Prairie Dirt Classic 2011 - Fairbury Speedway

I thought I'd take sometime today and discuss my thoughts on one of Illinois's best races to attend.  It is the annual Prairie Dirt Classic held at the American Legion speedway in Fairbury, IL.  This is one of state's premier races sanctioned by the United Midwestern Promoters.  It pays $10,000 to win winner of the 50 lap feature.

This is the 22nd running of the event.  The first event was held in 1990 and was won by local favorite and still active driver Snooky Dehm of Chatsworth, IL.  I remember him holding on for that win after he gave up the race late.  He wound up leading the last 7 laps for the $3500 payday.  It was by far the biggest win in his career.  The most disappointed that night had to of been Tom Pauly...as he took the lead from Snooky late only to see his engine grenade the next lap after passing Dehm.

This race has had it fair share of repeat winners.  When I say repeat though, I should say repeating...in streaks.  A now retired dirt late model racer from IL who has shared 5 wins...through 2 streaks is Bob Pierce of Danville, IL.  Bob won back to back titles in 1994 and 1995 and then went on for the three peat from 1999-2001.  He is tied for most wins with current active driver from Arkansas...Billy Moyer

So on to this year.  What to expect.  Well for starters the local talent here in IL will be in full force Sunday night.  Expect to see the likes of Smith, Erb, Babb, Bull, Feger, Friedman, Lance, Weaver, Spitola, Unizicker...and list goes on.  With the cool weather the way it has been this week across central IL, I expect the track to be pretty heavy and to hold moisture through the night.  In my opinion, this holds well for drivers like Feger, Spitola, Bull who all love to ride the dangerous side on the top and hold it to the floor.  However Fairbury's bottom groove always seems to come into play, so I look for it to be the choice of lane come feature time for those picking their way through the pack.  Expect to see the top 4 use the first 10 laps to ride the momentum on top.  By lap 15, I'm thinking lap traffic will pull them off the top...and then the real racing will begin. 

My prediction:  I expect IL driver such as Feger, Smith and Spitola to contend.  Bull has been awfully tough.  However, the rumors are some of the nations best will be making up the trip up Sunday from a big race held in Peavley, MO.  I'll take Wisconsin's Jimmy Mars, Jason Feger, Billy Moyer, Shannon Babb, Scottie Bull for my top 5.

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