Track Schedules

Macon Speedway’s Last Hoorah in 2008 Welcomes O’Reilly POWRi Midgets and Micros

MACON, IL (Sept 27) - A tough season of racing came to a close Saturday night at the world’s fastest 1/5th mile dirt track. Weather and the economy played a key role in the 2008 season at Macon Speedway. Lots of rainouts coming at critical times in the season added with gouging gasoline prices soured the 2008 schedule but much hope exists for 2009 and the 64th consecutive racing season at Macon Speedway.

To round out the schedule in 2008, Macon Speedway welcomed the O’Reilly POWRi Midgets and Micros to the track. Along with the open wheel action, the fans got their final chance at seeing the UMP BARBECK Modifieds, Street Stocks and both Pro and Am Hornets.

The final night of racing started with the O’Reilly POWRi Micros. Quick racing from one turn to another started the evening under the lights. The crowd turned up with excitement to get in their final night of racing action until April 2009.

The feature events started with the O’Reilly POWRi Micros. Lightning fast racing on an equally fast track resulted in top notch racing. Dereck King of Vienna, IL., went back and forth with Austin Brown of Millstadt, IL., who won in August when the POWRi Micros were last here. King not only took the checkered flag but he also wrapped up the National Championship in the O’Reilly POWRi Micros.

Dave Crawley, Jr. picked up his seventh BARBECK Modified feature win of 2008. With a huge lead, Crawley was dominating the field, but a caution flag put the racing back to bumper-bumper and allowed Aaron Burcham the chance to challenge for the lead. He was unable to do so with a few laps left and Crawley took the checkered flag.

The O’Reilly POWRi Midget feature showcased some of the quickest cars on dirt as Brad Loyet of Sunset Hill, MO., battled with Micro feature winner Dereck King. Zach Daum, Tim Siner and Donnie Lehman all tried to keep pace but Loyet and King were too fast. After the 30-lap feature was over, Loyet had taken the checkered flag and King took second.

The Street Stock feature continued to thrill the fans as Terry Reed and Troy Dodson battled for the top spot in the final feature of 2008. Reed held off the challenge of Dodson and also former champion Larry Russell, Jr. For the Decatur native, it was his first feature of the year.

The Pro Hornets saw a fun race as Joe Reed returned to form in his new car to win his eighth feature of the year, and it wouldn’t be the first time that car would be in victory lane as Richard Crawford edged Heidi Hames for the Amateur Hornets feature win.

The evening wrapped up as Macon Speedway officials got the chance to remember the rules of racing and strap on a helmet and race around the track they’ve been a huge part of this summer. Former Street Stock driver and current Macon Speedway flagman Joey Webb took top honors in the hornet-driven Official’s race. He did so in the same car that Joe Reed and Richard Crawford put into victory lane. Hankins Racing donated a trophy as well as a beef jerky stick and Laffy Taffy to Webb on a job well done and a race won.

The 2008 racing season at Macon Speedway is now finished. The season kicked off back on Saturday, April 5, with a special night called the “Spring Fling” where Late Models and Modified drivers raced for big first place prize money and victories were claimed by Kyle Logue and Jim Leka, who would go on to become track champions. The season continued all summer long with NASCAR Nights and special Late Model races like the first-ever joint-track challenge, the Big Ten Series, which was won by Kyle Logue. When the final lap was waved by James Hankins at 10:40pm, the season officially came to a close.

The 2009 season is almost upon us…so close and yet so far. Macon Speedway wishes to thank all those who made the season possible, from sponsors to drivers to fans, very much. Without them, the season would not have been possible. The drivers of Macon Speedway brought all kinds of excitement which continued to wow the crowds on a weekly basis. Thank you fans. Thank you drivers. Thank you everyone for making the 2008 season a season to remember.