Shoptalk / Weekend "ON TAP"

Not much talk, but a lot of activity.
With the UMP points battle as tight as it is, everyone is focused on getting ready for the upcoming weekend. Look for Team Feger to be at Farmer City on Friday night for a regular show. Saturday is still undecided between The Northern Allstars at Lasalle, or the Monster Midwest show at Highland. Sunday, the Team will be at Quincy Raceway for night two of the Monster tour. I'll have Saturdays decision posted as soon as it's made. With Dennis gaining back some points at FALS last Saturday, Team Feger will have their game faces on this weekend. (Even though I will still try to get them to go see The Reverend Horton Heat's show after Fridays races!)

The new car, "Clawhammer," is in the shop and under construction. Still has that new race car smell to it. Once the cockpit and decking are in place, the rest should come together fairly quick. My guess would be a debut right after the World, but you never know.

Lots of neat things going on at the shop, not letting the cat out of the bag just yet, but keep your eyes open cuz' you never know what might happen!

Hope to see you at the races.

All good things come to an end.

Unfortunately, Team Feger's four race win streak has come to an end at FALS. After qualifying second overall and winning the heat, things were looking good for another strong run. After a fourth place draw for his starting spot in the field, things went well for the first few laps. Jason was running in second and pressing the leader, however, after an early caution, the car wasn't right. As the race wore on, Jason turned more and more to defense, racing hard to avoid losing positions. With two laps to go, the right rear went completely flat, forcing Jason pit side. "The car never really felt right from the start" commented Jason after the race "I wonder if that tire wasn't going down at the beginning (of the feature)."
Not to be kept down for long, Jason was all smiles as he took care of fan requests for autographs and pictures. That is one quality that I've always admired about Team Feger...they've never forgotten that the fans are the reason all of this happens.

Lots of positive comments about the blog and the website being kept current. With Tracy's workload, it's been a real pleasure for Korey and I to step in and help out. Korey Rich has been keeping the schedule/results page current. He's been typing lots of "ones" in the results column, after last night, he'll unfortunately have to put another number next to the "one."

Quote of the night comes from Kristy. "Where's my Joey dollar?" Her and I have a long running bet on who will finish higher in the feature, Jason or Joe Harlan. When Jason heard her say that, the second quote of the night popped up..."Ain't I still about $299 dollars ahead?!"

Good times.

Identifying the goals...

On the way to Kankakee, the guys made a list of their goals for the evening:
1 Set fast time.
2 Win the heat.
3 Draw good for the feature.
4 Put a power move on Dennis that he won't soon forget.
5 Win the feature by at least a straightaway.
6 Keep UMP points lead.
7 Take over the Monster Midwest points.
8 Party like rockstars.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Quote of the night comes from Butch Hixson, commenting on Jason's feature run.
"Bigger Balls than anyone right now..."

Weekend "ON TAP"

"Monster" weekend in store for Team Feger.
Friday night has the team heading to Kankakee Speedway for the Monster Midwest Show. Saturday night follows the tour right down Rt. 24 to the Fairbury American Legion Speedway. Both events pay $2000 to the winner. With the team running local this weekend, come out and support Team Feger. Both tracks provide exciting , side by side racing, and the after-party at FALS is always a good time.
(Rumor has it, a certain FALS corner worker will be bringing the Jello shots!)

Feger recaptures the UMP points lead.
In a tight, three way battle for the UMP points championship, Jason has retaken the lead by a mere 14 points over Dennis Erb. Randy Korte is also adding points fast...looks like this is shaping up to be quite a contest.
Jason is also running third in Monster Midwest points going into this weekend, 14 points out. Hopefully, last weekends luck and momentum continues.

Fresh ink
Team Feger would also like to welcome aboard two new advertising partners,
Jaxon Chase and Stearn Ironworks now occupy space on both quarter panels.
More details to follow shortly!

Hope to see everyone at the races!

Shoptalk

Swung by the shop today to check the happenins' and it was sad to see "Nightrain" being cleaned up to be dismantled and retired. For those of you that don't know, the cars have names. Nightrain and Split Lip. Seems Nightrain gave one too many piggy-back rides at Clarksville. Anyway, Jason was at Pierce's finishing up a new chassis, and the guys will start assembly of the new car ASAP.
I asked Austin what the new car will be named.

