The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
The weekend provided some great racing and some frustrating moments for Team Feger. But I guess if it was easy, it wouldn't be cool.
Peoria Speedway's $5000 to win Thursday special show. Setting overall fast time and winning an exciting heat race over Shannon Babb, things were looking good for the feature.
Unfortunately, a rare miscue on tire selection put Jason on defense as he struggled to keep the car down on the "bottom fast" track. Searching all over the track for a quick line other than the hub, Jason searched to no avail. Salvaging a sixth place finish, the guys readied themselves for the big racing weekend ahead.
On a personal note, I've got to give a big THANK YOU to our buddy Tom and his crew for saving us the great seats!!
Farmer City 50 Monster Midwest show.
A second place qualifying run put Team Feger on the pole of the second heat, which Jason used as a tune up session for the big show.
Get the popcorn ready.
Starting the feature on the outside front row, it only took turns one and two to decide who was going to control the pace. A little door banging with pole sitter Darren Miller for effect, then it was time to roll out. Feger "walked the dog" opening up a half a lap lead midway through the race, but Babb was coming and a late race caution put Shannon on Jason's back bumper.
I was a bit worried as Babb is the last guy you want to tangle with at Farmer City and he was flying before the caution. On the restart Feger would not be denied, quickly reclaiming a straightaway lead over the hard charging Babb.
Something about a victory at Farmer City tastes a little sweeter, beating the likes of Moyer, Babb, Miller and Erb makes it even more so.
The "Dirty 30" victory lap was a classic for those that remember.
Moment of the night goes to the other seven drivers that were in the redraw in front of the grandstand. When Jason drew the outside front row starting position, there was an audible groan/sigh as they suddenly realized second place money was all that would be up for grabs.
Fairbury Speedway's "Prairie Dirt Classic."
After the showing at Farmer City, we were all anticipating a strong run at the $10,000 to win Prairie Dirt Classic. After a 15th place qualifying effort(?) the invert went Jason's way putting Team Feger on the pole of the heat race. That's when it got ugly. Running in second place and challenging for the lead...a little puff of smoke ended the night for Feger Racing.
Broken camshaft.
The guys tried to complete a motor swap in time for a "banzai run" in the consi but it wasn't meant to be. For the first time in 2009, Team Feger was on the trailer before the main event. The sad part of it is, the race track was totally a Feger race track...hammer down against the fence.
Even with the frustration, Team Feger upheld their standards, the party around the hauler was as if Jason had won the show.
Win lose or draw, the guys don't disappoint... and the Jello shots provided by "Mr. Turn Four" were killers as well!
Quote of the night goes to Rodney Unzicker. As my wife, Kim and I walked past the Unzicker's tailgate party, we wished them good luck. With an evil smile, Rodney replied, "If you see the Fegers, tell them we've got their "Jungle Juice."
Austin has been bragging this stuff up for a while now and man was it tasty. Plus after a couple of glasses, the mind erasing effects helped make the evening seem not quite as bad.
Lincoln Speedway Monster Midwest $2000 to win Labor Day special.
With the wounds from Saturday night still fresh. Team Feger rolled into Lincoln Speedway with two things on their minds, kicking ass and chewing gum...and they were all out of gum.
After winning the heat and drawing a fourth place starting spot for the feature, the stage was set. It only took a handful of laps for Jason to claim the top spot and from that point he was counting laps until the finish. I can't recall how many cars were on the lead lap at the finish, but it wasn't many.(I told you he would win it Chad...)
Gotta' love a driver that's hungry.
This was Team Feger's seventh Monster Midwest feature win of the season and with it, they stretched out their point lead a bit over second place Ryan Unzicker.
Quote of the night goes to Jason. When Don Hammer asked Jason how he felt about shortening the feature to 30 laps from the usual 40, Jason replied "Why don't you ask me that on lap 29..."
Could have asked on lap 5.
