Third Annual U.M.P. Tri-Track Challenge Readies for Three State Showdown
Third Annual U.M.P. Tri-Track Challenge Readies for Three State Showdown Press Release, Prepared for Track Enterprises Contact: Michelle Petroff, (618) 406-6842 or michelle@michellepetroff.com MACON, IL (May 26, 2005) Itšs time once again for one of the most anticipated special events in Midwestern dirt late model racing The Third Annual U.M.P. Tri-Track Challenge. The Tri-Track Challenge provides an opportunity for national stars, regional standouts and local hotshoes to compete in three separate events, each at a unique race track and paying $10,000 to the winner. In addition to the $30,000 in winnings that are up for grabs, any driver that wins two of the three events will also receive a hefty $10,000 bonus! The bonus was captured in the first running of the U.M.P. mini-series and two drivers fell just short of cashing in on the extra loot in 2004. Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL, dominated the inaugural 2003 Tri-Track Challenge by sweeping all three events and earning the $10,000 bonus check a grand total of $40,000 for a great weekend of racing! The 2004 edition drew competitors from 6 different racing series and teams from the Indiana, Illinois and Missouri tri-state region as well as Arkansas, Wisconsin, Ohio and Kentucky. Shannon Babb again won the first segment and emerged as the favorite to repeat with the 2004 Tri-Track title and bonus. However, Indianašs Don OšNeal took top honors over Babb and Billy Moyer en route to his $10,000 payday on Saturday night. Entering the final leg, both Babb and OšNeal were positioned to walk away with $20,000 (the nightšs winnings + the $10,000 Tri-Track bonus) if either one could command the lead at the finale but it was ŗMr. Smooth˛ Billy Moyer who would pass OšNeal for the lucrative win. The Third Annual U.M.P. Tri-Track Challenge will once again return for a three state showdown in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri on June 3rd-4th-5th. While competitors vie for victory lane, fans will watch action-packed U.M.P. dirt late models to see who will emerge as the 2005 Tri-Track Challenge Champion. Will Shannon Babb repeat? Will 2004 Summernationalsš Champion Don OšNeal make it a clean sweep? Or will it be a first-time Tri-Track standout such as Dennis Erb, Jr., Jeep Van Wormer, Brian Shirley, Kevin Weaver or another talented driver who steals the show? Join us at Danville, Pevely and Haubstadt for an three nights of awesome door-to-door, mud-slinging entertainment and to find out first-hand! For more information on gate times, tickets and support classes, please contact each listed below. Race teams, visit www.umpracing.com for a detailed explanation of 2005 U.M.P. series rules. 2005 TRI-TRACK CHALLENGE SCHEDULE Segment #1 (June 3, 2005) Vermilion County Speedway, Danville, IL www.vermilioncountyspeedway.net or (217) 443-6588 Segment # 2 (June 4, 2005) I-55 Raceway, Pevely, MO www.i55raceway.com or (636) 479-3219 Segment #3 (June 5, 2005) Tri-State Speedway, Haubstadt, IN www.tristatespeedway.com or (812) 768-5995 2004 Tri-Track Challenge Recaps Segment #1 (June 4, 2004) Farmer City Raceway, Farmer City, IL (42 entries) Fast Qualifier: Eric Smith (IL) Dash Winner: Roger Long (IL) Heat Winners: Shannon Babb (IL), Don OšNeal (IN), Jason Feger (IL) and Ryan Dauber (IL) Consi Winners: Dan Schlieper (WI) and Matt Taylor (IL) Feature Top-5: Shannon Babb (IL), Bill Frye (AR), Roger Long (IL), Eric Smith (IL) and Brian Shirley (IL) Segment #2 (June 5, 2004) I-55 Raceway, Pevely, MO (37 entries) Fast Qualifier: Randy Korte (IL) Dash Winner: Don OšNeal (IN) Heat Winners: Billy Moyer (AR), Duke Whiseant (AR), Kevin Weaver (IL) and Mark Voigt (IL) Consi Transfers: Dan Schlieper (WI), Kyle Logue (IL), Dennis Erb (IL) and Clay Baumann (IL) Feature Top-5: Don OšNeal (IN), Shannon Babb (IL), Billy Moyer (AR), Kevin Weaver (IL) and Dan Schlieper (WI) Segment #3 (June 6, 2004) Vermilion County Speedway, Danville, IL (35 entries) Fast Qualifier: Billy Moyer (AR)(*New Track Record) Dash Winner: Don OšNeal (IN) Heat Winners: Shannon Babb (IL), Duke Whiseant (AR) and Dennis Erb (IL) Feature Top-5: Billy Moyer (AR), Don OšNeal (IN), Greg Johnson (OH), Shannon Babb (IL) and Terry English (KY)