"Clawhammer."

Clawhammer? Has a nice ring to it, but why Clawhammer?

"Cuz' you can get a lot of *(things)* done with a clawhammer..."

Agreed.

Feger wins at Shepps!

Rounding out a great weekend, a last minute decision to go to Shepps paid off for Team Feger. In a race that Tracy called "Jason's toughest win of the year," Feger rallied from a 15th starting spot to win the feature at Shepps!

Quote of the night: "I'd like to thank Stevie for being my lead blocker this evening..."

X 2

Not too many things will keep me from being at a dirt track on a Saturday night, however, Hobo's birthday bash kept us close to home. With that being said, the phone call I was waiting for came at about 11p.m.

Feger wins the $2500 to win MARS/UMP race at Lake of the Ozarks Speedway!!
Another evening of passing points racing had Jason start 5th in his heat, which he won, putting him on the pole of the feature.
At the drop of the green, Feger set out to do a repeat of the previous nights performance...win big. When the checkers waved, Jason had almost a straightaway lead on the rest of the field. Maybe this passing points racing isn't so bad after all!
This was Team Feger's first visit to the 3/8th's mile facility promoted by the Gundaker family. Jason commented that like Tri City, the track prep was excellent with plenty of multi groove racing. The place is really nice and he's looking forward to returning there when his schedule permits.

Great job Team Feger on a weekend filled with great racing and trophy girls!!

Quote of the night again goes to Jason. When answering the phone to get the scoop on the evenings racing, the first thing I heard was "WE LIKE LAKE OF THE OZARKS!!"

Pierce makes it, Rhyne shakes it, Feger takes it!!

Feger leads all 40 laps of the MARS/UMP race at Tri City to capture his first series win, and the $3000 top prize!

Not being a big fan of passing points, the team was a little discouraged with a last place starting spot in the heat. But, Jason went to work and charged from the tail to finish a close second, just inches from taking the heat win. His performance in the heat race landed him pole position in the feature.

When the green waved, Jason proceeded to put on a clinic, amassing a 5 second lead over the second place car. Lap traffic was never much of a problem, and while he spent most of the race in his familiar top groove, the car was fast wherever Jason needed it to go.
After the races, Jason commented that "I don't like passing points racing, but maybe they aren't so bad when you get a track like that to race on. The Gundakers did a great job with the racing surface and the heats were long enough to make things happen."

The team has decided to continue on south to Lake of the Ozarks Speedway, in Eldon Missouri, for the second night of MARS/UMP competition.

Comment of the night goes to Jason. After almost winning the heat, he says: "I wish I had my big motor in the car..."

WOO HOO -- Brettman on board!

How kool is that -- Brettman will be posting on the blog too! Seems like these days most people know who I am, but just in cast any of you don't know Brettman -- here's a few tidbits:
  • He's a Feger Fan -- guess ya knew that, otherwise he wouldn't be posting on our blog :)
  • He's known Jason and Austin pretty much since they were wee, little tots, guess since they were babies.
  • Loves RACING and has a lovely bride who equally loves the races.
  • Brett's darn articulate and from my perspective, much witter than I will ever be.
  • He's a connoisseur of music and underground type bands.
  • and a proud owner of a classic camaro he's customizing.
So, if you're around after the races, stop by the pits, say hi to all of us. If ya don't know Brettman, let us know and we'll introduce you. He usually treks to most of the tracks.

Thank you, Thank you to Brettman for helping with the blog!!

-- Tracy Feger

World 100 Tickets -- Still some remaining

FYI -- Lots of reserved seats have been spoken for, only a few are left.

Section SH Row 10
Seats 22 - 27

PLUS, we still have 18 general admission seats.

Thanks much to everyone that has reserved a seat and is sending us the $$$.

You've helped us get the souvenir trailer to the World 100!

-- Tracy

Weekend Update August 8 and 9

Hey Folks, Brettman here "takin' care of shop" for the always busy Tracy.

