Ricky Baker was the late model feature winner at Illinois’ Grundy County Speedway on Saturday night. (Chris Goodaker Photo)
Ricky Baker was the late model feature winner at Illinois’ Grundy County Speedway on Saturday night. (Chris Goodaker Photo)

Baker Claims Grundy County Make-Up Race

MORRIS, Ill. — With its regular weekly Friday night racing program being rained out, Grundy County Speedway hosted a make-up date on Saturday evening with Ricky Baker coming home the winner of the 30-lap late model stock car feature race on Armed Forces Night.

Racing out of Plainfield, Ill., Baker drove his Rod Baker Ford-sponsored Ford No. 52 to the win – his first of the year at the third-of-a-mile paved oval.  Baker, a two-time track champion at the speedway, finished with a 1.226-second margin ahead of Eddie Hoffman at the checkered flag.

The evening’s fastest qualifier Nathan Kelly finished third followed by Josh Nelms, last week’s feature winner Anthony Danta and Larry Schuler.

Blake Brown was the winner of the 25-lap Mid American sportsman main event.  Brown, from Twin Lakes, Wis., scored his second win of the season, finishing ahead of Aaron Shelton and Rickey Mathis Jr.  David Einhaus, Jeff Wakeman and John McMahon rounded out the top six.

For the third week in a row, Randy Weese captured the street stock division.  The Morris resident won the 25-lap headliner ahead of three-time track titlist Eddie Ligue and James Dean.  The father and son team of Scott and Scotty Gardner finished fourth and fifth respectively.  After his third straight win, Weese, a two-time division titlist, saw track officials put a $200 “bounty” on him.

Kristi Odom claimed top honors in the 20-lap four-cylinder division main event as she defeated Matthew Moniak and Ryan Lagestee.