Terry Young…will serve as our 2009 Illinois State Fair Correspondent. Terry will continue roaming the grounds and sending us his findings of the day. He will have heavy motorsports coverage for our sister-site, www.midwestracin.com but he plans on capturing the day for all of you.
For Fair information, schedules, and results, check their website by CLICKING HERE .
Kligerman takes ALLEN CROWE ARCA Race
by: Terry Young
Parker Kligerman of Westport, CT. made a big splash of his first visit to the Springfield Illinois mighty mile in winning the ALLEN CROWE Memorial 100. Taking the checkers in the event made Kligerman the youngest winner ever in the history of the legendary Springfield event.
Kligerman credited one of his Penske Racing teammates Justin Allgaier for giving him some pointers that he felt led to him winning the event. Prior to the start of the race, Justin, a Springfield native and a former winner of the event gave Kligerman some tips on things to do and things not to do in his attempt to win the race.
In winning the event, it was Allgaier who he surpassed to take the honors of the youngest person ever to win the event. Allgaier was a mere 20 when he visited victory lane and Kligerman is just 19 years old.
Justin Lofton established a new one lap track record in qualifying by turning in a time of 32.33 and dominated the early laps of the race leading 40 laps and battling Frank Kimmel, a 7 time winner on the Springfield mile who also led 34 laps.
Kligerman took the lead on lap 83 after pitting out of sequence and led the final laps of the event to the checkered. He was followed at the finish by Ron Cox, Patrick Sheltra, A.J. Fike, Steve Arpin, Justin lofton, Ken Schrader, Will Kimmel, Frank Kimmel and Matt Merrel.
In the sportsman division, the 16th Annual WYNN'S Sportsman Nationals seen a field packed with competitive entries and several previous winners. Last years champion, Dennis VanDerMeersch battled previous winners Wes O'Dell and Jeff Leka swapping the lead back and forth with Leka. In the closing laps VanDerMeersch pulled back in front of Leka and held the point taking his car to the checkers for a back to back win in the annual event.
Photo's can be found at RACE PHOTOS
| FIN | STR | NO | DRIVER/HOMETOWN | TEAM & CAR | LAPS | STATUS |
| 1 | 2 | 77 | Parker Kligerman/Westport CT | Cunningham Motorsports Dodge | 103 | Running |
| 2 | 6 | 28 | Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN | Dan Shaver Memorial Scholarship Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 3 | 4 | 60 | Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL | Buffalo Wings & Rings Dodge | 103 | Running |
| 4 | 10 | 10 | AJ Fike/Galesburg IL | RFMS-Liberty Village Ford | 103 | Running |
| 5 | 9 | 25 | Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON | Pinewood Sports Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 6 | 1 | 6 | Justin Lofton/Westmorland CA | Lofton Cattle Toyota | 103 | Running |
| 7 | 8 | 52 | Ken Schrader/Fenton MO | Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 8 | 14 | 68 | Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN | Clarksville Schwinn & Cyclery-Crosley Radio Ford | 103 | Running |
| 9 | 3 | 44 | Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN | Ansell-Menards Ford | 103 | Running |
| 10 | 5 | 32 | Matt Merrell/Portland TX | Red Line Oil Dodge | 103 | Running |
| 11 | 16 | 51 | Joe Cooksey/Centralia IL | Fuelvend Express Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 12 | 17 | 39 | Kelly Kovski/Springfield IL | Central Illinois Security Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 13 | 20 | 36 | Robb Brent/Shelby Township MI | Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Dodge | 103 | Running |
| 14 | 19 | 2 | Tim George Jr./New York NY | Ruby Tuesday Toyota | 103 | Running |
| 15 | 26 | 14 | Kory Rabenold/Slatington PA | Lend America Ford | 103 | Running |
| 16 | 27 | 23 | Jeremy Petty/Smolan KS | Hixson Construction Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 17 | 31 | 83 | Andrew Belmont/Concord NC | LoanMax Ford | 103 | Running |
| 18 | 22 | 5 | Mark Littleton/Arenzville IL | Mason Sound Chevrolet | 103 | Running |
