UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model Champ Jason Feger Ready to Tackle DIRTcar Nationals

From Volusia Speedway's website:

Jason Feger officially put the cap on his spectacular 2009 season last Saturday night when he received his UMP DIRTcar Racing Super Late Model national championship check and trophy during the organization's awards banquet in Springfield, Ill.

So what's next for the rising star from Bloomington, Ill. His first-ever winter racing trip to Florida, an excursion highlighted by six nights of Super Late Model action during the 39th annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park.

Feger, 31, will test his considerable skills at the half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach in four UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned events (Feb. 8, 9, 10, 12) and two World of Outlaws Late Model Series programs (Feb. 11 and 13) that open the national tour's 2010 schedule.

“I'm pretty anxious to get down there,” said Feger, who left the recent UMP DIRTcar gala with $32,700 in points-fund cash, including 20-grand for winning his first career national title. “All of the best in the business will be there, so it's definitely gonna be a measuring stick to show where we're at.”

Coming off a campaign that saw him win a UMP DIRTcar- and career-best 23 features at 13 different tracks in four states, Feger certainly brings a growing reputation to Volusia's week-long blockbuster. But he'll also be tackling one of the country's most competitive Super Late Model meets for the first time since entering the division in 2002.

Feger has previously experienced the DIRTcar Nationals atmosphere, but only as a high-profile crewman. Two years ago he provided a helping hand during the week to his buddy from the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals trail, Jeep Van Wormer of Pinconning, Mich., giving him an up-close taste of what it takes to speed around the sprawling track.

“I think that year I was (at Volusia) with Jeep is gonna help me a lot,” said Feger, whose 2009 season included his first-ever WoO LMS A-Main triumph on May 24 at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. “It looks like a challenging place and has a lot of unique characteristics, and I know that with so many good cars there it's gonna be tough if your car's not right and your stuff's not good. But I like fast racetracks and feel like I learned a lot just by watching (while working with VanWormer), and hopefully that will translate to success on the track.”

Feger's long-awaited chance to kick off his racing season in the Sunshine State comes courtesy of Stearn Ironworks and Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing, the Midwestern companies that joined his family-owned team midway through the 2009 schedule. The extra sponsorship gave Feger the financial boost he needed to obtain a larger hauler and trailer (a transporter formerly used by Scott Bloomquist) and hit the road more actively.

Two cars built by Midwestern racing legend Bob Pierce will be in strapped into Feger's rig for the haul south – one a virtually-new machine with just four starts on it, the other Feger's battle-tested ‘Good Old Girl' that's two-and-a-half years old and has seen action in more than 120 events.

“We're gonna give it everything we got with our best stuff,” said Feger, who won't have to adjust to an open-tire rule for the WoO LMS events at Volusia because the UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tires he knows so well are mandatory in all DIRTcar Nationals shows. “We're not going down there to run second. We had a great run (in November) at the World Finals (charging from 19th to second in the WoO LMS 50-lapper before cutting down a tire) and that was our first time at Charlotte (Motor Speedway), so hopefully we can do the same thing (at Volusia).

“I know it would be awesome if we could get a win. To kick off the year beating the best guys in the country – man, that would mean a lot. That would sell Bob (Pierce) some cars and give me a lot of notoriety.”

Feger should say more notoriety, because, win or lose, he figures to attract plenty of attention throughout his visit to Volusia Speedway Park. He's one of the hippest, most gregarious drivers currently on the dirt Late Model scene, his car sports a cool color scheme and ‘tumbling dice' graphics, he sells trendy apparel and he displays a hard-charging driving style (he's not called the ‘Highside Hustler' for nothing).

With a unique first-time promotion for this year's DIRTcar Nationals providing all ticket-buyers an opportunity to sign into the pits each night at no additional charge, a steady procession of fans will undoubtedly make their way to Feger's trailer. You can bet that he'll be accommodating to every last one of them – after all, he succinctly summed up his feelings toward his supporters during the speech he delivered to a packed ballroom upon accepting his 2009 UMP DIRTcar national championship laurels.

“It can't be possible without the fans – that's absolutely positive,” Feger said near the end of his heartfelt banquet remarks, which stretched for more than 20 minutes. “They buy your t-shirts, they fill (tracks') stands. We all gotta do what we can in this day and age for the fans, and I'm fortunate I have a lot of really good ones.

“I work really hard at (fan relations) – I try to treat them good, and I try to put on a show. Sometimes it's hard to determine if you're in the entertainment business or the racing business, but it's always really great when you can get the support of the fans because of what you do.”

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH begin on Feb. 2 and run nightly through Feb. 13. Joining the Super Late Models on the schedule are the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 5-7); the Super DIRTcar Series for big-block Modifieds (Feb. 10-13); the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series (Feb. 3-4); and the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Feb. 2-9).

Jason Feger The Highside Hustler by Kevin Kovac

Feger Racing is fortunate enough to be on the cover of the Feb 2010 Dirt Late Model Illustrated, writer Kevin Kovac wrote the article. How awesome is that!! Please forgive me for any typos that occurred while I retyped the article :) Thank you both to Kevin Kovac and Dirt Late Model Illustrated for the article. It is so very cool. They guys always dreamed of being in the dirt late model magazines, to have a feature article is awesome. Believe me -- if you see a glow coming from Bloomington, it is Grandma Griffin sharing her article with her customers at Denny's on Eldorado Road. Grandpa Griffin would have loved it and everything published on dirtondirt.com -- anyway --

HERE'S KEVIN'S ARTICLE FROM DIRT LATE MODEL MAGAZINE FEB 2010:

As modern-day dirt Late Model champions go, Jason Feger seems to have come straight from central casting. He has all the marketable qualities -- steely desire and dedication (he's steadily built his family back operation from humble beginnings), exciting style (he's not called the "Highside Huster" for nothing), youthfulness (he's just 31), bubbling personality (he's always approachable and accommodating) and a dose of hipness (cool race car graphics, trendy apparel, the occasional mohawk hairdo and a team that's not afraid to party and have fun).

