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Jeep
Vanwormer (Late Models) and Jeff Leka (Modifieds) closed out the
season finale at Eldora
Speedway Saturday night with wins in the United
Midwest Promoters (UMP) Fall Nationals.
CNO Photos By Nancy Feldner,
splitsecondsports.com.
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VanWormer and Leka
Close Out 2011 Eldora Season
From Eldora Speedway...
ROSSBURG – Jeep VanWormer and Jeff Leka closed out the 2011 Eldora
Speedway and UMP (United Midwestern Promoters) seasons in grand style
Saturday night with victories.
VanWormer’s emotional win came on the heels on one of the most hotly
contested Late Model events witnessed by the fans in many years; and
his emotion in victory lane emphasized just that.
While the score sheets may reflect that VanWormer led all 40 laps
around the high-banked one-half mile clay oval, that gives the race no
justice. Not one of the 40 laps was easy, as the Pinconning, MI native
had his hands full the for the entire distance that was slowed only one
time.
That caution came on lap 29 when Scott James, who was in the hunt for
the lead, smacked the turn four wall to end his strong night.
When the green flag dropped, VanWormer shot by pole-sitter Chad Smith,
who was then able to hold back Frank Heckenast, Jr. for four laps. That
trio was soon joined by Brian Shirley and Jason Feger to make an even
stronger run for the front spot. And to tighten things up even more,
the newly crowned UMP National Champion, Ryan Unzicker and James joined
the fray as the large crowd began working themselves into a frenzy.
Smith began to fade as the others got stronger, all of them within
striking distance of VanWormer.
Just near the mid-point of the event, Heckenast turned up the burner
and shot by Shirley, with Feger and James now knocking on the door as
well. With the top five under a virtual blanket, the complexion of the
race changed somewhat on that lap 29 caution. Not only did James retire
with damage, but Shirley dropped to the pit area with mechanical woes.
That left a classic three-way battle between VanWormer, Heckenast and
Feger that included dicing between lapped traffic right to the
checkered; where they finished in the order, less than seconds apart.
Kevin Coles silently slipped up to fourth at the checkered, followed by
Unzicker.
Like VanWormer, Leka was able to lead the entire distance to gather in
his second career UMP win at Eldora. One of Eldora’s strongest runners,
Brian Ruhlman, was in the hunt, but couldn’t must the power to dethrone
the high-flying Leka. For Ruhlman, it was runner-up honors two years in
a row as he finished second to Ken Schrader last season, but a mere one
inch.
Leka and Ruhlman coasted to the checkered flag, but behind them the
battle was hot right through the final lap, with Dean Hoffman, Bobby
Kitchens and Bryan Barber completing the top five.
More news and information at Eldora Speedway
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