Perfect evening for racing at Macon Speedway Saturday night

MACON, IL (Sept 1) -  Fans had a perfect evening for racing at Macon Speedway Saturday night. With the track in pristine condition due to some very lucky cool weather, the stage was set for some fast, high-banked racing action on the legendary dirt at Macon. Even veteran drivers such as Jim Leka from Illiopolis were taking the high groove. On any other night, experience drivers would stick to the bottom of the turns like glue. Chalk it up to an aggressive maintenance strategy by the track crews at Macon Speedway that have done a great job all year long keeping the track in racing form.

In a controversial finish in the BARBECK Communications Modified feature race, Jim Leka would take the checkered flag, his sixth of the season. With five laps to go, Leka and Brian McLemore got together exiting turn two. Leka lost control of his car and spun. The field restarted with Leka in first place. Fans in the stands were split on whether or not Leka or McLemore should've started in the lead. It seemed as though McLemore's contact on Leka was unintentional, but a few vociferous fans seemed to disagree. Decatur's Al Crawley ran a good race and finished in third.

Dave Smith was back in winning form again, taking the Hogan Grain/Kubota Sportsman feature over second and third place finishers Mike Pickering and Greg Kimmons. Smith started on the pole and had to use every bit of racing experience to keep two very successful Macon Speedway regulars behind him. This win marks Smith's first at Macon since June 14th, a winless streak he was happy to end.

All the way from St. Charles, Missouri, Mike Hammerle is the 2007 Chevrolet Late Model Track Champion. “I just like a short track.” Hammerle joked when asked why he makes the long drive all the way to Macon. Hammerle’s only win at the track came on July 28th, but anytime he’s in the field, you can be sure he’s finishing toward the front.

Jayme Zidar took the checkered flag in the last Late Model feature race of the 2007 Macon Speedway season. All the way from Greenfield, Wisconsin, Zidar ended his season with five total feature wins, the most of any driver this year. “I appreciate all the fans supporting us through the year.” Zidar remarked during his post-race interview.

It's been far too long since the hundreds of Katie Lord fans got to see their driver take a checkered flag. Lord crossed the finish line first in Street Stock heat #2 in front of Springfield's Roy Magee. In front of a standing ovation, Lord took her victory lap. In the post-race interview, Lord said she plans on running in the modified class next year.

The sun will rise, you’ll pay your taxes, and Steve Ewing will win the Street Stock feature at Macon Speedway. Ewing won his 12th feature of the season and continues his astounding seven race winning streak. Cruising into victory lane, as he’s done so many times this season, Ewing was asked if it’s a foregone conclusion that he’ll win the Street Stock Championship this year, “I’ve always had bad luck in the big races. I don’t want to jinx myself.” Bruce Dulgar tacked another Hornet feature win onto his total for the season, now up to five.