Randy Hall Opens 2009 UEMS Season with Chiller Thriller Victory
March 29, 2009
Randy Hall, the defending United Emod Series champion made a statement last night at Mercer Raceway Park (PA) that he was all set to defend his title by easily winning the annual Chiller Thriller to kick off the 2009 UEMS title chase. The Olean, New York driver picked up his third win of the 2009 season as he picked up a pair of wins in Florida in February.
Thirty Emods from New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio helped kicked off the ten race UEMS series. Hall who was just coming off winning $10,000 during the Alltel All Star Fan voting contest drew the pole position for the 25 lap main event. Sophomore Emod driver, Kyle Bedell sat on the outside pole to start the event but Hall immediately shot to the front in his Follman’s Rental Properties machine and would lead lap one before the first yellow of the night would come out for the multiple cars of Joel Watson, who won the last UEMS event at Mercer in October, Tim Engles, Mike Eschrich, Dave Atkinson and Scott Stiffler. Hall again got a good restart on Bedell and drove away but as the field completed lap 2 the yellow would come out again for John Woodward who slowed suddenly and the cars of Atkinson, Kari Gasser and Mike Knight sat sideways. A pair of restarts would get lap three completed as the yellow fever seemed to be setting in for the opening UEMS event of the year. Another restart saw the same fate for Bedell as Hall again drove away but hard crash on the front stretch ended the night for Shawn Shingledecker, Larry Kugel and Watson.
The restart still had Hall on the point with Greg Johnson sitting beside him with ninth starting Rich Michael in third. Hall again took off leaving Johnson, Michael, Russ Dunn and Bedell behind. Bedell and thirteenth starter, Tim Peterson made contact resulting Bedell and sixteenth starter Daryl Charlier getting together to bring out the sixth yellow of the event. With five laps in, the top five showed Hall leading Russ Dunn, Johnson, Michael and Dave Hess. A series of green flag laps saw Hall open up a comfortable lead as the battle for second was highly contested between Dunn and Michael, with Johnson and Hess battling it out for fourth. Lap nine would see the yellow come back out again as Daryl Charlier would come to a stop in turn four with a dropped driveshaft ending the night for the Midway Missile. Hall again got a great restart as Dunn and Michael were in a dogfight for second until lap eleven as the second and third place finishers made contact coming out of turn two resulting in both spinning out and the yellow lights being flashed again. The new top five still saw Hall, the 2009 Alltel All star Champion in the lead over the 2008 Alltel All star Florida Champion, Dave Hess Jr. Greg Johnson sat third ahead of thirteenth starting Tim Peterson and seventeenth starting Brent Rhebergan was now in fifth.
Hall again took off on the restart as Johnson got around Hess for second while Peterson was working the inside of Hess. With ten laps to go, it was still Hall in command while Johnson and Hess were now competing for the second spot with Peterson and Rhebergan still in fourth and fifth. The final yellow of the event would come out on lap eighteen for Tim Engles who spun on the front stretch and while during the yellow, the fifth place running car of Rhebergan came to a stop with an undisclosed mechanical problem. The top five with seven laps remaining was still Mr. Alltel All Star, Randy Hall, Johnson Hess, Peterson and Rich Michael was back to fifth from his lap even encounter with Russ Dunn. Hall again controlled the start masterfully as he pulled away from his competitors. Hess went to the top shelf of turn one and two to clear Johnson and it appeared maybe the two Florida Alltel winners would duke it out for the win but it was clear that Hall was in full control and would lead the final seven laps to become the first two-time United Emod Series winner and defend his 2008 Chiller Thriller victory and leave Mercer $800 richer and the early series point leader in his title defense. Hess came home second with Johnson finishing a fantastic third. Tim Peterson was fourth from his thirteenth starting spot and Russ Dunn recovered for fifth. The next top five saw Chad Silleman come home in a fine sixth over twenty-second place starting Jason Stetson, Tim Engles who started dead last was eighth, Rich Michael was ninth and 2008 Ohio Alltel All Star Champion, Mike Knight came home in tenth from his eighteenth starting spot.