It's no surprise, then, that after winning his first career UMP DIRTcar Racing Super Late Model national championship in 2009, Feger has become the poster boy of the Midwestern-based sanctioning body. He even hails from Bloomington, Illinois, right in the heart of UMP Late Model Country.

Feger will blush at the notion that he's now the face of UMP, but it's a fact. A driver doesn't put together one of the most spectacular season in circuit history -- a UMP -leading 23 feature wins at an astonishing 13 different tracks in fours states -- and end the two-year national title reign of a hard-nosed owner-operator like Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Illinois without turning into the It Guy of the moment.

A winner of UMP DIRTcar's Most Improved Driver Award in 2008 after finishing a then career-best third in the national points standing, Feger got a taste of his new found celebrity status when he made some late-season trips to tracks outside his usual realm.

"A lot of fans came up to talk to me and I heard a lot of compliments,"Feger said. "So you realize that winning the championship is a pretty big deal." The way Feger secured the prestigious $20,000 crown, of course made him a deserving recipient of widespread acclaim. He's not only a home-grown UMP talent who started his racing career in the Sportsman division before moving to the seat of a dirt Late Model in 2002, but also the driver who finally took down the 37-year-old Erb, aka the "One Man Band" an impeccably consistent racer whom many observers thought would remain atop the UMP Late Model work in 2009 sweeping the organizations Summernationals tour and national titles for an unprecedented third consecutive season. To be The Man you have to beat The Man, ant that's what Feger did in '09.

"I think beating Dennis really makes the championship more special," said Feger, who bested Erb by 31 points in a national battle that was determine using drivers' best 40 finishes/points night of the season. "A lot of people know how good Dennis is. He's good in the big shows and can win against anybody, and he's definitely the guy to beat around here. Whenever you roll into a racetrack -- especially for the last three years -- night in and night out, Dennis is the guy you know you're gonna have to beat to win. You very rarely see that guy [finish] out of the top five.

"Racing against Dennis makes you focus to really stay up on your game. He's a competitor who hates to lose, so I think people know [the title] wasn't given to us or anything. We had to earn it."

Erb certainly got a little too close for Feger's comfort heading down the homestretch of UMP points race. While Feger never relinquished the top spot in the standings after grabbing it late in the summer, Erb pulled within seven points in late September with just two weekends of weekly points action remaining. Then Feger's two bouts with bad luck the last weekend in September -- a flat tire struck him leading at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway and more trouble knocked him from the lead the next night at Shepp's Speedway in Alexander, Illinois - left him wondering if all his success in '09 might not be enough to dethrone Erb.

"After those races at Peoria and Shepp's, I started getting stressed out, " said Feger who found himself thinking of points possibilities morning, noon and night. "It was tougher than I ever thought it would be and got us worrying a little bit. You don't want to give a guy like Erb any extra chances because he can take advantage of 'em."

But Feger came through under pressure, rolling through the final weekend of weekly points racing with three consecutive victories in October 2 - 4 at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, Lincoln (IL) Speedway and Shepp's to clinch the title. He was able to make the points-season-ending UMP DIRTcar Nationals the following weekend at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, his championship coronation rather than a pressure-packed weekend.

Finally, Erb was out of Feger's hair, though even with the title decided, Erb didn't stray far from Feger's mind. Feger, after all, feels honored to follow Erb as the UMP Late Model national champion since he sees a bit of himself in the gritty veteran. The tow drivers have decidedly different personalities -- while Feger is talkative and outgoing, Erb tends to be quiet and reserve -- and aren't especially friendly with each other, but they have scratched and clawed their way to the top of UMP DIRTcar Racing in much the same manner.

"i have a lot of respect for him," Feger says of Erb. "I feel like the way he's done it is kinda the way I've done it. He's a self made guy who's worked his but off to get where he is.

"I probably have a little more help in the pit [crew] department than him, but we come from the same ranks."

Indeed, Feger and his family have slowly-but-surely assembled a championship-caliber operation. His entire rise has come driving Late Models under the banner of Feger Brother Racing (that's Jason and his 29-year-old brother/crew chief Austin), though he creits his more recent associations with the chassis builder and former UMP Late Model national champion Bob Pierce (Feger began running Pierce cars midway through the 2007 season), powerplant constructor Ryhne Engines and sponsors Stearn Ironworks and Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing (who signed on midway through the 2009 seasons) with giving him that final push into the promised land.

"To be kind of self-made and win the championship is a big deal in my mind," says Feger, who works for his family's Absolute Apparel business when he's not racing (or getting ready to race) more than 80 nights a seson. "it's not like we just had somebody give us money and we went out and used it. We've gotten our program really built up over time. "it's definitely tough to di it this way. It's a lot of hard work , but we're proof it can be done."

The future appears incredibly bright for Feger, whose entry into the limelight in 2009 puts him near the top of every one's list of potential national stars capable of carrying the dirt Late Model division for years to come.

Anyone who might wonder whether Feger has the good to excell beyond the hardscrabble weekend wars of the UMP circuit need only look at some of his recent performances on the big stages. For instance, Fege bascially announced his 2009 intentions in March when he drove by such luminaries as Billy Moyer, Steve Francis and Shannon Babb to win the 40-lap March Madness feature at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, Kentucky, a vitory he calls "a turning point" in his burgeoning career.

