Hammond, Deyoung, Simmons, Momper Score First Wins of the Season (click here)
Not only did Kankakee County Speedway offer a full smorgasbord of racing action in eight divisions this past Friday night, but a handful of the nights winners were not necessarily unfamiliar with how to get to victory lane but made their way to the elevated podium for the first time this season.
In the Romar Transportation UMP Late Model 20-lap feature it was Matt Hammond of Bourbonnais, IL making his first visit to victory lane while collecting his ninth career Pro Late Model win.
Hammond wrestled the lead away from fast qualifier and early race leader Devin McLean after the leader brought out the caution for debris after he tagged the wall in turns three and four losing his rear spoiler in the process. From that point on Hammond held the point and was chased by modified ace Jamie Lomax, Austin McCarty, Ben Kirchner and McLean.
Brad Deyoung of Wheatfield, IN has been plenty quick of late and Friday night was no exception and he simply walked away from prohibitive favorite Mike McKinney in the CR Towing UMP Modified 20-lap feature. It was the first time Deyoung has ever scored a feature win at the Kankakee oval.
Jamie Lomax, Frank Marshall and Jason Hastings rounded out the top five crossing the stripe.
In the 3 Sons Auto Salvage UMP Stock Car 15-lap feature, it was Jesse Simmons of Danville, IL surprising the field for top honors for his first ever win in the division after winning four times in factory stocks in previous years.
Hounding Simmons to the line were point leader Jerrad Krick, Cody Clubb, Don Hilleary and Sam Casko.
Speaking of Express Powersports UMP Factory Stocks, David Hurst of Lafayette, IN returned to victory circle for the third time this season.
In what was perhaps the nights most thrilling race, Hurst was able to hold off the likes of Lee Joseph Hall, Trevor Bitterling, Kiran Roundtree and Hayden Lomax.
Miller Hydraulic UMP Pro Modifieds took to the quarter mile for their 15-lap main event and again it was a driver from Ashmore, IL finding victory lane but on this night it was Brayden Doyle picking up his fourth win of the season over ten-time winner Deece Schwartz ahead of Ryan Kohler, Drew Schwartz and Curtis Caldwell, who rounded out the top five.
In First Place Oils UMP Sport Compact action it was Jake Momper of Wilmington, IL made his first trip to victory lane this season and the 45th time in his career moving into solo third place all-time on the career wins list trailing only Tommy Kroll (58) and Jim O' Connor (88) on that list.
Evan Eckhoff was awarded the runner-up spot in the 15-lap feature after Jimmy Dutlinger was docked one spot for jumping the restart late in the race. Dale Kohler and Scott Glassford rounded out the too five. For Glassford, it marked the sixth consecutive visit to victory lane in the Stock 4 cylinder class.
Adam Thibo of Peotone, IL once again bested the field in the Crown Victoria division ahead of Lee Joseph Hall, Dam Ingram, Mitch Hahn and Phil Bloch.
The visiting Illinois Vintage Racing series made its return to the Kankakee 1/4-mile and it was Paxton, IL driver Andy Thompson topping an impressive group that included runner-up Larry Anderson, Eric Rebholz, Eric Boudreau and Dan Flessner.
