NOTE: ATTENTION DRIVERS... Due to race track being located next to the Kankakee County Airport, FCC regulations prohibit us from using the default channel on the RaceCeiver. We have our own dedicated channel (Ch. 110, 451.3625) for racing which does not interfere with their flight communications. I hope this answers most of your questions as to why we don't use the default channel like so many other tracks. The same reason is true why we can not do radio simulcast of the races, though I wish it were possible. We are however exploring other options such as a LIVE internet broadcast of the races.

Kankakee County Speedway News & Notes

KCS to QUALIFY UMP Modifieds at least the next 4 weeks

It was announced Friday night that KCS will qualify UMP Modifieds the next four weeks at the very minimum. This should be welcomed news to those that have campaigned for such a move the past several years. Next Friday, May 24th, is a $1,000 to win UMP Modified Showdown, with modifieds getting one lap of qualifying following hotlaps. The UMP Modifieds will Group qualify if there are more than 30 cars. Further details to be announced soon regarding the entire format.

Just added... Great Lakes Lifting has announced that they will sponsor qualifying over the next four weeks with $75 going to the overall fastest qualifier, $50 for second fastest, and $25 for the third fastest. Also, Great Lakes Lifting spokesman and UMP modified driver Steven Brooks, along with track promoter Tom Smith, have jointly agreed to offer $250 each to anyone who can break the track record of 14.865 set by Dave Porth back on August 24, 2001. It is the longest standing track record of any sort at the Kankakee County Speedway.

Thank you to all the racers

Smitty would just like to thank all the drivers who made the trek to Kankakee tonight but Mother Nature has gotten the best of us yet again. Seems to be an Illinois theme this year. We had our way with the weather the past two years and now we're paying our dues as so many other tracks have had to in that time.

Smitty told the drivers there to head down towards Farmer City somewhere shortly after 4pm, allowing them ample time to get there and have a place to race tonight.

Again we thank all of you for coming this way. Some 70 haulers lined up out to Rt 45, and a lot of Late Models I'm told. We'll work on a rescheduled date to be announced but for now, we hope to see you again real soon.

KCS To Utilize Double File Restarts During Features

New for 2013, in an ongoing effort to provide great racing for our fans, will be the use of "Kankakee Double File Restarts". A modified version of the more popularly known Delaware Double File Restarts, where under caution the leader will be placed at the front of the pack by himself, while the second place car will move to the inside lane and the third place car will take the outside lane and so on back throughout the field.

The reason the second place car takes the inside lane rather than have a choice is to make it easier and simplify things more for the drivers, but also for the scorers and track officials. There's bound to be a driver or two whose radio has quit working or they simply can't hear the tower. Thus, making this system fool proof should eliminate any unnecessary delays with the lineups.

The Kankakee Double File Restarts will only be used during feature competition but not less than 5 laps to go. This rule does not apply to the UMP Sport Compact class, who will lineup single file as instructed by the tower officials.

KCS welcomes Arseneau Optical to Kids Club Show Car

Kankakee County Speedway would like to welcome the addition of Arseneau Optical of Kankakee as an official sponsor of the Kankakee County Speedway Kids Club Show Car!

For all your optical needs, see Mary at Arseneau Optical located in downtown Kankakee at 135 W Court St., Kankakee, IL 60901.

You can reach them by calling (815) 933-5798.

We still have room for just one more sponsor on the Kids Club Show Car. A plan is available for you for as little as $300. Contact Tom Smith at 708-417-6018.

Kankakee County Speedway seeking Official Track Towing Service

Kankakee County Speedway is accepting offers to anyone / any business interested in serving as Official Track Towing Service. What a great advertising opportunity to get your business noticed!

If interested or know of someone who could be interested, please contact Tom Smith at 708-417-6018.

Kankakee County Speedway welcomes new sponsor

Kankakee County Speedway promoter Tom Smith is pleased to announce that Vermeer Midwest has come on board to support racing here at KCS as a billboard sponsor and a vital part of the new Kids Club Show Car. Vermeer Midwest, with locations throughout the Midwest, has a long standing reputation as being the industry leader in environmental and underground utility construction.