| 19 | 24 | 34 | Darrell Basham/Henryville IN | Anti Monkey Butt Powder Chevrolet | 96 | Running |
| 20 | 21 | 11 | Bryan Silas/Stuart FL | Rockingham Speedway-Holland Pumps Chevrolet | 95 | Accident |
| 21 | 11 | 16 | Joey Coutler/Miami Springs FL | Darrell Gwynn Foundation-Tempest Cycles Chevrolet | 84 | Accident |
| 22 | 12 | 17 | Eddie Pearson/Spartanburg SC | Brad Hill Racing Ford | 83 | Overheating |
| 23 | 15 | 20 | Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ | Cherry Hill Classic Cars Ford | 79 | Overheating |
| 24 | 37 | 7 | Chris Lafferty/Concord NC | Lafferty Performance Chevrolet | 76 | Running |
| 25 | 29 | 57 | Kyle Chady/Benton IL | Kimmel-Chaplain Pharmacy Ford | 68 | Accident |
| 26 | 18 | 81 | Craig Goess/Greenville NC | Greenville Toyota of NC Toyota | 63 | Accident |
| 27 | 34 | 06 | Barry Fitzgerald/Sykesville MD | TheBusPlace.com Ford | 61 | Accident |
| 28 | 33 | 48 | James Hylton/Inman SC | Radon.com Ford | 60 | Running |
| 29 | 38 | 66 | Damon Lusk/Kennewick WA | Hendren Motor Sports Ford | 58 | Accident |
| 30 | 7 | 90 | Brian Tyler/Parma MI | Great Clips Chevrolet | 57 | Accident |
| 31 | 13 | 4 | Mark Gibson/Winder GA | Cunningham Motorsports Dodge | 56 | Accident |
| 32 | 25 | 73 | Dale Shearer/Chillicothe MO | Dale Shearer Racing Ford | 47 | Accident |
| 33 | 23 | 1 | Ken Butler III/Lilburn GA | LoanMax.com Ford | 29 | Overheating |
| 34 | 30 | 26 | Brad Smith/Shelby Township MI | ApplianceZone.com Ford | 13 | Overheating |
| 35 | 32 | 84 | Todd Antrican/Lebanon OH | Norm Benning Racing Chevrolet | 4 | Clutch |
| 36 | 28 | 89 | Brad Dubil/Bettendorf IA | Dubil Racing Ford | 2 | Overheating |
| 37 | 36 | 0 | Wayne Peterson/Pulaski TN | Wayne Peterson Racing Chevrolet | 1 | Handling |
| MENARDS POLE AWARD PRESENTED BY ANSELL: Justin Lofton, 32.332 seconds, 110.592 mph, *NTR | ||||||
_____________________________________________
WHITT Wins the Bettenhausen in commanding fashion
by: Terry Young
Cole Whitt made short order of the field today in Springfield, Illinois totally dominating the BETTENHAUSEN 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Whitt was the class of the field in his CW Management Services, Ferguson- Moen, Red Bull Brannan Chevrolet powered Eagle Chassis sporting Hoosier Racing Tires.
Whitt held off several late charges by runner up Stanbrough and was able to command his lead on several restarts which slowed the field.
Following Whitt at the stripe was Stanbrough, Levi Jones, A.J. Fike and Josh Wise who rounded out the top 5.
Racing action continues tomorrow on the mighty Springfield Mile with the ARCA Automobile Racing Club of America stock cars and the WYNN'S Sportsman Nationals which will bring the fair to a close for it's 157th time!
For photos of Saturday's event, CLICK HERE
UNOFFICIAL FINISH:
Finish / Starting
Position / Driver Name / Laps Completed
1. (1) Cole Whitt 100 Laps
2. (5) Jon Stanbrough 100 Laps
3. (3) Levi Jones 100 Laps
4. (6) A.J. Fike 100 Laps
5. (9) Josh Wise 100 Laps
6. (2) Tracy Hines 100 Laps
7. (4) Dave Darland 100 Laps
8. (22) Bud Kaeding 100 Laps
9. (11) Derek Hagar 100 Laps
10.(8) Shane Hollingsworth 100 Laps
11.(14) Tony Elliott 100 Laps
[B][I]12. (16) Zach Daum 100 Laps[/I][/B]
13.(13) Tom Capie 99 Laps
14.(20) Eric Todd 99 Laps
15.(23) Patrick Bruns 99 Laps
16.(21) Justin Carver 98 Laps
17.(24) Rex Norris III 94 Laps
[B][I]18.(17) Terry Babb 91 Laps[/I][/B]
[B][I]19.(15) Donnie Beechler 76 Laps[/I][/B]
20.(18) Kody Swanson 76 Laps
21.(7) Jerry Coons, Jr. 26 Laps
22.(10) Brian Tyler 22 Laps
23.(19) Matt Westfall 22 Laps
24.(12) Shane Hmiel 16 Laps
25.(25) John Barrick 10 Laps
26.(26) Russ Gamester 1 lap
Skynrd Rocks Illinois…
just roaming the expansive grounds. No matter your fancy.. there is plenty
to see and plenty to do with even more to eat! Don't miss the state fair
motorsports action presented under the watchful eye of Track Enterprises Bob
Sargent and his team. Whatever discipline of racing you prefer, it is all
there be it motocross racing in the all purpose arena, USAC Silver Crown
dirt car action and ARCA stock car action all on the hallowed "mighty mile".
