DEFENDING HOME TURF: Spatola Nets First Career World of Outlaws Win

When the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models come to Illinois, they face a hungry contingent of regional drivers, looking to take home a victory.

That was the case Friday night at Farmer City Raceway, as Mike Spatola led two other Prairie State drivers across the finish line on night one of the Illini 100 to claim his first career World of Outlaws win.

“Opie” took the lead on Lap 5 of the 25-Lap Feature and never looked back.

Even though the Manhattan,IL driver led most of the race, it wasn’t an easy task. He had Ryan Unzicker and Bobby Pierce breathing down his neck in the final stages of the race.

Spatola said he knew he had to stay conservative in the last five laps.

“I was so tight going into the corner early in the race, that I almost shoved up into the wall three or four times,” Spatola said.

He said he knew keeping the car on the high-side of the racetrack, was where he’d find success.

“I know I backed up to [Unzicker and Pierce] and made it really interesting, but it was what I needed to do to protect and get the win,” Spatola said.

While Spatola was protecting the top, it was Ryan Unzicker inching closer on the bottom with each lap, just narrowly missing out on a win. He fell back a little bit early in the race but battled back for the runner-up spot.

“I was trying to search the middle and the top, and it really wasn’t my cup of tea,” said Unzicker. I kind of found a rhythm on the bottom, and that’s where I’ve won a lot of races before.

Bobby Pierce was also battling in the final stages of the event, working the top side of the track. He got right to the back of Spatola’s car but didn’t have enough to get by. Pierce knew he left the bottom open for Unzicker to have a chance.

“I thought [Unzicker] was going to sneak in there and win it, because [Spatola] seemed to be slowing down just a little bit,” Pierce said. I couldn’t really go anywhere, but I had the best seat in the house to watch [the race].

Pierce was hoping for the race to stay green a little longer. All three cautions came in the final ten laps.

“In traffic I think I would’ve had a real good shot at maybe getting by [Spatola] somehow, but all in all it’s not a bad night,” Pierce said.

Tanner English finished fourth in Friday’s Morton Buildings Feature. Brandon Sheppard was the first tour regular over the line, finishing fifth.

It was a tough night for the three-time and defending champion, after his qualifying run didn’t give him the start he was looking for. The New Berlin, IL campaigner made the Feature by winning one of the two Last Chance Showdowns.

“We screwed ourselves up in qualifying, and we knew we had a good car, but it was just digging out of a hole after that,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard was the hard charger in the race, moving up 13 spots. He also cut down Kyle Strickler’s point lead.

“The High Side Tickler” only has a 44 point advantage heading into Saturday’s race.

The World of Outlaws Morton Building Late Models are back in action Saturday night at Farmer City Raceway, for night two of the Illini 100. The Feature will be 75-Laps, paying $20,000 to the winner.

If you can’t make it to the event, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.

Morton Buildings Feature (25 Laps)-1. 89-Mike Spatola [3][$6,000]; 2. 24-Ryan Unzicker [1][$3,000]; 3. 32P-Bobby Pierce [5][$2,000]; 4. 81E-Tanner English [10][$1,750]; 5. 1-Brandon Sheppard [18][$1,500]; 6. 97-Cade Dillard [12][$1,400]; 7. OE-Rick Eckert [17][$1,300]; 8. 3S-Brian Shirley [4][$1,200]; 9. 18B-Shannon Babb [7][$1,100]; 10. 19R-Ryan Gustin [16][$1,000]; 11. 99B-Boom Briggs [19][$900]; 12. 9-Devin Moran [22][$850]; 13. 16-Tyler Bruening [8][$800]; 14. 28-Dennis Erb [25][$175]; 15. 10S-Taylor Scheffler [2][$750]; 16. 8-Kyle Strickler [23][$700]; 17. 25-Shane Clanton [15][$660]; 18. 44-Chris Madden [14][$640]; 19. 18-Chase Junghans [27][$110]; 20. 11T-Trevor Gundaker [21][$600]; 21. 29V-Darrell Lanigan [6][$600]; 22. 7-Ricky Weiss [24][$600]; 23. 20RT-Ricky Thornton [9][$600]; 24. 6-Blake Spencer [28][$110]; 25. B1-Brent Larson [11][$600]; 26. 83-Scott James [13][$600]; 27. 91-Rusty Schlenk [20][$600]; 28. O-Scott Bloomquist [26][$110] Hard Charger: 1-Brandon Sheppard[+13]