Vermeer Midwest joins a handful of other area sponsors to show their support for the popular Kids Club, who now have a show car of their very own. Other sponsors include Wood Farms & Trucking, Daily-Journal, Steve's Performance, Five-Star Performance Bodies, Fast Lane Graphics, and Tile by Lonnie. There is room for just three more sponsors onboard the Kids Club Show Car before the season begins. Space is available on a first come first served basis for as little as $300. For more information about this exciting and more importantly, rewarding opportunity contact Tom Smith at 708-417-6018.

Kankakee County Speedway to unveil new Kids Club Show Car

Kankakee County Speedway is seeking just five more sponsors for the all new Kids Club Show Car. A real down to earth fully dressed UMP Pro Late Model, that will be parked behind the main grandstands each Friday night for all the kids, young and not so young to climb aboard and have there photos taken by their parents or friends. Then you can submit your photos to kankakeecountyspeedway@gmail.com for use on the track's website.

With the popularity of the Kankakee County Speedway's Kids Club bus, it too will receive a makeover for the 2013 season.

How do you get involved? For as little as $300 you can have your business name placed on the side of the car for the entire race season. This car will also be displayed at area parades, fairs, and festivals, and is also available for that special occasion. i.e. work functions, birthday parties, etc.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and a chance to to be a part of a winning team, contact Tom Smith at 708-417-6018. But hurry, this opportunity won't last long as we are only looking for five more sponsors for this Kids Club Show Car.

Friday May 3rd
Pit Gate opens at 4:00PM
Front Gate Opens at 5:30PM
Draw closes at 6:00PM
ALL STOCK CARS WILL BE TECHED AND GIVEN STICKER

ORDER OF EVENTS
1. UMP STOCK CARS
2. UMP MODIFIEDS
3. UMP PRO LATE MODELS
4. I-MODS
5. UMP LATE MODELS
6. UMP SPORT COMPACTS

FINAL WHEEL PACK 5:15 TO 6:00

HOT LAPS 6:15PM
1. UMP LATE MODELS
2. UMP STOCK CARS
3. UMP MODIFIEDS
4. UMP PRO LATE MODELS
5. I-MODS
6. UMP SPORT COMPACTS

QUALIFYING 1-LAP FOLLOWS HOT LAPS
1. UMP LATE MODELS

DRIVERS MEETING FOLLOWS QUALIFYING

NATIONAL ANTHEM WILL BE DONE WHEN FIRST HEAT IS IN STAGING

HEAT RACES 7:25-7:30
1. UMP STOCK CARS 8 LAPS
2. UMP MODIFIEDS 8 LAPS
3. UMP PRO LATE MODELS 8 LAPS

BILL YOHNKA WILL CALL UP KIDS FOR THE KIDS CLUB BUS TO BE ON THE TRACK AFTER HEAT RACES

IF THERE ARE ENOUGH KIDS TO DO 2 SESSIONS 1ST SESSION WILL BE DONE AFTER HEAT RACES 2ND SESSION WILL BE DONE AFTER CONSI’S

4. I-MODS 8 LAPS
5. UMP LATE MODELS 8 LAPS
6. UMP SPORT COMPACTS 6 LAPS

KIDS CLUB BUS TO BE ON TRACK NOW

CONSI’S 10 LAPS

IF THERE ARE LESS THAN 9 CARS THAT START THE CONSI, LAPS WILL BE REDUCED TO HOW EVER MANY CARS START THAT RACE.

1. UMP STOCK CARS
2. UMP MODIFIEDS
3. UMP PRO LATE MODELS
4. I-MODS
5. UMP LATE MODELS
6. UMP SPORT COMPACTS

FEATURES
1. UMP STOCK CARS 15 LAPS OR 20 MIN.
2. UMP MODIFIEDS 20 LAPS OR 25 MIN.
3. UMP PRO LATE MODELS 20 LAPS OR 25 MIN.
4. I-MODS 15 LAPS OR 20 MIN.
5. UMP LATE MODELS 25 LAPS OR 30 MIN.
6. UMP SPORT COMPACTS 15 LAPS OR 20 MIN.