Two months later, on May 24 at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Feger tossed his trademark "tumbling dice" number 25 around the outside lane for 40 laps to register his first-ever triumph in a World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main. It was another checkered flag that added to his growing stature.

"I had never been to Beaver Dam before, so to be able to show up and beat those Outlaw guys was an incredible feeling," says Feger, whose previous best finish in a limited World of outlaws starts was a fourth in the 2008 Pepsi Nationals at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri. "I really like racing with those guys and I have a whole lot of respect for them. "I just hope that win gives them a little more respect for me -- you know, solidifies me a little more in their minds."

Feger closed out his '09 campaign with a memorable heat-race charge to qualify for October's Dirt Track World Championship at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and just two weeks late, an outing at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, that likely raised his national profile to an even higher level. With a packed house of over 14,000 fans looking on during the Friday-night World of Outlaws World Finals 50-lapper, Feger made a stirring, cushion-pounding assault on the tour-tenths-mile oval that took him from the 19th starting spot to second place -- and the bring of passing eventual winner Scott Bloomquist -- before a flat tire did him in with just ten laps remaining. Feger's run at The Dirt Track so endeared him to the crowd, he sold enough t-shirts at his trailer the following day to pay his tire bill for the weekend.

In addition, Feger has been a force in Eldora's recent crown-jewel shows, qualifing for the World 100 in 2007 and 2008 and the $1000,000 Dream in 2009. He was one of just 12 drivers to qualify for all three of those UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned events.

Does his success against national-caliber competition give him the confidence that he can strike out on the road and make a profitable living as a dirt Late Model driver? You bet it does, although he also still understands that has plenty left to learn.

"Talent-wise, I feel I can go out and run with the best guys in the country," says Feger, who also won the championship of Don Hammer's UMP-sanctioned Monster Midwest Tour in 2009. "That's always been my ultimate goal - to race for a living, to run a national series like the World of Outlaws. But if I go run with the Outlaws, I know it's gonna be a learning curve for me. I know I can do it, but it would take some time to figure things out. We haven't run open tires very much.

"We definetly would need some time to make our program better (on open tires), and that means you have to have the backing to keep you out there on the road when you're struggling and learning those lessons."

Feger is getting closer to putting together the necessary backing that would allow him to test his talen - and go through the school of hard knocks - as a national touring driver, but he's not there yet. His fresh sponsorship deal with Stearn IornWorks and Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing provided him the chance to obtain a former Scott Bloomquist hauler and trailer to replace the conventional enclosed trailer he had been using and he plans to start his 2010 season with a February Speedweeks trip to Florida's East Bay Raceway Park and Volusia Speedway Park, but his regular -season focus will likely remain the UMP trail.

And Feger is content to continue building his reputation in the UMP Late Model divison, which happens to give an Illinois-based dirt Late Model driver like Feger more opportunities to race than virtually any other circuit in the country.

"Some people don't understand why we don't get out aways from home to race more than we do, but it's tough to leave what we have here, "says Feger, who graduated with honors from Parkland community College in Champaign, Illinois and has also completed courses at Heartland Community College and Illinois State University. "UMP country is pretty tough, and we've got a lot of pretty good tracks and races that pay decent money right around home. There's always a special somewhere in our area; I think I probably only ran five regular nights all year in (2009). "And in my opinion, UMP has the best tire deal in the country. With three compounds, you don't need many tires or many wheels. I've only got 24 rims to my name, so it's a great rule for me."

The grueling, month-long UMP Summernationals tour, which Feger began following in 2007, is the championship Feger most covets in 2010. Perhaps he could even follow in Dennis Erb's footsteps again, becoming the second driver in UMP DIRTcar history to sweep the Summernationals and national titles in the same season.

"The Summernationals is a goal," says Feger, who finished fourth in the 2009 Summernationals points standing while winning the first two tour features of his career. "And if you have a good year on the Summernationals, it's going to put you in a position for the national title. The you just have to take advantage of it."

Summernationals gloris is definitely a possibility in 2010 for Feger, who last year demonstrated the type of across the board speed and versatility that's necessary to achieve success on the series.

"[In 2008] I was good at my certain tracks, most the the fast, high-banked places," says Feger. "We had a good setup for places like Paducah (KY), Farmer City (IL) and Boswell (Indian's Kamp Motor Speedway), but we lacked something when we went to other places. We made some huge strides in that department [in 2009] - especially with the help of Pierce - and that's why we were able to win at so many different tracks."

Feger is also figuring out how to balance his instinct to charge, charge, charge with a calmer, smarter approach. "I'm not a points racer," says Feger. "I like to win races. For eight years in a Late Model, I've only driven one way. I try to get to the front and get everything I can out of my equipment. I'm always gonna run as hard as I can, but I'm learning to be more patient and not take all the chances I'd normally take." The Highside Hustler isn't going anywhere. He's just refining his distinctive style in order to win more races and more championships.

Feger, UMP Champion thanks childhood hero in collecting honors.

By Kevin Kovac, DirtCar Racing

Posted on www.umpracing.com and www.dirtondirt.com

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jan. 9, 2010 – Rising Midwestern stars Jason Feger and Gary Cook Jr. saw their dreams meet reality during Saturday night's 26th annual UMP DIRTcar Racing ‘Night of Champions' Awards Banquet inside the Springfield Crowne Plaza Hotel's ballroom.

Feger, 31, of Bloomington, Ill., was saluted for his spectacular 2009 season, which saw him win his first UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model national championship – ending the two-year reign of Carpentersvile, Ill.'s Dennis Erb Jr. – lead the circuit with 23 feature wins and capture the UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned Monster Midwest Series title. The homegrown talent's success earned him a total of $32,700 in points-fund checks during the gala evening.

