KNOXVILLE, Ill. (Aug. 1, 2001) - Willy Kraft Lakefield, MN who failed to qualify for the Simpson Race Products A-main on Tuesday night showed that he was the man to beat on Wednesday night as he took his Kraft Kar to the front in a hurry from the fourth row and passing second row starter Ron Schreiner on lap seven.

This was the third night out in the #83 Kraft Kar and his second win. It took three tries to get the race going as Tim Folkerts started the race from the pole and lost it in front of the whole crew and everyone missed Folkerts letting him restart at the rear. Folkerts would have an impressive run bringing his Raider FR1 Chassis back to a fifth place finish.

The race would go non stop until lap 28 of 30 when the #61 car of Bruce Hanford had mechanical problems stopping his Harris Chassis at the top of turn four making it a two lap battle between Kraft, Tim Donlinger, and Jason Hughes. Donlinger had smoke coming out from underneath his car and retired his M&M Chassis on lap 29 with rear end troubles. Kraft did bobble in turn four coming for the white flag and Hughes did get on his bumper, but Kraft would pull away giving USMTS another new winner.

Rounding out the top five was Hughes, Schreiner, Rick Hixson, and Folkerts. After the race which was a benefit for twelve year old Darrell Vice Willy Kraft presented Darrell with the trophy and $100. Mike Spaulding from Bemidji, MN announced at the autograph session that he would give half of his money to the Darrell Vice Benefit had trouble in his heat race and bent up his rear end and failed to make the show.

USMTS wants to thank Mike Spaulding and everyone that has donated to the Darrell Vice benefit. The USMTS point leader Mike Chasteen had troubles late in the race and would have to settle for a 17th place finish. Winning the Harris Auto Racing Heat Races was Folkerts, Hughes, Robbie Verbeck, Steve Holzkamper, and Schreiner.

The Midwest Motorsports B-mains were won by Kelly Shryock and Tim Donlinger. Racing will continue Thursday night at the Aledo Raceway in Aledo, IL.

RESULTS

Heat 1 - Tim Folkerts, Willy Kraft, Marty Thompson, Corey Dripps, Donovan Lodge

Heat 2 - Jason Hughes, Dennis Laveine, Mike Chasteen, Jim Sandusky, Johnny Bone

Heat 3 - Robbie Verbeck, Bruce Hanford, Kelly Shryock, Tim Donlinger, Kevin Peters

Heat 4 - Steve Holzkamper, Darin Thye, Tim Weaver, Rick Hixson, Dan Helm

Heat 5 - Ron Schreiner, Bob Dominacki, Larry Raines, Tom Goble, Mike Spaulding

B-main 1 - Kelly Shryock, Rick Hixson, Kevin Peters, Mike Marler, Johnny Bone

B-main 2 - Tim Donlinger, Jimmy Owens, Mike Chasteen, Dan Helm, Mike Delozier

A-main - Willy Kraft Lakefield, MN, Jason Hughes Colcord, OK, Ron Schreiner New Richmond, WI, Rick Hixson Orion, IL, Tim Folkerts Albia, IA, Tommy Myer Blooming Prairie, MN, Kevin Peters Monmouth, IL, Mike Delozier Carthage, IL, Marty Thompson Mineral, IL, Stve Holzkmaper Siloam Springs, AR, Dennis Leveine Burlington, IA, Kelly Shryock LeMars, IA, Johnny Bone Pea Ridge, AR, Tim Donlinger Rochester, MN, Bruce Hanford Davenport, IA, Ryan Disterheft Eau Claire, MI, Mike Chasteen Creve Couere, IL, Bob Dominacki Bettendorf, IA, Darin Thye Burlington, IA, Robbie Verbeck Annawan, IL, Dan Helm Milan, IL, Larry Raines Brazil, IN, Mike Marler Winfield, TN, Jimmy Owens Newport, TN