THANK YOU FOR A GREAT NIGHT, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK

KCS RELEASES TENTATIVE 2013 SCHEDULE

KCS 2013 Schedule (subject to change)

5/03 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
5/10 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
5/17 SLM --- MOD SS IM SC
5/24 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
5/31 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

6/07 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
6/14 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
6/21 --- PLM MOD SS IM SC
6/28 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC MG

7/05 SLM PLM MOD SS IM -- VI
7/12 SLM --- MOD SS -- SC
7/19 SLM PLM MOD SS -- SC
7/26 --- --- --- -- -- --
7/31 --- --- MOD SS -- SC

8/09 SLM --- MOD SS IM SC
8/16 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
8/23 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
8/30 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

9/06 SLM --- MOD SS IM SC MG
9/13 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
9/20 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
9/27 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

10/04 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
10/12 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
10/13 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

10/13 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
KCS CELEBRATES END OF YEAR SUCCESS AT BANQUET

Over 330 drivers, crews, and race fans reconvened at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds last Saturday to celebrate a much heralded 2012 campaign. UMP Promoter of the Year Tom Smith gave away not one, not two, but three crate motors throughout the course of the evening and the awards were steadily flowing out to much deserving drivers.

Smith introduced Fair Board President Pete Schafer, to the large audience who announced that the Fair Board and Smith have agreed to a long term deal. That's good news to area race fans as Smith aims to spruce up the place in 2013 including colored flags around the facility. Painting the backstretch wall with Kankakee County Speedway on the wall and a totally revamped victory lane that will surely be hard to get to but easy to find. Smith has already added more dirt to the tracks front stretch and installed $30,000 in new lighting that will make it easier for drivers and fans alike to take in the action.

Throughout Smith's four year tenure at the helm, attendance has increased yearly and the track averaged better than 114 cars per night with a season high of 141 entries on opening night of ROCKtoberfest III. In all, more than 400 drivers have passed through the gates over the course of the season.

It's Smith's goal to lure in a major traveling series to this area in the next year or two after track renovations are completed. With a new long commitment in place, Smith now has the flexibilty to make improvements that will benefit all events held at the fairgrounds.

Some of the highlights from the night's banquet included Wilmington's Kevin Lenzen winning a 602 crate motor for his perfect attendance in 2012 among about 20 eligible drivers. Jerry Skinner was the winner of a 604 crate motor dressed with a $900 K-B carb and a $450 set of Schoenfeld headers. Late Model driver Jay Morris of Pittwood concluded the night's events with a winning bid of $3800 for a second 604 crate motor. Don Shryock of Gandrud Chevrolet in Green Bay, WI was once again on hand to present the winners with their motors and congratulate all ten of the Top 10 in UMP Pro Late Model points, the only division to have all of the Top 10 in attendance.

Champions honored during the night included Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, IL who tied a track record with 11 UMP Late Model feature wins during the year. Jamie Lomax of Lake Village, IN, earned his first UMP Modified track championship after scoring six feature wins on the season. Tim Provenzano was the first ever UMP Pro Late Model champion as well as Rookie of the Year, with a pair of wins in 2012. Papineau's Don Hilleary picked up his second UMP Stock Car track championship in three years with two wins. Lowell, IN driver Mike Kingma nabbed his second consecutive I-Mod track title and third in four years with five feature wins on the season, while youngster Skylar Antonelli of Monticello, IN scored his first career track championship in the UMP Sport Compact division with six feature wins under his belt.

Late Model driver Glen Thompson of Buckingham, IL was the night's top honoree as he was presented with the Sportsmanship Award for his commitment and contributions going above and beyond to help his fellow racers. Most Improved Driver awards were bestowed upon Randy Manos of Rockford, IL (UMP Late Models), Jeremy McLaughlin of Danforth, IL (UMP Pro Late Models), Dane Tilstra of Onarga, IL (UMP Modifieds), Kyle Miner (UMP Stock Cars), Ryen Johnson of Peotone (I-Mods), and Lukes Gash (UMP Sport Compacts). Manos and Lomax were also crowned as champions of the Crosstown Cup with LaSalle Speedway, receiving a bonus of $1,000 and $600, respectively.

Smith also announced that the Summit Racing Modified Nationals will be running a stand alone event at Kankakee on June 14th, while the UMP Summernationals is at Cedar Lake, WI. The event is slated to pay $3,000 to the winner and will be the first half of the annual River City Shoot-Out for UMP Modifieds. The second of that two race series will be run on July 12th when the UMP Summernationals invades Kankakee for a $10,000 to win event, the first at Kankakee since 2009. The River City Shoot-Out overall winner will receive a special trophy along with possibly a cash bonus pending sponsorship for this mega event. More than 60 modified drivers are expected to invade the high banks of Kankakee including NASCAR veterans Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader. Mark your calendars now.