Qualifying Flight-A-1. 32P-Bobby Pierce, 12.535; 2. 24-Ryan Unzicker, 12.551; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton, 12.621; 4. B1-Brent Larson, 12.667; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley, 12.677; 6. 11-Gordy Gundaker, 12.696; 7. 21B-Rich Bell, 12.719; 8. 18B-Shannon Babb, 12.724; 9. 44S-Colin Shipley, 12.737; 10. 25-Shane Clanton, 12.759; 11. 83-Scott James, 12.775; 12. OE-Rick Eckert, 12.78; 13. 11T-Trevor Gundaker, 12.82; 14. 28-Dennis Erb, 12.829; 15. B12-Kevin Weaver, 12.83; 16. 18L-Jeffrey Ledford, 12.9; 17. 2M-Allen Murray, 12.901; 18. 8-Kyle Strickler, 12.906; 19. 99B-Boom Briggs, 12.972; 20. 7-Ricky Weiss, 13.008; 21. 162-Logan Moody, 13.174; 22. 25F-Jason Feger, 13.238; 23. 1M-Eric Midkiff, 14.395

Qualifying Flight-B-1. 10S-Taylor Scheffler, 12.478; 2. 89-Mike Spatola, 12.495; 3. 29V-Darrell Lanigan, 12.497; 4. 28M-Jimmy Mars, 12.581; 5. 9-Devin Moran, 12.628; 6. 16-Tyler Bruening, 12.666; 7. 44-Chris Madden, 12.691; 8. 97-Cade Dillard, 12.696; 9. 81E-Tanner English, 12.728; 10. 19R-Ryan Gustin, 12.749; 11. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 12.755; 12. 91-Rusty Schlenk, 12.858; 13. 99JR-Frank Heckenast, 12.899; 14. O-Scott Bloomquist, 12.92; 15. 18-Chase Junghans, 12.93; 16. 59-Garrett Alberson, 12.942; 17. 58-Jeremiah Hurst, 12.994; 18. 30-Mike Glasscock, 13.027; 19. 40B-Kyle Bronson, 13.066; 20. 6-Blake Spencer, 13.666; 21. 32-Chris Simpson, 13.765; DQ. 15-Kolby Vandenbergh, 12.868; DQ. 20-Dustin Vandermeir, 13.656

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Illini 100
April 1, 2021 to April 3, 2021
Farmer City Raceway
850 N Grove St.
Farmer City, IL 

Event Description
After two thrilling weekends in Tennessee and South Carolina, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series makes a quick turnaround for one of the biggest races on its schedule, the 13th annual Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway. The Illini features one of the most unique formats in dirt Late Model racing. Things kick off with a night of practice, preceding a 25-lap, $6,000-to-win Morton Buildings Feature on Friday, which will set the stage for a 75-lap, $20,000-to-win finale on Saturday.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series, DIRTcar Late Models, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, DIRTcar Stock Cars, DIRTcar Pro Late Models

Late Model Track Record
11.750 seconds by Brandon Sheppard on 4/5/19

Event Schedule
Thursday
Pits open at 4
Practice 5-8

Friday
Pit Gates at Noon
Front Gates at 1 PM
Drivers Meeting at 5:30 PM
Hot Laps at 6:00 PM
1 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Hot Laps
2 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps
3 American Modified Series Hot Laps
4 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying - 2 Cars/2 Laps
5 American Modified Series Qualifying - 1 Lap
6 DIRTcar Stock Car Hot Laps
7 Opening Ceremonies
8 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Heats - 8 Laps
9 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Heats - 10 Laps
10 American Modified Series Qualifying Feature 1 - 15 Laps
11 DIRTcar Stock Car Heats - 8 Laps
12 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
13 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model LCS - 10 Laps
14 American Modified Series Qualifying Feature 2 - 15 Laps
15 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Feature - 25 Laps
16 American Modified Series Qualifying Feature 3 - 15 Laps (if needed)
17 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Feature - 20 Laps
18 DIRTcar Stock Car Feature - 15 Laps
19 American Modified Series Qualifying Feature 4 - 15 Laps (if needed)

