MORRIS, Ill. – Grundy County Speedway finally got its stock car racing season underway Saturday night, with Eddie Hoffman winning the 50-lap Carter Memorial for late model stock cars.
The race was held in the memory of Burdette Carter and his son, Scott, who both played major roles in the success of the speedway over the years.
Hoffman, the veteran Chicago area racer, wheeled his Feece Oil Co.-sponsored Chevrolet to the victory at the third-of-a-mile paved oval, grabbing his 143rd career feature win at Grundy. Hoffman with six late model track championships to his credit, including last season’s, is tied with his late dad, Ed Hoffman, for the most championships at the speedway.
James Gregait and Blake Brown led the early laps of the race with fastest qualifier Paul Shafer Jr. taking over the top spot on lap 36. Moving into the lead with three laps to go, Hoffman took the checkered flag with a .442-second advantage over Shafer. D.J. Weltmeyer, Brown, Tony Brutti and Keith Tolf rounded out the top six in the 17-car feature field.
John Ventrello captured the 30-lap main event for Mid American sportsman competitors. Ventrello defeated Austin Blackwell and Marqus Hoover.
John Senerchia, a four-time division champion at the speedway, won the 30-lap street stock feature. Senerchia raced ahead of Scott Gardner and Cheryl Hryn to the victory with Gardner being disqualified after a post-race inspection.
Katie Hocking was the winner of the 25-lap pure stocks (four-cylinder) headliner feature as she beat Jeremia Senko and Zach Legner.