A tremendous night was had by all, and Smith wishes to thank everyone who supported the speedway all season long and looks to a promising 2013 season beginning with a pair of practice dates Sunday, April 21st & 28th from 1 - 6pm, followed by the 63rd season opener Friday night, May 3rd.

KANKAKEE'S TOM SMITH RECEIVES TOP HONOR
VOTED 2012 UMP PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

At the annual UMP Championship awards banquet, Kankakee County Speedway's Tom Smith, in his fourth full season at the helm, was selected by his peers as UMP Promoter of the Year. Smith has built a product that provides a show for race fans that has included six divisions of racing including the newly added UMP Pro Late Model division, a division Smith sees ready to boom in the years ahead due to the economy and rising costs associated with racing Super Late Models.

Kankakee was home to nearly 115 plus cars a week despite having a less than stellar turnout of Super Late Models on a consistent basis. Smith has worked tirelessly at improving a "leased" facility and tried to think outside the box in terms of providing quality entertainment for race fans of all ages. Among one of the most popular additions to the speedway's scene was the addition of the Kankakee County Speedway Kids Club bus that gives rides out on the speedway to more than 100 children each week. Also, one lucky driver will be rewarded with a brand new 602 crate motor just for having perfect attendance in 2012 points night races. How many promoters do that?

An honor well deserved to a promoter who advertises on multiple local radio stations each week and works so hard at taking care of the fans first. Smith is usually the one who bids the fans farewell at the main gate each and every Friday night following the night's racing program.

TIME TO GET THOSE ROADSIDE SIGNS STORED

Sadly, another successful racing season has nearly come to a halt here at Kankakee County Speedway, but the wheels are always turning to try to identify are strengths are build on our weaknesses.
Part of our success is the advertsing we do each year throughout the community with the placement of our Kankakee County Speedway road side signs. It has come time to store these signs away for the winter, while we wait what Mother Nature has in store for this winter. If you are unable to store these signs indoors out of harms way, or simply don't have the room to store them away, please contact Rick Steinke at 815-953-6569 and we will make arrangements to pick up your sign or you can drop it off out at the speedway's pit shack.
Thank you all so much for helping us this past year. We hope to see you again real soon at the Banquet or next April.

HUGE THANK YOU TO BUMPER TO BUMPER

It goes without saying that Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts knows how to make a lasting impression. Friday night's races were presented by our local Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts stores throughout Kankakee County. All throughout the night representatives greeted fans with handouts, giveaways, etc. They really made a great impression on the fans, the KCS staff, and the drivers.

It was really a great night of racing with the final checkered flag being waved at 10:17pm.

We welcome the Bumper to Bumper group to the speedway and thank them for all they've done over the years to support small race tracks like Kankakee. Be sure when you're in need, you stop into any local Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts store and say thanks for their involvement in short track dirt racing.

NOTICE TO SPORT COMPACT DRIVERS

I have been asked by Chief Tech Official Brent Osterhoff to remind everyone that UMP Sport Compacts must weigh a minimum of #2400 with driver at all times. UMP does not have a weight rule in this class, however this is a local track rule that will be enforced each week. So drivers need to be aware of what their cars weigh before arriving at the track.

2013 SEASON NOTICE: 2013 MEDIA REQUESTS

Media requests should be made in writing at least one week prior to the scheduled event you are wishing to cover. This includes all reporters, photographers, and videographers. Proper ID is required when signing into the pits at the track. All requests may be made by sending an email to kankakeecountyspeedway@gmail.com. Please put KCS Media Request in the subject line of your email.

While we welcome diversity, we can not guarantee all requests will be approved. Media publications may be limited as to the number of requests approved. You will be asked to provide links to any articles and/or photos from your covered event. You will receive confirmation by return email as to whether your request has been approved or disapproved. If your name and/or credential does not appear on the comp list, you will be expected to pay appropriate admission. This applies to all photographers, media members, vendors, and promotion staff from other tracks.