Saturday
Pit Gates at Noon
Front Gates at 12:30 PM
Autograph Session from 3:00pm 4:00pm
Drivers Meeting at 4:30 PM
Hot Laps at 5:00 PM
1 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Hot Laps
2 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Hot Laps
3 American Modified Series Hot Laps - Cars in LCS only
4 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying - 2 Cars/2 Laps
5 Opening Ceremonies
6 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Heats - 8 Laps
7 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Heats - 10 Laps
8 American Modified Series LCS - 10 Laps
9 American Modified Series Hot Laps - cars qualified for feature on Friday only
10 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
11 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model LCS - 10 Laps
12 American Modified Series Feature - 30 Laps
13 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Feature - 75 Laps
14 DIRTcar Pro Late Model Feature - 20 Laps

**Flex Scheduling**


*All times Central

Options And Prices
ADVANCED TICKET PRICE:
Trackside Parking: $75 (SOLD OUT)
2-Day Reserved Package: $70
2-Day General Admission Package $60; Children 12-and-under $25
Friday Reserved: $35
Friday General Admission: $30; Children 12-and-under $15
Saturday Reserved: $40
Saturday General Admission: $35; Children 12-and-under $15


Price after March 31st:
2-Day Reserved Package: $80
2-Day General Admission Package $70; Children 12-and-under $25
Friday Reserved: $40
Friday General Admission: $35; Children 12-and-under $15
Saturday Reserved: $45
Saturday General Admission: $40; Children 12-and-under $15

PIT PASSES
Thursday - $25
Friday - $40
Saturday - $45
Two-day band - $70
Three-day band- $85
Daily Pit Kids- $25 (12-under)


Pit Pass Price
Thursday - $25 Friday - $40 Saturday - $45 Two-day band - $70 Three-day band- $85 Daily Pit Kids- $25 (12-under)

Parking Cost
Parking on racetrack property is free of charge.

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$30-$50

Reserved Seating
The Top row of Section A, Top 5 rows of section D, and top 12 rows of Section B and C

Type of Grandstand
Farmer City Raceway offers bleacher style grandstands.

Stadium Seating
Farmer City Raceway does no allow the use of chairs for its events.

Handicapped Seating
Handicap seating is available in the front rows of the grandstands.

Pit Age Limit
There is no age limits for the pit area. Minors 17 and younger must have a signed parent waiver form.

Personal Coolers
No coolers are allowed to be brought in to the grandstand area.

Credit Card Use
None

Alcohol Sales
Farmer City Raceway does sell alcohol at its concession stands.

Smoking Policy
Farmer City Raceway does not allow smoking in the grandstands.

Family Section
Farmer City Raceway does no offer a Family Section.

Parking Cost
Parking on racetrack property is free of charge.

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$30-$50

Closest Airport
Bloomington, IL (BMI / KBMI) Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Normal

Other Airport
Champaign, IL (CMI / KCMI) University of Illinois Willard Airport

Farmer City Raceway
850 N Grove St.
Farmer City, IL 

Track Phone
(309) 928-9110

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size & Type
0.25

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
Event Format:
1-20 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Two Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
21-24 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
25-27 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | Top 6 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw | One LCS | Top 4 Transfer
28-31 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |One LCS | Top 6 Transfer
32-47 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |Two LCS | Top 3 Transfer
48+ Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Six Heats | Top 3 Transfer | Heat Race Winner Redraws | Three LCS | Top 2 Transfer

Friday Event Payout: 25 Laps
1. $6,000; 2. $3,000; 3. $2,000; 4. $1,750; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,400; 7. $1,300; 8. $1,200; 9. $1,100; 10. $1,000; 11.$900; 12. $850; 13. $800; 14. $775; 15. $750; 16. $700; 17. $660; 18. $640; 19. $620; 20. $600; 21. 600; 22. $600; 23. $600; 24. $600 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Saturday Event Payout: 75 Laps
1. $20,000; 2. $10,000; 3. $5,000; 4. $4,000; 5. $3,500; 6. $3,000; 7. $2,800; 8. $2,700; 9. $2,600; 10. $2,500; 11.$2,000; 12. $1,800; 13. $1,600; 14. $1,500; 15. $1,400; 16. $1,300; 17. $1,200; 18. $1,200; 19. $1,200; 20. $1,200; 21. $1,200; 22. $1,200; 23. $1,200; 24. $1,200 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Technical & Safety Rules:
GENERAL RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 1
TECHNICAL & SAFETY RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 3
Weight Rule is 2350. Pound per lap burn off in the Feature event ONLY

Tire Rules:
ALL FOUR (4) CORNERS: LM-20
RIGHT REAR OPTION: LM-30 & LM-40
GROOVING AND SIPING IS ALLOWED