On Friday, The Feger Racing Team will be taking their high flying act south to Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach IL, for the $3000.00 to win Mars/UMP show. As of late, Tri City has been pretty good to the Feger Team, hopefully Friday night will bring more positive results.

Saturday is still undecided, it will either be Kamp or Lake of The Ozarks Speedway, but it will be posted here as soon as a decision is made.

World 100 tickets are selling fast, but it was decided today that section "NG" at Eldora has been unofficially renamed "The Highside Headquarters." It will be THE place to be for the World 100, so you'd better get your tickets ordered soon, as only a handful are left.

Hope to see everyone at Tri City tomorrow...

World 100 Ticket update

Thanks much -- getting lots of emails and phone calls about tickets. I've been trying very hard to make sure we get back to everyone. If you haven't heard back from me or gotten a confirmation on your tixs, please email info@griffindesign.net.

Bryant -- I left you another voicemail to confirm what you want.

Here's what's left ticket wise:
Section NG, Row 10, Seats 16 & 17
Section NG, Row 9, Seats 11 - 17
Section SH, Row 10, Seats 22 - 27

PLUS we have 18 General Admission Tickets left!

Thanks much,
Tracy

Thanks to Cedar Lake and Fans Fund

Cedar Lake was an awesome week-end. Team Feger had a strong showing, one of the best from Illinois the entire week-end.

Thursday -- Jason won his heat. In the feature was running a strong third when a yellow came out on lap 10. During the yellow Babb let Jason know his right rear was going flat. The guys fixed the flat, came back out to restart 24th. Jason rallied back to 9th.

Friday -- USA Nationals Feger won the R2C Performance for his fast time!!! He was the only car with 13 second laps. Heat race finished third. Feature started 18th, moved to 13th. Lap 10 another darn flat. Came back out to 24th. Moved up to 8th and was looking strong. The track went away around lap 43, Cedar Lake had put new clay on the track. From what I'm told that was a rare occurance.

Thanks much to the Fans Fund and everyone that voted for Team Feger. We had fun at the luncheon and drawing for give-aways.

People every where were so gracious, we've never had so many people thank us for coming to their track -- how awesome is that.

Rich Olson and crew had to put in tremendous hours.

Thanks to R2C Performance for sponsoring the fast time $500 bonus, plus additional $500 for running their filter, your sponsorship really helped.

Thanks to the promoters at Cedar Lake. WOW -- do they ever work hard. The facility is top notch. The people at the front gate and pit gate, very nice. The track prep crew worked the track through-out the night, but they also sped things up to get the heats in Friday when the rain was coming. Driver introductions -- amazing, any track that has a major event should take notice to what Cedar Lake does.

WORLD TICKETS

So -- if you or anyone you know needs World tickets, be sure to tell them that we've got 'em -Started with 100 and are now down to 79.
18 -- General Admission for $40 each
61 -- Reserved for $42 each

View Seating Chart on Eldora's Website

Reserved Seats Center of Turns 3 & 4 below the suites
Section NG
Row 10 - Seats 4 - 24
Row 9 - Seats 5 - 24

Section NI
Row 11 - Seats 13 - 16
Row 10 - Seats 11 - 16

Turn 1
Section SH
Row 10 Seats 18 - 27

How to buy: Call Tracy Feger at 309-242-2705 or email jason@jasonfeger.com
Payment: Paypal, check, money order or cash