Qualifying heat winners were Hess, Shingledecker and Michael, while Mike Knight captured the consolation event. In the Allen’s Wine & Liquor Victory Lane, Hall was quick to thank the fans for the support during the Alltel All star voting and apologized to the fans for the many cautions in the event. Hall drives the yellow and blue #10 BMS chassis, sponsored by Follman Rental Properties, Absolute Powder Coating, AFCO, Close Racing Supply, Cloud Co., Drive Shaft Specialist, Heron Indian Smokes, JJ Bucher, Portville Truck & Auto Repair Inc., R&R Transmission, Stephan Oil Field Service, Smith Fabrication and American Racer Tire.
The opening UEMS event at Mercer featured thirty teams entering with only Hall and Watson being the only winners from 2008 being on hand. Hall’s win broke a streak of four straight second place finishes in UEMS competition and he became the first multiple winner of the series. Kari Gasser became the first female to compete in ULMS Racing Series history. Gasser who has lot of seat time in an Emod and full blown late model competition was a welcome addition to the ULMS Racing family. Dave Hess, Mike Knight and Randy Hall all have won the Alltel All star fan vote were on hand competing at Mercer in UEMS competition.
The United Emod Series is now off till May 9 when the ULMS Racing Series has a double header at McKean County Raceway as both the UEMS Emods and the Northern Tier Inc ULMS Late Models will be on the same program.
CHILLER THRILLER RESULTS:
RANDY HALL, Dave Hess Jr, Greg Johnson, Tim Peterson, Russ Dunn, Chad Silleman, Jason Stetson, Tim Engles, Rich Michael Jr., Mike Knight, John Woodward Jr., Kyle Bedell, Brent Rhebergen, Richard Stiffler, Darryl Charlier, Justin Carlson, Justin Tatlow, Shawn Shingledecker, Larry Kugel Mike Eschrich, Kari Gasser, Dave Atkinson, Joel Watson, Scott Stiffler
DNS: Jack Young (Scratch)
DNQ: Clayton Kennedy, Tom Norland, Gary Fisher, Vic Vena, Dale Charlier
CLOSE RACING SUPPLY – GRT Race Cars Heat #1:
Dave Hess, Joel Watson, Kari Gasser, Chad Silleman, Tim Peterson, Daryl Charlier, Jason Stetson, Tim Engles, Gary Fisher, Richard Stiffler
HOOSIER TIRE Mid Atlantic Heat #2:
Shawn Shingledecker, John Woodward, Justin Tatlow, Kyle Bedell, Larry Kugel, Justin Carlson, Tom Norland, Mike Eschrich, Scott Stiffler, Vic Vena
LIAS TIRE – American Racer Tire Heat #3:
Rich Michael, Russ Dunn, Randy Hall, Greg Johnson, Jack Young, Brent Rhebergan, Mike Knight, Dave Atkinson, Clayton Kennedy, Dale Charlier (DNS)
R&M Home and Auto / Cousins Designs / Allen’s Wine & Liquor Consolation:
Mike Knight, Scott Stiffler, Mike Eschrich, Dave Atkinson, Jason Stetson, Richard Stiffler, Tim Engles, Clayton Kennedy. DNS: Vic Vena, Gary Fisher, Tom Norland
AWARDS:
LIAS TIRE – American Racer Tire Award: Randy Hall
HOOSIER TIRE Mid Atlantic: Dave Hess Jr.
GENESIS SHOCKS Award: Dave Hess Jr.
Contact Info For Race Day (March 28)
March 27, 2009
UEMS CONTACT # FOR TOMORROW: (March 28)
My contact # for tomorrow (Chris – ULMS Racing Series)
Please use these numbers if you need to contact me (Chris Zuver) on Saturday:
Cell# 716-378-4692
Between 10-11am I will be at my parents (814) 465-7735 (have no cell service there)
After 11am you can call either 716-378-4692 or 814-598-1186
I plan on being on the road at 11 am heading to Mercer.
Accuweather has the best forecast right now and if it is accurate, the show will be rushed due to the weather!
Pit Gates @ 3:30 PM
Stands @ 4:30 PM
Hot Laps @ 6:15 PM
Racing @ 7 PM
UEMS Rule Modification
March 11, 2009
As many of you know, ULMS Racing Series officials teched cars at Mercer for the UEMS opener and all but three passed the body tech. Three cars failed due to their nosepieces as they had some sort of fin on each side of the front nose filler piece, which acts as a wing!