Over 750 attendees from more than a dozen states and Canada filled the ballroom to watch UMP DIRT Racing officials distribute over $400,000 to the organization's 2009 champions and top performers.

An approachable racer known for his outgoing personality, Feger surprised no one when he accepted his championship laurels with a heartfelt, banquet-ending speech that stretched for more than 20 minutes. He spent much of his time behind the podium thanking the people who made his championship season possible, including his crew – led by his younger brother Austin, who earlier in the night was named the 2009 UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model Mechanic of the Year by vote of the organization's membership – mother, grandmother, chassis builder Bob Pierce, engine builder Matt Rhyne and long list of sponsors.

Feger had especially kind words for Pierce, the legendary racer whose chassis Feger has used for the past two-and-half years.

“It's such an honor to race with my childhood hero and help make his business succeed,” Feger said of Pierce. “You can't imagine how much that means to me.”

After posing for photos with his close-knit team, Feger reflected on his career campaign.

“Earlier today I did a radio show at the Speed Expo (at the nearby Illinois State Fairgrounds) with Larry Lembeck and he kind of put (the national title) in perspective for me,” said Feger, who won the championship one year after being named UMP DIRTcar's Most Improved Driver. “He started naming off some of the guys who have won this deal and the history behind it, and that really made it sink in for me. To be able to be listed with a group of guys like Gary Webb, Erb, (Randy) Korte, (Rodney) Melvin and a lot of others – that's pretty impressive to me.

“Just to think that someday down the road somebody is gonna look back and see my name on this list (of UMP DIRTcar champions) – I hope they can have the same respect for me that I have for the guys who have won it.”

Feger's points-fund earnings were topped by the $20,000 he received for the national title. He picked up another $5,000 for winning Don and Bonnie Hammer's Monster Midwest Series, plus $5,000 for finishing fourth in the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals points standings; $2,000 for placing second in the Central Region points battle; and $700 for fourth place in the Northern Allstars Late Model Series points standings. Feger also received two sets of Dyer's Top Rods for his national and Monster Midwest Series titles.

The only driver who left the banquet with more points-fund cash than Feger was Erb, who collected a total of $38,100 despite failing to three-peat as national champion. He still earned $25,000 for winning his third consecutive UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals title; $10,000 for finishing second in the national points standings; $2,000 for a runner-up placing on the Northern Allstars Late Model Series; $700 for fourth place on the Monster Midwest Series; and $400 for sixth place in the Central Region.

Following a 2009 campaign that saw over 10,000 drivers earn points, all eight 2009 national champions wore their crowns for the first time.

Photo left to right: Bob Pierce, Josh aka Cowboy, Austin Feger, Jason Feger, Mike Posio and Devin Shickel.

UMP Banquet & Midwest Expo -- January 9

Be sure to catch out the 2010 Feger - Pierce car at the Midwest Expo in Springfield Jan 9 - 10. Feger will receive the UMP National Late Model Championship and Monster Midwest Championship this Sunday at Springfield, IL.

Hope to cya there!

Get Your DREAM & WORLD Tickets from Feger

Feger has reserved tickets coming for the Dream and World!!
Dream Tickets will be available early February.
All tickets are for reserved seating in the middle of turns 3 & 4.

Help us get the souvenir trailer to the Dream and World.
We'll post the available seats soon!

Dirt on Dirt's Top Five Performances of 2009

WOW -- Jason made several highlights from http://www.dirtondirt.com/ -
including their top five performances of 2009.

Remember to check out the video reels on the site too -- especially the top bloopers of 2009, you'll find Jeep performing a "shark" attack, while dirtondirt is trying to interview Jason. Other videos include highlights of Feger in 2009 victories.

Here's the Top Five Performances of 2009 from the leading dirt late model website, http://www.dirtondirt.com/.

1) Jimmy Mars
at the North-South 100, where he made up a straightaway deficit the final six laps to stun Don O’Neal at Florence (Ky.) Speedway on Aug. 8. What was Mars thinking? "Oh my god, this is going to happen on the last lap. And it did for his second $50,000 payday in an eight-day stretch.

2) Jason Feger
at Eldora Speedway, Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Lawrenceburg Speedway, where he daringly showed again and again why he’s called the Highside Hustler. Mark Richards of Rocket Chassis called Feger’s heat race victory at Eldora’s Dream XV, “most impressive cushion run I’ve ever seen.”

3) Randle Chupp
at Golden Isles Speedway’s Super Bowl V finale, where he went worst-to-first in a 50-lapper for a $10,000 victory against a stacked 24-car field that included six World 100 winners. "I wasn't going to be denied, said Chupp, who had started on the pole the previous two nights.

4) Jimmy Owens
at Eldora Speedway’s Dream XV, where he went from third-to-first on the 73rd lap passing Scott Bloomquist and Tony Stewart - and then survived smoke-signaled engine woes the rest of the way. “I was afraid the motor was gonna blow up any minute,” said Owens, who earned $100,000. “I finally just said, “You know what? If it blows, it blows.”

5) Brian Birkhofer
at the 17th annual Show-Me 100, where he lapped all but six drivers and won by more than three-quarters of a lap in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event. "At one point tonight, I didn't realize I was that far ahead, so it may have gotten boring for the crowd ... but believe me, I was trying my hardest,” said Birkhofer, who earned $40,000.

Merry Christmas !!

Last year's Christmas card...

'Twas the night before Christmas,
when all through the stands.
Not a creature was stirring,
not even the fans.

The stockings where hung,
on the pit cart with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas,
soon would be there,

The pit crews were nestled,
all snug in the rigs.
While visions of victories
danced in their heads.

When out on the track,
there arose such a thunder,
I sprang from the rig
to see what was out yonder.