Monster Midwest -- Charleston, Farmer City, Kamp & Danvile

Last Thursday, the Monster Midwest Series resumed in Charleston. Feger set a new track record, won his heat and won the feature!!
Next night FC -- Jason qualified 4th overall, won his heat and started great in the feature. While battling for third -- pop, pop, the car stopped. OH Crap!! I thought it was the motor, race car depression started to sink in. Luckily the motor was fine, the battery had a short. So that sucked. Darren Friedman and Erb put on a heck of a show in the feature.
Saturday -- Kamp, it was fantastic to be back at Kamp. Fast time, won the heat and dominated the feature. YEAH!!! Erb second, about 1/3 or more of a lap back with Heckenast Jr. right on his tail.
Sunday -- Danville -- fourth fast time, won the heat. Started front row outside of Dennis Erb. First lap, Erb took off, great start. Jason was right there. Restart, same thing. Eventually race got going -- Erb leading, about ten laps in Feger took the lead. Started pulling away and weaving in and out of lapped traffic. Two laps to go -- lapped cars holding Jason up. Erb on the bottom, Jason in the middle, Weaver (lapped) on the outside. Jason gets crowded, Erb gets the lead -- DARN IT, but at least it was a great race. Congrats to Dennis on the win. Unzicker and Heckenast had a good battle for third and fourth, but were not in contention for the lead.

NEXT UP -- CEDAR LAKE -- WDRL Show (I know there are those of you who like starting points, but I really, really, dislike them. Give me qualifing any day!) and USA Nationals up in Wisconsin.

Feger SELLING WORLD Tickets

If you are going to the World 100, please consider buying your ticket from team Feger.
Tickets should arrive yet this week. Stop by the souvenir trailer or email jason@jasonfeger.com. Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

Tickets:
80 Reserved -- $42 each
20 General Admission -- $40 each
You can use your tix and still get a pit pass.

Eldora Speedway 39th Annual WORLD 100
September 11 - September 12, 2009

Be sure to stop by the Souvenir Trailer and say hi too!!

Highside Hustler Confirms USA Nationals Attendance

Posted on www.4m.net
Written by Rich Olson
Fans voted for drivers: www.fansfund.com
USA Nationals July 30 - Aug 1 www.cedarlakespeedway
( Also a bit Thanks!! to Nicole for being the PR person for Team Feger.)

Jason Feger took a break out of a busy schedule to contact me this evening. Jason is running this years SummerNationals and is back at his shop working on both cars to prepare them for the continued grind on the tour.

I was great catching up with Jason regarding how things have been going on the tour so far, his expectations for the rest of the SummerNationals, his relationship with Bob Pierce, and his excitment for visiting Cedar Lake Speedway for the USA Nationals.I confirmed with him that he is one of the leading vote getters and while it is a few days away, it appears that he will finish in the Top 10 for FANS Fund voting.

He is most definately aware of the FANS Fund and cannot believe so many Fans would vote for him in this area since he primarily runs in IL, IN, OH, KY, and MO. Like all the others, he thanked the Fans for voting for him and cannot wait to confirm being in the Top 10 and coming to Cedar Lake Speedway.

I told him that he had better bring plenty of t-shirts and merchandise as his stuff is just incredible. If you have not seen his "Tumbling Dice" theme and some of the t-shirts and merchandise he sells... go to www.JasonFeger.com and check out his stuff... very cool! He also maintains a really top notch website and keeps it pretty current.

Click on Multimedia Gallery at the top right to check out some of his Wallpapers.Finally, we talked about Bob Pierce, his race cars and Jason's desire to get him back in one. I suggested that it would be a great opportunity to get Bob back in a car for the USA Nationals and run two cars. Jason mentioned that Bob's son is running really well with his Crate Late Model and he has been busy with his business and his son's racing career.

That said, we will continue to work on it with Jason, his mom, and Bob and Angie. Maybe the Tall Cool One will decide to make a return trip to Cedar Lake Speedway and take a shot at the USA Nationals title in one of Jason's cars. That would be special!I look forward to seeing the Highside Hustler Jason Feger at Cedar Lake Speedway for the USA Nationals and wish him all the best.

Rich Olson www.FANSFund.com

Babb repels Feger, earns $7,500 at Waynesfield

Article from www.dirtondirt.com
Written by: Todd Turner, Chief Writer, dirtondirt.


Shannon Babb got hot a bit too late to join the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals title chase, but he's grabbing all the purse money he can before the month-long series wraps up.

The 35-year-old driver from Moweaqua, Ill., nabbed his fourth victory in seven races Friday at Waynesfield Motorsports Park, collecting $7,500 in the 22nd and second-to-last event on the series. The sixth-starting Babb wrestled the lead from outside front row starter Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., on the 21st lap, then held off a last-ditch, low-groove charge by third-starting Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., for the 40-lap victory.

