Posted by Grundy County Speedway on 6/20/2005, 11:13 am
Board Administrator

SONTAG WINS FIRST AT GRUNDY COUNTY SPEEWAY BY ANDY GROD Two-time track champion, Brett Sontag, from Joliet, was able to hold off Eddie Hoffman Jr to win his first late model feature Friday night at the Grundy County Speedway, in Morris, Illinois. Taking advantage of a third starting slot, Sontag jumped to the lead on the first go around and held the point for the entire 30 lap main event in his Rockdale Automotive racer. Gary Raven, from Hometown, ran a strong second for twenty-five laps, running three car lengths behind Sontag, until Hoffman took over the runner-up spot with five laps remaining. Hoffman, running the red number eight Chevrolet was challenging Sontag for the top spot when caution slowed the action after Tom Knippenberg and Mike Heiss tangled, sending Heiss into the turn two wall. With only a white and checkered remaining, Sontag’s pulled out to two car lengths at the drop of the green and he held that advantage over Hoffman to the checkered. Good battles behind the leaders saw Duane Pierson and Pat Kelly fighting for position for most of the event, with Kelly moving past Pierson and Raven late in the event for a third place finish. Raven held on to fourth, with Pierson fifth and Scott Koerner taking home sixth in the twenty-three car field. Last year’s Mid-American rookie of the year, Dave DeFreece, from Yorkville, got his Yorkville Hill Landscaping – Monster Energy Chevy Monte Carlo handling straightened out and captured the 25 lap Mid-American feature event. “We worked on the chassis and changed the set-up on the car, and it felt that we were on a rail,” said DeFreece after the event. “It’s the same motor in the car from last year, but the handling made the difference tonight.” DeFreece’s biggest challenger was Nick O’Dell, who took over the number two spot from early race leader Jay Mikel on lap nine, then ran with DeFreece for the remaining sixteen circuits. O’Dell almost lost the car as he exited turn three, getting the car side-ways, but got it back under control preventing Jeremy Bloomberg from taking over the runner-up spot. Bloomberg finished third, followed by Josh Nelms, Jimmy Becker and Stacy Kelley, who had her best finish in late model action. Point leader Jerry Einhaus Jr and fast qualifier John Senerchia touched as they were coming through the pack, sending both drivers to the back of the twenty-two car field. Einhaus was able to finish behind Kelley for seventh, with Senerchia taking home an eleventh place showing. In the 20 lap Street Stock feature, Chris Sanda, from LaGrange Park, started on the pole and led every lap for his first win of the season in his THP – TRO Control Metal Stamping – Bill’s Speed Shop Monte Carlo. Karl Kwaz, from Joliet, put the pressure on Sanda for the first with Justin Claypool closing on the leaders. Claypool got around Kwaz at the half-way point, but was not able to close on Sanda, who took the checkered four car lengths ahead of Claypool. Current point leader, Rick Dawson, moved past Kwaz late in the event to take home third, followed by Kwaz, Bob Davis and Ricky Baker. In the mini-stock 12 lap feature, Chett Hartley, from Joliet became a first time winner, first holding off Jason Kolbe, then was able to stay in from of Tim Cronin for the win. The street stock semi feature saw Jacob MacPherson jump out to an early lead, but spun as Chad Proctor was taking over the lead. Proctor built up a big advantage, going under the checkered flag twelve car lengths ahead of Jamie Deurloo. Jake Popp, from Big Rock finished third. Racing continues every Friday night a the Grundy County Speedway, located just north of I-80, on Rt 47, at the Fairgrounds in Morris, Illinois. RESULTS 30 lap Late Model Feature: Brett Sontag, Joliet, 2. Eddie Hoffman Jr., Wheaton, 3. Pat Kelly, Morris, 4. Gary Raven, Hometown, 5. Duane Pierson, Lockport, 6. Scott Koerner, Joliet, 7. Tom Smith, Posen, 8. Rob Werkmeister, Plainfield, 9. Billy Knippenberg Jr., Plainfield, 10. Scott Dunning, Bolingbrook 1st 10 lap LM Heat: 1. Dan Odell, Morris, 2. Doug Kimber, Batavia 2nd 10 lap LM Heat: 1. Sontag, 2. Tom Knippenberg, Channahon 3rd 10 lap LM Heat: 1. Smith, 2. Pierson Fast Time: Kelly: 15.425 25 lap Mid-American Feature: 1. Dave DeFreece, Yorkville, 2. Nick O’Dell, New Lenox, 3. Jeremy Bloomberg, Hampshire, 4. Josh Nelms, Bartlett, 5. Jimmy Becker, Burlington, 6. Stacy Kelley, Minooka, 7. Jerry Einhaus Jr., Seneca, 8. Josh Higgins, Morris, 9. Jay Mikel, Oswego, 10. Ray Mooi, New Lenox 1st 10 lap MA Heat: 1. Jeff Olson, Seneca, 2. Billy Tuckwell, Peoria 2nd 10 lap MA Heat: 1. Nelms, 2. Kelley Fast Time: John Senerchia, Orland Park: 15.990 20 lap Street Stock Feature: 1. Chris Sanda, LaGrange Park, 2. Justin Claypool, Morris, 3. Rick Dawson, Lemont, 4. Karl Kwaz, Joliet, 5. Bob Davis, Coal City, 6. Ricky Baker, Plainfield, 7. Brandon Clubb, Coal City, 8. Joe Graziano, Plainfield, 9. Kent Harmann, Braidwood, 10. Randy Weese, Morris 12 lap SS Semi-feature: 1. Chad Proctor, Kenosha, Wisconsin, 2. Jamie Deurloo, Minooka, 3. Jake Popp, Big Rock 1st 10 lap SS Heat: 1. Jamie Deurloo, Minooka, 2. Jacob MacPherson, Naperville 2nd 10 lap SS Heat: 1. Wayne Meirhofer, Joliet, 2. Guy Baumann, Homer Glenn 3rd 10 lap SS Heat: 1. Kwaz, 2. Graziano Fast Time: Dawson: 17.842 12 lap Mini-stock Feature: 1. Chett Hartley, Joliet, 2. Jason Kolbe, Oak Lawn, 3. Tim Cronin, Steger