.” The Last Stand at the Stadium race week festivities will kick-off on Thursday, September 10 at Babes Hot Dogs on Jefferson Street in Joliet, just a couple of blocks East of the Stadium. Fans will be able to check out some of the cars and karts that will be racing that weekend. Plus, visit with many of the current and former drivers taking part in the Last Stand weekend. Babes Hot Dogs is also helping bring back another Stadium tradition by announcing this week that they would sponsor the Big Wheel Races to be held on Friday night to kick of the heat race competition. “They” are the people who didn’t live in the Joliet area, or weren’t born prior to 1986 and have only heard the stories of the races at The Stadium. “They” are all talking about this “last chance ever to race or to witness a race at The Stadium”. “They” are heading to www.umara.com to fill out their entry forms, or going to Ken Woody Sports, The Hot Rod Barn, Educational Outfitters or Suburban Bank and Trust locations in New Lenox, Lemont, Orland Park and Markham to purchase their tickets and make sure that they will be a part of this final and historic event. If you can’t wait for The Last Stand or you would like to get a preview of whats to come, head on out to the Grundy County Speedway on Saturday, September 5 for the 29th running of the UMARA Bob Lockard Memorial and the Grundy County Speedway/Mazon Speedbowl Hall of Fame inductions. Inductions begin at 3pm and racing action begins at 7:30pm. | |||
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