"When I saw him down there," Babb said of Feger's final charge, "I just figured I better get going a little harder and pick up the pace a little bit, so I did."

Feger flashed across the finish line just behind Babb in second while eighth-starting Duane Chamberlain of Richmond, Ind., rejoining the Summernationals for the first time since July 1, was third for his best series performance. Shirley was fourth and 1997-'98 Summernationals champion Rick Aukland of Zanesville, Ohio, rounded out the top five in his only series appearance of '09.

The series title contenders didn't finish up front, but leader Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., rallied from his provisional starting spot to unofficially increase his leading margin to 20 points over two-time and reigning champ Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. Korte advanced 10 positions to finish ninth while the 13th-starting Erb finished where he started. Erb entered the race 14 points behind Korte. Just one series race remains Saturday at Oakshade Raceway in Wauseon, Ohio.

At the outset of the feature, polesitter Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind. — back on the series where flat tires, spins and flips proved his undoing — pulled away from Shirley early in the race before his Summernational jinx appeared again.

The lapped car of Rick DeLong got into the rear of James entering turn one on the 13th lap, sending his No. 83 spinning. Officials sent No. 3 DeLong and James to the tail, but James elected to head to the pits. Before he left the track, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, James retaliated against the No. 3 of the second-running Shirley on the backstretch, crinkling the quarterpanel of the wrong No. 3.

Shirley inherited the lead for the restart with Babb, Chamberlain, Doug Drown and Feger in pursuit, and once Feger disposed of Drown, the top four duked it out through the race's middle stages. Babb beat Shirley into turn three just past the halfway point, and he stretched his lead to a half-straightaway by lap 25. But with Feger sliding under Chamberlain to take second on that lap, he slowly reeled Babb in the rest of the way.

With Babb sticking with the high groove, Feger worked the low side in turns three and four, pulling alongside the leader a few times in the closing laps. But Babb's momentum off turn four on the final lap carried him to the checkers just ahead of Feger, who misunderstood the flagger's signals and at first mistook the white flag for the checkers.

It was good side-by-side the last couple of laps," said Feger, who fought a tight-handling car. "It just ended up being a good finish."

Race notes ... Waynesfield hosted its first series race and drew 29 cars, the second-lowest total on the series. ... A quick program saw the feature end at dusk. Feature: 1) Shannon Babb, (2) Jason Feger, (3) Duane Chamberlain, (4) Brian Shirley, (5) Rick Aukland, (6) Doug Drown, (7) Tim McCreadie, (8) Ryan Unzicker, (9) Randy Korte, (10) Matt Miller, (11) Frank Heckenast Jr., (12) Wayne Chinn, (13) Dennis Erb Jr., (14) Rodney Melvin, (15) Kevin Weaver, (16) Brian Ruhlman, (17) Donny Walden, (18) Rick DeLong, (19) Rusty Schlenk, (20) Scott James, (21) Jerry Bowersock. Fast qualifier (among 29 cars): Drown, 12.20 seconds. Heat race winners: Feger, James, Shirley. Consolation winner: McCreadie.

Moyer Outduels Feger for Paducah $10k

Article from www.dirtondirt.com
Written by: Todd Turner, Chief Writer, dirtondirt.

PADUCAH, Ky. (June 26) On a track that's not his favorite where he says he never feels particularly comfortable, Billy Moyer was trying to feel things out at Paducah International Raceway during the 11th leg of the UMP DIRTcar Summernationals.

The outside front-row starter was cruising along in the lead when third-starting Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., cut down Moyer's near-straightaway lead and took command on the 19th lap of the 40-lap feature. That was the 51-year-old Moyer's call to get up on the wheel and show everything his No. 21 had.

"When he passed me, I had something left," the Batesville, Ark., driver said. "We usually try to have something left when we have to — that's what a good football player or basketball player does. He's always got some reserve in him when you've gotta do it."

