REDEMPTION NIGHT FOR HULBERT AT GRUNDY IN ANNUAL ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
REDEMPTION NIGHT FOR HULBERT AT GRUNDY IN ANNUAL ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
By: Michael J Guglielmucci
Morris, IL—For the second time in the 2015 D’Arcy GMC Short Track Auto Racing Series season, Channahon, Illinois native Billy Hulbert found himself parked on the front stretch at the Grundy County Speedway at the conclusion of the 30 lap midget feature. But last Saturday, Hulbert was able to keep the win, which he rightfully earned. Back on July 4th, Hulbert crossed the finish line first but had failed post race tech, eventually declaring Mario Clouser the winner. Hulbert overtook point leader Brad Greenup on the high side on lap 10 and never looked back, leading the final 20 circuits. The pilot of the Troutman Excavating/Transport Colors/Spike/Esslinger redeemed himself after missing the feature on June 18th due to a mechanical failure. With the win, Hulbert becomes the 11th different Illinois native to be added to the record books of Illinois State Champions, and the third straight.
Runner up, Brad Greenup, continued his dominance on the season with a second place feature finish and extending his points lead to 36 over Tyler Baran, who finished third on Saturday. Jim Anderson made his first appearance to Grundy since falling short of a victory in the season opening Patrick Wilda Memorial. Anderson would finish fourth with Ryan Probst rounding out the top five.
In the Illini Racing Series 20 lap main, it was all Patrick Bruns. The 3-time defending champion led all but one lap en route to his third win this season at Grundy. Bruns’ Mike Wallace Racing teammate, Max Poszgai, made it an MWR 1-2 finish, with SET Racing’s Adam Taylor completing the podium. Erica Ensor and Jordan Caskey completed the top five.
Classic Modified points leader, Darren Ihrke, extended his commanding lead with a win Saturday, edging out Ed Ensor. Nathan Bertino added another win to his Midwest Legacy Series resume, beating Tyler Brown at the line. Zachary Tinkle got the monkey off his back in the CSR SuperCup Series by picking up his first career win.
The D’Arcy GMC STARS series will have a week off before returning to the Grundy County Speedway on August 15th. Be sure to check out the STARS Facebook page and website, www.shorttrackauto.com for more information on the event.