When what to my wondering eyes
should appear,
but a miniature track,
with eight fast cars
shifting gears.

The drivers were,
so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment the track
must be dry slick.

More rapid than eagles,
the late models came.

I whistled and shouted,
and called them by name;
"Go Feger! Now Sheppard!
Now, Babb and Van Wormer!
On, Frankie! On, Brandon!
On, Korte and of course
Billy Moyer!

To the top of the track!
Near the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"

The crowd sprang to stand,
as the cars neared the checkers.
And away they all flew,
like comets at night.
But I heard the winner exclaim,
as he drove out of sight.

"Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a Good Night!"

From Dirtondirt.com Feger's Car at IMIS Trade Show in Indy

Feger 2010 Pierce Car on Display at the IMIS Trade Show, Indianopolis

If you've got time -- check it out:
Feger's new 2010 Bob Pierce Race Car is
at the IMIS Trade Show in Indy on December 2 - 3.

Bob and Angie Pierce had the new Pierce chassis powder-coated by R&R Powdercoated in Charleston, IL in a very cool metallic florescent green.

Dustin Griffin of Griffin Performance has been busy outputting the wrap.

The guys have been working their rears off to get it ready for the show. Jason has added a few new sponsors: RCI, CV Products, Petersen Aluminum, Performance Bodies, Hooker Harness, Scott Perf and Wehr’s Machine.

THANK-YOU! THANK-YOU! THANK-YOU!
2009 was awesome – the UMP Championship, 23 feature wins, first WOO win, some terrific runs at big shows --

–IT IS A TEAM EFFORT!
From the guys in the shop, to Jason doing his job --
from support of great fans (aka –the Feger Nation) to these sponsors--
Advance Shocks, Rhyne Competition Engines, Jaxson Chase, Stern Ironworks, B&R Grocery, VP Fuels, ProTire, SVC, BSB, ABS, Sheps, Mulligans, Crutcher, Pic-A-Part, Wilwood, HyperCo, R2C, Stealth, Budda, Howe, Sweet, JoeGibbs, Wiles, PRC, Outwears, Allstar, Franklin, Beyea, Goodridge, Richardson, Dyers, Weld, Ricks Towing, KDK, Strong Concrete, Bairds, Harley Erectors, Stain & Paint Shop, and Jim & Lacie.

Plans for 2010 are in the works, it looks like the season will be starting in Feb at East Bay and than to Volusia. Once UMP announces the Summernationals we'll update the schedule on www.jasonfeger.com.

Feger Video Mix

Check out this video by Mike McKinney of DirtRacer Productions. Mike put this video together to highlight Team Feger's 2009 UMP National Championship and a great season. Michael Rigsby captured all the video for www.dirtondirt.com -- one of the best racing sites ever. THANKS GUYS -- Love the video!

Weekend "ON TAP"

Feger Race Car Party 2009
As most of you know, this Saturday night is the annual Feger Racing party. Every year this event continues to grow and this year is no exception with some of the coolest, one of a kind items being put up for bid. I mentioned before about our good friend Jeff from "The Stain and Paint Shop" putting together some 'over the top' goodies for this years bash. Now I have to tell you that these pictures really don't do Jeff's work justice but I wanted to give everyone a sneak peak at his work...



In person this plaque has an almost 3-D effect, the car is literally coming at you. Jeff put a lot of work into this and it really shows. This will be a neat treasure for some lucky bidder.





And here is one of the coolest items EVER at a race party...a full size bar/entertainment center patterned after Team Feger's world famous pit cart. Now while it is painted white at the moment, a full wrap will be applied emulating the original cart that the team uses to do battle. Truly a one of a kind piece that once again shows off Jeff's talent.
Hey Luke, wouldn't this be cool to have down there in Nashville?

I also know that the Anderson's are putting the finishing touches on a Feger Christmas tree and lots of other way cool items are in the works and will be up for raffle or auction. This party is the must attend event of the season and everyone at Team Feger hopes to see you there.

Here's the party info...don't miss it.
Date: Sat Nov 21
Place: Tri-Lakes Bloomington, IL
Time: 5:30 - Midnight
Food Served 5:30 - 8:00 or 8:30
Cost $8 (includes all the food you want to eat)
Kids under 12 are free with adult. All ages are welcome.
Yes, there will be plenty of alcohol for those of us over 21 with a cash bar.

Auction will start around 7:00 and go to about 10:00, the rest of the time is party time!!!

Where is Tri-Lakes?
2100 Bunn Street, Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Thats the far South West side of Bloomington.
Easiest way to get there US 51 South turn West on Hamilton Road (the side of the Street McDonalds is on)
Next turn left on Bunn Street -- the first four way stop.
Go down Bunn Street, Turn right immediately BEFORE the tracks.
Take the curvy road all the way back to Tri-Lakes, you'll wonder where in the world you are going.

C'MON SATURDAY!!


Bob Watters
Feb.28, 1928--Nov.13, 2009

Feger Videos

Links to a few of our favorite videos:

From Mike at DirtRacerProductions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41B-WE4sdeI

You may need a paid subscription to watch this one. Dirtondirt.com video of last Friday's World Finals at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
http://dirtondirt.com/video.php?watch=1747

Feger electrifies Lowe's with high-side run

Lowe's Motor Speedway, November 7, 2009, 8:42 am

By Kevin Kovac World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Posted on http://www.dirtondirt.com/

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 6) Everywhere he goes, Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., gets fans excited when he finds a high groove no other driver can. Last month it was during a Dirt Track World Championship heat race in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and Friday it was during the opening feature of the World of Outlaws World Finals at the Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

The 31-year-old Feger, who clinched his first career UMP DIRTcar points title a month ago, reached Scott Bloomquist's rear bumper on lap 40 after electrifying the huge crowd with an outside charge from the 19th starting spot to second in his Pierce car. Alas, his charge fell short when a flat left-rear tire forced Feger to slow and bring out a caution flag, leaving Bloomquist home free for the remainder of the distance.