Summoning his reserves, Moyer battled the next nine laps with Feger, going back ahead amid lapped traffic on lap 28 and racing to his 2009-leading fourth Summernationals victory and second in a row. It was also his second straight victory at Paducah, following a May 29 Northern Allstars Late Model Series victory at the 3/8-mile western Kentucky oval.

"I didn't really know how much room I ever had. I was just riding along there and the car felt pretty good, but I was being pretty cautious. When he went sneaking by there, I knew I had to get going then," said Moyer, the six-time series champion who leads the tour with 68 career victories. He has four wins in six 2009 starts. "We were pretty close, really. He did a good job. It was fun. We had a good race. .. We just ran each other clean and we didn't tear crap up and load it up and go tomorrow without having stuff bent up.

"When there's a high side like that, he runs good. You can't count him out when he's got a little berm and that wall to hold him in there. He stands on it."

Feger, gunning for his second victory in the last three nights, knew he'd have his hands full with Moyer after making the pass and facing a pair of lapped cars.

"Shannon (Babb) and Rodney (Melvin) were racing each other real hard, and I just never could get a good hole, and it seemed like a hole opened right up for him at the right time at the right place," the 31-year-old Feger said. "There's no doubt Billy's better than I am when he it comes to getting down on the racetrack and racing around with lapped traffic. It just kind of went his way.

"He's real good at changing his lines and going and finding something different ... I think when I passed him he probably went and started doing something a little different and got better again. He's just real patient and he's one of the best there is. It's hard to complain when you run second to a guy like that, let alone pass him and lead for a little bit."

Feger held on to finish second despite a deflating right-rear tire that went nearly flat by the time he got back to his pits. Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., rallied from his 11th starting spot to take third from eighth-starting Bill Frye of Greenbrier, Ark., on the race's lone restart at lap 33, and Korte's finish unofficially moved him past Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., in the Summernationals points chase.

Erb finished 12th. Polesitter Will Vaught of Crane, Mo., like Moyer driving a Victory Circle Chassis, ended up fifth. Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., ran in the top five most of the way but brought out the lap-33 yellow when his damaged left-front suspension slowed his No. 41.

Feature:
(1) Billy Moyer, (2) Jason Feger, (3) Randy Korte, (4) Bill Frye, (5) Will Vaught, (6) Terry English, (7) Duane Chamberlain, (8) Chris Wall, (9) Jeep Van Wormer, (10) Jeff Walston, (11) Brian Shirley, (12) Dennis Erb Jr., (13) Shannon Babb, (14) Rodney Melvin, (15) Kevin Weaver, (16) Ryan Unzicker, (17) Terry Casey, (18) Brad Neat, (19) Dylan Thompson, (20) Kevin Cole, (21) Scott James. Fast qualifier (among 41 cars):Terry English, 15.698 seconds.

Heat race winners: Vaught, Feger, Moyer, Chamberlain.

Feger Wins Summernational at Peoria Speedway

This article was posted on www.4m.net by BirkyFan.

A little more than a decade ago, Jason Feger was just getting his start in racing.One of the first tracks the Bloomington native sampled with his Sportsman car was the Peoria Speedway.“We ran here every Saturday night for several years and won a lot of Sportsman features here,” Feger said. “This is one of my home tracks.”

On Tuesday night, Feger picked up another feature win, albeit in a slightly more important race.Feger overtook polesitter Kevin Weaver near the midway point and won the $6,000 UMP Summer Nationals stop at the speedway.Feger, now known as the Highside Hustler, lived up to his nickname.

After Weaver and Rodney Melvin won the first two heats by running on the bottom, Feger showed just how quick the top could be in winning the third heat.He did the same thing in the feature, patiently waiting for his tires to come in on the high side before running Weaver down and then running away.“I think I was harder on tires than just about anybody else tonight,” Feger said. “The top side was real tricky in turns 3 and 4.“You just kind of had to tip-toe your way through there and try to keep your momentum.”

Feger was followed across the line by defending champion Jeep VanWormer, who also used the high side to get around Weaver, who finished third. There was also excitement early in the evening for the Late Models as Shannon Babb set a new track record of :12.119 seconds, breaking the old record of 12.409 set last year by Wes Steidinger.

Thanks much!!! Great article!!!