by Rocky Ragusa

Derek Chandler wrestled the lead away from Scott Bull with nine laps to go and pulled away from the field to claim the 30-lap, UMP Late Model feature as the Fairbury American Legion Speedway opened their 68^th season.

Pole sitter Bull led the field to the green as Chandler followed. Chandler, running the top side of the track, used his momentum to take the point on the third circuit, but Bull came back to reclaim the lead on lap four. Bull was able to open a five car length lead over Chandler, but never was able to distance himself from the field.  Jay Morris charged by Joe Harlan and Daren Friedman to take third in the early portion, but the front two cars had a straight away lead over the competition. Chandler slowly etched his way back to Bull’s bumper and moved into the lead with ten laps to go. Following a caution with seven laps remaining, Chandler, Bull, and Morris went three wide into turn one for the lead. Chandler showed the power and pulled away to a ten car length lead, as Morris showed Bull the nose of his car. Bull was able to keep Morris at bay, but in the end, Chandler took his second straight season opening win at the American Legion track. Defending track champion, Bull took second, with Morris, Harlan, Friedman, Steve Thorsten, Dan Flessner, McKay Wenger, Torin Mettille, and Don Hilleary completing the top ten. Wenger set fast time at a 12.603. Bull and Chandler took heat race wins.