The driver nicknamed the Highside Hustler impressed observers with his performance just two days after laying eyes on the 4/10-mile Lowe's oval for the first time, but an untimely flat tire robbed him of a shot at a popular upset victory.

I was trying to be smooth - as smooth as you could be in that cushion, - said Feger, who came back to finish sixth. "But when it's choppy like that, it's hard for these tires to stay under you.

We got right to his back bumper there in (turns) three and four, and then the next lap is when the tire just disintegrated. It just wasn't our night, but me and the guys are happy that we're up to speed. I think we showed what we have.

Bloomquist, who earned $10,000 for his third straight Friday-night victory at the World Finals, knew that Feger's charge carried a calculated risk. If Jason was closing, I'm sure he was just wide open on the top, - he said. - I don't think he cut a tire; I think he jerked it off the wheel. That's the kind of chances you take (running the cushion).

Weekend "LAST CALL"

Turned some heads and made some new fans.
The trip to North Carolina had some ups and downs and while it wasn't the most profitable of trips in terms of dollars won, a lot of new fans were converted by the high flying act that calls itself "Team Feger."

With the weekend starting off with a busted up race car and a DNQ for the topless event, Team Feger turned there misfortunes around and left their mark on the fans at the Lowe's dirt track.

Friday nights 19th to 2nd run in the feature was the talk of the town and it would have been amazing had the left rear tire decided to cooperate. We all know how that deal worked out.

Saturday's run in the feature wasn't quite as dramatic however I believe Jason still passed more cars than anyone this weekend. Feger had moved up to ninth before an oil leak sidelined the #25 car with a lap to go.

So, another learning experience in the books and a little more t.v. time for Team Feger.

Quote of the weekend goes to Scott Bloomquist. When asked about Feger closing in on him in Friday's feature, Scott responded with "I'm sure if Jason was coming he had to be WIDE OPEN on the top..."
Yep.

Weekend "ON TAP"

Carolina bound...
After a successful testing session on Monday, Team Feger is headed south to compete in The World of Outlaws 'World Finals' at The Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC.

The weekend gets an early kick start on Wednesday November 4th with the Topless Showdown (nope... ain't gonna touch that one) 50 lap feature with up to $30,000 to win depending on passing bonuses of $1000 per position.

Team Feger will then be competing in the 3 day "World Finals" event throughout the weekend.

Let's all raise our glasses in a toast..."Here's to no flat tires and solid runs against some of the best in the business."

Cheers.

Article below is from the World of Outlaws Late Model website written by Kevin Kovac

UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model National Champ Jason Feger Heads For Lowe's Motor Speedway To Top Off Spectacular Season
Posted Monday, Nov 02, 2009

— Jason Feger won't be an anonymous first-time visitor to The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway when he drives through the pit gate for the postponed Topless Showdown by Hungry Man (Nov. 4) and the World of Outlaws World Finals (Nov. 5-7).

Once a driver wins a prestigious title, after all, he becomes impossible to overlook.

So it is with Feger, a 31-year-old from Bloomington, Ill., who is heading for the big stage of The Dirt Track to top off a spectacular 2009 season that saw him emerge as the UMP DIRTcar Racing Super Late Model national champion.

“Since we won the championship we've gone to some tracks where fans have never seen us much before,” said Feger, who clinched the crown one week before the UMP DIRTcar points season ended with the organization's Nationals on Oct. 9-10 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. “A lot of fans came up to talk to me and I heard a lot of compliments, so you realize that winning the championship is a pretty big deal. More people know who you are.”

Feger figures to find himself in much the same situation at The Dirt Track. With his national title and 23 feature wins (at a remarkable 13 different tracks in four states) stamping him as one of the country's most successful dirt Late Model drivers in '09, he'll have plenty of eyes focused on him throughout the four days of competition for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Yes, expectations will be high for Feger, but he's ready for the challenge. Though this will be the first time he's ever seen the gorgeous four-tenths-mile oval in person, he plans to do his best to live up to the hype.

“I'm going to run as hard as I can, just like I always do,” said Feger, a personable racer whose distinctive style has earned him the nickname the ‘Highside Hustler.' “Everybody I talk to (about The Dirt Track) says I'm gonna like it, so that makes me feel good about going there. But if we're gonna do well we have to make the right decisions on tires (compounds) – that's what it's gonna come down to.

“We've had a great season in our area but this is going to be a whole new deal for us,” he continued. “We'll be running against the best drivers in the country, so it's going to be a real test. Talent-wise I feel I can go down there and run with them because we've done it this year around home, but when those guys come out here (to the Midwest) they play by our rules (using UMP DIRTcar Hoosier tires). It's a different story (during the World Finals) – we'll be on open tires, so you know it's gonna be a learning curve.

“We need to get better (running) on open tires. We haven't done that too much, and that's one of the reasons we want to go to Charlotte. We're trying to learn more and make our program better.”

Feger has certainly mastered the tough UMP DIRTcar circuit. Now in his eighth season behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model after excelling in UMP DIRTcar Sportsman action, Feger went from being named UMP DIRTcar's Most Improved Driver in 2008 to national champion in '09.

And Feger reached the promised land after a dramatic late-season showdown for the $20,000 points title with 37-year-old Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., who was bidding to sweep the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals tour and national championships for the third consecutive season. Feger held off Erb down the stretch to win the crown by 31 points.