Tickets are still available by calling Track Enterprises at (217)764-3200.
_________________________________________________________
The 157th
Illinois State Fair… 
___________________________________________________________
Only at the Illinois State Fair
by: Terry Young
Reuben dogs, Red Bull energy slush's, deep-fried brats, burger on a stick, deep fried turkey sandwiches... thinking of these can only mean one thing. The ILLINOIS STATE FAIR is just around the corner. Illinois State Fair food concessionaires always tend to offer up new creations each year.
Along with the tried and true traditional staples of the fair including the
butter cow carving, the ever popular grandstand acts and the number of
Illinois State Police troopers in their crisply pressed tan uniforms who
roam the grounds helping fairgoers.
The culmination of the fair is always the last weekend filled with racing action from the USAC Silver Crown dirt cars which has seen the likes of legends such as Mario Andretti, the Unsers, A.J. Foyt etc to the ARCA stock cars which has witnessed nail biting performances from the likes of A.J. Foyt, Jack Bowsher, Frank Kimmel, Dean Roper and even local standout, now NASCAR Nationwide Series leading rookie contender Justin Allgaier.
The Illinois State Fair has something for everyone and is a great way to
pass a day, cruising the grounds looking at
the agricultural
equipment used in today's farming, the Conservation World including everything
from lumberjack
demonstrations to fish displays or the evening highlight each night of the
fair when the fireworks display takes place at dusk. There is also a variety
of entertainment in the beer gardens and whether your choice is rock and
roll or good country twang, you will find something to your liking.
Admission to the fair is just $5.00 for 13 and over, children ages 5 through 12 are $2.00 with children under 5 free. Seniors aged 60 and over pay just $2.00. If State Fair Director Amy Bliefnick ever designs a scheme to weigh fairgoers on their entry and weigh them on their exit and charge according to their gain, this particular fairgoer will be in major trouble! All of the good food and drink available at the fair is entirely too inviting and for the 11 day run of the fair I vow off of the weight watchers and indulge in the annual availability that can only be provided by the Illinois State Fair!
Stay tuned as we bring you highlights of the 157th presentation of the ILLINOIS STATE FAIR, most every day of the fair we will bring you photos and highlights as well as spotlighting some aspect of the event.
_________________
SEVEN ILLINOIS SOLDIERS SERVE AS GRAND MARSHALS
OF THE 2009 ILLINOIS STATE FAIR TWILIGHT PARADE
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - With the 2009 Illinois State Fair theme "An All American Fair" it is only fitting to recognize the many servicemen and servicewomen who fight to protect the freedoms that make America what it is today. With this in mind, members of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Illinois Army National Guard have been selected to serve as Grand Marshal of the 2009 Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade.
"We wanted to choose a Grand Marshal that encapsulates the American Spirit, and who better than American Soldiers," said Illinois State Fair Manager, Amy Bliefnick. "We should never forget that the many freedoms we are given everyday, come with a price, and we thought this would be a small, but nice way to thank our Soldiers and the many others who have given their lives for our country."
The servicemen acting as Grand Marshal include a Commander, a First Sergeant and five decorated Soldiers who were wounded in action. The 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team's deployment to
The servicemen who will serve as the 2009 Twilight Parade Grand Marshal are:
Captain Lenny Williams - Commander, B. Battery, 2-122 Field Artillery of Dyer,
First Sergeant Ed Panosh - First Sergeant of A. Battery, 2-122 Field Artillery of
Sergeant Dirk Bryant, A Battery - Received Purple Heart from Deployment of
Sergeant Michael Brown, B Battery - Received Purple Heart from Deployment of
Specialist Mitch Chapman, A Battery - Received Purple Heart from Deployment of
Specialist Kayleb Cash, B Battery - Received Purple Heart from Deployment of
Specialist
These Soldiers of the 33rd Infantry
Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) departed in June 2008, about 4 months ahead of
the 33rd IBCT main body. While there, the Soldiers of A and
B Batteries
formed a Security Forces (SECFOR) team under Capt. Williams' command. The
unit performed Police Mentor duties on 32 Forward Operating Bases throughout
The command team was issued Bronze
Stars and Combat Action Badges; the five other Soldiers received Purple
Hearts and Combat Action Badges or Combat Infantry Badges.
The SECFOR team also remembers four Soldiers killed in action during their time in
"We are so proud of our Illinois Soldiers and the risks they take everyday in the name of freedom,"
The Twilight Parade is held on Preview Day, Thursday, August 13th. It will begin at 6 p.m. at the corner of 9th Street and North Grand in Springfield, and end inside the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The Illinois State Fair runs Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 23.
Watch this site for coverage of everything motorsports as well as additional coverage of the Illinois State Fair from our correspondent Terry Young
•