Moyer Tops UMP/Mars Challenge

Ignoring the triple digit heat, Fred, Darryl, and I set out Saturday afternoon for the UMP/Mars Challenge super late model race at I-55 Raceway in Pevely,Mo. Promoter Ray Marler elected to push back the start time 30 minutes because of the heat, but it was still an incredibly warm evening, especially in the outer pit area, where the breeze could not reach the competitors. A total of 93 racers braved the oppressive temps to show up for the four class program, including 29 late models racing for $5,000 to win, and 29 UMP modifieds vying for an $800 top prize. The mods started things off with group qualifying, followed by the late models, with veteran Randy Korte, in his farewll season, posting the quickest lap overall at 12.316 seconds around the high banked 1/3 mile oval. Two heat races for the 20 sportsman cars were followed by three mod heats, then four late model eight lappers won by Tony Jackson,Jr, Brandon Sheppard, Brian Shirley, and Billy Moyer. All but Shirley won from the pole, with Brian starting outside row one, and all four scored fairly easy wins on the extremely tacky, fast, and somewhat rough track.  15 4 cylinder cars contested two heats, followed by position dashes for the mods and sportsman cars. The late models would be starting straight up per Mars rules, so the mod consy was up next. 11 cars were called to the track to contest  the final six spots, but when only five answered the call, the race was waved off. The ten lap 13 car late model B-main saw Justin Reed cruise to the win. Justin had finished fifth in heat two, but broke his transmission as the race ended, necessitating quick repairs by dad Mark and grandpa Wally. The top four from the B transferred on, with Mars adding two provisionals and the track also adding two despite a less than packed house, no doubt due to the heat and humidity. This left five cars on the trailer come feature time, although Iowa driver Ryan Gustin never attempted to qualify in time trials, heat, or consy.
 The Pro 4 feature was up first, with Joe Laws taking the win.
 Mods were up next, with Dean Hoffman charging to the lead from inside row two to lead the first circuit. On lap two, outside row one starter Ray Walsh took over the point, and by lap four, polesitter Mark Minor had faded to fourth, while row four starter Michael Long had advanced to third. Minor retired on lap five, and the caution waved two laps later. On the restart, Long dove under Hoffman in turn two, but was not able to clear the # 1D, with Hoffman running up on the rear fender of the # 18L. Hoffman stopped and was unable to continue, and when  Long was instructed to move to the tail of the field, he retired to the pit area, as well. This moved Jim Black to second behind Walsh, with Bobby Bittle alongside for the Delaware restart. Walsh opened a big lead as Rusty Griffaw began working his way forward, moving to third when the yellow flew on lap 11. Griffaw moved to second as the green waved, with another caution on lap 15. Top five running Rick Conoyer went pitside at this point, as the field now had more than half the starters off the track. One lap back under green, Walsh, who had been dominate throughout, came to a stop in turn two, his night over. This turned the lead over to Griffaw, who had started deep in the field. He held on the final four laps, with Bittle claiming second and Black third.
 It was now time for the 40 lap late model finale, with Jackson and Sheppard in row one. Rookie Chris Fisher lined up in his row ten spot, but  went pitside before the green waved, leaving 23 starters. Jackson shot to the early lead ahead of Sheppard and row two starters Shirley and Moyer. On lpa four, Korte passed Moyer for fourth after starting seventh. The caution flew on lap six for a spinning Tim Manville, as row seven starter Bobby Pierce, the national UMP points leader, entered the top ten. One lap back to green, Shirley shot to the runnerup spot and began to reel in the Mars point leader, Jackson. At lap 13, Moyer moved back to fourth, and one lap later Shirley slowed out of turn four, his night over. The Delaware restart saw Sheppard and Moyer line up behind Jackson, and as racing resumed, Moyer out powered B Shepp to take over second. The next lap, the veteran Moyer executed a perfect slide job to take over the lead. He then opened up a sizable lead before a lap 19 stoppage. Michael Kloos, running in sixth, spun in turns one and two, and was hammered by Jason Feger, who had no where to go. Both cars were out of action as a result. Sheppard out gunned Jackson on the restart for second, while Mars points runnerup Justin Asplin made a dandy move in turn four on lap 22 to come from sixth to fourth. On lap 28, Pierce began his charge, reentering the top five, then taking fourth on lap 30. The youngster then ran down Korte, and made several attempts to get by, but the wily veteran used lapped traffic to perfection blocking the passing lanes in turn four, where Pierces car worked best. As the checkers waved, Moyer picked up the win, with Sheppard, strong all night, in second. Korte, Pierce, and Jackson completed the top five. Sixth went to Asplin, ahead of  Manville,Scott Weber in the # 17X usually driven by Matt Santel, Billy Laycock, and Jeff Herzog. As the sportsman cars came to the track, we three hot, tired race fans headed to the parking lot. Reports say Trey Harris took the final race checkers.
 Tonight we will brave the heat again, as I will now prepare for a night of action at Quincy Raceways. If you are in the area, stop in for five classes of action, headlined by UMP late models and modifieds.