This is illegal. You will be asked to cut off or flatten the lip on the filler piece. UEMS will allow a 1/2? tolerance on the sides of the nose, hood, sides. Unapproved bodies deemed illegal by UEMS will NOW BE ASSESSED 200# WEIGHT PENALTY (2600#). This will take effect on May 9 at the next UEMS event, at McKean County Raceway. I am not going to nit pick the bodies, but I do ask that you at least conform to the 1/2″ tolerance rule.
Also, the rear window posts must be the same. If one rear window post is open the other window post must be open or they both must be closed.
UEMS Kicks Off ‘09 Season On March 28 At Mercer
March 4, 2009
The United Emod Series kicks off their sophomore season on March 28 at Mercer Raceway Park with the annual “Chiller Thriller” event. This will be the first of ten scheduled events on the United Emod Series 2009 slate. The anticipation over the winter months for the second year for the Emod series has been tremendous and a good field of entries is expected for 2009’s first event. Race teams from McKean County, Stateline, Eriez, Raceway 7, Sharon, Tri City, Pittsburgh, Little Valley Speedway and elsewhere are expected to be on hand.
Randy Hall is the defending UEMS “Chiller Thriller” winner along with the defending UEMS Champion will no doubt be on hand hot off winning the 2009 Speedweeks Alltel DIRTcar AllStar challenge will be looking to be the first two time UEMS winner as the series has yet had a repeat winner. Rich Michael of Ischua, NY is expected to be on hand as well. Michael was the 2007 “Chiller Thriller” winner and finished second in the final UEMS point battle. Dave Hess Jr. of Waterford, PA was third in the final UEMS points will no doubt be on hand as well and both he and Michael will be looking for their first UEMS win. Other notable Emod stars such as central New York IMCA star, George Catanzano, Vic Vena, Joe Weber, Chris Peterson, Dave Will, TJ Downs, Greg Larson, Russ Dunn, Carl McKinney, Gary Eicher, Shawn Shingledecker, Mike Eschrich, Justin Tatlow, Tim Peterson, Darren Tarabori, along with dirt late model veteran, Al Brewer and many others will be looking for the $800 first place prize.
Last years inaugural event drew 29 entries from three states as Hall won the event. The series finished the inaugural season at Mercer in October with a car count of 59 cars as Ohio’s, Joel Watson topped the field. This will be the only tune up for the UEMS teams as they will return to Mercer in October for the Keystone Open, which will be the richest Emod event in the state of Pennsylvania!
The United Emod Series will draw for their heat race qualifying positions and the top twelve positions will redraw for the 25 lap – $800 to win main event. There will be a $10 entry fee for the “Chiller Thriller.”
The pit gates open at 3:30 PM, with the grandstands opening an hour later. Hot laps begin at 6:15 PM and the first green flag of the year drops at 7PM. Pit pass is $30. Adult grandstand admission is $15, students (6-15) are $7, family pass is $35 and kids under age 5 will be free. In case of inclement weather, this event has a make up date for the following weekend (April 4).
Mercer Raceway Park is a 3/8-mile slightly banked clay oval located at the former Mercer County Fairgrounds that dates back into the 1800s. It is considered to be one of the oldest race tracks in America, with the first official auto race being held on July 26, 1951.
Mercer Raceway Park is located at 555 Fairground Rd. in Mercer. The track is three miles north of I-80 exit 15 (old exit 2) just off Route 19 on Fairground Road. For more information you can call Mercer Raceway Park at 724-964-9300 or check their website out at www.mercerracewaypark.com.
The BRP Big Block Modified Tour will headline the program along with UEMS Emods, open stock cars and mini stocks will complete the “Chiller Thriller” program. For more information on ULMS Racing check www.unitedlatemodelseries.com or contact Chris Zuver by phone at 716-378-4692 or email at ulms_racing@hotmail.com.
The United Emod Series is sponsored by: Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Lias Tire – American Racer, Genesis Shocks, Close Racing Supply, GRT and BMS Race Cars, R&M Home and Auto / Amsoil, WZKZ Radio (Wellsville, NY), Cousins Designs, BillsDirtLateModels.com, RacewayMagazine.com, Justified by Grace Web Services and Oyler Action Photos.