“I think beating Dennis really makes the championship more special,” said Feger, who finished third in the 2008 national points battle. “A lot of people know how good Dennis is. He's good in the big shows and can win against anybody, and he's definitely the guy to beat around here. Whenever you roll into a racetrack – especially for the last three years – night and night out, Dennis is the guy you know you're gonna have to beat to win. You very rarely see that guy (finish) out of the top five.

“Racing against Dennis makes you focus to really stay up on your game. He's a competitor who hates to lose, so I think people know (the title) wasn't given to us or anything. We had to earn it.”

Feger feels honored to follow Erb as the UMP DIRTcar national champion since he sees a bit of himself in the gritty owner-operator known as the ‘One Man Band.' The two drivers have decidedly different personalities – while Feger is talkative and outgoing, Erb tends to be quiet and reserved – but they have scratched and clawed their way to the top of UMP DIRTcar Racing in much the same manner.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” Feger said of Erb. “I feel like the way he's done it is kinda the way I've done it. He's a self-made guy who's worked his butt off to get where he is. I probably have a little more help in the pit (crew) department than him, but we come from the same ranks.”

Indeed, Feger and his family have slowly-but-surely assembled a championship-caliber operation. His entire rise has come driving Late Models under the banner of Feger Brothers Racing (that's Jason and his 29-year-old brother/crew chief Austin), though he credits his more recent associations with chassis builder Bob Pierce (Feger began running Pierce cars midway through the 2007 season), powerplant constructor Rhyne Engines and sponsors Stearn Ironworks and Jaxon Chase Steel Detailing with giving him that final push.

“To be kind of self-made and win the championship is a big deal in my mind,” said Feger, who works for his family's Absolute Apparel business when he's not racing (or getting ready to race) more than 80 nights a season. “It's not like we just had somebody give us money and we went out and used it. We've gotten our program really built up over time.

“It's definitely tough to do it this way,” he added. “It's a lot of hard work, but we're proof it can be done.”

Now Feger will try to continue his success story this week in front of a packed Lowe's Motor Speedway grandstand and a national television audience on the SPEED cable network, which will televise the World Finals Late Model/Sprint Car doubleheader on Saturday (Nov. 7) starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Considering his '09 resume, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Feger make some noise at The Dirt Track with his green-and-white, ‘tumbling dice' No. 25. He's excelled on some pretty big stages this season – he won a heat race for June's UMP DIRTcar-sanctioned $100,000 Dream at Eldora, thrilled the fans with outside charges during qualifying for the Dirt Track World Championship last month at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway and, of course, scored his first career WoO LMS triumph with a flawless flag-to-flag run on May 24 at Charter Raceway Park in Beaver Dam, Wis.

Feger lists his WoO LMS victory, which came in a race co-sanctioned by UMP DIRTcar (both entities are owned by the World Racing Group), as a career highlight and confidence-booster heading into the World Finals.

“I had never been to Beaver Dam before, so to be able to show up and beat those Outlaw guys was an incredible feeling,” said Feger, who has entered four WoO LMS events this season. “I really like racing with those guys and I have a whole lot of respect for them. I just hope that win gives them a little more respect for me – you know, solidifies me a little more in their minds.”

http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/latemodel/News/2009/November/110209_LM_FegerWF.aspx

Shop Talk

Team Feger 2009 Monster Midwest Champions.
Korey sent down the official word that the Monster Midwest Series has ended it's 2009 season and Team Feger has added another title to the list of accomplishments. With eight series victories in 2009, Jason won the title by a 62 point margin over second place Ryan Unzicker. It sure would have been nice to run for the $10,000 that was supposed to be the season finale but I guess Mother Nature had other plans.

Is it just me or does anyone else find it funny that Team Feger officially wins the "Monster" title on Halloween weekend?
(Yeah, I was reaching a bit for that one.)

As I mentioned earlier, our buddy Jeff from 'The Stain Shop' has been working on a very special piece for the 2009 race car party. Jeff is quite the woodworker and he is putting together a special version of Team Feger's pit cart that will be going home with one lucky bidder.
Now it's long been known that hands down, Feger has the coolest pit cart in dirt racing...even if the stripper pole that was originally in the design never made it past the drawing board.
Jeff's version of the cart is more of a home bar/entertainment center. While still a work in progress, the entire unit is hand crafted with many neat features and when finished will have a wrap emulating the original cart. This will be a one of a kind piece and we are all very excited to see how it will turn out. Photos and more on this as it all comes together.

While there is no racing this weekend, Team Feger is very busy preparing for the World of Outlaws 'World Finals' November 4th through the 7th at The Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Weekend "LAST CALL"

Mixed results at "The Billy Bob..."
Once again a promising heat race victory led to high expectations, unfortunately the feature results were less than what Team Feger is capable of.
A decent qualifying lap had Jason starting towards the front of the heat race and he delivered the goods, passing the likes of Darrell Lanigan and Steve Francis on the way to a heat race victory. Listening to the race via The DRC, I believe it was Chris Nunn that I heard exclaim:
"That Feger is a MADMAN!!"
The elation was short lived however as tire troubles plagued the #25 car and Jason quickly resorted to defense. While the tires were all holding air this time, a wrong choice in compound on the ever changing racing surface threw Team Feger a curve ball. Pitting early, the guys made some changes making the car better however Jason was never able to be a contender.
As soon as we find someone to put up big money for spectacular heat race runs...WE ARE FRIGGIN' THERE.
The team did learn a few things from this experience and there is a short list of things that will be done different in the future.
Racing "outside the box" is gonna have some challenges.

Since Team Feger is capable of much better results...I will take a moment to razz them a little.
Kristy says you need to return someone'z back up beeper...and she wants a dollar.

The Feger race party is less than a month away and we've got our good friend Jeff Wesselhoff from 'The Stain Shop' in Pontiac, IL working up something way cool for this year's bash...stay tuned.

Weekend "ON TAP"

Team Feger heading to Brush Creek Motorsports Complex for "The Billy Bob" $10,000 to win late model show.
With the cancellation of the Monster Midwest Show at Lincoln Speedway, Team Feger will be heading east to Peebles Ohio to compete in "The Billy Bob."
Now I have no clue who Billy Bob is but he must carry enough clout to have a 50 lap, $10,000 to win race in his honor. Here at Feger Motorsports we really don't care what you want to call a particular event as long as you print it on a great big check with lots of zero's...
I guess we're off to find Billy Bob and try to take some of his money.
Hope some of you can make the journey...

I'll have to confirm with Korey but I believe that with the cancellation of the final MMS show, Team Feger is the 2009 Monster Midwest Champion. 23 feature wins (so far) and two championships this year...not too shabby.

Also, after speaking with Jason they now plan on attending the World of Outlaws World Finals at Lowes Motor Speedway on November 4th through November 7th. More about that as plans come together.

Weekend "LAST CALL"

Feelin' like Superman on Saturday...Clark Kent on Sunday.
With all the positive talk on Saturday after heat race #5, we were all pretty stoked for Sunday's 100 lapper. Jason was moving to the front and all was going well until about lap 34 when the right rear decided it didn't want to play anymore, threw a conniption fit and made a hasty departure.
After a lot of naughty words and a scramble to put on fresh rubber, Jason rejoined the field at the tail and started a march to the front. When all was said and done, Team Feger salvaged a 14th place finish. We need to find out where Jimmy Mars gets his tires from, his go flat in victory lane.

While fourteenth was not the result the guys were hoping for, some good things did come from their trip to The Dirt Track World Championship.
After Saturday, EVERYBODY had taken notice and quite a few "names" in the business were more than impressed with Feger's heat race performance.
Racing with the caliber of talent that was present this weekend is still a big learning curve and Team Feger paid some dues.
Before the flat the #25 was fast and headed in the right direction and even though some of the big dogs still mispronounce Feger, (as long as I can remember there never has been an 's' on the end) they are having to take notice of the storm that's brewing here in the midwest.
The Feger/Pierce/Rhyne/Advanced combination has become a force to be reckoned with and as soon as the rocky relationship with R/R tires gets smoothed over ...
It will be 'GAME ON.'


I have to give a shout out to long time fans Pete, Chris and Mike Portman for watching over the Florida Chapter for us...looking forward to popping some cold ones and telling some lies at East Bay.

Highside Hustler puts on a show at Lawrenceburg

From http://www.dirtondirt.com/
By Todd Turner, DirtonDirt.com chief writer

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. (Oct. 17) Fans at the 29th annual Dirt Track World Championship who don't often get to see Jason Feger didn't have to ask twice why he's called the Highside Hustler.

During daytime heat races at Lawrenceburg Speedway when most every driver stuck with the lower grooves, the 31-year-old Feger from Bloomington, Ill., showed everyone there was enough traction on a slick high groove to get the job done.
Feger, who recently wrapped up the $20,000 UMP DIRTcar Racing points championship while racking up more than 20 victories, got as many cheers as any heat winner with his runner-up performance in the fifth heat.

And the fans bundled up under coats, hats and mittens in the stands on a chilly afternoon weren't the only ones to notice. Plenty of Feger's competitors admired the Illinois driver's performance on the high-banked, 3/8-mile oval baked by afternoon sun.

"Did you see that Feger?" second heat winner Rick Eckert of York, Pa., asked. "That guy was up there, he was in a lane of his own. That guy's cool to watch, he really is."

For Feger, starting fourth and needing to run in the top three to advance to his first Dirt Track World Championship feature, running the high groove was a given, especially after he briefly fell back to sixth at the outset of the 15-lap prelim.

"You know where I was going to go," the Highside Hustler said later. "There wasn't much choice for me."
Feger clocked Dale McDowell's laps while running a little higher during his heat race run and figured the high groove was worth a shot even with rubber starting to build up in the lower grooves where everyone else was racing.

"Everybody kept saying it was rubbering up, but the lap times never picked up, so I figured I oughta just jump up there and see what it was," Feger said. "It was make or break and it ended up working real good.

"I got shuffled back there a little bit at the beginning; kind of a racing deal — and I had to fight my way back up. I'm just real happy to make my first Dirt Track and hopefully they can do some work on the track and get it more raceable for tomorrow."

Feger's groove choice was obvious as his Tumbling Dice No. 25 stood out in the high groove, especially when he swept past competitors exiting turns two or four. First he moved around Steve Casebolt, then took third from Scott Bloomquist and then grabbed second from polesitter Jeep Van Wormer. Ray Cook was a straightaway ahead by the time Feger got into second, and although he made up a little ground, he was fortunate to survive his only near-mistake as he once got a bit high in turns one and two.

Third-heat winner Steve Francis and sixth-heat winner Jimmy Mars were among drivers pointing to Feger's run to show that Lawrenceburg's daytime racing surface has definite possibilities of being better than the one-grooved norm.

"If they wanted to work the track a little bit (Sunday), they could end up with a really racy track," Mars said. "Even if you watched Feger there, right before my heat, he was balls to the wall up on the top and here there are guys creeping around on the rubber, and here he's passing guys out in no man's land."

Feger spends most of the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals exploring the high grooves on 25 tracks each season, so it was nothing new to do the same thing at Lawrenceburg. "I was pretty confident, just by knowing how I drive and how the track's banked," Feger said. "I knew the cushion in three and four; not really a cushion, but the little bit of moisture that was up there; I was pretty confident the whole time."

"We've still got some work to do, but we're just happy to get in the show, and tomorrow's a new day."